Kingdom Keepers VII Read Online Free PDF Page B

entrance is forty feet ahead and on your left.”
    “‘Restore video,’” Finn says, quoting Brad. “So, will we go dark once inside?” The holograms need to be projected. If a Keeper goes into “DHI shadow,” their hologram disappears, and the Keeper becomes invisible to others, which can be a blessing or a curse.
    “We can’t confirm. Currently, we have eyes on a few spots in there, so I suppose it’s more a case of you encountering extended DHI shadow.”
    “Until and unless we fix the cameras that aren’t projecting,” Philby says.
    “Correct.”
    “So, basically,” Maybeck says, “we won’t know what’s going on until the Overtakers are throwing everything they have at us.”
    “Basically,” Brad says.
    The van rolls. The Keepers rock from side to side on the yoga mats.
    Finn says, “Everyone okay with this? It’s voluntary, you know.”
    No one speaks up.
    “All right, then,” Brad says. “Good luck.”

F INN AWAKENS TO THE HUM of traffic. Overhead, flashing jet lights punctuate a colorless night sky void of stars. He’s lying on a stone terrace. A hand holding a wand looms over him. He rolls out of the way before a curse is landed, only then identifying the hand and wand as part of a bronze statue—a ten-foot-high replica of the Disney Legend award, the emblem of imagination: Mickey’s gloved hand hoisting his powerful wand skyward.
    The image sticks in Finn’s mind; he thinks it’s no coincidence that the DHI server has crossed them over to this particular spot.
    Maybeck and Philby appear at nearly the same instant. They both react defensively to the ominous wand hovering over them, scurrying out of the way, only to realize that it’s immobile. Nearly in unison, all three glance in the direction of the Frank G. Wells Building; ghostly wraiths swirl in and out like angry bees around a hive. Possessed demons march like zombies toward the door. It’s like nothing any of the boys has seen before, and the sight temporarily paralyzes them. Finn finds himself checking his pocket for the Return.
    “What are they?” Maybeck asks.
    Professor Philby answers. “Wraiths and demons. Possibly from the Haunted Mansion. More likely Princess and the Frog . Dr. Facilier and his ‘friends on the other side.’ Makes one think of New Orleans, and therefore Tia Dalma. Chernabog summoned harpies and all sorts of ghouls. What’s important to us is that wraiths are immortals and remain so as long as they can find humans to feed upon. That would be us—or so they will think, since I doubt they’re versed in hologram technology. They’re agile—can jump over fifteen feet. Apparently this variety can fly as well. They feed through their palms. Drain your soul by placing their hand to your heart. As much as I’d like to think they can’t drain a DHI’s heart, it’s the life energy they crave, and we are, after all—”
    “Energy,” Finn says.
    “Light energy. Yes.” Philby considers their situation. “Since we’re highly concentrated arrays of photons, I’m pretty sure they can suck us dry if they want to.”
    “And if they do, we’ll be where, exactly?” Maybeck asks.
    “SBS, I suppose,” Philby says, sounding more like a scientist than a possible victim: Sleeping Beauty Syndrome.
    Finn shudders instinctively. “Fascinating.”
    Maybeck snorts.
    “A demon, on the other hand,” Philby continues, “to be distinguished from daemon —is a spiritual, paranormal entity. It takes human form and can be conjured and/or controlled. Demons first appeared—”
    “Save it,” Maybeck snaps, pointing to the base of the statue.
    A girl’s translucent shape appears and then vanishes. Then reappears, flickers, and solidifies. Willa’s DHI looks at the boys—and then at the swirling wraiths at the far end of the terrace.
    “That’s interesting,” she whispers. A moment later she takes in the Legend statue without reaction; she might as well have crossed over beneath an oak tree.
    “Let’s