Game Breaker
Page 21
A smile touched his lips when he replied, “Breccan rules the world.”
“Avatar saved,” the voice replied. “Welcome to the Edge.”
Black Jack nodded his approval of Breccan’s avatar when he stepped out of the room.
“Not bad,” the pirate said. “You’re getting the hang of this place.”
Breccan held up his arm to show his levels panel. “Back to square one.”
Black Jack gave him a searching look. “Are you sad about that?”
Breccan shook his head. “Not at all. It’s time for a new beginning.”
“You’re right,” the pirate agreed.
No cheers followed them on their way to the elevator. They crammed inside with dozens of other avatars, most of whom were new, and watched the levels go by. It felt like a balm to Breccan’s soul to see the avatars in the various levels going about their business as if nothing bad had happened. He did catch a few furtive glances and knew people were still worried about the Techsecs, but he also knew they were gone for good. That would bring its share of other problems to the Edge, but for now, all was as it should be.
“I wish I had been there,” Breccan heard an avatar say behind him.
“No one’s ever been a Sixth before,” another avatar said.
“It’s strange to see it up there. I’m going to have to get used to it. They’ve never had a picture beside a name before,” someone else noted.
Breccan glanced at Black Jack. “Do you know what they’re talking about?”
The avatar shook his head, but Breccan caught a glimpse of Minx’s mischievous smile in his eyes when he did so. “You’ll see,” he said in answer to Breccan’s unspoken question.
Breccan put his hand to the glass when they neared Gorge Thyself, but Black Jack shook his head. “We’re not getting off yet.”
“Why not?” Breccan asked.
Black Jack didn’t answer. Nobody else got off, either. In fact, Breccan soon realized that nobody was getting off the elevator at all. Others climbed aboard at the various levels until the entire elevator was jammed packed, and everyone appeared determined to ride it to the very top. Breccan knew that without his horns, he wouldn’t be able to go to the castle, but he also figured that seeing it again unscathed by the Techsecs and Victor Cranfield would make the reality that the Edge was alright hit home.
The elevator doors slid open. Nobody moved, as usual.
“Getting off,” Black Jack called through the crowd.
The avatars shuffled to the sides as much as they could.
Breccan grabbed the pirate’s arm. “What are you doing?” he whispered. “We can’t go to Topton!”
“Trust me,” Black Jack replied.
Breccan gave in and followed the pirate to the door. The Techsecs were gone, but in their place stood a thick, clear door that barred the way for anyone without an invitation or preposterous amounts of ECs to enter.
“See,” Breccan said. “We can’t just—”
His words vanished when he followed Black Jack’s gaze to the side of the castle. There, inscribed above the names of the Fivers that had been etched there before, was the name ‘Game Breaker’ followed by ‘Sixth’. Breccan stared. He had never heard of a Sixth status before. And there, next to his name, was a picture of his avatar. On his hand could clearly be seen the initials for Garrick’s name followed by the city they had called home.
Breccan’s eyes burned with unshed tears even as a smile crossed his face. It was a fitting way to remember and honor all that his brother had been to him.
“Well, go for it,” Black Jack said.
Breccan glanced at the avatar. “What are you talking about?”
“Put your hand to the glass,” the pirate encouraged.
Breccan shook his head. “It’s not going to—”
Black Jack cut him off by lifting his hand and pressing it against the glass. Breccan felt a slight pressure on the top of his head and the glass doors slid open. He lifted his hand to find that the horns the Count had graced him with had grown back.
Black Jack grinned at his expression. “Once invited, always invited.” He winked. “And the guest gets a plus one.”
Breccan followed the pirate wordlessly inside amid the stares and whispers of the avatars who remained in the elevator. The doors slid shut and left them standing alone near the carriages.
“How did you know that would work?” Breccan asked in awe. “I wouldn’t have even thought to try.”
“Me, neither,” Black Jack admitted. “Except that she told me to do it.” The pirate smiled at someone behind Breccan.
Breccan turned slowly. His heart stuttered and then sped up at the sight of Jorie standing close to one of the carriages. She looked beautiful in the dress he had bought for her, and her long silver hair was gorgeously complimented by a pair of diamond horns that curled around her head like a crown.
“I didn’t…I thought…I couldn’t…,” Breccan began.
“I know,” Jorie replied as she closed the distance between them. “Me, too.”
“But how?” Breccan asked.
“I told you once that none of this is real, but I was wrong. Our reality is what we believe it to be,” Jorie said.
Breccan touched her cheek gently. “There is nothing more real in either world to me than you.”
“And you for me,” Jorie replied.
She tipped her head and he kissed her lips. As he lost himself in the joy of having her with him again, he realized the level of Topton smelled exactly like roses.
About the Author
Cheree Alsop is an award-winning, best-selling author who has published over 45 books. She is the mother of a beautiful, talented daughter and amazing twin sons who fill every day with joy and laughter. She is married to her best friend, Michael, the light of her life and her soulmate who shares her dreams and inspires her by reading the first drafts and giving much appreciated critiques. Cheree works as a fulltime author and mother, which is more play than work! She enjoys reading, traveling to tropical beaches, riding motorcycles, spending time with her wonderful children, and going on family adventures while planning her next book.
Cheree and Michael live in Utah where they rock out, enjoy the outdoors, plan great quests, and never stop dreaming.
ALSO BY CHEREE ALSOP
The Haunted High Series-
The Wolf Within Me
The Ghost Files
City of Demons
Cage the Beast
Ashes of Night
The Silver Series-
Silver
Black
Crimson
Violet
Azure
Hunter
Silver Moon
The Werewolf Academy Series-
Book One: Strays
Book Two: Hunted
Book Three: Instinct
Book Four: Taken
Book Five: Lost
Book Six: Vengeance
Book Seven: Chosen
Heart of the Wolf Part One
Heart of the Wolf Part Two
The Galdoni Series-
Galdoni
Galdoni 2: Into the Storm
Galdoni 3: Out of Darkness
The Small Town Superheroes Series-
Small Town Superhero
Small Town Superhero II
Small Town Superhero III
Keeper of the Wolves
Stolen
The Million Dollar Gift
Thief Prince
When Death Loved an Angel
The Shadows Series
Shadows- Book One in the World of Shadows
Mist- Book Two in the World of Shadows
The Monster Asylum Series
Book One- The Fangs of Bloodhaven
Girl from the Stars
Book 1- Daybreak
Book 2- Daylight
Book 3- Day’s End
Book 4- Day’s Journey
Book 5- Day’s Hunt
The Pirate from the Stars<
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The Dr. Wolf Series
Book 1- Shockwave
Book 2- Demon Spiral
Book 3- The Four Horsemen
Book 4- Dragon’s Bayne
The Prince of Ash and Blood
Game Breaker
Find books by Cheree Alsop here: Cheree Alsop’s Amazon Page