Secret Lies

Chapter 17

*unedited*

~Ari~

The first I noticed is snow.

I ended up falling on top of Kaine when we landed and it was freezing cold. I quickly regulated my temperature and looked around. Apparently, Cara transported us to the middle of nowhere.

Literally.

Nothing was in sight except thick snow that stretched out in front of us.

Thanks so much, Cara.

Jace and Denise landed not far from us. They looked fine, other than a little bruised up by their landing.

Which was falling from a sky.

Once again, thanks so much, Cara.

"Come on guys, we need to get a move on. The sky is already starting to darken. Anyone has an idea where to go?" I asked as we shouldered our stuff. "Ari, why don't you read the book Cara gave us?" Kaine offered.

Oh yeah. Oops.

"Pft... Yeah, I knew that." I attempted to hide my embarrassment by giving a nervous laugh.

And I failed terribly judging by the pointed looks I got.

I rolled my eyes and took out the book from my pocket. I used my powers to re-sized the book before we went through the portal, so it was pocket size edition.

"It just slipped my mind alright, it happens." I defended.

Kaine chuckled and pinched my cheek. " You're so cute when you're defensive. " he teased and pulled me into his arms.

Well, tried. Because I ducked out of his way and glared at him.

" I AM NOT CUTE. "

If looks could kill, I'm pretty sure he would be six feet under. But no, that stupid werewolf was not sacred, instead, he just looks at me in amusement.

Damn it. Was I losing my touch? Usually, any other normal guy would have already crapped their pants. I actually liked that he wasn't afraid. Shit, I'm turning into a lovesick fool. Oh well, no time to think about this, I have a brother to rescue.

I flipped open the book to it's content page, trying to figure out where we were.

"Alright, lets see. Introduction to Winter Palace. Sub chapters are Terrain Layout, Creatures Found, How To Survive. I think how to survive covers it, Everybody huddle together."

Finally allowing Kaine to pull me into his arms, I started reading aloud.

"If you just arrived at the Winter Palace, your surrounding will be bare except for thick layers of snow. That is the entrance of the realm. In order to for you to leave, there are 4 options. Shifting, shape shifting, summoning and as a last resort, walking. If you have the power to shift, hold an image of the word, 'Rest.' It acts like a hotel for people who does not stay in the Winter Palace. Shape shifters are advised to change into a snow cheetah. This will allow you to travel faster. If you only have one form, change into that form and run towards North. In the Winter Palace, people live facing the North. Summoning is used if you are a witch or if you can do magic. You will be able to do a spell to summon someone to bring you to where you are headed. However, it is important that you release who you have summoned or else, whoever you have summoned will be bonded to you. The last resort is used if you don't have your powers or you can do non of the above. I would highly advise you to get the hell out of there and be on high alert. Creatures will be lurking around like Protells and Kollians. More information will be found in the chapter of Creatures found." 

I closed the book and looked at Denise. "Okay, we're gonna need you to do as what the book says and shift us to 'Winter Palace hotel.' I'm tired and not in the mood to fight monsters."

Denise gave me a droll look at my heavy use of sarcasm, while I smiled at her innocently. Leaning my head on Kaine's chest, I watched as Denise's face frowned in concentration. A few minutes passed and nothing happened. "Maybe I missed-" I was interrupted when the ground started rolling. 

WHAT THE HELL?

After a few seconds, we reappeared in front of a house. It looks ordinary enough.

"What in the name of God just happened?" I asked.

"Well, guess we're at Winter Palace hotel as you call it." Jace piped up. Sure enough, the word rest was hovering above the house. I would have commented on how small the house looks, I know first hand how looks can be deceiving. Instead, I kept my mouth shut and went inside.

~~~

I was speechless.

The inside of the house was HUGE and it was buzzing with energy. There were all kinds of people in the room. They were sitting together in a kind of medieval setting, with round tables and women serving beer. 

"Hi, I'm Andrea. May I help you?" A women appeared in front of me.

"Yeah, we need rooms to stay for the night." I requested. Weird, how did she came out of nowhere.

"Of cause, please follow me." Andrea motion us to follow her up a staircase which I had not noticed. Did the staircase just magically mystified? Running a nail along the staircase handle, I decided that  I need to keep my guard up around here. Lost in the sea of my thoughts, I didn't notice Kaine's arms around me until I felt his breath on my neck. Startled, I almost fell on the stairs if not for Kaine's arms holding me.

"What are you thinking? Be careful love, you might get hurt." He's breath teased my ear as he whispered to me. Shivers ran through my body and I could feel heat coursing through me. 

"We're here." Denise's voice reached  my ears and I looked my confused. Kaine let go of me and smirked, obviously smug at his effect on me. 

"Alright lovebirds, not now. Ari, you and Kaine share a room. Jace and I will be staying in a different room, but there will be door linking our room together. I'm tired, so let's just all go to sleep." And with that, Denise took her bag and left, with Jace following her.

"Well love, guess its just us. Come on now." I was still reeling from the effect that Kaine had me, so I was confused. Kaine took hold of my hand and lead us to our room. The room was big, with a four poster bed in the middle, completed with a bathroom. Kaine placed our bags with a thud while I raced towards the bed and jumped on to in. 

"I'm in heaven. This bed feels like a bed of clouds." I groaned while rolling on the bed. I looked up to see Kaine chuckling at my antics. 

"I am going take a shower, and you're welcome to join me." Kaine said, peeling of his clothes and giving me a sexy grin before disappearing into the shower.

Now that was an offer I can't refused.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Alright! They have started on their mission! Anyway, as you guys know, Jace is a traitor! The nerve! So would you guys like him to stay with the gang or live them? Please comment, vote and follow! Love you guys!

Song of the day:My Dilemma - Selena Gomez

XOXO,

Crystal