Light & Dark: The Awakening of the Mageknight Read Online Free PDF Page B

with a rosy hue. About the height
and width of a large car and the length of a bus, the dragon looked
slender—like a snake, with the addition of powerful arms and legs
complete with wickedly sharp talons and a pair of wide-spread
wings. Elongated, similar to the head of an alligator, the dragon's
head sprouted twin smooth, ebony horns that narrowed to frightful
points, originating from just behind its brow.
    "A dragon!" Danny said in a hushed tone. The
dragon jumped, swatting at some unseen foe. It was the most
beautiful, most frightening creature that he had ever seen.
    Then something dark, distorted by an aura of
thick black smoke, pulled his attention away from the dragon. Danny
peered closer, searching for details—for a split-second he thought
he saw a form in the swirling mist. He could make out a head with
red eyes, thin, lanky arms and long, wiry legs. Something silvery
gleamed in the thing's outstretched fingers, as it batted at the
larger form of the dragon. The churning smoke dissipated, he could
see that the dark creature's weapons were long, sharp claws.
    Danny couldn't believe his own eyes. He took
a few steps forward to get a better view. However, on the second
step, he failed to watch his footing, felt his shoe catch, and
stumbled forward. He tumbled to the ground with a grunt; he caught
his weight by placing both hands flat on the cement.
    Where there had once been the sound of
combat, an eerie silence followed. Gulping down his fear, Danny
looked up to find the gaze of the dragon and the wicked red eyes of
the smoky creature locked on him.
    The soft brown eyes of the dragon shone with
small flecks of gold, endless, intoxicating and almost
friendly.
    Below the hypnotic gaze of the dragon, Danny
found the penetrating stare of the dark humanoid. The wind picked
up in earnest, causing the thick smoke surrounding the creature to
part momentarily. Instantly, Danny made out an array of pointy
white teeth that seemed distorted in a vain attempt at a smile. It
was most certainly not a greeting of friendship.
    The black creature took three elongated steps
toward Danny and leapt into the air with amazing speed.
    Unable to move, Danny watched helplessly as
the black thing barreled down on him. He closed his eyes and waited
for the pain to come—yet it never did. Instead, he heard a
high-pitched screech, like a wounded animal. Opening his eyes, he
saw the dark creature before him, too close for comfort, its torso
wrapped in black talons. The thing screamed; it lashed out at him,
the thin, silver fingernails flicking within inches of his
face.
    With a deep, throaty growl, the dragon flung
its enemy to the opposite side of the yard. Danny watched as the
black thing flew through the air, thudded against the brick wall
and then fell to the ground in a lifeless heap.
    Danny felt the eyes of the dragon upon him
and turned to meet the creature's penetrating glare. He could hear
a deep growl, originating from somewhere within the dragon's body.
It must be a warning, he was sure of it. He didn't know how or why,
but this creature had protected him, now it was telling him to
leave.
    Out of the corner of his eye, Danny noticed
movement; he turned his focus toward the black creature that had
attacked him. His eyes went wide, it was getting up.
    The dragon followed Danny's gaze, turned back
toward him and growled again, this time much louder.
    "You don't have to tell me twice," Danny
whispered, no longer in shock. He quickly regained his feet and
bolted for the glass doors.
    Pausing in front of the doors, he retrieved
his book bag from between them, passed through, and forced them
shut behind him. Taking off at a dead sprint, he whipped the
backpack over his shoulder just as he turned the corner. His sudden
speed caused him to brush against the lockers, but it didn't slow
him down.
    His heart raced and his breath was heavy, but
Danny didn't stop until he reached the doors at the end of the
hallway. Enveloped by bright white