CHAPTER THIRTEEN
In Galileo’s observatory, Oliver stared in fear at the strange figure emerging from the green misty portal. He could not tell if the intruder was male or female, or indeed, whether they were even human. There was a spectral quality to them, like they were made only of light. They were hairless—not even eyebrows or eyelashes—and albino in their colorings. They wore a robe of white silk that hinted at a slim frame of bone and sinew. They moved strangely, too, as if flickering in and out of reality. It was like a strobe effect had been put upon them, and the whole thing left Oliver quaking with fear.
“Cease,” the creature boomed.
His voice was so loud, Oliver’s ear drums ached. He began to step backward and felt Hazel grip his arm. She was trembling too.
“What is it?” she
