Darkness Rising: Disciples of the Horned One Volume One (Soul Force Saga Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

instructors wore the silver-and-blue tunics and after today he wouldn’t be a cadet anymore.
    Best to make a clean break. He took off his weapons, dug out his black tunic, and tossed his uniform aside. He’d never wear the damn thing again.
    The door burst open and Jen ran in. “You’re leaving?”
    “Dad told you? I’m a sorcerer, apparently. I have to go to a school for sorcerers.”
    “When will you be back?” She sounded so worried it tore at him.
    “I don’t know. I don’t know anything except that I have to go. Hopefully, when I finish my training, I’ll be able to come home.” Damien turned toward the door, his father stood in their watching. “Of course, I may not be welcome.”
    She put her hands on his shoulders. “You’d better come back. This is your home whatever anyone says.”
    Damien hugged her and whispered in her ear. “I’ll miss you too.”
    What about me?
    Just for a moment Lizzy brought him into her world so they could talk without anyone overhearing. “I’ll miss you even more, Lizzy.”
    She hugged him with both arms and wings. “What will I do without you?”
    “I was thinking the same thing. I love you, Lizzy. As soon as they let me I’ll come see you, I promise.”
    “You’d better.” The instant before she returned him to his body he could have sworn she was crying.
    Master Shen entered the room. Damien kissed his sister on the cheek and stepped away. “I’m ready, Master.”
    He walked out past his father. They exchanged no words, didn’t even make eye contact. Dad was probably as glad to be rid of him as Damien was to leave his father’s disapproving glare behind.

Chapter 5
    D amien walked across the training yard beside Master Shen, his rucksack slung over his shoulder. It took all his focus to maintain a stoic expression. He’d never need to stand in line waiting to get a broken bone again. No more orders and instructions he couldn’t carry out. He was through with the place and all his father’s expectations. If Jen and Lizzy could’ve come with him he would never even consider returning.
    The stables sat at the rear of the grounds, the opposite direction from their path. Was Master Shen planning to walk all the way to The Tower or had he brought horses of his own? Or better yet, did he plan to summon a flying beast? Damien figured it wouldn’t hurt to check, just in case he had gotten lost. The sorcerer didn’t live here after all.
    “Master, shouldn’t we collect mounts before we leave?”
    Master Shen chuckled. “No need for that, Damien. Sorcerers have faster means of travel.”
    They reached the dirt patch near the edge of the grounds where the sorcerers alway landed. Damien’s heart raced. Master Shen was going to summon a flying beast. Damien could hardly contain his excitement.
    Master Shen raised his right hand and a golden glow appeared in the air in front of him. The glow expanded and shifted, forming into a great griffin. Damien stared at the huge beast. Would he be able to create such a thing? The prospect thrilled and terrified him in equal measure.
    Master Shen lowered his hand. “Have you ever flown, Damien?”
    Flown? He’d never considered such a thing possible for him outside Lizzy’s psychic world. “No, Master.”
    “I think you’ll enjoy it.” Master Shen waved his hand again and three golden steps appeared from the ground. “Climb aboard.”
    Damien went up the steps and found a pair of saddles had formed on the creature’s back. He swung his leg over the back saddle and found it every bit as comfortable as sitting on a horse. The weirdest thing was the griffin didn’t breathe or tremble. It felt like sitting on a statue.
    Master Shen climbed up in front of him and a moment later a golden belt appeared around Damien’s waist holding him tight. Right, if they were flying the last thing he wanted was to fall off the back of this thing.
    “Ready?” Master Shen asked.
    Damien nodded and the griffin leapt into the air.