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Jumangu Luganum; that translates to Magnificent Star.”

Na’ta continues to be rude by blatantlyrolling her eyes in response, but our host doesn’t appear tonotice. Instead she takes a curious glance at Chex. She sees what Isee. He’s slightly wobbly on his feet and the skin of his face isdamp.

Feeling the weight of losing time, I goright into telling her all about the Mtknv and the Scepter of Gantand how we must take it back from the Olligark and return it to theMtknv.

“It can’t be returned to them,” MagnificentStar says, resolutely shaking her head. “They’re too vulnerable,and the Olligark will just take it back.”

“Yes, I know,” I concur. “But it’srightfully theirs.”

“Then you already knew it was stolen?” Chexasks, raising an eyebrow suspiciously. “What, you think it’ll besafer here?” He asks, assessing her motives.

Magnificent Star shoots a quick look atNa’ta, one I almost missed, before saying, “Emblems and trinkets ofevil cannot remain in Dag.”

“You’re telling me you don’t have anydesigns on such a powerful trinket?” Chex asksdubiously.

“No,” she firmly states. “We don’t deny thatthe very essence of humanity is to seek certain power. We have ourstruggles, just like the humans on Earth, but we have an advantage.Evil is not allowed into our realm; therefore we don’t seek todominate. Our goal is only to expand our minds, hearts, anduniverse.”

“Ha!” Chex scoffs. “I don’t buy it. Ifyou’re trying to convince us that, if it weren’t for this mean,evil force, humans wouldn’t be violent, power-hungry shitheads,then your efforts are lost on me.”

Magnificent Star takes two strong steps overto face Chex. “You forgot envious, rapacious, and domineering.“Yes,” she nods, “We have the ability to manifest those traits. Butwe do not. And anyway, my goal is not to convince you. I’m here tohelp you.”

“Why?” He grunts. His skin is wet andclammy.

“Because the Daughters of Felix Benel arehere. That is why.”

“Because they showed up?” His tone iscolored by sarcasm.

“Yes,” she affirms boldly.

“Wait.” Na’ta asks abruptly. “Then how didhe get in?” She motions toward Chex. “He’s a vampire.”

“Do you crave blood?” Magnificent Star askshim.

He sighs tiredly and shakes his head.

“Then he is cleared to enter Dag.” Shestudies him for a few moments. “We should move forward; we have alot to do,” she says, and walks to the edge of the road wherethere’s nothing in front of her but air. “And do not be concernedwhen I jump. The degrees of gravity will guide me safely to thelanding pod.” She faces forward and casually steps over theedge.

“What the hell?!” Na’ta exclaims as shehurries to search over the edge. “Oh,” she sounds relieved. “Thereshe is.” She looks over her shoulder to glance at me. “We’re next;let’s go,” she says before stepping over herself.

She’s expecting me to follow withouthesitation, but when I turn to Chex to make sure he’s ready to walkover the edge with me, he takes me by the arm and pulls me intohim.

“I’m sorry for throwing you back there.”

I hardly remembered him tossing me out ofthe way so that he could attack an Aarap creature.

“You were filled with rage and revenge. Itwasn’t personal.”

“No,” he mumbles. “No excuse…”

All of a sudden, I’m lifted off the road inhis embrace and I’m keenly aware that his tongue is not cold butwarm in my mouth. His body is warm too. And I can feel his heartbeating against my chest.

“Chex,” I manage to puff through our heavykissing. I want to ask him if he’s alive but my mouth can’t stopreceiving his and my head feels like it’s twirling on myshoulders.

“I’m dying for you, Ad’ru,” he whispers.

I want to fall deeper into ecstasy with him,but Na’ta is yelling at me to hurry up and join them.

“Chex,” I breathe as he runs his tonguearound my lower lip before indulgently consuming it in his mouth.“You’re more human here….”

Suddenly he stops kissing me and presses hisforehead against mine. “I know,” he confesses. “That’s why I can’trestrain myself any longer. I love you. Shit, I love you.” His eyesare shut tightly as he says this.

I press my hands on his cheeks, concernedbecause his skin has grown warmer. Not even warm but hot -smoldering hot.

He’s now even more unsteady on his feet.Therefore, I wrap my arms tightly around his strong waist and tryto steady him. “Let’s see if we can get you some rest,” I sayhurriedly and guide him over the edge of the road.

We’re dropping fast although we’re in fullcontrol of our speed. Chex is shivering now, he seems to bestruggling to keep his eyes fully open and sweat is pouring out ofhim. Oh goodness, he is ill. I’m anxious, wondering if we’ll everhit bottom. We pass layers upon layers of these roads and I findmyself cursing their existence.

What’s taking you so long? Na’ta isback inside of my head, scolding me.

It’s Chex. Something’s wrong withhim. The side of his head flops down on the top of mine.

What’s wrong with him, other than theobvious?

He’s become ill, I say, although I’mnot sure what she means by “the obvious.”

He can’t be ill. We need him to get intoTetra! she whines.

And then I see it, a sprawling - and yes,floating for sure - city with thousands of constructs made ofaluminum, or steel, or similar material. Some buildings have glasswindows, but most have slots opened to the bright light of themoon. Some are shaped like circles or squares or rectangles, orhave taken on other odd shapes. Even while frantic, I’m compelledto take in as much of this new world as I possibly can because itsurely is a sight to behold.

Finally our feet touch down right in thecenter of a round sponge which hovers above a bright green turfthat is by no means grass, although it appears to be. I’mstruggling to support Chex’s weight because he’s become quiteheavy. Na’ta races over to hinge her neck under his otherarmpit.

“What happened to him? Why is he like this?”she asks apathetically while scowling.

“I don’t know,” I snap. I feel the urge tolecture her about her lack of empathy, but now is clearly not thetime. Instead I cut my eyes away from her to focus my attentionfully on Magnificent Star. “We