The Dark Expanse - Novella 6

By Henley Grey

Amidst the darkness of your slumber is where you’ll find the Colosseum, an astral battleground filled with children. Limited only by their imaginations, they can transform into the wildest of creatures. Under the watchful gaze of the Overseer, they clash in hopes of becoming one of its Elite.

Hidden deep inside the vast expanse, the Associates lie in wait. They are a faceless organization who decides which children enter the Colosseum. This company conceals itself in the shadows, using the youngsters to aid their agenda in the real world.

Max Carter begins to question his vocation in life. He knows this isn’t wise, considering his employers are the Associates. Not many people are aware of their existence, but they are woven into society. When Max receives a cryptic message, he learns that the company isn’t the only thing prowling the dark expanse.

Wesley Finton is chosen! Not by the Associates, but the sinister figure who lurks at the edges of our sleep. Once inside the arena, Wesley discovers a strange power dwelling within him, and a vile plot to exploit the children within its walls.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Henley Grey
• Release date: Jun 20, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386982005

Book preview

Table of Contents

The Dark Expanse - Novella 6

The Dark Expanse | Astral Clash Series

About the book

Title page

Chapter Ninety-two

Chapter Ninety-three

Chapter Ninety-four

Chapter Ninety-five

Chapter Ninety-six

Chapter Ninety-seven

Chapter Ninety-eight

Chapter Ninety-nine

Chapter One hundred

Chapter One hundred-one

Chapter One hundred-two

Chapter One hundred-three

Chapter One hundred-four

Chapter One hundred-five

Chapter One hundred-six

Chapter One hundred-seven

Chapter One hundred-eight

Chapter One hundred-nine

Chapter One hundred-ten

Chapter One hundred-eleven

Chapter One hundred-twelve

Chapter One hundred-thirteen

Chapter One hundred-fourteen

Chapter One hundred-fifteen

Author’s notes

About the book

Amidst the darkness of your slumber is where you’ll find the Colosseum, an astral battleground filled with children. Limited only by their imaginations, they can transform into the wildest of creatures. Under the watchful gaze of the Overseer, they clash in hopes of becoming one of its Elite.

Hidden deep inside the vast expanse, the Associates lie in wait. They are a faceless organization who decides which children enter the Colosseum. This company conceals itself in the shadows, using the youngsters to aid their agenda in the real world.

Max Carter begins to question his vocation in life. He knows this isn’t wise, considering his employers are the Associates. Not many people are aware of their existence, but they are woven into society. When Max receives a cryptic message, he learns that the company isn’t the only thing prowling the dark expanse.

Wesley Finton is chosen! Not by the Associates, but the sinister figure who lurks at the edges of our sleep. Once inside the arena, Wesley discovers a strange power dwelling within him, and a vile plot to exploit the children within its walls.

Title page

The Dark Expanse

Astral Clash Series

HENLEY GREY

Volume Six

––––––––

Digital Edition

Copyright © 2017 by Henley Grey

All rights reserved. This novel is a work of fiction. Names and characters are the product of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental.

Chapter Ninety-two

The tram swayed from side to side as it rattled its way into the city center. Luke couldn’t believe that he’d missed school yesterday and again today. He had stayed out until four in the morning. After following Wesley’s stalker to an apartment complex, he waited awhile. Luke wasn’t even sure why. Then as he was about to leave the stalker made another appearance. He followed him from the apartment block to a house which was hidden behind a large wall. When Luke arrived home early in the morning on Thursday he had no idea he would sleep as long as he did.

This was one of the times he was glad that his parents let him and his sister get ready for school on their own. When he didn’t arrive for breakfast, Luke figured that they just would have thought that he had left early or spent that night at Wesley’s. He was also glad that his sister, who was in the same grade as him, had not mentioned his absence during the evening meal. Luke was certain that would remain with her until she needed a similar favor in return.

Luke had refrained from confronting Wesley, but he really wasn’t sure why. Perhaps it was because he didn’t know anything. Yes, he’d followed the stranger, but what had he actually learned? When Luke got himself ready for bed, he decided never to do anything so stupid again. But, he had woken with a strange uncontrollable urge to return. The mystery man appeared as soon as he’d arrived. It was as if he’d been waiting for him and that’s how he found himself here, a mere ten seats away.

Following him now was different; it wasn’t dark and there were more people around. Before, it had been terrifying at certain points, but he needed to do it. He needed to help his best friend. The man stood looking at his watch. Luke figured he was late for something. He had checked his watch over and over again on the tram journey. As the doors opened the man stepped out and Luke waited until the last second before darting out between the tram doors and continuing with his pursuit.

He crossed Upper Parliament Street and headed down into the square. Luke gratefully used the groups of people to blend into just in case the man turned around and saw him. Luke moved from one pack of students to the next and weaved his way into the square. The huge council building was to his far left, but the man he was following wasn’t staying in the crowds. He switched direction and headed up a side street towards Maid Marion Way. Luke debated whether he should continue following behind. He had nowhere to hide here. If the man turned around he would certainly be face to face with him. What should he do? Luke wasn’t brave enough to take the risk. He waited until the man left the alley and then sprinted as fast as possible in hopes to catch up to him.

Luke shifted uncomfortably on the spot as he waited impatiently for the mystery man to walk to the end of the alley. As soon as he turned left out of the side street, Luke set off. He liked playing sports and was quite physical. He wasn’t much of a sprinter, yet somewhere he found the drive to run faster than ever before. He reached Maid Marion Way, peered around the corner, and gave a sigh of relief as he saw the man, walking casually