The Dragon's Descent Read Online Free Page A

mixed with spectacularly shinning diamonds. The domed ceiling was so tall that Vero had to crane his head back to see all the way to the top. Yet, despite the distance, somehow his eyes could make out every intricate and colorful tile pattern on the dome and in the rows of columns that lined the walls and held up balconies. C.A.N.D.L.E. looked the same, but yet something was different.
    â€œWhere is everybody?” Vero panicked, noticing that the place was empty.
    â€œThere is no one else,” Raziel said, picking up the pace.
    â€œBut the others are coming? Right? Greer, Pax, Kane—”
    â€œNo one is coming,” Raziel said harshly, cutting him off.
    â€œI’m not here for training?”
    Raziel did not answer. He led Vero underneath a balcony then down a dark, narrow staircase. With each step, Vero grew more and more uneasy. Where was Raziel taking him? Raziel had never warmed up to Vero. The other archangels had always seemed to like him, but not Raziel. Vero could never make any inroads with him no matter what he tried. As they walked down deeper into C.A.N.D.L.E., Vero’s heart began to race, but he dutifully followed.
    They entered a room—an empty space not much bigger than the inside of an elevator. Perspiration formed on Vero’s forehead as he noticed that the entrance they had just used seconds ago was now a wall. As a matter of fact, as his eyes scanned the room he realized four white walls surrounded them, and none had any doors.
    â€œWhy isn’t Uriel here?” Vero nervously asked, his eyes looking for an escape route.
    Vero desperately wished the archangel Uriel would show up. Vero looked to Uriel as his mentor and protector. Uriel had watched over him ever since he was a baby, and it was Uriel who took Vero to the Ether for the first time.
    â€œThis is something between you and me,” Raziel harshly said.
    Vero gulped, knowing anything between him and Raziel was bound to end badly.
    â€œNo one will be joining you. No other fledglings have been called back. This one is all you.”
    Vero’s eyes filled with confusion.
    â€œTime runs short, and we need to know for whom you fight. Darkness or the light.”
    â€œOf course, the light,” Vero blurted out, hurt that it was even a question.
    â€œProve it.” Raziel looked hard into Vero’s eyes. “Find your way out of the maze.”
    â€œA maze?” Vero asked while scanning the solid walls. There was no way out. Panic came over him. “How?”
    â€œIf you truly believe faith can move mountains, then four walls should be no big deal.” Raziel smirked, then simply walked through a wall and disappeared.
    Vero stood there, considering what Raziel had said. “Time runs short? What is that supposed to mean?” Vero ran his hands over the walls, hoping there was some secret door, a way out. He’d even settle for a doggie door. But the walls were solid stone.
    â€œAhh!” he screamed in frustration and banged his fists on a wall. “How the heck did he just walk through the wall?!”
    Vero slid to the floor. He put his head in his hands.
    â€œThere’s got to be a way out of this,” he mumbled to himself.
    But then he had another thought. What if there isn’t? Raziel had never liked him. What if Raziel had called him back to the Ether without the others knowing? What if Raziel was trying to do him in?
    Vero lifted his head out of his hands. Were his eyes playing tricks on him or did the wall across from him suddenly seem closer? He jumped up, and the top of his head scraped the ceiling. Then it dawned on him—the room was closing in! He began to shake with fear. He was going to be squished to death, and end up in the choir of angels—if that was even still a possibility for him! He was completely distraught. But then Vero remembered his Vox Dei—the voice of God. He could always rely upon it no matter what the situation.
    As the