The room's energy shifted immediately. Like an electric current had suddenly run through the floorboards.
Juan stirred on the couch. Eyes fluttered open. Momentarily disoriented. Jacob scrambled for his datapad. Nearly dropped it in his excitement. Even Skylar removed one headphone. Cocked her head with mild interest.
"Since you'll all be risking your necks in a real Gate in exactly two weeks," Braxton continued. Crossed one leg over the other with casual indifference. "I figure you should probably know what the hell they actually are. Beyond the oversimplified 'scary place where monsters come from' garbage they feed to civilians."
Everyone drifted closer. Unconsciously formed a semicircle around him. Drawn by the gravitational pull of experience.
I stayed where I was. Leaned against the kitchen counter. But found myself tilting forward slightly. Ears perked.
