The House of Grey- Volume 6 by Collin Earl Read Free Book Online Page A

spouted Artorius and Casey at the same time.
    “Follow me, but stay back.”
Monson charged directly towards the middle of campus.
    Much sooner than he would have liked, the gargoyles noticed the three boys running at top speed out into the open. With the gargoyles right on their tail, Monson, Casey and Artorius jumped one of the low stone fences, touched grass, and then hurried forward, dodging in and out of flower beds and bushes.
    Artorius yelled from somewhere behind him, “Grey! If you’re going to execute this brilliant plan of yours, now might be a good time!”
    Monson was not listening, instead breathing deeply as he searched for the power of his Kei. He felt it simmering on his skin. Such an odd feeling—and yet the power was real, almost physical; so much like any other body part or sense that he wondered how he had existed without it. But the amount of power, the current level of release was not enough for his plan to work after so much fighting and the Midday Darkness taking its fill . Monson probed his consciousness for a path that would connect the real world to his inner one, all while the winged devils closed in around them, readying their attack.
    Monson briefly closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, saw everything around him with a broken vision, like he was peering through cracked glass. He saw the deadly creatures of legend that had come to destroy everything in their path but at the same time, could clearly envision his own travels through a dark and confined space, a space that was becoming ever more familiar.
    Casey attacked from his left, Artorius from the right, both growling like cornered beasts. Monson fought even as he was touching down in his own inner world. His mountain, his river, his path all spoke to him—coaxing him, pushing and encouraging him. He bounded forward at their call, stepping onto the river as if it was the most solid of earth and setting off on his path.
    He knew what to do; he had always known what to do. He called for the path and its power; he called for it and was all too ready for the answer.
    The answer came in a tempestuous torrent. Wind blew, water surged, earth shook, lighting struck, and fire crackled across the sky. All sensation, all power focused in upon Monson, a power that he greedily took in.
    Monson punched a gargoyle in the head. He watched the creature slam back with heavy force and yelled to his two friends.
    “Casey, Artorius, duck!”
    The two hit the ground instantly and without a second thought, Monson let go of his power.  Silver light burst into the foreground, dispelling the ever-enclosing darkness. Gargoyles, trees and stones scattered to the wind. Just like the unseen force inside the Coliseum, pressure pushed down upon everyone around him, the spiritual force driving many to the ground. Just when they all thought that this was to be the end, the light cleared and the pressure relented.
    Monson looked out across the grounds, speaking to Artorius and Casey while he scanned the horizon.
    “You guys OK?”
    His friends got to their feet and dusted themselves off, also surveying the area. Casey went for his short sword, which was sitting a few feet away, and Artorius checked the blade of his claymore while keeping an eye on the gargoyles, which were slowly moving back in.
    Casey returned to the side of Monson and Artorius, short sword in hand. Monson cut him off before he could ask his question.
    “I was testing a theory on the Midday Darkness, one that might help at least some people survive.”
    The gargoyles were getting closer.
    Artorius and Casey posed aggressively with their blades, the latter speaking over his shoulder.
    “And how is that little experiment coming?”
    Monson was not sure how to answer his question; the truth was that even after he had released his power, nothing had changed. Maybe he was wrong and the—
    A crackling boom high in the sky echoed downward, causing the three boys to grab their ears. The gargoyles