The Jem

~46~

The village was full of sound and life and all different species of people, who for once in this realm, were not arguing or trying to kill each other. There were fae men and elves playing cards and fairies flying around through the markets and little cat-children, and shapeshifters singing together with little girls who had horns growing from their heads.

"What is this place? Are we still in the 7th realm?" Deeja gawked at the pact village.
"It's one of the many villages in Camalla." A young boy said as he gawked back at the 8 of them. "Camalla?" Crimson panicked.

"Yes, this place is so wonderful, mama said that it was a good idea we fled to here." The little boy's orange eyes were flecked with black almost like bits of coal in a fire.

"Haven't your parents told you not to speak to strangers?" Hunter crossed his powerful arms over his chest.

"Why would they? Anyone is allowed in our village, strangers or no." He smiled and his canines flashed.

"Who are you little boy?" Darya dropped to her knees so she could be at level with him, she ruffled his light brunette hair.

"I'm Marcus Proy, I'm a werewolf...well nearly a werewolf. I'm a cub, but papa said I'm going to be the Alpha of my pack one day!" He struck a brave pose and they all snickered, accept for Crimson who was still taking this place in, dumbfounded by what she was witnessing.

"I thought Camalla was a horrible place." Autumn admitted as she beheld it too.

"Not at all, let me show you everything here!" The little boy jumped with joy and began leading the way.

"Ok Deeja you can go get us food." Hunter handed her a bag of crystal coins.

"I'll go with her!" Jermine announced with a smirk.

                                      ~

"Here's where people come to eat, we have so many different restaurants and they all have very nice food." He pointed to many big huts that had magical beings and humans swarming around them.

"Marcus, do you...do you know where the king and queen of Camalla live?" Crimson asked with hope but fear in her red eyes.

"Yes, it's half a days trip from here." He beamed, "They come to see us every once in a while, they are so so kind to me and my family!" He added.

"Can you tell us how to get there?" Autumn said with a gentle voice.

"I can get my sister to take you, she runs like the wind." Marcus laughed with pure child innocence.

"That will be very kind of you." Darya gestured for him to lead the way.

"Crimson, are you sure you want to do this?" Hunter clenched his teeth. She only nodded and started to walk.

                                      ~

The music filled their ears as Jermine and Deeja walked around the food market. "Anyone want beans, delicious beans!" A marketer offered.

"I'd rather eat him." Deeja whispered to Jermine with a giggle.

"Oh Deeja, you never cease to discomfort me."

"Well if your not terrified of me all the time, what fun will that be?"

"Evil Kitty cat." He whispered as he stood directly behind her, less than a millimetre away, she purred.

"Do that again." He urged.

"Does it turn you on?"

"You have no idea!" So she purred again and his grin couldn't have been more hungry.

"Save some of that hunger for the meat, Jerry." She finally pushed him away from her.

"You always have to ruin the moment don't you." Jermine rolled his eyes.

"Well we can't do it here!" She teased and walked closer to the stalls.

"What a terrible feline she is!" Jermine mumbled to himself with a challenging smirk on his face.

                                       ~

Marcus had taken the 6 of them to his big hut with lots of room and comfy furniture. "This place is beautiful." Autumn declared as she looked around.

"Mara! Come meet my friends!" The little werewolf called as a beautiful tall girl with curly brunette hair and matching orange eyes, walked out. She smiled at them all then her attention zoomed to Brice, her smile grew. Darya snarled under her breath.

"Can you take us to the palace in Camalla?" Ember asked from where he stood by the door.

"Yes of course, why do you want to go?" She was still staring at Brice, his gaze didn't falter either.

"We'd like to speak to them." Crimson nudged Brice to snap out of it, Darya could have hugged her right there and then.

"Well I can get you there but I can't guarantee they'll let you in." Mara admitted.

"Thank you, let's go get Feline and Feral." Was all Hunter said as he walked out then Crimson followed, as did the rest.

~
"Well you took your time." Deeja tossed the remainder of the crystal coins to Hunter and the satchel, that was now packed with food, to Darya.

"We found a way to get to the Camalla palace." Brice gestured to Mara as Darya looked through the bag then nodded her approval, trying to look at anything other than the
goo-goo eyes Brice and the wolf girl were giving each other.

"Well what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Jermine ushered everyone towards the forest they had left their horses in.