My Hockey Alpha novel Chapter 463

Mariah nodded. “It’ll keep you from getting sick when traveling between realms,” she said. “Luke told me that you were getting sick when using portals, so I did some research and foraging and developed this. Go on, try it.”

My eyes widened a bit as I took the vial from Mariah’s hands. The liquid inside was nondescript and clear, like water. But when I popped open the bottle and took a small sip, it tasted surprisingly minty and refreshing.

Within a few moments of taking a sip, I felt my spirits lifting. It was subtle, but I could feel my shoulders pulling back, my chest puffing out, my lungs filling with just a little extra air and my entire body felt lighter, like I could jump a mile high.

“Well?” Mariah asked, folding her arms across her chest.

I couldn’t help but grin. “I feel great,” I said.

Mariah smiled ever so slightly. “Perfect; that means it’s working. Just a few drops a day should be enough to keep your spirits up, and you shouldn’t get sick anymore when you use portals.”

“Wow, um… Thanks, you two,” I said with a smile. “I don’t know how to make it up to—

Just then, a sudden commotion from the hallway made us all freeze. Instantly, I recognized the fizzling sound of a portal opening, and I felt my heart sink. And then, before any of us could even react, the door burst open, and there stood my father-chest heaving and eyes blazing.

“Nina, you’re coming back with me!” he boomed, already reaching for me. “Enough of this!”

Before anyone could say or do anything, I was darting forward, using my small stature to slip past his outstretched

arms.

“No!” I cried out. “I’m not going back!”

The room fell into a flurry of chaos. As the others watched, wide-eyed and full of shock on the sidelines, my father attempted to catch me. But what I lacked in size compared to his hulking form, I made up for with agility.

I slipped past him with ease, evading his repeated attempts to grab me and pull me back through the swirling portal. It must have been a funny sight, honestly, watching me evade my own father like a toddler on the loose, but it felt anything but funny during those moments.

“You remind me of your mother, you know,” he whispered through his hands, his voice muffled. “All of her intelligence and grace. Yet somehow, both you and your sister inherited my stubbornness.”

I squeezed his shoulder, blinking back the tears that threatened to spill over. “I just… I have to do this, Dad,” I whispered. “Please understand.”

For a moment, I thought he might protest again-that he might try to lock me away to keep me ‘safe’.

But then, his shoulders sagged, and he nodded slowly, looking up to meet my gaze.

“Go to Mila’s palace first,” he instructed, his tone reluctantly resigned. “Infiltrate and get Enzo out, so she can’t hurt him. I’ll gather backup and follow close behind, and then we’ll take her out. But Nina…”

He gripped my shoulders, his gaze boring into mine. “Be careful. I can’t lose you too.”