Dark Descent Read Online Free PDF Page A

number of viruses previously unknown to us come from insects and even perhaps the fungi in caves such as this one. These microorganisms exist with no light and few nutrients, locked inside the ice, yet still capable of living. There’s such a wealth of information down here.”
    Joie ignored both of her siblings. She was so close now, she could almost feel him breathing. Somewhere in this labyrinth of halls he was waiting for her. Smoldering. Angry that she had disobeyed him. He was real, not a voice in her head, not a part of a split personality. He was real and alive and in pain. She could feel his pain, throbbing through her body, beating at her head.
    Tell me. She demanded it. Forced him to deal with who she really was, not who he thought she should be.
    Tell the others to be quiet. They are in danger. I have battled the same enemy three times since you found me in the cave. I am a prisoner and wounded and extremely weak. I cannot aid you much in the battle, and the enemy has powers you cannot possibly comprehend.
    Joie gave him a mental image of rolling her eyes in exasperation. Sorry for the fluff in my head, but I’m usually found wrapped in cotton or bubblewrap to protect me from all the evil people in the world. She signaled her brother and sister to silence, switching easily into hunting mode. She moved through the halls with confidence, recognizing the feel of him now. Knowing she was moving toward him. I doubt very much if I’ll need your aid, Mr. Brawny, but I’ll keep it in mind. How many?
    There is one with me now. The others will return well fed and high with a lust for killing. You do not want to meet them.
    Then I guess I’d best pull your butt out of trouble and get the heck out of Dodge.
    You do not act like any of the women I know act.
    Thank you. I appreciate your saying so.
    Joie dropped to her knees and crawled through a narrow, tubelike passage. Jubal and Gabrielle followed close behind. The steady drip of water reminded Joie of the clicking of the branches at the theater the night she was shot. There was a peculiar rhythm to the drops, almost as if some unseen hand, not nature, guided the water’s descent. The tube began to widen until she could once again stand.
    A strange, growling noise assaulted her ears. It sounded like a cross between a hyena laughing and a dog growling viciously. Immediately she held up her hand behind her, signaling Jubal and Gabrielle to stop while she scooted closer. She used the tall columns of rock and ice formations as cover.
    Traian was literally pinned against a wall of ice. Blood ran down from each shoulder and leg where sharp, twisted stakes had been thrust through his body to pin him like an insect on a board. Joie held her breath to keep from crying out in dismay. It was no wonder she could feel the pain radiating from him. She knew Traian was aware of her presence, but he didn’t make the mistake of giving away her position. He watched the creature hovering over him with cool eyes.
    “You seem nervous, Lamont,” Traian observed.
    The creature hissed and without preamble bent his head to Traian’s neck and sank his teeth into the pulse beating there.
    Joie could easily see the long incisors stabbing into flesh, something she’d only seen before in films. She dropped to the ground, crawling on her stomach, using her elbows to propel herself across the floor between two columns of ice to get into a better position for attack. She came up on her knees behind a large ice formation, her gaze fixed on her target.
    He is very dangerous, especially now when he is filled with the blood of an ancient. Traian’s voice was calm in spite of the ghastly creature tormenting him.
    Joie stared at the hideous thing. It was tall and emaciated, the skin shrunken around its skull, almost as if it were dead. Tufts of hair stood straight out, a curious gray-white color, while the rest of the hair hung in oily, twisted ropes. He gulped down the blood, smearing it on his lips