Page 188 of Volik

I nod. “Super straight, hands to myself.”

Dread steps to the side. “This will remain open until your return.”

My heart squeezes in my chest, trying to go faster.

I don’t know how Volik is in such good control of our heartbeat. But it’s like he anticipates when my pulse is going to spike, and he locks it down.

It’s impressive.

And a little weird. Because my brain is trying to freak out, but my body won’t cooperate.

Volik squeezes my hand. “I will go first.” Then he lets go.

I’m a big girl. I can walk through this portal on my own.

After one step, Volik pauses and looks back at me. “Walk with me. I will go first, but enter immediately after I do.”

“Okay.” I move so I’m right behind him.

Then he walks forward. Through the portal.

Before I can think on it for even a second, I lift my hands so they’re slightly ahead of me. The first part of me to touch the sheet of blackness. Then… I follow.

My fingers disappear into the dark.

My wrists. My forearms.

And with the next step, my leg. My arm. I hold my breath. My face.

I blink.

I finish the step.

And I’m standing beside Volik, in a different set of woods.

The Appalachian Mountains type of woods.

Woods with lore. With creatures that roam. Ones that hunt. Ones that whistle.

Steady pulse or not, nerves dance under my skin.

The air is filled with the pleasant buzzing of crickets and frogs. And a breeze is gently rustling through the leaves…It would be lovely, if it wasn’t so scary.

Then, the forest goes silent.

“Um…” I clutch Volik’s arm. “Doesn’t that mean something is coming?”

“Da. But do not worry. The bats will help us.”

My mouth opens as I look up at Volik. “Really?”

He holds my gaze. “No.”

I purse my lips, trying not to smile. “You’re annoying.”

“Da.” The big vampire smirks.

I squeeze his arm. “You’re the one who said something about Maleficent, or whatever, when May said we were coming here.”