AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Damn, Lexi. Pulling out the big guns. Artemis was her mentor, the goddess of the hunt and the shifters that lived here on Earth.
Betta shook her head. “I don’t like it either, but I understand why you want to do it. I can’t take you. Stet won’t let me near that world.”
Lexi grinned. “You already are of age, sis. No one cares what you do with your mate. But us?" She waved one hand back and forth. "We are at a disadvantage. Our guardians are watching our every move. We only plan to go for as long as we need to. They can't be distracted by us being underaged.”
Our sister gave her an intense stare. “How did you keep this away from Lark?” She snorted, shaking her head. "Of course, he trusts you and thinks you would never leave Earth without him."
Lexi giggled. “He is with his brother in his cave right now, learning more about the essence of our planet. Konner and Justin agreed with me that he had to understand that the planet was alive. Given that, this is the best time for us to go. It won’t take much time, am I right, Stet?” She gazed up at the massive red and black demon.
He cocked his head to one side. “In Earth time? Only a couple of days. In that place, though, you will live through five years. It won’t be easy, Lexi. The world is wild and the beasts are enormous. Betta was in terrible shape when I found her.”
She shrugged. “We know about the caves in the mountains, and will search for one of those. Because we are planning this trip based on intel we received, we are better prepared for what might happen. And there are two of us.” She glanced at me.
I raised my eyebrows. She was right. I wasn’t sure if my witchy powers would have the same results on that planet, but I had an affinity for working with the natural world. And there was nothing more natural than that planet, according to the Guardians.
“Magic may not work the same, but I can only try it to see what happens. We are healthy. We know how to fight, both as wolves and as humans. And we have weapons.” I patted my side where my Glock hung. It had been a present from my Uncle Shane for my sixteenth birthday. Lexi had hers as well. “Unlike you, we planned this with an explicit start and end date. And we have a connection with you so you can send in the calvary if something goes wrong.”
Lexi nodded, rocking back and forth on her feet, eager to go.
Betta exhaled. “I hope Holden doesn’t kill me when she finds out. Between her and Shane, I fear her the most.” She turned and stepped through the gate.
Lexi trotted through behind her. “Better to ask forgiveness…”
Our serious sister shook her head as she moved further in. “I know, Lexi. Your motto.”
Stet waved me through and I crossed over the threshold, the energy rushing through me for a fraction of a second. I shivered, trying to dislodge as much of the extra static as possible, as I followed the two women into Lark’s Gateworld.
This was the area Lexi’s mate had created when he had first walked solo through this arch. The place only existed tethered to this particular gate because Alemos was his primary responsibility.
The land extended for as far as the eye could see, which was deceptive given the space had firm limitations. It was more like a major train hub where one had the choice of many places to travel to, just by picking the correct door. At least, that is how those like Lark used it.
Stet and Betta spent a considerable time here, as it was a way to move from Earth to Stet’s world. Or to any of the prison worlds he watched over. The guardians were demons peacekeepers for the denizens of all the universes. Once this area had been created, it became their favorite place to use to transition from one microcosm to another, as well as visit on their down time.
I always felt antsy here, with so much sentient energy surrounding us. Lexi, though, was familiar with this space, since her mate spent considerable time here. I wasn't sure if she even realized it could act on its own, without him.
It picked at me, trying to gain my attention. Halting, I turned my mind inward, listening to what it wanted to say. Images flashed through my head, showing me Lily, Lark, and Konner.
I pleaded with it to not tell the gatekeeper where we were going. Not unless we were in trouble. It hesitated and then the pictures disappeared. I hoped that meant it agreed with me. I doubted it, though.
I glanced at the others. “Our mates will find out soon. Let’s go before they get here.”
No one even questioned my words.
Stet opened a portal, stepping through the opening. Lexi followed him. I was about to step through when Lark appeared on the far side of the space.
“Wait!” He started running towards us.
I waved at him and exited onto the other world.
The enormous demon patted my shoulder once in reassurance, going back through the door to block the man who was rushing towards us. The demon would be in charge of making sure Lark stayed away, allowing us to complete our mission.
The portal closed behind me with a snap, leaving my sister and me alone on the planet.
I peered around us.
The land here was hot and barren. Nothing moved, not even on the horizon.
“Let’s move away from here before Lark figures out where we went and comes after us.” Because he could read the energy trails and find us.
