Page 36 of Edge of Wonder

A vine snaked across the ground and wrapped around my ankle. My scream caught in my throat as it jerked me off my feet. I landed in the bed of lilies, and the flowers descended like locusts. They emitted a perfumed scent that quickly turned suffocating. I held my breath, lungs burning as I struggled to tear the flowers away from my body.

I rolled onto the gravel path as more vines latched onto me. Air thundered out of my lungs, and the cloying aroma made me dizzy when I pulled it back in. Digging my fingers into the gravel, I dragged myself along until I gained my feet. Then I ran. Fear pulsed through my veins, fueling my desperate sprint through the topiaries and green arches.

Behind me, the vines writhed, so close they scratched the back of my clothes. Rocks skittered under my feet, nearly sending me to my knees. I had to get out. But how? I was trapped inside the garden. The only door that wasn’t chained or hadn’t been tried was too high off the ground, with only a thin ledge to climb up on.

But it was my only shot.

There was no way I could make that jump on my own. I’d need a launch point. Frantically, I scanned the area for something I could use.The stone pots.Three of them stood in a row, each one a little taller than the last. If I got a running leap, I could reach the platform.

Flowers snapped at my ankles like biting insects. I kept running, each step a little closer to the first pot. If I timed it poorly, I might slip off or get twisted in the giant ferns sprouting out of the soil. I had to hit the curved lip and keep my balance.

A vine stung my cheek as I launched myself onto the first pot. The momentum brought me to the second. When my boot connected with the third, I sucked in a sharp breath and vaulted, arms outstretched, for the door’s platform.

I flew through the air, stomach in my throat, until my hands wrapped around the thin ledge. Using my arms, I pulled myself up, struggling not to lose my grip. An elbow made it over the ledge, then the other. My muscles burned, arms shaking as I tried to get a leg up onto the platform.

Thick ropy branches tangled around my foot, dragging me back down. I screamed, the sound echoing off the stone. I wasn’t going to make it. My hands slipped, fingers straining to hold on for another moment.

The vines pulled harder and harder. I screamed again, this time in a rage, as I used the last of my energy to reach the platform.

It was no use. I was going to fall.

Terror clawed inside my chest, and all I could do was tilt my head back and stare helplessly at the red door until my strength wore out.

But then the handle twisted, my eyes widening as the door opened.

Chapter 13

Sebastian

After falling through a dark tunnel, I landed in a field of tall grass. My body ached from tackling the mercenary, and the spot where he’d sliced my arm burned. Blood seeped from the wound, staining the sleeve of my jacket. I fumbled for my bag. It lay crumpled in the dirt beneath my shoulder, having done little to cushion my fall. But at least I had supplies and a makeshift first aid kit.

Air hissed through my teeth as I quickly tied a bandage around my wounded arm. I’d need to wrap it better and use something to stop an infection, but I’d deal with that later. First, I had to find Alice.

I climbed unsteadily to my feet and peered over the tops of the grass. The field was massive, and far out in the distance were gently rolling hills dotted with weeping willows. It was eerily quiet, and unless something or someone was hiding in the grass, I was alone.

Where was I, and how much time had passed? I’d jumped through the portal mere minutes after Alice had gone through. Logic assumed we would have landed in the same spot, but this was Tessa’s magic, so logic was hit or miss.

And apparently, so was the drop point.

Alice could be anywhere. Luckily, the portal had closed behind me, making it impossible for Diamond Tattoo to follow. Of course, that meant I was stranded too. I dropped my head back and let out a harsh laugh. I had no one to blame except for myself, but that only made it worse. How many opportunities to leave had I squandered? Two? Three? Instead of hightailing it out of her life, I just kept going back. Each time involving myself further. And I knew better than to let myself get attached to Alice. Ten years I had avoided her, and in ten seconds, I was hurtling through a portal after her. Another laugh scraped my throat.

“Is something funny?” The lilting voice of a young woman broke through my thoughts.

I searched for the source, pushing back blades of grass.

“I’m over here!”

She wasn’t anywhere. I turned in a slow circle, unable to find the woman. Then the grass parted and a translucent figure floated into view.Not another ghost!I was thinking after the disaster with Alice, maybe I should take a vacation.

The woman grinned and angled her head to the side, making her dark corkscrew curls bounce. She was short and willowy, with dainty features and a sneaky smile. A long cloak dragged across the ground behind her, lined with metal buttons that glinted in the sun.

“The name’s Shire, and I’m here to help Alice, and by extension, you.” She stretched out her hand as if she expected me to shake it.

Skepticism laced my tone. “You’re her adviser? How’s that possible?”

She lowered her hand and frowned. “What do you mean? I promise you, I’m good for the job…” Her voice faded as she chewed on her lip. “Though communication so far has been difficult. But I guess that’s where you come in. I was doubtful when I first learned you were a ghost hunter. Now It makes sense. You can be our translator.” Her grin was back, and she flung out her hands with enthusiasm.

“Your translator?”

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