Page 70 of Dark Shadow of Guilt

Chapter Twenty

Madeline screamed whenthey slammed into an invisible wall. Though they tumbled through the air ass over foot, she remained tight in Dom’s iron grip, his wings working overtime. Her stomach tossed with each roll until she was again upright.

Finally in control of his flight, Dom leveled off, rose, and headed toward the gateway once more.

“W-w-what’s wrong?” she stammered.

Too focused on the mission, he ignored the question. He inched forward, his wings pounding downward.

She held her breath this time while he approached the shimmering pathway shoulder first.

When he struck the invisible barrier, his body bounced away slightly. He frowned. Still determined, Dom tried once more. Same result.

“What’s wrong?” asked Madeline, her voice strong despite her concern over the puzzling situation.

“I can’t get through.” He arrowed toward Angor’s surface, nose down, wings angled, aiming for a sandy shore.

With the wind of their descent blowing Maddy’s hair, she glanced at Dom’s face. His lips were a grim slash. “Can we take a different route?”

“This is the only one. An impenetrable barrier surrounds Angor, and the gateway is the only exit.” He slowed, preparing to land.

“Is it broken?” Automatic doors malfunctioned on Earth. Why not here? An Immortal glitch.

Dom shook his head. “The gateway doesn’t break, but I’ll test it.”

Once the sandy floor was close, he curved his wings, parachuting them to the ground. He set Madeline down, her stiletto boots sinking into the soft surface. She wobbled until she found her footing.

Silent, Dom took flight, leaving her behind. She watched as he sped toward the shimmery passageway. Upon reaching the spot where they’d been stopped, he disappeared as if exiting through a magic door.

Cupping a hand above her eyes to minimize the glare, she waited until Dom reappeared. He seemed to pop out of nowhere and zip toward her. At the last moment, he floated down to join Madeline.

“Well?” she asked.

He rubbed the patch on his eye. “I got through.”

“Great. It’s fixed. Let’s try again.”

“Yeah.” He didn’t sound very sure.

Madeline moved closer, waiting for Dom to lift her. When he did, he gripped her ass and heaved her high. Her legs locked around his waist while her fingers cupped his neck. They flew to the pathway once more.

Her gaze flicked between Dom’s unsure, grim expression and the shimmer of the gateway over her shoulder. She twisted around to keep an eye on their progress.

He slowed, inching forward. Once he stopped, she felt a wall at her back. No leaving.

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