My face connects with the wood slats but the beams easily fall away. And then I sneeze. A moment later, Jonah appears beside me.

The light is dim like the sky before sunrise. It's a deep purplish blue with pink and red streaks. I can see stars and a muted sun. Two moons, right next to each other, are directly overhead. One is brighter than the other, almost like a reflection. There are also several large dim circles in the sky that I assume are other planets.

"We're outside," I say.

We're in an expansive field with trees dotted throughout. They appear to be ordinary trees in fall colors with fiery reds and oranges, but they also have deep blues and indigos. Everything seems so much more luminous than the gray and green I'm used to.

The field is crowded with people who appear to be having a party.

"They're flying," I whisper. They're ordinary people but they're flitting from tree to tree, chatting, laughing, and dancing with each other. Dizziness flips my stomach. I turn to leave, but Jonah puts an arm out to stop me. "I want to go back. This is too much."

"You know where the door is and you can leave at any time, but I'd like you to stay and meet some of the faeries who live here."

Winged people are beautifully engraved into the heavy wooden door in front of me. An intricate stone archway surrounds it, and at the top are statues of larger winged people brandishing swords. The door is housed in a small but ornately decorated building that looks like the tomb of a very important person. The subway arch might have been as pretty as this one before time, trains, and people wrecked it.

Faeries are just too tempting to pass up. I'll take a few minutes, have a look around, and then head home. I look up at Jonah's smiling face. "I can leave when I want?"

He nods. "I'll escort you back myself."

Now I'm nodding. He takes my hand. And my body locks in place. He doesn't pull me or drop my hand. Instead, he waits while I study his face. This is like hugging. Hand holding. I like it.

We only take a few steps when the high-pitched chorus of bugs starts talking. "That's her! That's the Agatha!"

The bugs give me such a fright, I nearly jump into Jonah's arms. He puts a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Trees are an excitable bunch. They're happy to see you."

"That's a tree?"

"Yes," he says. Then he chides the tree for scaring me.

"Booooo!" the large oak says while rustling its leaves. Then it breaks out in laughter at its joke.

Jonah grunts and ushers me away from the trees. I'm not watching where he's taking me because I can't keep my eyes off the flying people. They look like regular New Yorkers, only taller, prettier, and better dressed.

Jonah guides me down a stone path. When we come to a clearing, my heart leaps when I see the Manhattan skyline. It's shaded and purple, like mountains in the distance. The lights from many windows are shining in irregular patterns that blend with the starry sky, but the buildings themselves look to be just a mirage and not like they're part of this world. I've always thought the buildings of Manhattan were beautiful, but seeing them like this adds to their splendor.

"We're in Central Park," I announce.

"Sort of. The veil is thin here, so it's easy to orient yourself."

"So we're still on Earth. We haven't flown through space to some distant land." I'm so relieved, I'm giddy. "I'm much more at ease now that I know where I am. I've grown up with these buildings. I never realized how much a part of me they were until I saw them in this unexpected place." Jonah shakes his head, but says nothing. "I've lived in Queens my entire life. I've never been anywhere. Not even Philadelphia."

He gives me a look. I can't tell if it means he's worried about me or he pities me. I guess that is rather pathetic. He silently guides me up a pathway that's lined with numerous glass streetlamps with actual flames in them. I've seen all forms of streetlights in my lifetime but never anything as exquisite and detailed as these. Intrigued, I ask Jonah if we can stop so I can inspect one.

The post is made of water, solid water if that's possible. It even has tiny iridescent fish swimming in it. The water forms a globe at the top and inside is a fluorescent pink flame, which attracts the tiny fish like moths. The globe is casting off large plumes of pinkish-orange steam that lights up a considerable portion of the park around us. I reach out and touch the post and it ripples like a puddle in the rain.

Mesmerized, I study the lamp for a long time until Jonah gently pulls me away. He's leading me to a tall, ornate platform that's weaving through the tree canopy. It's made of thick interwoven vines in varying shades of blue and purple. Jonah hasn't taken his eyes off it, as if he's trying to figure out who or what might be up there.

The trees are singing a lovely chorus and swaying to their music. We climb the many steps of a stairway that's definitely alive. It has a few leaves sticking out here and there and an overabundance of lavender flowers draped down its sides. With no evidence of a support structure, how did they get the vines to grow in this peculiar way?

When we reach the top, the platform is packed with faeries that are just as curious about me as I am about them. I want to grab Jonah's hand, but mine is sweating. I don't want to gross him out. I need to go home, or at least get away from the scrutiny and whispers. I'm not what they expected.

They're opulently dressed in fine fabrics in a multitude of deep rich colors. They're much taller than I imagined. In fact, every one of them is over six feet tall, which is weird; I thought they'd be tiny. Of course, I also thought they were imaginary. They look human, too, with the exception of two sets of translucent, shimmering black wings on each side of their backs, like a dragonfly's. The wings are as long as the faeries are tall. When not in use, the papery wings have a joint in the middle that folds them neatly down their back. I've never felt pretty, but in the company of such profound beauty, I'm even more plain than usual.

Jonah leads me through the crowd to a dais, which has one large throne with two smaller thrones on either side of it. On the center throne sits an imposing man wearing a crown made of vines, flowers, and jewels that covers most of his long, black hair. He's also wearing a skirt, which is weird until I remember what a kilt is.

"Quiet!" the man orders and everything, including the trees, falls silent. The hush makes my trembling limbs weaken. Everyone is staring at me.

"Agatha, I'd like you to meet His Majesty, King Ohad," Jonah says as he bows to the King. I bow too, and then remember that I probably should've curtsied, but I don't know how.

"Agatha Stone." The King flashes an intimidating smile. "It is a pleasure to meet you. I am so pleased you are well. We have been concerned for you, and I'm overjoyed at your safe return."

"Your Majesty, if I may have a private word with you?" Jonah asks.

The King agrees, and when Jonah sits down in the throne next to him, King Ohad mutters something in a foreign language. He continues to move his mouth as if he's talking, but no sound comes out. They converse for a long time in silence. I shift my weight to different parts of my feet and concentrate on not looking at the faeries who are gawking at me.

When they finish, the King waves his hand, and Jonah returns to me. "Come sit with me, Agatha," the King commands.

I cautiously sit in the throne Jonah vacated. I've never spoken with a king before. I hope I don't say anything stupid. I wish my stomach would calm down. If I throw up on him, I'll leave Ashra and never come back.

The King mutters again, then turns to me. "No one can hear us now, so you are free to speak." I don't know what to say to a king, so I sit on my hands and rock back and forth, nervously hoping he'll do all the talking.

King Ohad sighs loudly. "Jonah has informed me that you are unaware of your heritage and that up until last night, you didn't know about Ashra or its peoples." He's watching me as if he expects me to say something, but I'm already feeling like an idiot for not knowing these things that I'm supposed to know. I don't want to open my mouth and add to my stupidity.

Ohad gives up. "Agatha, do you have the Orb with you?"

I gaze blankly at him, so he tries again. "Do you have a ball made of...glass on your person?"

My face lights up. I finally have something to contribute to the conversation. I happily reach in my pocket, pull out Auntie's crystal ball, and hold it up.

King Ohad flinches with alarm and covers my hand, forcing it down. "A simple yes would have sufficed." He tells me to put the ball back in my pocket and then he gazes at me with a solemn expression. "Do you know what the Orb is?"

I shake my head. I don't know what any of this is. I'm disappointing him just by being who I am.

King Ohad rubs his temples. "Someone as old as I am should not be asking this of someone as young as you." His head is down. He's talking to himself.

"Agatha, that Orb is a map," he blurts out when he looks up. "Jonah told me he explained the portals to you. The map leads to the key that will open the doorways between our two worlds. There are some that want the gates open, and others who want the gates closed. There is only one key, and it is hidden, and only one person has the map to it. That person is you."

My face reddens with a rush of pride. I'm the key holder for everyone in both worlds. I can open the gates, and everyone will know that I'm the one who did it. I'll be a hero.

King Ohad reads my face and can see where my thoughts have taken me. "Agatha, those gates must not be opened."

"Huh? Why do I need to get a key to a door that you don't want to open?"

"We need you to find the key before anyone else does."

"But I thought I'm the only one with a map."

He rubs his temples again, "There is so much you don't know." He puts his head down, studies his knees and doesn't move for an uncomfortable amount of time.

I shove my hands under my legs and rock back and forth. Should I leave? Are we done?

He raises his gaze and asks, "Do you know where you are?"

"Central Park." I'm so happy that I'm able to answer at least one of his questions.

"Are you sure? Does the park look all that familiar to you? Those buildings are a shadow. You could walk right through them. You are in the thinnest part of the veil. A place where our two worlds overlap, but you are not in Central Park. You are in Manahata, land of the faeries."

He pauses to let his words sink in. I should be pondering his statement, but all I want to do is to go over and try to walk through one of the buildings.

"Agatha," the King snaps. He caught me not thinking about the right thing. "I'll try to explain some overly complicated matters in as simple a way as I can, but you need to pay attention."

He says nothing after this and scrutinizes his knees again. I look at his knees too. When he snaps his head back up, he catches me gawking at his knees and my face gets hot.

"Is there peace in your world?" he asks.

I'm taken aback by his sudden change of topic and the odd question. I shake my head.

"What would happen if an army of humans could walk, unseen, to an enemy's doorstep? That would be a great advantage to the humans. You can see why some humans would want the gates open and why others would not. The land we are sitting on would be very valuable to the humans. You can understand why we faeries would not want humans invading our village."

I nod because I want him to think I understand, which I kind of do. Would there be two Central Parks, or would people build offices and condos here since we already have one? Either way, people would be tearing the trees down and building skyscrapers all over this place as soon as the portal opened. What if that happened in all the major cities across Earth? That would be bad for Ashra. Plus, I doubt the curra would surrender without a fight. A lot of people would get hurt.

"Agatha, look at Jonah. How would you, a human, defeat him?"

I shrug my shoulders. Why would I have to fight Jonah? Why would I have to fight anyone? "He's very big. And he can disappear and stuff. I saw some soldiers try and fail."

"I'm sorry if my question disturbed you, but the humans sealed the portals at their first opportunity for a reason. There are many things on this world that would bring chaos and destruction to yours. And there are many reasons why there were Knights posted on both sides."

"Well, if the key is hidden, why don't you leave it alone? It's been wherever it is for a long time, and I won't tell anyone."

"Because those who want the portals open will find it without you."

My specialness washes away. "So you want me to tell you where the key is so you can have it before they get it."

"Not quite. We need you to lead us to the key so you can destroy it," the King says it so matter-of-factly that the impact of his words doesn't register.

"Okay," I say meekly. I want this conversation to be over now.

King Ohad smiles grimly at me. "It's not a simple task I'm asking of you. The key is well hidden, and the journey is dangerous. You could be killed like your parents were."

A chill shoots up my spine and shimmies my shoulders. I'm not interested in dying. I'm not good at anything, especially all the stuff I'd have to do to find this key. I'm highly under-qualified. "What if I can't do it?"

"Then Stratagor Ziras will find the key, open the floodgates, and dominate the human civilization."

That sounded so weird, I can't wrap my brain around it. "Who's Stratagor Ziras and why does he want to dominate humans? What will he do?"

"He's a powerful specter who would war with the humans until only one world remains."

I don't want Earth to be destroyed, or for there to be a war. A true world war, where every human civilization would have to fight or die. I don't understand any of this, but if the portals are locked now, then it's best to keep them that way.

"Okay." I agree so that our conversation will end. I'm not brave, courageous, or strong. They've got the wrong girl, and I'm telling Jonah as soon as the King lets me leave.

Ohad sighs again. "Agatha, you need to think about what I'm asking you. It won't be easy."

He studies his knees again, but this time I don't look at them. When he finally glances up, he's made a decision. "You can say no. We will not force you to search for the key. But to help you decide, I would like you to embark on a voyage of self-discovery and reflect on what lies ahead."

I nod. I don't need to go on a voyage to decide because I'm not doing it. But I'll go because I'd like to be on a boat, and I want to see more of this faerie land. I'm glad they said I can say no after I get to do that

He waves a hand and says, "Jonah, you will take Agatha on a voyage. On your way, you will ensure that she has enough information to make a decision about her willingness to search for the key."

Jonah bows, so I'm guessing our private talk is over.

The King turns back toward me. "It is understandable for you to be unsure. This is all new. Do not rush to a decision. Fully understand what is being asked of you." Then he grasps my hand and leads me to the edge of the platform. When everyone across the park stops and looks up at us, my knees weaken. I should've gone home.

"This is Agatha Stone," he announces to the crowd. Everyone gasps. "We are so pleased that she has returned to us. Tonight we feast!"

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I've been getting a lot of questions about the art.  I didn't do the cover, that was done by my friend Sebastian. The trailer was my friend Jaye - she's graduated to the big leagues. It's easy to see why.

I drew the chapter headings, this map, and the title page. I really wanted to see Agatha's wall, and I love drawing maps. It's fun, and it helps my writing to have a literal map.

Follow up: I use Gimp. It's free. I learned it years ago, and it works just fine for my simple needs.