"Where's the portal?" Valerie asked, looking around. They scanned the whole room but couldn't find even the smallest glimmer of pink.

"This is bad," Linden said, mopping his forehead with his sleeve.

"How do we find the portal?" she asked, more frantically this time.

"You'll just have to feel around until you do."

"You mean it could be anything in here?" Valerie said.

She looked around the large room. It looked like a bedroom, with a chest, a bed, and a large mirror on one wall. A stocky wardrobe stood against the opposite wall and a shelf hung next to it. It was functional, if a little sparsely furnished.

"Try the floor first," Linden urged her.

Valerie got down on her hands and knees and began feeling the faded floorboards, hoping for a flash of light at any moment, but none came. She stood up again.

"Nothing," she panted.

"Okay, try the walls," Linden said.

Valerie began running her hands over the nearest wall, feeling a little silly as she did. "Why aren't you helping?" she demanded.

"It won't activate unless you touch it. I'd just be in the way," Linden answered.

There was a tapping noise. Valerie paused to listen.

"Footsteps," she said, her eyes widening.

They looked desperately around for a hiding place. Valerie's gaze settled on the wardrobe.

"In there!" she hissed, flying across the room.

She pulled the heavy door open and they piled in, pulling the door closed behind them. Thankfully, there wasn't much in there. They wedged themselves against the back just as they heard the door open and close. They held their breath.

Whoever it was walked back and forth for a while. Valerie stayed as still as possible, until she realized Linden's elbow was digging into her stomach. She tried carefully to shift her body, but the wardrobe gave a loud creak. The pacing and humming stopped. She froze.

The door was thrown open by a girl around Valerie's age, with long black hair, pale skin, and black eyes that were like windows into a bottomless void. The girl grabbed them and pulled them out of the wardrobe, throwing them to the floor with a surprising amount of force.

"Speak or I shall remove your tongues from their place," the girl commanded, looming over them with a dagger in one hand.

Valerie and Linden scrambled to their feet. "Look, this was an honest mistake," Valerie began. "We found this—"

"A mistake!" The girl thrust her hand out and a blast of air threw them back against the wardrobe, pinning them tightly. "No one breaks into Bruixa's castle by mistake!"

This must be some kind of magic, Valerie realized.

"We aren't lying!" she insisted, struggling in vain. "We were experimenting with this portal and I wanted to see where it went, so we—"

"A portal?" The girl stepped closer to Valerie, her terrible eyes staring at her intensely.

"Please," Valerie pleaded, "this is my fault. I insisted that we try the portal even though we didn't know where we'd end up. Linden tried to stop me and I dragged him along anyway. If you have to punish someone, punish me. Let him go."

The girl tilted her head. "You're an odd human," she said.

"We're... really sorry we disturbed you... Bruixa," Valerie whispered.

The girl gave a bark of laughter. "My name is Nyree. Bruixa is my mother. If she had found you, you would be dead."

Both Valerie and Linden shuddered at this.

Nyree folded her arms in thought. "There haven't been any portals in this area for centuries," she said. "But if one has formed naturally..."

She extended a hand. Little pink flecks of light began appearing, resting on her open palm like snowflakes. She moved from side to side and more pink flecks appeared.

"Interesting," she murmured. 

The flecks increased in number as she neared the mirror hanging on the wall. She snorted.

"Of course," Nyree said, dropping her hand. She made a throwing motion and the flecks flew off her hand and onto the mirror's surface. "Here's your portal," she announced.

Valerie let out a sigh of relief and stepped forward.

"Wait," Nyree said, holding up a finger.

She approached the mirror and put her palm up to it, letting it hover a few inches from the glass. A pink mist swirled up. She drove her hand into the mirror, the glass rippling like water as it allowed her hand through. She put her other hand in and twisted her arms hard. The glass disappeared and gave way to the now-familiar glow.

"Hacone," Linden hissed. He grabbed Valerie's arm.

Nyree rolled her eyes. "What did you think I was, a mermaid? My mother and I are the greatest Hacones in a millennium."

Valerie looked from Linden to Nyree, confused. 

Nyree tilted her head. "You don't know what I am," she breathed. "You're Gaian."

"No, she isn't," Linden said quickly, "she just doesn't get out much."

Nyree took a few steps toward Valerie, looking at her intently. "You're definitely Gaian," she said. "My mother took me there once. It was many years ago, but I remember the eyes. Such innocent eyes."

Valerie shook Linden's hand off of her arm. "So what if I am?" she said defiantly. "What are you?"

Nyree ignored her angry tone. "A Hacone is... Oh, what would be the Gaian word?" She thought for a moment, then gave a haunting smile. "Oh, yes. A Hacone is a witch."

Valerie stepped back in spite of herself.

Nyree laughed. "Yes, we do have quite a reputation. A Hacone can activate any portal after mastering the third order of Daina, but I had never been able to try until today," she said.

They stood in silence for a moment, watching each other, until Nyree sighed and looked away. "Go," she said, jerking her head toward the portal.

"You're... letting us go?" Linden said in disbelief.

Nyree put her hands on either side of the mirror and pulled. Her hands glowed blue. The mirror began to extend, oozing down like molten metal. She lengthened the mirror until it touched the floor, now large enough for someone to walk through.

"Before I change my mind," she ordered.

"Thank you," Valerie whispered.

Nyree seemed a little taken aback at her gratitude. She gave only a single nod.

Valerie and Linden walked up to the portal, joined hands, and walked through. Valerie gave Nyree one last glance as the light closed behind her.

* * *

Valerie and Linden sat up stiffly. Their hearts were still pounding as the light faded into the dark ceiling of the cave.

"How long were we gone?" Valerie asked, looking back at the mouth of the cave. Twilight was already giving way to the night, where it had been mid-afternoon just moments before.

"I've heard theories that time moves differently in each realm," Linden said, brushing dirt off his jacket. "Lucky for us, it seems to only be a difference of a few hours."

Valerie stood up and shook the leaves out of her hair, then looked back at the inactive portal. "Should we tell someone?"

"Are you kidding?" Linden exclaimed. "There's a portal in the middle of Galon Tir that leads to a Hacone's bedroom in Cythraul. We have to tell everyone. This portal has to be destroyed!"

"Let's just think this through for a second," Valerie pleaded. "Nyree could've killed us the moment she found us, but she didn't. She helped us find the portal and get back to Galon Tir. Why would she do that if she wanted to hurt us?"

"Stop talking about it like it's a person," Linden snapped. "Hacones have ruled in Cythraul for millennia. Think about it: how terrible, how horribly ruthless and evil would a creature have to be to keep power over the realm populated by ruthless and evil creatures?"

"She's already proved you wrong by letting us go," Valerie said.

"You've got to be joking!" Linden insisted. "This isn't a fairytale! Thousands of people died in the Great War. I've seen what the Hacones do. They're bringers of loss and pain. We need to destroy this portal, and we need to do it immediately. I'm afraid we made a terrible, terrible mistake."

Valerie felt like a bucket of cold water had been dumped on her head. "You're right," she whispered. "Let's go tell the others."

Red lanterns bobbed up and down at the border of the village.

"Who's there?" Asher called. He held the lantern out farther.

"It's Linden!" Linden answered, skidding to a stop in front of him.

"Linden? Is the girl with you?" Asher asked.

"Yes, I'm here!" Valerie called, trying to catch her breath as she joined them.

"You two scared us all to death!" he scolded.

"We know, we're so sorry," Linden apologized.

"What do you mean by disappearing into the forest?" Asher demanded. "The whole village has been looking for you! Your poor mother hasn't slept..."

Linden and Valerie looked at each other uncomfortably, then back at Asher. "We can explain," Linden promised. "Where's my mother? I need to see her first."

Asher shouldered his lantern and brought them into the village, calling to the other Dryads as he went. "It's all right! They've come back!" he shouted.

Soon, the square was filled with Dryads all chattering with relief.

"Linden! Valerie!" Ashley called, making her way through the crowd. "Come to my house. We'll wait for Lily there."

She led them to a small house made of gray-blue marble and brought them inside. Like Linden's house, it was one large room with colorful curtains acting as partitions. A tiny fireplace was crackling merrily on one side with an empty rocking chair beside it.

Ashley brought them cups of lemongrass tea and settled into the rocking chair. "I hope you've got a good reason for throwing the whole village into a panic," she said. She picked up a half-woven basket. A pile of branches sat on the floor beside her, ready to be used.

"We... found a portal," Linden said.

Ashley hesitated for a moment. "A portal?" she said, choosing another branch.

"I've known about it for a while, but I couldn't activate it," Linden said.

Ashley nodded. "Historically, Dryads cannot activate portals. There was one Dryad who was part fairy and she could sometimes—"

"I activated it," Valerie blurted out.

Ashley gave her a sharp look, something Valerie had never seen her do before. "Did it sting you, then turn pink?" she asked.

Valerie nodded.

"And then you deactivated it?" Ashley asked.

Valerie looked at Linden. He was taking an enormous gulp of tea and avoiding her gaze.

"Actually, we went through it," she said in a small voice.

Shock spread across Ashley's face, but before she could answer her door was flung open and Lily rushed into the room.

"Children! Thank goodness you're safe!" she cried. She enveloped them in a tight hug, ignoring the cups of tea in their hands.

"Lily, we have a problem," Ashley said urgently. "These two found a portal outside of the village."

"A portal?" Lily looked at her son. "Is that where you've been all this time?"

"It's my fault, Lily," Valerie interrupted. "I activated it, and I convinced Linden to try it out—"

Lily drew back. "You used an untested portal?" she asked incredulously. "Valerie, I could see you not understanding the dangers, but Linden!"

"Please don't blame him," Valerie said quickly. "He tried to tell me, but I didn't listen and dragged him along anyway."

"Where did you end up? Did you see anyone? How did you get back?" Ashley and Lily asked at the same time.

Linden raised an eyebrow at Valerie.

She sighed. "It took us to Cythraul," she admitted.

"Cythraul? You could have been killed!"

"Do you have any idea what lives in that accursed place?"

"What is going on?" Asher shouted, throwing the door open. A crowd peered in behind him. The Dryads fell silent.

"I accidentally activated a portal and we ended up in Cythraul," Valerie said, sounding much calmer than she felt.

More Dryads came in, all shouting and talking over each other. Most of them gave Valerie disapproving looks. Her heart sank.

I didn't mean for any of this to happen, she thought sadly.

"Quiet!"

Cypress, the He-Dryad from the forge, made his way to the front of the crowd. The Dryads calmed down.

"Now, girl, tell us exactly what happened. Leave no detail out," Cypress said, folding his muscled arms.

Valerie told them about finding themselves in Nyree's bedroom, being unable to find the portal, and being discovered by Nyree. She explained how Nyree let them go and even helped them find the portal to get back. It was like all of the air had been stolen from the room as the Dryads absorbed her story, until finally Cypress spoke.

"This bodes ill for us. The Hacones will strive to use this to their advantage. If they succeed, they will be able to strike at us from the very heart of our home."

The Dryads nodded. Valerie hung her head.

"We must destroy the portal before they have a chance to use it," Ashley said, getting a chorus of agreement from the crowd.

"We'll send word to Llewellyn for a wizard," Asher offered. "In the meantime, we'll stand guard over it and pray that nothing comes out."

* * *

Back in Linden's bedroom, Valerie went straight to her cot and buried her face in the soft pillow.

I wish the ground would open up and swallow me, she thought miserably.

She wondered what Julian would say when she got back, but the thought made her stomach twist. She groaned into the pillow.

There was a quiet splash from outside, barely louder than the crickets.

Linden must be taking a bath, Valerie thought. I'd want to avoid me for as long as possible, too.

She didn't bother to change into pajamas, choosing instead to curl up in a ball on the cot. Valerie stared out the window, replaying the day's events in her mind until sleep finally tugged her away.

The escape was short-lived. She woke to find herself among the trees outside the house with a firm hand pressed to her mouth. Valerie let out a scream, but it was too muffled to be useful.

"Hush! I'm not going to hurt you!" a voice hissed in her ear.

The hand slowly came away from Valerie's mouth. She wrenched around to see who it was.

"You," she gasped.

Nyree grinned at her. "Me," she agreed.

Valerie opened her mouth to scream again, but Nyree put a finger to her lips. "This isn't an invasion, so don't scream."

"Why are you here?" Valerie demanded. "I've got to—"

"Are all Gaians as thick-headed as you?" Nyree smiled. "Only a Gaian would act like such an idiot about the portal. Everyone else knows better."

"You don't have to tell me," Valerie muttered. "What are you doing here?"

Nyree shrugged. "You're new," she sniffed, "and I like new things."

"So what, you're curious?" Valerie demanded. "Did you want to check me out before starting another war?"

"If I wanted to start another war, I would've gone straight to my mother and told her everything," Nyree said. She leaned back against a tree root. "You're different than I expected."

"How's that?" Valerie asked.

"My mother always said that Gaians are weak and selfish, but you don't seem to be," Nyree answered.

"Linden said Hacones are ruthless and evil, but you don't seem to be," Valerie said. "Yet."

Nyree laughed. "Fair enough," she agreed. "I assume the portal will be destroyed soon?"

Valerie pursed her lips and Nyree laughed again. "Still playing the hero, I see. I overheard one of your friends mention the wizard. It's to be expected."

"What is?" Valerie asked.

"The people here are afraid of portals," Nyree said airily. "They always destroy them when one pops up."

"They have every right to be afraid," Valerie said. "Your people caused them a lot of pain and suffering. They don't want to risk another war."

"Hey, just because we live in Cythraul doesn't mean we're evil," Nyree snapped. "Some of us just want a good life like everyone else."

"So when you threatened us earlier?"

Nyree shrugged. "You were intruders in my bedroom," she said. "Would you have behaved any differently?"

Valerie folded her arms. "Fine, but that doesn't change what Linden said about Hacones. He's my friend and he wouldn't lie to me."

"Maybe not, but he's not exactly unbiased, is he? We don't have to be enemies, Valerie." Nyree stood up suddenly. "I have to go."

She took a chain off of her neck and held it out to Valerie. Valerie refused to touch it. Nyree sighed and set it on the ground.

"It's not dangerous," she said, a trace of annoyance in her voice. "It's a way to keep in touch. We could learn a lot from each other."

"No thanks," Valerie said immediately.

Nyree pursed her lips slightly. "Keep it anyway," she insisted. "It's enchanted to—"

There was a rustle near the house. Nyree vanished without another word. No smoke, no noise. Just... vanished.

That's really unsettling, Valerie thought, shivering slightly.

She looked back at the necklace lying in the dirt.

What if I touch it and it turns me into a frog or something? she wondered.

It looked like a perfectly normal silver chain, glinting in the moonlight. She grabbed a stick and used it to lift the chain off the ground. Nothing happened. She reached out and touched it with her bare hand.

Nothing, she thought with relief. Guess she wasn't lying about that, at least.

Valerie slid the chain into her pocket and brushed the dirt off her hands. She slipped quietly back into the house, careful not to disturb Linden as she crawled into bed and waited for morning to come.

* * *

The wizard arrived early among an escort of Dryads. He was oddly dressed, wearing a black waistcoat, pinstriped pants, and heavy black boots under a long trench coat. He peered down his nose at them as he approached.

"You must be the girl," he said in a thin voice. "Come, child."

The wizard turned to leave. Valerie looked back at Linden. He nodded encouragingly. Valerie took a deep breath before trailing after the wizard as he entered the deep woods.

They didn't speak, except for the wizard mumbling to himself. Valerie noticed he wore two wristwatches, three pocket watches, and a small watch attached to his waistcoat near his heart.

"Excuse me," Valerie said, breaking the silence, "but why are you wearing so many watches?"

"When time is of the essence, one must possess the essence of time," the wizard answered, shoving his hands into his pockets.

They arrived at the cave. Valerie led the wizard to the pool.

"Aha," the wizard said, shedding his jacket. "A classic Class Three portal, second designation." His shirt was a bright fuschia, almost neon in the dim cave.

At this point a cape and pointy hat would seem normal, Valerie thought to herself.

"So what do I—"

"Shhh," the wizard interrupted, kneeling down by the pool. He put his hands on the ground and leaned down, looking across the pool intensely. "Mmm," he said, getting up again. "You may activate the portal."

Valerie wasn't about to admit she didn't know how to do that.

Maybe it's just like last time, she thought.

She stuck her hand in. The pool immediately began to churn, turning that now-familiar shade of pink. Currents of energy ran up her arm, prickling her and making her hair stand on end.

"About as much finesse as an ogre," the wizard mumbled. "Keep your hand in, now that it's there."

He lifted his hands up. A trail of blue light followed them. The light seemed to pull the pink sparks into it, absorbing them immediately.

"Take my hand," the wizard commanded, reaching out to her.

Valerie took his hand. The light streaked through her, electrifying her body before surging into the portal. The portal crackled purple, then with a loud pop, the entire cave went dark.

The wizard released her hand. Valerie wobbled slightly.

"What happened?" she asked.

"The portal is no more," said the wizard's voice. "Our task is complete."

Valerie pulled her dripping hand out of the pool. "My hand didn't get wet before."

"That's because portals aren't made of water," the wizard explained. "This is just an ordinary pool now."

She felt a finger tap her on the shoulder.

"Allow me," the wizard offered.

Valerie fumbled around until she caught his hand and he pulled her up.

"Everything's so dark," she muttered.

"The light can be blinding, but only temporarily," the wizard said, leading her out of the cave. "Your sight will return."

As they walked, everything gradually grew lighter until she could see normally again.

"So," she said, "what's your name?"

The wizard blinked in surprise. "Joe," he said after a moment.

"Joe?" Valerie repeated. "That's it? Just 'Joe?'"

"It's a perfectly decent name," Joe grumbled. "Every wizard gets a simple name when he enters the order."

"So what's your real name?"

"My previous name was Honorius," Joe sniffed.

"What was wrong with Honorius?" Valerie asked.

"Nothing," Joe said irritably. "That's not the point."

"Then what is the point?"

"Humility, which is something you could obviously use more of," Joe answered. "'The Great and Powerful Joe' doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, does it?"

Valerie giggled. This seemed to surprise Joe even more.

"I'd forgotten how juvenile children can be," he grumbled as the clearing came into view.

"Um... Thank you for coming," Valerie said quickly. "I know you were just doing your job, but I appreciate it."

Joe gave a faint smile. They walked back to the clearing together.