AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Step through whenever you’re ready,” big guy instructs, pushing a large button on the scanner.
Adrenaline pours through my veins. Never once did I consider that I’d actually have to go through a portal.
Do I have to go by myself? I don’t even know what to do.
“Actually, I was wondering if I could get access for a double pass,” Legend says, lacing his fingers through mine and pulling me to his side.
Big guy’s eyes skate to me, and his brows bunch together. “You’re taking a human back with you?”
Legend plucks the traveling pass from my hand. “She’s just going for the night. Thought I’d give her the tour of where I live.”
Big guy eyes me over then crooks a brow at Legend. “The humans wore on you, huh?”
“This one did. But she’s the only one.” He releases my hand to place his palm on my back, urging me closer to the glass window. “Lake, this is Giant. Giant, this is Lake.”
Giant sticks out his hand. “Giant is only a nickname truly evil creatures call me.” He shoots Legend a teasing, dirty look. “My real name’s Greg.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Greg,” I say, though Giant seems more fitting.
I politely shake his hand, noting that, like Legend, his skin is a lot colder than mine.
“It’s nice to meet you, too.” He studies me for an unnerving amount of time. “You’re very pretty for a human.”
Is that a compliment?
“Um, thanks.”
He smiles, pulling his hand away. “You’re welcome.” He scans my traveler’s pass, and the screen illuminates with my information. “Is this your first time portal traveling?” he asks, and I nod. He leans forward to read my background history, and I can already see his wheels turning. “It doesn’t have a place of birth listed.”
I bottle down the painful reminder. “I know. It should list why, though.”
He reads further then nods, pity filling his eyes. I know what he’s thinking.The poor girl who was found on the side of the road with no memory. The girl who doesn’t know where she’s from. The girl who doesn’t have a family. The girl who doesn’t have a real last name. The girl who has no one.
With an artificial smile, he returns my traveler’s pass. “You’re going to love the Midnight Realm, Lake. I’m sure of it. Just make sure to come back before your pass expires.” He winks at me. “No trying to stay longer, okay?”
His wink throws me off, but I manage a smile as I tuck the pass into a pocket on my studded leather backpack.
Does he know that Legend may be planning to keep me there? How would he know?
“I permitted a double pass so you two can go through the portal together,” Giant tells Legend. “You’ll need to hold her hand and guide her through.”
Legend holds my hand. “Thanks, man. And make sure to look me up when you get back in the realm. We’ll go out for a blood dine or something.”
“Sounds good.” Giant nods, stealing another glance in my direction.
I start to squirm under his stare, but then Legend hauls me toward the scanner.
As we near the light flowing inside it, my pulse skyrockets. But before I can fall too far into a panic attack, Legend leads me into the scanner and into the light.
A rainbow of warmth and bright colors instantly smothers me, and I start to relax. Then darkness drags me under.
CHAPTER6
Igasp as I tumble out of the darkness and land ungracefully on my feet in a field encompassed by flourishing trees and thorny vines glowing against the silver moonlight. A city glitters in the distance, and a kaleidoscope of violet and silver stars paint the sky. Beside me, Legend is watching me intently.
“So, what do you think?” he asks with his hands stuffed into his pockets.
“I think I’m never going to look at the Common Realm’s night sky the same way ever again.” I steal one more glance at the beautiful scene as a calmness eases over me. “That is, unless I’m not going back.” I wait for him to answer, but he just steers me with him as he strides across the field.
