The Labyrinth of Destiny Read Online Free PDF

in every dimension—and even all of time—whirled within
that vortex of power, and Adesina finally understood what it meant to stand on
the threshold of eternity.
    “The Serraf did not create the
Thresholds,” Adesina said softly.
    “No,” answered Sitara. “They were
created by the Traveler, one of the Ancients.”
    Adesina didn’t need to be told that
the Thresholds had been brought into existence by a much greater power. She
could feel the pure vyala surging through the small opening that
connected the Threshold to this world. The young woman traced that tenuous
connection, and she saw that the small outcropping of rock served as an anchor
for the power behind the Threshold. All she had to do was to part the invisible
curtains that stood before the tunnel, and…
    A doorway of light appeared.
    Sitara gasped softly. “It took a
full circle of Serraf sisters to pry the Zonne Threshold open, even for a brief
period of time. Yet you open this one with a simple gesture of your hand.”
    Adesina felt her chest swell with
pride at Sitara’s words.
    “You did say that Ma’eve was linked
to the Thresholds,” reminded Ravi. “Did you not believe that she could do it?”
    Sitara gave a small smile. “Knowing
something in your mind is not the same as witnessing it.”
    Even Ruon seemed grudgingly
impressed. “This half-blood may be the one we have been waiting for after all.”
    Adesina felt her temper flare. “I
have a name, you know.”
    Ruon chose to ignore her statement.
He turned his full attention to the Threshold. “It is called the Northern
Threshold because it is connected to the northernmost Threshold in the human
world. We may not be far from the Zonne Threshold here, but we shall reappear
in your world many leagues from Zonne.”
    Adesina could feel through their
Joining that Ravi was very uneasy with this information. “Where is the Northern
Threshold, exactly?” he asked.
    “Tsan,” Sitara answered shortly.
    Ravi’s uneasiness grew to alarm.
“Tsan sank beneath the ocean centuries ago.”
    “Do not worry,” said Ruon in a
strangely detached voice. “Help is on the way.”
    Adesina frowned. “How do you know
that?”
    “I can See,” was his enigmatic
reply.
    Sitara seemed to understand, but
she gave no explanation. “Take a deep breath,” she instructed, “and swim for
the surface as soon as you cross over.”
    “Why not use vyala to create
a bubble of air around us?” inquired Adesina.
    “Can you maintain that level of
concentration while hurtling between worlds?” challenged Ruon in a sharp tone.
    She felt a wave of doubt. “I…am not
sure.”
    The Laithur’s flat face twisted in
irritation. “I said that help is on the way. But we have to cross within the
next thirty seconds.”
    “I will go first,” volunteered
Sitara. She took a couple of slow, deep breaths before walking into the
Threshold and disappearing.
    Riel followed immediately after
her, and Ruon was close behind.
    Adesina’s heart raced with
apprehension, and Ravi sent soothing thoughts through their Joining.
    She took one breath to slow her
heart rate, and another to prepare her mind. Then, taking a breath that was
deeper than the others, she walked into the light.

Chapter Four: Returning
     
    The sensations of passing through
the Threshold were not like it had been in Zonne. There was no feeling of
compression, no gentle drifting.
    Instead, it was like walking
through a violent windstorm. The raw magic whipped about Adesina, pulling at
her clothing and hair. Only the intense training she had endured in order to
become a member of the Shimat assassins saved her from releasing the breath of
air that she held in her lungs.
    The experience was as brief as it
was intense, over in an instant.
    Adesina found herself deep
underneath water.
    Feelings of panic rushed over her
as the salty water stung her eyes. She began swimming towards the surface with
rapids strokes of her arms and legs, trying to calm her mind as she