Read Online Scala by Christina Bauer - Free Book Online Page A

alley.
    No guards are here, only Walker. That’s odd. The building’s exterior should be secured by now.
    Walker leans against the opposite wall, his thumbs hooked into the belt loops of his jeans. A strange gleam dances in his eyes. “Are we all ready to go?”
    I tilt my head to one side. “Mmmmmmmmaybe.”
    I’ve known Walker my whole life, so I can tell when he’s up to something. And the way he looks now? It’s the exact face he’d give me before sneaking my teenage tuchus into the Arena. He knew Mom hated the thought of me spending time watching demon battles, so he always played it cool. Even so, he could never hide the odd glimmer in his eyes from me.
    Something is so up. “Where are all the guards, Walker?”
    â€œI’ve asked them to hold off for a while.” He rocks a bit on his heels. “Are you two ready or what?”
    I glance over to Lincoln. He’s got his Señor Sneaky face on, which means he’s caught on to whatever’s up with Walker, too.
    â€œAlmost, one last thing.” Lincoln wraps me into a deep hug and whispers in my ear. “Adair’s here. Walker held off his guard so we could do a little recon, find out what she’s up to. Care you join us?”
    â€œOh, yes.” One of the many advantages of being in a serious relationship with a demon hunter is that you never get surprised in a deserted alley.
    â€œExcellent.” Lincoln steps back from our embrace and faces the darkest part of the alley. “Lady Adair, as your High Prince, I command you to halt and speak with me.”
    Three figures scramble in the darkness: Lady Adair and two huge ghouls, one of whom is taller and has a limp. I’d know that tall guy anywhere; he’s the Ghoul Diplomat to Purgatory. What a creep. A low hum sounds, the unmistakable mark of a ghoul portal opening and closing.
    After that, silence.
    â€œThey’re gone.” I say with a sigh. “We missed them.”
    â€œNot at all.” Lincoln turns to me, his eyebrows bobbing up and down. “I’m sure that Adair thinks she’s given us the slip, but few ghouls are so talented at reconstructing portals as Walker. How about we continue our recon mission? I for one, am still curious as to what she does in her spare time.”
    â€œAre you kidding? I’d love to find out where she goes when she’s not stalking me. Sign me up.”
    Lincoln jogs towards the end of the alley; Walker and I are close behind. Within a few seconds, we’ve reached the spot where Adair and her ghouls were hiding.
    â€œNeed you, buddy,” says Lincoln. “Where’d they go?”
    Kneeling down, Walker touches the ground where the portal once stood. “Ghost Tower Four. Not the ideal place for a portal. What do you say, Myla?”
    Walker’s right to be cautious. Our Ghost Towers are jittery enough without people portalling in and out. Still, as long as we’re careful, we should be fine. Besides, I really-really-really want to find out what Adair’s up to.
    â€œWe’ll be alright.” I tap the baculum holster on Lincoln’s thigh. “Don’t spark this baby up by the Carrier wall. It can break the containment field.” I take Walker’s hand in my left and Lincoln’s in my right. When travelling by portal,you have to hold onto your ghoul or you’ll fall through darkness forever. “Let’s hit it.”
    A new black door forms on the same spot where Adair disappeared; only this time, the portal is Walker’s handiwork.
    Together, we all step into the black doorway, tumble through empty space, and then re-emerge in the middle of a heavy, ivory-colored mist. A loud droning-sound fills the air, like we’re standing beside a huge waterfall or jet aircraft engine. Actually, we’re standing near some of the most powerful power generators in the after-realms.
    Ghostly shapes move through the mist. Men,