Free Dangerous Designs by Dale Mayer [paranormal/YA]

pulled out her pencil or stylus, as Eric called it, and held it up.
    The color leached from Paxton's face and he took a small step back. "No. Oh, no."
    "Oh, yes."
    "What?" Storey was beyond confused and she had no explanation for the coldness in her stomach. Ice had spread out to her limbs. Wrapping her arms around her belly, she wished she knew what the hell was going on. "Look, I don't understand. What's wrong with that picture? It's just a sketch. It's not real or anything."
    "Did you draw this picture?" At Storey's nod, Paxton continued, "With...that?" He pointed to the pencil.
    Again she nodded. He closed his eyes and started speaking in some weird language. The same one Eric had used earlier.
    "Do you guys belong to the some religious group where you speak in tongues or something? I've never heard a language quite like that."
    "You mock us?" shrieked Paxton, stiffening in outrage. "Do you realize what you have done?"
    "Obviously not," she snapped. "Since no one will tell me what the hell is going on."
    Eric's eyes widened. He stared at her wordlessly.
    She glared at Eric, catching his wince before he covered it up. "Now what?"
    "We don't swear here. It's considered rude," Eric whispered. "Paxton doesn't know that word but anyone who's studied your language might."
    "Rude? I'm supposed to worry about my manners now? What the hell are you talking about? Over where?"
    He spluttered. "Please, show some respect. Don't swear."
    "All right, geeze." His look didn't improve. "Oh, for crying out loud. Geeze is not a swear word." She glowered at him. What was his problem, anyway? And since when had he become such a prude?
    Paxton's cheeks sucked in like small craters.
    "Whatever." She held out her hand. "I'll take my sketchbook now, thanks." Hand outstretched, she snapped her fingers when Eric didn't pass it over. "I don't know what game you're playing, and I don't care. I want no part of it. So, I'm going home."
    "No, you're not." Paxton drew up to his full height. Storey's gaze widened as he stretched above her. How tall was he?
    "You'll stay in our world until we get to the bottom of this."
    "Your world," she snapped. "What are you talking about?"
    "You are..." Eric paused...took a deep breath...then rushed to get the rest of the sentence out. "You are in another dimension."
    "Oh, for the love of God." Storey threw up her hands at the stony looks shooting her way. "Look, I've had enough. You zip me to another dimension, whatever that means, without asking my permission, tell me I can't go home, give no explanation as to what is going on and then expect me to be calm about it!"
    Eric reached out a reassuring hand. She stumbled back out of range. "No." She pointed at Paxton and said, "Hell, no."
    This time, Eric grabbed her shoulder and gave her a good shake. Glaring down at her, he said, "Stop. I know you don't understand. Just, please, calm down. I will explain." He glanced over at the steaming Paxton. "I promise."
    Storey stepped back, glaring up at him. "You'd better. And for your information, I swear when I'm pissed off, so don't piss me off. That includes shaking me."
    He closed his eyes briefly, dropped his hand and stepped away. "You'd make a saint crazy," he muttered.
    Paxton gasped in outrage. "Which you aren't," he roared. "You should be able to control this...this female."
    "Control," she gasped in shock. For some reason the whole mess slid from bad into ludicrous. "'I must be having a bad dream. Eric? Control me? I don't think so." She started to giggle.
    "Oh, thank you very much. See how she treats me?" He scowled at Paxton. "Why did you have to go and say that?"
    "That's enough from both of you. This is no laughing matter. We have a crisis on our hands and need to find a solution." He glanced down at the sketchbook now in his hands. "Quickly. Wait in my office while I call an emergency Council meeting."
    Storey was still giggling as they took several more steps, then she stopped. This wasn't just a room. This was