Mark of the Dagger (The Marked Series Book 1) Read Online Free
Author: Stella Rae
goodbyes."
Chapter Three
Mount Claussen was a massive compound set in the valley between the mountains. Trees surrounded the compound on every side but the north which housed an enormous iron gate with the initials M.C. There were little carvings of gargoyles etched into the iron. It looked slightly mid evil and a lot creepy.
Dani’s stomach was in knots threatening to make her expel the little bit of breakfast her mother coaxed her to eat. When they pulled up to the gates she had the door handle in white—knuckled grip. Her nerves only increased as they waited for someone to come out the security house just inside the gates.
On the tail of the nerves crept doubt. Since Joe wasn’t able to make the drive with them, only saying that he would meet them there, he wasn’t there to reassure her that everything was going to be ok, that she had made the right decision. She didn’t understand why her resolve was beginning to waiver now. She had been determined to join this school only yesterday.
No matter the sacrifices, Dani told herself over and over, certain was she that this was the right move. But at the moment she was terrified and nervous, a combination that only proved to make her question her sanity. A gasp of surprise escaped her as a tall, gorgeous man approached the car, somehow easing her nerves. She laughed to herself, reassured that even though she just found out she was supposed to be a warrior, she was still the same boy-crazy teenager she had always been.
Once they were through the gate they were enclosed on both sides by big beautiful trees, the colors of the leaves changing with the beginnings of fall. Dani marveled at the shapes and shadows the sunlight cast on the narrow, winding road in front of them as Sarah drove.
As the trees thinned she got her first glimpse of the massive compound. When they pulled into a large parking lot she got out to take in her new home. Never had Dani seen anything as lovingly tended or beautiful in her life. The grass was a vibrant shade of green separated by pristine walkways leading to different ends of the campus, like a maze, she could definitely see herself getting lost often. There was a pond off to the right of parking lot and she headed toward it, her mother following close behind.
“It’s beautiful here isn’t it?” Dani heard Sarah ask in a tight voice making her wonder if they were thinking the same thing.
This was the place her father gave his life to protect. He was here, perhaps he sat on this very same bench overlooking the pond before the attack. Being here and knowing that was going to be a lot harder than she had anticipated. Although, in a way she felt like it was just one more connection she had to her dad.
This was probably harder for her mom. Knowing the same thing Dani knew and letting her stay anyway...
"That it is. It's going to be really different living here and being away from you. Are you sure you are ok with it?" Dani asked her.
Dani stood with her back to her mom, scared to look at her for fear she might cry. Instead, she looked out at the mountains that were far off in the distance, yet looked as if she could reach out and touch them. Sarah said nothing but grabbed her daughter and held on tight.
"What do you think?" Joe asked from behind them.
"It's amazing," Dani blinked back her tears.
"Well you haven't seen anything yet. Come on. I'll give you a quick tour on our way to the Headmasters' office."
They walked past the dormitories, a massive gym that held a pool and the most spectacular church Dani had ever laid eyes on. Almost the entire building was made out of stained glass. It was covered in Angels and Warriors, she had never seen the like before.
Once again she'd lost count how many times a gasp escaped her. She was in awe of the entire campus. The main building housed the cafeteria, auditorium, two common rooms, the library, and administrations. The building itself was made of black stone
Chapter Three
Mount Claussen was a massive compound set in the valley between the mountains. Trees surrounded the compound on every side but the north which housed an enormous iron gate with the initials M.C. There were little carvings of gargoyles etched into the iron. It looked slightly mid evil and a lot creepy.
Dani’s stomach was in knots threatening to make her expel the little bit of breakfast her mother coaxed her to eat. When they pulled up to the gates she had the door handle in white—knuckled grip. Her nerves only increased as they waited for someone to come out the security house just inside the gates.
On the tail of the nerves crept doubt. Since Joe wasn’t able to make the drive with them, only saying that he would meet them there, he wasn’t there to reassure her that everything was going to be ok, that she had made the right decision. She didn’t understand why her resolve was beginning to waiver now. She had been determined to join this school only yesterday.
No matter the sacrifices, Dani told herself over and over, certain was she that this was the right move. But at the moment she was terrified and nervous, a combination that only proved to make her question her sanity. A gasp of surprise escaped her as a tall, gorgeous man approached the car, somehow easing her nerves. She laughed to herself, reassured that even though she just found out she was supposed to be a warrior, she was still the same boy-crazy teenager she had always been.
Once they were through the gate they were enclosed on both sides by big beautiful trees, the colors of the leaves changing with the beginnings of fall. Dani marveled at the shapes and shadows the sunlight cast on the narrow, winding road in front of them as Sarah drove.
As the trees thinned she got her first glimpse of the massive compound. When they pulled into a large parking lot she got out to take in her new home. Never had Dani seen anything as lovingly tended or beautiful in her life. The grass was a vibrant shade of green separated by pristine walkways leading to different ends of the campus, like a maze, she could definitely see herself getting lost often. There was a pond off to the right of parking lot and she headed toward it, her mother following close behind.
“It’s beautiful here isn’t it?” Dani heard Sarah ask in a tight voice making her wonder if they were thinking the same thing.
This was the place her father gave his life to protect. He was here, perhaps he sat on this very same bench overlooking the pond before the attack. Being here and knowing that was going to be a lot harder than she had anticipated. Although, in a way she felt like it was just one more connection she had to her dad.
This was probably harder for her mom. Knowing the same thing Dani knew and letting her stay anyway...
"That it is. It's going to be really different living here and being away from you. Are you sure you are ok with it?" Dani asked her.
Dani stood with her back to her mom, scared to look at her for fear she might cry. Instead, she looked out at the mountains that were far off in the distance, yet looked as if she could reach out and touch them. Sarah said nothing but grabbed her daughter and held on tight.
"What do you think?" Joe asked from behind them.
"It's amazing," Dani blinked back her tears.
"Well you haven't seen anything yet. Come on. I'll give you a quick tour on our way to the Headmasters' office."
They walked past the dormitories, a massive gym that held a pool and the most spectacular church Dani had ever laid eyes on. Almost the entire building was made out of stained glass. It was covered in Angels and Warriors, she had never seen the like before.
Once again she'd lost count how many times a gasp escaped her. She was in awe of the entire campus. The main building housed the cafeteria, auditorium, two common rooms, the library, and administrations. The building itself was made of black stone
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