Free In the Face of Darkness (Lily Culpepper Book 1) by Sarah Dell Page B

to get there is thru a portal.  The closest portal is in Jackson” he said.
    “What do you mean it is on another plane?” I asked.
    “The Island doesn’t exist in this world.  That’s how we are going to escape from Endora.  Only someone with a blood bond to the Island can let someone in or out of the Island” he said.  We drove for another hour.  Then I noticed that Matthias was headed for the Jackson airport.
    “I thought we were taking a portal?  Not getting on a plane” I said.
    “The portal is at the airport” he said.
    “Why?” I asked.
    “Can you think of a better place?” he asked.  I couldn’t, but then I had never thought about where to put a portal to another plane before.  Matthias parked the truck in long term parking.  He told me the portal was in the men’s bathroom at the airport.  I guessed they didn’t have a lot of women coming and going from the Island.  “I hope you don’t mind what people will think” he said as he led me into a stall.
    “It’s not like it’s my first time in a men’s room” I said and he laughed.  Once we were in the stall he shut the door.  Then everything was dark and the air was cold.  I felt goose bumps forming on my arms and I rubbed them to keep them warm.  Then I realized that I was cold.  I hadn’t felt cold since becoming a vampire.  My scenes felt dull.  I took a breath and felt the air fill my lungs.  I put my hand to my chest and felt the familiar thud…thud…thud…
    “My heart is beating and I’m cold” I told Matthias, expecting him to be as shocked as I was.  He just smiled at me.
    “This place exists outside of the supernatural.  You aren’t a vampire here” he said as he pulled out a black robe from his duffel bag and wrapped it around my shoulders.  I held it tight and took the warmth it offered.
    “Our leader will want to meet you” he said.  The portal had brought us somewhere outside.  Without my vampire senses I couldn’t tell what time of night it was, but I knew by the height of the moon that it had to be late.  I followed Matthias as we climbed up a hill and thru a stone city until he stopped in front of a small building with a guard in front of it.  I watched as Matthias spoke to the guard.  “…then wake him up” was all I heard of what Matthias said to the guard.  Then the guard left., presumably to wake up whoever Matthias had told him to.  I followed Matthias into the small building.  We let ourselves into the small office.  Matthias eyed the small chair on the opposite side of the desk.
    “You can sit there, but I wouldn’t” he said.  I didn’t sit.  We both turned as we heard the door open.  A man who looked like he was barely in his thirties walked thru the door.  He reminded me of a caged tiger.
    “I’m Father Caligari, I’ve waited so long to meet you” he said.
    “ I’m Lily Culpepper” I said.  Even though I was sure he already knew my name, I didn’t know what else to say.  “What happens now?” I asked.  The words just fell from my lips.  It was a simple question, but the answer to it would decide the fate of the rest of my life.
    “You’ll live here” he said.
    “Forever?” I asked.
    “I’m afraid you’re not going to be able to leave ever” he didn’t even look at me when he said this.  “We will make some more permanent arrangements for you”.
    “What does that mean?” I asked.
    “There is a small house on an isolated part of the island.  You can make a good life for yourself here” he said.
    “As for tonight, I’m sure we can find something for you” he said.
    “She can stay with me tonight” Matthias said.  Caligari raised a brow, but didn’t say anything.
    “Very well, and as for you Matthias, I’m a man of my word, you will have your payment.  You’re bond will be broken after you leave the Island” he said.
    “I thought…” Matthias trailed off.
    “You can’t stay on the Island without your blood bond.  You will