City of Gold by Daniel Blackaby Read Free Book Online Page A

orders?” He called to a tall, gray-haired man who was standing with one leg perched upon a crenellation, gazing onto the horizon like the skipper of a ship. His casual face resisted any trace of apprehension.
    “It has begun.” At his words, the sky completed its solemn retreat. Nocsic joined the Captain’s side, staring silently into the dark. His cheek tingled as a soft flake fluttered against it…then another. Soon the two men were surrounded by a blizzard of white bits. Nocsic rubbed the substance off his nose and pressed it against his tongue. “Ash.”
    Talgu nodded. “Lilley has fallen.”
    “Any survivors?” Nocsic asked without conviction.
    “The Golden King is merciless, as is his High General—The Impaler. If the General leads the offensive…I dare not ponder the unholy fate of the Lillians. The unstoppable flood of El Dorado now crashes toward Flore Gub….” Talgu’s voice faded into introspection.
    Thump…Thump…Thump.
    Nocsic took a deep breath. “Is there any hope...Father?”
    Talgu placed his hand upon the younger soldier’s broad shoulder. “Son, we have long since forfeited our hope. I swear a blood oath upon my father’s blade that Flore Gub will not fall while I have the power to defend it. We are but a leaf in a hurricane. The Golden King’s sight is set, and our time is up. They are coming.”
    Thump…Thump…Thump.

13
    An Ill-Fated Departure
    SOMETHING WAS WRONG. Cody felt it immediately. The ominous sense of peril was tangible. He glanced over his shoulder at the blurry silhouette of Atlantis fading into the distance. Only the small, floating orb of created energy that hovered over his head offered any light to his night-darkened path.
    The monotonous drumming of hooves against the rough terrain spoiled the otherwise nocturnal vacuum. Cody squinted through the haze. Tat rode directly in front, his head pivoting on a swivel. He feels it, too .
    Cody’s skin grew cold. A light gust of wind rolled over the upright hair on his arms. What was that? Cody could feel his breath hammering against his chest. Something’s not right; there’s no wind in Under-Earth.
    He felt another quick chill against his cheeks. Then he sensed it; an unexplainable, yet undeniable feeling— I’m being watched .
    He began to tremble. Noticing movement above, Cody peered toward the cave’s ceiling. A colossal shape hovered over him like an enormous bat and two scorching scarlet eyes punctured the darkness and were glaring directly at him.
    “The Hunter!”
    A piercing shriek ripped through the sky. Cody grasped the reins just in time to keep from tumbling off as his horse bolted forward, casting dirt into a thick cloud.
    Another shrilling screech resounded from the Hunter as it circled above; its immense wings propelled it across the cave’s celling. Blinded by the haze, Cody lost his bearings on the winged demon. His heart beat in sync with the horse’s powerful strides. Where is it!?
    Whoosh! An agonizing scream rang from somewhere in the dust. The cry was followed by a wet, crunching noise—then silence.
    Cody dug his heels in. Faster! Faster! He didn’t know which direction he was heading; he was completely caged in the nightmare. “Tiana!” he screamed into the blur, but it was the voice of Dace that responded, “The light! Cody, kill the light!”
    It took several seconds before the order registered—the glowing sphere over his head was like a beacon pointing the Hunter directly toward him. “ Gai di gasme !” he yelled. The orb exploded like a firecracker and vanished, leaving him engulfed in the blackout.
    Whoosh! The yell of a second victim echoed—then silence. The Hunter was picking them off like a bird of prey snaring helpless mice.
    “Split up! Lead the demon away from the Book Keeper!” Dace ordered. Cody felt a tingle wafting against his neck. Cranking his head, he saw the Beast burst through the smoke, its iron, blood-stained jaws gaping.
    “ Ahh! ” Cody nearly was