The Oak Wood Throne (San Amaro Investigations Book 2) by Kai Butler

Author:Kai Butler [Butler, Kai]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-06-27T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Four

The doorway was round but not circular, instead it was a kind of blobby shape that left something in me uneasy. It looked like Puck had spilled ink on the fabric of reality, and this was the result.

“She’s through here,” Puck said, gesturing with his thumb. “You coming?”

“I’m not going in there,” I said, shaking my head. “I don’t know where that is. I don’t even know you.”

“It’s my friend’s place. C’mon. There’s a bunch of people here. It’s the VIP room.” Puck rolled his eyes. “You’re the Windrose. What do you have to be afraid of?”

“Just bring her here,” I said. “Because that’s not someone’s house in Malibu that you’re crashing at. That’s not even in this realm.”

Even from across the room, I could feel the magic seeping out of the doorway. It was thick and familiar. The taste of it was like a sweet berry wine, tart with an aftertaste that numbed my tongue.

“I can’t do that,” Puck said. “She has to come with you of her own free will. Come and fetch her if you want her. Her debt to me is almost paid.”

The words were court language, and the debt part sounded more ominous than I liked. I glanced at the door, then twisted my lips.

If I was going to trust Puck with the fate of our two realms, I should trust him enough to follow him. Malcolm had trusted him, so that should be enough for me.

“You first,” I said, gesturing.

“Fine, fine,” Puck muttered. He walked through and stood on the other side, both arms held out. “See?”

I pulled out my phone and texted Nick.

Going to find Skylar. Portal.

The answering ping was nearby, and I turned, watching as Nick stepped through the doorway into the root-cave with me. His lips were tight.

“Three different prostitutes approached my car,” he said. “What’s taking so long?”

With my phone, I gestured to the portal. “She’s in there.”

“What’s—What is that place?” he asked.

“I don’t know. It feels like the Far Realm. Puck said it’s his friend’s place,” I said. “He’s refusing to get her unless we can fetch her.”

“Oh no,” Nick said. “This is a bad idea. You can’t go in there.”

When I’d thought it was a bad idea, I’d felt that anxious twist in my stomach that meant something was off. With Nick voicing the same concern, I felt that anxiety solidify into contrariness. I was a mule being led down the road. Pull me as hard as you can, and I will plant my heels and refuse to move.

“Hey, can you have this little tiff when it’s not wasting my time?” Puck said.

Nick’s eyes went wide, and he froze, his hand creeping toward his pocket where he kept his notepad and pen. I was curious what circle he’d draw to take down Puck, but I didn’t have time to find out.

Nudging past Nick, I stepped through the doorway. At the last moment, Nick grabbed my wrist, and then I was through the barrier and he was sucked along with me.

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