Shereallyhoped she was right. No,shehadto be right. If the arach couldn’t control theirglowing while in Dragonia, then everyone would have known about it.Word traveled fast among immortals. She just hoped she couldmaintain control of her shield while there.
“If we don’t go, he’s going to make theGloaming and the human realm pay for it,” she said.
“I’ll go,” he said. “While you remainbehind.”
Panic filled her at the idea he might try toleave her behind. If he went alone, he couldn’t use a portal toescape if it became necessary. And it would prove essential if hedisobeyed the Lord by leaving her behind.
There wasnoway she was going to letthat happen.
“He’ll punish you for that, Cole. You know webothhave to go.”
All around him, the shadows crept closeruntil they loomed over his back, making him appear even larger.Lexi kept her uneasiness over it hidden, but shehatedthem.
“Show me how to open a portal,” she said.
A vein throbbed to life in Cole’s temple ashis gaze shifted from her to Brokk and back again. Finally, hisshoulders relaxed a little, and he turned toward where he hadstarted to open a portal before.
“It’s difficult to do in the beginning; notbecause it’s hard, but because it’s something you’re not used todoing. Once you’re used to it, it becomes as easy as breathing,” hesaid.
“To open a portal, you have to imagine theplace where you’re going. Draw it in vivid detail in your mind and,at least for all the immortals I know, a portal will materializeand lead you to the place you imagined. Some like to wave theirhands to form it, others simply let their minds form it, and I do acombination of both.”
“I like a good nod toward it once in awhile,” Brokk said. “I’ve also given a karate kick or two.”
Despite the distress gnawing at her belly,Lexi chuckled. “I can do that.”
She’d gotten a lot better at her kicks andpunches over the past month. She was far from a battle-hardenedwarrior, but she could take an immortal down now. In fact, shemight be able to take down two or three. She was a lot stronger andfaster than she’d always believed.
“Close your eyes. Picture the library in themanor,” Cole said. “Imagine your favorite thing about it and makeit a clear, mental image. One so clear it’s almost as if you couldtouch it.”
Lexi closed her eyes and pictured all thebooks lining the shelves of her favorite room in the manor. Sherecalled their familiar, comforting scent as she visualized runningher fingers over their spines while she searched for something toread.
She imagined the familiar warmth of the roomwhen a fire was crackling in the hearth. It always felt like shewas walking into a warm embrace when she entered the library, andLexi smiled while picturing it.
When she felt like she was there, in thelibrary, curled up in her chair with her favorite book, she gave asmall wave of her hand.
“That’s it,” Cole murmured.
She opened her eyes to discover a smallportal forming before her. It was nowhere near big enough to travelthrough, but it was there, andshehad created it!
Lexi almost squealed, and she couldn’t resistclapping her hands as she gave a small jump up and down. She’d justdone the one thing she’d always resented not being able to do!
And, for once, it hadn’t been difficult likeeverythingelse she’d struggled to learn since discoveringher heritage.Finally, something was easy.Finally,she had progressed without feeling like it might break herfirst.
She hadn’t realized how stressed anddisheartened she’d been about it all until she nearly shouted withjoy overnotfeeling like an incompetent idiot. Opening ithad tired her a little, but she was so excited by this developmentthat she barely felt it.
Cole rested his hand on her shoulder and gaveit a small squeeze. “You’re doing great.”
He didn’t know how badly she needed to hearthose words. Rising onto her toes, she kissed his cheek and smiledat the familiar scruff of his beard against her lips.
“Keep picturing the library, and the portalwill grow bigger,” Cole said.
Lexi heard the turn of the pages while sheread her book and felt its pages against her fingers. The portalswelled to a size that would allow them to walk through it.
“I did it,” she breathed.
“You did it,” Cole said as he hugged her. “Itwill only get easier for you.”
She grinned at him before turning and runninginto the portal.
