All Chapters of Esmerelda Sleuth: Beyond the Portal (Book 3): Chapter 31 - Chapter 36

“Do you think that the kidnappers were from this time period?” I asked Jassy after she’d put me through a particularly grueling magic lesson. Because I was surprised to discover that the world that I was in and the three dimensional homeland that I longed to return to existed on parallel planes and along the same timeline and the fact that I was a traveler, I couldn’t help asking the question.The look on Jassy’s face as she considered my question made me think of a cartoon showing a lightbulb going off in the person’s head.  She spoke with a hint of excitement.  “It is not something that I considered.  I question if anyone has until now.”I thought about it for a moment while I wiped the moisture from the back of my neck.  The magic that I was learning proved physically demanding to the extent that my body perspired heavily. “Do you have people who travel in time?  Or, do they

Jassy’s claim that the cafeteria was packed was no  exaggeration.  I’d been their guest for about a month.  During that time, I don’t believe I ever rubbed elbows with as many diners in the oversized hall.  It was not only disheartening to realize just how well protected the kingdom was, but creepy knowing that the people I was mingling with weren’t people at all, but were lizard-like creatures who ate humans.I forced this fact into the recesses of my mind as I lightly mingled in a practically elbow to elbow environment with the crowd so that I could discover which part of the border was less guarded.  I questioned if there was a need for me to be careful to ask inconspicuous questions while I by-passed the meat dishes in favor of the vegetables amidst the array of savory cuisines on the buffet.  Their attention was so focused on the topic of returning Nora’s humanity to her that little thought was given to what I a

Unlike when I passed through the portal to rescue Nora, winter was no more.  It was clearly summer.It was dusk and the gnats were out full force.  I brushed at a few that were attempting to feed on me while I studied our surroundings.“Amazing,” I mused.  “This is the same place that the portal Gail and I used was located.”“It is a power point,” Lance explained.  “Unfortunately, the power is predominantly dark.”“That would make sense, since the land belongs to a very dark man,”  I said.  “He had me kidnapped and used most of the magic that you put in the box so that I couldn’t contact you.”A look of hate filled his normally gentle eyes.  “Tillman and I have some business to settle.”“He is locked up,” I assured him.  “In fact, the society that holds him was supposed to be holding your brother