W.I.T.C.H.: The Bloody Throne

Part 18

                At the bookshop, the group walked in on Miranda and Cedric happily chatting about her journeys through Metarmoor since the royal wedding. Cedric hung on her every word as though her lips dripped precious gems and was rather annoyed when they were interrupted, even when that interruption was accompanied by his childhood friend.

"Sorry for interrupting, we won't be here long. We just wanted to show Danny Meridian since she is now an ally of ours." Will smiled weakly as she ushered Danny past the counter.

"Do you really think that introducing half of Heatherfield to Meridian is a wise idea?" asked Cedric in a snide way; Will might be the queen in Meridian, but in Heatherfield she was still just a schoolgirl.

"Welp, too late buddy. I am already here, and I am not leaving until I see that place. So, either let them show it to me or get ready to hear me sing my favorite songs until the end of time every day you work here." Replied Danny before the others had a chance to jump to Will's defense. To keep a fight from starting, Phobos spoke up.

"Cedric, it is alright. Danny will be under supervision and she won't leave the castle. She already knows everything and has been of good service to Will and I; it is only fair to include her."

Though Cedric didn't like Will and how she helped herself to all the services of Meridian, but he was in no position to argue with his King, so he acquiesces to the Queen's demand. With silent thank-you's and an odd glare from Danny, the group walked past the register and to the bookshelf that hid the portal. The bookshelf had recently been equipped with small wheels to help move it since Will frequently used it. The moment the blue shimmer of the portal was revealed, Danny let out a low whistle.

"Wow, looks like something from a Las Vegas show."

"Wait 'till you see what is on the other side." Chimed Irma as she jumped through the portal as though it was a cool pool on a hot summer day. One by one, Danny watched her friends step through the portal until she was the only one left. With one quick glance to Cedric and Miranda, she took a deep breath and thought.

Here goes nothing.

With her eyes shut tight, she stepped through the portal. At first, Danny didn't know what to expect; she remembered encountering the Inbetween for the first time and how she didn't even realize she had gone to another place. Then again, she had managed to fall from the railing an orbit the house for a while; if the same thing happened in Meridian, Danny would make Irma pay for ever convincing her to visit.

"Danny, you can open your eyes now." Said Irma, but Danny shook her head.

"Nope, I am not falling off another railing. I got so dizzy orbiting that crazy house that I nearly vomited. That ain't happening today."

"Danny, this isn't the Inbetween and there is no railing to fall off of. In fact, you are missing out on the nice vaulted ceilings in this place." Irma teased, knowing that Danny was a sucker for old architecture. As expected, Danny slowly cracked her green eye open and tilted her head up. Within seconds, Danny's head was tilted back and her eyes were glued to the ceiling.

"Wow, that actually is a pretty high ceiling. How do you clean it? Irma, you gonna have to be my guide god. I won't be able to take my eyes off this ceiling." Said Danny as she held out her hand for Irma to take.

"Danny, you are being weird again, and now in front of my friends. Could you be normal, just this once?" whined Irma as she gave her friend a gentle shaking.

"Irma, you know me better than this." Replied Danny, winning the minor battle between her and her cousin. With a defeated sigh, Irma took hold of her hand and began to lead her out of the library. With that, the tour began; all the while, Danny either looked at the ceiling or managed to tear her eyes from the vaulted ceiling long enough to glance out the windows, where she caught sight of the village beyond the castle walls. "What is going on in that place?"