The Incandescent | Book 7 | The Fairy arc

Chapter 14 ~ The Shapeshifter's Failed Investigation

Mara was trapped inside the Glittered Inktraitor's spaceship. While sleuthing, trying to uncover the mystery scheme of the glowing blue butterflies and their glittery master, Mara uncovered his ship.

Ireyna telekinetically moved the Rose Wing behind the stable where Killian and Ireyna took the horses out for grazing and riding. The ship was protected via Ireyna's power, since Ireyna insisted on protecting it herself, rather than using the ship's security system.

It was quite an astonishment for Mara to find the Glittered Inktraitor's ship so close to their crash site. Along with the astonishment came the realization that the Glittered Inktraitor followed them from Ghatom.

Mara pressed her hand against the ship entrance door, surprised when it opened for her. Mara cautiously entered the ship, but the Glittered Inktraitor wasn't inside the ship. The butterflies were nowhere to be seen, either. The door closed behind her with a clang that indicated it locked shut.

Mara ventured further, unaware of the butterflies that watched her from above, hidden behind the bright lights. They relayed the information to their master, sensing him smile in response.

Mara looked around the neat space. There was no clutter, nor any trash other than in the trash bin. His food was mostly fruit and salad, no meat. Not even fish, Mara thought sadly as she closed the small refrigerator. He needs to upgrade his food supply. He severely lacks protein.

Mara chuckled when she saw his tea collection, including blueberry green tea and chamomile. He definitely got that from Ireyna, Mara thought, wondering how well he knew her.

Her eyes widened when she saw the Monshalowan cakes and sweets he kept in a separate refrigerator. They were in glass containers labeled with ribbons. One of the cakes was tiramisu, Ireyna's favorite dessert.

Mara walked into the control center of the ship. Motion sensor lights turned on, illuminating the completely dark room upon her presence. Mara didn't touch anything, simply glancing around before walking back out.

In the Glittered Inktraitor's bedroom, Mara was nearly blinded by whiteness. Everything was sparkly white: the walls, the bed, the desk, the chair, the décor, even the floor. It wasn't just bright white; it was sparkly bright white.

Thin white curtains allowed the maximum amount of light even in nighttime. He hates blackout curtains, Mara mused, blinking amid all the white. Why does he wear black when he clearly likes everything bright? Does he want to match the shimmery black ink he stole from the ink factory?

Interested in seeing what kind of clothing he wore, Mara looked through his closet. Though one side was dedicated to the same shimmery black trench coat, there was a variety of clothing in colors of black, white, brown, purple, and dark blue. No orange. Erasmo would approve of his closet.

Erasmo. Oh no! I've got to return home before the Glittered Inktraitor returns to his ship. Mara rushed towards the ship entrance door and tried to exit the ship, but the door refused to open, stating that voice activation was required to leave the ship.

"What the stars? How come it let me in earlier? Voice activation wasn't required then. Why now?"

Since it was not under a passcode or a push button system, Mara attempted to shapeshift into the Glittered Inktraitor and use his voice to say, "Open the door" but the ship responded with an automated, "Exit denied. Voice activation required."

Mara tried again, but the ship kept responding, "Exit denied. Voice activation required."

Mara shapeshifted back into herself, banging at the door with an angry fist. "Open the door!" she ordered, getting irritated.