The Hidden Kingdom

Chapter 5

My mind was going a million miles a minute. Every single question since the bizarre vibration to the shocked guy swam through my conscious. It was difficult choosing which to ask first.

Luckily, Elana asked for me. "What happened? Where are we?"

"I was going to ask you the same question, dear. What did happen?"

"I... We were at the movies, and were in this corner. I saw Zamirah falling through a the wall, and I grabbed her hand. I tried to keep her from falling, but the pull was too strong and we ended up here." She said this all while sending me an accusatory glare in my direction. I scowled. How dare she blame me when I had nothing to do with this!

The old lady glanced at me with a curious expression. "Do you know why you were able to do that?"

"What!" I exclaimed. " I didn't do anything! All I did was follow this weird sound and then I fell through the wall. I didn't cause this to happen."

A hint of a smile appeared as she responded to my outburst. "Well, that sound you mentioned sounds an awful lot like magic, and only wizards and fairies are able to sense magic that strongly."

I blanched. "You're not insinuating that I'm a..." I trailed off not wanting to give into the possibly.

"See! I knew you were a witch!" Eliza Sputtered.

With a grimace, the old lady cast a disapproving look at the faux red head. "Didn't I tell you that saying the w word is rude?" Eliza quieted at this- not knowing what to say in return.

"Wizard is a w word though. Besides, I'm not either of those things or else I would've already made a spectacle of myself. Probably would've went web swinging like Spider-Man or something." After I said this I realized something. "But, you are a wizard. Aren't you? We don't even know your name!"

Her demeanor changed back to that of a calm happy grandmother as she said' " My official title is lady Lilith, royal caretaker of princess Daphne."

"Wow, that's a mouthful, no wonder why you didn't introduce yourself immediately." I said. She smiled wryly. I wonder why.

"To answer your other question, Yes I'm a wizard, a being who can wield magic- just like you." I was about to protest, but the words died on my lips as a small, blue fire combusted in her hand. "Don't deny it. Now, I'm not certain whether your roots are from warlocks or fairies, but either way I want you to imagine this fire going onto your hand." I must've shown my reluctancy because she tacked on, "Don't think about it burning you."

With a quizzical look, I extended my hand near hers. In my head, I imagined the flames slowly twisting and dancing above my palm. Soon, I felt a warmth spread over my hand. I peeked at my hand, and gaped at the magnificent display of red and blue flames intertwining. My concentration vanished, and the flames were extinguished.

Both Lilith and Elana were dumbstruck. "Although you were the one who insisted I was a... magical being...you appear to be the incredulous one here." I said with mirth. I felt like running and celebrating. How could I have gone so long without knowing I could do this? Maybe now I really could go web slinging or even flying!

"The reason I'm so astonished is not that you can use magic. It's because you can do it so well. I was expecting you to struggle to take the flames from my hand onto yours, many wizards can't even do that on their first try- let alone create their own!" Now it was my turn to be bewildered.

"Is that why we came here- wherever this is?" I questioned.

"She nodded and said, "This place is unreachable by any other means than by portals. Planes, cars, and boats would fail to get here. I think you know this place as the Bermuda Triangle." Eliza and I both stared at her in disbelief and amazement. Lilith then continued saying, "Only strong wizards can travel through them, and only powerful wizards can create them."

"Wait! Why can this place only be reached by portals?" This was a question that had been brewing in my mind since childhood when we learned about Amelia Earhart.

"That my dear is a story for another time. As it appears I am out of time. I have to go to work. As I said before, I am a caretaker of the princess. Make yourselves at home. You can take the pink room and the purple room. They'll be vacant for a few days so you can sleep here until then." With that she left, and we resigned to our new rooms. Who knew how long it'd be until we could get back.