The Willow Read Online Free PDF Page B

mischievous voice said.
     
    I glanced behind me, a Guardian—or a surfer would be more like it—was approaching. Slim muscular body, blond wavy hair, crystal blue eyes—he’d fit right in at Huntington Beach. “So, this is the Nexi I’ve been hearing about. Haven told me she went to see you. Hope she wasn’t too pushy.”
     
    “No. Not at all.” The lie came easily. Saying Haven isn’t pushy is like calling brussel sprouts sweet.
     
    “What’s up, Finn?” Kyden asked.
     
    “Haven asked,” he winked, “ told me to come get you two—she wants to go to the beach.”
     
    “Had enough for tonight, Nexi?” Kyden asked.
     
    “Stop or continue to get my ass kicked?” I hesitated and tapped my finger on my lip. “Hmm, that’s a tough one.”
     
    His devilish grin returned. “Come on then.”
     
    On the way down the hall, Kyden walked in front of me. God, the guy looked as good from behind as he did from the front. Luscious muscular back, toned thighs, great ass.
     
    Suddenly, I slammed into the back of him. “Sorry,” I gasped, prying myself from his warm delicious back. Pull it together, Nexi. Geesh! Then, I noticed we were standing at my door. “You do know this is my place?” I asked Finn.
     
    “Yes, I know.” Then, he leaned forward. “Better put a lock on soon or you’ll never keep her out.”
     
    When he opened the door, I burst out laughing then said, “Hi, Haven.”
     
    “What’s so funny?”
     
    “Nothing,” I said, glancing back at Finn, who gave me a knowing look.
     
    “Let’s go, Haven,” Finn waved her over. She practically skipped toward him and leapt into his arms, then we were heading back down the hall to God knows where. After a few twists and turns, we came to a dead end that led to a door. Kyden opened it and inclined his head.
     
    “Thanks,” I said, stepping through. Hmm, Guardians had old-fashioned roots—being treated like a lady was never something I’d be bitchin’ about.
     
    As I cleared the doorway, the warm air breezed along my skin, my hair waved gently with the wind. Haven finally jumped off Finn and linked her arm with mine. The grounds of the Otherworld weren’t really anything special, just flat and grass covered. To the right, did sit a garden that looked pretty spectacular.
     
    Curious as to what was now my home, I glanced over my shoulder and immediately the skivvies were shocked right out me.
     
    The castle belonged in a Gothic horror film, consisting of one prodigious round tower surmounted with several slender towers peering high above the castle. The stone walls were overrun with ivy, stretching all the way to the slated roof while four very large gargoyles sat at the edges guarding the grounds.
     
    “Pretty, isn’t it?” Haven remarked.
     
    I could only laugh. Pretty wasn’t quite the word I’d use to describe what was before me—terrifying, frightening, chilling—all seemed a little more appropriate.
     
    Just as we reached the edge of the castle, Haven scooted forward to join Finn. She glanced back, smiling, and then they vanished into thin air.
     
    “What the hell!” I spun in circles trying to find them, but they were gone. Worriedly, I met Kyden’s gaze. “Where’d they go?”
     
    He chuckled, laying his hand against my lower back, and urged me forward. “They’re just over there.”
     
    Hesitantly, I took a step forward and immediately gasped as the air rippled around me in giant waves. The only reason I didn’t lose it completely was because Kyden’s hand remained on my back. Having him there was definitely reassuring.
     
    When the rippling stopped, I blew out a loud breath, shook myself—did whatever I could to free myself from the creepy feeling.
     
    Loud laughter broke out.
     
    Haven was practically falling on the ground she was laughing so hard, and Finn was very close to doing the same. Jerks! “Oh, shut up,” I snapped. “That was just weird!” I gave myself a couple more good shakes.