The Hidden Realm - Novella 1: Astral Clash Series, #2

By Henley Grey

The shadowy organization struggles to maintain their grip upon the Colosseum, amidst the battle waging within its walls. Wesley proves to be more troublesome than anyone could have anticipated, including the Associates.

Max Carter and Edward Houghton find themselves in roles which they are unaccustomed. Edward fights for his very survival, while Max faces a dilemma he never thought possible. He may not be expendable any longer.

Wesley Finton decides to face the fact he is alone in this fight. His situation worsens when the dangers of the Colosseum attack him and his friends in the real world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Henley Grey
• Release date: Jun 21, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386309314

Book preview

The Hidden Realm

Astral Clash Series

HENLEY GREY

Volume One

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Digital Edition

Copyright © 2017 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 One

Every gaze was upon him. He could not see their faces but he could feel the stares burning. Taking a seat in front of the eight board members he reached immediately for the glass of water. Harry was unable to shake the feeling that he was on trial; in some ways he conceded he was. He straightened up and composed himself, awaiting the start of the meeting.

The board members sat behind the large semi-circular table, a brown hardback ledger sat in front of each of them. The faceless members glared at Harry, the man sitting uncomfortably behind a small desk, with just a single glass of water sitting on top of it. In synchronicity they all opened their ledgers and Harry assumed the trial had begun. He quickly corrected himself, the meeting had begun. He reached for the glass of water again and grasped it with both hands finishing it off easily.

They turned the pages in unison, each one reading Harry’s record. Everything he had ever done within the Associates was in there. They took in his successes as well as his failures. It wasn't long before the ledgers all closed. At the same time, he sensed their looks returning to him, just as when he had entered the room.

The boy has become a threat, one of them began.

Yes, Harry said simply.

How did you lose control? another member asked.

Harry was unsure which person to look at. Not being able to see their faces made it impossible to tell. Instead he just chose to look straight down at the table. I don’t know, he admitted.

You were warned, another voice said.

Yes, but I couldn’t stop it.

Explain yourself.

Harry looked at the empty glass. His mouth was dry and he wished he hadn’t finished it all in one go. The first time I stopped him, he was strong, he explained. He almost broke through, but I managed to hold onto him.

The members all turned their featureless heads to each other. They were conversing in a different realm; one where Harry could not hear what they were saying. After a moment they returned to him.

Why did you allow him to defeat Thomas Kern?

I couldn’t stop him. He’s too powerful!

How is he more powerful than you?

Harry looked across the board members, with a dumbfounded expression on his face.

How is he more powerful than you? another voice repeated.

I don’t know. I just sensed it.

What did you sense? a different voice asked.

Harry moved his eyes from one member to another, panicking on the inside. The questions were beyond his understanding.

The boy was secured. If he had not been, we would have lost him, a member informed him.

We cannot afford to lose any children. Do you understand?

What should I do? Harry asked.

He removed the Kern boy from the realm, a new voice began.

How did he do this?

Harry had no reply.

The boy can remove members from the realm, you can too. They concluded, You must remove him.

You didn’t know that was possible... Harry said aloud in disbelief. How do I do that?

Silence fell between the board members. Harry didn’t know how he could feel any more uncomfortable, but he did. He tapped his foot anxiously; they were asking him to do something he couldn’t even fathom.

Feed your power, to your Elite, said a voice that Harry hadn’t heard yet.

I don’t believe that will make much difference, Harry pleaded. He almost broke my shield outside of the Colosseum.

Do not question it. Channel your strength.

It will be done, Harry replied, unconvincingly.

We cannot lose any children; make sure he is removed.

Harry nodded obediently.

Remember the consequence of failure... he informed the man.

You may leave. The board dismissed him.

The bright lights of the hallway caused Harry to wince as he stepped into the glare. He caught sight of the Associates’ next victim. Unlike him, she oozed confidence, a stern face, and perfect posture. She was the embodiment of calm. Simply looking at her intimidated him. Passing by, he couldn’t help but glance back as she entered the room. The doors closed silently behind her. Harry paused for a moment, wondering what would happen to him if he failed. What if he couldn't stop the boy? Harry lowered his hand and entered the elevator. The answer, he realized, was that he would be dead.

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Chapter Two

Sarah crossed her legs and admired her nails as the board perused her dossier. Unfazed by the meeting, she was relaxed and at ease. The sound of the ledgers closing was her queue to look up.

What is the status of your assignment? a voice enquired.

I have a person of interest in custody awaiting interrogation, Sarah explained.

Edward Houghton. What led you to question his allegiance?

A number of inconsistencies, she replied. Then changing the subject quickly she continued. We also have located a new symbol. Its origins are unknown.

Sarah did not want to talk about what made her suspect Edward, especially with Mr. Schultz not far from interrogating him. Anything Edward divulged would end up in those ledgers in front of the board. The less she said now, the better it would be later. She was aware that her involvement in deceiving the Associates would come to light, but Sarah was sure she could convince them that it was part of an elaborate plan to trap Edward.

The symbol you acquired - where is it? a voice asked.

I have it secured in the vaults. If you read my report, I have suggested an incursion.

Incursion?! a baffled voice exclaimed.

Yes. I believe an incursion into the realm is the best option. With the information gained from Edward Houghton’s interrogation we will be more than ready for whatever awaits us, she exuded, with confidence in her statement.

The board talked silently amongst themselves. Sarah raised an eyebrow and continued to admire her nails. She wasn’t concerned with the waiting; it was after all an important decision.

Realm incursion is very different from dream incursion, a member explained. Control in the dream is easy to attain. But a realm...

I realize that. I am aware of the challenges that we would be facing, Sarah answered.

We? Are you volunteering?

"Yes, I want