Neverwylde (The Rim of the World Book 4) Read Free Page A

the walkway, and began doing the same thing, checking the carved rock as she paralleled Kyber. She glanced over her shoulder to find Cooter and Fullgrath also checking the wall as they headed in the opposite direction. In less than a minute, Cooter gave a whoop and shout.
    “Found it!”
    As a group, everyone hurried to where he stood mere meters from the main entrance opening onto the vast frozen landscape. Grinning at them, he swung the butt of his rifle against the rock. Kelen started but she wasn’t surprised when the bottom half of the weapon vanished. The gun swung back and the butt magically reappeared.
    Cooter chuckled. “It’s that holograph trick like in those interconnecting tunnels. You had the right idea, Kyber.”
    “Which leaves us with the question do we stay here, out in the open tonight? Or do we try to see how far down that tunnel we can get before giving it a rest?” Gaveer asked.
    He was answered with a loud growl that had to be mere meters away. Whatever was approaching had reached the temple. Kelen briefly wondered if the thing had been attracted by the firelight, or if it had enhanced senses and had smelled or seen, or perhaps heard them. Or maybe this temple is part of its territory and it prowls here on a regular basis.
    She turned to comment to Kyber when he grabbed her and shoved her into the dark tunnel. The corridor wasn’t large, and it quickly grew crowded as the others joined them. Massapa entered last, carrying Dox in his arms. As Kyber drew a protective arm about her, another howl split the air. Everyone stared out the fuzzy, indistinct net that formed the façade that made the wall appear solid.
    Something was out there. Something large, and most certainly dangerous. A shadow made its way along the far wall on the other side of the fire. A shadow that gradually grew larger and more ominous. Cooter and Fullgrath took positions at the doorway in case the thing knew about the fake doorway and tried to enter. Kelen felt Kyber extends his claws, and knew the other Seneecians were also prepared to confront whatever was stalking them.
    They waited and watched. The tension grew thicker as the thing drew closer. Inside the corridor, the temperature was unbearably cold. The rock at her back was a solid sheet of ice. She could barely see the others standing in front of her, their breaths diaphanous clouds of mist as they waited.
    The creature passed the fire and drew nearer to the doorway, when a high-pitched scream rent the air and a second creature rushed into the temple from the direction of the open landscape. Before they were aware of it, the second creature ran past the doorway, and an unearthly shriek of pain and anger sent shockwaves through them all.

Chapter 3
    Hoov
     
     
                The conflict taking place out of their line of sight was over before they were aware of it. After the confrontation and struggle, all they could hear was wet, slurping noises, as if something was eating. At least, it sounded that way. Kelen swore she heard bones being cracked, and gulping noises between grunts and growls.
                Fullgrath backed away from the concealed entrance and approached Kyber. “Do we go see what’s going on out there? Or do we stay here and wait? Or keep going down this tunnel? Your call, Kyber.”
                She glanced up to see her husband narrow his eyes as he considered their options. She knew what she wanted to do, but held her tongue and listened. Whatever he decided, he would explain his decision. But as long as she’d known him, he’d never made rash decisions.
                The others waited expectantly. Finally, Kyber gave a single slow nod. “We must accost whatever is out there. We do not know if that creature is aware of these tunnels. If we leave, and it does have knowledge of them, it might track us. If it is unaware of their existence, it may be able to sniff us out. Either way, we cannot take that