Venom and Song Read Online Free PDF

the pounding of the falls. It was less a constant roar and more like the percussive crashing of monstrous waves on an island of stone; the song of the falls made the young lords nervous. But they were not alone in their concern.
    â€œPlease tell me, Master Jimmy,” said Mr. Wallace, “tell me with your foresight that we’re going to survive this fall.”
    â€œI wish I could,” Jimmy replied, squinting so hard that a stack of wrinkles appeared at the corners of his eyes. “. . . But I cannot see anythin’ right now. Not since the battlefield. Think I’m tired.”
    â€œYou’ve done this before, haven’t you, Flet Marshall Brynn?” asked Jett.
    â€œDozens of times,” she replied. All of her passengers relaxed a little. And then she added, “But each time it’s different.”
    â€œGreat,” said Johnny.
    â€œTighten the straps around your waist,” Brynn commanded. “We’re getting close now.” She leaned forward and plugged each of the torchcells with serrated pegs of crystal. “This’ll keep the torches dry for when we go under.”
    â€œWhen we go under?” Johnny’s eyes were as big as baseballs.
    â€œAt the bottom of the falls,” Brynn explained, as if it should have been common knowledge. “Our momentum will carry us beneath the surface, but not far. These crafts are buoyant, and we will shoot up like dolphins.”
    â€œOkay,” said Johnny.
    â€œAre you sure you can’t see what will happen, Jimmy?” asked Mr. Wallace.
    â€œNot a thing,” Jimmy said. “And I dunno that I want to.”

    â€œFifty yards,” said Goldarrow. “Hold on tight!”
    â€œOw! Kiri Lee,” Tommy said, wincing. “Not that tight! I think I’m bleeding.”
    â€œI’m sorry,” Kiri Lee apologized, pushing strands of her straight black hair behind her ear. “The falls, they terrify me.”
    Tommy swallowed. “We’ll be fine. Grimwarden knows what he’s doing.”
    Terrified? Kat thought. You can walk on air . She briefly attempted to read Kiri Lee’s thoughts, but with no success. Kat didn’t think she needed to anyway. Of course she likes him. And of course he probably likes her. She’s perfect. Perfect hair, perfect smile, perfect skin. Not a mutant . . . like me . Kat looked away from Tommy. Well, he can have her . . . for all I care . She stared straight ahead . . . and wished she hadn’t.
    The walls of the cavern funneled to an opening more than fifty yards wide. There, the underground river rolled over an edge only visible due to the contrast in color between the water and the deep vault of space beyond. Grimwarden’s cavesurfer was the first to arrive, and the current drew them relentlessly to the edge. Goldarrow shifted in her seat and glanced often at Grimwarden. If the Guardmaster noticed, he did not let on. He kept his eyes forward and continuously steered toward the left side. “Lean back and HOLD ON!”
    The point of the cavesurfer went over the edge. The growl of the falls roared up. Their craft tilted down. And Tommy stared into a massive chute of turbulent water as the craft plunged into the yawning black mouth. Spray and chop pelted the craft and its passengers. Bouncing and careening against water and air currents, Tommy tried to scream, “We’re all going to die,” but the violence of the water drowned out his voice.
    But it was here that the cavesurfers showed their true qualities. Tommy, still certain his life was about to end, suddenly felt their craft skimming sideways—across the face of the falls. He stole a look at Grimwarden, whose arm and shoulder muscles were taut as he steered. The torch was only a small flickering light, but it was enough for Tommy to see the Guardmaster, who appeared to be enjoying the plunge as he expertly navigated the falls. Then Tommy saw him smile.
    Tommy