Jack Staples and the City of Shadows Read Online Free Page B

step and I’ll be forced to arrest you!”
    â€œIn a dream, everything seems possible,” Aias said. “But it is only after we awaken that we can truly live the impossible.”
    The guard gaped for a moment, then turned and shouted. “Open the gates! Open them now or I’ll dock a month’s pay from each of you!”
    The guard stepped forward hesitantly. “M’lord, I know it’s not my place to ask,” he said in a low voice, “but is it true? Has the Child of Prophecy been born? Is the Last Battle nearly here?”
    Aias stared at the man but didn’t answer.
    â€œIt’s just that … with everything that’s been happening, I … I thought …” The man trailed off.
    â€œThe Last Battle is not far off,” Aias said. “And it is not one child who was born, but two.”
    The guard gasped, but before he could say anything, Aias continued. “Stand strong. We will need every last sword in the coming days. Continue to gather the Lambs.” Aias glanced at the unearthly fog. “We must go now. We’ve lingered too long already.” He raised his voice slightly. “Master Hampton, if you are done with your eavesdropping, would you kindly continue through the gate?”
    Jack heard the coachman yelp as the carriage lurched forward. “What does he mean, ‘the Last Battle’?” Jack whispered. Mrs. Dumphry merely placed a finger to her lips to silence him.
    Another minute passed and the group exited the carriage to a thick wall of white fog and heavy snow. Jack shivered as the fog touched his skin. Did it feel different or was he just imagining it?
    â€œHalt. Who goes there?” Two sword-bearing guards appeared out of the fog, stalking toward Aias. “How did you get inside the palace grounds?”
    Aias smiled. “My good sirs, I assure you everything is in order. We were given permission to enter by—”
    Without warning, both men charged with swords bare. Aias moved like a snake, and before Jack knew what was happening, the men were on the ground. Aias hadn’t even bothered to unsheathe his sword. “It’s a trap!” he grunted. “It has to be. Miel should have been waiting for us, not these louts. All our planning has been for nothing!”
    â€œWe need to—” Mrs. Dumphry stopped as something rumbled from high above. “No!” She gasped.
    â€œIt can’t be,” Aias groaned.
    Boom! A thunderclap exploded as a torrent of wind forced back the unnatural fog. Instantly, a perfect circle of clear air formed in the center of the courtyard. When his eyes landed on the monster, Jack began to scream.
    Mrs. Dumphry raised her arms as she stepped forward. “We’ve been betrayed!” she screamed as a ball of fire exploded from her hands. “It’s a Drogule!”

Chapter 4
    THE MONSTER IN THE COURTYARD
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    A particularly large flake of snow landed on Alexia’s nose and immediately melted. Yet Alexia didn’t notice the snow; all her attention was on the monster hulking on the other side of the square. Mrs. Dumphry had called it a Drogule, but it was a monster pure and simple. It was gigantic, standing almost as tall as the palace.
    A vast horde of dark servants had gathered just behind the monster. There were two Shadule and at least three hundred Oriax. The Shadule were sleek, almost graceful creatures; the Oriax were a mixture of mammal and reptile, the size of a small pony. Yet it was the monster that most captured Alexia’s attention. The Drogule’s body was stone, and its mouth was ringed in metallic fangs.
    Alexia groaned as the monster spoke in a voice like an avalanche. “Kill all but the child we seek.”
    Without hesitation the mass of dark servants surged forward. The two Shadule dropped to the paving stones and slithered ahead as the Oriax leaped toward the small band of Awakened.
    â€œStay close!” Mrs.