Dark Everglades: The Rising Sun [BOOK ONE] {BEING RE-WRITTEN}

Arina

Arina's POV

Ethan's grandmother can't be a day over 40. Yes, that was my first thought when I was dying slowly out in the chilled air of Eclea. How can people live like this?

And the flowers? I haven't seen any of those in my life...! Partially because Ruskya doesn't grow any plant life.

And now, sitting in this comfortable bedding, being aided by Snow Angels - weird creatures - I feel as though I can change into a full grown dragon. What did they put in this tea?

"What is this device that will help us around the country?" Alex asks as we all walk across the hallway that opens up to the front room.

The grandmother smiles, subconsciously rubbing against her blue ring... That ring seems to glow. And I want it. It seems so pretty and valuable.

I force myself not to shake my head.

"It's like a portal device. They used it in the first war to have a surprise attack on the enemy..." She frowns lightly, glancing to the ground. "But it was a bit overused... Especially the one in Eclea, for its the biggest and most functional. But it just... Stopped working."

I tilt my head. "What do you think is wrong with it? Surely it can't be too bad."

Ethan's grandmother looks over at me with a dazed expression. "I'm not sure... It just won't let anybody transport themselves."

"Maybe it's not this one... Maybe it's not letting you transport because you've lost connection with the others."

Ethan and Alex stare at me with some sort of bewilderment and I flash a overly expressive hurt look. "Wow. I'm shocked. You didn't think I was as smart as you thought?"

Ethan glares slightly. "It's kind of hard as of now."

I glare right back and the grandmother sets a hand on Ethan's shoulder. "Do not be so mean, my heir. They are apart of us now."

Alex jumps a bit, her winged arms flapping. "Oh I like that!" She whispers loudly, earning a large smile from grandmother.

"I'm glad. Now the portal is at the end of the hall."

She leads us over the open hallway, back down into a covered hallway with different doors on each side and then the metal door at the end shines in the dark light.

The grandmother searches through her white robe pocket, getting out a key.

"You always carry that around?" I ask and the grandmother glances at me.

"If it gets into the wrong hands, it could cause harm... I always take precaution."

I don't respond as she silently unlocks the door, Ethan rushing over to help push it open.

It's like a gigantic heavy metal, locked door and the inside is a completely dark room that makes it hard for my eyes to adjust too.

The grandmother walks into the room, disappearing from sight and flicking on a light. The lights shine brightly and I cover my eyes, groaning.

"Sorry about that! It hasn't been opened in a while," The grandmother says lightly, chuckling and Alex runs inside the room that holds a gigantic pill shape metal piece of machinery.

Blue tubes race to the ceiling and connect to the top of the machine, and electrical circuits run along the bottom.

"Whoa...." I mumble, walking in slowly.

"A beauty isn't she?"

I nod silently and Ethan walks in after me, his eyes glowing.

Alex runs a wing over the clear door, smashing her face against it and trying to see through it.

"Be careful. It's fragile," The grandmother states and Alex nods, not moving.

"When exactly was this built?" I ask, walking around the machine and looking at every inch of it.

"Well... The first war was 64 years ago. So it was made then."

I tilt my head. "How old are you?"

The grandmother seems to smile more proudly. "114 years old."

I try not to blanch and Alex finally leaves the door, her eyes widening. "You're serious?"

The grandmother nods. "I wouldn't lie about my age."

"That's so cool..." Alex whispers and I roll my eyes.

I had to be saved by her.

Ethan takes a step in closer to his grandmother. "Have you found the problem yet?" He asks and I flinch.

"Oh right!" I jog to the back of the portal, kneeling down and easily popping off the back that's screwed down.

The circuits inside burst into electricity and I hide my face. "Oh that's a problem," I whisper, and Alex's face pops up on the side.

"Huh?"

"All the circuits in here are somehow busted..."

"We need completely new wires?"

I nod silently, blowing out my nose. She snaps her fingers.

"What's happened?" Grandmother asks and Alex disappears for a moment.

"IjShe says we need completely new wires."

"Why is that?!"

"They have all busted."

I hear a grunt and Ethan appears on the other side. "We don't have any new wires!"

I tilt my head. "Well anything will work. Video game systems, televisions-" Ethan squeaks and I turn to him. "What."

He cringes. "My... Mother has a lot of televisions."

I raise my eyebrows. "Oh..."

He squints his eyes. "Why 'oh?'"

"My stepmother does too... Is yours really obsessive over it?" He nods silently and I let out a sigh. "And your grandmother doesn't have anything here?"

He shakes his head. "... She likes to read."

I let out a breath. "Great... How are we going to do this..." I mumble to myself and Alex appears behind Ethan.

"We wait until night! We can sneak in and try to grab them."

I stare at the wires, biting my lip. "That could work... But your mother won't be too happy."

Ethan waves me off. "She has about five more. I doubt she will care."

I stand, dusting off my jeans. "Alright. We'll go tonight..." They both disappear and I make my way out. "I surely hope you won't mind Mrs...?"

The grandmother smiles. "Bridges."

I nod. "Mrs. Bridges."

"I don't mind at all. It's been awhile sense I had this many people accompany me... Even if they aren't Roplana's."