Page 187 of Volik

And Volik controlling our heart rate is the only thing that stops me from gasping.

The druid’s eyes are glowing with the same gold that’s outlining the portal.

The same gold from the sparks that flew off the door when Volik knocked.

Earlier, Volik told me. I just didn’t understand.

They look human when they aren’t using their powers.

The glow of his eyes is too bright against the night for me to see his face well. And it’s practically impossible to guess the real age of an Alt. But I can make out the fact that he looks decidedly unhappy.

“Volik’s Mate.” His voice is just as intense as before. “Since you have never traveled by portal⁠—”

“How do you know that?” I lift my fingers to my mouth. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

The bright glow of the druid’s eyes is interrupted as he blinks. Slowly.

Volik flexes his grip on my fingers. “If you had traveled by portal recently, he would sense the magic on you.”

My brows go up. “Wow. But…” I can’t help myself. “Couldn’t I have done it longer ago than recently?”

“Nyet. Dread has somehow missed the news of our mating, but he cannot have been out of touch for too long. And humans do not use portals. So, you could not have done it before you became my mate.”

I hum, considering his answer. “What do you mean when you say humans don’t use portals? Like they don’t use them because they don’t know about them? Or because they can’t use them?”

“Da.”

I make sure Volik can see how unamused I am.

“The answer is both.” Dread answers. “Portals are a well-kept secret, so very few humans know about them. As for the humans who have gone through a portal…” He tips his hand side to side. “Mixed results.”

I blink at the half-naked glowing man. “Could you be slightly more specific about what you mean by mixed results?”

The druid shrugs his wide shoulders. “Some made it. Some did not.”

I turn to Volik. “Some did not.”

He shrugs. “I do not know them by name.”

I shake my head, unable to break that comment down right now. “I’m human. I mean…” I gesture at my face. “You know what I mean.”

“Da, your pretty face.”

“Volik.” My tone is serious.

He sighs. “Nixy, even if you did not have your beautiful eyes. And perfect fangs.” He presses his hand to my chest. “You must feel the energy inside you. Mate bond. Power. Magic. Whatever it is, it connects you to this world. It glows inside you.”

I look over at the man who is literally glowing.

Dread dips his chin. “He’s correct.”

Focusing on the weight of the mate bond in my chest, I heave out a breath. “Okay, fine. But if I end up in pieces after walking through that thing…” I eye Volik as I point at the doorway of death. “I’m haunting you.”

Volik growls. “Do not speak of dying, Mate.”

“Yeah, well, prove me wrong, I guess. Let’s go.”

The druid holds up his hand. “Since you have never traveled by portal—” He pauses, reminding me that I cut him off earlier. “There are some rules. Step straight through. Jump straight through. Fall straight through. Whatever you fucking do, do it straight through. And do not touch the sides.”