DARREN SHAN - Shan, Darren - Cirque Du Freak 04 - Vampire Mountain

"That's the last thing I want to do," Kurda said, smiling encouragingly at me. "But the Trials are meant for fully grown vampires. I spent six years preparing for them, like most vampires do, yet I only barely scraped through."

"Darren will be okay," Gavner insisted, though the doubt in his voice was only barely concealed.

"Besides," I said, trying to cheer Kurda up, "I can always drop out if I get in over my head."

Kurda stared hard at me. "Weren't you listening? Didn't you understand?"

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Nobody walks away from the Trials," Gavner said. "You might fail, but you can't quit � the Generals won't let you."

"So I'll fail." I shrugged. "I'll throw in the towel if things get hairy � pretend I've got a twisted ankle or something."

"Hedoesn't understand!" Gavner groaned. "We should have explained it fully before we let him agree.

He's given his word now, so there's no going back. Black blood of Harnon Oan!"

"Whatdon't I understand?" I asked, confused.

"In the Trials, failure entails one fate only � death!" Kurda told me grimly. I stared at him wordlessly. "Most who fail, die in the attempt. But should you fail and not die, you will be taken to the Hall of Death, strapped into a cage, hoisted above the pit, and �" he gulped, averted his eyes, and finished in a terrible whisper, "dropped on the stakes until you are dead!"

TO BE CONTINUED �

THE SCORCHING SAGA OF DARREN SHAN CONTINUES WITH�

TRIALS OF DEATH

THERE WAS A WHISTLING SOUND

The flames were coming in quick bursts now, all around the Hall. I could feel the terrible heat building in the air, and already it was hard to breathe. A hole a few inches from my right foot began to whistle. I didn't move as fire erupted and stung my leg � I could tolerate a small burn like that. A larger burst came out of a wider hole behind me. I shifted forward ever so slightly, rolling gently away from the worst of its bite. I could feel the flames licking at the skin of my bare back, but none took hold.

The hardest times were when two or more geysers sprang from holes set close together. There was nothing I could do when trapped between a set of fiery pillars, except suck in my belly and step gingerly through the thinner wall of flames.

Within a few minutes my feet were in agony � they absorbed the worst of the flames. I spat on my palms and rubbed spit into my soles, which provided a small amount of temporary relief. I would have stood on my hands to give my feet a rest, except that would have exposed my head and hair to the fire �.

There was no way to keep track of time. I had to focus every last ounce of my concentration on the floor and fire. The smallest of distractions could have lethal consequences �.

I started back the way I'd come, but the fire was still shooting up through the holes, blocking my path. Reluctantly, I edged farther toward the corner, ready to take the first opening as soon as one presented itself. The trouble was � none did.

The gurgling of pipes to my rear brought me to a halt. Flame burst out of the floor behind me, scorching my back. I grimaced but didn't move � there was nowhere to move to. The air was really poor in this region of the room. I waved my hands in front of my face, trying to create a draft that would suck some fresh air in, but it didn't work.

The pillars of flames in front of me had formed a virtual wall of fire now, at least six or seven feet thick. I could barely see the rest of the room through the flickering flames. As I stood, waiting for a path to open, the mouths of the pipes at my feet hissed, several of them all at once. A huge ball of fire was on its way, about to explode directly underneath me! I had a split second to think and act.

Couldn't stand still � I'd burn.

Couldn't retreat � I'd burn.

Couldn't duck to the sides � I'd burn.

Forward, through the thick banks of fire? I'd probably burn, but there was open ground and air beyond � if I made it through. It was a lousy choice, but there was no time to complain. Closing my eyes and mouth, I covered my face with my arms and darted forward into the wall of crackling flames.

Fire engulfed and billowed around me like a ferocious red and yellow locust cloud. Never in my worst nightmares had I imagined such heat. I almost opened my mouth to scream. If I had, fire would have gushed down my throat and torched me to a crisp from the inside out.

DON'T FORGET TO BUYTRIALS OF DEATH.COMING APRIL , 2003

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