Dark Calling by Darren Shan Read Free Book Online Page A

justice. “But if they traveled to our world by rockets, not windows,
     is this still the human universe?”
    “Of course.” Art sounds surprised. “I thought that was clear.”
    “You said we hadn’t crossed but I wasn’t sure.”
    “We have not left your universe and will not during the course of our travels,” Art says.
    “This isn’t the end?”
    The boy giggles the way Art used to when he bit someone. “Hardly. This is merely the beginning of an amazing journey.”
    “Where are we going?” I ask.
    “Far away,” he answers mysteriously.
    “What if I don’t want to go with you?” I counter.
    “You have no choice,” Art says.
    “Is that a threat?”
    “No,” he shrugs. “It’s just the way things are.”
    “Who—or what—the hell are you?” I snap.
    “Those who know us give us many names,” Art says. “Your people called us the Old Creatures.”
    “Beranabus told me about them. He…” That reminds me of the ancient mage’s death and the danger the others face. “We have to
     go back!” I cry. “You’ve got to take me home, so I can—”
    “That won’t happen,” Art says firmly. “Purge yourself of the notion. We have come far from your world. As skilled as you are
     at manipulating the strings of the universe, you cannot find your way back alone. You must see this journey through to its
     end.”
    “What sort of an end?” I hiss. “Where are you taking me? And if you’re not specific this time, forget it—I’m not going to
     wander aimlessly through the universe with you. I’d rather stay here with the slugs.”
    “Very well,” Art says. “We are traveling to the birthplace of all things, where time and space began. We call it the Crux.
     And it lies at the center of both this universe and the Demonata’s.”
    “That doesn’t make sense,” I complain.
    “Don’t worry,” Art smiles smugly. “By the end it will.”

UNDER THE SEA

    I TRY thinking of a way to outwit the Old Creature. While I might not be able to open a window back to Earth, I’m sure I can open
     one to the demon universe and return home from there. But Art reads my mind and chuckles.
    “I will not permit it.”
    “You can’t stop me,” I retort.
    “Actually I can. I have the power to tear apart any window that you create, and I can do it before the window opens. If necessary,
     we can stay here for decades and duel with each other, but I would not recommend it. You would lose.”
    I start working on a window, to test him, but Art’s smug expression stops me. He’s telling the truth. Cursing, I begin to
     question him again, but he only turns and walks back to the stone chamber, where a dark grey window is waiting for us.
    “What is it to be?” Art asks.
    Since I’ve no real choice, I snarl and step forward with him.
    Just before I reach the window, Art’s body unravels and he becomes a ball of multicolored light again. “I have to travel like
     this,” he tells me, his words sounding inside my head. “I need to cocoon you again. But I will resume the shape of Art when
     we come to our next stop.”
    “Whatever.” I sniff unhappily, bitter at being manipulated.
    The light sweeps over and surrounds me. When Art gives the command, I step into the window and we progress.
      Over the next few hours we pass through several chambers similar to the one on Atlantis. Some are made of stone but others
     are carved out of wood, metal, or other substances. One is simply a chamber of lights, a dome of panels and patches. We don’t
     leave any of these chambers, just stay long enough for Art to open a new window, then move on again.
    I’m still amazed by Atlantis, stunned by the proof of other life-forms in our universe. I always assumed we weren’t alone,
     that there were intelligent beings on other worlds. But to see an actual alien was an incredible experience. Even if it did
     just look like a big slug!
    Art’s a quiet guide. He concentrates on steering us from one chamber to the