City of Fire

Chapter Twenty-Two

"Ilona"

It was massive...

Ilona stared up at it, her eyes wide with wonder and awe. She'd heard them when they'd said 'Gate' but she never would have guessed what it could have looked like.

Now she did...

Massive, heavy iron bars came together to form two large, twisted gates. Dead ivy and roots covered the bars, creating a seemingly impenetrable barrier. Mist obscured what lay behind the gate and Ilona craned her neck, trying to catch a glimpse of what lay beyond.

"You won't find anything," Tidus said from beside her and Ilona cocked a brow at him.

"Oh and why not?" She asked while crossing her arms over her leather coat. It was early in the morning, dew still clinging to the foliage around them and Tidus snorted, rolling the collar of his brown duster up. He was dressed in tight brown leather, a knife strapped to his thigh while a dark green turtle neck adorned his chest. A pack was hung over his back and he adjusted it, checking the straps. Reaching out he did the same to hers.

"Because the Gate will only react to certain people. The Sentinels can't have humans wondering into a realm where a toad might talk to them." His words made her eyes widen but then she saw him grin and she smacked him.

"That's not funny," she retorted but she didn't mean it and by the soft shine of his eyes he knew it as well.

"Just keep warm; it'll be cold when we go through." He advised, running his fingers along the collar of her tight leather jacket. She nodded and glanced behind Tidus to Zane. He stood against a tree, his long body clad in black. His long hair hung down over his eyes, his arms crossed over his chest but she knew that he was watching.

He was always watching...

Erin came up to him, offering him something and Ilona watched as Zane glanced down at it. After a moment he reached out and took it, staring at it before Erin turned and headed over to them. He wore combat boots, the same as the rest of them, with a coat that reached his knees. His dark pants and mint green sweater gave him a nymph appearance and Ilona couldn't help but grin.

"We'll be going through soon," Erin advised, his breath turning to mist from the cool morning air. Ilona nodded and turned back towards the Gate. She heard Adrian say something to Zane before joining the rest of them. He was dressed in light and dark grays, giving him a sophisticated appearance and Ilona rolled her eyes.

Only Adrian...

"Alright, Ilona," Adrian looked down at her, "in order to pass through the Gate we only have to show ourselves to it. Each of us has his own marking, but you," his eyes flicked down to her necklace, "have that." He pointed to it. "Usually the Dominus is marked as well, but that will do." He ushered them forward. "You go first." He instructed and Ilona blinked, feeling suddenly nervous.

"What do you mean by a mark? No one mentioned a mark!" Ilona shouted at him and he gave her a guilty grin.

"Make no mistake, Ilona, you are our Dominus. That is all you need to know." Adrian said and pushed her forward. She scowled at him but clamped her jaw. Turning back to the massive, imposing and somehow threatening Gate and stared at it. Then taking in a steadying breath approached it. Her footsteps were loud against the forest floor and her heart started beating faster. The hair on her arm stood on end and something prickled the air.