“No, wait!” I beg as we step through the light.
I wait for…pain.
Agony.
For my insides to be artfully rearranged or maybe even my skin to peel off.
None of that happens.
One second, I’m standing behind the motel with the guys. The next, I’m in what appears to be an apartment complex or a hotel, the lobby decorated in sleek leather couches and glass tables.
“That wasn’t so bad, was it?” Krystian whispers in my ear, and a thrill shoots through me at his proximity.
Even if I’m pissed as fuck he dragged me through the portal without my consent.
I wiggle, demanding to be let down, and Krystian complies with another chuckle.
I whirl on him. “You asshole! What if I had died?”
“You wouldn’t have died.” He rolls his eyes like I’m being absurd.
“You don’t know that.”
“We portal travel everywhere, and I’m still in one piece,” he points out, gesturing down the length of his body.
His rather impressive body…
Focus, Thea! You’re mad at him!
“You… You…” I wag a finger in his face but can’t think of a threat strong enough to encapsulate my anger.
Instead, I storm away with a huff, moving until I’m leaning against a far wall.
The others have already arrived through the magical portal, and they’re all watching me with various expressions that range from wary to amused. The former is Zaid. The latter is, of course, Everett. Asshole.
The wraith takes a tentative step forward, holding his hands in the air placatingly. “We’re sorry we brought you through the portal without your permission.” He levels a glare in Krystian’s direction, but the light elf simply smirks and shrugs, unrepentant. “It won’t happen again.”
“I forgive Zaid and only Zaid,” I tell them primly, thrusting my chin in the air.
“I didn’t push you through the portal,” Rafe points out, shoving his hands into the pockets of his hoodie.
“Fine. I forgive Rafe too.”
“What about me?” Everett scowls. “I didn’t do anything.”
“You laughed,” I remind him.
“I did not fucking laugh.”
“You totally did.” I narrow my eyes at him suspiciously. “And…and you’re doing it right now! See?! You’re totally smiling!”
Everett works to compress his lips into a straight line.
“He can’t help but smile,” Krystian points out. “You’re just too freaking adorable.”
That wipes the smile straight off Everett’s face.
“She’s not adorable,” he growls out.
