Page 93 of What Lies Beyond the Realms

I just giggle, feeling a bit shy by his compliment.

“What I need to tell you, Lyra, I—"

“Are you two ready to go?” Athalda says, coming up behind me.

“Yes, we’re ready to get out of here,” I say, getting to my feet. I look down at Nyx and catch a somber look in his eyes for a moment, but he recovers quickly, getting to his feet and smiling at me. I can see it in his eyes though. There’s a sadness lingering there. I want to know what he was going to tell me, but now Athalda’s here. He must just be worried about going through the portal.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Nyx asks.

“Yes, I’m sure. I’ll be fine. We’re seconds away from being on the edge of the Lamia Realm.” I give him a reassuring smile and place a kiss on his cheek. I bend down and pick up Chepi, holding him tight to my chest.

“Alright then it’s decided. Let’s get going,” Athalda says, waving us closer to the portal.

She moves to stand right in front of it then looks back at me for a moment. When she does, I get the oddest feeling in my chest, but it disappears when she steps through the shimmering veil without another word. My breath catches in my throat when I see her body vanish.

“What does it feel like? Will it hurt?” I ask, turning to face Nyx.

“No, it shouldn’t hurt. It’ll feel like the wind is being stirred up around you for a brief moment, and then you’ll be there. It’s like stepping through a windy doorway. No worse than when we channel,” he says calmly, but his eyes look troubled.

I turn back to face the portal but hesitate for a minute.

“Damnit, Lyra, I don’t like this. I have a bad feeling,” Nyx says, taking my hand.

I turn around and give him a long kiss, letting his tongue explore my mouth.

“Don’t worry. I’ll see you on the other side, lover,” I say, breathless from our embrace. I turn, let go of his hand, and step into the portal.

Chapter Thirty-Six

My hair lifts around my shoulders, blowing in my face and making it hard to see. I close my eyes to protect them from the battering of my hair, and then my foot hits solid ground. I bring my free hand up to brush away the strands in my face when my face slams into a chest, and someone's arms wrap around me.

Immediately I know it’s not Athalda’s chest. I’m much taller than the old woman. This is a man. My eyes shoot open, and I try to push off his chest. I look up to see who it is, but I know. Deep down, I know who holds me. The smell of smoke and liquor heavy is on his clothes.

“Oh, how I’ve missed you, my sweet sister.” Samael’s shrill voice makes my heart sink into my gut. “And you have your sweet little pet with you.”

Chepi growls, and I throw my hands out, hitting him in the chest and pushing him away, but he’s too strong. He grabs my chin, lifting my face and forcing me to look at him.

“I don’t like how feisty you’ve become. We’ll need to rectify it immediately.” His voice is toneless, and I brace myself for the hit I know is coming.

He strikes my face with the back of his hand, causing my head to snap to the side. A searing pain shoots through my cheek, and I can tell it's going to bruise. I grit my teeth, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing me flinch.

“Let me go!” I shout, thrashing my legs and arms. Chepi growls at Samael, but I shake my head, silently pleading with him not to attack. I can't bear the thought of Samael hurting Chepi.

“Citlali, restrain her,” Samael commands, and I feel a strong grip around my chest.

I struggle against the hold, but it's no use. The person behind me tightens their grip as a rope is wrapped around me, binding my arms tightly to my sides.

“Now take her over there, but keep her close. I want her to see what happens next.” Samael gives me a wicked smile, and panic sets in my chest.

I finally take a second to look around. It’s cold and dimly lit. It looks like we’re in the dungeons below the castle in Tempest Moon. I see now where I came through the portal inside a small open cell. It smells of death down here, and there are puddles of stagnant water and blood on the ground. Citlali pulls the rope at my back, dragging me to the back of the room until I’m pressed against the cold, stone wall.

“Try anything and Ill rip your fucking throat out,” Citlali whispers in my ear then finally comes into view.

She smiles, revealing two sharp fangs coming out of the top of her mouth.

She is Lamia.

The candlelight flickers across the woman's red eyes, illuminating her features. Her jet-black hair contrasts sharply against her pale skin, and I can't help but feel a sense of revulsion mixed with a twisted sense of beauty. A wave of anxiety washes over me as I look around the hallway, taking in the sight of the guards and cells lining the walls. I don’t see Athalda anywhere, and I’m relieved. Maybe that means the portal didn’t bring her here, and Nyx won't end up here either. I know he’ll come for me; he’ll find me. I just need to keep it together until then. I try to take a deep breath. I can feel my heart racing in my chest. Chepi presses between my legs, rubbing his head against my ankle.