The Angel of Elydria (The Dawn Mirror Chronicles Book 1) by A. R. Meyering Read Free Book Online Page B

twitched upward as if he was considering putting a comforting hand on her shoulder, but decided against it.
    “Look—I know you’ve no reason to trust me at this point, but...it really will be for the best if we stay together. It’s true we hardly know one another, but I guarantee you that somehow I’m going to get you home. I can’t help but feel responsible for this.”
    “Wait a minute…If you brought us here so easily, can’t we just…go back?” Penny frowned.
    “If only it were that easy,” he sighed. “Before last night, I’ve only managed to jump between worlds once, and it was completely by mistake―in a moment of panic. I spent the better part of these last four years trying to figure out anything I could about trans-world travel, but it’s amounted to nothing more than mere speculation. I can’t tell you how frustrating it is to know that I have this ability, but am unable to use it. But where there’s a can , there’s a how ―so there’s got to be somebody or something that has an explanation,” Professor Arlington mused.
    “Well, as long as we’re mixed up in this, we might as well make the best of it, hmm?” He leaned his head to the side and tried to smile. “So, um―I’ll look out for you until I find a way of getting us back. What I mean is―you can trust me, I suppose,” he added, sounding afraid of what he was promising.
    Penny was taken aback and found herself unsure of what to say. “Thanks,” she mumbled.
    An awkward silence ensued, and then Professor Arlington gestured for her to follow him downstairs.
    Stepping back out into the street, Professor Arlington spoke again. “If I’m going to be completely honest, I need you. I’m unable to perform any sort of enchantment or spell of any kind without you around―I use your magic, remember? The people in this world don’t give off the same type of aura I was talking about earlier―”
    “Then how did you cast the tracking spell?” asked Penny with a raised brow.
    “I had to wander around until I could feel your magic,” he admitted. “Anyway, I believe our first order of business is to get some proper clothing, a meal, and shelter.”
    “And how do you intend to pay for all that? Were you thinking of bartering your sweater vest? I’m not sure if Argyle is in right now, though,” Penny scoffed, gesturing to a nearby man in a purple frock-coat.
    Professor Arlington shrugged. “I...summoned some money earlier, when you were still asleep.”
    Penny processed this, her eyes narrowing. “Summoned? Like, you―conjured it out of thin air?”
    “No, not exactly. It’s impossible to make something out of nothing―surely you must know that. Just because I call it magic does not imply that it can break the rules of science,” Professor Arlington said, choosing each word with heightened caution. “I simply used a spell to summon up a bit of money from the collective source of private funds of the populace and banks of this nearby region.”
    Incredulous, Penny laughed. “Oh, so this is just a roundabout way of saying that you stole it!” she cried.
    “I know it sounds immoral!”
    “— is immoral,” Penny corrected.
    “But just think of it as—as a mandatory donation to those who are in need,” he argued, looking a bit troubled himself before breaking down with a sigh. “It was only a little from each person. I doubt they’ll even notice anything is missing.”
    “I can’t believe you.” Penny shook her head.
    “All right, then, we’ll do it your way. I’ll send the money back and we’ll have to do our best to find a job in a world we don’t belong in, so we can find our way home eventually. How does that sound?”
    Penny contemplated this and fell silent. “Okay, I see your point.”
    “Keep in mind, I’ve done this all before. I was wrenched from my home world, Nelvirna, to Earth with only the clothes on my back and I somehow managed to integrate my way into your immeasurably peculiar