Page 126 of Wings of Betrayal

“Right, then. Zarla, you ready?” Kyle asks.

All eyes focus on me, and I gulp. Needing a little privacy, I turn away from the others and close my eyes. I take several deep breaths as I ready myself.

“What’s she doing?” Em asks sceptically.

“Quiet. She needs to concentrate,” Kyle shoots back.

I smile to myself, thankful for my mate, and dig for the familiar sensation deep within. The wind picks up, blowing the salty sea air across my face. It soothes my mind enough to focus. Picturing Galespo, I will my ability to the surface and channel it into my hands. I hold them up and focus on opening the portal. By the gods, this better work. It has to.

Several gasps sound behind me, but I don’t dare open my eyes for fear it will fail. Instead, I focus harder. Push myself even further.

“Zarla, it’s working,” Kyle says. “We’re going to pass through it, but I’ll wait for you.”

I nod and continue to focus. Once everyone is through, Kyle gently touches my shoulder, and I open my eyes while still holding on to the portal. Sweat beads across my skin, and my muscles strain. I don’t think I’ve held a portal open this long before.

“Can you get closer to it?” he asks.

I bite my bottom lip and take a step forward. “I think so. You go through it.”

He steps through the portal and waits for me on the other side. I gently ease closer and ready myself to step through it.

Please don’t close, please don’t close.

I leap thorough the portal fast. It snaps closed right behind me as I fall onto my back. I lie there for a moment, my breathing quick as Kyle’s face comes into focus above me.

“You did it.” He reaches down and clasps my hand, pulling me to my feet.

And then I realise where we are. Oh crap.

“Smart idea sending us through a portal into an apartment. How did you know it was abandoned?” Lacinda asks.

Someone clears their throat. “It’s not.”

I whip around to face Grazen, who stands in the doorway to his apartment. Where we all are. He folds his thick arms over his chest and leans against the doorframe. I risk a glance at Kyle, who doesn’t appear impressed.

“Who are you?” Kyle demands.

“I’m Grazen. But the more important question here is who are you? And why are you in my apartment?” Grazen turns to me and arches a brow. “Zarla?”

Em scoffs.

Zarla, what the fuck is going on here?Finlay asks.

He’s a watcher I met last time I was here. He’s a friend.

Mmm-hmmm.

Oh, shut it, Finlay.

“Grazen, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to come here. I don’t know what happened,” I rush to explain.

He pushes off from the doorway and takes a couple of steps toward me. “I know what happened. This place holds fond memories for you, I’m sure.”

My cheeks burn, and I don’t dare look at anyone else. I can sense Kyle’s emotions all firing on full—jealousy, anger, confusion.

Shoot.

“Kyle, this is the watcher who helped me last time I was here. His name is Grazen. Grazen, this is Kyle, my mate.”

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