Hellhole Inferno Read Online Free PDF Page A

if he carried layers of alienness within him. The intensity in his shimmering eyes spiraled, frightening Sophie when his gaze fell on her. But he didn’t seem to be focused on her at all.
    â€œNow I am also Tryn, who is merged into my mind in a manner that has never before occurred. I have absorbed the essence of a fully alive Original Xayan, a unique synthesis … because that is what Tryn knew had to happen. Now I am more than any of the other shadow-Xayans. I can see more and do more, accomplish more, experience more. I know more. The possibilities expand like kaleidoscope views.”
    Clovis reached the boardwalk before turning back to gaze out on the pool from which he had just emerged, breathless with excitement.
    Shadow-Xayans gathered closer, while some of the curious potential converts also listened. Still feeling trepidation, Sophie stepped up to him, sounding pragmatic. “I hope that whatever you learned can help save us from the Ro-Xayans. If they’re coming.”
    The shimmer in Clovis’s eyes sharpened, and he smiled at her with just a hint of his old personality. Sophie had known this man for many years, back to when he and his husband ran the secret construction project of the Ankor spaceport. “We must go to Sonjeera—that is where we will retrieve Cippiq and Zairic. Their remnants are in a quarantined hangar, sealed there after Diadem Michella destroyed their bodies, but important traces are still there, and we need them. I know it. Zairic will give us the key to reaching ala’ru immediately—and then we can defeat the Ro-Xayans.”
    Sophie put her hands on her hips, knowing that the shadow-Xayans didn’t recognize sarcasm. “Well, it’s simple then. Just go and ask the old Diadem nicely.” Michella Duchenet was already desperately afraid of what she called “alien contamination,” enough so that she had placed an impenetrable quarantine zone around a spaceport hangar. No one would be able to break through all the security systems.
    â€œThere will be a way,” Clovis said with such power and confidence that he nearly drove away all of Sophie’s doubts. Unable to argue, she could only watch in awe and unease as Clovis turned away from her and walked with restored health and vigor down the boardwalk toward the heart of the resort complex. Other shadow-Xayans fell into formation behind him.
    Seeing his transformation, two of the hesitant humans made up their minds, and entered the slickwater before they could reconsider.…

 
    4
    Ishop Heer had noble blood. He could feel it running warm and hot through his veins. He had proved his pedigree to the lords and to Diadem Michella herself, and he was entitled to regain his family birthright after seven centuries of ignominy. It was his due.
    He had spilled a lot of noble blood to obtain it.
    And since the ambitious noblewoman Enva Tazaar had been disgraced and stripped of her holdings on Orsini, Ishop Heer had asked to rule her former planet. A small enough reward for all the years of dark service he had given the Diadem.
    He had planned carefully for this, worked hard to attain it, step by bloody step. It was his due!
    He had presented his irrefutable case in the Council chamber. He had looked at the gathered nobles, expecting to watch them accept him as one of them. He had the proof. Yet they had either scoffed or ignored him, brushing aside his assertion. Even Diadem Michella dismissed his claim with an amused chuckle and told the Council to get back to important work. Knowing he was one of them, the nobles still regarded him with scorn! Despite his lineage, they saw him as a person who did not realize his place in society, a mere servant who should never hope to sit at the master’s table.
    Oh, Michella appreciated his service, and she made use of his skills whenever she needed something done. She offered him rewards—villas, money, women if he so desired. But what he