Book Four: Chapter 126

“Abella?” He turned to see the gargoyle standing there. “Everything okay?”

“I will watch the gate,” she explained. “In case someone other than you tries to come out.”

“Good idea.” He handed her the key. “If we’re not back by tonight—”

“Then I will worry.” She smiled and winked. “Call if you have need of me.”

“Hopefully, I won’t need to.” He opened the gate, and the creak it made pierced him to the core. Even Abella winced at the sound, and once it was open far enough, he grabbed Yuki by the hand, just in case stepping through it might separate them.

“Let’s see what the other side looks like,” she said, then followed him through.

Home.

Dana scrutinized the controls in her hand, then looked over at Quetzalli. They were in the greenhouse, standing on the cliffs just inside its doors. Down below, the jungle stretched out for miles, and except for the centaur settlement in the distance, there was no other sign of life.

The dragon sat on the