“Excellent. I’m sure you have general questions. I can answer them while I escort you to your new home. First, are there any bags or other possessions that you need to retrieve from your car?”
“Yes,” replied Wynter. “What do I do with the car?”
He pushed to his feet. “I will drive it to the vehicle storage warehouse for you later. In case you’re wondering where that is, it’s the warehouse closest to the river. You can access it any time.” He crossed to the filing cabinet and, after a quick rummage through it, pulled out several sets of keys. “For your new home,” he explained as he gave them each a set. “Now for your bags …”
After they’d grabbed their luggage from the trunk, Wynter handed him her car keys so he could later drive it to the storage unit. They then followed him back into the manor, through the long halls, and over to a door near the office. He opened said door, revealing a large elevator. It had glass walls, but all you could presently see out of them was the elevator shaft.
They all stepped inside, and Maxim hit the down button.
As the elevator smoothly descended, she found herself wondering if the entrance to the underworld at Aeon was similar. No one ever spoke of it with those who hadn’t been ‘chosen’ to live beneath the town. The Aeons acted like there was something sacred about the simple downward journey from the surface. Wynter had never particularly understood it.
She blinked as they descended out of the shaft. Glancing out of the glass wall of the still-moving elevator, she felt her mouth drop open as she took in the view. Holyshit. The place was huge.So much bigger than she’d expected. It seemed to go on for miles, in fact.
It was nothing like the surface. No, this place was very much a modernized medieval city. There were timber-framed houses with wattle walls, cottages with thatched rooves, whimsical rustic dwellings, and enchanting towers. Some homes seemed to have been built into hills—you could just make out the windows and doors. Many had a real fairy-tale feel.
She could also see a number of small castles scattered around the city that were spaced well apart. More, beautiful canals interweaved through the city, Venice-style. Beyond all the buildings and the well-kept park were forests, rivers, mounds, and caverns.
“Well, fuck me,” breathed Hattie, making Xavier snicker.
“The artificial moonlight is created by the Ancients’ power, as you’ve probably guessed,” said Maxim as Wynter glanced up at the cavernous ceiling and the aqua-blue stalactites that hung from it. “During the daytime, it’s artificial sunlight.”
Delilah looked at him. “Are the Ancients really weakened by sunlight? It’s a theory floating around.”
“There are many theories about the Ancients,” Maxim replied carefully. “Few are accurate.”
Finally, the elevator came to a stop inside a stone tower. There was noping. The doors merely glided open. They all stepped out and headed for the exit in front of them.
“There’s little technology here,” Maxim went on. “No internet or Wi-Fi. No cell phones or computers.”
Outside, Wynter chuckled as a cool wind ruffled her hair. “Artificial breezes, huh?”
“Yes,” replied Maxim. “There’s even snow at Christmas. The sunlight gives off warmth. On some days, the temperature is reasonably high. On other days, it’s cooler. But it’s never too hot or too cold. You’ll hear sound effects at times. Birds chirping. Owls hooting. Even thunder, though a storm never follows. You’re wondering how all that is possible. The short answer? Power.”
God, this wassocool.
They walked along cobbled paths, bypassing residents, most of whom moved with purpose as they carried things back and forth. Some were hanging greeneries on the front of their homes.
“The place is busier than usual because everyone’s getting ready for the festivities,” said Maxim.
“What festivities?” asked Hattie.
“Ancients can enter a coma-like Rest for centuries at a time, if they so please,” said Maxim. “One recently woke from a long one. Ishtar. It’s tradition for the waking of an Ancient to be honored by the other Ancients. Each will throw some sort of celebration for her at some point in the next month. The first will take place in two evenings’ time. All residents will be invited.”
“Are any other Ancients currently Resting?” asked Xavier.
Maxim dipped his chin as he replied, “One. Inanna. She’s Ishtar’s sister.”
They fell silent as they turned a corner. Again, people were striding purposefully around. Most gave Wynter and her crew the side-eye. She didn’t react. She was too busy taking everything in. It was honestly like walking through a fairy-tale book. She internally squealed in delight on seeing an actual gingerbread house.
“I noticed there are no cars down here,” said Hattie. “I’m guessing people walk or use the canal boats.”
His eyes on the crowd outside a tavern up ahead, Maxim nodded. “Some also go by horseback, but the horses are used more for recreational activities than for travel.”
Admiring the stained-glass windows of a house that had the look of a cute little country hideout, Wynter asked, “Where do the Ancients live?”
“Each has their own small Keep,” replied Maxim.
Delilah frowned. “Keep? You’re talking about the small castles that are spread around the city?”