The shock seemed to rattle away the presence. Nia came up from underneath the water with a sharp gasp, her hair whipping around wildly as she sat up, wiping the water droplets away from her face. Her heart pounded hard against her heavy chest as she looked around the bathroom with perturbed eyes. Drops of water were rhythmically dripping into the bath from the tap, but aside from that, all was silent. Breathing hard, Nia looked down at her hands and stood up. She grabbed the towel nearest to her on the rack and wrapped it around her body as she stepped out of the tub and crossed the room to look at her frightened reflection in the mirror.
Her skin was pale, her hair limp and scraggily. There were large, black and purple circles ringing around her eyes. Her cheeks looked hollowed and not as full. As she brought her long fingers to her face to softly brush her cheeks she saw something dance across her eyes. Blinking, she leaned into the mirror to inspect her eyes, but it must of have the trick of the light. Her eyes were just how they'd always been; colored purple and vibrant despite everything. The lion amulet that sat on her breast bone quivered against her skin and she looked down at it in surprise. It's normally amethyst stone eyes were no longer that. They were obsidian, glinting dangerously back at her. Nia gasped, blinking furiously fast and lifted the amulet so that it dangled just in front of her eyes. It's usual amethyst eyes twinkled back at her, as though amused. Frowning, Nia looked back up into the mirror, staring at her reflection and that of her amulet. Her stomach sank like a rock, despite her mind's soothing thoughts. You're seeing things. You need to rest. Gemstones don't just change color.
But there was something. She wanted to ignore it, and she would for now. But there was always something.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENGTS
They say if there is a will, there is a way; I know now, more than ever, that this is true. The Mystical Knights have been a part of my soul for a very long time. It is a story that held me together at my weakest. A story made with love and memories of a friendship that I once thought would never die. Truth be told, we all simply grew up and went our separate ways. Life happened, and sometimes there is no such thing as looking back, but this story wouldn't leave me alone.
Back when we were younger, we had dreams for the Mystical Knights. We were going to become an anime, or a manga, a book series perhaps. I jokingly said I would write my character's story, but at seventeen years old, I had no idea I actually would years later. A huge thanks goes out to my high school friends: Holly, Aj, Jill, Chris and Derek; the original Mystical Knights. Thank you for your friendship through our school years and thank you for keeping me company as the beautiful and extraordinary visions of your characters. I hope this story makes you proud, kindles your heart, and ignites your imagination.
Another huge thanks to my parents; you both always believed I could do anything. Thank you for believing in me, for always being there and loving me unconditionally every day. Because of you, I strive to be the kind of parent you both were to me, and I owe you both so much more than these words on paper. To my brother and sister; thank you for always aiding me with adventures in the woods, our secret sanctuary. To Cathy; you never gave up on me. Sleepless night have been spent, children have been born, and while we don't speak every day, I know you still are my "biggest fan." You will always be my soul sister and you will always be my very best. Thank you for your undying confidence in my work. To Phil; thank you for your love and support. We have struggled and succeeded, but you have always been supportive of my writing and my dreams. To Erica, Chelsea, Dara, and Miranda; thank you for taking the time to read this story first. It truly meant so much to hear your words of encouragement, and to gather your feedback. Lastly, to Hannah and Owen; it is for you, that I do everything. My heart and soul has belonged to you from the moment I laid eyes on your grainy ultrasound pictures. Never forget my love for you, and always believe that you can do anything.
Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
From the time she was a small girl, K.A. Robertson dreamed of writing stories. She was raised in a small town in Maine, and often found solace within the pages of her beloved books or adventuring in the forests behind her childhood home. Today, K.A. resides in Northern Massachusetts, with her fiancé, their two children, a cat who thinks he is one of the latter, and even more books
.
Table of Contents
For Holly, Jill, Aj, Chris and Derek: the original Mystical Knights; thank you for feeding my imagina...
CONTENTSONE: THE EYE OF THE SEERTWO: THE KNIGHTS OF WILLOW CREEK
Raging fire, phoenix heat;
Chapter 1: The Eye of the Seer
Chapter 2: The Knights of Willow Creek
Chapter 3: Unprotected
Chapter 4: The Meeting Grounds
Chapter 5: The Mystical Knights
Chapter 6: The Girl in the Mirror
Chapter 7: The Rise of the Phoenix
Chapter 8: The Sword of Dreams
Chapter 9: Tears in Heaven
Chapter 10: Lacrimae Sanguinis
Chapter 11: Beyond the Looking-Glass
Chapter 12: Zephyrlis
Chapter 13: Fire and Ash
Chapter 14: The Descent
Chapter 15: The Three Paths
Chapter 16: The Lost Brother
Chapter 17: The Girl Who Cried
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
.
The Mystical Knights: The Sword of Dreams Page 23
