Read Online Portia by Christina Bauer - Free Book Online Page B

regular rhythm. We rise into the clouds. I run my fingers over his scales. They’re warm and leathery to the touch. “Thanks for coming to get me.”
    “I’ll always come for you, Portia.”
    My heart stutters in my chest. It’s like I’m on the balcony again. My feelings for Tempest are too strong for me to sort through right now. The after-realms are more important. I slip the wicker sphere from the pocket of my duster.
    Time to get my mind back into saving the after-realms.
    I set the wicker sphere onto my palm. “Show me where to go first.”
    The thin lines reform in the shape of a twisted iron gate. I smile with recognition and relief.
    “What’d you see?” asks Tempest.
    “The Onyx Gates.”
    “We’re off to Heaven, then.” He angles his body in a new direction and pumps his wings with more speed. Every beat of his wings brings me closer to the first seedpod. Will Tempest and I be able to open this thing on our own? A shiver of fear twists down my spine. Did I make the right decision to turn Alden down?
    I certainly hope so. The after-realms are depending on it.

Chapter Ten
    Tempest and I stand before a set of towering black gates made from intricately twisted iron. The whole thing looks hopelessly run down and rusted. My forehead creases with worry. Something here feels off.
    “Are you sure these are the Onyx Gates?” I ask. All around us, I can only see waist-deep clouds in every direction. Overhead, the sky’s a single sheet of white light. “Pops has taken me to Heaven before. It was all white towers, crystal walls, and blue skies.”
    “It’s like this, luv,” says Tempest. “There are the nice bits in Hell, like Furonium, and then, there are the dodgy spots in Heaven.” He nods toward the gates. “Like this right here.”
    Odd shadows shift in the clouds around our feet. This whole place gives me the creeps. “Have you ever been inside?”
    “No, but I’ve heard about it. The gates enclose a dream catcher.”
    My lips form a silent ‘o.’ I’ve read about places like this. Dreams get stuck in here. Nightmares, too.
    He shoots me a wry smile. “Once we cross the Onyx gates, it won’t take long for our old nightmares to find us.”
    I set the sphere onto my palms. The threads of wicker weave into the words ‘The Library floor.’ “I guess we need to find The Library, whatever that means.”
    The gates open with a long creak. Tempest and I step past the threshold and into the realm of a dream catcher. A red door appears in the mist. I look around. There’s nothing but cloud for miles in every direction. We open the door and step inside.
    It leads us to my bedroom in Purgatory. Another version of me—a dream-self—lies asleep in bed, tossing under the crisp, white sheets. A chill crawls over my skin.
    Something is wrong here. Very wrong.
    Leave this place now, Portia.
    Turning on my heel, I look for the exit. There isn’t one anymore. I check out the walls and pull back the curtains. All the windows and exits have disappeared. I bang the plaster with the palm of my hand. “Open up!”
    Meanwhile, my dream-self twists from side to side, still trapped in her sleep.
    I round on Tempest, my heart thudding so hard I can feel its beat in my throat. “I have to get out of here!”
    Tempest steps to stand before me. He keeps his hands at waist level, palms forward, as if I’m a wild animal that could bolt any second.
    “It doesn’t work that way in a dream catcher. You know this, luv.”
    I force myself to inhale a few calming breaths. Think, Portia. Tempest is right.
    “Right,” I say, forcing my breaths to slow. “We have to wait.”
    “That’s correct.” Tempest gestures toward my dream-self. “And don’t talk to her unless you have to. We’ll both watch for a new door to open.”
    My dream-self thrashes harder under the sheets. Icy fear twists through my stomach.
    Danger, Portia. Run!
    “I don’t like this, Tempest.”
    “Have you dreamt this scene