Neverwylde (The Rim of the World Book 4) by Linda Mooney Read Free Book Online

us.”
                Kelen stared at the map. “According to this, we’re standing in the middle of nowhere.”
                “Yes, but you have to remember the lights indicate where the panels say they are. The nonagons below the other temple were not where the teleportation rocks were located. I bet if we’d tracked this over at the other place, we’d find ourselves smack in the middle of nowhere, too.”
                Kyber pointed to the pulse point. “Something about this disturbs me.” He started to say more when he stopped. Instantly, he dropped into a crouch, his lips lifted in a silent growl.
                “Ky—”
                “Shh!”
                Massapa rushed over. “Do you hear it?”
                “Hear what?” Jules asked.
                “Shh!” Kyber raised a hand for silence. Everyone froze to listen.
                In the distance, a rumbling sound, almost too quiet to hear.
                Kyber glanced down at his bare feet. “The ground…”
                “Hey! Hoov!” Fullgrath shouted at the creature, which suddenly took off down the tunnel. “Hoov, what the hell is going on?”
                “Ice.” The thing’s response was nearly swallowed up by the rising sound of thunder filling the corridor.
                “Go! Run! ” Kyber shoved Kelen ahead of him.
                “What’s going on?” Jules hollered. He stumbled ahead of them as they noticed the first wave of vibrations washing through the rock. “What is it?”
                “The ground is moving!” Kleesod cried out. “Everyone run !”
                The rumbling rose to a low roar. The tunnel began to shake. Dust and debris rained down on them. Their panic gave them the energy to make a mad dash down the corridor. Hoov disappeared into the darkness, leaving them behind.
                Without warning, the world around them violently jerked. The rock walls exploded as the tunnel broke apart. Gaveer shouted as he dropped out of sight in front of them, disappearing into a wide crack that had opened up in the floor.
                Massapa yelled and fell to the ground. Everyone skidded to a stop, barely avoiding crashing into each other and sending someone else plummeting into the crevasse.
                Tojun, Kleesod, and Fullgrath got down on their bellies and crawled to the edge of the pit, next to where Massapa lay. The ground continued to heave as smaller rocks pelted them from above.
                “Grab onto this!” Fullgrath screamed. Kelen tried to watch, but Kyber shoved her against the wall and held her there, keeping her firmly in place with his body to protect her. She heard grunting, then Kyber let out a huge sigh of relief.
                “He is safe,” he told her over his shoulder.
                “Thank God.”
                Around them, walls gradually ceased shaking. The floor settled. The rumbling sound quieted.
                “Do you think it’s over?” Jules whispered.
                “If it was an avalanche, perhaps,” Sandow answered.
                “Hoov said it was ice,” Mellori reminded them. “It could have been a floe breaking apart. However, if it was an earthquake, there will be aftershocks. Remember, we saw mountains in the distance when we arrived. There could be continuing volcanic action in this area.”
                “Is everyone okay? How are you doing?” Kelen reached out and grasped Massapa’s leg. She realized it was the first time she’d touched the Seneecian, who remained sprawled on the ground as he recovered, heaving for breath.
    Massapa swallowed hard, his face pale after his brush with death. “I am fine.”
    “How are we going to cross this?” Jules stood by the chasm and shone