Discovery: Altera Realm Trilogy Read Online Free PDF Page B

now she couldn't seem to stop. "Hunter," she repeated.
    Joyce cleared her throat, pulling Syney's attention away from Hunter. She smiled knowingly, as only a mother who
knew
her daughter had a crush could.
    "Oh, god. I've got to pack," Syney said quickly and headed upstairs.
    "So, Hunter, is it? Are you a teacher?" Joyce asked.
    Syney immediately turned around and dragged her mother up the stairs with her. "I really need your help, Mom. We can all chat later."
    Once upstairs Syney pulled her large suitcase from the closet. "Are you really sure you want me to go?"
    Joyce looked at her daughter. "I'm...not sure. Something's telling me I have to let you go, like it's your destiny, but there's the part of me that's going to miss my daughter."
    Syney smiled at her and gave her a big bear hug. "I'm going to miss you too."
    Joyce wiped a tear from her eye. "What are we standing around crying for? We have packing to do." She began to open Syney's drawers and pull out clothes.
    Syney sighed and joined her. This had better be one amazing adventure.

Cassandrianna

    "I'm not so sure I like her," Cass grumbled, and leaned against the SUV they had "borrowed" a few days ago. The Village had no use for cars, but Raine always had been good with machines.
    Raine chuckled as he slid a suitcase into the trunk. It had been a couple of hours since Syney had agreed to come with them and now they were packing up her stuff—all of it.
    "I mean, how much stuff does she really need?" Cass asked, rolling her eyes.
    Raine closed the trunk and looked down at her.
    "What?"
    He shrugged. "Nothing. You were so excited to meet her only a few hours ago."
    "Well, that was before I actually met her."
    Raine leaned against the bumper. "Is this because your gift didn't work on her?"
    Cass pouted a little and shrugged weakly. "Maybe."
    "Or is it because she seems to like Hunter more than she likes you?"
    Cass took a few steps from the car and began to pace. "I just don't get it. Everyone loves me! I'm the most liked girl in the Village!" She paused. "And no offense to Hunter, but he is
so
not anyone's favorite. I mean, maybe yours, but all you guys have that brotherhood thing going on so you have to like each other."
    "Are you done ranting yet?" Raine asked. He motioned to a set of bushes to the right.
    Cass looked over and saw two ears sticking up from behind them. "Oh, crap." She looked at Raine and lowered her voice to a whisper. "Do you think he heard me?"
    Raine suppressed a laugh and nodded.
    Cass sighed. "Sorry. I . . . I didn't mean it. I'm just a little flustered," she said. "You think he's mad?" she asked Raine.
    He shook his head. "He doesn't understand it. Trust me. He would much rather have Syney like you than for her to like him."
    Cass nodded. Hunter never had enjoyed the company of Cass's people, mainly because he hadn't been raised around them, as most Protectors had. In normal circumstances, he would prefer his own company to that of most others. "So when are we leaving?"
    "Whenever she's ready," Raine said. "We shouldn't rush her."
    Cass kicked a rock from the driveway. "I know. And I shouldn't be taking this so seriously." She took a deep breath. "I need to make more of an effort."
    Raine nodded and smiled at her. "Why don't you see if she needs any help."
    She looked at him through narrowed eyes. "You think she'll want me to? Maybe we should send Hunter."
    There was a growl from the bushes.
    "OK, OK. I'm going to play nice," Cass said, and headed for the Andrews' house. She found Syney packing some books in her room. "We have a huge library at St. Dominic's," she said.
    Syney looked up. "Oh, I'm packing too much, aren't I?" She gave a nervous laugh. "I'm always afraid I'm going to leave something, you know?"
    Cass's mood lightened a little. "I wouldn't know. I've never really gone anywhere."
    "Except the school, right?" Syney asked slowly.
    "Actually my parents are...teachers there. I've been there since I was born," Cass said, sitting down on