Page 130 - Microsoft Word - FANG EMPIRE - NOVEL.docx

“This thing you call the Guf, what is it?” asked GoGo.

“Honestly, I don’t know. We cannot see it until we are inside. It’s like a giant whirlwind, a

long tunnel. We only know it connects the Terrestrial Realm and the Astral Realm. It was built by

the Astrians many millennia ago.”

Listening to Sygnosis speak of the vampires with such exaltation and mystery made

Sooth’s heart heavy, yet purified. He had begun to realize the feeling he had carried all these

millennia—shame—had encumbered his spirit and was unfaithful to the truth. His kindred were

great and terrible, ancient and enigmatic. He yearned for their fellowship.

“How I long to go with you, Sygnosis,” he mused aloud. “To see Astral Byzantium.”

“But you are needed here, my friend,” said GoGo. Then she kissed and embraced Omar

and Sygnosis. “Be safe. Do thy business quickly and return to me, both of you—alive.”

GoGo turned and climbed up the long ladder with Sooth, out of the pit.

“Remove the ladder,” said Sygnosis. “What we will become you would not want up there

with you.”

As the hours passed, Sygnosis and Omar sat—then stood—then paced. As bloodlust filled

their minds, their eyes became vampiric and their fangs emerged. Sygnosis sat cross-legged in a

meditative mood, but Omar’s temperament grew feral. He salivated and snarled then surrendered

gut-wrenching howls. Daka and Zuba watched from the observation cave above.

“The prince struggles like a wild beast against The Starving,” Zuba said.

“I have seen much in my life, but nothing could have prepared me for these events. I feel

like we are on a precipitous path between two worlds. Where it leads, or if we should make it

across the chasm at all . . . only God knows.”

“May his hand guide our steps,” replied Zuba. “And the steps of the queen. She needs

more rest than time will allow.”