Immortal Dynasty Read Free Page A

know the ancient Egyptians believed that if you could speak aloud the true name of someone…or something…you controlled it.”
    “You’ve known my name all these years and haven’t controlled me very well.” Darius tried to chuckle at his own joke, but one stern look from Papa Shadi silenced him.
    “The name of the sword is Farvadin ,” he whispered. “It means guardian . The Lady of Flame used it to lead her medjai warriors. Only she can wield the sword and invoke its full power.”
    A high-pitched sucking sound came from the reception area. It could easily have been the night cleaner’s vacuum, but Artie Johnson darted from the room like a terrified rabbit. Darius realized he was scratching the hell out of his palm: his sixth sense telling him something was not right.
    “Grab the bag, Papa. Let’s go.”
    The lights in the reception area flickered. Television screens hung silently from the ceiling. Rows of seats in the waiting area sat empty. Artie cowered by the elevator, pounding on the buttons. As the eerie sound grew, the security guard twirled in confused circles, looking for the source.
    They weren’t alone. Yet, Darius couldn’t say how he knew that.
    His grandfather looked heartbroken. “I am sorry. There is so much more to tell you. I waited too long.”
    Darius followed Papa’s gaze toward a darkened corner. The shadow seemed unnaturally dark and stretched from floor to ceiling. Strange, it was like he was looking into a deep, black void. Then he felt it. The void pulsated. Cold vibrations swept over him rhythmically, raising the hairs on his arms. His palms continued to itch.
    Bolts of pure energy lashed out from the void, whipping through the room and fingering everything. The televisions screamed to life and exploded in a shower of sparks. Fluorescent ceiling lights fizzled out. The receptionist’s handsets popped off their cradles, smacking against their charging stations.
    The security guard leaped toward the elevator, but a violent bolt slashed through the man’s chest. His body slumped forward. Artie screamed and continued pounding on the elevator doors. What the hell?
    Darius stepped protectively in front of his grandfather, prepared to face whatever was coming. He felt an urgent hand on his shoulder.
    “Darius,” Papa Shadi whispered. “Lilith sends her demons to silence us. She must be stopped.”
    It disturbed him that he could not see into the blackness. Darius started to argue, but for once he held silent. Instead, he moved them both back away from the void, nearly tripping over a fallen television screen. He maneuvered them behind the desk.
    Peering back into the void, he noticed a yellow glow moving toward them from deep inside the darkness.
    “What’s happening?” He looked toward his grandfather’s face, which was surprisingly calm.
    Papa Shadi nudged him in the arm with his cane. “Remember the prophecy.”
    The lamp from Artie’s office provided meager light, but even in the semi-darkness the old man’s eyes sparkled with anticipation, not fear. Darius wondered if the old coot had been expecting this. The yellow glow advanced toward them quickly now. The light divided into three distinct pairs of eyes.
    Darius sat back and mentally counted to ten. This was not happening. Maybe he was hallucinating. More likely, he was having a nightmare, induced by his grandfather’s prophecy theories. He felt his grandfather move closer to him.
    “Darius,” he felt the old man’s light grip on his shoulder and the cane nudging his arm again. “Get the Lady of Flame. She will help you.”
    keep him out of the loony bin. “Papa, whatever happens, stay right here.” Right! A statue was not going to
    Darius didn’t wait for a response. He simply expected his demand to be followed. He kept his eyes fixated on the void and the three looming forms taking shape within it.
    Two thin shapes slithered into the room and took up flanking positions. They looked almost like a couple of