Legend of the Timekeepers Read Online Free Page A

decorated with pearls and various gems. The man appeared old but not as wrinkled and gaunt as Istulo. There was still life in his wild, white hair, which stuck out every which way and needed a good brushing. His eyes were the color of the desert sand, and his skin the color of alabaster. The gown he wore was deep blue, marking him as a sage. He smiled at Lilith a good long moment, making her feel as if she was being assessed by a hardened teacher. Slowly, he reached for her sandal by his bare foot, picked it up, and held it out to Lilith.
    “Young lady—” he said smiling “—there are no accidents.”

2

    The Temple Beautiful
    L ilith nervously tapped her palm sandal against the shimmering tiles outside the entrance to Istulo’s chambers in the Temple Beautiful. She had arrived early, as requested, catching the lingering scent of perfumed incense and hearing the methodic tones of priests and priestesses in morning mediation. A pair of entwined serpents, carved out of black marble and trimmed with gold, adorned the top of Istulo’s doorway in a threatening manner. Both serpents stared down at her, their sculpted tongues and fangs emerging from open jaws as if ready to consume whoever dared walk past them. Lilith shuddered, feeling like she was back in bed with the snake her uncle had attempted to give her. She stopped tapping and took a few steps back, almost knocking over a crystal vase on a white marble pillar. Turning, Lilith grabbed it in time before it fell. Taking a deep breath, she placed the vase back on its shining perch, then wiped away the strands of hair clinging to her forehead.
    “A little oil mixed with powdered sandalwood will tame your hair,” the girl behind Lilith blurted.
    Jolted, Lilith turned around to glare at the girl who obviously had no manners. Lilith’s eyes were immediately drawn to her shoulder-length thick, red hair. It was braided in rows that tapered down into fine points. Small seashells decorated the end of each braid as if they had been carefully selected for such a purpose. The girl’s red hair wasn’t the same as Lilith’s Uncle Kukulkan’s cinnamon shade. Instead, the girl possessed a bright berry hue, the likes Lilith had never seen before. It was distracting yet mesmerizing at the same time.
    The girl cupped Lilith’s chin and nudged it down. Wide green eyes, the color of a sea turtle, glared at Lilith. “My mother says it’s rude to stare.”
    Lilith’s nostrils flared. “Well, my mother—” She cut herself off, feeling the void in her heart from the loss of her mother, then continued, “—taught me to offer advice only when asked for it. And I don’t recall asking for your advice about my hair.”
    “Suit yourself.” She shrugged. “But if you want to get rid of that frizzy, fly-away look, take my advice—sandalwood oil works wonders. Oh, and while you’re at it, you should add some accessories to your plain white gown. It will not only enhance the color of your beautiful blue eyes, it will bring to life whatever you’re wearing.”
    Lilith started to cross her arms over her chest, then stopped herself. “What kind of accessories?”
    The girl smiled as if she’d found a lost treasure. Her teeth were pearl with a hint of pink. She rubbed her hands together briskly, and said, “An embroidered sash to show off your hips, and a seashell and pearl necklace to enhance your neckline. Your snake bracelet is a definite keeper, but use only one crystal hairpin—not five—and preferably purple or blue. You want your hair to move naturally, not be held back. Oh, wait one more thing.”
    Lilith’s face twitched. “Just one?”
    The girl pointed to Lilith’s feet. “Palm woven sandals are out of style. And where’s your satchel?”
    “I…I don’t have one.”
    The girl thumbed her square chin. “That’s an easy fix, I have loads of them—I’ll lend you one that will pull your outfit together. You’ll have a suitor in no time.”
    “A