The Portal to Sygano

By Jay Greenstein

Gary Niles planned nothing more than what any lawyer might do on a quiet Saturday: A round of golf, followed by a bit of shopping, then dinner. His plan certainly didn’t include meeting two tiny women with oddball powers, like levitating pizza and delivering static shocks.

He never intended to jump from world to world, interfere with a foreign government, or, tunnel into a prison. He especially didn’t expect to learn how to fwoosh.

But Gary wasn’t careful when he pulled the shopping cart free of its mates and backed into Vaire, a beautiful, exciting, and tiny oddball. And he certainly wasn’t expecting Sela: smart, focused, and just as beautiful. Ignoring one such woman in trouble would be hard. Two? Impossible for someone like Gary.

Though if he knew what he was about to get into, he just might have walked away.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jay Greenstein
• Release date: Dec 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005603113

Jay Greenstein

I'm a storyteller. My skills at writing are subject to opinion, my punctuation has been called interesting, at best—but I am a storyteller. I am, of course, many other things. In seven decades of living, there are great numbers of things that have attracted my attention. I am, for example, an electrician. I can also design, build, and install a range of things from stairs and railings to flooring, and tile backsplashes. I can even giftwrap a box from the inside, so to speak, by wallpapering the house. I'm an engineer, one who has designed computers and computer systems; one of which—during the bad old days of the cold war—flew in the plane designated as the American President's Airborne Command Post: The Doomsday Jet. I've spent seven years as the chief-engineer of a company that built bar-code readers. I spent thirteen of the most enjoyable years of my life as a scoutmaster, and three, nearly as good, as a cubmaster. I joined the Air Force to learn jet engine mechanics, but ended up working in broadcast and closed circuit television, serving in such unlikely locations as the War Room of the Strategic Air Command, and a television station on the island of Okinawa. I have been involved in sports car racing, scuba diving, sailing, and anything else that sounded like fun. I can fix most things that break, sew a fairly neat seam, and have raised three pretty nice kids, all of who are smarter and prettier than I am—more talented, too, thanks to the genes my wife kindly provided. Once, while camping with a group of cubs and their families, one of the dads announced, "You guys better make up crosses to keep the Purple Bishop away." When I asked for more information, the man shrugged and said, "I don't really know much about the story. It's some kind of a local thing that was mentioned on my last camping trip." Intrigued, I wondered if I could come up with something to go with his comment about the crosses; something to provide a gentle terror-of-the-night to entertain the boys. The result was a virtual forest of crosses outside the boys' tents. That was the event that switched on something within me that, now, more than twenty-five years later, I can't seem to switch off. Stories came and came… so easily it was sometimes frightening. Stories so frightening that one boy swore he watched my eyes begin to glow with a dim red light as I told them (it was the campfire reflecting from my ...

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Jay Greenstein

Jay Greenstein

All rights reserved

Published by Continuation Services at SmashWords

Copyright 2020

Other Titles by Jay Greenstein:

Science Fiction

As Falls an Angel

Samantha and the Bear

Foreign Embassy

Hero

Monkey Feet

An Accidental War

Starlight Dancing

Wizards

Trilogy of the Talos

(Sci-fi)

To Sing the Calu

Portal to Sygano

Ghost Girl

Sisterhood of the Ring

(Sci-fi)

Water Dance

Jennie’s Song

A Change of Heart

A Surfeit of Dreams

Kyesha

Abode Of The Gods

Living Vampire

An Abiding Evil

Ties of Blood

Blood Lust

Modern Western

Posse

Romantic Suspense

A Chance Encounter

Kiss of Death

Intrigue/Crime

Necessity

Betrayal

Hostage

Young Adult

My Father My Friend

Romance

Zoe

Breaking the Pattern

Short Story

A Touch of Strange

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. It may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This novel is a work of fiction. All characters and events in this book are fictitious and created by the author for entertainment purposes. Any similarities between living and non-living persons are purely coincidental.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Ghost Girl

Book two of: Trilogy of the Talos

Gary Niles locked the car’s door and headed across the parking lot to grab a grocery cart. An afternoon spent chasing a golf ball got the weekend off to a good start. Now, a bit of shopping, followed by a stop for dinner at Pho Street would be nice.

Pulling a cart free he stepped back, and into something soft and warm. The yelp of surprise that followed was obviously female.

Turning, he caught the arm of the girl he’d knocked out of balance to keep her from falling, saying, I’m really sorry. I wasn’t...

He stopped, unable to continue, because the woman, and she definitely was a woman, was striking in so many ways that he had no choice. First came her size. A perfect miniature, the size of a typical twelve-year-old, she was a delight to the eye. The term petite came to mind. Still, she was very much a female—delightfully so—in all respects. And her blouse, unbuttoned and tied together at the bottom, proved that summer truly was the best time for girl watching. The term wow came to mind.

She wore no makeup but based on the maturity of her features, was in her early twenties. Ebony hair framed a face right out of a fairy tale, lacking only the pointed ears one might expect to go with such a face. Huge brown eyes were gazing into his, quizzically, though a frown marred her forehead.

I... He spread his hands. I’m sorry, I must look like an idiot, but...well, one doesn’t expect to run into a sprite outside the local supermarket. So, like you, I’m a bit...well, out of balance. He would have said more, but she wasn’t alone. Another woman, closer to his own thirty-five years in appearance, was hurrying toward them, frowning deeply. She was a close match for the first woman in size, and in her own way, as beautiful, though instead of ebony, her hair, sandy brown and glossy, went well with her elfin appearance. Delicate features, strong cheekbones, and deep tan skin contributed to her fairy-like appearance.

With an effort, he took a deep breath, regained control of his emotions, and said, Let me amend that to it being unusual to run into two especially beautiful sprites at once. A stupid thing to say, but something about the women plucked a chord in his emotional makeup. And saying stupid things was pretty much what he did around women, in any case.

With luck, the remark might bring a smile. Based on their size, though, they probably heard such comments often.

Sorry to disappoint you, the older woman said, pointing toward the side of her head. No pointed ears. Her eyes flicked to meet the younger woman’s, then back, to study him, intently. Her words were strongly accented, in an odd but interesting way, though it was impossible to tell her mother tongue from how she used English.

I— About to apologize, he stopped. Perhaps a bit of humor might dispel the concern evident on the woman’s face.

I see. But you didn’t take into account that an ogre will always recognize a sprite, ears or no, so... He grinned, and raised an eyebrow, to reinforce the joke.

The woman’s frown faded—a good sign—replaced by a small curve of the lips as she said, You don’t look much like an ogre.

He shrugged. Stage makeup helps a lot. What can I say? He spread his hands in apology, adding, But seriously, I’m—

Do you believe him? the younger woman said, breaking in, frowning deeply. I don’t. There was no humor in her voice, and her accent was even harder to follow.

No, of course I don’t. Ogres don’t exist. But... With an obvious effort, and following a fast glance around, she turned to him, expression hard, as she said, Cut the crap. Who are you, and what do you mean by all this?

It was time to stop making bad jokes, so he held up both hands, palms out.

I’m sorry for upsetting you. My name’s Gary Niles, and...well, I’m an idiot, one who doesn’t know when to keep his mouth shut. He pointed to the cart he’d pulled loose, adding, When I stepped back, I bumped into your friend. Then, when I turned, she was so striking, and so unexpected, that I...well, as I said, I’m an idiot. Everything else flowed from that.

About to turn away, wishing things had gone better, he added, I do have to say that though things didn’t go all that well, I am really glad to have met you. With that, he turned to the cart and started toward the market’s entrance.

What do you do? The voice said it was the older of the two.

... What?

How do you earn a loving?

He frowned, turning back to the pair, wondering what, about the situation, had prompted such a question. Earn a loving? I don’t... Then, understanding came. Ohh...if you mean earn a living, I’m a family lawyer. Why?

Are you married? Living with someone?

What? Had he been wrong about her actually meaning earn a living? He took a breath. I...I really wish we could go back to when I bumped into your friend, and start this whole thing over, because I’ve obviously missed something...like the ten minutes of conversation that would have clarified the whys behind this. But to answer your question, I had such fun helping other people get divorced that I did one of my own. Now I live alone, if you don’t count Barney, my cat, in Berwyn, about ten minutes from here.

He waved an arm in inquiry. So...unless you really meant ‘earn a loving,’ that’s me...how about you?

Instead of responding, the younger woman said, He noticed us, Sela. Not many do. She made an uncertain motion of the hand before adding, And we are lost.

I know, the woman identified as Sela said, unhappily. Without looking at him she ventured, We would be taking a chance, but on the—

Stop, he said, with a cutting motion of the hand. Obviously, you two have a problem. And while I’d love to know more about what you mean when you talk about me noticing you, and being lost, this isn’t the place or time for such a discussion. So, let’s talk about what matters. Okay? Without waiting for an answer, he said, You’re worried about my being trustworthy, which is something I can’t prove while standing here. So, you’re going to have to take that on faith till I can. If it helps, I’m an honest lawyer and an Eagle Scout. I have a penchant for lost causes and I take in stray cats. He gave them a moment to absorb that before adding, I’m pretty sure you two are stray cats.

To forestall a response, he held out a hand in a wait gesture as he added, You asked if I live alone. Obviously, you need a place to hide, or at least to shelter. I can’t promise you that, though, without knowing more. But I will listen. And, if it makes sense, I’ll provide a place to stay, if for no other reason than that the situation is fascinating. He shrugged. I always have been a sucker for a damsel in distress.

The older woman, the one who seemed to be in charge, was blinking in thought, frowning prettily. Apparently, she approved of what he’d said, so he added, As I see it, the question that needs answering, now, is: do you want to follow to my place, or, shall I drive you there? He pushed the cart back into the line of carts, to give them a few seconds to react, then turned back for their decision.

I say trust him...for now, Sela said.

The younger woman said nothing for a time, apparently thinking the situation over, herself. Finally, she slumped. I guess there’s not much choice. And besides, I’m really hungry. She turned to him, then. We have none of your money, though, nor transportation, I’m afraid, so...

He smiled. Do sprites like pizza?

That brought a laugh, and, Probably. And thank you...though we prefer grilled ogre.

Oh? Probably?

I haven’t tasted pizza yet. Ogre’s my favorite though...when I can get it. So, don’t turn your back on us.

With the devout hope that she was kidding he headed for his car, trailed by the women.

Definitely better than dinner and TV.

° ° ° °

Chapter 2

Leading the way into the kitchen, he placed the pizza box on the table, as he said, I have iced tea, ginger ale, cola, and of course, water. No beer though. What’s your pleasure? He took glasses from the cabinet and placed them on the table. Then, before going for napkins, he turned to the women, about to repeat his offer. They were standing just inside the doorway, eyes closed, and seemed to be listening, intently. To what, wasn’t apparent.

Before he could decide what to do, the younger woman opened her eyes and said, I get nothing.

Sela nodded, her eyes opening, too. They were brown. We’re good, I think, she said thoughtfully. Then she turned to him. I’m sorry...you said something?

Asking her to explain was probably a waste of time, so he said, I have iced tea, ginger ale, cola, and water. Your choice? The idea of allowing them to stay overnight was becoming less appealing.

She spread her hands. I’ve not tasted them. Which one, other than water, would you suggest?

He shrugged. Iced tea, I think. If you’ve not tasted carbonated water, the bite can be a surprise. I.... Her expression said he’d made a bad assumption. "So you have tasted it?"

I have, but you may be right about something milder, unless...

Unless?

Unless you have wine? That, I know we like.

Red or white?

That was good, the younger woman said, wiping her mouth. Can I have another slice?

Help yourself. Is it better than roasted ogre?

She smiled, prettily, shaking her head. No. It is better than boiled human, though. So, you’re okay...for now. By the way, I’m Vaire.

She extended a hand, and he leaned forward to take it, only to be jolted back into his chair with a shout of surprise at receiving the mother of all static shocks.

Vaire, Sela said, sharply. Stop it.

It was an accident, she said, sounding less than sincere. You don’t think I would—

"I know you would, and you’d better start behaving. This man was nice enough to help, remember? So, no tricks."

Okay, she said, sullenly, as she reached for a slice of pizza.

That was a...trick? The thought occurred that the problem wasn’t one of offering help or withholding it. It was if no was an option, at this point. If whatever gadget she’d used to generate that shock had greater potential, it wasn’t a practical joke device. It was, or could be, a Taser.

He studied them as they ate, wondering. Obviously, they were more than two hungry women who just happened to be unique, beautiful, and in need of shelter. They were also, quite possibly dangerous, and, armed.

That thought was pushed aside by something that should have been trivial and unnoticed. Sela was taking a bite of pizza. But the slice should not be in her hand. She’d finished her first, and he was about to ask if she wanted another, when the business with Vaire and her electrical trick pushed that from his mind. Now though, despite her sitting too far from the box to have gotten it without leaving her seat, there she sat, pizza by her mouth and ready for a bite. For a moment he tried to convince himself that he’d simply not noticed her take it, or that Vaire passed it to her. But that was rationalizing, not observing. No one gave her that pizza, yet she held a slice in her hand. And now, noticing him watching, and frowning, she gave a tiny jerk of surprise before changing it to a forced smile, while saying, This is very good. Thank you. She knew he’d seen, though. He’d bet money on that.

Oh Gary...what have you gotten yourself into now?

For a time, concern warred with the idea that they were tiny, pretty, and seemed so benign—another rationalization. Asking would probably be a waste of time, so he turned to the only thing he could do for the moment: he took another slice from the box and turned to removing the pangs of hunger.

If I’m to die, at least let it be with a full stomach. A stupid thought, certainly, but pretty much all he was capable of at the moment.

° ° °

So? Gary settled into the chair facing the sofa, studying the women. Both were exotically beautiful. Vaire sat smiling and relaxed, leaning back against the sofa stroking Barney, catlike herself, head cocked and studying him as though planning some new mischief. Sela, on the other hand, was chewing on her bottom lip. Finally, she held out a hand in inquiry, inviting him to speak.

He flipped a hand in dismissal. You know what I want. You both know. When that brought no response from either woman, he blew out a breath in frustration. Okay, start with how a slice of pizza got from the box to your plate without anyone handing it to you.

She shrugged I didn’t want to bother you. When he made no response but to twist his lips to show what he thought of that, she added, Actually, I didn’t think you’d notice. I’ve obviously underestimated your people.

Your people? An interesting turn of phrase. But that was something to get to after the present subject was explored, so he said, Underestimated because of a lack of experience, and perhaps preconception, would be my guess.

You’re both observant and smart.

Smart enough to notice that you just changed the subject.

She said nothing for about three seconds. Then, something fell into his lap and he reacted without thinking. With a shout of surprise, he flung whatever it was to the side, toward the wall furthest from both him and the women.

As it flew he recognized it as the small statue of Rodin’s, The Kiss, done in bronze-toned porcelain. Normally, it decorated the table next to the chair he sat in. He had the thought that Gail would be unhappy to hear it was broken. But before it struck the wall it stopped in mid-air, wavering unsteadily as it floated back to the table.

The only thing that came was, Well, I did ask. Certainly, her saying, your people makes more sense, now. Unfortunately, that raised the question of who her people were.

For a long moment, he worked to bring his frazzled nerves under control. The women watched, Vaire with amusement as she placed Barney on the floor, Sela, warily. Barney’s complaining meow at being denied the comfort of Vaire’s lap reminded him that he’d have to talk to Gail about taking care of Barney for a while. But that was for a time when