Mythborn by V. Lakshman Read Free Book Online

the smell of spring grass and bright sunshine. The sound of birds could be heard coming from some distance away, but nothing stirred that spoke of habitation or people.
    Squinting, the new adept looked over a verdant expanse flowing down the hill upon which he stood. The horizon was a clean, distinct line, an intense slash separating the vivid green from the wholesome blue of the sky above. Shapes in that sky appeared almost like floating islands, if that idea wasn’t absurd. It lent a surreal nature to the place, and Arek surmised this was only the first of many things likely different between this realm and his.
    Arek closed his eyes, feeling the world suffuse him with energy. He took a deep breath, then another, and then looked around. With each breath the colors grew brighter and more distinct. The very air seemed to hum with something, a vibrancy he could not quite put his finger on. Then he knew what it was.
    Power.
    It fell upon him like the sunlight itself, permeating his skin, soaking into his very bones and warming them from the inside. It was a feeling of “rightness,” of sustenance he could not gain from food or drink, and the energy it brought with it gave him a boundless joy and excitement. He looked back at Niall, a smile already lighting his face. He grew even stronger.
    “What happened?” Niall asked, groggy. He seemed to be coming out of whatever fugue state Lilyth had imposed. He rubbed his face as if clearing away cobwebs, then his features went from confusion to wary alertness and he looked around quickly. “Where are we?”
    Arek smiled and said, “We’re in Lilyth’s world.” It was hard to hide the exuberance in his voice.
    “What?” Niall exclaimed, clearly aghast at the thought. “Why?”
    “You don’t remember?” Arek looked at him in confusion. “You said you trusted me.”
    Niall nodded. “I do, but the last thing I remember was standing with Tej, looking up at you climbing the pyramid. How did we get here?”
    Before Arek could answer, a deep voice came from behind them. “Stand easy. We greet you in peace.”
    They spun at the voice and were shocked to see a company of blue-skinned beings, silently regarding them. How long they’d been standing there was uncertain, but their stance mimicked the very earth and trees around them, natural and steady.
    They seemed as much a part of the world as a blade of grass or limb and leaf. Each had horns curling up from their foreheads like rams, and a circular sigil burned into their flesh on their shoulders, chest, and brow. They were armed, but held their weapons in relaxed hands.
    At their head was a taller blue-skinned figure in armor. A winged helm sat atop his head like a crown, and caught the sunlight in a flash of yellow fire. His silver armor was magnificent, shining like a knight from a tale, yet this was overshadowed by the most remarkable thing about him—he looked like an angel.
    Wings grew out of his back, spreading and enveloping him like a mantle of power. Each shining feather ended in a knife-edge, keen and razor sharp. It was glorious and beautiful, and at the same time dangerous and deadly. Arek could not believe he had not noticed this man and the blue-skinned creatures with him before this. It was as if they had appeared out of thin air.
    The figure removed his helm, revealing a hornless head of black hair that fell framing a square-jawed face. Flawless blue-skin stretched over high cheekbones and an aquiline nose, marred only by circular sigils burned into the center of his brow and down each cheek. For some reason he looked familiar, a face he’d seen before but couldn’t place.
    The figure took the helm and handed it to a waiting yeoman, then stepped forward, smiling. “I greet you, Lord Arek. Your arrival has been a cause for eager anticipation, and celebration.” He stepped back and bowed, looking at Arek from the tops of his amber eyes.
    Arek looked at the man with confusion. “You’re with Lilyth?”
    The