“Will do.”
He watched us with a worried expression. Grey led me down a hallway identical to the other, with shelves full of liquor bottles and an unmarked door tucked into the corner at the end.
We stepped through, and the ether sucked me and spun me through space, spitting me out in a large open square. On either side of us, skyscrapers rose toward the pale blue sky. It was earlier in the day here, the sun lower in the sky. The light glinted off the buildings and the massive lake to the north.
I heard the roar of water and felt a fine mist on my skin. I turned and gasped. Behind me, an enormous water sculpture looped overhead, floating in the air like a giant ring. Water dripped down, and a dozen screaming, happy kids played underneath.
Grey caught my momentary surprise. “That’s the Rain Bridge. It’s the partner of the Cloud Gate in downtown Chicago. What the humans know of as The Bean.”
“Wow.” I spun in a circle, taking in the city. “I’ve never been to America.”
Grey smiled. “There are a lot of beautiful places here.”
“What body of water is that?” I pointed to the glittering expanse. There was no land in the distance that I could see, but on the shore to my left, the city stretched far into the distance. “Chicago is on one of their enormous lakes, isn’t it?”
“The Great Lakes. This is Lake Michigan. Magic Side sits just offshore of South Side. It resides in a pocket dimension, so it looks like water to humans.”
“So only supernaturals can see it?”
“Exactly.” He turned toward the street. “Come, we’re not too far from Ms. Cross’s office.”
I followed him down the busy city street, passing supernaturals of all shapes and sizes. Unlike Guild City, which looked as ancient and magical as an old teapot shooting silver stars, Magic Side looked modern and almost normal, except for the individuals who filled the streets and the cars that rushed by.
Horns and exotic features weren’t uncommon to see on passersby, and everyone’s magical signatures were on display.
“They don’t keep their signatures on lockdown, do they?” I asked.
Grey shook his head. “It’s not required here.”
“But why? Isn’t their city like ours, hidden amongst humans?”
“It’s similar, yes. Their rules are different. They consider it a First Amendment right.”
I frowned, disliking the iron control that Guild City exerted over the magical signatures of its residents. It seemed unnecessary. Magic Side was more relaxed and still managed to thrive.
We hopped on a trolley car painted red and cream with the words Magic Side Surface Lines written across the side.
I looked at the rectangular windows and leather seats. “Streetcars seem a little old fashioned, don’t they?”
Grey nodded. “Chicago phased out their trolley system in the ’40s and ’50s. Magic Side bought the old cars and kept them running. Downtown Magic Side is called the Circuit because of all the converging streetcar lines.”
I nodded as I leaned against the glass. Tall buildings whipped by, though mainly, I was paying attention to the throngs of supernaturals crowding the sidewalks.
We hopped off beside a long but narrow city park.
The green oasis was dotted with pathways and benches, inviting walkers and readers to enjoy the space. There was a small, round duck pond in the center, ringed by a walkway and flower beds. On one side of the park, an enormous neoclassical building rose several stories in the air. The heavy limestone stonework was beautiful, as was the massive set of wide stairs leading up to the columned entry and massive brass doors.
“Is that the Hall of Inquiry?” I asked.
“Yes.” He pulled a mobile from his pocket and typed in a message. “Ms. Cross will come get us soon.”
“We can’t meet her inside?”
The corner of his mouth kicked up in a small smile. “Technically, I’m not on their side of the law.”
“You mean the legal side?”
“Precisely.”