On the other hand, the idea of entering an ancient stratum piqued his interest. He had explored some parts of the other world, but he found travel there tedious. So many distasteful strata had to be crossed to get to the few good ones. And some strata — the isolates — were entirely disconnected from the main body of the other world. There was a good chance he’d never seen this place.

“I will go.”

Cordus turned to him, surprised. “You care for Miss Ryder?”

Ghosteater looked back at him, silent. He knew better than to reveal his motive. His inclination to curiosity had been exploited before.

“Will you help track Miss Ryder? Her retrieval must be your first priority.”

“I will track her and guard your people.”

“Very well, elder beast,” Cordus said, still looking perplexed. “Zion, you will work with the beast to track Miss Ryder.”

Zion nodded, smelling wary.

Williams went first. Gun drawn and barrier already in place, he approached the strait, which was sitting on the floor. He crouched down and touched it, disappearing with a smell of burned space. Sanchez followed after thirty seconds, also with her weapon ready. Zion went next.

Ghosteater walked to the stone ball and lowered his nose to touch it. He felt the strait open and try to grip him. He resisted, inhaling. Saltwater. Oxygen-rich air and life, abundant life.

“The companion is in the sea,” he said to Cordus. “The place is older than dragons.”

He let the strait take him.

Fifteen minutes later, the rescue party stood on the rocky beach. Ghosteater shook himself and looked over his shoulder at the three humans. Williams had not crafted his barrier to keep out water, so they were wet.

Ghosteater lowered his nose and quickly found the place the she-pup had huddled all night, then followed her scent to the edge of the forest. He sat down to wait for the humans, who were still wringing the seawater out of their clothing and packs.

Once the party was ready, they entered the forest.

“Look at that,” Sanchez said, pointing to a boneless sea creature incongruously perched on a tree trunk. She looked around. “There are tons of them.”

Ghosteater approached to sniff the creature and was met with a punch in the nose. He backed away, shaking his head. The animal was powerful, and he knew by scent that there were millions of them in the forest.

“Water-worker?” Williams asked.

“Yes,” Ghosteater said.

The creature had created a small wall of water, then propelled it into his face at high speed. The effect was like being hit in the nose with a rock.

“What do we do?” Sanchez said, looking around nervously.

“Wait ’til they decide we’re not a threat,” Williams said, settling on a root.

Ghosteater lay down in the ferns, then stretched out on his side, exposing his belly. Sanchez and Zion sat down next to Williams, smelling nervous.