#Excerpt What happens when he must face his greatest fear #PietasFans #SciFi

Excerpt from Forever Love

Pietas turned on soft red lights that glowed in the floor, like the backstage of a concert.

This room echoed as if it were huge, but in the dark, Izzorah couldn't tell. Where were they?

"Come in." The lights brightened and revealed steps and seats, like a stadium or theater. "Mind your feet." Pietas offered a hand.

Izzorah slid his hands into his pockets. "Thanks, but I'm good."

"As you wish." Pietas went down a few steps. "Join me. I want to show you something that I guarantee you've never seen before."

Though it was dark, the light along the steps revealed enough for Izzorah to find his way. Impossible when he'd had limited sight, but now, easy. He went down three steps. Paused. Listened. The sound echoed even more here.

Pietas touched his arm. "One more."

Izzorah took the final step. The sound changed. Hollowed, as if the ceiling rose far above them.

Or the floor dropped away.

"Where are we?" Heart in his throat, Izzorah fumbled back, but almost tripped over a step. He threw out his hands for balance.

"Easy." Pietas took his arm, steadying him. "This is the aviary. One of your tests will be here, but I'm giving you a peek from a different angle. Lights."

Overhead lights snapped on, flooding the room like sunlight.

The room stretched out into nothingness.

Sandy-colored floor.

Black walls.

Soaring ceiling.

Space.

The room tilted.

The maw opened, pulling him down.