Dark Descent: The Arondight Codex - Book One by R Nicole (best books to read all time TXT) 📗

a childlike voice. “Is that you?”

No one answered, which meant I was supposed to look at the sword. I mean, why show me it in the first place? Funky book calls out to me, lures me into the back of its van with its siren song, then shows me a pointy sword. Why? Unless…

The blade was long and silver, its form rippling as if it was underwater and something had disturbed the surface. I studied it closer, looking for clues. The hilt was pure silver, wrapped with Celtic knot work and long enough to be held aloft by two hands, and the cross guard was set with more elaborate designs, each end curving towards the blade and fashioned into sharp points. The pommel—the counterweight that balanced the sword—was a circular design, set with a clear, raw crystal.

As I focused my vision, the blade flared, revealing runes etched into the metal. My brow broke out into a cold sweat, the Codex piercing my mind. It was showing me Arondight. Not a copy or a symbol or a long-lost memory, but the real thing, as it was… right now.

“Where is it?” I whispered. “Where…?”

I reached out, desperate to pluck Arondight out of its watery safe-deposit box, but the moment my fingers brushed against the water, I was torn out of the vision and flung backwards.

A blur of light formed in front of me. I was vaguely aware I was lying on the floor, but my limbs weren’t responding. The last time I’d fainted—after I’d been hit in the head by a discus at a high school sports day, and not counting the altercation I’d had when I’d first arrived at the Sanctum—I’d had a mean concussion and, most mortifyingly, I’d peed a little bit. Oh man, I hoped I hadn’t peed a little bit.

“Scarlett?”

I screwed my face up and attempted to sit, recognising Greer’s voice. I was in so much trouble.

“Greer,” I whispered.

When my vision had cleared enough to make out her features, I saw she looked horrified, and rightly so. I’d done what I was forbidden to do, and what probably should’ve killed me.

“Scarlett… what have you done?”

“I-I saw it, Greer. I saw Arondight.”

* * *

Scarlett’s adventure continues with DARK ILLUSION, the second book in the thrilling Arondight Codex!

An ancient war with demons. A lost sword with the power to end it all. And a woman with purple hair is the world’s only hope.

Keep reading to the end of this ebook for an exclusive peek at the next chapter…

OTHER BOOKS IN THE ARONDIGHT CODEX

by Nicole R. Taylor

**series is complete!**

Dark Descent #1

Dark Illusion #2

Dark Abandon #3

Dark Genesis #4

Dark Crucible #5

* * *

Continue the adventure in:

THE CAMELOT ARCHIVE

Demons, Druids, and buried secrets. The Camelot Archive is open for business.

Demon Bound #1

Demon Sworn #2

Demon Forged #3

Demon Eternal #4

* * *

ABOUT NICOLE

Nicole R. Taylor is an Australian Urban Fantasy author.

She lives in the western suburbs of Melbourne dreaming up nail biting stories featuring sassy witches, duplicitous vampires, hunky shapeshifters, and devious monsters.

She likes chocolate, cat memes, and video games.

When she’s not writing, she likes to think of what she’s writing next.

Follow Nicole Online:

Website: www.nicolertaylorwrites.com

Twitter: twitter.com/nicole_noir

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Newsletter: www.nicolertaylorwrites.com/newsletter

Email: nicole.this.is@gmail.com

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Dark Illusion (The Arondight Codex - Book Two) A sneak peek…

The library was a ruin around me, the ombré portal swirling like an angry tornado through the shattered remains of the dome.

The scent of phantom smoke filled my nostrils and I scrambled across the floor, my hand curling around the hilt of my arondight blade. As soon as I had it in my grasp, the sword erupted into life, sparking with purple Light.

My throat was raw, and my knees were red with blood, but I pushed to my feet and swung my blade with my last ounce of strength. The demon roared with fury, the sound cutting off with a gurgle as I severed his head from his body.

I’m waiting for you, Scarlett.

I jumped as a book slammed down on the table in front of me, bringing my consciousness back to the present. I was in the kitchen at the London Sanctum eating lunch, not battling a greater demon who’d been trying to trick me into selling my soul.

“What’s that?” I asked as Wilder slid into the chair opposite. Wilder was my Natural mentor, trainer, and an all-round pain in my arse. “Don’t tell me there’s bland reading involved.”

“You had a lucky break,” he said glowering at me, the light catching the subtle silver sheen in his eyes. “There’s still a long way to go with your training.”

Sighing, I pushed away my half-eaten lunch and dragged the book towards me. The hardcover—simply entitled Demonology—was a deep midnight blue with gold embellishments.

“Why didn’t anyone think to give me this when I first got here?” I complained as I opened it.

“It’s a kids’ book,” Wilder declared.

Ugh, he was right. As I flipped through the pages, I found illustrations of different demons and simplified explanations for each kind of manifestation.

I shot him a pouty look. “Are you trying to tell me something?”

“I’m trying to impart on you the wisdom of a fifteen-year education in as little time as possible,” he drawled.

“Is there such a thing as a spell book? Or is it called a Light book?” I wondered. “That could be useful.”

“Light doesn’t come with an instruction manual,” Wilder said with a disgusted look. “It’s a personal experience, and different for everyone.”

“So how does anyone learn to fully control it if it’s unpredictable?”

“I can guide you, but the rest is up to you.” He gave me a pointed look and added, “I don’t know why you’re so worried. You did just fine in the incursion. I heard you blew off the doors in the gym.”

“How do