The Girl with the Red Lantern: An Epic Fantasy Adventure (The Shadow Lord's War Book 1) Read online

  The Girl With the Red Lantern

  The Matchmaker’s War Book One

  K.N. Lee

  Dragon Roots Emporium

  Copyright © 2020 by K.N. Lee

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Cover by Yocla, Clarissa Yeo

  Created with Vellum

  Dedicated to my ancestors.

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  A Look at Fallen Empire

  A Look at The Blood Lottery

  About the Author

  Also by K.N. Lee

  Prologue

  Tarth'Ral rose from the red hot flames of the deep, dark pit, and crawled onto the warm stone floor.

  His golden hair still held the remnants of fire, and wavered around himself as he drew a sharp breath.

  “He’s awake,” a familiar voice shouted.

  He looked up, sweating, but untouched and unharmed by the fire that had cleansed, strengthened, and spoken to him.

  “Rise, Tarth'Ral, Shadow Lord!”

  The chanting drowned out all sounds of the crackling fire as he rolled onto his back and tried to catch his breath. Stepping into the flames wasn’t easy. But, with the power of Fire Magick, Tarth'Ral could do what most could not.

  He was not like most.

  Born of flames, he could tempt and manipulate it to his will.

  Tarth'Ral looked above at the twinkling stars that glowed against the dark sky above the translucent dome that covered their city.

  The Empire of Spirits was his, and had been for centuries. But, now, it seemed his debts of death and destruction had come him, hands held ready for payment.

  ”What will you do, My Lord?” Wrystor asked, hand clutched around a staff made of bone and wrapped in the feathers of a raven. His sunken blue eyes watched him, awaiting an answer.

  Outside the shield he’d set around the capital city where he sat upon the throne and ruled the seven provinces was an army.

  For the first time in ages, the Jade Empress had been awakened.

  “My sword,” he said, clenching his fists as he came to his feet. His broad chest heaved as he regained his strength and vitality. He’d been in a deep slumber for some time, in an effort to gain the power to destroy those who opposed his rule.

  “What of it, My Lord?” Wrystor asked, taking a step closer.

  Tarth'Ral tilted his head, listening for the whispers that often came when he needed answers. “It has awakened. It has sent out a call.”

  “Impossible,” Wrystor said, taken aback.

  When Tarth'Ral turned his gaze to the old necromancer, he quickly took back his retort.

  “Of course,” he said, with a slight bow. “If you have sensed such a thing, it must be true.”

  Tarth'Ral didn’t reply. Instead, he looked into the near future. The images wavered and appeared before him, like a film of water along the surface of the clearest lake to have ever existed.

  Whoever retrieved the Sword of Destiny would lead millions against what he had planned.

  “Summon the red dragons,” Tarth'Ral said.

  Nude, he crossed the ceremony room and snatched his clothing from the hands of a faithful servant who bowed before him.

  He secured his armor onto his body, and stepped into his boots. The steel fused with his body, and began to glow with bright red light. As he snapped bracers onto his wrists and activated the runes, a smirk came to his face.

  He was going to torch them all, and watch them writhe with pain as set the world ablaze.

  “No man will ever stand before me and leave with his life,” he said, and his smirk morphed into a snarl. “Not today. Not ever.”

  Chapter 1

  ROHAN

  Rohan awakened to the song of a ringing frequency.

  He sat up and rubbed his temples. The fragrant mountain air filled his lungs as he glanced at the wavering gray curtain billowing outward with the breeze.

  Remnants of his dream still demanded to be remembered, but they faded into the dark, like many of the others.

  He left the comfort of his small room in the upper temples.

  The grounds of the Temples of the Sacred were sparse as he stepped out of the tall stone building that stretched high into the heavy silver clouds, and protruded deep down low where the pointed tower emerged from the floating land and pointed below. It was equal, with the same buildings above ground as what was beneath their feet, a perfect mirror image full of magic and energy.

  The remnants of his most recent dream clung to his memory, demanding to be remembered.

  There was always a dream—always a vision of a potential future and the life he left behind. To decipher which were purely his imagination, and which were messages that had real meaning was always a challenge.

  He was being called for something big. Rohan glanced toward the sun that was partially hidden behind the pale clouds.

  Rohan would be ready.

  There was an itching within him to leave the series of keeps, towers, and buildings that made up the compound that had been his home since as early as he could remember. To explore the lush green world below was a deep yearning. Visions of sailing across the sea and visiting the other realms had always been a dream of his.

  Somehow, he felt like it was his destiny.

  The white-capped mountains loomed in the distance, calling to him, but Rohan had an important exam to complete before she could even think of venturing outside the temple grounds.

  Advanced Light Mastery awaited, and he hurried to make it on time. As his favorite course, he never missed a minute of Malin’s instruction.

  “Morning, Rohan,” Rue said, breaking him from his thoughts.

  Rohan turned to his friend, and gave a nod.

  “Morning,” he said, then furrowed his brows. “What are you doing here? I thought you were heading off to advertise in the other realms.”

  He shrugged, and turned to walk backward, away from him. A cocky grin came to his face. “I’ve been asked to train a class,” he said. “As a trial, of course, but its a good start.”

  “Truly?” Rohan struggled to keep his envy at bay.

  Rue hadn’t been at the temples much longer than Rohan and already had a potential teaching position in another realm.

  He folded his arms across his chest, and eyed him.

  “Nothing too important,” he said, and laughed, turning away from him. “Just basic orb summoning.”

  “Good luck,” Rohan said, and Rue waved.

  “You too. Now, you’d better dominate in that exam!”

  Rohan watched him walk away, the anxiety rising within him.

  This exam could change everything.

  Rohan crossed the stone courtyard to race into the cathedral. Inside, there were rows of mages standing in sev
eral circles. At the center of the circle was Malin. Dressed in purple robes, and holding her light staff, she had her eyes closed when Rohan entered the room. He quickly hung up his cloak and found himself a spot beside Jami.

  He pulled up his sleeves and closed her eyes.

  The hum of everyone’s breaths became a dizzying spell.

  “Take three deep breaths,” Malin said, softly.

  Rohan did as instructed. He had to pass this exam in order to receive his blessing and leave the title of mage behind. To step into the role as a master would be a dream.

  “Now, summon your light shield around your body, fortify it with energy, and hold it,” she said. “Focus ladies and lads, because I will be sending attacks to break through your shield.”

  Rohan steeled himself for what was about to occur. He’d practiced for years, and now it was time to prove the strength of his power.

  “The hourglass begins now.”

  Focusing his mind on igniting a bright white light shield, Rohan brows creased as the light encapsulated him. He basked in the powerful energy as the magic sparked all around him.

  Pleased with his shield, a smile came to his face. But, within seconds, that smile faded as something pulled at him.

  He gasped, and nearly stumbled forward. His eyes popped open. Whatever tugged at him came from within the shield.

  That’s not how this is supposed to go.

  Rohan’s heart had slowed to nearly a stop, and in that moment, he felt a faint tugging. Frowning, he glanced to his right and left, curious if anyone else had experienced the same thing.

  The other mages were focused on feeding energy to their shields while Malin tossed burning orbs of magic at them. The blazing orange balls raced through the dimly lit cathedral and crashed with an explosion of shimmering dust as each student’s shield deflected its impact. Bracing for impact, Rohan’s brows rose as Malin sent one flying toward him.

  To his relief, his shield served to protect him, and the orb disintegrated before his eyes. Sparks of color faded into the air around him, and Malin turned to the next mage, only to return after her rounds with an even more powerful spell.

  “You’ll want to keep your shields up,” she said. “I can assure you that my orbs won’t tickle if they make it through.”

  Taking a few deep breaths, Rohan tried to regain his composure. That had never happened before—not in all of the months he’d been practicing.

  Then, it happened again.

  Terror struck in his heart as he realized that this might not be part of the test.

  He bit her bottom lip and fought to keep his balance. Whatever was happening, hadn’t given up its assault. It was as though her very spirit was trying to fly away from him body, and he had nothing to hold onto to prevent it.

  Is this normal?

  “Everyone,” Malin said, breaking him from her thoughts. “Your attention, please.”

  Rohan turned his head toward the beautiful woman, barely able to keep his eyes open, but pouring every ounce of his energy into the protective shield.

  All who were assembled shifted their focus to Malin.

  It was then that the ground began to shake, and a deafening roar came from somewhere outside the cathedral walls—somewhere far in the distance.

  Rohan tried to stifle the rising fear that itched at his throat.

  “Please stay calm,” Malin said, clasping her hands before her.

  The bells chimed from every corner of the temples, and some of the girls began to panic.

  “But, it seems we are under attack.”

  Those words sent a shiver up Rohan’s spine. Something was not right, and he’d been feeling it all along. What was odd, was that he hadn’t felt fear—real fear—since his days as a living soul.

  “To your posts,” Malin said, and her eyes paused to meet Rohan’s worried gaze. “With haste. And, ignite your light bodies. You’re going to need them.”

  Rohan did as he was told, and he and everyone in that room shifted into beings of pure golden light.

  He didn’t think it was possible, but it seemed the Spirit Realm had been invaded.

  “Brilliant,” he muttered under his breath, ready for whatever was coming.

  Chapter 2

  They’re here.

  Ziyi stood in the tallest tower of the temple, with the other leaders. She’d felt the vibrations, sensed the shift in energies, and now her suspicions were confirmed.

  “How has he done this?” Magnus asked, his eyes deep-set with disbelief. “This realm is sacred, untouchable by outside forces.”

  Fear had been sparked within them all, and the towering half-giant mage was not immune to its dark allure.

  Marching upon the temples was an army—an army of undead soldiers, entities, and evil.

  She shot him a look. “How do you think?”

  “Some do not play by the rules,” Tasia answered, brows knit with disapproval of the horrific scene.

  “The Veil must be ripped,” Magnus said.

  “Clearly,” Ziyi agreed, under her breath.

  It appeared that the black mass was just a messenger.

  The Shadow Lord and the Crimson Emperor were fighting for the same cause.

  The world would quake beneath their dark alliance.

  “I’ve heard reports of sightings of the Tarth’Ral in the mortal realm of Earth,” Magnus said.

  Chills raced up her back as she watched the shadows, spirits, and creatures line up outside the temples she oversaw.

  “Send word to Emperor Vlad’s heir,” she commanded. She rolled up her sleeves as a swift wind flew into the tower where she now stood with three other mages of great power. “We have a connection to his line.”

  She peered downward from the window, and had to turn away from the heat coming from the flames that licked the stone and crawled upward.

  The lush land that surrounded the temple grounds was swarmed with cursed beasts and Tarth’Ral’s agents. Even though the mages had raced to their posts to join forces against the dark magic sweeping the Spirit Realm, their attempts seemed futile against what was before them.

  “As you wish, Ziyi,” Magnus said, with a bow. “But, they might not come. The elementals—”

  “Do as I say” Ziyi said, cutting him off. Her brows furrowed as she worked at summoning air shields against the rising heat.

  Magnus took a few steps back. “As you wish.”

  “And, Magnus,” she said.

  “Yes?”

  “Send Rohan to me.”

  He nodded and went racing from the tower, to collect the crystals needed to create the necessary communication orbs. Though they were spirits, with a natural connection to the mysterious beings who governed the unseen, there had been a great rift formed some time ago between the humans and the elementals.

  Spirit guides were meant to be the bridge between the divine and humanity, and the elementals had hidden themselves almost completely.

  “Ziyi,” a voice hissed inside her head.

  She froze, and held her breath.

  “Impossible,” she whispered.

  Sedra looked to her. “What is it?”

  She swallowed, and turned to the other spirits.

  “Tarth’Ral,” she said, and her bottom lip began to quiver. “He’s speaking to me.”

  Everyone went silent as they watched Ziyi.

  “You know what I want,” he said, and her teeth began to chatter as she tried to force him out of her head. “Give it to me.”

  Sweat beaded on her forehead despite her blood running cold.

  She did know what he wanted, and there was no way she would pass it on to him.

  “Not going to happen, Tarth’Ral,” she said through clenched teeth. “We stand in the power of the light, and you will not overpower us. Not today, or ever.”

  A low growl made her stomach tense. A loud ringing filled her ears and nearly drove her to her knees. She resisted. She could not let him win.

  “Very well,” he said. “Prepa
re to meet my general—my greatest treasure. You’ll not like her, or her soldiers.”

  He was gone in an instant. Though she should have been relieved to be rid of him, dread and panic rose inside her veins.

  “All right,” she said to the others.

  She looked down at her hands. They were shaking. She held them together, and ignited her light shields and celestial body.

  “Muster every ounce of power you have. We must protect the humans.”

  Chapter 3

  The door to the tower opened and Rohan stepped inside.

  “Ziyi,” Rohan called.

  Ziyi released a sigh of relief.

  Thank the gods.

  Seeing that Rohan was safe eased her nerves.

  He joined Ziyi at her side. “I came as soon as Magnus told me.”

  “Good,” Ziyi said, bracing herself for the next blow from the mysterious sorceress leading Tarth’Ral’s army of dark spirits and beasts. “We need every little bit of magic that we can muster. Fall into the circle.”

  Rohan, bright-eyed and eager to prove himself, joined the ranks of the three other clerics, and ignited his white light shield. He had been a powerful sorcerer in his mortal life, with dark hair and the most magical gray eyes she’d ever seen.

  “Is he truly going to destroy The Veil if we don’t submit to his demands?” Sedra asked, her amber eyes barely visible beneath her long dark bangs.

  Ziyi sighed. “That seems to be the case.”

  “We all know what that means,” Tasia said. “If he destroys The Veil, there will be no hope for humanity.”

  “That,” Ziyi said. “Is is not true. There is always hope. Just keep your shields strong, and shine with me. It’ll transmute any dark magic he sends this way.”