Souldancer (Soul Cycle Book 2) by Brian Niemeier Page A

that sort of life elsewhere, I pity Her Majesty’s emissaries to other spheres.”
    Indignation lent Xander strength and reminded him of their mission’s urgency. “Life from elsewhere may be here hunting us. They are your kin, so pity mine and keep moving.”
    Surprisingly, Damus rose and fell in behind Xander without complaint. Nahel did likewise. Arcanadeus took the lead, following the broken pavement that emerged at intervals from the sand. Xander was secretly glad to be relieved of his post. Though visibly no different from the desert he knew, the valley instilled an oppressive sense of isolation.
    “This is weird,” Nahel said as if reading Xander’s mind. “Nothing’s moving but us.”
    The path descended into a ravine between high rock walls. Directly ahead the scattered remnants of a chain-link fence spanned the road. Topped with spiraling rows of bladed wire, the barricade would have posed a daunting obstacle had it not hung in shreds from twisted metal posts. Most of the ruined fence lay half-buried on the gully floor.
    Xander noticed something glinting in the dust to his left. He cautiously brushed away the excess sand with his foot, revealing a metal sign rendered in bold red characters from a half-dozen alphabets. Much of the wording had worn away, but what remained spoke of “restricted areas” and authorized “use of deadly force”. Whatever else the sign said, Xander chose to safeguard his courage rather than decipher its warnings.
    The sun passed its zenith before the travelers reached a sheer cliff of red stone. A dark portal yawned in the rock face. Xander felt cool moisture-laden wind. He raised his eyes to the sky overhead, unable to rid himself of the notion that he was being watched.
    At last Arcanadeus said, “Come. Great risks yield great gains.” He entered the cavern, and the rest followed close behind him. Their echoing footsteps made them sound like a multitude.
    Once they passed beyond the sun’s reach, Nahel struck his ephemeral light. Instead of revealing a subterranean path, the orb cast its glow upon a massive mound of broken stone.
    “The entrance has collapsed!” Damus said.
    Arcanadeus pointed to a circular hatch set in the stone floor. “Not to worry.”
    Covered in soot and corrosion, the convex lid appeared quite heavy and looked as though its seal hadn't been broken since before the cave-in.
    Before the Cataclysm, Xander marveled.
    Nahel shrugged. “Well, if it’s the only way in…” He approached the sealed manhole, gripped the wheel jutting from its center, and turned. Rippling muscles strained under his red-gold fur. With a loud clank and a rush of air, the hatch sprang open.
    A steel ladder vanished into the gloom below. The foreboding that Xander felt as he peered down the shaft rivaled his fear of the infested tunnel. The cool moist air blowing from the depths reminded him of spoiled pickles.
    Nahel went first.
    Damus sighed. “This had better be worth it.” He followed Nahel through the hatch.
    “Not so confident underground as you are in the open desert?” Xander heard from over his shoulder. He turned and saw Arcanadeus standing behind him, bearing a smile that he supposed was meant to be encouraging but instead looked gloating. “Fear not,” the Master said, “we shall pass this trial together.” Then he too plunged into the dark beneath the mountain.
    Xander hesitated a moment longer before stepping onto the ladder’s hard-edged rungs.
    “Good of our guide to join us,” Damus said when Xander finally set foot on smooth stone.
    Ignoring Damus, Xander took a moment to get his bearings. Sporadic lighting panels shed their harsh glow over smooth grey walls and floors painted with cryptic markings. The damp expanse felt artificial. Even the briny odor seemed unnatural.
    “You’ve got the map,” Nahel reminded Arcanadeus. “Which way from here?”
    The Master pointed to a tunnel branching off to the left. “I recommend that passage. It slopes