Read Ascension (The Gryphon Series) for Free Online

Sophia’s mocha skin and poured out of her, glaring brighter than the mid-day sun. I raised my arm to shield my eyes. As quickly as it began, the gush of illumination dimmed. By the time I glanced back, Sophia was gone. In the wake of her absence a potent new feeling dawned inside of me. Its intoxicating rush coursed through me, setting urgent fire to all the passions I forced myself to squelch. An abrupt bark of laughter tore from my throat before I could even attempt to stifle it.
    Terin’s head cocked. “What did she give you?”
    “I wanna go back to school! I wanna draw! I wanna save the world! I wanna kiss a boy, and I want to do it all right now !” The words gushed out with a speed and high-octane excitement that shocked even me.
    Big Mike side -stepped further away.
    “I’m so giddy, I’m not even going to take that personally!” I clamped my mouth firmly shut at how inappropriate a statement like that was at a funeral. Heat instantly stained my cheeks a glowing crimson.
    L aughter rippled through the crowd. Terin gave me a comforting pat on the back. “We celebrate life here instead of mourning death. There’s no need to feel bad for your reaction. She was your muse and this was her chance to inspire you one last time. Let her influence be your guide.”
    The clouds that formed Sophia’s pedestal dissipated, rolling across the gazebo floor to rejoin their kind in soft waves that rose and fell through the building crests of the garden. “I will. I owe her that. So, what happens now?”
    There was no mistaking Terin’s nervous energy as she cast a weary glance toward the temple. “Normally, we have a feast of remembrance. Today … the Council has something special planned.” Orange flames flickered to life in the center of Terin’s irises. “We’re heading to the arena.”

 
     
    Chapter 6

     
    “This is so exciting!” I bubbled as I bounced on the balls of my feet.
    “Sense the mood of the room, Cee .” Kendall waved an arm at the throngs of people staring down from the surrounding stands. “We’re in an arena. A structure specifically designed for the infliction of pain … or occasionally host a tiny car full of clowns. But I really don’t think that’s the case!”
    At the far end of the arena trained warriors flipped, turned , and twirled in an impressive demonstration. The men, all movie star handsome, wore white cotton drawstring pants that hung low on their hips. The ladies were no slouches in the looks department, either. Their shell tops cinched at the waist and white shorts, that sat about three inches higher than my own comfort zone, matched those Keni and I had been begrudgingly shoved into. A tall, taut blonde with a thick rope braid linked hands with a shirtless hunk. As he spun her in a wide arc, her long legs fanned out in an effective scissor kick. Her target, a specimen of yumminess with rippling muscles and a shaved head, avoided the strike with a quick back hand-spring.
    “Look at them go!” I marveled and gave them an enthusiastic round of applause. “They’re like ninjas meet Cirque du Soleil !”
    “Which means they’ll look extra fancy pounding us into the ground.” Kendall frowned and blew her long bangs from her eyes.
    “No.” Gabe shook his head as he tightened the loose drawstring of his pants. “Look close. They aren’t making contact. It’s staged fighting. Nothin’ but show. We could beat those guys with a rough game of ‘Why Ya Hittin’ Yourself?’.”
    “See, Keni! Nothing to worry about! Great deduction skills, Gabe!” I showed my support with a backhanded slap to his bicep.
    Judging by the scowl that drew in his brow , he didn’t see it as such. “Your muse inspired you to be more annoying.”
    “That’s so funny.” My nose crinkled as I snort /giggled.
    The static of a microphone being switched on cut through the arena . The crowd hushed. “It is seldom we come together in such a barbaric fashion.” I knew that voice well, the