Portal Hop: The Haller Lake Series, #3

Chapter One

When Roman looked at Kris’s eyes, he knew something was terribly wrong. She wore different clothes than she’d worn when she boarded the plane in Cancun. A suit replaced his jeans and button-down shirt.

Kris? He frowned and when she didn’t answer him, touched her arm. Kris?

What? she said, dropped the magazine onto her lap and pulled her arm away from him. You’re acting out. Did you have some weird dream or something?

He looked around the plane, then back at her. This is different from when we left Cancun. These people all look like business types, not vacationers. Feeling into his inside pocket, he found his ticket. It said the flight was returning to Seattle from New York. That wasn’t right. They’d just spent two weeks in Cancun, Mexico.

Kris returned to her magazine. This is the last time I go to an art conference with you, she mumbled. Roman, she said louder. Why don’t you just sell me your half of the gallery? That way we won’t have to see each other, like ever again. I’m sure you’re smart enough to find some other company to invest in with your millions of dollars, retired freak.

Roman couldn’t believe what he’d heard. He felt something stab in his heart when he

realized she wasn’t wearing her wedding ring or the merge necklace she’d gotten them for their anniversary. When he felt his chest through his shirt, he found his necklace was missing, too.

What the hell is going on? he thought as he sat back in his seat.

He looked at the palm of his hand and tried to activate the merge spot. It didn’t work and all he felt was the skin on his palm.

He realized Kris stared at him. Have you ever been to Cancun? he asked.

Yeah, Gee and I went there last... what? She sounded so hostile.

Gee? Do you mean Guillermo? he asked.

Lakeman, what is your problem? Of course, Guillermo, she hissed.

Remind me, how long have you been with him?

It’s been about a year or so since I got tired of hanging out with Shadrach. Are you having a breakdown or some weird Lakeman’s dementia? She flipped the pages of her magazine without looking at them. God, I hope your witch is at the airport on time. We won’t have room for you in the limo. Her eyes flashed dark.

My witch? He looked at her again, his brows creasing.

Cassandra? Have you forgotten your witch? If I hold that over your head, will you sell me your half of the gallery?

Hold what? He felt confused.

Hello, did you forget the little bitch—oh sorry, I meant witch—that you’ve been fucking? She can be so nasty when she’s angry. Although, I’ve known for some time you’ve wanted to screw me. You’ll have to think about it. Let me know what you decide when we meet next month. Cassandra would never believe me, but, hey, I can’t help trying, can I?

Kris, where is Otter? Roman sat up in his seat and felt concerned.

Oh great, now it’s furry woodland animals. Otter’s make great coats, don’t they? She smirked.

He’s our son. What have you done with him? Roman started to get angry. Where is he?

What have I done? Son? This is getting ridiculous, Kris said and put the magazine in the pocket of the seat ahead of her. The last thing I want is some squalling kid. Go back to sleep, Roman. You’re still dreaming.

As he watched, she stood up and started to move past him. She planted the three-inch heel of her shoe in the middle of his foot and seemed to enjoy grinding it down. Roman gasped and put his hand over the top of his foot as he saw her move toward one of the attendants. She put an innocent look on her face and spoke to the woman. Looking over her shoulder, Kris pointed at Roman and then threw her hands up.

She said, Thank you, and walked back toward their seats. Stopping in the aisle, she reached over him and grabbed her bag. There’s another seat available where I can sit in peace. See you next month, asshole. She turned away and went to the other side of the plane.

Roman could not figure out what just happened. Everything important in his life was turned upside down. He and Kris weren’t married, she thought he was with Cassie and somehow he’d become business partners with Kris, and where the hell was Otter? He couldn’t sense his son at all. He tried to ignore Kris for the rest of the flight, but glanced over to where she sat. What was happening?

WHEN THE PLANE LANDED, they walked off together and headed for baggage claim. At the carousel, Kris moved away from him and stood on the other side. He watched as she peeled off her jacket. She wore a tight pink tank top that left nothing to the imagination. He could clearly see she wasn’t wearing one of her awful bras. Her black, mid-thigh skirt was split up the left leg and he realized she wore stockings with elastic tops.

She never wears those, he thought. She wore them once in a while to toy with him, although she claimed to hate them. It could mean she wasn’t wearing any panties and Roman felt a warmth slide into his pelvis and the room seemed too hot. He saw other men around the carousel watch her and felt jealous. He wanted to tell her to put her jacket back on.

Roman watched Guillermo walk up behind Kris and bring his hands up under her arms. He slid them into the sides of her tank. She leaned her head against the demon’s chest and worked her hand behind her back. His long, black hair breezed over her shoulder and wound around Kris’s neck. He leaned over and kissed her ear, then released her to let her turn. Kris’s hand cupped the front of the demon’s pants and held his package. Guillermo’s lips planted on top of hers. Roman felt his anger grow. He knew what the demon tasted and it tore his heart to pieces.

Kris whispered something in the demon’s ear, grinned, and then glanced at Roman.

Guillermo looked at him and smirked. He could hear Kris laugh and then she turned and walked toward him.

Lakeman, have you found your soft, furry animal? she asked and looked at the carousel.

What?

You know, the beaver or whatever it was you were mumbling about on the plane.

Kris, something is very wrong. Otter is our son. What have you done with him? Roman asked, and tried not to go ballistic in the crowd.

She shook her head. "You have really gone off your nut, haven’t you? Oh, God, your

witch is here." She turned, started back to Guillermo, and shrugged.

Roman watched her walk away. His mind raced in nineteen different directions at once. Suddenly, two strong arms and a face full of blonde, curly hair smothered him. When he could finally pull back, he found Cassie with her legs wrapped around his waist.

Hello, lover. Three days is too long for you to be away with the whore. Next time I get to go, too. She put her lips on his and kissed him slow and warm.

The next time Roman could look, Kris and Guillermo walked out to a limousine. While the driver put her case into the trunk, Roman saw her shed the tank top and straddle the demons lap in the back seat. Guillermo put his mouth on her breast and she leaned back with her hand pulling the demon’s penis out. The driver shut the door and Roman watched as the limo pulled away from the curb.

Roman followed Cassie out to her car in a daze. As much as he wanted to make sense of what happened, he couldn’t get his brain to focus. All he could see and think about was that evil spawn putting his mouth on his wife. He felt certain he’d woken up on the plane in a different realm, but why? He’d have to work out whatever caused this weird situation.

He realized he hadn’t paid any attention to Cassie. She’d chattered on about something. He looked out the window of her car and realized she drove east instead of north.

Hey, Cass, where are you going? he asked.

Home, duh. She laughed. Reaching across to the passenger side, she ran her fingers through his hair. You need a haircut, sweetie.

Yeah, I’ll do that, but isn’t home north at Haller? He pointed in another direction.

She looked at him. Roman, we’ve never lived at Haller. You quit the lake, remember?

He shook his head. I need to talk to Omar, how do I reach him?

Try 1-800-dead-guy. Omar died last year, lover, she said and stared at him. Roman, what’s going on? Did that whore cast a spell on you or something?

What about Marcus? He felt afraid to ask.

Now you’re scaring me. When he and Lorrie broke up, he transferred to some other lake. Roman, what happened to you in New York?

I’m not sure. I don’t remember much from New York. I would swear I’d been in Cancun. He looked out the window.

What did that bitch do to you? I swear, if she cast some weird memory spell, she’ll pay for it, mark my words, Cassie hissed and moved the car onto the freeway.

He went quiet and tried to think for a few miles. Cass, where do Kris and Guillermo live?

Why?

Just curious, he said. He tried to sound nonchalant, but could tell by the look on her face it didn’t work.

They live at the Breakers, those new condos down by the waterfront. I’m willing to bet they paid a million five for it. I don’t even want to know where the money came from. It wouldn’t surprise me if the bitch slept around to earn it. Guillermo would want to watch. She smirked.

Cassie, if you call Kris a bitch or whore one more time, I will have to hit you. He looked at her and realized she didn’t move. When he looked out of the side window, he saw that nothing moved. Seagulls hung in the air and the other cars appeared as though they’d been put on pause.

Roman looked out the front window and saw a white light start to swirl in front of the car. Opening the door, he stepped out as a portal opened. He saw Gaspar step through and motion for Roman to come to him.

Roman, Gaspar said and shook his head. Not supposed to be here, come, come, must get you home.

Thank the Lord. Roman moved toward the portal. As he crossed into the white light he passed the alternate him. They looked at each other. Cassie may be pissed at you, Roman said as they changed places. You just threatened to hit her. Roman watched the portal close and turned to Gaspar. What is going on? Roman asked, worried about the look on the troll’s face. Gaspar, something is wrong. I don’t think I was in the right place.

Yes, yes, there is a problem. You’ve been thrown into a spiral. You’re realm jumping and we are trying to figure out who did this and get you out of it, back to your own time. Gaspar turned and looked up at Roman. Good to see you, boy.

They shook hands and spoke briefly about the last time they’d met.

Your missus is very kind, Gaspar said and looked a bit bashful for a moment. And very beautiful.

I agree with you, Gaspar. I’ll have to tell her your compliment. He still felt somewhat confused.

Yes, we must get you back to her. Now, your body is in a very uncomfortable-looking bed at a hospital. It isn’t long enough for you and they had to remove the footboard. I’d forgotten how tall you are, Gaspar said. His voice faded to silence and his face looked serious. Yes, yes, now we must find out who has slipped your soul and essence into the between. Mrs. Lake and your son tried to merge with you, but were blocked. There is a very powerful energy surrounding you. I’m having a dilly of a time working it out. I’ve called Rupert who is on his way to help. The witch is also there and the guards keep checking in. Now, one thing, Roman, I will try to follow you when you are pulled away, but let me do all the work. Do not try using your merge spot or any senses while in the other realms. It will only weaken you and make it harder for you to get back.

Roman started to feel pulled toward a new opening. Damn, I can feel it coming.

Don’t fight it, boy. Save your strength, was the last Roman heard before he flew through the portal.

Chapter Two

Kris stared at Roman . She didn’t want to take her eyes off him for a second, worried she might miss a sign or a change. Gaspar stood on the other side of the hospital bed, his hands on Roman’s arm and chanted.

The last twenty-four hours were a nightmare. Roman dozed off in the last hour of the return flight from Cancun. When the plane pulled into the terminal, he wouldn’t wake up. Kris tried to remain calm, but felt bricks settle into her stomach as she watched the medics check his vitals. His breathing was a bit shallow and his blood pressure low. They asked her if he’d taken any drugs and what he’d had to eat and drink on the plane.

The medics managed to get him onto a stretcher and wheel him off the plane. Kris called Cassie before they left and told her what happened. The flight attendant got the baggage claim tickets from Kris and walked them out to Cassie who waited with Omar. They picked up the bags and took them back to the lake while Kris and Otter rode in the ambulance watching Roman closely. Otter knew something went wrong with his dad and stayed quiet the whole way.

The doctors ran a battery of tests on Roman. They started with a CT scan, X-rays, and blood tests. When all those came back normal, they did an MRI and an EEG to check for brain activity. Sometime during all the tests, his heart stopped. The doctors and nurses did CPR and were able to get it started again, but he wasn’t breathing on his own. They’d hooked him up to a respirator that breathed for him.

Cassie and Omar caught up with her and took Otter home. He’d become difficult for the first time and screamed No! at the top of his little voice. He refused to let go of Kris’s blouse. She found out later Gaspar whispered something to Otter that calmed him down.

When Gaspar arrived, Kris told him what she could. He waited with her until Roman got settled in the intensive care section of the hospital.

Now she looked across the bed. All she could see of Gaspar was the top of his head. He’d placed a phone book on the floor to stand on. His hand held onto Roman’s arm and his eyes were closed. He’d been like this for the last two hours. Whenever a nurse or aide came in to check on Roman’s vital signs, Kris explained the small man was family and very deep in prayer.

Ah yes, Gaspar said and opened his eyes. I’ve found him, Mrs. Lake. His spirit has been stolen and is trapped between realm portals. It is referred to as realm jumping or hopping. He came around to where Kris sat on the other side.

Gaspar, I don’t understand. What is realm jumping?

Think of the realm being set like a spider’s web. The center is here, home base. He held up his arms and looked around the room. Yes, home base is this place, this time. Now, if you are plucked from the center and put into the next section, there can be four to eight different realms to fall into and so on as you move outward, away from the center. He put his hand on her arm. Here is the problem. If he gets too far away from here, the center, it will be more difficult to get him back. We must find who caused this and stop the spell or he won’t be able to return. He patted her arm.

Kris opened her mouth to speak, but the glass door to the room started to slide open. Looking out, she realized for the first time the room sat next to the nurses’ station. Many people milled around out there. Kris snapped her jaw shut as an older man with graying hair walked in holding a chart. He looked at her over the top of a pair of reading glasses.

Mrs. Lake?

Yes.

Hello, I’m Dr. Sanford. Dr. Brandon asked me to look in on your husband. He walked to the end of the bed to shake her hand and nearly stepped on Gaspar. Sorry, son, I didn’t see you. Would I be able to speak to your mother... The doctor’s brows arched when Gaspar looked up at him. My apologies, sir.

Dr. Sanford, Mr. Vitterfolk is a member of my husband’s family. Anything you have to say can be said with him here, Kris said.

Of course. The doctor put Roman’s chart on a table and folded his arms. I have to admit, Mr. Lake’s case is a bit of a puzzle. Dr. Brandon thought perhaps a stroke, but the CT and MRI are both very normal. The EEG, though, is very abnormal...

How is it abnormal? Kris asked, interrupting the doctor.

There is no brain activity registering at all, which leads me to believe something has happened that killed his brain. When something like this occurs it’s best to let him pass quickly.

Kris felt Gaspar’s hand squeeze her arm. She put hers over his and didn’t feel anything strange emit from the doctor, but thought it weird the path he followed.

Doctor, my husband’s brothers will be here shortly. I won’t make any decisions until I’ve spoken with them, but I can say that none of us will agree to let Roman pass quickly. There must be some explanation for this and if it takes weeks to find answers, then so be it. Kris stood up and moved to the window. Thank you for your opinion, she said and pinched her nose between her fingers.

Mrs. Lake, I apologize for my bluntness, but if there’s no hope... the doctor started.

Kris spun around fast. Pardon me, doctor, but if this is going to be your train of thought, that there’s no hope for my husband, then get out of here now, because there is hope and we’re not looking at it any other way. Kris worked hard to maintain her composure, but she wanted to slap the man who stood by Roman’s bed. She wanted to beat the snot out of him and would if he said one more word.

Mrs. Lake, I understand your position. I’d like to order a couple of tests and see what further information we can find. He picked up the chart. I’ll have the nurse come in and go over the tests with you. We’ll speak again in the morning.

Fine. Kris sat down again and picked up Roman’s hand. Gaspar put his hand on her arm and patted it. She waited for the doctor to leave the room before she sat back.   Bastard, she hissed and felt her throat tighten.

You did very well, Mrs. Lake. Roman is very lucky, Gaspar said.

Gaspar? She looked at him. You must call me Kris, please, no more formality. She wiped a tear from her cheek.

Thank you, I will try. He looked at Roman. Now, I’m going to try to catch up with him again. His body must stay alive, Mrs...er...Kris. We must keep hoping, yes? He walked to the other side of the bed and stepped onto his phone book.

Kris put her lips on Roman’s hand and held it. She continued to watch him.

Perhaps talk to him, Kris, Gaspar suggested.

That’s a good idea. I will. She watched the troll go into his trance. His eyes rolled around and then closed. Kris pulled her cell phone out of her pocket and speed-dialed Cassie.

Hey, Kris, I was just going to call you. Any news? she heard Cassie ask.

No, nothing. He’s still out of it. Gaspar says he’s realm jumping. He tried to explain it, but I’m not sure I get it or paid close enough attention. Listen, Cass, I need a huge favor. There’s a Dr. Sanford hanging around here. She looked out the sliding door and saw the doctor at the nurses’ station. He said he was asked to review Roman’s case. I don’t like him and don’t want him near Roman again. Can you check with your group and see if there’s anyone out there with magic savvy, willing to take the case?

I’m on it, sister. I’ll call when I have something. Kris heard Cassie tell Omar to turn on the computer. Otter fell asleep just before we walked in the door.

Good. Did he eat anything for dinner?

Just a little from a bottle.

Are you coming back in the morning? Kris tried not to sound needy.

Of course. Marcus and Lorrie want to ride over with us, too.

Okay, tell Omar to go over to the house. In the cabinet above the stove, is a bottle of elixir. Bring it with an eye dropper. It can’t hurt him, right? she asked.

Right, got it. Do you want us to bring Otter? Sylvia and Fred are back from Arizona, packing up their house. She said she’d being willing to sit if necessary, Cassie said.

No, bring Otter here. It will be good to have him near Roman. Maybe he can reach his dad somehow, Kris answered.

Got that, too.

I’ll see you tomorrow. Kris closed her phone and put it back in her pocket.

Standing, she went out to the nurses’ station and asked for a supervisor or head nurse. It took several minutes, but finally a tall woman introduced herself as the charge nurse. Kris asked her to remove Dr. Sanford from Roman’s case and explained a new doctor would be taking over in the morning. The nurse understood and said she would make it happen.

Kris went back into the room and closed the door and curtain. She sat next to the bed, took Roman’s hand in hers and held it between her breasts. She leaned near him and began to murmur into his ear. Hey, babe. I know you’re in there and can hear me. I’ve just been remembering Cancun. Walking on the beach with you at night in the warmth was so romantic. I can still feel your hands on me. Your mouth and tongue, too. She glanced at Gaspar to make sure he was still in his trance. You tasted so good, babe. I want you on top of me again with the passion and heat you burn me with. Come back to me, my love. I need you to wake up and rip my bra off. I can feel your tongue teasing my nipples and your fingers inside me. I love you, Roman. Otter wants his daddy here. He wants to sit in the bathtub with you and splash away. Roman we need you, we love you... Kris continued the litany and hoped she reached him.

IT WAS SOME TIME BEFORE Kris realized she’d fallen asleep. She became aware of being pulled, but it wasn’t a vision she got pulled into. It felt different. When she put her head up she was in Roman’s room in the hospital, but it looked different. Gaspar disappeared and she couldn’t hear the beep from the machines that monitored Roman’s heartbeat.

Hi, Mom, she heard a voice over her right shoulder.

Kris turned in the seat and looked up at her twenty-year-old son. His brown hair and eyes were the same color as his father’s.

Otter, what are you doing here? she asked.

I got worried and wanted to make sure Dad was being well-cared for, he said and looked over the foot of the bed at his father and then smiled at Kris. I wanted to be sure you were doing all right, too.

It’s late, young man. You should be asleep.

I am. Aunt Cassie put me down a couple of hours ago. Dad’s in there, you know? I can sense him. Otter walked around the bed and put his hand on her shoulder.

Gaspar told me he found Dad doing something called ‘realm hopping.’ I don’t get it, but we’ll need to break the spell that’s holding him there.

What’s being done? How can I help? Otter asked.

As your dad says, we’re getting our ducks in a row, Kris said. As for you, I want you to get back to your real form and get some good sleep. Cassie and Omar will bring you here in the morning and we can start working on getting Dad back.

Mom, I told you. I am asleep. Sawing logs and dreaming of ducks lined up in rows is all I’m able to do right now. He grinned at her.

Kris frowned and looked up at him again. Son, where are we?

Otter looked around the room. This is a millisecond away from where you really are. It’s sort of like another realm, but it’s the same place you were, just a different time. Pretty cool, don’t you think?

Different time and realm hopping. I hope this makes sense to me someday. I don’t get it.

Just keep Dad safe. I’ll head back and get some sleep.

I’ll see you in the morning, son. Kris smiled as her son faded from the room and she pulled back into her own time.