Free Demon Thief by Darren Shan

day brooding about it, running the word through my thoughts, trying to find out where the pieces might be.
    “A few days ago I had an insight. I sensed that part of the Kah-Gash was going to be discovered in the near future. I caught a glimpse of a demon — Cadaver. Words popped into my thoughts — ‘The demon thief will guide you. Find the thief.’”
    Find the thief.
That’s what Mrs. Egin said when she was freaking out, and just before she exploded! I start to tell the others, but Sharmila speaks up before me.
    “Cadaver stole the baby — Kernel’s brother.”
    Nadia nods. “Beranabus was ecstatic when that happened. It confirmed that we were on the right track, that Cadaver was a demon thief.”
    “So that’s what this is about,” Raz says, nudging my right arm. (It doesn’t hurt now. It’s been healed by magic.) “Nadia and the master came for me — having already collected Sharmila — a day or so ago. The master said he needed me, but didn’t say what he wanted me for. Now I see — it was to help search for the Kah-Gash.”
    “But I don’t see what difference you or I can make.” Sharmila frowns. “Were we in your vision, Nadia?”
    “No,” Nadia says.
    “Then why involve us? If Beranabus has searched for this weapon by himself all these years, why come to us for help now?”
    “Because of what I saw and sensed,” Nadia mumbles. “If we pursue this, there will be a confrontation. I caught glimpses of a battle with forces greater than our own.” She pulls her finger away from her mouth. Sets both hands on her knees. Looks at each of us slowly, one after the other, as she speaks. “Beranabus didn’t tell you about this because there was no time. But I doubt he would have told you anyway, in case he frightened you away.”
    “I’m not frightened of a fight,” Raz snorts.
    “I am,” Sharmila says. “But I would fight regardless, if Beranabus asked me. He knows that. I have fought before. Raz too. You said that is why he chose us.”
    “Yes. But it wasn’t just a fight that I sensed.” Nadia lowers her eyes and looks at the hands on her knees. They’re trembling, but only slightly. She stares at them hard. When they stop trembling, she looks up at us and says directly, without any emotion, “I also sensed death.”

OPENING WINDOWS
    N ADIA falls silent. She squats with her face averted. Raz and Sharmila look anxious and move away to discuss the revelation in whispers. I stay where I am, watching Beranabus work. I’m not that disturbed by Nadia’s prediction. This is all crazy anyway. Death’s only to be expected in a place like this.
    Beranabus is having difficulties with the window. The patches of light are slotting into place, but slowly. And while most of the patches he’s joined together are pulsing at the same rate, some aren’t. If he could see the lights, it would be simple, but he can’t. He has to create the window using complicated, time-consuming spells.
    I can’t understand why the magician and the others can’t see the lights. They’re more powerful and experienced than me. So why am I the only one who can view the assembly of the window?
    While I’m pondering that, a few more patches of light slot into place. A shimmer runs through the panel. The various colors vibrate a few times in unison. Then they all turn yellow and stop pulsing.
    “Ah!” Beranabus grunts. He turns, claps his hands to get everyone’s attention, then waves at the window of yellow light, now visible for all to see. Raz and Sharmila approach with suspicion. Nadia hangs back.
    “Do you know what is through there?” Sharmila asks.
    “Another world,” Beranabus says.
    “Can you be more specific?”
    He shrugs. “I was searching for Cadaver, not a specific world. Until we pass through the window, I’ve no way of telling where we’ll emerge.” He raises a bushy eyebrow. “Nervous, Miss Mukherji?”
    “Nadia told us about her vision,” Raz mutters, gaze lowered. “About the