Share

Chapter 2

Author: Leann Lane
I walked this path once more as I had done a million times before on similar days like this. However, this time it had to work. The timing was exact, the weather was exact, and the day was exact. Everything had aligned absolutely perfectly, and I knew that because I had made sure of it before I had even left my parent's house this morning.

Every detail was crucial to my cause.

I had tried everything else over the last 10 years, and this, this was my last hope.

Pulling my brown fleece jacket closer around myself, I desperately tried to ignore the coldness seeping into my bones despite the thick coat I had on. I wasn't going to let anything keep me from doing this today, even if it meant the shivering and the teeth clattering painfully.

The well-worn cobblestone walkway twisted and wound around the green grass that highlighted the red and yellow leaves hanging from every tree and bush that lined both sides. Autumn had come in a vibrate flash of rainy days and colors. Normally, I would be in heaven walking along such a picturesque path. But today my mind was on my brother and not the beauty I was surrounded by.

I strained my eyes to see past the bright foliage to the dirt path I knew would take me to The Archway. Okay, so it wasn't truly much of an archway. It was more of an opening between two trees, yet it was still what the people used to refer to it as The Great Oak Archway. It was always spoken of by the older people in reverent whispers. Ones that I never paid attention to growing up. What child listens to old wives' tales, anyway?

At least, that's how I had thought of the stories until my brother went missing.

10 years ago, to the day, my brother went for his morning jog around the park and never came back. Nothing was ever found of him. No clothing, no shoes, no body. Nothing. The only clue the police had to go on was his footprints that were found on the dirt trail until they disappeared at The Archway. They suspected foul play, except there had been no witnesses and no other clues left to follow.

That was the day that I began believing in those far-fetched tales.

My parents had been devastated and had too easily, at least in my eyes, given up hope.

Me, on the other hand, I delved deep into the history of our town, knowing that the answer had to be there. When I found the lore about the Great Oak Archway, I knew without a doubt that my brother had found the portal from the stories of the Old Ones.

Every day for a year, I tried coming out to this very spot and walking through the opening; and every day for a year, there was nothing. I spent the next year researching different rituals, spells, incantations, legends, anything that would give me a hint as to how to open the stupid thing.

Nothing worked.

When my parents found out what I was doing, they flipped out and forced me to stop. Once I graduated and went off to college, I made mythology and folklore of the paranormal my focus. Much to their dismay, instead of studying a "decent career path", I delve even further into the occult, supernatural, and the paranormal. Hell, I even took several courses on aliens and UFOs just to cover all my bases.

When I graduated with honors and a Master's degree in paranormal research, my parents reluctantly showed up at the ceremony only to a congratulated with sad, disappointed looks on their faces.

Still, I didn't care.

I was going to find my brother no matter what happened.

My first order of business was to delve into the history of the place. All the way back as far as the Native American tribe that used to roam these lands. Much to my surprise, the Archway had been a part of their stories as well. They spoke of it in hushed tones as a place where their ancestors would greet the travelers from the stars.

That's one of the things that had intrigued me so much about their fables. That's why I knew I had to be on the right path.

It became even more clear when I stumbled upon an incredibly old news article about several disappearances that had been happening over the years at this exact spot.

In the last fifty years, at least four people, including my own brother, have disappeared in this exact area.

Before that, the superstition and folklore about the area had stopped many people from venturing into the woods. Especially after their own spattering disappearance around the time the valley was first settled. If there were any missing from the Native American tribes that had once roamed the area, they either didn't blame the Archway, or they celebrated them.

However, this was enough to go on. I looked deep into the disappearances and found so many amazing similarities that I was able to recreate the circumstances. I knew deep in my soul that this had to work.

I had everything perfect, everything exactly right, everything, down to the number of grasshoppers there were in the woods that year. Everything was precisely the same.

As I walked up to The Archway the wind picked up slightly. I was smart enough to see that this was a sign that I was on the right path. Yet, the twisting in my gut told me the wind was trying to warn me away from the portal.

Stubborn and undeterred, I continued forward, not allowing anything to stop me when I was so close. Out of nowhere, a thick cloud of fog grew and streamed through the trees until I could hardly see my hand in front of my face.

"I know what you are," I said out loud to the fog. "I know what you are hiding, and you cannot stop me."

Keeping my eyes on the ground, I pushed ahead pointedly ignoring the blatant warnings to leave. There was a voice on the wind screaming at me to get out now before it was too late. I had come this far, and I was not about to let anything else stand in my way I told the voice silently.
Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App

Latest chapter

  • The Book of Mara   Chapter 100

    He squeezed my hand one more time before letting go. It was a small gesture, however with Treddian, who was raised in this world to not show affection to another man's woman or risk death, it was a huge step. I turned my attention to the last two people who stepped up to me and raised my eyebrows when I saw it was Ethallia and Synne. "What is it you need, my ladies?" Tohr asked them gently. "Your Majesty, we wish to plead our loyalty to the Queen, as well. Without her here, our lives would have been very different, and now we would be honored if she would accept them in return," Synne replied softly. "That is not necessary," I replied to them."Your Highness, with all due respect, you gave us our lives back and the courage to take charge of them. There is nothing we want to do more than to pledge them to you," Ethallia countered. I looked to Tohr for help. But he had stepped back and was allowing me to handle this. I stood and walked up to the ladies and took their hands. "Are yo

  • The Book of Mara   Chapter 99

    "Caylan," I called, getting his attention. Caylan turned and his icy blue eyes pierced through me as they started to turn slightly Draygonish. "Please… be patient… this… this is not our way, and she may end up hating you if you push too much," I pleaded with him. Caylan nodded to me. I wasn't sure if it was an agreement or acknowledgment. Either way, I was forced to stand there and watch as Caylan carried my new friend off to his 'Draygon lair'. "She will be fine, Mara. You know as well as I do, my little fyre, that a Draygon will do whatever it takes to make sure his mate gives him their heart," Tohr reminded me. He wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed the top of my head. "Most of all, she is safe and protected." I nodded and sighed heavily, hoping one day she would forgive me for this. I felt as if I had to feed her to the wolves.Before I could contemplate or worry about anything, else Tohr was pulling me towards the front of the hall where the thrones were and had me s

  • The Book of Mara   Chapter 98

    -Little fyre. I am damned proud of you. You fought him with all the fyre inside your soul. Sólas would still be after us no matter what you had done. He is the one to blame for what we are going through right now. - I gave him a small smile and tried to let his words soothe me. "Thank you for warning me," I told Caylan. "I appreciate all that you have done for us." "You do not have to thank me, Your highness. It was the least I could do after everything you both did for my people. I, however, did wish to thank you for bringing our princess back." My eyes widened. "Gabby?" As if my words summoned her, Gabby walked in like the princess she was descended from. She looked around the room. As soon as she spotted us, she made a beeline for the group, and the look on her face was one of anger. "Ohhh hell," I whispered in English. "You!" she snapped at me. "You have been back for how long? And you have not stopped to say hi?" "Gabby, I'm so sorry! I just… Ummm," I floundered for a reas

  • The Book of Mara   Chapter 97

    I turned and grabbed her shoulders. "Even if you weren't mated to my brother and my favorite guard, you would still belong here." The tears Ethallia was holding back burst open and poured down her cheeks. I hugged her again until the sniffing stopped, and I could tell she was feeling better. I caught bits and pieces of her thoughts, and they were just as sweet as her words. I gave her one last strong hug struggling to control my own tears.-You okay, mate? - Tohr asked concerned. -Yes, mate. I am just so happy right now. - I replied, coating my words with the love I felt for him and these people. He sent back his love letting it wash over me. -I'm so glad, my little fyre. Now hurry so I can have you in my arms again. -I laughed slightly and pulled away from Ethallia. "Alright. My own mate seems to be whining cause I'm not close. Can you help me finish this up?" I asked her, pushing at my quickly drying hair. She nodded and pushed me towards the chair. Under her quick and daft fing

  • The Book of Mara   Chapter 96

    I giggled breathlessly yet didn't deny either of his claims. He set me down on my feet, being sure to hold onto me until I was able to stand on my weak knees. With my head cleared of him, I realized that we were still in one of the main hallways to the castle. Anyone could have walked in and seen what we were doing. Tohr chuckled. "I'm pretty sure the whole world heard you coming, mate." His wink on the innuendo, then again knowing him it wasn't an innuendo at all, caused my cheeks to flush, and I smacked his arm. He laughed and pressed a kiss to my nose before pulling me down the hall to our room.When he opened the door, I saw Ethallia and Synne standing there waiting for me. The adjoining door to the bathroom area was open, and I could smell the scented oils they used for the bath. A wide smile crossed my face, and I practically raced to the bathroom. I slammed the door shut on their surprised faces before I jerked the veils off and practically jumped in. The water was a little t

  • The Book of Mara   Chapter 95

    -Green, huh? - I thought with a smile. -So apparently, my mate is a descendant of the Narhas'fa, huh? - I gave him a goofy Draygana grin. -I guess I am. Do you think you can live with that? - He smoothed his hand down my scales sending shivers down my spine. "Yes, my mate. Even if you had never been a Draygon at all I would still love you the same," he admitted before backing away and changing. As his own Draygon was released, he braced his front feet and let out a loud yell calling to his mate. Me. I braced my feet and returned the call. To anyone else, it would have sounded horrifying or scary. However, to us, it was a beautiful ballad. With one hard flap of his wings, he was off into the sky and began to circle the area waiting for me. I watched him for a moment admiring the grace with which he soared through the sky. For such a big creature, Tohr was agile and swift that I loved watching him fly. The need to join him overpowered me until I was shoving off the ground and s

More Chapters
Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status