Chapter Fourteen

Erika’s heart pounded as she surveyed the armed mob facing them. Those men had seemed to spring from the ground, if her eyes hadn’t deceived her.

Or could they be using a similar technology to Magnor’s invisibility shield? Perhaps they’d been here all along, and when their prey appeared, they’d shown themselves.

Magnor thrust her aside and drew his sword.

She clucked her tongue. “And here I thought our escape had been too easy.”

“What do you mean?

“Algie may have let me go so as to discover our mission.”

“I doubt it. Her experiments are her prime concern. But just to be sure, I’ll scan you after we’re away from here to make certain she hasn’t planted a tracking device.”

Erika nodded at the mob encroaching on them. “Why don’t you make us vanish again?”

“Good idea. It’s best if we save this battle for later.”

He sheathed his sword, twisted toward her, and grasped her hand. Then he turned the dial on his belt.

The beings with vacant eyes halted in unison. They seemed stymied by their quarry’s vanishing act.

Magnor urged her toward the tour center’s rear. She hurried along beside him. Any minute, she expected to see the monster wolf reappear.

Her heart pounded as Magnor passed the back end of the structure and kept going. At the opposite side of the building, he stopped and pointed to a nearby tree.

“We’ll go in from the roof. They won’t be expecting us that way. How are you at climbing?” He let go of her hand and switched off his shield.

Discerning his intent, she swallowed her doubt. “The only thing I’ve ever climbed is stairs.”

“Those branches look sturdy. You go first.”

They made it with only a few scrapes and scratches. At the rooftop, Magnor found an unlatched door. Soon they found themselves on the ground floor inside the building. Erika gave a whoosh of relief that no troops waited to ambush them. Magnor led her along a corridor and downstairs to the lower level.

“Assuming I can reset the portal’s coordinates, we can transport from here to Copenhagen.” He moved forward with the grace and agility of a trained hunter, even though they were the hunted in this case.

Wondering how her life had fallen into such disorder, she stood by while Magnor fiddled with the control panel on the column supporting the portal’s arch. When he signaled to her to step onto the dais, she complied without hesitation. Did she really trust him so completely?

She trusted the man to look after her safety. No matter what he planned to do once they defeated the invading beasts, he cared about her well-being.

On the dais, she steeled herself as the disorienting sensation of a vector transfer encased her. Time and space swirled around her as she tumbled into a void. Her heart fluttered as a momentary panic seized her.

Then objects clarified and they were in a similar room but different. Instead of a single overhead light, this place had recessed lighting. A desk sat in one corner with a computer and a blanked out monitor.

Her ears buzzed, and her equilibrium wavered. She drew in a long breath. Feeling steadier, she glanced at her companion. Magnor had stepped off the dais and taken out his PIP to confirm their location. She admired the impressive figure he made with his somber bearded face and his powerful physique.

Whether he liked it or not, they were wed. And one of these days, she really wanted to see what that meant in the classic sense.

“Why do you dawdle? Let’s go.” He gestured for her to follow him toward the door.

“Where are we? Did we make it to Copenhagen?”

“Yes, this time we landed in the right place.”

“Hallelujah!” Her voice burst out like air from a balloon. What an awesome way to travel—no hassle with the airlines or ticket prices. Despite the uncomfortable falling sensation, she could get used to this means of transit.

He paused to smile at her, and the transformation to his face took her breath away. “You haven’t traveled much, have you?”

A purse strap slid off her shoulder, and she slung it back on. “My pottery studio has kept me busy, plus I haven’t had the time or money to travel. At least, I didn’t have the funds until we won the contest back in Vegas. I hope the money is still in my account. I need it to earn my education degree.”

“Have you no thoughts of a family?” His gaze deepened and slid to her mouth.

Heat rose in her cheeks. “Marriage means someone else to criticize me like my parents and older sisters. I hadn’t considered it until I met you.”

Oh God, had she really said that aloud? Yet when he looked at her like that, her bones melted and her resistance faded.

Regret etched his features. “As much as I’d like to continue this discussion, we must move on. If this place runs true to the other portals, it’s located in a tourist attraction that serves as a recruitment center.”

“If I recall, your friend Nira mentioned Jolheim Gardens. That would suit the purpose.”

He twisted a dial on his PIP. “Before we go any further, let me scan you for surveillance devices. I doubt Algie planted anything on you, but we should be certain.” A pause. “Good, you’re clean. I didn’t think she’d have let you go so easily.” His eyes narrowed as he regarded her, and she knew he waited for an explanation of how she’d gotten away.

Leaning past him, she opened the door. “It’s quiet for now. Come on, we have a mission to accomplish.” Aware he’d pursue the topic later, she stepped into a windowless, winding corridor that branched in several directions.

“If this is like other Trollek recruitment centers, we’re underground.” Magnor’s cape flapped behind him as he quickened his pace. “I doubt the clue I need is down here.”

She scurried to keep up. “You’re looking for a clue and not the actual book?”

“I’m not sure. We need to see where we are once we surface and take it from there.”

The complex appeared deserted, making her wonder what time of day it was in their current locale. They found a flight of steps, pushed open the door at the top, and exited into a vacant gift shop. She heaved a sigh of relief that it wouldn’t be a repeat of their experience at the film studio.

Shortly thereafter, they emerged outside in the temperate night air. She gaped at the sight before them.

Thousands of tiny white light bulbs decorated the leafy trees overhead, casting sparkles of light over colorful flower beds and fairytale-like buildings. Beyond a central lake rose the curves of an enormous rollercoaster.

“This has to be the amusement park,” she said.

Magnor peered around with a frown. “We could search the premises now, but daylight would be better.” His gaze zeroed in on her. “Besides, you look exhausted. It’s been a trying day. Let’s get lodgings and return in the morning.”

He calls being chased and captured by the enemy a trying day? Her shoulders sagged as fatigue set in. Now that they’d reached their destination and weren’t under imminent attack, she experienced an overwhelming need to rest.

“I’m with you, husband.” She accompanied him past a carousel with miniature Viking ships instead of horses and an Arabian-style palace housing a restaurant. Suppressing a yawn, she proceeded toward the main exit.

Considering the confusing layout of the place, it might be helpful to get a map before they returned. She should see about picking one up at the ticket booth.

Suddenly Magnor stopped and cursed.

“What’s wrong?” Alarm jerked her to full wakefulness.

“I forgot to see which building we left, the one with the portal.”

“Oh.” A puff of air escaped her lungs. She’d thought those zombies might have popped up from the ground again. Jumpier than she’d thought, Erika resumed walking. “This place might have multiple entrances to the complex below. I wouldn’t worry about it.”

“You’re right.”

Once at the main entrance, they climbed over a barrier. She spied a price list at a ticket window and gulped.

“Ah, Magnor, how are we doing for cash? We’re going to need to buy tickets during peak hours. I can use my credit cards but then our location could be pinpointed.”

He reached into his pants pocket. “I still have a supply of kewa stones. Will that suffice?”

“We should get some local currency.” She stared at an urban vista of tall buildings and broad avenues in front of them. “It must be the middle of the night,” she guessed from the paucity of traffic.

Magnor made an adjustment to his wrist unit. “Local time is three o’clock in the morning.”

“No wonder I feel so zonked.” She scanned the ticketing counter, but no maps were available. Maybe their hotel would have a business center where she could look up the information.

Now they only had to find a place with a vacancy.

They crossed the street and strode along an empty sidewalk. Street lamps lit the night as Erika shivered. She didn’t care to be out and about on a lonely street. No telling who, or what, might emerge from the dark to accost them.

Magnor pointed. “There’s a hostelry we can try.”

She noted the fancy hotel sign up ahead. The brick building looked to house a bastion of European formality. Aware that every moment they lingered outside was one in which they could be attacked, she hurried in that direction.

The painted gray hotel with white trim had five stories and resided on a corner of the wide boulevard. A cornerstone gave 1890 as the year of construction. To their left was outdoor seating for an adjacent restaurant. Its red awnings provided shade, and a row of planters offered a semblance of privacy.

Since the front door was locked, they rang a bell. A sullen staff member appeared to allow them entrance.

Inside, a brightly lit lobby faced them. They padded across the patterned green carpet to the elegant reception desk, manned by a single gentleman at this late hour. Various armchairs with tangerine upholstery sat about the expanse while tables held colorful bouquets of fresh flowers that scented the air. Crystal chandeliers provided lighting for the modernized interior.

“Hi, do you speak English?” Erika asked the sleepy-eyed clerk. “We need a room for the night. Our, uh, train had an unexpected delay and we got in late. Our luggage, unfortunately, got left behind, but we’ll sort it out in the daytime.”

The young man tugged on his rumpled suit jacket. “We have one room available, Madame. All of the rest are sold out. However, we offer free wireless Internet and cable television.” He mentioned a high price.

Erika turned to Magnor. “We’ll have to use my credit card until we can find a bank in the morning.”

“All we need is a jeweler,” he reminded her. “We’ll take it,” he told the clerk.

The man gave him a strange look. But then, who wouldn’t think it odd when a fellow wearing a cape and sword walked into their hotel?

Erika filled out the registration form and offered payment. She’d feel safer once they were upstairs and Magnor put up his perimeter defense, if he’d kept the rods in his backpack.

The room was tastefully decorated, with a king-sized bed, a desk and chair, a TV console, and two night stands.

Heavy drapes covered a wide window. The same color scheme as the lobby prevailed, with a green carpet and orange accents. Lamps provided subdued but adequate illumination.

Radiators stood by the windows but she didn’t see a thermostat. Great, they had heat but no central a/c. Luckily, the temperature was comfortable and they’d only have to tolerate the lack of circulated air for one night.

She flopped her bag on the desk and then sank down wearily on the bed, kicking off her shoes.

“I’m ready to collapse. If you don’t mind, while you set up the defense network, I’ll use the bathroom.”

“Go ahead.” Rummaging in his backpack, he grimaced. “We both need a good night’s rest.”

And so they got one. Erika fell asleep before Magnor even joined her on the bed. By the time she awoke, sunlight streamed through the curtains.

Lying on her side, she blinked her eyes open. Magnor faced her, his beard scruffy and his gaze observant as he leaned on one elbow.

“Are you watching me?”

“Indeed, I am, wife.” His lips curved upward. “You look delightfully cozy in your nightshirt.”

She stretched and groaned. Without having any sleepwear, she’d gone to bed leaving her shirt over her underwear.

“Does this place have a coffeemaker? My head feels heavy, and my nose is stuffed.” Although the air felt comfortable, she bemoaned the lack of ventilation.

“We have water bottles on the desk, compliments of the hotel. Shall I get you one?”

“I’d rather have a jolt of caffeine.”

“What is that?”

“It’s the substance in coffee that wakes you up.” Noticing his blatant stare, she drew the sheet all the way to her neck.

“Come now, don’t be modest. We are married. Look, I’m not shy.” He sat, letting the coverlet fall away.

His bare chest, ridged with musculature, reminded Erika of her wish to consummate their vows. Her body responded with instant heat.

“Wait there. I’ll be right back.”

She lunged from the bed and hastened to the bathroom to freshen up. When she returned, she noticed he’d folded the top bed covers down. He lay in a tantalizing position on the sheet clad only in his briefs. Her gaze zoomed to the bulge at his groin, and her pulse accelerated.

“Come closer, I won’t bite…unless you want me to.” His light, teasing tone both surprised and pleased her.

A coil of answering warmth rose within her. “Shouldn’t we prepare for our excursion today?” she asked, while her body prepared for something else entirely.

“By all means. However, we should discuss our plans first.”

His slow perusal made clear what plans he had in mind.

“So we should. What do you think we might do first?” Several naughty ideas popped into her head.

“You’ll understand better if I show you.”

He slid from the bed and strode toward her. His broad shoulders and sculpted arms produced a responsive need to be held in his embrace. Heavens, he was handsome in a wild warrior sort of way.

You need to be wed to him for a year, an inner voice reminded her. Best satisfy him so he’ll want to stay.

Most women would be glad to bed a hunk like him, and the man was hers for the taking. Did it matter that he’d leave her in the end? Never mind how long they might have together, at least she’d experience what it meant to be a wife. And it wasn’t as though inexperience held her back. Why not share one morning of bliss with him before chaos erupted again?

“I’ll bet you’re tense after last night,” he said, moving to her rear. His hands lit upon her shoulders. “Allow me to ease your discomfort.” Kneading motions followed, making her sigh with pleasure.

He’d found her one weakness. She leaned against him, closing her eyes as he dug into her knots and eased her muscles. Ah, it felt so good. The outer world fell away from her consciousness as his hands worked their magic.

Lower, she wanted to say but kept silent. Her breasts ached from wanting his touch. When he sniffed her hair and blew gently into her ear, a shiver of delight coursed through her.

She curled her fingers, resisting the urge to touch him in return. He was nearly naked, his chest brushing her back. If she reached behind, she could grip his…oh, my.

Too many barriers remained between them. In one swift action, she divested herself of her shirt.

“Oh, heck, why not?” Giving up all pretense of modesty, she stripped off the rest of her clothing and turned toward him.