Evie began pacing back and forth, the tempo of each step quickening. Sebastian reached out to her hand pulling her down to sit beside him.

“Calm down. There's nothing we can do until she wakes up,” he said rubbing the back of her hand. “Finn's watching her. So just breathe.”

“Don't worry. I won't do anything that could be interpreted as brave,” Evie said. Her hands trembling, “or stupid.”

“Do you think we'll still go home today? I mean, I know people will worry, if we don't return.” Sebastian watched, as Finn rolled up one of their blankets to prop up Alex's head,

“She had to have fallen though the portal. I can't think of any other explanation. There was some stuff back on the floor by the tree. I'm gonna go get it. You watch her, I'll be like two minutes,” said Finn.

Evie could see by the way he moved so carefully around her limp body, he was nervous.

Finn followed the scuffs on the ground back towards the tree. Tangled amid the roots was her large leather backpack, and a pair of worn shoes. Stuffing the shoes into the bag he jogged back to the camp, canvassing the ground for anymore lost items.

“We have a bag,” he said. Waiving it triumphantly in the air, “shall we take a peek?”

Evie reached out her hands for you bag, “you watch her. I'll check the bag.”

“Hey. No fair. I'm the one that found it. I at least deserve to see what's inside,” he said, Clutching the bag to his chest.

“Fine. Fine, make it quick then,” said Evie.

Finn poured the bags contents onto the floor. Alex's shoes and damp blue book ricochet off the soft ground. Quickly followed by the rest, tangled amid headphones. Passing the pack to Evie, he started to thumb through the book.

“It's full of music,” he said, with a coy smile passing his lips, “she likes music. She writes music.” He looked over his shoulder to the peacefully sleeping Alex. Her arms and legs still tightly bound.

Evie passed the glowing mp3 player into Sebastian's eager hands, “I'm not positive, but I think it's a weapon. It's like a lasso. A weird shiny lasso,” he said, turning it over.

Finn laughed loudly, “You know what? I would love it to be, honestly, but unfortunately it just plays music. Chloe has one. Except she can only put new music on it when she visits earth. Currently hers is a fancy paperweight.”

“Councillor Vardaeus you mean,” said Evie.

“Look, I've never called her that before, and I'm not going to start now. She'll always be Chloe to me,” he Responded, his eyes narrowing,“anything good on it Seb?”

He pawed at the screen looking confused, “There's no buttons. You make it play.” He begrudgingly passed the player to Finn.

It burst into life in a serenade of guitars and vocals. Finn instinctively dropped it, and the book, out of shock.

“Well that was effective,” said Evie, Poking at it with her foot. Revealing nothing but a black screen, “I think you killed it.” She went back to rifling through the remaining possessions.

“Pencils, boring. Hmm what's this?” Evie pulled a small zipped bag from the pack. Opening it she blushed, “Ah, an emergency pack. You two don't need to see that.”

Sebastian who rarely took anyone's advice scooped the bag from her hand. Tearing the contents out he looked confused, “Wait, why would anyone carry a bag of underwear, and I don't know what the hell that is?” He said, flipping through the paper packets.

Evie shot him a rather irritated look, “Girl things. I did warn you.”

Finn convulsed with laughter, as Sebastian face began glowing ruby red. He shut his eyes, and stuffed the lot back into Evie's awaiting hands.

“Oh, seriously. Grow up. You've lived with me for three years. You're telling me you never noticed...Anyway, this makes me think she's human. But I don't trust why she's here,” she, said.

“Or how she got here,” said Sebastian.

“Portal. Its the only possible explanation. How else would a human be wondering in the forest? Plus the only other portal this side of Avalon is in the heart of the Basilica,” said Finn, flipping to the back of the book, “we have a name. Well, if the book is hers, she's Alex.” He nudged Evie's shoulder, “see. I did something useful.”

“Okay. Well I'm giving her till noon to wake up. I have a few questions that need answering. Plus there is no way I'm helping to carry someone. We have too much of our own stuff,” said Evie stamping her staff into the ground. “if she's not up, then we stay another night, we can't afford to be wondering around here in the dark,” She began placing Alex's belongings back into her bag, prying the mp3 player from Sebastian's hands.

Finn rubbed his hands together. “Eve. Don't be mad. I forgot something,” she stared at him, impatiently drumming her fingers against her staff, “we caught the cat. Just I forgot to mention there was another one. I mean, it was asleep and obviously is miles from here. Just. Yeah. We can't travel at night even if we wanted to.”

“Its fine. If its far enough away. I'm not going to shout at you. I'm not mom, or anything,” she said.

Finn looked surprised, “Yes. Because you'd never be bossy.”

“Or mean,” Sebastian chipped in. Smiling at Evie before seeing her annoyance and looking at his feet again.

“See. Now you're just trying my patience. I can't help it if I like things a certain way. My way,” she said, “change of subject. We need to get set up for the day. I'll go find some food. Seb you're on wood duty. Finn you watch her, call me the second she moves.”

“Yes mom,” said Finn, walking quickly over to Alex's bound body. Avoiding Evie's scowls.

The sun was high in the sky before Alex began to stir. She attempted to stretch her arms above her head. After waking from some peculiar dream. But they wouldn't move. She blinked her bleary eyes. “Rope?” She thought out loud.

Peering around. She spotted the boy with the big blue eyes. His head bobbing gently with her mp3 in his hand.

“Hey. That's mine,” she said. Loud enough to make him jump, launching the headphones from his ears.

“Oh. You're awake,” Finn looked a little worried, “in a minute my sister is going to come over an ask you a load of questions. But first. Hi I'm Finn. You're Alex right?”

She looked surprised, and nodded. Alex couldn't understand how he could know her name. She struggled until she got herself into a sitting position.

“Your book. It had it scribbled in the back,” he said, helping to prop her up a little better.

“Its Alexis. But I like Alex. Anyway,” she said, desperately pulling at the ropes that bound her legs with her finger tips, “why the hell am I tied up?”

“Just a precaution. I mean, you just suddenly appeared. And, well. You're not supposed to be here. Humans can't come here. So we have to be sure what you are,” he twisted a flower out of the ground and stroked the petals gently.

“What do you mean Humans can't come here? Where is here? And I'm scared by the emphasis on humans,” Alex said, looking decidedly more scared.

“Well, I'm just glad you're not too hurt. You took a nasty fall. Hit your head,” he pulled a strand of her long hair from across her face, tucking it gently behind her ear, “I'll get my sister. She's bossy, but she means well. Has a few questions for you. I wouldn't worry too much. But I can't guarantee you'll be untied any time soon,” Finn said, getting to his feet and calling out for his sister.

Evie sauntered over, she stabbed her staff hard into the earth beside her. Looking down at Alex who was struggling with her bonds.

“You ought not to do that. They're there for a reason. We don't know you. You don't know us. So for now its better that way,” she said, running her fingers around the enamelled panel on the top of her staff.

“Who are you? Who are all of you? Why am I here?” Alex said, her voice wavered with frustration.

“Look. I'm asking the questions for now,” said Evie, “first, where were you before you came here?”

“School... No wait, I was in the rose garden. It rained. Then I was here,” Alex said. Pulling her knees up to her chest, resting her bound hands on top.

“That still doesn't explain how you could be here,” Said Evie.

“I fell. Its not like I aimed to be here. Where ever here is,” Alex stared up at the girl. She looked so different to her brother. Blond and tiny. Like a cute, angry little elf.

“Humans aren't supposed to be here. They aren't meant to be able to find the portals, let alone use them. They're hidden. Which means either. You're Faust and you broke the portal. Or I don't know what you are. But you shouldn't be here,” Evie said, avoiding eye contact.

“I don't know what Faust is. I don't know what portals are. I just wanted to get out of the rain, and now I'm here. I just want to go home,” said Alex, starting to cry.

“Don't try and get sympathy from me. Faust are great liars. I don't trust you, and we're taking you to meet the council tomorrow, they will decide your fate. Its too dangerous to send you back. We don't know if there are more of you,” Evie pulled her staff out of the ground, twisting it around her fingers, “for now you stay put. Finn is going to watch you. Don't try and get out. Its not worth your time.”

“Please. Just tell me where I am? Who you are? Anything,” Alex begged.

“This,” said Evie, spinning her staff around “Is Venium, and we are The Lux,” she turned on her heals, grabbing Finn by the shoulder as she left, “you watch her. I still don't have any answers. Just make sure she eats and drinks, I'm not putting any delays on getting her to the council tomorrow,” Evie began to walk away, “anyway mom's gonna kill you. We go on our survival test. You ruin two good shirts, almost get crushed by an invisible monster and find a girl.”

Finn brushed his shoulders, looking smug, “All in a days work Eve. Why keep things simple when you can be fearing for your life on a regular basis.”

The fire crackled with a quiet intensity. Alex watched as tiny embers danced in the air, before falling in a rain of ash across her legs.

“I don't want you telling her stuff about us. I know I shouldn't be telling you what to do, but I just worry. We don't know enough to trust her yet,” said Evie.

“ You just don't like her 'cause she fell out of the sky, and has no explanation for being here,” Finn said, patting her arm.

“ Yeah. I'm irrational that way,” she said.

Evie got to her feet, grabbing her pack she rooted around inside. She made a neat pile of little bags on the ground next to her metal box.

“As today didn't exactly go as plan, we're onto the emergency food,” she said giving Finn and Sebastian a bag each, “Demi bread, and what is left of the Lymnberries for after. They may be a little smushy by now though.”

“I'll share mine then,” said Finn scowling Sebastian and his sister as she devoured their bread in seconds. Turning his back on them he shuffled over and settled down next to Alex on the mossy ground.

“Bread?” He said, offering her a piece of the soft ginger bread.

“Is it any good?” She asked.

“Call me an optimist, but I'm thinking you'll like it,” he said placing a piece into her cupped hands.

Alex attempted to move the bread to her mouth, failing miserably, as Finn stared obliviously towards the fire, munching away.

“A little help?” Said Alex, trying to move her arms.

“Oops. Here,” he said, helping her take a bite,“of course, when I tell this story, it's gonna be the other way around.”

“Hmm?” Alex muttered.

“Oh, I'll be the one being hand fed by someone gorgeous,” said Finn grinning, “while tied up.”

Alex stifled a laugh, “Yeah, you say that like its pleasant. And it was my choice.”

Finn offered her another bite, “So what d'ya think?”

“About the bread or the tying up?” Alex shot Finn a quick smile before finishing her mouthful.

Finn attempted not to blush, “Touché.”

“Is she asking you questions?” Said Evie, as she brushed some crumbs from Sebastian's robes.

“She's not asking anything. She's eating bread... non-strategically,” said Finn rolling his eyes.

Sebastian gave him a nod, pretending to stoke the fire so Evie didn't notice. He grabbed the box of fruit, greedily stuffing his face.

“Fruits still good. Grab some before I give in and just scoff the lot,” he said, dribbling purple juice down his chin.

“Do you want to try some?” Finn said, scrunching up the empty paper bag.

“Na, I'm good,” said Alex, her stomach growled loudly, “Trust me, I'm fine.”

Finn moved back to the fire, grabbing a couple of berries before they vanished. Giving Evie a hug, she seemed to calm a little.

“See, you love each other really,” said Sebastian, wrapping his arms around the two of them in a group hug. The three stared blankly at each other, “so what do we do now?” He asked, still having not let go, amid the awkward silent huddle.

“We could stay like this,” Finn said, squeezing them tighter, “but I'm seriously going to invade your personal space,” with that he licked Sebastian's face like a dog.

“ugh, come on. Not necessary,” he said, furiously wiping his face with his spare hand.

“Well, as inviting as that looks, I think I'm going to stay over here,” Alex scoffed, “Oh wait, I don' have a choice,” she said rolling her eyes, and adjusting her wrists under the rope.

The glowing moon was high in the sky, before Evie let her penetrating eyes wonder from Alex. She snuggled down beside Sebastian, letting the waves of lunar light wash over them. The glow was fierce, unearthly. The air it self seemed to burn with energy. Alex couldn't understand how anyone could relax on a night like tonight. She shuffled her back further up the tree, leaning over her knees, she let her aching arms hang loose across her legs. The bindings leaving tender nuggets of flesh, circling her wrists. Alex sat quietly admiring her surroundings. The current situation wasn't exactly ideal, but she had always loved forests. Despite the stillness it was never quiet. Through the hum a call still sounded. A guttural cry of pain, echoed through the trees sending a chill into the night air.

Alex leant back, shutting her eyes in a shallow attempt to blot the light from her eyes. Feet cracked against the ground nearing her, she kept her eyes shut for fear of what she would see. The steps diverged. Opening one eye she saw the exposed skin of Finn's back as he stepped slowly into a pool of moonlight. He glowed with an effervescent light, the veins under his skin appeared to throb, a powerful drumming heartbeat. His body like music to Alex.

As he turned towards her she could see a delicate weaving of lines that fell around his neck, culminating in a soft glowing orb on his chest. His soft white shirt had hidden any tracings of these marking before. He was beautiful, thought Alex. Finn extended his arms, slowly casting a silhouette against the many trees that circled him. With smooth movements he circled his body. For someone so awkward he moved gracefully, each movement flowing into the next like water. Alex couldn't help but stare, she was transfixed. He hadn't noticed her gaze. Finn's eyes closed tight as he positions, almost ethereal under the moonlight. His deep breaths slowed, with every new shape his arching body created. Watching the heaviness leave his body Alex felt herself slipping away. Exhausted, she gave in. The image of Finn's graceful movements and luminous chest lulled her into a deep sleep.

“Morning,” said Finn, as he offered Alex his flask.

“Thanks,” said Alex, she drank deeply. The water soothing her dry throat.

Evie and Sebastian had already packed away their things. Slinging Alex' bag over her shoulder Evie adjusted her belongings.

“I'll hang on to this, until the Council confirms you can have it back,” she said.

Alex nodded, wiping drops of water from her mouth with the back of her hand. Finn untied the ropes from her legs, before reached under her arm helping her to her feet.

“Here you go. We have to get going if we want to make it back before sunset,” said Finn, brushing moss off her jeans, “I have a surprise for you.”

With that he bent down, letting her lean against his shoulder, from behind his back he produced her shoes.

“We can't have you wondering around here barefoot, can we,” he said, sliding one onto her foot.

“Where did you find these?” Alex asked.

“Same place I found your bag. Interesting colour choice by the way,” he smiled as he fitted the second one.

“Go bright or go home. Life is too short to be boring,” she said, shrugging, “hmm except you won't let me go home.”

“Not my choice, sorry,” Finn said, as he slowly stood back up. His shirt gaped open revealing the orb that glowed in his chest. He blushed a little, “not that I want you to go away either.”

They walked slowly for what seemed like miles, keeping Evie and Sebastian in view in front of them. Alex's legs stiff from sitting so long, she could hardly keep pace. Finn walked behind her making sure she didn't fall, her bound hands making it difficult to balance.

“Can I ask you something?” Said Alex.

“Sure. Just make it quick, I don't need Eve breathing down my neck,” he said, holding the rope between her hands, leading her slowly from the tree.

“Your neck, your chest. What are the white markings?” She said, peering down the open neck of his shirt.

“Ah, now that is something special,” Said Finn, trying not to trip on the mossy ground as he moved Alex in front of him. “Eve and Seb have them too. Its a Lux thing. Well a Concilium Lux thing. But its complicated...”

“I wanna know,” she said, turning to look back at him over her shoulder.

“I don't think now is the right time to explain it. But once we get back to the Basilica, I promise I'll tell you. Its just. If no one trusts you, and I tell you something, its gonna come back to bite me in the ass,” said Finn, his brow furrowed.

“Its okay, I get it. I guess I'm just inquisitive. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry and...” Said Alex looking at her feet.

“And what?” Finn walked a little closer to her.

“I saw you. Last night,” said Alex, her cheeks burned, “I didn't mean to watch, its just. Well you we...It was really beautiful.”

Finn coughed, “You saw that? It helps me relax. Meditate sort of. Its like the whole world disappears and there is only me,” he stared wistfully off into the distance.

“I don't think, I'd have the patience to do that. You moved like water. And the moonlight, you were all lit up like...like a shiny thing,” she said.

“A shiny thing, how descriptive. I guess I can settle for being a shiny thing,” he said.

“You know, this has got to be the strangest brush with death I've ever had,” said Alex treading carefully on the soft ground.

“You've had others?” Asked Finn.

“Okay, this is the only brush with death I've ever had, and its strange. Its not every day you just kind fall through the ground into a different world. Its too Alice down the rabbit hole,” she said.

"First who's Alice, and what is a rabbit hole?” Finn looked bemused as Alex stopped still suddenly.

“What was that noise?” She asked, peering into the distance.