portal prophecies 01 - keepers destiny by c a king Read Free Book Online Page A

drinking of blood. Yuck. Who could do such a thing?”
    “That's what makes the story so great.” Dezi stuck his head between them and laughed. “You aren't scared of a little sensationalism are you? You sure you can handle being all alone tonight? Who knows what might find a doorway into our world and attack you. Now, if you need some company to keep you safe.”
    “Don't ask Dez cause you definitely wouldn't be safe!” Clairity laughed. The laughter grew louder as everyone else joined in. The trio were dressed similar to each other tonight and had held the attention of several of the girls over the story for most of the evening. They were the three most eligible prospects for young girls looking for a future husband, including several who were living in the castle.
    “I think if there was anything, including doorways to other worlds hidden in the forest someone would have found it by now. Think of all the times we have played hide and seek and never came across anything,” Willow answered.
    “No one has ever found where the forest ends though, so...who knows what could be out there.” Pete smiled as he teased the girls.
    “Okay, enough I am going to have night scares in my dreams.” Clairity had a real sense of worry on her face. Willow understood the feeling, all the talk of monsters and blood was frightening, even if she wouldn't let the others see how she felt.
    It was late and she had to be up earlier than the others so she turned to say goodbye catching sight of something out of the corner of her eye that stopped her dead in her tracks. It was Arnold and he was standing in the space beside the Waddington house. It was almost as if he were hiding in the shadows. She motioned again to Jessie who turned and looked. The boy backed up and started walking away as if nothing unusual had happened.
    “He was watching us. It's a little creepy,” Willow whispered to Jessie.
    “That story really got to you didn't it?” He laughed. “Arnold isn't creepy. He is just another kid. Probably wanted to join in the conversation but was too scared of rejection. I think you should call it a night.”
    Willow agreed and muttered, “See you tomorrow,” as she headed to her one bedroom shack for the night. Once inside she changed into her bed wear, lay down and pulled the cover over her head.
    Closing her eyes, images of the story haunted her imagination. Sleep wasn't going to come easy, if she kept thinking about frightening things. She put the thoughts out of her mind and concentrated on the forest and its trees. The thoughts soothed her, made her feel better.
    'Sleep child, you are safe tonight,' the female voice whispered gently and the world swirled around as Willow drifted off into a deep sleep.

Chapter Four
     
    Willow could feel the motion of her breath rhythmically moving in and out of her chest. A cool breeze brushed against her face. She opened her eyes to find herself standing in the middle of the town road wearing nothing but a full length, white silk nightgown. Her long red hair hung loose, flowing behind her gently as if harmonized with every breath she took.
    A fog crept low to the ground, rolling in from the forest. The eerie mist swirled around her bare ankles. In thinner patches, she noticed the ground was lined with faceless bodies, none moving. She headed down the street towards the tree line to see what she had thought to be fog was actually smoke. The forest was set a blaze in giant blue flames, everywhere. The clouds began to rumble with thunder and lightening lit up the sky as rain began to pour down on her. She tried to scream for help but she couldn't make any noise. Her mouth fell open gasping for words.
    Her feet began moving, running aimlessly up the road. There was no other life...no signs of people. She approached the castle gates, but they were destroyed. Broken stone scattered throughout the grounds and only parts of the castle still stood amidst the rubble. The coloured windows were