Myth's Friend (Book 3 of Seven Series)

Chapter 9- Zanaya's POV

I closed my eyes while Eira gently led me through the portal, and I bit back a gasp when I felt my whole body tingle and prickle with the magic coursing through the portal. I had no idea where we were, and I was nervous about who we were going to meet and what we were going to cross paths with.

"You can open your eyes now, Zanaya," Eira said, amused, and stopped walking, so I stopped before I hit her. "We're past the portal and are on the sidewalk out in the open from the alleyway. I am sure that it will look strange if I keep leading a female with her eyes closed somewhere. I don't want to get stopped."

I did what I was told to do and opened my eyes. I looked around and noticed that we were in a different city altogether and that it was a bit hotter than I was normally used to. "Where are we?" I asked hesitantly.

"Arizona," she replied. She squeezed my hand reassuringly and glanced at me from the corner of her eye. "I hate it. It's too hot here, but my boyfriend absolutely loved it."

I slowly nodded. "Where is he?" I asked. I kept pace with her, trusting that she knew what was going on and would keep me safe from whatever was out there.

Eira shrugged and looked nonchalant. "He is either at the house, stewing because I left without a word, or he is with David, who will probably be here in a couple of minutes to take us back to the house. He'll also be stewing by then, too, but I'm not worried about that."

I slowly nodded again and furrowed my brows while I thought about what she said. "What do you mean by David being here in a couple of minutes?" I asked, confused.

A car pulled up beside us at that exact moment and slowed down. The person didn't roll down their window like I thought they would, nor did Eira spare the car a single glance.

I grew tense and moved closer to Eira, keeping an eye on the strange vehicle. My whole body was tense, and my heart pounded hard in my chest. I moved closer to Eira, almost tripping her. "E-"

"I know," Eira said but kept walking as if she didn't care about the car or the dangers it could hold. She pulled her phone out of her pocket and looked at the time. "Right on time, too." She placed her phone back into her pocket.

"Uh... what?" I asked, shocked. "What do you mean? Do you know that car?"

"I do," she confirmed. "That is why I am still walking the way we have to go because I am not in the mood to be yelled at for leaving without saying a word to anyone." She shrugged.

I didn't respond and kept giving the car side glances. My whole body was tense, and I didn't know if I liked being followed or not.

There was a dip in the sidewalk, and the car zoomed past us and parked there, blocking our way past.

A male about our age stepped out and folded his arms across his chest. His gaze never left Eira, and he scowled, silently telling her that he wasn't pleased.

"Hmph," Eira said, and a small smirk appeared on her face. She dipped her head in greeting while she stared at him, and her pace grew faster. "I had a feeling that you would come too."

The male's scowl deepened, and he made a small noise that showed his displeasure. He opened the car door and gestured for both of us to get in.

Eira laughed and shook her head, but she kept walking to the car. "You're up front," she said and stopped in front of him.

The male looked at me for the first time, his dark brown eyes burning with a fire underneath his skin that seemed like it wanted to burst out at any moment. He watched as I hid myself further behind Eira before he looked at her.