Free Beyond the Sapphire Gate: Epic Fantasy-Some Magic Should Remain Untouched (The Flow of Power Book 1) by R.V. Johnson

fell. The man’s face twisted with a soundless scream.
    Pain exploded behind her eyes. Head throbbing, Jade released the image, allowing the rotation to continue on its slow, never-ending loop. Desperately wanting to rest her head in her hands, she clenched her jaw instead, staring at the red-robed man, “I’ll answer your questions, providing I know the answers. But first, you have to answer mine.”
    The man frowned. As he did so, his eyes bled from a darker blue to a lighter gray, which she found odd. Wrapping his hand around the sword hilt, he straightened. “I warned you. Now you think to play games with me, Dark Creation. I have expended my allotted patience.”
    Fear crept up her spine. Once he drew his sword, it’d be too late. She’d have to be gentle if she wanted to survive. No. It wouldn’t work with him. His pain was too sharp, too deep. Hitting him hard was the only way. “The girl arrowed in the back, who was she? What were you running from?”
    The man’s gray eyes darkened to blue, rounding with horror. After a time, he slumped, his sword hand falling limply to his side. Jade began to wonder if her questions caused his heart to fail. Suddenly he straightened; looking behind her.
    Jade followed his gaze. A silken-robed crowd moved toward them at a marching pace, ragged-clad figures among them. Oddly, no one wearing armor was visible.
    “Come. We have to leave,” the silver-haired man said, turning around. He broke into a run, racing upon the ornate carpet between the pillar supports.
    Jade dashed after him. Tucking the black bag under an arm, she ran as fast as she could, catching up. “Wait! Who are you?”
    Slowing, he glanced over his shoulder, his blue eyes wild. “Now’s not the time to speak. I delayed too long. Keep up or die horribly!” Bursting into a headlong run, he sped away.
    Clamping her mouth closed, Jade pumped her legs, concentrating on the red robe in front of her. Don’t look back.
    Eerily silent except for the dull slap of their footfalls and her labored breathing, the red-robed man kept near the center supports running at a grueling, ground-eating pace. His hood blew back to reveal the full head of silver hair she’d seen in the image. Slowly, a pillar at a time, she was losing ground, straining for breath. Soon, he’d leave her behind.
    Suddenly, he veered from the path, sprinting into a side passage. Jade followed, driving her legs as hard as she could. The passageway ended at an iron door where the man stood fumbling about in the pockets of his robes. Jade slid to a stop, narrowly avoiding a collision.
    “Where’s the blasted key?” he asked digging in his pockets frantically. His flailing arms froze, then reached into an inside pocket and pulled out an archaic key. “Thank Onan,” he muttered, fitting it into the lock.
    Something dark slipped into the passageway. Malice, cold and reeking of evil washed over her…bringing fear… raw absolute fear …she was going to die fearful. Flicker.
    A profound serenity enveloped her. Why had she ever thought it evil? Relaxation soothed every fiber of her. Flicker.
    Freezing terror gripped her at her core. Something powerful moved ever closer. A prevailing, unquenchable, thirst washed through the terror. It must drink…must …Flicker.
    The sweet joy of profound happiness caressed her soul. How could she not want something so pure, so innocent, and so loving? Flicker.
    Raw, gnashing hunger filled her mind. Raving, churning, all consuming… must feed ... Flicker.
    Pleasure spread through her in waves. It was delightful, but so strong and so…much. Flicker.
    Glee poured into her…a glee for the anticipated gain of a pure soul… glee …Hunger sated at last… glee …Flicker. Flicker.

 
    INTENTION
    A massive iron door swung closed in front of Jade. She blinked.
    Sliced off in mid-glee, the terror beyond the door dissipated, leaving behind a faint wail of unbearable loss.
    Unadorned, but expertly crafted, the black iron