Transference (The Two Worlds, #2) Read online

  Transference

  The Two Worlds, Volume 2

  Alisha Howard

  Published by Alisha Howard, 2019.

  This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

  TRANSFERENCE

  First edition. December 30, 2019.

  Copyright © 2019 Alisha Howard.

  Written by Alisha Howard.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

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  About the Author

  This book is dedicated to Erinn, my biggest fan.

  Chapter 1

  Once again, the Mince were not happy with me. “Sorry, sorry,” I mumbled as I half-ran, half-hopped in an attempt not to trample them all. The little blue green blades of grass tittered, darting out of my way as I wound through their fields, my breath creating a dense fog in the darkness. Just because I was an Awakener, a being that was able to bring things to life, didn’t mean I was in tip-top shape. For the umpteenth time since I had started running, I mentally kicked myself for skipping out on gym class for years.

  Then I made a silent promise to do something nice for the Mince once this was all over. The three moons were high and bright in the sky above me, watching the progress I made with amusement. I ignored them. Time was of the essence. I had awoken tonight on Turgor in a cold sweat. When I’d gone to sleep on Earth, I’d fully expected to wake up on the planet I was currently running on in the bed in my house on this planet and start my day. Instead, when I’d closed my eyes, I’d had a vision. And when the vision had been done with me, I’d ended up in the field of Mince, confused and frightened out of my mind. That hadn’t happened since the first day I’d found Turgor. The vision was a warning. One I planned on heeding.

  The small gate that opened up to the city of Brozek beckoned in the distance, and I took another series of short breaths before pushing myself towards it. Magic seized my body. I closed my eyes as I felt myself shrink down from the five-feet-nine-inches that I was on Earth to the two-feet I needed to be to pass through the gate. When I opened my eyes, the huge brown door loomed over me, giving off a sense of danger. Choosing to ignore the dread that was twisting my stomach, I pushed through it and stumbled out on the other side.

  The city was quiet. It was late and the buses were done running. I bent over at the waist and placed my hands on my knees while catching my breath. I focused on the small gold ring that was currently sitting on my right ring finger. It was gifted to me by my friend Mimi and was currently glittering in the moonlight. I kept my focus until my heartbeat slowed down to normal levels before slowly standing to look around. Even though it was late, the streets would usually have a few creatures moseying around. Tonight it seemed as though everyone had decided to go to bed early. Or they were hiding. Shaking that last thought from my head, I frowned and looked over to the silver-grey metal mailbox that was perched on the street corner.

  “Excuse me,” I whispered as I walked up to it, “but do you know if there are any taxis coming through this way?” The mailbox didn’t respond. I huffed and moved closer. “Excuse me?” Small slits above the handle opened and tightened as the beady eyes focused on me.

  “Go away!” the box hissed. Its voice was grating on the nerves, like long fingernails scraping tin foil.

  I clenched my jaw. “I just need to get home,” I pressed. “The taxis?”

  The box swung around to face me. On Turgor, everything that was Created by powerful beings called Creators had the potential to be brought to life through Awakening. Most things that were inanimate on Earth were very much alive on this planet.

  “I’m not supposed to be talking to you,” it insisted as it began walking away. I grit my teeth. Why on Turgor wouldn’t a mailbox be able to talk to me?

  I followed it. “Surely, you know the taxi schedule. I bet this is your regular corner.”

  The mailbox sighed and turned to face me, raising its slanted eyes up to meet mine before dropping them again. “The next taxi is in twenty minutes,” it mumbled. “Now please. Leave me alone!” It spun on its outer leg and ambled off, the mail in it thumping gently as it made its way down the street. I stood watching it go with my mouth open. It had been months since I’d arrived on Turgor, but I was still getting used to the beings and their attitudes. Being a Southern girl from Mississippi back on Earth, I had become accustomed to southern manners. But Turgorians had no qualms about being rude.

  I tensed. Something didn’t sit right with me. There was a thought that was knocking at the back of my brain begging for attention, but I pushed it aside. The vision. I needed to get home. I walked up the street and sat on a wooden bench to wait for the taxi. A cold wind whipped around me, reminding me that winter in Turgor was almost here. I shivered and pulled my sweater close. At least I had woken up with warm clothes on. I glanced at my watch. Ten minutes left.

  Blowing out a frustrated breath, I closed my eyes and leaned back against the bench, enjoying the fresh scent of the night air. Turgorians used vehicles powered by magic and the trees did a fantastic job of keeping the air pure. It was one of my favorite things about my second home. The vision I’d had danced through my mind again. My heartbeat jumped a notch and I pulled my sweater tighter.

  What bothered me was that I wasn’t supposed to have visions.

  Awakening things and bringing them to life was my power. Not seeing the future. Especially a future like the one that had been shown to me. I opened my eyes and glanced down at my watch. Where was the taxi? I stood up and looked down the street that stretched into the darkness. Another chilly wind whipped around me.

  “It’s not coming,” a tight voice bit out from behind me. Startled, I spun around to face Kris, the Death Walker I had Awakened by accident a few months ago. He was frowning, his green eyes standing out against golden skin, flashing with both disapproval and anger. I stared at him, taking in his seven-foot-tall lanky frame clad in a plain fitted black T-shirt and dark blue jeans. Black boots adorned his large feet. His dark, bone-straight hair had started to grow again since our first meeting and was now sitting just past his shoulders, a lock of it falling into his eyes. Strong arms were crossed tightly against his chest.

  I closed my mouth and frowned at him. “What are you doing here?”

  “Coming to get you before you get yourself in trouble,” he answered as he walked closer. I swallowed. Ever since I had awakened him, he had been increasingly hostile towards me. You would think me bringing him back to life after centuries of being dead would earn me some gratitude, but Kris was anything but grateful. He made it known any chance he got that he was not happy about being involved in my life. Apparently, my Awakening him had changed his powers and he wasn’t sure what he could or couldn’t do anymore. I took a step back to put some distance between us and m
imicked his folded arms, pulling mine close to my body.

  “I’m taking a taxi home.” I turned away from him and looked back down the street. “I don’t need your help.”

  “Apparently, you do, girl,” he muttered, his warm breath tickling my neck. I shuddered but held my ground. I wasn’t going to let him see me rattled. Before I could open my mouth to retort, he grabbed my shoulder and the world began to spin. My stomach dropped and I cried out, lunging forward. Kris’ arms wrapped around me and I instinctively leaned back against him, fighting the overwhelming dizziness. We spun round and round, colors blurring in front of me. Tears threatened to fall at the corner of my eyes and I wiggled, struggling to catch a breath. Just as I thought I would pass out, we stopped moving. I bit back a cry and pushed myself away from him, stumbling on the pavement.

  “Take deep breaths,” he ordered. I made a rude gesture towards him and then followed his instructions. The dizziness began to subside and I stood up.

  “What is wrong with you?” I shrieked. “What did you do to me?!”

  “I brought you home,” he replied as he walked by me up to the front door of my small blue house with yellow round shutters. He walked in and left the door open, apparently done with me. I grit my teeth and followed him, reminding myself to be happy that I was finally home.

  “Kay!” my house, who I had affectionately named Dia, cried out. “Where were you? I was so worried!”

  I smiled and rubbed her siding before walking in and closing the door behind me. “Thanks, Dia. I’m OK. For some reason, I woke up in the Mince field.”

  Dia rumbled her discontentment. “You always wake here.”

  “I know. I’m not sure what went wrong.” I plopped down on my plush couch and let out a sigh before remembering I wasn’t alone. Kris sat in the opposite chair and ignored me, his face hidden by the latest edition of The Brozek Ledger, the city’s main newspaper. I lived on the outskirts in Tormey, a suburb a short bus ride away. I sat up and glared at him.

  “How did you bring me here?” I demanded. He continued to ignore me.

  Frustration built and I gave his foot a swift kick, sending tingles down my leg. I ignored those and waited as he slowly lowered the paper and glared back at me, his mouth a slash of irritation. “Don’t make me repeat my question,” I snapped.

  “I teleported you here,” he answered, his voice dangerously low. “If you were doing what you were supposed to be doing and keeping track of the events on Turgor, you would have known that a planet-wide curfew was put in place last night. No taxi was coming to get you.”

  I frowned. I was notoriously forgetting to check my DiGi, a magical notebook that listed my current Turgorian assignment and any news updates. Why would a curfew be put in place? “But the mailbox said—”

  “The mailbox lied,” he said, his voice icy. Before I could say more, he raised his newspaper, effectively dismissing me. I felt my temper rise and was just about to give him a piece of my mind when Dia’s doorbell rang. I took a deep breath and got up to open the door, coming face to face with my best friend, Rena. I glanced at the small clock above the fireplace before looking back at her. What was she doing here so late?

  “Nia called me,” she said, reading my questioning face correctly. “We’re having a meeting.”

  “What’s the meeting about? I replied, letting her in before closing the door.

  “I don’t know,” she said, her eyes wide. Rena was a native of Turgor and was half-Undine, half-Death Walker. Her skin and eyes changed colors with her mood and right now they were both a dull grey.

  “Well, why wasn’t I alerted about this meeting?” I paced in my small foyer.

  “Did you check your DiGi?” Rena asked. I made a noise of annoyance.

  “No,” I began, “but I have another life, you know. I just can’t up and check my notebook every few hours. I have school and friends and activities—”

  “What activities? You’re the laziest student I know.” came an amused voice from behind me. I didn’t bother turning. There was only one person I knew of that was bold enough to open a portal in my living room without my permission.

  “Nia, don’t you ever knock?”

  My sister walked around to stand in front of me with a grin on her face. “Nope.” I studied her silently. Nia was one of my best friends and constant confidante, but only she got on my nerves in a way a sister could.

  She was a year older than me and my complete opposite—gorgeous with long lean legs, honey brown skin and eyes you could get lost in hidden behind thick eyelashes. Compared to her, I was nothing to write home about. I was short, with super thick curly hair and mud brown eyes. My skin wasn’t above breaking out with a pimple or two whereas Nia’s skin was always clear and glowing. We basically had to beat the boys at our high school off of her with a stick. Today she was wearing fitted black jeans, a cream cashmere sweater and black knee-high boots. She tossed her perfect, highlighted brown hair over her shoulder and nodded at Rena before plopping down on the couch.

  I reluctantly followed her, Rena on my heels, noticing that neither one of them acknowledged Kris. Nia didn’t like Kris any more than he liked her, and Rena seemed to be afraid of him. The tension in the room was so thick, it could be cut with a knife. Sitting in the armchair across from Kris, I looked over at Nia. “So what’s this meeting about?”

  “News from the Council,” she said, looking worried. “Grandpa is on his way.”

  I blew out a breath of frustration. What was with all of the suspense? On cue, Grandpa walked in, not bothering to knock. Dia closed the door behind him. I stood up and gave Grandpa a peck on the cheek before sitting back down.

  “Hi, Grandpa,” Nia said, giving him a smile.

  “Hi, girls,” he replied. His brown eyes looked over all of us before he sat down next to Rena. I swore, every time we saw him, his hair had more grey in it. Even his mustache had grey in it. Being one of the planet’s most prestigious historians had to be a hard job. And because he was so needed, he never went back home. Currently, his body was back on Earth in a coma. The beautiful part about Turgor was that the magic allowed for our minds to be transported while our bodies stayed behind on our home planets. Usually, we would appear to be asleep but since Grandpa was on special assignment, the Council had arranged for him to be put into the coma. Our grandmother was none the wiser. “Thanks for coming on short notice,” he told Rena and Kris.

  “What’s the emergency?” Kris replied. Grandpa was the only one he seemed to like.

  “There’ve been...rumors,” Grandpa began. He spread his hands apologetically. “I didn’t want to say anything until I knew for sure, but apparently, you three girls have been placed under twenty-four-seven surveillance.” He nodded at me, Nia and Rena.

  “By whom?” Rena asked.

  “The Senior Council.” Grandpa took a deep breath. “They want to know more about your power and that’s why they’ve kept you on detention duty. To keep a close eye on you. My sources confirmed with me this morning. They have spies everywhere. Your comings and goings are being constantly tracked.”

  We all sat for a moment and digested what he’d said. The Senior Council was the most powerful political group on the planet. They were the ones who issued assignments to each magical student and passed laws.

  One of their members, Paul Lynch, had tried to kill us a few months ago after finding out that Nia and I were a part of an ancient prophecy that might upset the power they held. This little fact hadn’t stopped the rest of the Council from upholding the detention they’d given us as punishment for breaking a few magical rules in the process of saving ourselves. Every other day after school, we were to report to the dark, dank, musty file room in the dungeons of their headquarters for file sorting and any other mundane task they could think to throw at us. It was almost worse than being threatened with execution.

  “So what does this mean?” Nia spoke up. “We’ve done nothing wrong.”

  “They have more than just the Council
to worry about,” Kris said to Grandpa, ignoring Nia. “I spoke with Nico last night... Jarem has been hunting Death Walkers in an attempt to find out where the girls are. The Walkers were the ones to petition a city-wide curfew. They don’t want innocent bystanders to become victims of any KaKonian attacks.”

  I bit the inside of my cheek to stop from giving Kris a piece of my mind. Instead, I thought about what Grandpa had said. Jarem was one of the highest-ranking generals of the KaKonians. The thought of his snarling face drifted into my mind.

  Grandpa looked ashen. “What is he doing to the Walkers?”

  “Never mind that,” Kris muttered. “But we don’t want the League of Death Walkers going against the girls in retaliation.”

  “These girls are sitting right here,” Nia snapped. “And if you can’t show us some respect in Kay’s house, you can leave, Kris.” They stared at each other for a few moments until I cleared my throat. Nia rolled her eyes and turned back to Grandpa. “What should we do?”

  “I think it’s time we go off the grid, Nia,” Grandpa said. “If Jarem is blatantly threatening the Walkers, then he’s no longer in hiding. It’s only a matter of time before he finds where you spend all of your time, and where Rena and Kay are living.”

  “And despite what you may think,” Kris said, “you’re not strong enough to fight him.”

  “Kris,” I said, standing up. “You don’t have to be here. Go. We don’t need your help.”

  Kris stood up, too, towering over me. His green eyes blazed with hatred. “Oh, I have to be here,” he spat. “You woke me. I didn’t ask to be dragged into this mess. But I have been, and they’ve destroyed my home. So thanks to you, I have nowhere else to go.”

  I stared in shock. Destroyed his home? Where exactly had he lived?

  Rena spoke before I could. “I thought you lived in the Giza Graveyard. That’s still there.”

  Kris cut his eyes to her. “I did. The KaKonians have destroyed my family’s tombs. The other Walkers refuse to let us take refuge with them in fear that the same will happen to them.” His eyes landed back on me. “Those tombs were in our family for centuries.”