Falling Between (The Vaettir Serial, #1) Read Online Free Page B

without windows, but I felt tired enough for it to be night. That meant that it had already been a full day since I'd been taken.
    I tried to just wait on the bed, but I was too nervous to sit still. Instead I began examining the room, even though there wasn't much to it. A new fire had been lit before I was re-delivered to my room. It crackled happily as it gave off its warmth, contrasting drastically with my mood.
    I stood by the fire for a while, because it beat sitting on the bed. Eventually I went through the dressers again, even though I knew I'd find the same things, and looked underneath the bed as well. There was nothing under the bed, not even dust bunnies.
    Finally I'd had enough, and went for the door. I reached for the knob and hesitated. I placed my ear against the door and paused to listen, but couldn't hear anything on the other side. I took a deep breath and grabbed the knob, opening the door before I could think better of it. I let out my breath when it was revealed that no one was waiting on the other side.
    With a steadying hand against the wall, I tip-toed out into the hallway, almost wishing I would have gone with bare feet rather than running shoes. I crept down the hall cringing at the little tip-taps of my steps. The lighting in the halls was more dim that it had been earlier, but still enough to see by luckily. Not sure where to go, I finally decided to go back down the hallway where I'd had my encounter with James. I did not want another meeting with him, but it seemed the most likely place for an exit. From what I'd seen of the opposite direction, the other halls led deeper into the compound.
    I looked over my shoulder every few seconds, wanting to run, but afraid of the noise my feet would make. I was mid-step when I heard a low-throated growl that raised the hairs on my arms. I turned around in what felt like slow motion to see a dog the size of a grizzly bear.
    I stood perfectly still as the beast took a slow step towards me. Upon closer observation, maybe it wasn't a dog. It had a face similar to that of a rottweiler, but something about its stance was wrong. I realized that it's neck was far too long, and what I could see of its tail was way too thick. It had the body of a bear, the head of a dog, and the neck and stance of a giant lizard. Dark brown fur flowed over it's face and body, blending the aspects of different animals seamlessly.
    The thing cocked back its head and sniffed the air, then let out another low growl. It shifted from foot to foot, as if preparing to pounce. Knowing that I would have no chance if it jumped on me, I turned and ran.
    I was no longer concerned about my footfalls as I rounded a corner in the hallway. I grabbed the knob of the first door that I saw, praying to whatever I should be praying to that it wasn't locked. The door came open and I practically fell inside. I felt the air shift behind me as the creature went barreling by. I slammed the door shut and slid the lock into place, not waiting to see if the creature came back. I was suddenly very glad that all of the doors in the place seemed to be made of heavy, sturdy wood.
    I turned to look at the room I was now trapped in. It was made of stone, of course, but something dark stained the walls and floor. The room barely had enough light to see by. I walked towards the nearest wall and touched the stains, smoothing my fingertips across the stone. My fingers came away with something thick and sticky. Older, dry stains were spread underneath the more recent ones, flowing in patterns like water. I stepped away from the wall, rubbing my fingers on my jeans as I went.
    My sneakered feet stuck to the floor as I explored the dimly-lit room a little further. Large cages with thick steel bars lined the far wall. The refuse inside of the cages hinted to the fact that they had once been occupied, but they were all empty now. I wondered if the cages were for other beasts like the one I'd seen. The room stank of sickness and