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

jerked out of the saddle as his horse thrust itself abruptly to the left. The Hunter’s powerful wing whizzed over Cody’s head. Cody’s stomach lurched as his horse hurled through the air and resumed its mad dash down the ridge of the steep dune.
    Two shapes appeared at Cody’s sides, falling into steady stride: the broad-shouldered Chazic galloped to the right wielding his mighty scimitars. Looking left, Cody exhaled a sigh of relief—Tiana’s fair skin seemed to glow in the night. Her blonde hair had broken free from the headband and was now streaming in a wild train behind her.
    CRASH! The sound echoed like dynamite. The Hunter had landed and was now racing on all fours down the dune after them—and quickly gaining. Reddened saliva gushed from its open mouth as it howled in hungry ecstasy.
    Cody slammed his heels repeatedly, but the Hunter was too fast. The creature’s long talons ripped into the ground as it careened down the hill. Its voracious panting grew louder as it lowered its shoulders. Cody winced. With another wild shriek, the Hunter pounced.
    In a blur, Chazic propelled himself off his horse and rammed into Cody, sending them both soaring through the air. They crashed to the ground and skidded to a rough stop.
    Cody grabbed his chest, fighting to regain his wind. A staggering Chazic was already on his feet; a bloody gash pumping from his side. The Hunter rolled to its feet; its blood-red eyes burning with rage. It surveyed its challenger; then, without hesitation—it sprang. Chazic dodged left and swung his blades in a powerful arc—but the Beast was faster. Its gargantuan wing bashed the Enforcer against the dirt. Launching onto the fallen attacker, the Beast sunk in its claws. Retracting its talons, it hurled Chazic out of the way, a smear of blood tracing his path. The Hunter returned its lustful gaze to Cody.
    “ Dastanda! ” The earth shook as enormous soil pillars burst up, imprisoning the Beast. Tiana emerged into the clearing wielding her jeweled dagger in one hand, and the other palm open to the Beast. Her pale skin glistened with sweat. “ Gai di gasme ,” she finally uttered. She knelt beside Cody. “We have to run!” The Hunter immediately burst through the earthly prison.
    Tiana jumped between the creature and Cody. With one swift thrust of its wings, the Beast propelled forward. Tiana sidestepped the first attack. A splatter of black blood squirted onto her face as her knife sliced the predator’s wing.
    The Beast howled in rage. Its hind leg smashed against her, knocking her over. Tiana’s forehead struck against the solid ground and her body instantly went limp, blood pooling around her head.
    Cody shuffled backwards as the Hunter approached. He could no longer think. He knew he should resist and fight, but he had become incapable of unscrambling his thoughts. The Hunter’s gore-soaked talons stretched out toward him. He felt the prick of the claw slowly puncturing his skin—then nothing.
    The Beast released a fierce wail. Its giant wings spread out and with one powerful flap it soared away into the night.
    Cody clutched his throbbing forehead. Tiana! He pulled himself weakly to where she lay unmoving. A stream of blood trickled down the side of her head, staining her beautiful golden hair. He scooped her into his arms. “Help! Somebody, please help!” Cody looked up. Standing across the clearing was a stranger.
    He had long, stringy gray hair that merged with a thick beard to form a matted mane. His garments were tattered and grimy, and his face was filthy. The man’s wide, dilated eyes gazed unblinkingly at him. Cody realized the man had no eyelids at all.
    “Cody! Cody!” Cody spun to the top of the dune where Dace was racing toward him. Turning back to the clearing, Cody saw that the stranger had vanished.
    Everything went black.

14
    Discord
    “ SIR, WE CAN’T LINGER—it could return any moment.”
    Cody pushed himself up and winced as a stinging sensation raced