Crystal Doors #1 Read Online Free PDF

scrap metal, a variety of unrecognizable implements, and blown-glass beakers filled with colorful fluids. Enormous aquariums built into the curved wall contained colorful fish, peculiar shell creatures, and glowing eels.
    “Looks like some sort of secret clubhouse for mad scientists,” Vic said.
    “Or a medieval alchemist’s laboratory. How did we get here?” She rubbed her temple where she had struck her head on the hard floor. Where could she have fallen from? She and Vic had been walking across the solarium floor. “Do we have amnesia?”
    Running a hand through his messy brown hair, he gave her one of those don’t-be-ridiculous looks. “Huh. I don’t remember getting amnesia.”
    “Very funny.” Gwen thought this over for a moment. “But we got up in the middle of the night. Now it’s broad daylight. We’ve obviously missed something in between. How can we be sure that it’s only been a few hours, instead of days?”
    “First of all, if it was that long since I ate, my stomach would be rumbling like a 6.9 earthquake by now. And remember at Ocean Kingdoms when you were taking forever to pick out your sweatshirt? I kept scratching at a mosquito bite, and they gave me a bandage.”
    “Right,” she said, “a kiddy bandage with a little octopus on it.”
    Vic pointed to his arm. “Same spot, same bandage.” He peeled the strip away, and the mosquito bite beneath it was still large and raw. “See? It’s barely started to heal.”
    “Okay, then, what’s your theory, Einstein?” Gwen was irritated at his logic but more bothered that she hadn’t figured it out for herself.
    Their two strange benefactors stood before them again. The bearded man touched a finger to his temple, to the center of his chest, then held out his flat-palmed hand and waited expectantly. The dark-haired young man made the same gesture, holding his hand palm-side down and parallel to the floor between himself and Vic. The strangers said something in unison that Gwen assumed must be a greeting.
    “What do you think we should do?” she asked Vic.
    “Maybe it’s a secret handshake.”
    Gwen glanced at the older man’s hand, which did look as if it were outstretched for a handshake. “Sure, why not?” With a bright smile to demonstrate her friendliness, she clasped the bearded man’s hand and shook it briefly. “Nice to meet you.”
    Likewise, Vic grabbed the younger man’s hand and pumped it twice before letting go. “And we have no idea what language you’re speaking. You can’t understand a word we’re saying, can you?”
    Moses/Santa frowned, then whispered to the younger man, who left the room. Motioning for the cousins to stay with him, the older man spoke in a ridiculously slow voice, as if that would make him more comprehensible.
    Gwen sensed the man’s growing frustration. “I’m Gwen and this is my cousin Vic. We’re from America.”
    “We may need a translator. Habla usted Espanol?”
    The white-bearded man looked back at Vic with apparent interest but no understanding.
    “Urn, parlez-vous francais?” Gwen added.
    “Er, uh — Sprechen Sie Deutsch?” Still no response.
    “Right. Definitely going to need a translator.” Gwen looked about the room, hoping for some inspiration.
    Just then the handsome dark-haired man returned with a petite, elfin young woman who looked about Vic and Gwen’s age. The girl wore a creamy long gown that draped over one shoulder and flowed down her petite body in elegant folds and ripples like a toga. Curly copper hair fell past her waist. The girl touched a finger to her own temple, to the center of her chest, and held her hand out just as the two men had. Next, the elfin girl touched the fingers of her left hand to the center of Gwen’s forehead. Her name was Lyssandra.
    Gwen jerked backward, losing contact. “Hey! You speak English!”
    Vic looked at his cousin strangely. “Why do you think that?”
    Gwen was exasperated. “Duh? Just now she told us her name is