The corridor ended with a huge metal door. As we approached, a touchpad flashed right in front of her, and the administrator placed his palm on it. Unfamiliar symbols of all the colors of the rainbow immediately shot up around me, and then the door hissed open, letting us into a large stone hall without windows. In its center was a shimmering milky-white light arch, built of dark gray blocks, dotted with some kind of runes and squiggles.

- Please, illa in'Ravien, - the guy said with a breath and bowed low, gesturing for me to pass through this very archway.

I shuddered slightly, but it was really too late to retreat. Closing her eyes, she boldly stepped forward, and I was instantly enveloped in magic. It was as if someone big and strong wrapped me in a fluffy blanket and hugged me affectionately, assuring me that everything would be fine.

Suddenly, time froze, and with it, I froze in fear. Opening my eyes wide, I watched as multi-colored sparks of light flickered around me, occasionally touching the skin. And then before the eyes flashed pictures of someone else's life. Brutal, at times nauseating and hideously bloody. His throat tightened with a spasm of disgust, and his head with an iron vise of pain. I, as if, suddenly aged for decades, and other people's inhuman deeds lay like a stone slab on my shoulders.

Iryana in'Ravien was a monster in angelic form. And now I seem to have finally taken her place. Now her life is mine, and I will never have another. And what to do with it, I had no idea!

I don’t know where this knowledge came from, but the world itself rejected my double, throwing it into timelessness, and pulled me in its place. My desire to be anywhere, but not next to Arthur, there, on the stairs, was enough for the Universe to joyfully go towards me. Only two thoughts were beating in my head: “I didn’t mean it!” and what should I do now?!"

- Live. Be in love. Be happy. And to make happy those whom you can reach ... - an answer suddenly came from space, imprinted in my head with a crystal ringing.

“If it were that easy,” I whispered with naughty lips, but I was not allowed to doubt further, as well as ask a thousand questions that tormented me.

Time began to move again, and I finished my step on the other side of the arch, feeling the pendant on a very long chain settle on my neck with a pleasant weight. Isor. I got it anyway. And with it - the memories of the former illa in'Ravien, her terrible reputation and a lot of problems. Just a star...

- Is everything all right, Mistress? asked the administrator, for whom no more than a few seconds passed, while for me the check-in lasted for hours.

"Yes," I nodded. - Take me back. Live.

The guy bowed again and quickly went to the exit from the hall, constantly looking back at me. I thoughtfully bit my lip and squeezed the cool aisor with my palm, trying to decide what to do next.

In the lobby, I stopped at Eli, who was waiting for me, I turned to the receptionist boy and said coldly:

- You will transfer the compensation for the attack during the transition to Raigon to my account. According to the law, I am entitled to about five thousand gold pieces or the heads of those who were supposed to ensure my safety. Half-breed, - I nodded at the rapidly pale elf, - I take myself. As compensation for moral damages. Where is the nearest hotel? I need a rest.

"B-nearest Rest House n-on Rue Rose, illa in'Ravien," the administrator murmured, trembling slightly. - Of course, Mistress, take the half-breed! And... We will do everything, don't worry, illa in'Ravien!

I nodded and walked out the door without looking back, knowing that Eli would follow me. Magic just won't let him be away from me. However, he also wanted this, becoming my slave, no?

Silently climbed into the carriage and nodded to the elf. He, fortunately, understood what was required of him, but did not dare to ask questions. That's right. Here is the smart one. I don't like being used in the dark.

The service at the hotel turned out to be better than in the administrative service, so within five minutes Eli and I were in a chic room overlooking the city park. I touched the door with the aisor, activating the built-in protection against listening to the number, and turned to the big-eared one, folding my arms on my chest.

- You lied to me.

At my words, the guy, no, the man pretending to be a nice, kind guy, flinched as if from a blow, and tried to look into my eyes. Which, in fact, was punished very harshly in Raygon, which I gloatingly reminded him of.

"Sorry, illa in'Ravien," he said softly. - I had no choice.

"You could have told me the truth," I hissed.

“Then I wouldn’t feel so stupid,” I thought. But, of course, I didn't say it out loud.

And the thing is that, along with fragmentary memories of the double, I also received her knowledge about Raigon and adjacent worlds. Eli lied. Wouldn't give him up for any gladiator fights or experiments. He is an elite bodyguard sent to meet honored guests from other worlds. And until the moment when my magical handcuffs snapped into place on his hands, the elf was not a slave. Oh yeah, he's not an elf at all! Half-breed, as his multi-colored eyes spoke eloquently.

Of course, the life of the bodyguards was not fabulous either, any woman could do whatever she wanted with them. But they, unlike slaves, were forbidden to maim and kill. And Eli's decision, in the light of this information, looked more than strange, given that Illa in'Ravien was famous for her cruelty and was known as a real man-hater.

‍​Are you tired of living? - I voiced the most plausible option that came to my mind, and looked intently at Eli, adding sarcastically: - Then you are at the right place. I have earned my reputation for good reason.

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