Oksa Pollock Read online

  For Zoe, always,

  and for the people we hold dear to our hearts.

  CONTENTS

  TITLE PAGE

  DEDICATION

  PART ONE: CONQUEST

  1 A DATE WITH DESTINY

  2 MEETING IN THE CHAMBER

  3 CARDIAC MASSAGE

  4 BEYOND A SHADOW OF A DOUBT

  5 FINAL FORMALITIES

  6 EN ROUTE FOR THE BORDERS OF EDEFIA

  7 A WAR OF NERVES

  8 ACTION STATIONS

  9 AN ISLAND IN DECLINE

  10 THE HUNT FOR THE GRACIOUS

  11 SURROUNDED!

  12 A NARROW ESCAPE

  13 ENCOUNTER IN THE DARKNESS

  14 SAFE AND SOUND

  15 A THRILLING REUNION

  16 THE ESCAPE

  17 A GENTLE AWAKENING

  18 A PRIVATE CHAT IN LEAFHOLD

  19 PURSUIT THROUGH THE FOREST

  20 AN OLD, MAIMED LION

  21 CRISIS MEETING

  22 THE LEAFHOLD REVOLT

  23 A GRACIOUS LESSON

  24 REPERCUSSIONS

  25 OKSA’S ARMY

  26 BORDER CONTROL

  27 THE CONFINANTS

  PART TWO: RECOVERY AND DISILLUSIONMENT

  28 ACCEPTANCE

  29 THE SEVEN MISSIONS

  30 THE EPHEMERAL SECRET

  31 RUBBING SALT IN A WOUND

  32 A GUIDED TOUR

  33 THE SAFETY ZONE

  34 INEVITABLE

  35 HALFTONE

  36 FULL-SCALE PREPARATIONS

  37 THE GHASTLY GRANOK

  38 A MYSTERIOUS SURPRISE

  39 LET THE FESTIVITIES BEGIN!

  40 A THRILLING TRADITIONAL SPORT

  41 A PARTY NO ONE COULD SPOIL

  42 A LAVISH BANQUET

  43 A DISTURBING MEETING

  44 SECRET DISCUSSIONS

  45 INTERROGATIONS

  46 ABANDONED

  47 THE FORBIDDEN MISSION

  48 IN THE MIDST OF DANGER

  49 ACIDS

  50 FATAL CONFESSIONS

  51 A HIGH-RISK OPERATION

  52 UNEXPECTED HELP

  53 TAKING STOCK

  54 EVERYTHING HAS TO GO WITHOUT A HITCH

  55 THE WAIT

  56 RENEWED CHAOS

  57 THE END OF AN ERA

  58 THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME…

  THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF GRATITUDE

  INDISPENSABLE ACCOMPANIMENTS

  ABOUT THE PUBLISHER

  COPYRIGHT

  1

  A DATE WITH DESTINY

  DEEP IN THE SEVENTH BASEMENT OF THE GLASS COLUMN, the door was blazing with the mesmerizing intensity of molten metal. Oksa squinted, dazzled by the blinding light spilling out from around the door frame and through the keyhole. It was time to enter the Cloak Chamber at last. Images of the past flooded her mind, reminding her of everything she’d gone through, from the moment she’d discovered her remarkable gifts in her London home to her arrival in Edefia. These memories merely served to strengthen her resolve, though. She took a deep breath and turned round to look at the semicircle of people watching her—her father and the Runaways in the middle, flanked by Ocious and the Felons, who were glowering at her. Everyone was there. Everyone except the four people whose absence had left an aching void in her heart: her mother, Gus—who was so much more than a friend—Dragomira, her late gran, and enigmatic Tugdual, with whom she was so deeply in love.

  Oksa screwed up her eyes to hide her violent emotions and protect her gaze from the intense glare radiated by the door. Endlessly reflected and magnified by the multifaceted precious stones lining the walls, the light was growing brighter with every second. The disagreeable stroboscopic effect created by the aerobatics of the Death’s Head Chiropterans and Vigilians high above the Runaways’ heads was also becoming unbearable. Oksa looked up in disgust at those revolting tiny bats and winged caterpillars, sorely tempted to put an end to the torture by cremating them all with a Fireballistico.

  “At last!” whispered Ocious, raising his hand and clicking his fingers to halt the frenetic comings and goings of his airborne escorts.

  The imperious old man took a few steps towards Oksa. Pavel Pollock stiffened but Abakum—the wise Fairyman—caught his eye and made a pacifying gesture.

  “I’ve waited so long for this moment,” exulted Ocious. “But since you arrived, my dear Oksa, those long, hard years have ceased to matter. The Cloak Chamber has reappeared and you will enter it as our new designated Gracious. There you will be enthroned, making it possible for me—for us—to accomplish our mission.”

  “Your mission? You’re such a megalomaniac!” protested Oksa, clenching her fists. “Anyway, you know very well I’m not here for you, I’m here to save the two worlds! You’ve got nothing to do with it. Nothing at all.”

  The Felon gave an evil smile.

  “Poor child,” he said. “You’re so naive!”

  “You fancy yourself as the ruler of Edefia,” continued Oksa furiously, “but you’re just an ageing psychopath without a future. You’ve been nothing but a curse on the inhabitants of this magnificent land, which is dying because of you, and you still think you’re stronger than anyone. You’re pathetic! Can’t you feel some remorse for once? There’s still time to show you’re a man, not a monster.”

  “Oksa,” implored Pavel, “be quiet!”

  Beside herself with anger, Oksa was pulling at the hem of her blue tee-shirt hard enough to rip it.

  “I don’t give a damn for your impertinent opinion,” sneered Ocious. “Don’t forget I’m the one with the power of life and death over your family and friends until you come out again.”

  Ocious waved a hand and the guards in leather armour posted around the vast circular hall closed ranks around the Runaways. Then, with a speed that took everyone by surprise, he launched himself at Pavel and caught him in a firm neck hold. Drawing himself up to his full height, he glared evilly at Oksa.

  “Now, you’ll do me the great pleasure of entering that Chamber, restoring the equilibrium and coming out again to open the Portal for me. Do you understand, girlie?”

  Before Oksa could reply she was suddenly distracted by a movement in the highest part of the seventh basement’s vaulted ceiling, which was lined with blue gems. A gorgeous bird with wings of fire flew among the Chiropterans and Vigilians, which scattered to let it pass. It circled above their heads with silent grace before landing at Oksa’s feet. The heart-stopping solemnity of this moment caused both Felons and Runaways to hold their breath.

  “My Phoenix!” murmured Oksa.

  The sublime creature bowed, then stretched out its foot and opened its talons to reveal a key decorated with an eight-pointed star—the emblem of Edefia, which had changed Oksa’s life when it had appeared around her belly button. The key fell to the ground, raising plumes of fine sparkling dust, then the Phoenix uttered a throaty caw and took off again, disappearing into the lofty dome.

  “My Young Gracious is henceforth in possession of the final component,” declared a small chubby creature, hurrying over to pick up the key and offer it to Oksa.

  “Thank you, my Lunatrix,” replied Oksa, holding out her hand. The key was surprisingly heavy and so cold to the touch that she almost dropped it. A few yards away, the door to the Chamber grew larger with a roaring noise caused by the intense heat. Oksa trembled.

  “The flames of hell…” she said, with a grimace.

  She felt a hand on her shoulder.

  “No, sweetheart,” whispered Abakum in her ear. “Your date with destiny.”

  Turning to meet the Fairyman’s eyes, Oksa gave him a faint smile. Feeling powerful and actually being powerful were two different things.

  “Will you at least
let me give my daughter some moral support?” growled Pavel, struggling to free himself from Ocious’s grip.

  “If you must,” sighed the elderly Felon. He released Pavel, but kept his Granok-Shooter trained on him.

  Looking distraught, Pavel walked over to Oksa and held her so tightly she could feel his heart racing.

  “Everything will be fine, Dad,” she said quietly, as if trying to reassure herself.

  Then, emptying her mind of all thoughts and refusing to look at anyone, she walked towards the Chamber, which was brimming with light.

  2

  MEETING IN THE CHAMBER

  AS SOON AS OKSA PUT THE KEY IN THE LOCK, SHE FOUND herself transported to the other side of the dazzling surface. The door swung shut with a deafening crash that sounded like a thunderclap, then disappeared, merging with the wall. The alarmed shouts of the spectators were instantly cut off, as if Oksa had passed into another dimension.

  “Hey! What’s going on?”

  Her body had just risen above the ground as if weightless and was now suspended in mid-air. She felt as light as a feather. Her chestnut hair was floating limply around her head as she pulled her arms through the air in a gentle breaststroke to move away from the door.

  “Wow…” she murmured.

  She couldn’t help pirouetting. Although Vertiflying gave her an intense feeling of power, this new experience was incredible. She’d always dreamt of trying out zero gravity one day, like an astronaut, but who’d have thought she’d get the chance here, in Edefia, the invisible land, once lost and now found? She looked around carefully. The Chamber was too bright for her to make out its shape or size. She blinked, awed and intrigued. She was no longer afraid—this place and its astonishing lack of gravity had a calming, almost hypnotic effect, even though she’d never felt more alert. She was intensely aware of everything—her living bracelet, the Curbita-Flatulo, undulating steadily to regulate her unruly emotions, the pulse of blood as it coursed through her veins, as well as the uncanny silence of the Chamber.

  Was the radiance dimming or was she slowly becoming more used to it? Whatever the case, Oksa was relieved that the brightness was growing more tolerable. Without any bearings to guide her, she moved forward with a few cautious breaststrokes, thinking about her gran. Dragomira had promised they’d see each other again on the day she was enthroned in the Cloak Chamber—and now that red-letter day in the life of a Young Gracious was here.

  “Baba? Are you there?” she ventured hoarsely. Floating in the air, unsure whether she was horizontal or vertical, she wrapped her arms around herself for reassurance. It was slowly becoming apparent that the room was a vast, perfectly round igloo, supported by pearly-white columns. Oksa gazed about, her attention caught by a phenomenon occurring behind her. The walls had lost their cloudy appearance and were now crystal-clear, like a mirror without the silvering. Oksa could see everyone in the seventh basement. Her father was sitting on the ground, his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands. He was struggling to cope with this separation, which was, as far as he was concerned, the last straw after so many tough ordeals. Oksa “swam” over to the wall and put her hand on one of the blocks of crystal.

  “Dad…” she murmured.

  “He can’t see or hear you, Dushka,” said a voice close to her.

  “Baba!” exclaimed Oksa, turning round, her eyes shining. “You came!”

  The halo of light in front of her was hazier than the one she’d encountered in the cave of the Singing Spring a few hours earlier, but there was no room for doubt: the crown of plaits around her head, the regal silhouette and the low, soothing voice—Dragomira had kept her promise. Oksa floated towards her and wailed with disappointment as she passed through the golden shadow that was now her beloved gran. Dragomira was there, but she was dead. Oksa was pained by this cruel reminder. What she could see before her was her gran’s soul, an extension of her life, a manifestation from the eternal realm to which she now belonged. It was heartbreaking and, at the same time, so comforting… The shadow bore down on her, enveloping her in warmth. Oksa tried to smother a sob.

  “I’m so glad you’re here with me,” she said, dashing her tears away with her hand. “I didn’t want to be on my own in this place.”

  “Did you doubt me?” asked Dragomira.

  “No!” replied Oksa firmly.

  “Why are you crying, then?”

  Oksa looked away, then turned back to the golden shadow.

  “I miss you so much, Baba…”

  The words stuck in her throat.

  “I miss you too, Dushka. But this is no time for weakness, otherwise everything we’ve worked towards, everything we’ve gone through, will have been for nothing. Tell me exactly how you’re feeling.”

  “I still don’t understand all kinds of things,” conceded Oksa. “One thing I do know, though, is that I’d like to take down that creep Ocious so I don’t have to worry about what he might do at any moment to the people I love. He may be old, but he’s strong. And very dangerous.”

  “He isn’t that old!” chuckled Dragomira.

  “Are you kidding, Baba? He must be at least a hundred!”

  “Which is the prime of life in Edefia… and don’t forget that he probably has some Nontemporentas in his possession.”

  “Pearls of Longevity? That’s true,” admitted Oksa. “I’m not afraid of him, you know. If he wasn’t blackmailing me so shamelessly by threatening Dad and the Runaways, I wouldn’t hesitate to face him, or his sons.”

  “I don’t doubt it for a second, Dushka. Still, even if you can fight him, be on your guard. And watch out for Orthon, in particular. He’s even worse than his father now.”

  Frowning, Oksa said nothing for a moment, then asked without preamble:

  “Do you think I’ll be able to leave Edefia again?”

  The golden shadow dimmed appreciably. Until now, this subject had brought to mind the image of a mortally wounded Malorane, followed by that of Dragomira disappearing from the top of a dune. The cost of opening the Portal had always been the life of a Gracious, as stipulated by the Secret-Never-To-Be-Told. No one knew whether this was still the case now that the Secret had been destroyed. Did the Graciouses have to sacrifice their lives for others to pass through to the Outside? And, quite apart from the issue of opening Edefia’s Portal, there was another burning question: would Oksa and the Runaways ever be reunited with the Spurned—the family and friends not permitted to enter Edefia? Breathlessly Oksa waited to hear Dragomira’s answers, until she realized her gran wasn’t intending to say anything. She sighed, then raised her head.

  “What must I do, Baba?”

  “Come here…”

  Oksa allowed herself to be guided to the centre of the immense Chamber.

  “Would you hand me the pendant you were given by the Corpusleoxes?” asked Dragomira.

  Oksa slipped the strange gem over her head and took out her Granok-Shooter to summon a Reticulata. She examined it closely with the jellyfish-like magnifying glass, then handed the pendant to her gran; the miniature Earth was buffeted by hurricanes as seas ate into the coastline like a giant ravenous monster. The small ball vibrated in her palm and the ground in the Chamber began to shake: convulsed with pain, the world was continually being beset by new torments.

  “Is this really the Earth?” asked Oksa.

  “What you see is only a representation, of course, but it faithfully mirrors every occurrence as it happens,” replied Dragomira.

  Oksa glanced apprehensively at England and her face fell. She handed the pendant nervously to Dragomira.

  “Mum and Gus are in danger, Baba,” she whispered. “We have to act quickly!”

  Oksa watched as the sphere floating in front of her rose to eye level and swelled to nearly twelve feet in diameter. Then it began revolving on its own axis, revealing the Earth’s surface, badly ravaged by the disasters that had befallen it over the past few weeks.

  “How terrible!” exclaimed the Young Gracious,
alarmed by the extent of the damage, which was now clearly visible.

  When the sphere had completed a full turn, the seas and lands became transparent, revealing what lay beneath, and Oksa could clearly make out the Earth’s structure. The seabed, bristling with peaks and troughs, appeared before her. Oksa watched in amazement as the tectonic plates shifted and separated and magma formed in the depths of volcanoes.

  “Look! The Mariana Trench!” exclaimed Oksa, staring at a huge gash at the bottom of the Pacific.

  She found she could see into the dense, yet transparent, bowels of the Earth all the way to its core. Suddenly, the sphere shrank until it was half as small again and the planets of the universe appeared before her, from massive Jupiter to tiny Pluto. Finally, the majestic sun took up its position and everything began moving around it in a perfectly choreographed dance. Oksa looked around for the golden shadow of her gran.

  “This is incredible, Baba!”

  Her hair was tenderly ruffled by way of an answer. Oksa tried to catch hold of whatever had done it, but remained empty-handed. She frowned and her eyes misted over with inconsolable sadness. She groaned, lips trembling. Immediately, she felt Dragomira embracing her and tipping her chin up: she couldn’t afford to become disheartened. She wiped away the tears and gently propelled herself forward by moving her arms through the air and kicking her feet, unable to tear her eyes away from the revolving planets as they followed their precise and complex path around the sun.

  Suddenly a beam brighter than all the others shot from the fiery ball of the sun. Oksa waited for the Earth to complete a full turn and realized that the beam was widening to a cone of light which illuminated a small section of the Gobi Desert.

  “That’s Edefia, that’s where we are, isn’t it, Baba?”

  “Yes,” replied the shadow. “But watch what happens next.”

  Like a laser, the beam of light continued its journey below the surface of the Earth, burrowing into its depths to reach the core—which Oksa was sure she could see palpitating.