Ezra
The world circled in knots.
One second I was in a bedroom arguing with strangers who claimed to be my family, and the next, my feet hit solid ground with cold air hitting my face.
My stomach turned like I'd just gotten off a carnival ride run by someone with unresolved anger issues. I wanted to throw up so bad.
"Did we really have to—" I gagged, "teleport?"
"That wasn't teleporting," Lysandra said. "That was transport magic."
"What a perfect explanation for witchcraft," I muttered.
When I finally looked up, I almost forgot how to blink.
We stood in front of the biggest building I'd ever seen. Castle? Mansion? Cathedral?
Pick whichever word meant "rich people built something unnecessarily huge." Tall white walls literally shone under the perfect rays of the moon. Gold lines also ran through the stones like magical art.
Dozens of glowing lanterns floated above the entrance and despite trying to catch sight of a rope, I couldn't see anything. Considering that we just spawned here, even though a few seconds ago we were literally standing in a different location, this should not be surprising.
But for the umpteeth time, where the fuck was I?
And the people? Holy shit.
Crowds dressed in glittering gowns, suits, robes, capes, whatever fashion era this was, walked toward the entrance. Everyone was tall, beautiful, sharp-jawed, pointy-eared, and might I add—extremely attractive.
Meanwhile, I stood there like a confused intern on his first day at work.
Alden placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Breathe. You'll be fine."
"Yeah of course, but maybe if you did one of your spells or something, you'd be able to take me back to my real world."
He sighed like he had been sighing since the day I allegedly existed.
Lysandra stepped in front of me and straightened my collar.
"Just stay close to us. Don't wander off. Don't talk to strangers. And if anyone tries to sniff you—move away."
I stared. "Why would anyone sniff me?"
She opened her mouth, then shut it. "I'll explain later."
"Please do," I said. "Preferably before someone treats me like a scented candle."
Maerin, who appeared beside us silently, like a ghost with customer service training, bowed.
"Young master, the royal guards are waiting."
"What business do I have with them? Who the fuck is that?"
Alden motioned for us to move. The four of us walked toward the entrance, and I tried not to gawk, but subtlety had never been a skill of mine.
Two guards stood at the huge double doors—tall men with silver armor and masks that covered everything but their eyes. Their ears poked through the helmets. No idea why that detail was cute, but it was.
They bowed to Alden.
"Lord Alden. Lady Lysandra." Then their gazes fell on me. "Young Lord Ezra."
Young Lord. That sounded like someone who owned horses and land and generational wealth, none of which I had but instinct told me to nod. Enough weird things were already happening, if this is a dream—which it DEFINITELY is, there's no reason to not make the most out of it, right?
We entered the building.
I don't know why I expected the inside to be normal. Hope, maybe.
It wasn't.
The ceiling stretched so high I had to tilt my head all the way back. Floating lights drifted above us like we had just walked in on some Harry Potter shit. The walls were covered with carved figures—wolves, moons, trees, crowns, and elves.
Music drifted from somewhere. It wasn't modern music, but violins and drums that sounded like something you'd hear before a siren calls you into the ocean.
The floor was glass. Underneath, glowing roots spread across the ground and they formed a soft outline that made them look like human veins.
And everyone inside looked like supermodels attending a royal wedding.
"Welcome to the Scarlet Moon Gala."
I wanted to go home immediately.
A man with a crown approached us. Their king maybe. Long red hair, ruby dress, confident smile. He greeted Alden, then Lysandra, then his gaze finally drifted to me.
"So this is the lost one," he said.
Lost one? Bitch, I am right here.
Alden cleared his throat. "He's still recovering."
"I can see that." His eyes roamed over me, in a curious, almost hungry expression.
"Has he awakened yet?"
What was that, number five on the list of confusing words today?
"No," Alden said quickly. "The healers advised caution."
"Pity," he murmured. "Tonight would have been interesting."
He walked away before I could demand an explanation.
A hush spread across the room and everyone suddenly looked serious.
"Whatever happens, just keep quiet and don't look directly at anyone. The Alphas are here."
Alden said to me but before I could properly process his words, the hall shook and the air was suddenly filled with a mix of honey, lavender, and some other flavors I couldn't quite grasp. The atmosphere tasted delicious. What the hell was going on?
Then they appeared.
Four men walked down the stairs.
Brothers—judging by the matching sharp ears and ridiculous beauty. Each dressed in black formal wear, but with different styles.
The first, which was the tallest, had broad shoulders, long dark hair tied back, his eyes shone bright red and for some reason, he looked absolutely breathtaking. Wait, what the fuck?
The second brother who was as tall, had shorter hair, messy waves, a scar cutting through his eyebrow. He had a bored expression on his face. I gaped at him despite Alden's command.
The third brother had lighter hair, almost white-blonde, his eyes were bright and warm. He smiled at everyone and I couldn't help the warm feeling that was slowly building up inside me.
The fourth one was sharp-faced, hair cropped short, jaw tense. Even from a distance, the atmosphere was charged and it felt like I was the only person in the room affected by it.
They were all outrageously handsome. Even if I somehow managed to wake up from this dream, I'd never forget their faces and their aura.
People around us suddenly lowered their heads.
Their gaze was on me and for some weird reason, something inside my stomach started tingling and my senses were starting to dull.