The Veil Read Online Free PDF

out an electrical unit from a pocket in her dress, which looked like a miniscule version of a Biomote. She squinted down at the display. “Um, so which of you are Troy Campbell, Hollie White and Daniel Jackson?”
    “That’s us,” said Danny. He and Hollie had been staring at fish over the railings. They pushed away and walked over.
    A nearby Troy gave a lopsided grin to the Asrai. “And me.”
    “Fantastic. Please follow me.”
    “Shall we come back out and find you guys when we know where we are?” asked Hollie.
    Gabriella shook her head. “No. Don’t worry, go ahead and get settled. We’ll all meet back here in half an hour.”
    Danny gave a nod and the three Guardians peeled off down a path leading to the far left side of the lake. The rest of the group continued along the main walkway, which lead us right into the middle of the lake. From the corner of my eye, I saw a school of iridescent fish with multiple fins skip along the surface of the water like pebbles.
    The path split into two, and Gilly retrieved her own display unit from a little apron pouch on her front. She gave a butter-wouldn’t-melt smile whilst gesturing a hand at the right-hand path and scanning the display out the corner of her eye. “I need Paul Garrison, Michael Wilson, Scarlett Reid and Delagio...um…unknown last name to follow me.”
    Delagio took off his hat and gave his trademark grin coupled with a wink. “Delagio Unknown Last Name at your service, lil’ one,” he said in his southern drawl. The Asrai gave an involuntary giggle and then led the foursome down the boardwalk towards a cluster of the little homesteads, Delagio’s winkle-picker boots making a series of loud clomps on the wood as he went.
    Freya checked her electronic unit and gave a polite bow. “So that leaves Alexander Eden, Sophia Winters, Huntmaster Gabriella De Luca and Aranvai Valdenia.” She paused for a second and then looked up at Aran. “Oh wow, it says you’re an Urisk. I’ve never met one of your kind.”
    The Luminar had her arms folded behind her back. “That is because it is uncustomary for Urisks to associate with any species beyond their own. Aran is a rare exception to that rule.”
    “Oh I’m sorry…I thought you were Aran.”
    “The Asrai is correct.”
    “Which Asrai?”
    “Freya.”
    “I’m Freya.”
    “Aran is aware.”
    “Um, right…okay,” said Freya, looking utterly confused. “Well anyway, please follow me. Your homesteads are just down here.” The Asrai gestured for us to follow her down a final collection of walkways. She stopped outside the entrance to each pod, which was fronted by a wooden door that opened by a circular handle similar to a ship’s wheel. Sophia entered into hers first without a word, and then after a bit more confusion, Aran went into hers.  Soon only Gabriella and I were left.
    “Here you are, Alexander,” Freya said, stopping by a homestead at the far end of the lake. “I hope you enjoy the room.” She turned her attention to Gabriella. “Now if you’d like to follow me, Huntmaster De Luca, you’re in the Apex Suite at the end.”
    “Come see me in a bit,” said Gabriella, brushing a hand against my arm.
    “Sure.”
    I pressed my palm against the scanner next to the door as the others had done. An electronic voice came from somewhere within.
    Welcome to your homestead, Guardian Eden.
    There was a click and the wheel shifted slightly as it unlocked. I turned the handle, and the door opened with ease. Stepping over the threshold, I was met with a blanket of cool air and the scent of wildflowers. Inside, the circular room was the epitome of luxury. Deceptively large, it was one giant pool of water, separated into sections by four wide wooden platforms that joined together in the middle like the spokes of a wheel. A bubbling spa bath sat on a platform to the immediate right, followed by a bed that was an exotic twist of gold and hanging sheets, and a screened-off area that I figured was