The Dragon Stirs Read Online Free PDF Page B

told me about you.”
    He turned his attention to Louk. “Loukianos Aeros. Also seeking answers and desiring truth. A man filled with need and a desire to believe.” Louk’s gut tightened at the truth of the man’s words. “The energy tells me much.”
    “Did it tell you why we’re here?” Louk asked.
    The man bowed forward slightly as if to give appreciation for the question. “Yes and no. Like I said, I’ve awaited your arrival for many years. Many times I thought it might happen. Many times I was proven wrong. Now, you are here and I can only find sadness in my heart.”
    Louk exhaled slowly and rested his hands on his hips. “Where are we?”
    “Where do you think you are?”
    “I’m not in the mood for games,” Louk responded, irritation building. “Tell us where we are.”
    The man’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Forceful. Not a bad trait.” He looked them over. “Does it matter where you are?”
    “Yes,” Airiana insisted.
    “No,” the man countered. “What matters now is why you are here. Not where.”
    Louk puffed out an exasperated breath. “Whatever. Stop playing games and tell us something or send us back.”
    “But what do you need to know?” the man continued cryptically. “The prophecy? 
    “One of light, one of dark. Born the same, but raised apart. The Two will join, the end will start. The first to fall to balance them all. A year to the day the dragon will rise. Without the balance, the world will die.” 
    He paused. “Is that what you wanted to hear, Louk? Or maybe you want confirmation that your brother is good. That his future is not set nor his past as it seems. And Airiana, doubt is your plague. Is balance better? You already know the answer to that or you would not be here.”
    The words bounded around in Louk’s head, and he latched on to the only piece he could process. “What do you know about Damian?”
    “Only what you will soon know yourself.”
    Louk gave a low growl of frustration. “Do you ever give a straight answer?” The man shrugged. 
    Louk sighed. “Are we supposed to be a part of that prophecy?”
    Airiana scoffed softly, “I’d say that much was obvious.”
    Louk’s lips thinned. “I’m going to bet you’re the dark one in the scenario.”
    She ignored him and addressed the other man instead. “Trust me, joining with him is about as likely as the moon falling to earth. So the prophecy is either wrong or we are not the two it’s talking about.”
    “Really?” The man questioned, raising one slight eyebrow. “Denial will not change the facts.”
    “There are no facts to deny,” she sputtered indignantly. “We’re from opposing sides. Two forces that have fought each other forever. There is no way we can be together.”
    Although she spoke the truth, Louk couldn’t deny that the thought of being with her didn’t revolt him as much as it should. They definitely had one hell of a connection. But, the forever thing? He was with her on the not likely scenario.
    “Trust me, sweet cheeks, I’m quite a catch.” He winked at her, burying his unease behind the flirty bravado. 
    Her brows drew together in irritation. “Arrogant much?”
    “Confident.”
    She snorted. “Conceited.”
    “Self-assured,” he countered.
    A deep laugh halted their banter and drew Louk’s attention back to the Ancient who was now watching them with obvious amusement. 
    “What?” Louk and Airiana said in unison.
    “It is the young that keep us alive,” he said. “A freshness not jaded by age, or war, or death. I see now why the energy chose you. You will need that spirit to conquer and withstand all that is before you.”
    He turned away and shuffled back into the shadows. “Come children, the tea is ready.”
    Louk looked at Airiana. She shrugged.
    “I’m sure you’re the child in that scenario,” she said under her breath as she moved to follow the man.
    He laughed. Damn, the woman made him laugh. Her sharp tongue was refreshing and kept him on his