Descent Read Free Page A

I’m here, Harry replied.
    Accolon wants Satine to know he’s planning a trip to Burmia.
    Why? Luca—what is it this time?
    Luca hesitated. Stupidity and jealousy, again.
    Harry sighed. What are we going to do about this?
    There was a long silence. Relay the message to Satine. Have to go.
    The breaking of the mind-link was clumsy and painful, which was unusual for Luca, usually so fluid with everything he did.
    Harry sat down heavily and massaged his temples, trying to rid himself of the headache such a disconnection created.
    When the four Strangers had merged to fight Leostrial, a strange link had been formed, a conduit for their thoughts if they chose to share them. Each one of them had a different texture, a different feel. Harry often had trouble explaining that bit, so the three of them had decided to call it their mind-voice. Anna’s was a brilliant yellow shining thing, always loud on approach,but never painful. Luca’s had always been darker—a snaking embodiment that crept inside Harry’s mind unexpectedly, stealthy and strong and gentle. In the beginning it had been a turquoise blue, but as the days and months passed, it had grown much darker. Harry didn’t know what caused this, but neither of his friends would speak to him about it.
    Tiring of practice, Harry walked from the training room and out onto one of the balconies that wrapped around the southern side of the castle. There he dawdled, unsure why he felt so out of sorts. He couldn’t stop thinking about the dreams. Resting his elbows on the railing, he gazed out onto the plain beyond. The sun had just dipped below the horizon, and Harry shivered, casting a wary glance into the sky.
    His eyes caught something and he gasped. There were people out there! On the plains. At night. Harry’s heart began to pound in horror as he broke into a run.
    ‘What’s going on, man?’ Jack asked. He and Mia were both shivering in their t-shirts and shorts, the temperature having dropped dramatically with the sun. Neither had any idea what was happening, but both sensed danger in the air. The boy, Altor, was walking as quickly as humanly possible, and Mia could see that he was itching to get back onto his horse.
    ‘I’ll explain when we’re safe,’ he snapped, shooting them a hard glance.
    ‘Well, can you at least tell us how you know who we are?’ Jack asked.
    ‘I’ll leave that to my mother, Jack. I’m hardly the person to be answering things of any importance.’
    Mia realised with a jolt that they hadn’t told Altor Jack’s name. ‘What does that mean? Who are you?’
    ‘I told you,’ he sighed. ‘I’m no one.’
    ‘That’s a stupid thing to say,’ Mia muttered. ‘Everyone’s someone.’
    Altor laughed softly and turned back to look at her. ‘Get used to disappointment, precious. It’ll be a friend of yours here.’
    ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
    ‘Tell me,’ he said, changing the subject. ‘What is it you are here to accomplish?’
    Jack looked at Mia, bewildered. ‘I dunno. We didn’t even believe the portal was real until we dove through.’
    ‘Hasty actions, don’t you think? Walk faster. ’
    Jack stumbled slightly as he picked up his pace. ‘If the company’s all like this then I’m regretting it already.’
    Altor shot them a dark grin over his shoulder. ‘The lad has a spine!’
    ‘What’s your problem?’ Mia snapped. ‘Have we done something wrong?’
    ‘Like I said. You’re late. And you’re walking too slowly. I’m about ready to leave you behind.’
    ‘What,’ Mia exclaimed, ‘are we rushing for?’
    Altor didn’t reply, his eyes scanning the sky constantly. The city walls were still quite a distance away.
    ‘Have there been others like us?’ Jack asked breathlessly. ‘To cross through?’
    ‘Strangers, we call you. Indeed there have.’ There was a kind of malicious amusement in his voice. Mia was beginning to feel distinctly uncomfortable.
    ‘And they weren’t able to go home?’ Jack