Tether: The Gateway Trilogy, #3

By Christina Garner

The end is near...

Ember was only trying to keep a promise when she jumped into the demon world. But instead of saving Cole and his people, she finds herself just as trapped as they are. She lives and learns with the Daemon survivors while the demon threat grows every day.

In the human world, Taren is tormented by guilt and facing new threats. He's desperate to know Ember is alive, but there's no sign of her except in his own vivid dreams.

As they struggle to reconnect, the Gateways around the world weaken, and the demons amass for war. The end is near and Ember must face her greatest fear if she has any hope of saving the world - or herself.

With everything falling apart, her only hope is to find...her Tether.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christina Garner
• Release date: May 5, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386864271

Book preview

1

Taren

---

It’s over, I said, holding her to me and breathing in the jasmine scent of her hair. You’re safe.

She stiffened, and I realized I shouldn’t have used the word safe. She hated that word. She hadn’t felt safe since she’d seen her first Dahrak.

Her breath tickled my ear, but I was so lost in her that for a moment her words didn’t register.

Please forgive me.

By the time I heard them, she was spinning out of my arms. By the time I reached for her, she was almost a world away.

Ember, no!

She can’t do this—it’s crazy. It’s suicide. This time, I had to save her from herself.

I launched myself toward her, reaching.

My body crashed into hers and we tumbled to the stone floor. I hoped that the fall didn’t hurt her too much, but I didn’t dare let her go. I gripped her to me—tighter than I ever had before—and buried my face in her hair.

We’ll find another way, I said. It’s OK. We’ll find another way—I promise.

I pulled back just enough to look into her eyes, and I could tell that she was glad. Glad she was still with me and not down there. And I knew that I’d done my duty and saved the world. My world.

2

The trouble with dreams? You always wake up .

Kat’s voice from the other side of the door brought me out of the dream.

Come on, we’ve got a meeting.

I sat up in my bed and scrubbed my hands through my greasy hair. The hands that just moments ago had reached her in time.

Another knock, more forceful this time. Taren, let’s go.

I ignored her and walked into the bathroom. I barely recognized the person in the mirror. Unshaven, unwashed, black circles under eyes I hated looking at.

My life had been about the Institute since birth. Train hard, do what's expected, fulfill your duty, that had become my code. I didn't know much about a lot of things. I didn't give a shit about politics; they were all crooked as far as I was concerned. I thought government should stay out of a lot of things the were into—like whether Kat could get married—and actually get involved with things they didn't give a crap about, like making sure people had enough food to eat. I never watched the news—they didn’t know anything about the real war being waged.

But I knew a few things. I knew how long I had between being spotted by a demon and being dead. I knew the two soft spots on a Dahrak’s armor-like flesh, where I could slide a blade and kill it—a fold in the neck near its jugular, and near the sternum, angling up, to hit its heart. I knew I was going to die in battle. My father had pretty much retired from being a Guardian—except for protecting my mother—but I didn't have that luxury, not with the way things were going. He might get to grow old and happy, but I wouldn't. Which is one of the reasons I had to get her back—because I was living on borrowed time and needed to spend whatever time I had left, with her. The other reason she had to come back was the one I hated. We needed her. The Institute, the Guardians, the Keepers...we could only do so much. If the world were going to survive, she'd be the one to save it. It was my duty to save her because we needed her. But the real reason was because I loved her.

I turned away from my reflection—it was getting harder and harder to look at myself, knowing how deeply I’d failed her.

A swish of mouthwash, a change of clothes, and I was out the door, where I found my ex-best friend leaning against the wall.

About time, Kat said and fell in step with me.

She didn’t wait until I spoke to begin rambling on about what had happened since yesterday’s meeting. She knew I wouldn’t speak—not to her. Seven days of silence had passed between us—longer by far than ever before. Seven days since she’d tackled me while I was mid-air, just about to touch—

But then something she said caught my attention.

What did you say?

Kat seemed startled by the interruption. She’d been taking my silent treatment in stride, ignoring the fact that I was ignoring her.

Your mother, she said again. She won’t be trying to make contact anymore.

My mother had been resealing the Gateway when Ember jumped through it. The shock of it had knocked her unconscious for six hours. She'd awoken determined to reach Ember, but my father wouldn't let her leave the Sanctuary.

You need to rest, he'd said. Even if you contacted her, you're not strong enough to open the Gateway.

How do you know how strong she is? I'd said. All you know is how to tell her what to do.

My mother had always had a gentle way about her, but ever since she'd been tricked into opening the Gateway in Los Angeles, it was like she didn't trust herself. And my father seemed only too happy to have the final word on everything. It was disgusting. I would never do that to Ember. I wouldn't want her to be a shadow of what she could be.

I'm her Guardian, my father had said. And as sorry as I am for what's happened, it's my duty—

Your duty is to the Institute, I'd practically shouted. Or have you forgotten that? Do you really think any of us are going to survive if Ember doesn't?

His face had darkened, and my mother stepped between us.

Richard, please, it makes sense to try. Time moves differently between the worlds. She could have been in the demon world a week by now, she'd said. How could I have forgotten about the time difference? How long had it been for Ember? A minute? A month? I had to know she was all right. If I feel the least bit strange, my mother had continued, I promise I'll tell you, but please don't ask me to leave her there all alone. Let me at least try.

It infuriated me that she was asking permission, but I bit back angry words.

An hour, he'd said. An hour if you're able. After that, you rest.

My mother had agreed, though she'd eked out another thirty minutes when she thought she'd made contact. She'd said she could feel Ember, but it was like she was sleeping—or maybe unconscious—and didn't respond.

Enough, my father had said finally, and taken my mother away.

I'd stayed among the rubble that surrounded the Gateway. If anything happened—if the Keepers had the slightest idea that Ember wanted to come through—I needed to be there.

My parents showed up that evening, and my mother had spent two hours trying to make contact before my father had told her it was time to go. But she still tried every day. We had to keep trying.

Kat cleared her throat, bringing me back to the present.

It’s my father, isn’t? I said, changing course for my parents’ bungalow. He can’t just let her make her own—

Taren, Kat said, grabbing me by the arm and yanking me around to face her. Have you seen your mother recently?

Of course, I snapped. I saw her last night.

Or was it the night before? Everything was running together.

Well, then, you’re blind if you even have to ask, Kat said, folding her arms across her chest, because your mother is not doing well.

She’s fine, I said. She wants to find Ember.

It was a gut shot to say her name out loud.

We all do, Kat said. And that’s why Gretchen keeps trying, but she has to stop. If she keeps exposing herself to the demon voices, she’s going to lose it.

What are you talking about? Ember killed the Root—

She snapped her fingers in front of my face. Hello—have you been sleepwalking the past week? My eyes blazed, but she went on. With the Root dead, there’s no one to keep the lesser demons in check. They’re bombarding her.

I thought of my mother as I’d seen her last. Her eyes had been tight with worry—but wasn’t that for Ember? Was she also worried about herself and hadn’t told me?

Dammit, Taren, you are the worst at taking care of the people you love most.

I stared at the cobblestones and Kat rested a hand on either shoulder. It’s OK. We’ll find another way.

Her words rippled through me, the same words I’d said in my dream. I wasn’t sure I’d believed them then, either.

3

H ow is she? I asked when I found my father in the living room of their bungalow .

Sleeping, he said, and you’re going to leave her that way.

I’m not here to fight, I told him. I didn’t know she was hearing voices.

She wanted to be strong for you, my father said, making it clear I should have known. And for Ember. But it’s gone too far, and the Elders don’t want a Daemon capable of opening the Gateway to be at the mercy of demon voices.

He got quiet as my mother entered the room. For the first time in a week, I really saw her. Her shoulders sagged, her skin was pale. But it was her eyes that made me realize that Kat was right—I’d been blind. I’d seen that look before. On prey.

Taren, she said, stepping toward me. I’m so sorry. I’m so, so sorry. If I get better, maybe I can—

No, I said, shaking my head. You’ve done enough. It’ll be all right.

How? she said. How will—

Gretchen, my dad said, saving me from having to admit I had no answer. Let’s just leave it be for today.

She blinked back tears and nodded.

I stayed awhile longer, silently cursing myself for letting my own mother almost sacrifice herself, and cursing God for everything else.

I was walking in the direction of my quarters when Kat joined up with me.

I’m not in the mood, I said, lengthening my stride.

Yeah, I could tell by the black cloud above you, she said.

She kept pace with me until I wheeled around, finally confronting her. What do you want? I don’t forgive you. I’m never going to forgive you, so what do you want?

I want you to stop feeling sorry for yourself. She had the audacity to look me square in the eye when she said it.

Feeling sorry for myself? I thundered. I’m not feeling sorry for myself. I feel sorry for her! She’s trapped in the demon world, and this sorry excuse for an Institute doesn’t plan on doing anything to get her back!

It was her choice, she said quietly. It was her choice to go.

It was the wrong choice, I said, my voice still booming. And you let her make it.

Do you have any idea how arrogant you sound? Kat said. How many times has Ember done the impossible? She’s saved us more than we’ve saved her.

Which is why she needed me to come through for her this time, I said, my jaw clenched. And you stopped me.

What she needed was for you to let her go, she said, her tone as level as her gaze.

I thought you were her friend, I said, the heat gone out of my words. I was too tired to fight.

I am her friend. And I’m your friend, too, even if you hate me right now, which is why I’m not going to let you keep wallowing.

And what is it you suggest I do? I said. Go after her? If you can find a way to open the Gateway, I’d jump through it in a second.

So would I, she said quietly, her eyes cast down. For the first time, I wondered if she might regret having stopped me. But I’ve got something else in mind.

Annoyed, I followed Kat to Master Dogan’s quarters. It didn’t mean I forgave her. Any port in a storm.

After a knock from Kat, Master Dogan opened the door.

Katrina, Taren, he said, surprised to see us. Please come in.

The past week hadn’t been kind to him, either. His eyelids drooped and he shuffled when he walked.

We sat at the small dining table he used as a desk.

How are you holding up? he asked me.

Instead of answering, I scratched at my stubble, knowing it was obvious how poorly I was holding up. I looked to Kat, still wondering why she’d brought me to see Dogan. If she thinks I needs a shrink…

Taren is part Daemon, right? she said.

Well, yes, Master Dogan said. A small part. Have you been experiencing anything unusual?

It was no secret there wasn’t enough of the lineage to even count in me; I’d been tested ad nauseam. It was the only test I’d been glad to fail. I was born to be a Guardian, not a Keeper.

No, I said. I’ve never—

That’s not true, Kat said. You did have that moment of telepathy with Ember.

Dogan’s tired eyes lit up. Yes, she told me about that. When you were trying to keep it a secret that your mother was part Daemon.

I looked from Dogan to Kat. This was her plan?

Did the two of you try to repeat the incident? he asked.

Between her classes, her shifts at the Gate, her private sessions with you, and me working overtime hunting demons? I can’t say we got around to it.

You should have made time.

Still, Kat said, undeterred, it happened once. Why not again?

Master Dogan considered. The distance is so much greater this time… It’s a long shot at best.

Are you suggesting we have another kind of shot? Kat said.

As desperate as I was for hope, this was too ludicrous to waste time on.

So you want me to do what? Just call her name in my head over and over again and hope she answers?

Sure, Kat said dryly. Or…you could start practicing with your mother and Master Dogan, and then use what you learn and try to contact Ember.

It certainly couldn’t hurt, Master Dogan said. With Gretchen now confined to the Sanctuary, you may very well be our only hope to make contact with her. Are you willing to try?

Little did they know, I already was. While they were talking, I was fumbling my way through, trying to reach her. It was no surprise that I heard nothing in return but it caused my heart to clench anyway.

They both stared at me, waiting for an answer.

Yeah, I said with little confidence. If there’s even a chance…

Kat looked pleased with herself and Dogan, like a man who’d been given a stay of execution. I’ll arrange it with Richard, he said.

He’d witnessed a few tense exchanges I’d had with my father. Probably better I wasn’t the one to bring it up, but even he couldn’t argue against this plan. If we practiced inside the Sanctuary, the demons wouldn’t be able to reach my mother.

Kat and I waited while Master Dogan went to see my parents. When he returned, he said that both had agreed and that we could begin that afternoon.

In spite of myself, I began to hope that this long shot might pay off.

I hated hope. Hope was for people without a plan.

4

How did they stand it?

It was only my second session with Master Dogan and my mother, and I was ready to punch a hole in the wall. How did she and Ember sit there, day after day, thinking something random—like toaster—hoping the other would get it? It was infuriating. Worse, it was futile.

Do you need a break? my mother asked.

Being inside the Sanctuary the past two days had definitely helped her. She no longer had a hunted look in her eyes.

I scanned her features for signs that she needed a break. I couldn’t be sure, and I wasn’t willing to push her to the brink for something I sucked at anyway.

Yeah, I said, pushing back my chair. We can try again tomorrow.

I gave my mother a hug and thanked Master Dogan for his time.

When I stepped outside, I realized just how long we’d been practicing—it was almost dark. My father must have been chewing glass not to have come and gotten my mother. Master Dogan had convinced him to stay behind for this session, saying that the fewer thoughts in the room, the better. It was the polite way to say that he was tired of hearing us argue. Ten bucks said I got an earful the next time I saw him.

It was already dark, but instead of getting dinner, I started my nightly hunt.

The hilltop village that housed the Roman Gateway was filled with shadows, and no one was eager to step into one and be greeted by one of the Snakes that had escaped by hitching a ride in the belly of the Root.

No one except me. Every night I sought out those shadows and hunted down the Snakes, each slash of my knife justifying my existence. I’d been useless when Ember needed me, but that didn’t mean I had to stay useless.

Almost immediately I caught sight of one as it slithered across the cobblestones.

Gotcha, I said as I sliced its head off.

Both ends would continue flopping around for the next hour, but only one end had fangs. I kicked the head away from me. Some had survived Snakebites, but not many.

I scanned the area, trying to figure out where its nest might be. Where there was one, there were more.

I noticed a clump of shrubs and walked over, slowly. I didn’t want to spook them and risk only killing a couple while the rest got away. I paused three steps from the bushes when I heard the hissing. How many were there?

Only one way to find out.

I took two more soft steps and then crouched down, using my knife to lift a small section of woody debris.

Two Snakes lunged, knocking me backward. I scrambled to my feet, narrowly avoiding fangs, and severed both of their heads with one stroke.

I’d definitely lost the element of surprise. Dozens of snakes emerged from the beneath the bushes. I cursed and surveyed my options. Get the hell out of there, was the advice I’d have given anyone else, but I hated running away. And I hated letting a single one of those things live—especially with Ember trapped where they should have been.

I hacked and slashed, laughing when guts hit my face. Some of the Snakes escaped, but most ended up meeting my blade by the time it was over.

Slow clap, Kat said, and I turned to see her stepping out from a shadow. Really, Taren, that was quite impressive.

Thanks for your help, I said, wiping my blade on a tiny spot of clean still left on my jeans.

I would have, but that’s kind of the point, isn’t it? she said. This whole lone wolf thing you’ve got going—what are you trying to prove?

I’m not a lone wolf, I said, passing her.

That’s right, Kat said, grabbing my shoulder and spinning me around. You’re not. Because I fight by your side. You took the same pledge I did.

You think I care about pledges? I said, knocking her arm away. Now?

I don’t think you care about anything, she said. Not even your own life. And that needs to change, because when Ember comes back—and she will come back—I am not going to tell her that you committed suicide by Snake.

She was right, which only pissed me off more. Especially now that I was trying to make contact with Ember, I had to be more careful, for her sake.

Message received, I said. Now stop following me.

I left Kat in the courtyard and started toward my quarters.

As I passed below one of the tall towers, movement caught my eye. The building housed administrative offices, but the tower that stretched overhead was vacant—or supposed to be. I squinted, trying to see past the floodlights that had just been installed. You're seeing things, Hart, I told myself when a good sixty seconds had gone by with no other movement. I lowered my gaze and resumed walking.

I rounded the corner, and