NEXT GEN: Never too Big to Spank

~ ZANE ~

"You can't tell anyone, Lia," I said finally. Darkly. "It will freak them out too much. My parents… to them this place is just nothing but threat. They've forgotten that most humans don't even know Dad and the other Chimera exist. Let alone Anima. They don't get it. Seriously, you can't tell them."

"I'm not telling," Lia said hurriedly. "Do you know what my mother would do to me if she found out I was here? My Dad got stuck here for a while. You know that, right? He still pales every time they have to talk about it."

Ah, that was right. I'd forgotten. No wonder she could see the portals. Her dad was a Protector. Which meant, somewhere deep down, she was as well.

"So… this is going to be our secret, right?" I said carefully.

She nodded emphatically, but then turned to smile at me. "Which is exactly why you can kiss my ass if you think I'm not coming back. This place is fun."