Page 68 of What Lies Beyond the Realms

Nyx is there next to me in a split second. He doesn’t look pleased by this encounter.

“I didn’t think I’d see you again either. I’m so sorry for Luke and for everything that happened.” Tears fall down my face.

He sets me back down, taking my face in his hands and wiping my tears away.

“It’s okay, Lyra. None of it was your fault. I’m sorry for what happened to you. That prick Aidan needs to be stopped. I told you it wasn’t safe for you to be alone with him.”

Nyx’s face goes from mine to his as if he’s piecing together what happened.

“You’re naked,” I say, stepping back because Rhett has no clothes on.

“Yeah, sorry . . . turn around.” He laughs.

Nyx and I both turn around and exchange a look. Something rustles behind us, then Rhett taps my shoulder. I turn back around to find him in torn pants and a black tunic.

“This is Nyx . . . Onyx, I mean. This is King Onyx from Nighthold. Nyx this is Rhett . . . a friend.” I stutter, looking between the two of them and just now realizing how awkward this whole encounter has been.

“Yes, we’ve met,” Nyx says between gritted teeth.

“Sorry, man. I’m in charge of patrolling this area. I didn't know who you were or that you were with Lyra. I just smelled an outsider.”

Rhett extends his hand to Nyx, who takes it and gives him a nod and firm shake. I laugh.

“What’s so funny?” they both say, turning to face me.

“Er, nothing. Sorry.” I giggle.

“And who’s this little guy?” Rhett asks, looking to where Chepi hovers next to me.

“Oh, this is Chepi,” I say.

“I’ve never seen a flying dog before.”

“Chepi isn’t a dog. He’s a Glyphie,” I say, rubbing Chepi’s head. He yips at Rhett, his tongue falling out of his mouth. Rhett laughs.

“So what are you guys doing here?”

“We’re going to find Aidan. I need him to tell me how to find the old Sorceress who was there at the ceremony.”

“Did you know what the ceremony meant?” Nyx asks Rhett while placing a hand on my lower back.

“No, none of us knew anything. Lyra, I swear. I was devastated after seeing—well you know. By the time I tried to look for you, it was too late. I found out later from Larc that Aidan threw you in the back of a carriage and took off. I’m sorry, Lyra. I should’ve come after you. I should have tracked the carriage. You must understand I—we all were in a bad place after the ceremony.”

“I don’t blame you at all, Rhett. I didn’t expect you to come after me. I know Luke was like a brother to you, and I’m so, so sorry. I’m just glad to see you’re okay,” I say, touching his arm gently.

“Thanks, Lyra. It’s been rough. Tensions have been high among the packs, and most of us have left the village to patrol our territories,” Rhett says.

“Have you noticed anything different? Seen an increase in activity from some of the darker creatures that inhabit this place?” Nyx asks.

“As a matter of fact, yes, we have. Things in the Lycan Realm have felt off. It’s like a darkness is growing here. We have had to patrol more than ever lately. Zog’s pack has seen an increase in spider wraiths in the Shifting Forest, and here we have been dealing with a type of demonic creature. I’d never seen one before until about a week ago when they started showing up in small packs all over the Lycan Realm.” Rhett’s features harden, and I can feel his concern.

“Did they have red slits for eyes?” I ask.

“How did you know? Have you guys seen them?” Rhett asks.

“Yeah, that’s a Monstrauth. Nasty demons conjured to hunt what the conjurer desires,” Nyx explains. “We suspect Samael is behind their appearance.”

“That wouldn’t surprise me. There’s been talk that he’s gone crazy since taking the throne. I haven’t been to the Sorcerer Realm, but whispers are growing that Samael is unstable, murdering entire families and stealing grimoires,” Rhett says.