Read Mortal Danger (The Immortal Game) for Free Online

“We’ll go together on the train, have breakfast at the airport, and then we’ll say good-bye at security.”
    Damn. This was a problem I hadn’t predicted. “That’ll take an hour each way. Don’t you guys have to prepare your papers for presentation, pack, and whatever else?”
    My mom frowned. “It seems wrong to pat your head and say ‘good luck.’ What if you run into trouble on the way?”
    Seriously?
    “I’ll be fine, two trains and a shuttle bus.” Fortunately, I looked up the route as part of my cover story. “And I don’t have much to carry.”
    They both frowned at me, the long pause making me fear that the situation might become untenable. Kian would likely not be amused if I lost half the morning going to the airport and eating breakfast. Once they left, I could probably call him and ask him to meet me there, but what if they wanted to watch me walk through security? I started to sweat.
    “Seriously, it’s fine,” I murmured. “I need to be independent, right?”
    Eventually Dad sighed. “If you’re sure. This feels like it’s happening too soon.”
    “Be careful.” That came from Mom, along with a recitation of things to look out for. “And text us when you get there safely. Remember, we’ll be traveling this summer, but we’ll have our cell phones if you need anything.”
    “Will do … and I won’t forget. Have a productive summer.”
    They both gave me stiff, awkward hugs that were more like thumps on the back, then Dad pressed some cash into my hands and they let me go. As I stepped onto the street, my phone buzzed. After skimming the text message, I walked two blocks as requested, and Kian met me on the corner.
    “You didn’t have any trouble?” he asked.
    “Not much. I know how to manage my parents.”
    Barely.
    “Good. This way.” He stepped off the main walk into an alley, just a narrow gap between two brick buildings. At the end, there was a green Dumpster and some cardboard boxes. If it wasn’t a bright, sunny morning, I’d be seriously freaked out and reconsidering my decision. A little voice whispered that none of this was real anyway, so I might as well enjoy the adventure, one of those super vivid dreams that amazed you when you finally awakened.
    “Let’s get out of sight.” The heat of his fingers tangling with mine stole my voice.
    I clung, hoping Kian took it for fear or anticipation. I’d die if he knew I just liked holding his hand.
    He didn’t speak, but once we rounded the Dumpster, he ported us. I expected to land on the campus, but the world came back into focus inside a small, stylish cabin. If Architectural Digest ever sponsored a wilderness retreat, I suspect it would look like this. From the view out of the window, it was built on top of a mountain with a river rushing nearby, different from the precipice he’d taken me to first.
    “Where are we?” I yanked my hand free and stumbled back a step.
    “Relax. I need a quiet place to work on you. As soon as you’re satisfied, we’ll continue to the university.”
    “Right.” He couldn’t change my face in a diner, even if it was company-owned. Whatever that meant. “But seriously, where are we?”
    He lifted his shoulders in a shrug, sheepish. “My place in Colorado. Perk of the job. I can live wherever I want, even if I’m working in Boston.”
    “Don’t you have an office?” I joked.
    “I do, but…” He trailed off, regarding me intently.
    Secretly I was glad he’d brought me home with him. A cubicle with fluorescent lights would quell my delusions that this could be more than business for him. So this must be standard procedure, and I shouldn’t get my hopes up. I would have loved to poke into the nooks and crannies of the immaculate rooms in hope of uncovering his secrets, but that would be rude, and he had a job to do.
    He canted his head toward the couch, pulling on a pair of odd, sleek gloves with textured pads on each fingertip. “Make yourself comfortable. This might