Masters of the Veil by Daniel A. Cohen Read Free Book Online

Just remember, it only happens once. And whether or not you think you’re dreaming, I would advise drinking in every detail.”
    Sam started picking the dirt out from under his fingernails. “Whatever you say.”
    The lines appeared around the doors again, and Sam grabbed the handle and stepped out into the sunlight. The first thing he noticed, other than the bizarre change from night to day, was how soft the grass was, like a giant green pillow under his feet. The view was incredible—a vast expanse of lush greens and clear blue streams that flowed through a thick valley.
    This belongs on a postcard , he thought. I have a beautiful imagination.
    “You’re right.” Sam gave a satisfied nod. “This is pretty spectacular.”
    She chuckled. “Sam, you’re looking the wrong way. That’s just our backyard.”
    He slowly turned around, and his jaw dropped. In front of him was a truly unbelievable sight. Actually unbelievable, and that was when it hit him.
    He wasn’t dreaming.
    What lay before him was all the proof he needed, as his imagination was far too weak to produce what his eyes saw.
    Magic is real.
    Monstrous pillars of sandstone—each hundreds of feet high and half a football field thick—Sam counted twelve in all. They were almost uniform in shape, though different capstones created slight variations between them. One had a giant looping hole through the top—like a colossal sewing needle—another had a three-pronged tip, and one had protruding rungs.
    Beneath the towers were more colorful foliage than Sam had ever seen. Continuing all the way to the giant rocks were flowers, trees, and bushes of all different hues. He looked at the treetops and saw all sorts of leaves: some were square in shape, others glowed neon red, even some blue ones that were so large they blanketed the other trees around them. It was another world; it couldn’t have been the same one he had been living in his entire life.
    A path in front of them meandered along toward the stones.
    “Let’s get moving.” May took off her shoes and massaged her toes into the soft grass. “We have a little bit of a walk ahead of us.”
    “Wait.” Sam’s lungs weren’t filling correctly; it was becoming harder to breathe. “This… this is real, isn’t it?”
    She put a hand on his shoulder and nodded. “Take your time. I know it must be difficult. But remember, this is a good change.”
    He leaned over and put his hands on his knees. A bout of nausea struck him hard as the world began to spin. His breathing became rapid and shallow. “I… this…”
    “Here.” Her tone was quiet and soothing. “A gift.”
    Sam couldn’t see what she did, but something came over him. It started at the top of his head and made its way down through his body. It was gentle and calming, like a warm bath being poured over him. Once the sensation reached his toes, the anxiety vanished, replaced by a sense of peace, tranquility, and lastly, acceptance. All his cares melted away and he was left with wonder. Just like that, he was ready to see what lay ahead of him, magic and all.
    He stood back up and rotated his shoulders. “What did you just do to me?”
    “The Veil can be wonderful, can’t She?” May’s face gravitated toward the sun. “How do you feel?”
    He took a deep breath of air through his nose and exhaled slowly through his mouth. The air felt fresh and clean. “Amazing. Kind of excited.”
    “I’m sorry to say that this is not a cure, only a bandage. Over the years, you build up walls against things you can’t understand. That’s why youth is the easiest time for the surreal to be accepted. Normally, sorcerers have their first hiccup when they are small, making the transition into our society quite enjoyable. Unfortunately, you already have quite the fortress, Sam. Let’s just say I have provided you with a temporary ladder, but it won’t last. You will have to learn to accept this on your own. But in the meantime, you need sleep, and