The Messenge (Iva and Nick) novel Chapter 424

Something wasn’t right.

Her story had too many gaps.

A human somehow stumbling accidentally into the Genie Realm.

Surviving.

Finding a city.

Living among supernatural beings.

And then finding Caleb half-dead beside an oasis that had appeared completely empty to him.

It was possible.

Perhaps.

But Caleb had learned long ago that possibility and truth were not the same thing.

Asha stood.

“You should rest.”

“I need to leave.”

“You just woke up.”

“I have somewhere to go.”

Asha’s expression changed.

“Where?”

Caleb looked toward the windows.

“I’m searching for something.”

“The Velintra?”

His entire body went still.

Asha smiled.

Caleb’s eyes hardened.

“How do you know that name?”

She said nothing.

The silence between them suddenly became much heavier.

Then Asha laughed softly.

“You really are suspicious.”

Caleb stood despite the weakness in his legs.

“Who are you?”

Asha walked toward the window.

“I already told you.”

“No.”

Caleb’s voice became cold.

“You told me what you wanted me to believe.”

She turned around.

For the first time, the pleasant smile disappeared.

Only for a second.

But Caleb saw it.

Something ancient looked through her beautiful eyes.

Then it was gone.

Asha smiled again.

“Perhaps you should sleep, Caleb.”

His blood ran cold.

“I never told you my name.”

Asha stared at him.

Neither spoke.

And somewhere beyond the walls of Talis, something enormous roared in the distance.

Asha slowly turned toward the sound.

Caleb watched her face.

She wasn’t surprised.

She was afraid.

Asha’s fear lasted only a few seconds before she turned away from the window, forcing the pleasant expression back onto her face as though whatever had roared beyond the walls of Talis had never happened.

“Dinner,” she said lightly. “You must be starving.”

Caleb studied her.

He had just survived a desert that had nearly killed him, drowned in a lake that had somehow dragged him beneath its surface, and awakened in a place where a woman who claimed to be

human somehow knew his name and the reason he had crossed dimensions.

Nothing about this place felt safe.

“I don’t think I’m in the mood for dinner.”

Asha smiled.

“You need strength.”

The words made him pause.

She was right.

His body still felt heavy, his muscles aching from the journey through the gate and the brutal trek across the desert. Even Chaos, normally restless and aggressive, remained unusually quiet beneath his skin, conserving energy.

And if Asha truly knew something about the Genie Realm, then walking away from her without learning anything would be foolish.

Caleb finally pushed himself from the bed.

“Fine.”

Asha’s smile widened.

“Good.”

“But before we eat,” Caleb said, his voice becoming colder, “let’s cut to the chase.”

She stopped.

Caleb looked directly into her eyes.

“What do you want?”

For the first time, Asha seemed genuinely surprised.

Then she laughed softly.

“Must everything be a transaction with you?”

“In my experience, when someone saves your life, takes you into their home, knows your name without being told, there is usually a reason.”

Asha folded her arms.

“You think I saved you because I want something.”

“I think everyone in this realm wants something.”

Her expression softened.

“It isn’t a sin to help another person, Caleb.”

She walked toward the door.

“I’ve been here for many years. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to stumble across another

human being here?”

Caleb said nothing.

Asha glanced back.

“You should understand that better than anyone. You crossed into a realm where humans are practically myths. Then you found another one.”

“If you are human.”

Her smile disappeared for half a heartbeat.

Then it returned.

“Come and eat.”

Caleb followed.

A long dark table stretched beneath golden chandeliers, surrounded by carved chairs that looked centuries old. Plates covered the table, filled with unfamiliar fruits, roasted meat, vegetables that shimmered faintly beneath the candlelight, and bread that smelled surprisingly ordinary.

Caleb took his seat cautiously.

Asha sat opposite him.

Caleb ate slowly.

Every bite reminded him how exhausted he truly was.

His body needed nourishment, and despite every instinct warning him not to trust Asha, he knew

he needed information more than pride.

“What is Talis?” Caleb asked.

Asha brightened immediately.

“A city.”

“Within the Genie Realm.”

“Yes.”

“How many cities are there?”

She shrugged.

“Hundreds.”

Caleb stopped eating.

“Hundreds?”

“At least.”

“What about the Genie Realm itself? How large is it?”

“No one knows.”

“Where are the genies?”

“Everywhere.”

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