Jack Staples and the City of Shadows by Mark Batterson Page A

transformed into the silvery creature Jack had seen in the mirror of mist. Jack raised Ashandar high as the Grendall let out a rictus snarl. It moved like a cat, circling the boys.
    â€œI will consume you both!” it purred, crouching low.
    â€œGrendall!” Mrs. Dumphry shouted.
    Jack turned to see his ancient teacher standing with arms outstretched. The Grendall stood up and hissed angrily. “You have lost, ancient one,” it cried. “My master has the child!”
    Mrs. Dumphry stepped forward and released a ball of flames. But the Grendall was quick—it scurried into the shadows, meowing like a sick cat.
    Mrs. Dumphry didn’t pursue. She leaned heavily against the back wall, and when she met Jack’s eyes, she spoke in a strangled voice.
    â€œThey have taken Alexia! They have kidnapped the Child of Prophecy!”

Chapter 10
    THALTOROSE
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    Alexia ran through a field of bloodred flowers. The sun shone brightly overhead, and she felt … happy. It had been many years since she’d been truly happy—not since the day of her fifth birthday.
    She slowed at the thought. “What happened on my fifth birthday?” she wondered aloud. For a moment, she felt a stabbing in her heart, but just as quickly, the pain was gone. She darted forward again, laughing as she ran.
    I’m going to pick some flowers for Mother. I just know she’ll give me a big hug when I bring them home! Once again, the thought of her mother brought a sharp stab to Alexia’s heart. Pushing it aside, she slowed and began collecting the most beautiful red wildflowers she’d ever seen. Laughing aloud, she grabbed armfuls of them, so many she was barely able to hold them all.
    Mother will be so surprised. Why did the thought of her mother make her feel sad? For some reason, Alexia couldn’t make her mind stand still.
    Alexia suddenly realized she had no idea where she was. As she turned to look, her jaw dropped. In the valley below was an arena of sleek black stone that stood as tall as a mountain. As she looked at the arena, panic rose inside her. She felt it calling to her, willing her to come.
    â€œI need to find Mother and Father,” she whispered. “I need to tell them about the …”
    Fire.
    Alexia dropped her armful of flowers. Why couldn’t she remember? Something bad had happened. She placed her hands on her head.
    Raging fire.
    Dropping to her knees, Alexia was unable to breathe.
    â€œNO!” she screamed. In the ground in front of her were three freshly dug graves.
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    â€œFather!” Alexia bolted up. She was sitting in a bed in a darkened room.
    It took a moment to realize she’d been dreaming. It was a dream she’d had many times since her fifth birthday, and every time she woke, she experienced the heartache all over again. Yet this time when she awoke, she heard the voice of her father.
    â€œAlexia, I am here. You are safe now.” He patted her on the head.
    Alexia froze. She remembered everything. Her father was alive. Her father was Korah. And suddenly everything seemed wrong with the world.
    â€œWhat’s happening?” Her voice trembled. “I don’t understand …”
    Her father lit a lamp. And when he turned to her, he smiled stiffly. “We have much to catch up on,” he said. “And I promise we will talk soon. But first I must introduce you to someone.”
    Alexia tried to calm herself as her father walked to the door. She couldn’t believe he was alive! Alive! The thought was almost too much to bear. She wanted to run over and throw her arms around him. But it didn’t make sense! How could her father possibly be Lord Korah?
    She shivered as she scanned the bedchamber. The bed was far bigger than most beds, and the walls were encrusted with diamonds and other gemstones. The floor was rich marble, the ceiling pure gold. But rather than beautiful, the room seemed somehow … wrong. It