Aleia was intrigued, to say the least, by Auro. His white locks and jade eyes were unlike anything she'd ever seen. Handsome was not an adequate adjective to describe the boy before her. She would have to consult with a dictionary later when she got home. Aleia noticed Auro watching Athena closely, and wondered why he was so fascinated with the dog. He kept staring into the canine's eyes as if he were trying to speak to it with his mind. She wondered if the boy smiled. Auro wore such a serious expression, giving him a somewhat intimidating air.

Aleia's dad was on the phone. Again. She wanted him to just turn the damned thing off and be with her like he'd said. And like in the car, her father was speaking as if he belonged in the 15th century, and not the 21st.

"Apollo," Aleia scolded when the dog tried to dig his huge head into a potted plant. "Sit, boy; down!"

Apollo glanced at her with a look closely representing a knowing smirk. Athena barked once and her companion immediately backed away from the greenery. Aleia gawked; that mutt! A chuckle erupted in the office room, causing Aleia to glance at Auro. He was grinning, watching both her and the dog.

"That dog likes testing you," he said as his chuckle grew into deep-belly laughter.

"It's not funny," Aleia said, embarrassed. "I know he likes to test me. He's just like his owner."

"It is obviously his personality. Don't take it personally. Some animals are just that way."

This was the most the boy had spoken since they'd met. Aleia fought back a smile. She liked the sound of his voice. She guessed he was from a country in Europe. His accent was thick and husky. Her face must have given away her thoughts because Auro's expression grew soft and he gazed at her.

"You're not American," Aleia said, or rather she mumbled.

"No," Auro replied, shaking his head. "I'm not . . . Where I'm from is not commonly known. But your father knows the country well . . . If I am, to be honest, I have an early memory of your father visiting . . . I was six years old."

Taken by surprise, Aleia pressed her mouth in a thin line. From what she was hearing, her dad has known this boy for a long time.

"We've no time to waste!"

Aleia and Auro both rose to their feet the moment Peter entered, a scowl on his face. He spoke into the phone, his knuckles white as he clutched the device to his ear.

"I'm on my way," he said with irritation. "I swear the man will be found."

The dogs stood at attention, which Aleia found interesting yet weird. It was as if they were waiting to be given commands.

"He's close, isn't he?" Auro's voice was calm as he spoke to Aleia's father. "What's your plan of action, sir?"

Aleia's father met her gaze as if what he was about to say would affect her as well.

"Take my daughter to the bunker," he said, still holding her gaze. "Remain there until you hear from me. If compromised, run and do not separate."

He hugged Aleia briefly before turning his attention to the two dogs. He stared at them for a long moment before nodding and turning on his heel. He left the room without another word.

"C'mon," said Auro, directing Aleia towards the closet in the corner.

"Dude," she protested, wriggling her shoulders from his grasp. "What the hell is going on? Where is my dad going?"

"I'm sure there will be time for explanations later," he replied, his voice filled with reason. "For now, we must do as he says and go to the bunker. If something happens to either of us before we get there, consider this the brink of war."

"Brink of war? Do you hear yourself right now? That doesn't even make sense? What could possibly happen to us?"

Auro pulled Aleia behind his back at the sound of shouts. Something crashed not too far from the office. With no further need of convincing, Aleia grabbed Auro's arm and clung to him as they hid in the closet.

"We'll be stuck in here," she whispered as he closed the door, cramming the four of them into the tight space. "And Apollo will give away our hiding place."

"We'll be fine," was all Auro said as he patted at the walls.

To Aleia's surprise, Apollo remained silent. Even more so, he stood as if guarding the door. Athena did as well. That is not normal.

***

Anaemis Boneblood scowled when the scent of Howlers hit his nostrils. How the blasted beasts could even be in this world was beyond his comprehension. The only possible explanation he had was that his enemy, Lord Brun Emberhand, had known to be prepared. Anaemis was certain there were at least two Howlers within the building. He signaled Inanis and Spiris, two young masterminds with gifts that excelled beyond their age, to be on their guard. Both tall and slender, the twins could intimidate anyone they met. They were the reason Anaemis was even here. Just as quickly as he has smelled it, the scent of the Howlers disappeared without a trace.

"I sense her presence," he told them in a hushed tone. "Queen Alessa's soul is near. We are so close to regaining the kingdom we've long deserved."

"Yes, master," the twins spoke in unison.

"Be on full alert. Emberhand will stop at nothing to keep us from finding the Queen. The Snowvale bloodline ends at our hands. The prince will never see his reign, and his parents will never live to see it either."

"Anaemis!"

A voice bellowed from across the carport.

"Where'd you stash those Howlers?!" Anaemis sneered as he turned to face Lord Brun. "Don't play dumb. I know they were here!"

"You and I both know if I had brought Howlers," Lord Brun replied, calm and collected. "They would be with me. Perhaps your senses have dulled from the desolate plains of Mortorna."

"Mortorna is not as desolate as you would think, Lord Brun. It's a fascinating place to live. One can learn so much in the wasteland."

"Did you learn that seeking retribution amongst evildoers is what brings you there?"

Anaemis curled his hands into fists, and his brow furrowed deeper. Brun Emberhand is always so quick-minded! He glanced to his accomplices and nodded his command. The twins stretched hands out wide, facing each other. Their fingertips touched and a sphere of light arose. It grew larger, surrounding its creators like a bubble of electrical currents. The clouds clustered together above the twins. Thunder began to roar.

Brun Emberhand stood watching with a calm demeanor. His arms crossed over his chest as he waited on the attack. Knowing the prince was now in the presence of two Howlers, he did not fear Anaemis. How this man managed to enter Earth, he did not know. But he did know that he would not make it very far.

***

Aleia was in a daze. The closet began to spin. She had to close her eyes as she huddled close to Auro. He didn't seem bothered by the gusts of wind in the closed room. Where is that wind coming from? Then, just as quickly as it has appeared, it died down. Aleia dared not open her eyes.

"Hey," came a voice next to her ear. "You can open your eyes now."

Aleia shook her head, squeezing her eyes tighter.

"Aleia," came a new voice. "I'll lick you if you don't open your eyes."

Startled by the newcomer, she opened her eyes. However, only Auro and the dogs stood before her. The only thing different was the closet door being open behind them.

"Are you okay?" Auro asked, his brow creased with concern. "I should have warned you. Most get dizzy during their first trip through the dimensions."

"Dimensions?" Aleia snorted, "Sure; I bet the next thing you'll tell me is that we're in said dimension."

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I was going to say that."

Aleia sputtered a laugh as she rose to her feet. She swayed slightly but kept her balance as she spoke back to Auro.

"Dude," she said, shaking her head. "I don't know where the hell that wind came from, but I think you might be losing your marbles a bit. In case you've forgotten, we're still in my dad office closet. If I walk out that door right now, we'll still be in his office. Watch."

Aleia took a confident step out of the space. She was about to turn around and rub the subject in Auro's face when she realized there was something different about the outer room. The desk and chairs were the same, the photographs and certificates were in their place, of that she was certain. The walls were now a light salmon color, whereas they were usually an ugly green color. Aleia had often called it 'puke-green', but her father never wanted to change it.

"What the hell?" she muttered, glancing around the room.

An older man, tall and bulky, entered and crossed his hands in front of himself. He didn't scowl, but he certainly didn't smile. Aleia took a step back, bumping into Auro's chest, as he was suddenly behind her.

"Mortimer," Auro said in greeting.

"My prince," the guard replied, bowing his head slightly. "Miss Emberhand."

"Eh-Emberhand? What?" She turned to Auro, who now looked at her. "Prince?"

"Yes," he explained what she knew was obvious. "But you needn't worry about titles and positions. You're my equal. That's all you need to know right now."

A million questions loomed in Aleia's mind, but now, she couldn't find her voice to ask them. There came a loud, yet low rumbling growl behind her. She turned to find her stepbrothers' canines still with her. However, there was something different about their eyes. She had never paid much attention to those details before. They had always looked like normal Great Danes. Now, they looked different. So different.

"Of course," Auro spoke as he turned to the canines. "I'd nearly forgotten. You will want to be outside, am I right?"

To Aleia's surprise, the dogs nodded. They trotted past and out the office door. Mortimer remained there still. He didn't say a word, except when Auro spoke to him. More like gave him commands. Aleia was in a whirl again. He glanced at her, concerned and quite amused.

"Tell my mother of my arrival," he said, turning back to Mortimer. "And tell my father the daughter of Lord Brun Emberhand is here."

"Yes, m'lord," Mortimer bowed and left.

Auro turned to smirk at Aleia. "You look like you want to throw up. Are you okay?"

"The dogs nodded," she replied, completely in a daze. "I've taken care of them since they were pups. I've always thought I saw them rolling their eyes as if they completely understood what I was saying. They just nodded when you spoke to them."

"Are you looking for an explanation?" he asked softly. "Because I will explain everything as we go. Too much information at once will exhaust you."

"I'm already feeling exhausted!"

Aleia stomped her foot, her fists clenched at her sides. Auro chuckled, crossing his arms and covering his mouth with his hand. This was a complete contrast of the character she had perceived in him before. He had been so serious even though he had been friendly. His words came back to her mind. More specifically the word dimension. Were they really in a different dimension? Had they really used her dad's office closet to travel elsewhere?