The Conduit (Gryphon Series) Read Online Free

your tire home? Or are you just gonna get it going again and see if you can fly there?”
    “As much fun as that sounds, I would love a ride home.”
    We were tossing the tire into the back of the news van when Alec commented offhandedly, “By the way, I got some great footage of you and your tire.”
    Damn it.
    As soon as we pulled into Grams’ driveway, I climbed out of the van and slid the side door open to retrieve my tire.
    “You sure you don’t want me to change that for you?” Alec asked for the third time.
    “No, but thanks. You’ve already done more than enough.”
    The front door squeaked as Gabe stepped out onto the porch. Alec didn’t miss his entrance. “Your boyfriend looks ticked.”
    “That’s my brother, Gabe. He always looks like that.” I set the tire on the ground and slammed the slider shut. “Thanks again for the ride.”
    “I guess I’ll see you around.” Alec’s face expressed a mix of hesitancy and hope. We suffered through yet another awkward silence before he gave a brief wave and drove away.
    Tire in tow, I shuffled my way to the garage where Gabe intercepted me. “Did you just get dropped off in a news van?” His lips were taut as he fought back a grin.
    I felt straightforward was the best approach. “Yes. I was rolling the tire home , and he offered to give me a lift.”
    “Wait, what was that?”
    “What was what?”
    “You were rolling the tire home?” Gabe ’s face turned red with the strain of his contained laughter. “How far did you get?”
    “The grocery store ,” I muttered.
    He exploded in hysterical fits. This was one of those moments when I wished I was an only child. I glared at him and waited for him to calm himself or choke on his own tongue. Whichever came first. I wasn’t picky.
    “You done?” I snapped.
    “For now ,” he said, wiping tears from his face. “Although I’m pretty sure I’ll have the same reaction when I tell people. And trust me, I will tell people.”
    “I’m not deluded enough to think you would keep it to yourself. I will give you my blessing to shout it from the rooftops as long as you do me one small favor first,” I bargained, pointing toward the tire.
    Gabe groaned. “Fine, I’ll change your tire. But only if you help and let me teach you how to do it yourself.”
    “What if I help by handing you whatever tools you need but make no false promises to pay attention or absorb any information?”
    Gabe rolled his eyes . “Whatever.”
    My tire -rolling escapades had eaten a huge chunk of daylight. The approaching twilight made it mandatory for us to turn on the outside lights to help illuminate our project. When Gabe determined that wasn’t adequate, I became the official flashlight holder. I leaned against the door frame and tuned out as he worked. Midway through the project, Kendall came sauntering up the driveway. Tagging along behind her was a scrawny, baby-faced boy. His sandy brown hair was combed straight forward and hung into his eyes—a fact that seemed to bother him. He kept nervously pushing it to the side or flipping his head. And they say girls are the only ones who will suffer for fashion.
    “Hi , guys!” Keni bubbled. “This is Keith. He lives across the street.”
    “Hi , Keith.” I smiled.
    From his crouched position, Gabe grumbled , “One day roaming around and she already found someone to follow her like a puppy dog.”
    I kicked his leg.
    “Ow!”
    “I met Keith at the library. He is so sweet!” Kendall gushed. Keith blushed at the compliment and flipped his hair again. “He read through scenes of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof with me. And guess what? I talked him into auditioning for the role of Brick!”
    Keith’s face blanched at that declaration. He may not want to audition, but more importantly, he didn’t want to disappoint the pretty girl. Of course Kendall was clueless.
    “You know, Keni.” I tried to play diplomat. “Not everyone is as comfortable on stage as you are. Keith might be