Free Dark Summoner (Relic Keeper Series Book 1) by D.D. Miers Page A

sooner because?”
    “Oh believe me, they tried, but I had several men positioned around you at all times. They had created a ward, protecting you until I was with you again.”
    Reagan leaned forward, her voice wrapping around me like a cozy, thick blanket. “Close your eyes and rest, Abby. I promise you’re safe.”
    Her words were a command to my subconscious, demanding me to obey. I drifted into a deep sleep right after Reagan said, “He won’t let you take her from him, Dorian. Not again.”

T he car slowed as we pulled into the parking structure beneath a colossal, high-rise building. Glass windows encompassed the entire exterior, creating a beautiful, crisp reflection of the clear night sky. As we descended underground, harsh orange lights guided us around the large blocks of expensive cars. After two levels, we pulled into an open parking spot to the right of the main elevators. He hustled me out of the car and in between the large silver doors, promptly slipping his key into the penthouse button. Reagan slid inside beside me, just before the doors slowly closed, sealing us within their cold confines. A heavy silence engulfed us.
    The doors opened to reveal a sleek foyer with grandiose marble floors and a long arched hallway. At the far end resided a pair of double wooden doors with an intricate spiral pattern that wrapped the frame. With every step we took, the air smelled sweeter, felt lighter. I couldn’t quite explain what the change was, as everything still appeared the same, but I could sense it. When we’d finally reached the doors, Dorian placed his palm flat against the circular space at the center where the two doors met. A blinding lavender light illuminated the entire space for a second before it vanished again. Within seconds, the locks clicked and the doors opened inward to total darkness.
    Dorian gently pressed his hand on the small of my back to guide me forward, but I held my ground, uncertain of what I was about to encounter. Someone gave my hand a soft squeeze, and I saw Reagan smiling. Whatever issues we had between us now, a part of me still trusted her. Without a word, she gave me the reassurance I needed to take those few last steps into the shadows.
    Fear and apprehension churned in my stomach. The room remained dark as we walked through. Even as I waved my hands directly in front of my face, I saw nothing. As we traveled farther along, the floor slowly changed from smooth marble to uneven and slippery ground. A slight chill reached my exposed flesh as a cool breeze danced passed my shoulders. The darkness dissolved into a charming town.
    We stood outdoors on a cobblestone street. Fragrant flowers greeted us and beautiful lush gardens and trees decorated the streets, houses, and buildings. It was as though I’d crossed through time and landed in a quaint European village. When I turned around, the long hallway and doors were gone. Hues of purple and blue glowed behind a thousand twinkling stars, brighter than the clearest night I’d ever seen, draping every object and surface in rich color.
    “Where are we?” I asked as I spun around in a circle in awe.
    “Welcome to the First Realm,” Dorian said.
    “The First Realm? We’re no longer in my world?”
    “Well technically, we’re still in both of our worlds,” Reagan said. “You’re just seeing things a little more clearly now.”
    “We have crossover destinations all over the world, multiple in each city. It’s imperative that access is easily available to those who travel between both realms frequently.” Dorian checked his phone. “We better get a move on.”
    He guided us down a few more blocks before we turned into a long, expansive driveway lined with massive oak trees. A half-mansion, half-castle resided at the end of the driveway. Large stones walls covered the exterior and two hexagon columns bordered the wide arched entry. Pointed peaks and chimney tops adorned the Tudor-style roof. It was at least two levels and