Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 123779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 495(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 495(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
I don’t take in any of the lush green shrubs and beautiful sights around me and only focus as I dart over the uneven terrain.
My chest begins to ache something fierce, but I ignore the pain and push my body harder.
It takes way too long, and only when the sun is starting to set do I break through the trees.
When I reach the pool, a cool breeze feels good on my clammy skin and my breaths are wheezing over my parted lips.
Remembering the pool isn’t as deep as it looks, I step into the cool water.
As I approach the curtain, I see movement up on a ledge, and shock shudders through me as a guard steps out from behind the waterfall.
Shit.
“Peace be, Princess Alchera,” he says. He bows slightly but still keeps his eyes on me.
Dammit! This is the last thing I need.
“Peace be,” I mutter, glancing around me for any sign of trouble. “I need to go back to Earth, and I’d appreciate your assistance in doing so.”
An older guard joins the younger one and asks, “Peace be, Princess. Should you not be at your father’s funeral?”
My eyes dart back to them, and I shove away the stab of grief in my chest.
There’s no time to mourn.
“I was there,” I answer. “I’ve paid my respects. Now, if you’re finished questioning me, I’d like to pass through. I’d appreciate your help.” There’s tension in my voice, as clear as a freaking bell.
“Why do you need to shift to Earth, and where’s your guardian?” the older man asks.
“My business is my own, and I’m in a hurry,” I snap, anger tightening my tone.
The younger guard bows his head and heads back to his spot behind the curtain of rushing water.
“If it’s your wish.” The older guard turns and indicates for me to step through the curtain. “You’ll need to clear your mind of everything but your destination. If you think of anything else, things could go terribly wrong. Please ensure you focus solely on your destination before you pass into the fall’s curtain.” He starts to move back behind the waterfall. “May Awo guide you on your travels.”
“That’s all I have to do?” I check with him.
“Yes,” he nods, then goes back to his place on the ledge.
I wade through the water, and when I’m standing right in front of the curtain, droplets of water pelting me, I concentrate on clearing my mind.
My breathing slows, and I feel myself relaxing. I picture Fish Creek Falls in my mind’s eye, but as I take the step into the curtain, a vision robs me of my ability to think.
I see Jason kneeling by a pond. He’s crying, tears running down his cheeks. He punches at the water while shouting.
I feel his pain rip through me.
And then… I see nothing.
There’s darkness all around me, and my stomach lurches. I try to suck in a breath of air but only manage to inhale water. It burns into my lungs, suffocating me.
I panic, and my arms flail to the side. I hit something rough, coated with a layer of slime. Pushing myself away from it, I immediately bob to the surface, and I cough before desperately gasping for air.
Jesus, the water tastes like shit.
I cough again and spit the disgusting taste from my mouth while I glance around me.
Where the hell am I?
Standing in a pond in someone’s backyard, it takes a moment before I realize this is Jason’s property.
Holy shit.
To my left is an artificial waterfall with a large aviary located behind it.
I must’ve come through the waterfall when I had the vision of Jason.
I quickly look around again but don’t see Jason anywhere. After I drag my slimy butt out of the pond, I check the large aviary, but there’s nothing in it, not even one tiny little bird.
I walk out onto the other side of the yard and spot more cages. Their doors stand wide open, and four dog kennels lay empty to my right. All the animals are gone.
I jog around the side of the house, and finding an open sliding door, I slip inside.
My heart is pounding in my throat, and I can hear mumbling from somewhere inside the house.
I sneak through a living room, and when I near the kitchen, I notice Jason kneeling by the large cage where I last saw the two beautiful gray birds in my visions.
He’s leaning his forehead against the steel bars of the cage while his whole body convulses with sobs.
I can feel his heart breaking.
“Where are you?” he cries. “How can you all just be gone?”
As I reach out to comfort him, he startles and swings around.
“Who are you? What do you want?” Surprisingly I understand everything he says even though I’ve never spoken his language.
Understanding different languages must be one of my talents so I can communicate with all my chosen ones.