Assimilation by Sydney Reames

Author:Sydney Reames
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Night Loch Publishers LLC

CHAPTER 18

We emerged into the Rift in the dark tunnel that led to the cavern. Lights ignited around our group. Each delegate held their arms out, and glowing bulbs floated over their palms. It was different from the torchlight during our former visit. As we waited for the remaining members of the group to enter, I examined my surroundings in a way I hadn’t been able to on the previous trip. The walls were all worn smooth, like rocks at the shore of an ocean. I reached out a hand. While the air was warm, the stone was cool.

Bayard stepped out in front of the group as the last people made their way out of the Doorway. There were notably fewer new Blanks in the Rift than were joining the other Societies I’d seen in the arena.

“Welcome. The delegates and I are thrilled to have you with us.” Bayard’s tone was polite, but it was the same even and calm voice as before and didn’t convey his supposed level of enthusiasm. If I had nurtured any hopes for a warm welcome, I would have been sorely disappointed.

“On your visits, each of you had the opportunity to view the cavern and several of the attached antechambers. At that time, I asked for your trust. Today, you will officially be introduced to the real Rift.”

My mind fired pictures at me in rapid succession: a cramped, damp cave with a blanket, a small tent with the comfortable Riftian breeze next to the lake, a hammock suspended from the impenetrably dark ceiling above the lake. As our group began to move forward, Bayard continued.

“It is a Riftian tradition that we host a dinner welcoming you to our Society. Your Assimilation will officially begin tomorrow.”

The cavern was just as awe-inspiring as it had been on the first trip. As I looked up at the dark ceiling, I realized I hadn’t seen a Riftian sky. Did the atmosphere not allow them to venture outside?

“Kena!” The urgent whisper grabbed my attention.

“Silas?” I wanted to smack myself. In my shock from earlier, I’d forgotten the first person I should have gone to. Silas was one of the better individuals to be stuck here with—an Earther who knew what not to say, and when. He was also one of the most likely to have a good strategy.

“I’m pleasantly surprised to see you here.” Silas kept his voice even, but looked pointedly at me in the dim light.

“A last-minute occurrence. Before we arrived, I’d been planning on getting a set of wings.”

“I see.”

“Before we left the arena, I was trying to find out whether anyone else had any last-minute alterations, but I think I’m the only one.”

He nodded, and a frown settled over his features.

“Do you think this could have anything to do with your recent discussion?”

I suspected it had everything to do with Warrick. I was so busy trying to think of a way to verbally code a response that I bumped into the person next to me as we exited a tunnel.

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