The Dragon Stirs Read Online Free PDF

hidden recesses, the only light shone from above and directly down on them. He tested the energy and cursed. 
    “What?” 
    “We’re inside a circle.” Trapped. 
    The raven circled and glided—open, hunting, seeking. The mystery as unnerving to it as it was to Louk.
    The room itself was devoid of all but a minimal amount of furniture that formed faint outlines against the blackness outside of their small circle of light. Louk’s boots sank into plush, red carpeting that absorbed all sound and added to the padded cell feeling. Dark curtains hung over the windows and allowed for absolutely no light to leak through which made it impossible to tell if it was even night or day. 
    His unease increased as he opened his senses to absorb his surroundings. 
    “Who’s there?” he called out even as he slowly rotated to take in more of the room. Airiana stayed with him, keeping her back to him, guarding his hidden half. 
    “One who has waited a very long time for you to arrive.” The voice came from the depths of the darkness, but floated around them. The odd distribution made it impossible for Louk to identify where it came from. He stopped his movement and simply focused on the verbal play.
    Behind him, Airiana stilled.
    “What do you mean?” Louk straightened and casually tucked his hand in the folds of his jacket. “Why did you bring us here?” 
    “I did not bring you here. The energy did,” the voice answered mysteriously.
    “Is this a joke?” Airiana shot out.
    A low chuckle rolled across the space before the voice replied. “This is the furthest thing from a joke that I can think of.”
    “Show yourself,” Louk demanded, tired of the anonymity.
    Immediately an elderly man appeared to their side. Reflexes had them turned, crouched and ready to defend, their movements matched as if they’d fought together for years.
    “Better?” the man asked.
    The man stood straight, his hands clasped nonchalantly behind his back. He was of Asian descent, with long white hair that was neatly braided down his back and the wisps of two equally long mustache tips that framed his mouth and extended well past his chin. His skin was time worn, but his face remained wrinkle free. His eyes held more than a millennium of wisdom, and his energy confirmed it. He was an Ancient. One of the few who had lived longer than most could remember. 
    He wore a long white robe cut in an Asian style with gold embroidery along the edges that flowed in soft waves to his knees. Matching white, silk pants hung loosely below the robe and simple white slippers poked out from beneath the hem of the garment as if their—Louk and Airiana’s—appearance had disturbed his morning lounge. 
    A smile curved across his lips and his brown eyes flashed with a bit of humor. “Ah, I am not what you were expecting,” he said lightly. “You are wise. Don’t let appearances fool you. I can take you both down before you blink.”
    It had taken some very strong power to pull them out of his circle and force them to this location, but Louk didn’t sense a threat. He relaxed his stance and let go of the grip he had on the knife. He slipped his hand out of his jacket and contemplated their next move. 
    “You have questions,” the man said politely. “I may have answers, but they may not make you happy.”
    “Why are we here?” Airiana advanced a half step before she paused as if she realized what she was doing. Tipping her head, she retreated back and waited. Obviously she recognized him as an Ancient and was showing him the respect he was due. The man was thousands of years old, and that distinction alone elevated his authority and position of power to one that was much higher than theirs.
    No matter which side he was on.
    The man tilted his head then nodded in apparent approval. “Airiana Draco. A woman lost and hiding a secret shame. Riddled with doubt, you are poised with questions and seeking answers.” Airiana gasped softly. “Yes, the energy