by Aaron DeMott
“We can’t let that horror loose on the galaxy. Not with a gifted gesaran host.” Ryogin’s voice was low, and Onin had to strain to hear him.
“What about those girls?” Amaryllis pressed up against Ryogin’s side and looked up at him.
Ryogin shuddered. “Professor Jekao is gathering a team from ABG to secure the compound. He’ll see if anything can be done for them.”
“It’s already too late.” Saija’s voice was just above a whisper. “That’s a fatal ritual. If we’re going to go after the Natas, we have to go now.”
Ryogin turned to face everyone. “I can’t let that Natas loose. I have to go after it. I can’t ask any of you to go with me...”
Amaryllis clung even more tightly to his arm. “I’ll never leave you, Ryogin-sama.”
“Yeah.” Cerina blew out a breath. “That thing’s evil. Gotta stop it.”
Kasai turned to Onin. “If he’s going to gather more dragon allies, I have to go.” She tried to pull her hand free of Onin’s.
Onin grabbed her hand in both of his. “Nope. I meant what I said earlier. If you’re going, I’m coming with you. And Ryogin and Cerina are right. That Natas has got to be stopped. If it’s in my power to stop it, and I don’t—well, then I’m just as guilty as that Natas.”
“Portal’s getting smaller.” Saija pointed to the portal. It had shrunk a half-inch since they’d entered the room. “We’ve gotta go now.”
Ryogin and Amaryllis turned and stepped through the portal side by side. Cerina sighed and followed them. Saija wasn’t far behind her.
“I’ve got to get a different travel agent.” Tannin made a face and jumped through the portal.
Onin turned to Kasai. “Are you ready?”
“I still don’t think you should—”
Onin pressed a finger to her lips. “I can’t stay. I’d worry about you, and I’d be eaten up with guilt that I didn’t do anything to stop that Natas.” He smiled. “Amaryllis took the good lines, but I know you’ve got some abandonment issues. I don’t want to add to that. I’ll stay by your side as long as you’ll have me.”
Kasai smiled and leaned against Onin’s side.
“Shall we?” Onin gestured to the portal.
“Yes.” Kasai looked up at him. “Together.”
Onin put his arm around Kasai’s waist, and they stepped through the portal in sync.
Before you go...
If you enjoyed this book, you can learn more about the book and the author, as well get updates on when the next book in the series comes out at:
https://www.aarondemott.com
Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
Coypright
Chapter 1: New Girl
Chapter 2: The... "Witch"
Chapter 3: Clean up in Aisle One!
Chapter 4: Bandits? In MY City? (It's More Likely Than You Think)
Chapter 5: Team Bonding? Sounds Sticky...
Chapter 6: Unwanted Help
Chapter 7: Natas? Not Again!
Chapter 8: What's a Matari, Anyway?
Chapter 9: Does Anybody Remember Last Night?
Chapter 10: Sun, Sand, and... Snow?
Chapter 11: Enough is Enough… Until it's Too Much
Chapter 12: School's Out Forever?
Chapter 13: Into the Lion's Den
Chapter 14: Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger
Chapter 15: The Herald of What Now?
Chapter 16: Plans? We Don't Need No Stinking Plans!
Chapter 17: He Does Exist?
Chapter 18: Onsen Intermission!
Chapter 19: Where Is It?
Chapter 20: Let's Rock!
Chapter 21: Incoming...
Chapter 22: Demons of the Mind
Chapter 23: Exit Light
Chapter 24: Rise of the Dragongirl
Before you go...