Fly: A PORTAL Chronicles Novel (The PORTAL Chronicles) (45 page)
Read Fly: A PORTAL Chronicles Novel (The PORTAL Chronicles) Online
Authors: Melissa Aden
Tags: #faith, #spiritual, #young adult, #love, #warfare, #god, #paranormal, #demons, #Fiction, #romance, #demonic, #Satan, #adventure, #truth, #fear, #jesus, #angels
“Spill!” I said.
He laughed. “I was thinking that I’m more nervous about your awakening than you are.”
“Why?”
He shrugged. “I like being your protector and the way things are now. What if you no longer need me after your awakening is said and done?”
“I’ll always need you, Everett. If not for security, then for your support. And for your nook,” I said, snuggling closer to him.
He chuckled. “My what?”
“This—” I pointed to where my head rested. “—is your nook. We’re like two puzzle pieces. Your chest perfectly supports my head and your arm is exactly the right length to wrap around me and hold me tight.”
“Guess it’s just further confirmation that we’re meant to be, huh?” I could tell he was fishing.
“There’s no guessing about it. I’m sure we are,” I said. He rubbed my arm with a worried look on his face. “Look at me.” I sat up to face him. “I want to be with you, Everett Sinclair, whether I need your protection or not.”
Something broke inside of him. His eyes glistened as he whispered, “I don’t deserve you… or any of this. You’re too good to be true.”
“Likewise.” I smiled.
He reached out and stroked my cheek, his eyes glowing intensely. “I’m so glad you’re okay. I don’t know what I’d do without you, Sophie. I love you.”
My heart soared as I soaked in his words. “I love you, too.”
He kissed me tenderly. “I’m so excited that you’re joining the PORTAL team. I can’t wait to see where this adventure leads us.”
My heart was so full, overflowing with joy and love and every other good feeling. Tears filled my eyes upon seeing the sincerity on his face. He really loved me — that much was true. All I could do was smile as happy tears ran down my cheeks.
“Where you go, I will follow,” he said, wiping my tears. “I’ve got your back no matter what.”
“Sophie, it’s time!” Victory said, peeking her head into the room. “Are you ready?”
Excitement rushed through me. It was time! Eve'rett took my hand and gave it a supportive squeeze.
“More than ready!” I answered.
She lit up. “I’ll let everybody know. See you in a bit.”
Everett stood before helping me up. “Remember, Dio is a gentleman. You’ll be fine.”
“I know,” I nodded, wrapping my arms around him. “I’ve learned I can trust him.”
I was in awe at how far I’d come. I’d been through so much the past few months, much of it self-imposed agony, but I was thankful for the experiences as they only confirmed my need for Dio that much more. It was time I fully surrendered to Dio’s will for my life. I trusted he only had good things planned for me. I’d learned the hard way that there was no peace in life without him, and I was excited to try things his way as I lived out the adventures he’d written on the pages of my story.
“So you’re really ready?” Everett asked, watching me carefully.
I nodded. “I’m ready to spread my wings and fly.”
He smiled and kissed me one last time before leading me to meet the Creator.
Acknowledgements
There are so many to thank for their help and support over the past four years of writing this novel. Many along this miraculous journey have spurred me on, encouraged me, and inspired me. For that, I thank you.
More specifically:
Ashley:
Thank you for holding my hand through this seemingly endless adventure and reading even my roughest of drafts. You are a trooper! I appreciate you hanging in there with me and not giving up on me on even the stormiest of days… or drafts. Your editing and narrative advice is priceless. You’re my oldest friend, and I am thrilled the thing that brought us back together is something so near and dear to both of our hearts: a good story. I'm forever indebted.
Liz:
You’re the best friend (and the best therapist) a girl could hope for. Thank you for always being there to listen to my concerns, worries, and fears. You never failed to come alongside me, capture every doubt, and help me smother them with plenty of prayers. This story wouldn’t be what it is without your involvement. You’re truly the big sister I never had and I love you.
Debby Odum:
Writing this novel wouldn’t have been possible without the foundation of excellence in writing, grammar, and spelling — and more so, the deep love of stories and reading — you forged in me as a little girl. It is the seeds you planted so long ago that you see blooming now. Looking back, it is apparent that my mother enrolling me to your care was a divine appointment. I am blessed to have had you as a teacher and mentor. Your impact on me (and so many others) is beyond measure.
Mom:
Even for this word nerd, words simply aren’t enough… Thank you for being my biggest cheerleader and cheering me on through the darkest of days. Thank you for having faith in this story when I didn’t have the strength to muster it. Thank you for believing in me and the vision God birthed in me when I couldn’t believe it myself. I am blessed to call you Mom. I am blessed to be your daughter. Through thick and thin, you have weathered every storm with me. So, a millions times over, I thank you!
Dad:
Your support and encouragement through this long and arduous process will never be forgotten. Thank you for your prayers and for reminding me of who I am when I was too discouraged and blinded to see it. Thank you for teaching me that God always has my best intentions at heart, that His ways are always better than my own, and that His dreams for me are always immensely bigger than those I dream for myself. Destiny Mode, indeed!
Jonathan and Emma:
Thanks for being my guinea pigs and taking the time to tediously read my manuscript to me. Thanks for being you, giving me firsthand insight into the lives of teens today. Your struggles, victories, and fears take me back to my teen years, adding a richness and authenticity to my writing that would otherwise be lacking. Above all, thanks for inspiring me — and often giving me a good laugh — with your teen lingo. You’re beast! You’re boss! You’re swag! And I adore you.
Erik:
My best friend. My soul mate. My confidant. Best of all, my husband! Thank you for loving me. If it weren't for the intimacy and electricity I share with you, I would have no wellspring of experience to draw upon and this story would never have been. As well, thank you for your tough love. I trust your intentions for me and that you will always do your best to steer me in the right direction. You’re the best coach a girl could ask for. You’ve sacrificed so much to allow me to run after my dreams with abandon. I will forever love you.
Lina:
Thank you for teaching me of the indescribable complexities, fullness, and beauty of a mother’s love for her child. You continually enrich and refine me. You are a perfectly-timed gift from God. My life — and my writing — are better for knowing you. Poppet, my poppet, my sweet little poppet, you’ve stolen my heart and you’ve filled me with joy. I love you, my poppet, my sweet little poppet. Your Mommy adores you, and you she enjoys.
The Aden Girls:
I am grateful for your endless prayers and support. Vickie, Tami, Julie, Susie, and Kristi, I love you!
God, the Master Storyteller:
Thank you for entrusting me with the responsibility and honor of sharing this story regardless of my many insufficiencies along the way. I am amazed at how you have changed my life through the process of writing this book. I started in a dark place and over the past four years, you have healed me, restored me, and ushered me into a place of light, freedom, and life. You have taught me how important it is to dream, and how detrimental going through life without a dream can be. Thank you for revealing yourself to me. Thank you for teaching me I can trust you no matter what. Most of all, thank you for not only teaching me how to dream, but how to dream BIG!
And Finally, Thanks to You, The Reader:
Many times through the process of writing this book, I have felt discouraged and been tempted to quit. Yet every time, God has reminded me why He gave me the dreams that sparked this story in the first place: you! I pray this story brings you truth, freedom, blessing, joy, healing, and hope. I pray you walk away a little lighter with some newfound nuggets of wisdom tucked away to sustain you on the tough journey of life ahead. I pray you discover a little more of who you are meant to be and the story God has written for you by reading the story God wrote through me.
Thank you for your support and taking time to read this story. I greatly appreciate it.
About the Author
Melissa Aden has harbored a passion for writing and storytelling from her earliest memories. With an Armenian father who came to America to pursue his dreams and a mother who is a patron of theater, film, and the arts, Melissa was raised in a creative environment and taught that if she worked hard to reach her dreams, the possibilities for her future were limitless.
From writing and illustrating stories for her family through childhood to becoming the youngest reporter to write for her local newspaper in high school, she went on to secure a Journalism degree and worked in marketing, graphic design, and freelance writing before daring to pursue a career as a novelist.
Melissa felt long lost in a world of corporate ladders and schemes when God redirected her path with an amazing dream on June 7, 2008. God began revealing Melissa’s future to her, as well as a story that would change her life forever. Sparked by this divine inspiration, she began writing what would become the first Young Adult novel of “The PORTAL Chronicles" series.
Melissa lives in Omaha, Nebraska, with her husband, daughter, and two silly dogs, Fozzy and Bella. She enjoys reading, watercolor painting, noshing on blueberry scones and mint tea, and mentoring high school and college-age young women and single moms at her church. You can catch her musings and book updates from her blog at
http://melissaaden.wordpress.com/
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