Page 51

The stone battlement stood proud, a neat row of spiraling green shrubs following its length.

Most of the rooftop was open, with large, squared mats set up at different areas for training, miscellaneous equipment neatly organized at each station.

At the back of the rooftop, a stone veranda covered mismatched upholstered chairs that faced a dartboard with knives protruding from the cork and a butcherblock bar with worn wooden stools. The bar’s backdrop was filled with neat rows of glass bottles with varying levels of liquid, and blades, in case one fancied handling weapons while drunk.

It seemed like a hangout spot, situated under rows of string lights—small solar panels at each corner of the veranda gathering the sun’s energy for the lights to illuminate once night fell. A smart workaround for the no-technology thing.

But what was most unusual was the large silver jet parked at the very center of the roof that was indisputably 100 percent tech.

“It’s a Cad-Jet,” Leo said, using the jet’s ladder to step down from the pilot’s seat, tilting his head toward the large aircraft. “A gift from Earth Four.”

I studied the silvery-white metal. “Same metal used as the Mag-Guns?”

Leo smiled at me, stroking his hand over the sleek metal. “Yes. It’s cadmium. Or an altered version of your Earth’s cadmium element. On Four, they’ve found a way to reverse the metal’s toxicity, allowing for more uses of it, while modifying it from a soft metal to a hard one. They’ve ultimately eliminated waste from their refining process of other metals by using the cadmium as a main component for their weapons.”

“Four supplies you with the Mag-Guns, too, then?”

Leo nodded, studying the jet. “Four’s been trading their tech for One’s protection ever since the Deks first arrived.”

I walked around the jet, taking in its impressive body. “When did they first arrive here?”

Leo’s eyes darted to Adrian’s, then back to mine before answering, “Twenty-six years ago.”

More classified information I shouldn’t know, I suppose. “But Sigrid said technology is the quickest way to destroy an Earth’s magic . . .”

“It is,” Adrian answered, “but the people of Four believe science is more sacred than magic. Their ancient ancestors agreed to live their lives with tech instead of magic. Four is the furthest along in technological evolution compared to the rest of the nine Earths.”

“Yet, they still ask for your protection?”

Adrian grinned. “I think Four’s descendants have grown to realize that while weapons protect you against much, magic will always be more powerful.”

Leo reached his hand into the craft’s front seat and flipped a switch.

The silver metal shook with millions of tiny vibrations, blurring the silver to look like the static of an old television before disappearing altogether.

Where the jet had stood moments before, an empty space had taken its place. No jet to be found.

It had turned invisible.

“Four’s created an undocumented element that they’ve successfully been able to add to other elements, such as metals, to create the illusion of invisibility.” Leo grinned at me. “Similar to how I can cloak us from sight using my night powers.”

I reached my hand out toward the emptiness in front of me. Even though I couldn’t see the jet, I could still feel it.

“Adrian’s right about magic being more powerful than tech, but Four’s inventions have been incredibly useful for our military, although we must use the tech sparingly,” Leo explained. “The Cad-Jets make it a hell of a lot easier to check on portals across the continent versus the horses.”

My legs ached thinking about getting back on Holly for another long journey.

Leo climbed the invisible ladder back into the pilot’s seat, looking down at me. “I need to make my rounds with our troops stationed farthest away. I’ll be back in the morning.” Leo hesitated, looking between Adrian and me. “Can I trust you two to get along while I’m gone?”

Adrian looked at me, a ruthless grin spreading across his face.

I scowled.

I wish I could say he was hideous to look at to make my disdain for him greater, but he was unfortunately incredibly handsome.

“There’s a fully stocked bar if you can’t bear Adrian’s presence sober.” Leo looked amusingly at Adrian. “Works like a charm for me.”

Adrian hooted and hollered, then slapped his knee as if Leo had told a grand joke.