The Bridge Beyond Her World (The Boy and the Beast Book 2) by Brandon Barr Page B

passed. Under the blinking light was a moving walkway. Stepping on, he nearly lost his balance, but Arentiss’s hand in his had steadied him. As they moved along, he noticed their speed quickening. Wind began beating his ears as the strange empty space sped by and the distant buildings grew larger. On the vast empty space he saw large towers rising from the hard grey floor. They seemed to fly past them on the walkway, and it appeared as if the towers were game pieces pushed along by giant invisible fingers.
    “Those towers are weapons. Part of our defenses in the event of another attack from a Beast world.”
    The platform began to slow, then came to a stop. The buildings that had seemed so small were now large and imposing. A walled city within the colossal structure.
    Arentiss led him by hand underneath a large archway that seemed to serve as a gate into the city. Hundreds of oddly dressed people walked the streets within. A soldier at the entrance held a small black box up to her face. A red light flashed across her eyes.
    “Haut Lo,” said the soldier to Aven. Almost instantly Aven understood what had been said. “You’re next.”
    He held the box up to Aven’s face. The red light flashed his eyes. The soldier nodded and Arentiss led him inside by the hand.
    Aven realized she hadn’t let go of his hand since they’d stepped through the God’s Eye.
    “I can follow you just fine you know,” said Aven.
    “What do you mean?”
    “I mean you don’t have to hold my hand.”
    “Your hand feels good in mine,” said Arentiss, stopping to address his question. “Your touch sends endorphins to my brain, and that triggers good feelings inside me. But if it makes you uncomfortable, I can release you.”
    Aven wasn’t sure how to respond as the bizarre concept of endorphins slowly began to take form. Arentiss’s face held no emotion, and her voice was just as impassable. Was she flirting with him in some strange cultural way, or was he simply providing her some kind of friendly, practical use? Either way, her odd personality was becoming more and more endearing.
    “No, I don’t mind,” said Aven.
    “That is good for me. Your touch produces more endorphins than any I’ve held. I think likely due to your pleasant disposition and attractiveness. Now, let’s get going. We’re meeting the others on Bridge. That means we need to acquire a Bridgeworlder. Bridge is the center of the Guardian's activity. It is the world that connects to every other world.”
    “How is that possible?”
    “Bridge has Emissaries from every world. And every chartered world has at least one Emissary from Bridge.”
    They passed through a large metal door into a tunnel lit by green lights. People in uniforms of various colors hurried all around them.
    “Is there an Emissary from Bridge back on Loam?”
    “There was,” said Arentiss. “Have you been told what happened?”
    “You mean the murders.”
    “Yes. Two of the Emissaries killed were from Loam, the third was from Bridge. We are bringing an Emissary from Bridge back with us. Under normal circumstances, a non-chartered world such as yours needs only three Emissaries, but things have changed.”
    “ More new faces ,” tapped Aven.
    “Were you trying to communicate with me by hand just now?”
    Aven laughed, and felt his face and neck tingling. “I’m so used to telling my sister what I’m thinking. I guess I forgot whose hand I was holding.”
    “You mistook my hand for your sister’s?”
    “Yes, that’s what I said.” Aven glanced at Arentiss and found her thin lips scrunched into a sort of rueful smile. She was clearly amused.
    “Will you tell me what you said?”
    Aven thought for a moment.
    “I just told her that her hand felt all wrinkly, like Mother’s.”
    Arentiss gasped and yanked her hand away, and for the first time, Aven saw anger on her face. She looked hurt.
    “That was a joke,” said Aven. “I’m sorry.”
    Her furrowed brows eased slightly.