Fly: A PORTAL Chronicles Novel (The PORTAL Chronicles) (38 page)

“What!?!” Mia looked shocked. “The train station? Are you crazy?”

“Chill.” He kissed the top of her head on his way into her dorm. “It was totally fine. Nothing happened,” he said from behind her, then shooting me a look that said,
well, not exactly nothing.

A love drunk fool, all I could do was laugh, joy bubbling from the depths of me. Mia narrowed her eyes at me before looking over her shoulder at Everett, who was already straight-faced again. Turning back to me with a frown, she motioned me in, watching as Everett and I settled a little closer than normal on the couch. It was all I could do not to grab his hand or put my arm through his.

“Something’s up,” she said, looking back and forth at us. “What are you two not telling me?” Everett maintained his innocent expression, but I broke, smiling guiltily. Mia gasped. “No! You two? You told her? He told you?” The looks on our faces must have confirmed her suspicions for she exclaimed, “Finally! Sophie, this boy has been talking my ear off about you for the past six months. It was about time he made a move.”

“Mia!” Everett said, looking embarrassed.

“You’re in love with her. She’s in love with you. So what?” she said, dismissing him with a wave of her hand. “How ‘bout we make some breakfast to celebrate?” Famished, Everett and I nodded our agreement. “Good. You two can cook,” she said, heading for the kitchen.

Everett chuckled at her, shaking his head. “Not to be a party pooper, but I should check in with Sal,” he said, holding up his cell phone.

“Go. I’ve got it covered,” I said. “You can use my dorm if you need some privacy.”

“Thanks. You’re the best.” He kissed my cheek before leaving.

I was secretly thankful to be left alone with Mia, allowing me to recount my amazing evening — and morning — with Everett while cooking breakfast.

“Oh, Sophie! Wow!” she collapsed against the kitchen counter in response. “Those Sinclair boys sure can kiss, huh? I think it’s their soft, pillowy lips,” she said, puckering exaggeratingly.

“Mia!” I laughed, swatting her with a spatula.

“What? It is! It’s all in the lips,” she laughed. “I’m so happy Everett finally told you. I’ve been rooting for you two since I noticed him changing in Portland.”

“How so?” I asked, carefully flipping a slice of French toast in a pan.

“He seemed happier there. After seeing him in such a deep depression here, it was like night and day. He was suddenly upbeat and laughing.” She paused in thought and smiled. “And the way he talked about you — he’d never spoken of a girl that way. But he wouldn’t admit anything, so I talked to his mom.”

“You did what?” I asked, mortified.

“Relax! Victory’s cool. She agreed Everett was acting differently, so I knew my instincts weren’t far off, and, sure enough, he admitted he liked you shortly after you came to Brightman.”

“Well, it makes sense that Victory knows. I thought she was watching me closely when I saw her last month.”

Mia laughed. “She probably wanted to get to know the girl who turned her overly serious, responsible son into an obsessive, bumbling idiot.”

“He’s not that bad off, is he?”

“Uh, yeah! Believe it or not, I didn’t tell Victory that Everett liked you. I mean, she had her suspicions and all, but he told her himself.” I gaped. “I know, right! What nineteen-year-old guy does that? When he turned to Victory for advice, I knew it was serious. You are what changed Everett this summer, and we’re all glad you did. He truly cares about you, Sophie.”

“Thanks. I feel very fortunate.”

“And between you and me, I later regretted confronting Everett about liking you, because he hasn’t shut up about you since!” She mimicked, “Mia, I just don’t know what to do. I like her so much, but what if it’s not right? What if I screw up our friendship? What if it’s not Dio’s will? What if she doesn’t like me back? What if! What if! What if! Blah. Blah. Blah.”

We laughed. Girl talking about such frivolous things was a nice reprieve from the dire circumstances we all faced. I’d always thought it odd to talk about boys in the past, but just like kissing Everett and proclaiming my love, this, too, felt natural.

Everett walked into the kitchen then with a cocky smirk. “I know I’m amazing and all, but you two really ought to stop talking about me. I might get a big head.”

Mia and I shared a look before bursting into laughter again.

Everett grimaced, realizing what he’d meant as a joke wasn’t far off. “Sorry to leave you hanging, Sophie.”

“It’s fine. You’re not the only one who can cook,” I said, plating the last piece of perfectly browned French toast. “Besides, you were busy with more important matters.” Holding out his plate, I turned to face him.

“Thanks. This looks great!” He planted a zealous kiss on my lips before heading to the dining table.

I steadied myself on the kitchen counter feeling like I might melt like butter. With big eyes and a stifled smile, Mia quickly grabbed her plate and scampered away. Somehow getting my wobbly legs to work, I managed to follow after her.

“How was your phone call?” Mia asked, plopping into a dining chair.

“Phone calls,” Everett corrected. “I talked to my dad, Sal, and Dr. Smitherson, explaining and apologizing for our abrupt disappearance. Dad wasn’t thrilled, but don’t worry, my head will grow back.”

Mia winced. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Thankfully, Sal and Dr. Smitherson were a little more forgiving.”

“Does that mean Sal will awaken Sophie soon?” Mia asked, excitedly.

Everett looked to me. “It’s up to her.”

“The sooner the better so you can help the rest of us figure out our powers.”

“What do you mean?” I asked Mia.

Everett groaned, shooting Mia a reproving glare. “Is it too much to ask for a lighthearted breakfast without talk of death, demons, or Divaldo?”

“Sorry, but she’s going to find out sooner or later,” Mia shrugged.

“What are you two talking about?” I asked.

“Mia can do the honors since she deemed it necessary to open this most gratuitous can of worms.”

“Why certainly, Everett,” Mia played along with a roll of her eyes. Sighing, she turned to me. “Sophie, there are a limited number of powers or gifts that we at PORTAL are aware of. No two people in a generation have ever had the same power. Traditionally, older, more experienced PORTAL agents, known as Alphas, mentor the younger agent who has the same power as them. This process worked fine until about ten years ago when Divaldo saw how detrimental your mom’s death was to PORTAL, sparking the idea for the Alpha Project, a campaign to kill all of PORTAL’s Alphas, thus crippling the agency’s progress.”

I nodded, catching on. “So, Divaldo killed off the Alphas to prevent them from teaching incoming younger PORTAL agents about their powers?”

“Exactly,” Everett said. “Long story short, Divaldo got to everyone save my parents, Sal, and a few others. The Alpha Project wiped out an entire generation of PORTAL agents, and with it, knowledge and resources on the powers they’d mastered, leaving the incoming generation, like you, me, and Mia, clueless about their powers.”

“Explaining why you’re largely unfamiliar with your gifts and slowly discovering them through trial and error,” I deduced.

“Yup. Take me, for example,” Mia said. “I’m a Mantler, someone who can open the mantles of the sky so new portals — new connections — can be activated between Earth and Alethia. Angels use these portals to travel to Earth, helping in our fight against Divaldo.

“Unfortunately, the last Mantler was killed in the Alpha Project, forcing PORTAL to totally change its strategy. The agency used to fight offensively, blanketing the world with open portals, which allowed angels access to various locations more quickly, but now that PORTAL no longer has the ability to create new portals, we’re deduced to merely protecting a few remaining good portals so Divaldo can’t steal them, while guarding the bad portals to prevent any more demons from infesting Earth.”

“In other words, the tide won’t change until the new generation masters their gifts, but that can’t happen without instruction from Dio on how to use their powers, which can only come from me,” I said.

“It’s why you bring hope to so many,” Mia said. “PORTAL hasn’t had open communication with Dio since your mom’s death, explaining why the sooner you’re awakened, the better.”

“Then let’s do it. I’m in,” I said, determined to help any way I could. I was sick of Divaldo’s bullying tactics and hearing about the countless lives he’d taken. It was time for somebody to stop him, for PORTAL to take back control. “If I have anything to do with it, Divaldo’s fun is over.”

“Wow! Look at you, Miss Confidence,” Mia beamed. “That’s great!”

Everett was a little less thrilled, grabbing my hand with concern in his eyes. “Are you sure? You can wait if you don’t feel ready.”

“I’m ready,” I assured him. “Like you said before, this whole thing is bigger than me and my stupid insecurities. If agents’ safety and ability to protect themselves depends on me, then it’s a no-brainer. The sooner we figure out our powers, the stronger we’ll be and the faster we’ll defeat Divaldo.”

“I thought you two dating was great news, but this is even better. This calls for a celebration!” Mia squealed.

“And what are we doing now?” Everett asked sarcastically.

“This is breakfast. I’m talking about a real celebration,” Mia said, bouncing with excitement. “A nice dinner! I know just the place.”

“No, that isn’t necessary,” I said, smiling. Mia’s enthusiasm was contagious.

“Are you kidding me? You’re joining PORTAL and Divaldo is going to get his butt kicked! This is definitely worth celebrating. And I have the perfect idea.” Mia ran to her room and emerged with a fancy black dress before throwing it at me, hanger and all.

Everett snatched it right before it fell into my syrupy plate of French toast, laughing, “What’s gotten into you?”

“Sophie, wear that dress. Everett, wear a suit. Be outside the dorms at seven p.m. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some serious strings to pull.” With that, Mia ran to her room and slammed the door.

I looked to Everett, a bit shocked. “What was that?”

“You have a knack for inspiring the troops,” he said. “See. You are the one after all.”

Chapter 45

Surprise

“You’re nervous,” Everett stated, watching me.

I turned my back on him, for once irritated by his gift of reading me. I didn’t want him to know something was wrong because I didn’t know how to explain it should he ask. How did I define the odd, senseless sensation I had experienced all afternoon and struggled with now?

“Something’s wrong,” he said, rubbing his hands down my arms. “Tell me.”

I sighed. Even without my face to read, he put his finger on it. Maybe it wasn’t my expressions that he read but my body language. Chalking it up as yet another unexplainable thing, I watched for Mia’s arrival from Harmony Hall’s doors questioning what to say. “I don’t know how to explain it,” I admitted.

“But something is wrong?” Everett asked. I remained silent. “Is it something I did?”

I turned, raising my eyes to Everett’s. He looked dapper in his navy blue suit with his hair slicked off his face, bringing the focus all the more to his mesmerizing green eyes. I decided then and there that I preferred his everyday look as it made him seem a smidge more approachable than the look-alike male model standing before me now.

“No.” I forced a smile, feeling bad Everett was taking this personally. “I just can’t shake the feeling that something’s wrong, like something bad is going to happen tonight. I’ve had the feeling since we left Mia’s this morning.”

Everett took my face in his hands. “We’re only going to dinner. What could possibly go wrong?” I shrugged. “It will be fun. Besides, we’re celebrating more than your awakening.”

“Like?”

His eyes sparkled. “You and me.”

“That’s definitely worth celebrating,” I agreed.

Everett dropped his hands to my shoulders, letting his fingers trail my arms until they clutched my hands. “Did I mention you look gorgeous?” he asked, his eyes showing open approval.

“Yes,” I smiled feeling my cheeks warm. “About twenty times.”

I had to admit, I felt quite stunning in the elegant dress Mia lent me. The black gown draped in an X across my chest and cinched at the waist before cascading beautifully to the floor. Add a pair of too-tall stilettos, some makeup, and a simple bun, and I almost looked like I belonged with Everett. Almost.

“How do you survive under this kind of pressure?” I asked. “Between concern over Mia’s wacky plans for the evening, Divaldo’s death threats, and the nagging feeling that something is terribly wrong, I feel like a wreck.”

“Let go, Sophie. No hard thinking tonight. Promise me? There’s time for seriousness later. Let’s enjoy ourselves for once.”

I again raised my eyes to Everett’s. If I was forced to stand here, I might as well ogle something aesthetically pleasing instead of a concrete parking lot.

“This coming from the serial analyst of all things serious?” I snickered. Everett smiled. “Fine. I’ll stop overanalyzing and live in the moment tonight if you do the same.”

“Hmmm. That’s a tall order.” It took me a moment to realize he was being serious. “I’m still on duty.”

“Are you ever off duty?”

“Not when it comes to you.”

“That’s no fun.” I turned my back to him again.

“Oh, it’s lots of fun,” he countered, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his chin on my shoulder. “I get paid to hang out with my girlfriend. I couldn’t have more fun.”

Girlfriend!
I liked the sound of that. “Sounds like your job has lots of perks.”

“Yes! Like this.” He kissed my shoulder, sending happy shivers down my spine. “And this.” He kissed my cheek. “And this.” Tilting my head back, his mouth found mine. I leaned into him, feeling myself melt.

“I like this,” I whispered against his lips.

“What?” he asked, leaning back to look at me.

“This. Us. Finally being able to say how we feel. It feels so—” I stopped, unable to find the word.