Page 39 of Edge of Wonder

I shoved my way through and almost careened off the narrow platform. Thrusting my arms out, I caught myself against the door frame. Alice struggled to pull herself up onto the ledge, but a vine was wrapped around her leg, jerking her toward the ground. Recognition dawned on her face, her mouth dropping open just as the vine ripped her from the platform. I grabbed her arm, catching her before she could fall.

“Hold on, Alice!” I shouted.

She gave me a panicked nod as she swung wildly above the ground. Like a pendulum, she swung closer to the platform and grasped it with her other hand. I leveraged myself against the door frame and pulled her up until I could reach the vine. Using my knife, I sawed through the plant clinging to her leg. It broke free, and I dragged Alice the rest of the way onto the ledge.

We stumbled backward through the doorway. She slammed the door closed behind her and collapsed against it, breathing heavily. Alice’s hands shook as she touched a spot on her cheek that had been cut open. Her eyes locked with mine. For a moment she was frozen, before a whimper lodged in her throat, and she pushed away from the door and tumbled into my arms.

Alice tucked her head under my chin and slid her arms around my waist. I felt her heart racing inside her chest as she struggled against the drop of adrenaline. My palm cupped the back of her neck, anchoring her against me while I breathed in relief. She was safe. But my mind wouldn’t let me forget—a few seconds later, it would have been too late.

“That was intense,” she whispered against my shoulder. “Not all the plants can be trusted.”

“You’re in shock, Alice.”

Her head tilted back, and she blinked as if my voice had brought her back to reality. Confusion furrowed her brow. “What are you doing here?”

I started to answer, but she shook her head.

“No. You pushed me.” Her hands mimicked the action, pressing against my chest until I was forced to take a step back. “I kissed you, and then you shoved me through a portal.” Her eyes flashed. “And then I was attacked by vines!”

“The cause and effect on that last one is a stretch.”

She drove her hands into my chest again, harder this time. “It’s not a stretch. It’s a linear calculation, and what’s worse is you were so eager to get rid of me, you didn’t even toss me my bag. I have nothing! No money. No food. No clothes!”

“Well, he was trying not to get stabbed.” Shire’s voice piped in, and I realized she’d floated up the staircase and was hovering to our left. She winked and mimed nudging me in the side. “Alice kissed you, huh? Nice.”

Alice paused and glanced in both directions. “Did you hear that?”

“Hear what?”

“That high-pitched voice.”

Shire gasped. “My voice is not high-pitched. It’s melodic.”

“There it is again!”

“I think she can hear you,” I said to Shire.

“Maybe, but she can’t see me now.” Shire waved a hand in front of Alice’s face. “That is so strange. First, she could see me and not hear me, and now it’s the opposite. What do you make of it, ghost hunter?”

I shrugged. “How should I know? I’m in a realm with bloodthirsty plants. I don’t think the rules are the same.”

Alice stepped back as she studied the spot where Shire was floating. She poked her finger in the air, just missing Shire’s curls. “Is there a ghost here?”

“Yes, there is. Alice, meet Shire. She’s your adviser. The one Tessa told you about. Trouble is, she’s dead, but apparently, still up for the task. Lucky us.”

Shire grimaced and folded her arms across her chest. “You’re not exactly the ideal accomplice, either, Sebastian. Here today, gone tomorrow.”

“I think I need to sit down.” Alice sank to the top step. She rubbed her palms over her face as Shire plopped down next to her and gave her a floating pat on the back.

“Everything’s going to be fine, Alice. You’re already well on your way. You escaped the Rottingvale Gardens and just about made it to town. I have the perfect place for us to stay where you can relax and get your bearings before the induction ceremony.”

When Alice looked to me for proof, I nodded, trying to act like this whole situation was normal. But what was normal these days? I certainly didn’t know anymore.

“What happened to your arm?” Alice pointed to the edge of the bandage peeking out from beneath my sleeve. “And why is there blood on your jacket?”

“I’ll explain once we get settled in town. You shouldn’t be out in the open like this.” I held out my hand. It hung in the air for a long moment while Alice eyed it like the vine that had chained her leg. My fingers curled at her rejection, and for some reason, that was more painful than the throb in my arm. But then she stood, slipping her fingers into mine.

A slow smile formed on her lips, and I matched it with one of my own. She squeezed my fingers, tugging me down until her warm breath brushed against my ear. I went still as she licked her lips.

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