Metal Deep 3: Infinite and Forever Read Online Free Page A

nothing, just lowered his head and took me over to a pavilion in the middle of a four-way cobblestone road that was centered between four adjacent waterfalls.
     
    On tables of wood decorated with amber threaded silver, three clear boxes sat covered with blue and red wildflowers. Housed in each box were the bodies of three old men, laid peacefully to rest in violet robes lined with silver etchings along the hems of the sleeves.  They looked like they were sleeping. I half expected any one to suddenly open their eyes and ask to be let out of their glass casket. Save the wrinkles around their aged faces, there seemed to be nothing wrong with them. Certainly nothing that would have caused them to have died violently.
     
    “They did this?” I asked talking about the Street Vipers.
     
    “Yes,” He said. “And if they return I will see to it that they pay.”
     
    “Who were they?”
     
    The kid stopped and clutched the orange gem he carried with him at all times. He answered trying to hold back a tear, “My brothers.”
     
    There seemed to be quite the age gap between the elders who had passed on, and this kid. His parents must have had him in a nursing home.
     
    “I’m sorry.” What else could I say?
     
    We walked in silence back to his home. Now I realized why he lived alone. The rest of his family was gone. I knew how he felt. As we entered back into his home, I was looking for anything to change the subject. My attention turned to the glowing orange shard he held. It had a similar vibe as the stones in my hands, so I asked, “Is that a Dragonstone?”
     
    He lifted a proud chin. “Never seen one before, eh?”
     
    “Not like that.” I said somewhat dodging the question. I wasn’t entirely truthful, but it wasn’t a lie either.
     
    He became excited, and turned into a machinegun of random facts. “It’s actually a shard. It’s the family stone. I mean anyone could use it. There are some extremely rare stones, they say, only certain lineages have the ability to use. It’s also said that is because they made deals with the Dragon who gave us the stones. I don’t’ think I believe the Dragon myth. The caves teach us using such a stone would be bad.” His eyes narrowed, “Of course every stone use has its price, but this thing is just an heirloom passed to the one responsible for protecting Falor and her secrets. But it’s mine, and I’m the only one who’s going to use it.”
     
    I became excited myself, and I ignored his rambling superstition. “And you know how to use it?’
     
    He did not seem as excited. Actually he looked a little afraid to answer, “I do.”
     
    “Could you teach me?” I asked quickly. “I would love to give it a shot.”
     
    His face hardened into an expressionless mask. “The use of this particular stone is the responsibility of my family. Trust me when I say, this is not the stone you want to mess with.”
     
    “Fair enough,” I conceded disappointedly. I remember being that young. Everything seemed like a matter of life and death. I decided I would win his favor later. If he knew how to use that shard of a Dragonstone, then certainly he would be able to teach me so that I could figure out mine. Then I could go back home to Sway, with a “Suck-It-Wench” the size of the moon.
     
    As the sun started to rise, I was feeling tired. He gave me one of the spare rooms, which I assumed had belonged to one of his late brothers, and he then offered me a snack. I inhaled an entire basket of Marmalade Danishes in just a couple of minutes. He watched with amusement saying he’d never seen anyone eat like me. I’m sure that was true. I told myself I’d find a way to pay him back for the food and hospitality.
     
    On my way to the room I realized we had gotten so busy I had forgotten to ask his name. After I had finally asked, I watched as he puffed up with pride. Duty laced every word. Conviction etched his face. “Hades…” He said, “Scion Hades of the Hades