Free Fly: A PORTAL Chronicles Novel (The PORTAL Chronicles) by Melissa Aden Page B

that there were no coincidences where Dio was concerned.
    I’d been so distracted deciding whether to accept the mission or not that I didn’t put any thought into how to conduct myself upon accepting it, forcing me to decide on the fly. Confused and disarmed, I put the charm on too thick and overcorrected by shutting down before experiencing a near meltdown while escorting Sophie through the crowds of students at Brightman’s headquarters. For the grand finale of my royal freak show, I repeatedly snapped at her, which she understandably took to heart, giving me a tongue lashing all her own.
    While I did my best to make amends later, I feared the damage done was irreparable. I’d panicked, lost control, and made a complete fool of myself. I could only imagine how relieved Sophie was to be rid of me after I left her dorm tonight.
    But thankfully, the upside of choosing to protect her meant that now, there would always be a tomorrow with her. I’d redeem myself then.

Chapter 10
    Dark Glory
    A pounding noise pulled me from my sleep. My eyes shot open, blinded by the sun pouring into the windows flanking my bed. Looking around, it took me a moment to comprehend that I was in my new room at Brightman. And then a recollection: Didn’t I close the curtains before going to bed last night? Strange that they're open now.
    The noise came again. Someone was at the front door. I groggily got up and pulled my robe on. Running to the door, I threw it open to find Hagen in all his glory.
    “Hi, Sophie.” He flashed his perfect smile.
    “Hi!” I was surprised to see him. “It’s early. What are you doing here?”
    “I came to get my jacket,” he replied, his dazzling blue eyes sparkling in a way that made coherent thought a challenge.
    “Oh! Wait here. I’ll go get it.”
    Entering my room, I noticed the weather had abruptly changed. I could have sworn it was just sunny out, but now the sky was dark. Rain pounded the window with a nerve racking clatter and an ominous current of lightning lit the air, its loud crack making me jump.
    I continued to my closet. Grabbing the jacket, I quickly turned, running into something hard. Stunned, I looked up into Hagen’s face.
    “So I lied,” he said with a smirk. “I didn’t come for the jacket.” The way he looked at me did funny things to my stomach, yet I didn’t know if I liked it. Was it attractive or just plain creepy?
    “Then what did you come for?” I asked.
    “This,” he said, pulling me close and bending down to kiss me.
    “No, don’t!” I pushed away, backing into my closet. I’d never kissed a boy and, regardless of the fact that Hagen amazingly handsome, I wasn’t about to waste my first kiss on someone I hardly knew.
    “Come on. I won’t bite,” Hagen laughed, walking me into a corner. “Well… maybe a little.”
    “Please stop. You’re scaring me.” Hagen reached out for me. “No!” I said, my back bumping against the wall.
    His demeanor changed as anger spread across his face. He sneered at me, his beautiful eyes suddenly glowing a terrifying blood red. “No?” he yelled. “Nobody tells me ‘no.’ Especially not you.” He lunged at me. I jumped out of the way, but not quickly enough, his hand grabbing a fistful of my hair. “Look into my eyes.” He tugged, yanking my head back hard.
    “No! Hagen, stop. Please!”
    I hesitantly met his gaze, scared of what I’d find there. My eyes locked in on his. I couldn’t look away. I marveled as an odd warmth coursed through me, a feeling that everything was alright though things were horribly wrong. The warmth was sickening yet mesmerizing, making me want to run yet stay.
    Hagen lowered his head and kissed me hard. It wasn’t pleasant as I’d always assumed my first kiss would be. He was hurting me, grinding the delicate flesh of my lips into my teeth.
    I cried, the acrid taste of blood in my mouth. As he held his lips to mine, a yellow light shined brightly from within my stomach. It glimmered,