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

  “Why?” she asked, watching the light of her staff move and flicker, and how the shadows in the corners seemed to draw closer.

  Her memory of that fateful day was a blur. She’d passed out at some point and had awakened to the stench clinging to her bloody clothes. She’d somehow awakened miles from her village, and when she returned there was nothing but the horror of slaughter to welcome her.

  Li pointed the staff toward Mei’s face.

  “Because you have powerful protection gifted to you from the other side,” she said. “Because you are an ancient, magical being in human form, and its time to ignite your true gifts.”

  Chapter 6

  DIMITRI

  “Dearest Dimitri,” a voice said, pulling Dimitri away from his dream. “You’re being called.”

  Dimitri stirred within his bed, unsure if he should awaken and cease contact with whatever entity now called to him, or if it would be prudent to linger in this dream awhile longer. Somehow, he sensed that whatever was summoning him was pure and of the light.

  He knew what darkness felt like—he’d lived with it throughout his entire life—and this wasn’t it.

  So, he allowed his sleeping self to be pulled away from his dream, to another.

  Transported, he opened his eyes to a castle of some sort—or a temple.

  It was beautiful, but in disrepair.

  He glanced over his shoulder, and the wind and air wavered at the movement. It was as though he was under water, able to see every flutter of wind and air. His dark hair was blown outward, and he shuddered at the faint cries and whispers that were carried along the wind.

  “What happened here,” he asked, softly.

  Shadows danced along the stone floor, riddled with cracks and smashed bits.

  He observed his surroundings. Through the ripped ceiling and walls that had been crashed in, he could see outside.

  The sky had a purplish tint, mixed with pink and blue. Sparkling winged creatures flew above. A glittering aura surrounded their sleek, silver bodies as they raced.

  Dimitri searched for what they fled, casting his gaze toward the darkened horizon. He raced to the stone wall, and peeked outward through the rubble.

  Nothing but utter desolation stood on the other side.

  There was a trail of dust, dirt, and fallen structures much like the one he stood within. Whatever had come through that path of destruction was on a rampage.

  Aghast at the setting, he turned back toward where the voice had come from.

  He stood in the center of an old structure. Pillars were half standing, crumbled, while others still supported the arches and domed ceiling. Whatever the place was, must have been beautiful in its prime. The walls still held rich engravings of gold and bronze and worn tapestries that had been ripped to shreds.

  Nature reclaimed it, with green ivy, flowers, and shrubbery growing upward through the cracks in the ground.

  Ruins. But, he had never seen them before.

  Curious, he knelt down to get a closer look at the budding lavender flowers poking upward from between the floorboards.

  A statue of a winged-woman remained untouched. With a serene look on her porcelain face, she seemed at peace in the center of chaos.

  In her hands was a sword.

  Transfixed, Dimitri beheld her beauty. He couldn’t help but wonder who she was.

  “Will you answer the call, Dimitri?”

  The voice whispered to him, as if it was right behind him. Dimitri shuddered. He could feel its breath.

  He closed his eyes, embracing the loving energy that enveloped him like a mother wrapping her arms around her child.

  It was something he’d never experienced, but had witnessed with envy far more times than he would have liked.

  A deep emptiness ached within his heart. “What am I called to?”

  “The gods call to you,” it said. “It is time.”

  Before him, the statue began to tremble.

  Startled, Dimitri backed away. Light erupted from the statue as it materialized into a floating figure that glowed as bright as the sun.

  Unable to look at her directly, Dimitri shielded his eyes, and took another step backward.

  Through the spaces between his fingers, all he could see were the golden wings that outstretched and sparkled with light.

  “Dimitri,” she said, and an odd sensation filled Dimitri’s heart.

  The emptiness that he’d sought to fill his entire life was now full of something.

  Love? Light?

  “Both,” she said, having read his thoughts. “I want you to feel what true love feels like. So you know the difference between what is false and what is true and pure. It has been so long since you’ve felt this, Dearest.”

  Tears trailed down his cheeks, and he almost couldn’t breathe from the sensation that now radiated throughout his entire body.

  “Oh,” was all he could say, through a cracked voice that was heavy with the urge to weep. He’d never felt anything as pure and loving.

  “You have to know the difference, because what is coming for you will lie and deceive, and try to convert you to its cause.”

  Dimitri nodded. Then, he wiped his eyes and looked at her. “But, who are you?”

  She glowed even brighter. “I am Ziyi, and you are called to battle, dear one.”

  Chapter 7

  Dimitri winced from the splitting headache that screamed from behind his eyes, and cursed the sun’s light from waking him from his most recent dream.

  The eerie voice from his dream still lingered in his memory, and he paused, clinging to it for just a moment longer.

  When it faded, he sighed, and took stock of the mess he'd made in that small room.

  “Ingrid,” Dimitri called, sitting up from his cozy spot on the wooden floor of his rented room. “Are you about? I had another vision.”

  His brow lifted over his right eye as he caught a glimpse of dark stockings hanging from the back of one of the chairs at the square table.

  “Ah, yes,” he said, and pulled it free. He sniffed the stockings, and remembered her smell. “Galena.”

  She'd smelled of wild meadows and dishwashing water. She'd been more than eager to retreat to his room. It was a gift; seducing women with his charms. That—or what some said were the bluest eyes they'd ever seen.

  Saint Petersburg wasn’t the safest place for a young man like Dimitri. He tended to draw attention for the simple fact that he looked precisely like the emperor’s exiled son—which was precisely why he needed to get out of that city.

  Tucking the stockings into his pocket, he resolved to transform them into something of use later.

  “Ingrid," he called again, and waited for a reply. “Where is that blasted woman?"

  It took a moment for her to appear—one that was long enough for him to fashion a few coins to pay the innkeeper.

  After a last sip from his flask, he pulled two rocks from a pouch he kept within his bag.

  “All right, lovelies, let's make some magic,” he said, under his breath as he ran his thumb across the rough surface of the stones.

  He grinned as he watched them slowly morph into shiny pieces of copper. It only took a wave of his hand, and a bit of focus. The focusing part was harder than he’d anticipated. Nausea washed over him and he had to close his eyes and catch his breath. If only he had another sip in that flask of his.

  “Too much ale again?” Ingrid asked, her voice faint, and airy.

  He glanced upward at the woman made of air, and smiled at her.

  “Maybe,” he said, giving the beautiful elemental a charming smile.

  “You mentioned a vision,” she said. “What was it?”

  He closed his eyes and tried to remember. Then, he shrugged. “Something about a sword, my destiny, the usual nonsense.”

  She flew downward and stood before him. The outline of her body was all that gave her form away. That, and the wavering of her silver hair. “What sword?”

  “Wish I kn
ew. I could use one when I cross the borders.”

  “You have me to protect you,” she said.

  “Can’t depend on my spirit guide whenever there’s a fight,” he said.

  Hollow white eyes peered down at the coins he’d just created.

  “Sloppy,” she said. “Even for you, Dimitri. The coating is visible along the edges. Anyone with two eyes will notice it.”

  Shrugging, he placed the coins in his pocket and stood. “Ah, nonsense. They're good enough to fool the old innkeeper. That’s all that matters. Besides, you said two eyes. Good ole' Nicklaus only has one, and a patch to cover where the other used to be.”

  “If he discovers its fake, the sheriffs and soldiers will be after you,” Ingrid said. “All of St. Petersburg will be after the boy with the magic coins. What then? I can only do so much. I cannot fight armies for you.”

  He pulled the blanket over his shoulders and flashed another confident smile. “I’ll be long gone by then. We say goodbye to this blasted city tonight and head up toward China,” he said, and shoved his belongings back into his bag. “And, stop calling me a boy. I’m nearly twenty-three this year.”

  “You‘ll always be a boy to me, Dimitri. When you reach a hundred, perhaps you’ll be a young man then. But, for now, you’re the rosy-cheeked boy with the dark curls I‘ve been tasked with protecting.”

  He chuckled. Of course, she saw him as such. She’d been his day guide since he was born, and was thousands of years old, if not more. She was ancient. He’d always be a babe to her.

  He'd never forget the day she revealed herself to her. It had been just before he learned to use his magical gifts. Of course, he’d been rebellious, and had ventured too far from home. Just as he began his trek to the local village, a bandit had approached with a ragged dagger, ale on his breath, and murder in his eyes.

  Dimitri, only a boy of twelve then, had watched in awe as she appeared, and sent the bandit catapulting into a tree far from the dirt road.

  “Run,” she’d said, and vanished into the air from where she'd materialized.

  “If only you’d stop wasting your time with ale and women,“ she went on to say, breaking him from his nostalgic memories. “Perhaps you’d advance in your skills.”

  “Ah, I think I’m doing quite well,” he said, and outstretched his arms. He transformed the scratchy wool blanket into a fine red cloak. “I think I’d pass as a merchant in this, maybe even a lord.”

  Ingrid stared at him a moment, then flew to the window to peer outside.

  “As long as you avoid the soldiers. They’re coming.”

  His smile faded, and he glanced outside to see the Black Guard marching in from the west.

  “Blasted,” he said.

  “You’ll fetch a pretty ransom if they discover who you really are, Dimitri.”

  “Yes,” he said, thinking quickly. He could change many things, but he couldn’t alter the fact that he had the same eyes, nose, and shade of golden hair as his father. “I am well aware.”

  Dimitri raced from the room and out into the corridor. He ignored the pretty woman who tried to grasp his arm as he hurried down the stairs.

  “Maybe another time, Love,” he said, flashing her a quick grin over his shoulder. “I’ve got a date with another woman.”

  She frowned and he chuckled as he tossed the coins to the innkeeper and ran through the front door.

  “She just happens to be twice my age with a crystal eye,” he said under his breath as he took the path toward the docks.

  He raced into a clearing and pulled a small orb from his pocket.

  The orb was the size of an egg, with smooth swirls across the surface. He closed his eyes and focused on the feel of its energy.

  It began to glow a dim blue as he rubbed his thumb across the slick, shining scales. Heat pulsated against his palm, and warmed him.

  He brought his lips close to it and whispered.

  “Awaken.”

  He held out his hand with the orb within it and a bright light came crashing through the scales like the sunlight through broken glass. Gold and yellow nearly blinded him.

  A smile stretched across his face as the orb lifted from his hand and hovered in the air. His dark hair blew around his face as wind rushed toward him.

  With a pop, the scales separated like chainmail, and light bathed their faces in heat.

  A sleek, white dragon appeared before him and sent everyone who was around running.

  Its wings outstretched, shielding him from the sun’s bright rays, and bowed at his feet.

  Immediate comfort and joy flooded Dimitri as the dragon looked to him with two, large silver eyes that glowed.

  He stroked its smooth head, and hopped onto the saddle on its back.

  “Evening, Dimitri. Where shall we go?” the dragon asked through their telepathic connection.

  “Docks, Starlight,” he said. “We’ve a witch to meet, and a ship to catch.”

  Starlight lifted off the ground and took them up into the night sky.

  He closed his eyes as they ascended, and released a long breath. No one in that peaceful city knew what was coming, and for a brief moment, Dimitri wished he was blissfully unaware as well.

  Chapter 8

  Astride his dragon, Dimitri flew from the city and toward the port where the ships were docked, and traders came and went with precious goods.

  High above the clouds, they were unseen by human eyes, but caught much attention from winged creatures. Birds and geese tried to keep pace with Dimitri and Starlight, but fell back as the white dragon shot through the sky.

  Mama Olga was waiting for him, and she wouldn’t wait for long. His mentor, and closest friend had sent him on this quest to obtain information about the Shadow Clans that now ravaged the lands across Russia, China, and the scattered islands. They were called to action by their leader, and would not stop until commanded to, or destroyed.

  It was only a matter of time before they marched toward the imperial city and toward the west.

  “Dimitri,” Starlight called, and broke him from his thoughts.

  “What is it, Starlight?”

  “Someone is chasing us.”

  What?

  Dimitri looked over his shoulder. There, not too far behind was a creature he never expected to see join him.

  Another dragon and a rider. They were gathering speed and drawing closer, but he couldn’t make out a face. Puffy white clouds coiled and curled around the other rider, and at times shrouded them completely.

  “Go faster,” he said, and Starlight quickly followed his command.

  She increased speed and they shot through the clouds with a pop that shifted the air and energy all around them. She flew faster than the wind, with a speed that was otherworldly. He held on for his life, and closed his eyes. The force of their speed was almost too much for him, but the adrenaline kept him from screaming like a girl.

  The port was growing closer, and when Starlight decreased her speed, Dimitri finally opened his eyes and sat up.

  He instantly regretted it as someone shot an arrow right past his fast. The arrow slit his left cheek, drawing a drop of blood.

  Dimitri removed his hand from his cheek and peered down at the blood streaking his hand.

  “Right,” Dimitri said, with a nod, and drew his sword. “Do keep up, Starlight. It looks like I’m going to have to show this rider some manners.”

  He pushed himself upward, and stood on her back. Then, he turned to face his assailant.

  With sword in one hand, and a glowing red orb in the other, he was prepared for battle.

  Jaw clenched, he narrowed his eyes as the other dragon rider drew closer.

  Once they were within view, his heart sank into his stomach, and all blood drained from his face.

  There, astride a black dragon was Sofia, his older sister.

  “Sofia?” Dimitri called. The wind muted his voice but she flew closer, nonetheless.

  “Who are you?”

  Di
mitri straddled Starlight and turned her toward the other dragon.

  The closer they came to one another, the more she seemed to recognize him.

  “It’s Dimitri,” he said, and fought back tears.

  How annoying it would be to approach his older sister with tears in his eyes like when they were children. Before he’d been sent away, she’d used to treat him like he was her child. They’d lost their mother quite early, and Sofia being five years older took on the role of mothering him.

  How he missed her. After not seeing her for so long, he’d forced himself to forget about her—to stop crying in the middle of the night to go home and be with her again. It was easier that way. He learned that early on. The more he thought and pined for her, the longer it took the pain to go away.

  Sofia was as beautiful as the last time he saw her. With golden curls that framed her face and fell long over her shoulders, they could have been twins despite the age difference. Her bright blue eyes looked him over, and widened.

  “Dimitri, my boy,” she said, and flew closer until their dragons were side-by-side. Her eyes were glossy with tears, and it took everything within him not to shed any of his own.

  “Hello, dear sister,” he said, forcing a smile. Even as he did so, there was pain. He’d pushed her memory so far down that it threatened to rip through his heart at the sight of her.

  Damn this. He wiped his eyes.

  “You look well,” he said.

  She wore a light blue jacket with brass buttons over leather pants that were tucked into knee-high black boots.

  “As does your dragon. I haven’t seen Onyx in ages.”

  “What are you doing in Saint Petersburg?” Sofia asked. “Father says your exile has been lifted and its safe for you to come home.”

  He couldn’t tell her the real reason for his dealings in St. Petersburg. She’d never understand. Magic was his curse, not hers.

  “I wish I could tell you, Sofia,” he said. “But, I cannot. And, I won’t lie to you.”

  She observed him for a moment, and the wind blew her hair around her face.