Page 29 of White Charms and Dark Secrets

“Close your eyes and put your hands out,” he instructs.

I stare at him, brow raised. “No funny business.”

“I would never,” he responds, sounding indignant in his reply.

“Of course you wouldn't.” I roll my eyes again. He seems to bring out my inner teenage girl and her eye-rolling tendencies.

“Now come on, we don't have all day,” he urges.

With only slight reluctance, I shut my eyes and hold out my hands for him to place whatever it is in them. I can only pray that it’s nothing crazily inappropriate. A moment after my eyes close, I feel two things pop into my hands. I open my eyes. In one hand is my phone, and in the other is a bracelet. Different from the last, but I'm guessing it serves the same purpose. I smile at Rhydian.

“Returning my own phone to me isn't exactly a present,” I tease. “Not that I'm complaining. I was worried what had happened to it.”

“Well, you're welcome anyway. The bracelet is to replace the other, as I assumed you may have lost it with everything that happened,” he explains.

“Thank you,” I tell him, putting the bracelet on. I feel the magic as it leaves me and flows into the bracelet, making me wince. This one feels a little stronger than the last, but I'm grateful for how thoughtful he was in bringing it to me. I'll keep it on at all times, unless Ineededmy magic for something. “But I thought you said you had three presents, and if you tell me you're the third present, I will kill you where you stand,” I warn him, knowing his flirtation knows no bounds.

“You know, I should have thought of that.” He smirks. “However present number three is in the form of answers I think you need. I'm going to take you to see someone.”

“Who?” I ask, unable to curb my curiosity.What answers? Who is he talking about?

“You'll see.” He offers his hand for me to take. “Come on. You'll want to see them, I promise.”

“If you take me to a strip club or something, I repeat, I will kill you,” I grumble, before grabbing his outstretched hand. He uses our linked hands to pull me to him and wraps his arms around my body.

“I know you only need to be touching my shoulder or something to phase me somewhere. We’ve done this before, remember?” I say, narrowing my eyes at him as I try to put a little distance between our bodies.

“We’re travelling a large distance for this trip. Larger than you’ve phased before. After your adverse reaction just going a few miles outside of the city, I’m going to hold onto you tight. Just in case you decide to collapse,” he explains.

“How far are you taking me?” I pry, relaxing a little in his grip now that he’s clarified.

“Probably best you don’t know. Hold on tight.” He grins, and as we start to turn blue and translucent, I close my eyes tight, preparing for the nausea to hit.

* * *

“Are you okay?”Rhydian prods in a low tone, his hands staying on my arms holding me upright. The world spins around me, and my stomach feels like I've been on a crazy rollercoaster.

“I don't know,” I answer with honesty. I feel a burn in my throat. “Move,” I blurt, shoving him out of the way as I bend over and vomit all over the beige carpeted floor.Ugh. That was gross.I wipe my mouth, strangely enough, feeling a little better after throwing up.

“Better now?” he asks. He waves his hand over the mess, and I watch as it vanishes. Goddess, having such ease with magic would make my life a hell of a lot easier.

“I'd be better if you had a mouthwash charm,” I joke.

He pulls out some mint-flavoured gum from his pocket and holds it out to me. “Not quite mouthwash, but it should make you feel less like you almost threw up on me.”

My grateful hands snatch it up. “Thank you,” I mumble, shoving two pieces into my mouth. Soon all I can taste is mint.Thank the goddess, that’s so much better.

I look around in interest, trying to figure out where we are. We're in a hallway I don't recognise, and at the end of it is a large window. I head towards the window and freeze as I peer out of it. It’s clear upon first glance that the city outside isn’t London.

“Beautiful view, isn’t it?” Rhydian comments.

“Where are we?” I wonder aloud, not seeing any recognisable landmarks.

“Probably best you don't know, but we're a few countries away at least,” he maintains, still evasive with his replies. “Come on, we're not here to gape out of a window. We're here to see a friend of yours.” He leads me down along the hallway, and I notice numbered doors all along either side.

“Is this a hotel or apartments?” I ask, continuing to press for clues.

“The less you know the better, sweetheart.” He gives me a serious look as we come to a halt outside of door eighty-eight. “We’re here. The day you came to The Rift, you had a question for me. You should ask her the same one.” He knocks on the door and steps back out of the way. “Good luck.”

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