Crystal Doors #1 by Kevin J. Anderson, Rebecca Moesta

are not novs,” Lyssandra said.
    “They certainly look like novs. They are dressed very strangely.”
    While Gwen self-consciously smoothed her rumpled sweatshirt, Vic rolled his eyes. “Let me get this straight: A guy in poof-pants on a purple flying carpet thinks
we’re
dressedstrangely? Maybe we should try introductions now, fashion advice later.”
    Gwen suspected they had just been insulted by the apparently wealthy young man, and she wasn’t ready to let it slide — even if he
was
way cuter than Shoru’s handler from Ocean Kingdoms. “What’re novs?”
    With a quirk of his full lips, the young man said, “Usually ignorant, in my opinion. Unfortunately, I, too, am a nov.”
    Lyssandra added, “The term ‘nov’ is short for novice. New students at the Citadel.”
    “In other words, freshmen,” Gwen said.
    Vic heaved an exaggerated sigh at Gwen. “So even after being transported to an amazing fantasy land, we still can’t escape school?”
    The long-haired girl politely presented the newcomers. “Gwenya and Viccus arrived through a new crystal door during one of Sage Rubicas’s experiments.”
    Without introducing himself, the boy with the flying carpet raised his dark eyebrows. “It is not possible to create new doorways since the Great Closure.”
    “Rubicas has been trying,” Lyssandra answered with a distant smile. “Never underestimate a master sage.”
    With a flourish of his right hand, the young man bowed to them. “I am Ali el Sharif.” He deftly rolled his carpet and tucked the thin cylinder under his arm. “I will walk with you for the time being,” he said as if he were doing them a favor. “After enjoying the breezes and looking down on everyone, perhaps I should stretch my legs a bit.” From the care he showed for the rug, Gwen could tell it was a treasured possession.
    Sharif had a strong cleft chin, olive-green eyes, and wavy dark hair that covered his ears. His shoulders were square, his back straight, and he moved with a poise that suggested extreme confidence and a cultured upbringing. He seemed well aware of both his handsome features and his surroundings.
    “Sharifas comes from the flying city of Irrakesh,” Lyssandra explained. “He has been with us for six months, taking classes at the Citadel.”
    “A flying city?” Vic said. “Cool!”
    Gwen was more skeptical, as always. “What exactly do you mean by a flying city?”
    “It is a city that flies,” Sharif said, his tone suggesting that the answer should have been obvious. “That is why we call it a flying city.”
    Gwen did not let him rile her. “A city can’t just sprout wings, so how does it fly?” Of course, a few moments ago she wouldn’t have believed in a flying carpet, much less a flying city.
    Sharif’s voice was even, almost bored, as if he had told the story many times before. “Irrakesh is a place of great marvels, with paved streets and tall buildings, minarets and domes. Long ago, to protect its people, powerful magic was used to uproot the city. Irrakesh drifts across the open skies, riding the desert winds. We glide far above the arid, trackless dunes and harvest our water directly from the clouds.” As he painted pictures with his words, Gwen could see that Sharif enjoyed telling stories, even bragging a little about his world. “If you wish, I might consider arranging a visit for you. Someday.”
    “If we stay that long.” Gwen looked at her cousin. “We’restill trying to figure out how we got
here,
and how we can get back. Your dad’s got to be really worried by now, Taz —”
    Sharif laughed in disbelief. “You do not know how to open the crystal door to your home again?” Then his olive eyes narrowed knowingly. “Ah, you must be one of the fortunate accidents for which Sage Rubicas is so well known?”
    Lyssandra nodded. “Yes, another one.”
    “Not so fortunate for us, if we’re stuck in Elantya,” Gwen muttered.
    “Sheesh, Doc, we just got here,” Vic said.