Hours later, I leaned against the wall, biting back a string of curses. Nothing. I'd found nothing in these damn hallways. Not even another room, aside from the one they’d led me to! My sense of direction wasn't great, but I couldn’t be this lost.

Scrubbing my face with both palms, I eyed the nearby guards. Maybe talking to them would be easier at this point.

I moved closer, unsurprised when they didn’t react. Stealth, right… How do I go about turning that off? It had worn off when I realized the king could see me. Perhaps if I just willed it away, I'd be visible again? Focusing inward, I tried, and a second later, the guards closest to me jumped, their helmets snapping in my direction.

“Where did you come from?!” the closest one shouted. I forced a laugh and rubbed my neck. Everyone here thought I was a lost and clueless ‘otherworlder’. I'd have to play into that and see what I could learn.

Offering a sheepish smile, I dipped my head. “Sorry. I was experimenting with skill and spells, but when I turned invisible, I couldn't turn back! Didn't mean to frighten you.”

The guards seemed to buy it, and the closest one relaxed. “I can bring you back to your room if you'd like?”

I shook my head. “Actually, I was hoping for directions. The room you all summoned me into? Some of my things are gone.”

The guard hesitated, and remembering the king's earlier words about me being an ‘honored guest’, I added, “I could ask king Silas where they went. Or…do you think someone lost them?”

Immediately, he shook his head and moved away from his post. “There's no need to bring the king into this. Your things are likely in the summoning room. I'll retrieve them.”

I waved a hand with a laugh. “No need for that, I can find them myself if you lead me there. Some of the items aren’t safe for you to handle, being technology from my world.”

Okay, so my cell phone wasn't dangerous, but they didn't need to know that.

The guard still looked unsure, so I laid it on thicker. “I appreciate your help, but one item contains all the knowledge from my world. If you accidentally activated it, your brain could explode from the information overload.”

His gulp echoed in the quiet hallway, and the other guards shared uneasy glances. After a long moment, one nodded.

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“Go with him, Dominic. We’ll cover your post.”

Dominic gestured for me to follow, which I did without complaint. Once we were out of earshot, I half-turned to him and smiled.

“Sorry for the trouble and pulling you away from your post. I appreciate your help.”

He nearly tripped before shaking off his shock. “There's no need to apologize. As an honored guest, you have the same authority as one of the king’s advisors or generals.”

That was a lot of power for a stranger…

I shook off the thought and focused as we stopped before two massive doors. “This is the summoning room. If you'll allow me.” I stepped aside for him to lead the way. Inside, I looked around, disappointed by the lack of clues.

The room was barren, only smooth stone floors and bare walls. It felt…wrong. The air pressed down like a heavy comforter. The longer we stood there, the worse it felt.

Dominic cleared his throat, drawing my attention. “Nothing seems to be here. Perhaps your items were left in your world?”

I nodded, “Probably for the best.” His shoulders relaxed, and I winced. Poor guy had probably expected a tantrum.

After one last look around, I faced him. "Could you lead me outside, to a garden? Fresh air sounds amazing.”

The heavy air stuck to my skin like slime, and the thought of going back to my room to stew in it made my skin crawl. After wandering endless halls, nothing sounded better than a breeze and some grass.

Thankfully, Dominic nodded and led me to the courtyard. “Of course.”

The walk was silent, neither of us feeling the need to chat. When we reached the courtyard, Dominic bowed.

“When you wish to return, ask another guard to escort you.” At my nod, he disappeared inside, and I took a deep breath, shaking off the lethargy.

The air in the room had been weird, maybe leftover magic from the summoning ritual…or related to whatever the king summoned. A chill ran down my spine. If this unsettling feeling came from a creature, I hoped I never met it.

Unfortunately this left me back at square one. The only one who might know about the summoning was the king, and I'd save asking him as a last resort. As far as he knew, I was who he summoned. I'd prefer to keep it that way, at least until I figured out this apocalypse thing.

Karma was unavailable…which only left Time. My stomach rolled at the thought. Nevermind the king, asking Time for help was truly my last resort. With my luck, he'd be pissed at my intrusion on his life and without Karma there, I'd be screwed.

Exhaustion weighed down my shoulders. Wasn't this new life supposed to be a fresh start?

A rustle broke the quiet, and I jolted, focus sharpening on the bushes. Instinctively, I straightened, ready for anything.

“Who's there?” I asked, shoulders tensing.

A quiet squeak answered, and a small form emerged from the bushes. She was barely knee-high and her wide tear-filled gaze locked on me. My wariness evaporated.

It was a girl in a tattered white dress, eyes tinged with fear. She half-hid in the bush, watching me warily.

Her clear terror stabbed my chest, guilt squeezing tight around my heart, and I knelt, softening my features.

Nikolas de Santos, you paranoid idiot.

I offered an apologetic smile. “Sorry if I scared you. You startled me.”

Hopefully, my knack for soothing kids worked here as well as it did on Earth…