Wet and Wired Read Online Free Page A

know?”
    “It is the most common problem that contractors have when they come up here. They underestimate the sentience of the environment.”
    “But you don’t.”
    She started to walk him slowly out of the portal and made a beeline for the café. Lost time could wait. She wanted breakfast.
     

Chapter Four
     
     
    Altion sat and swayed slightly. “Should we have told someone that we were here?”
    “Nope. My aunt let Teal know the moment we sat down.”
    “How do you know that?”
    “I know my family. Four other beavers spotted us, and they all scattered to tell folks that we were fine. That said, I think I should tell my dad I am okay before the gossip wave gets to him.”
    She sent a quick text to her dad.
    Leda sat back when Sally returned, and she ordered all of her favourites off the breakfast menu, including chicken fried steak. She felt like she hadn’t eaten in days.
    She finished her order with, “And he will have two pitchers of water. He has been a little dry.”
    Leda licked her cracked lips. “One for me too, please, Aunty.”
    Sally turned and took Altion’s order before bustling away and returning with the three pitchers of water.
    Leda grabbed at the pitcher before it was on the table, and she tipped the whole thing toward her mouth.
    In the minutes since she had left the portal, she was feeling every missed moment of time, and now, she was exhausted, hungry and thirsty.
    Thirsty was taken care of first.
    Sally was staring at her as she set down the pitcher. “Another one, Leda?”
    “Please, Aunty.” Leda looked at Altion, and he was nearly through his second pitcher. “Another for him, too. We promise to use glasses next time.”
    Altion set the second empty pitcher down. “Yes, pardon my lack of manners, ma’am.”
    Sally smiled. “Of course. I will be right back.”
    She took the empties with her, and Leda sat back, wondering where her body had put the water. Her stomach should be sloshing, but it was quiet.
    Altion ran his hand over his hair. “Thank you for coming in when you did. I had no idea how to fix that. It hasn’t happened before.”
    She shelved the nineteen jokes about getting it in and making it work and smiled. “You have to understand the Crossroads to work here.”
    “Would you teach me?”
    Leda blinked. “I am going home as soon as we confirm that the portal is working.”
    His shoulders slumped, and she could feel his disappointment.
    She smiled. “But, we still have today, so I will do what I can.”
    Teal and Tony came striding in, and they sat next to Leda and Altion without invitation.
    The food arrived, and Leda dug in, waiting for the questions. To her surprise, the guardians kept their queries to themselves until she pushed her plate away and was guzzling down another glass of water.
    Teal cleared her throat. “Where were you?”
    Altion shrugged. “I have no idea.”
    Leda smiled slightly. “In the unformed space. We were inside and beneath the Crossroads at the same time. It was trippy.”
    Tony frowned at Altion. “I thought you were a master at making portals.”
    “I am, but as Leda pointed out, the Crossroads isn’t a static structure. It is a fluid dynamic space, and the coils needed to be aligned accordingly. I wasn’t counting on the space to be what I needed to consult.”
    Leda nodded. “He is aware of the requirements now.”
    Teal sighed. “Your family wants you home. Now.”
    “I guessed as much. I will make sure that the portal works, and then, I will head back.” She could see Altion slump again.
    Teal winced. “It isn’t possible right now. Dira went into labour, and the power that generates the links between the Crossroads and Earth are bending and flexing. Everyone is on lockdown until she has this baby.”
    Leda frowned, and she fished out her phone, typing in a message to her dad. Stuck at the Crossroads for a while. Will keep you posted on when I will be cleared to leave. All is good. Hugs.
    She got a ping back.