CHAPTER 219: MEET SOMEONE

[ Old World - Unknown territories ( beyond Autumn’s fortress) ]

"Mama... where we goin’?"

The words tumbled out in broken syllables, full of curiosity and sleepy wonder, as one of Jasper’s tiny hands clutched Autumn’s finger while the other still rubbed his eyes.

His mahogany curls bounced with every small step, his blue eyes finally blinked wide at the misty dawn.

Autumn glanced down at him, her lips curving into a tender smile.

"You will see, baby," she whispered, brushing a kiss over his hair. "We are going to meet some very important people today. But..." She crouched to his height, her eyes shining, "...the reason I brought you along is because I want you to meet someone very, very special. Are you excited?"

Jasper’s mouth formed a small "O" before he began nodding furiously, his little head bobbing between his guardians. "Uh huh! Yesh!" His tiny feet bounced in place, as though he couldn’t contain it. He looked at Orion next, then back at his mother, his joy bubbling over.

Orion, walking just a step behind them, crossed his arms over his chest, his eyes narrowing. He glanced at Jasper’s uncontainable enthusiasm, then at Autumn, and his jaw tightened. He was definitely not sharing the same vibe.

"Autumn," his voice was low, careful, "you know I trust you. Always. No doubt about it."

Autumn tilted her head, sensing the unspoken. "But?"

"But..." Orion exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Are you sure you can trust them? These people...whoever you are taking us to. I mean..." his eyes darkened slightly, "...there isn’t much known about them or their..."

Autumn straightened, her free hand sliding reassuringly over Jasper’s back. Her expression grew firm, certain, without any flicker of doubt.

"Yes," she said simply. "One hundred percent. If there is anyone in this world I can trust after you...it’s her."

Orion’s brow furrowed. "Her?"

Autumn’s gaze softened, a fleeting ache crossing her face. " Besides,they have been serving my ancestors for centuries. Protecting, guiding, when no one else would. Their loyalty has never wavered. Not once.That is the reason they have voluntarily chosen this life of secrecy and hiding.Too keep their trade safe. " She nodded ahead, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Look...we are almost there."

Jasper tugged at her hand, squinting through the thick veil of mist. His tiny nose scrunched up. "Mama... dere’s nuffin’..."

Indeed, before them stretched only a wall of fog, endless and pale, smothering even the morning sun. No path. No lane. No gate. Just haze.

Orion glanced around, skeptical, his stance shifting as his hand brushed instinctively against the hilt of his weapon. "I don’t see anything, Autumn."

Autumn only smiled faintly. "You will."

She released Jasper’s hand gently, stepping forward into the mist. Raising her palm, she pressed it into the seemingly empty air.

A sound cracked through the silence...like glass trembling.

Blue light flared beneath her skin, spiderwebbing out in radiant threads until it spread across what had appeared to be nothing. And then the mist shivered, peeled away.

An invisible wall turned solid beneath her touch, and with a low hum, the air itself tore open, folding back into a swirling portal of blinding blue.

Jasper gasped, clapping his tiny hands together. "Woooow, Mama!" His little voice carried pure awe.

Orion took a step closer, his lips pressing into a tight line. "You have... been here before?!" It wasn’t a question.

Autumn turned, the glow of the portal painting her face, her platinum hair shimmering like silver flame. She reached her hand out to Orion and her son, her voice calm, resolute.

"Alright," she said, her tone gentle but edged with urgency. "Step inside."

Jasper stepped in first, one small boot crunching over what looked like glassy sand, though it glowed faintly beneath his feet. He froze at the sight, his wide little eyes darting all over the strange realm.

The air shimmered with faint sparkles, like fireflies frozen mid air, and distant shapes that looked like half formed constellations hung lazily across the horizon.

"Whoa..." he breathed, the awe slipping so naturally that it almost came out like a prayer. His little mouth gaped open, and then he added under his breath, "Bloody hell..."

Autumn’s head snapped towards him instantly, her brows knitting.

"Jasper Ulfsen?!" She frowned as she called his name out loud. "What did you just say?"

Jasper flinched but then quickly straightened, puffing his chest out in fake innocence. His mischievous grin spread wide, and he jabbed a finger towards Orion, who had just stepped up beside him. "He says it all the time!"

"What?" Orion’s eyes widened as if he had been slapped out of nowhere. He raised both hands quickly, palms outward. "I...hold on, that’s not true. I mean... not always. Maybe... sometimes. But not like.."

"See? See, Mamma?" Jasper was already bouncing in place, seizing the chance to watch the chaos unfold. He pointed more enthusiastically. "He admitted it! He says it!"

Autumn folded her arms, her expression hardening as she turned towards Orion. "So you are the one filling his head with foul language?"

Orion let out a groan, dragging a hand down his face. "Oh come on, don’t pin this on me. He is clever enough to pick things up all on his own..."

"Not helping," Autumn snapped.

Jasper snorted with laughter, his little shoulders shaking as he leaned against Orion’s leg like he had found the best shield in the world. "You’re in trouble, Dada..." he sing songed.

Orion narrowed his eyes down at him, muttering, "Traitor."

Jasper grinned wider, his dimples showing. "Smart."

Before Autumn could continue her lecture, a voice came from behind them...smooth...lilting, carrying an odd warmth that froze the air around them.

"My, oh my. Is that my Kieran’s boy?!"

The words hit like a thunderclap.

Jasper froze, his grin fading into a confused blink as he tilted his head back towards the sound.

Orion’s whole body stiffened, shoulders locked tight.

And Autumn?!

Autumn’s face fell, all light drained from her expression at the mention of that name, as if a shadow had passed over her.

Her smile vanished instantly, lips pressed into a thin line as she slowly turned around.