One Wish Away by Kelley Lynn Read Free Book Online Page A

guards who sprints off in front of us.
    What are they going to do to me? I try to scream as the door opens, but a hand clasps over my mouth. The Secretary whispers in my ear, “Calm down, girl. You’re making a scene.”
    We emerge into the universe room. The stars, galaxies and planets don’t look as special now. Tears emerge again, bigger, faster, sobs shaking my body.
    â€œWhat’s going on here?”
    Dad!
    A new surge of energy pumps through me and I flail and squirm with all my might. It’s dark, aside from the glow of the stars, and impossible to make out anything but his silhouette. But it’s him. I know it’s him. I need him to see me.
    I bite down as hard as I can on the guard’s hand.
    â€œOuch!”
    A fist collides with my face. I shriek and scream. “Dad!”
    â€œLyra? What is going on? Lyra, is that you?”
    â€œDr. Altair, is this your daughter?” The Secretary’s voice booms amongst the stars.
    â€œLyra? How did you…Why are you…?”
    I want to run to him. To apologize for the horrible situation I’ve put him in. But all I can mange in my panicked state is to say, “Don’t let him take me.” I sob and give one more twist, a pathetic attempt to free myself.
    â€œSecretary Morgan, can we please take this to a conference room?” Dad asks.
    â€œI think that’s a wise decision.” A hand pushes me from behind. We walk past the Sombrero Galaxy and enter a conference room under the Milky Way.
    Dad’s eyes lock with mine and he moves over to me, placing both hands on the side of my face, wiping away the tears. His green eyes scrunch in puzzlement. I don’t know what to tell him. I can’t even remember what I was trying to accomplish anymore.
    My father rises from the floor and looks at the Secretary. “Please unlock my daughter.”
    Secretary Morgan tilts his head to the side and takes in a deep breath. “I’m not sure I can do that, Dr. Altair. What your daughter’s seen can’t get out to the public. We’ve talked about this.”
    My breathing quickens; fear grips my throat. I throw my eyes at my father, begging him to help me, but I don’t find strength there. Just sadness and defeat.
    The door to the conference room flies open and Aunt Stephanie appears.
    â€œLyra! What in the heavens is going on?” she asks, rushing to my side and giving me a once over. Her hard gaze finds the Secretary. “Unlock my niece.”
    â€œI was explaining to Dr. Altair I’m not sure I can do that. We’ve talked about it countless times, only those within SEAD, as well as myself, can ever know what goes on here.”
    â€œI am the Director of SEAD,” she says defiantly. “Unlock her.”
    My heart skips a beat at hearing my aunt’s strong personality finally work for me. I watch as those around the room stand there, expressions unchanged.
    â€œI’m sorry. I really am.” The Secretary moves to stand next to my family. Something twitches behind my eye when I realize the Secretary actually
does
look sorry. “But this is highly classified work. We can’t let her go.”
    My aunt’s fists clench at the Secretary ignoring her authority, but she doesn’t say anything else.
    Don’t stop fighting for me.
    â€œI don’t even know anything!” I scream. “All I saw was the cafeteria and the universe and the glass dome. But I don’t even know what any of this does!” How do I get out of this? Nothing comes to me. No solution. Just mind-numbing panic.
    â€œI’m sorry. If you’re as intellectually gifted as your father, you’ll piece it together. I have to ensure this information doesn’t get out.” His determined eyes leave mine and find the guard who’s holding my arm. “Take her to my car. I’ll meet you there in a minute.”
    â€œNo! Please! Dad! Dad!” I scream so