Gateway (The Gateway Trilogy, Book 1), page 19
“It had an organizing ego,” Master Dogan nodded, “an agenda.”
“Yes, though I would have never come up with 'organizing ego,'“ I said with a laugh. “It was like all of the other demons, the ones you were killing with arrows and daggers were just weeds and this one…”
“Was the root,” Annys finished. “Clearly this Root demon was too large to fit through a small opening of the Gateway. It needed the Gate destroyed.”
“It tried to use Gretchen to get the job done, but when that didn't work, I became plan B,” I said. “Encouraging a suicide attempt destined to fail at a time when Taren would be at Windsor with Callie, the attack ensuring we would escape together…”
“It was a brilliant thing you did, Ember,” Master Dogan said, “brilliant and very courageous.”
“Yes, and she must never, ever do anything like it again,” Taren said, fixing me with a firm gaze.
“Don’t worry,” I said, “I have no plans for a repeat performance. Besides, I don’t see that there would be a need. The Root, as we’re calling it, is dead, and the Gateway is sealed. We’re safe.”
I smiled in satisfaction, but the others seemed troubled.
“Ah, well, that’s not exactly the case…” Master Dogan said.
“You see, the eight other Gates have been seeing some increase in activity,” Annys said, “Keepers going mad, requiring Retrievals at an alarming rate. If this Root demon had been responsible for those Gateways, the activity would have ceased when you destroyed it.”
I chill ran up my spine. “What does that mean?”
“It means that as the only two Daemons able to channel the entire symbol,” Annys said, “we will be needing you and Gretchen to visit those Gateways, and report your findings.”
“You would put them both right back in harm's way?” Taren said, his voice heated. “How can you—”
“Wait, Gretchen is alright?” I asked. “She's well enough to even go on such a mission?”
“No,” Taren said, “she isn't.”
“Not yet,” Annys said, “but she will be. She's progressing remarkably since the death of the Root demon and is eager to get back to work. And to meet you, Ember.”
I looked to Taren, his eyes tight.
“She's coherent,” he said, “but it's a long road. My father and I have not allowed her to be off the sanctuary grounds. What Annys says is true, she is anxious to meet you. I just wanted to give you both time to heal.”
I nodded, grateful for her recovery, but the sense of calm I'd felt just minutes ago was replaced with a twisting in my stomach. Eight other Gateways, possibly eight other Root demons to face. And there was the issue of all the demons that had escaped during battle, presumably to repopulate this dimension.
I had been right those many weeks ago, in the bedroom of Taren's parents, when I knew I would never feel safe again. I shuddered, but instead of pushing aside the fear growing in my belly I held it gently. There were enough demons in the world, I didn't need to grow any more of my own.
“You OK?” Taren asked.
I imagined myself enveloped in a radiant light and became aware of every cell, every thought, every fear, every mercy.
“Yeah,” I said, and for the very first time I knew it was true. “I'm going to be fine.”
###
About the AuthorChristina Garner began writing stories at the age of six. (With the help of her older sister.) At eighteen, her aspirations as an actor had her loading up her Buick and setting off for Hollywood. Since then she has written and directed ten short films, including Rewind and Reminder, both of which received acclaim on the festival circuit. In 2007 she was hired to write her first feature film. In May of 2011 her debut novel, Gateway, became an Amazon Bestseller. She is currently finishing Books 2 and 3 of The Gateway Series, on sale September of 2012. She loves to hear from readers; please contact her via:
Twitter: @GarnerChristina
or
her website: http://ChristinaGarner.com
For exclusive content and short stories featuring your favorite Gateway characters, visit: http://thegatewayseries.wordpress.com/
Garner, Christina, Gateway (The Gateway Trilogy, Book 1)
