The sensation of falling sideways through reality lasted only moments, yet seemed to stretch into eternity. Samantha felt as though every atom of her body was being pulled apart, examined, and reassembled. Colors she had no names for flashed across her vision. Sounds with no earthly equivalent filled her ears. Through it all, she maintained her death grip on Marcus and Kai's hands, anchoring herself to them as they tumbled through the impossible space between worlds.
Then, with jarring suddenness, solid ground materialized beneath their feet.
Samantha staggered forward, barely keeping her balance as the waygate deposited them onto smooth, polished stone. Beside her, Marcus collapsed to one knee, his injured leg finally giving out. Kai remained standing but swayed dangerously, his enhanced senses clearly overwhelmed by their passage.
"Everyone alive?" Kai managed after a moment, his voice hoarse.