Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 80431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
Virginia’s smile was eerie. “He’s God’s avenging angel.”
Jo rolled her eyes. “Virgina is being dramatic. Ignore her. She has a crush on a man she has never and will never see.”
Valor turned toward the window to contemplate Jo’s words. His past had been stolen from him, his identity eliminated. His unknown was no longer a feeling of loss. It was a battle to be won.
He’d been freed from one cage. Now, he would become something a cage couldn’t contain.
Let the hunt begin.
Chief Styles Sawyer
Zorion
Zorion’s pulse thrummed with anxious energy as the helicopter circled the sprawling island.
It was unlike anything he’d ever seen. Well…remembered.
Lush green fields stretched for miles, dotted with thick forests and cascading waterfalls. The shore was an untamed, rocky terrain, a stark contrast to the serene inland.
From their low altitude, he saw men and women moving in perfect synchronization, their bodies flowing like water as they practiced martial arts in flawless formations.
Zorion took deep breaths to calm his pounding heart. This was no ordinary sanctuary. It was an island for training warriors.
The helicopter touched down, the rotor blades still slicing the air as Jo threw open the door and leaped out first.
Valor eyed Zorion before he rose from his seat and followed Jo slowly. Zorion stayed close, watching everything around them.
His hood shaded his eyes but not his vision. His senses heightened the moment his feet touched the ground.
The atmosphere was heavy with the scent of damp grass and salt from the sea and the temperature was tropically warm. The air was clean, untainted by pollution.
He and Valor paused at the two men who stood in head-to-toe black, emanating a silent authority that was both alarming and captivating.
The larger of the two was at least six-foot-five, his powerful frame wrapped in a loose black silk shirt that hugged his broad chest. His black-and-gold scarf obscured most of his face, leaving visible a chiseled jaw and full peach lips.
The way he stood, still yet commanding, made Zorion’s instincts flare, urging him to remain cautious.
The man beside him was only inches shorter and held an aura of quiet danger. His hood also concealed most of his face, but Zorion could feel the sharp assessment of his gaze like a blade pushing into his core.
Behind them, a formation of hooded men stood silent and vigil.
“Brother! Blessings! Blessings!”
Jo ran full speed and jumped into the larger man’s arm.
He smiled and greeted her in a deep, accented voice. “Kahar, my Sleek Panther. I knew you would return victorious.” His tone lacked softness, but Zorion could see he held love for her. “We will discuss all you’ve learned about the organization across the sea.”
“Brother, I bring you two brave men.”
The large man redirected his gaze and stared at them for a long time.
“They are survivors…warriors. Experiments were done on them. Unspeakable, painful things…transformations many others didn’t survive.” Jo held her arm out toward them as if showcasing a grand prize. “They are the only ones who did.”
“I remember,” he spoke. “Animal hybrids.”
“Yes,” Jo whispered and pointed toward him. “He is Zorion. I call him the Sky Phantom. And with him stands Valor, the man most worthy.”
“Thank you for letting me bring them here, brother.” Jo beamed, gripping her brother around his neck again.
It was nice to see Jo so happy. Valor hadn’t seen her smile before, but now she was home, she was with family.
If he and Valor had a home, he’d be happy too.
“Fogholoadeh,” the shorter one whispered.
“They’re speaking Farsi, the Persian language,” Jo told them. “The original tongue of the elders and masters of the Order. Omega says…you are both extraordinary.”
One of the hooded men behind them stepped forward and gave a short bow before he began to speak in a melodic accent. “You stand before Firuz Nikah, the Man of Triumph, The Lion Grandmaster of Imuma Aga Kahn.”
The announcer’s words were so formal and regal, Zorion wasn’t sure if he should bow or kneel or what.
“With him at his side stands his cherished Eriktor Amjad. He is the Man of Glory, The Omega, the Saw-Scaled snake Grandmaster of Imuma Aga Kahn.”
Cherished?
Zorion looked to Jo for guidance on what he should do or say.
“Cherished is a soul’s other half. Valor, Zorion, you can call my brother Lion and his cherished Omega. To all others, they are Master.” Jo smiled. “They don’t have altered DNA like you. The animals, lion and snake, are their kung-fu fight styles that mimic a beast of nature. They can teach you how to tap into your instincts so you control them, not the other way around.”
Omega took a few steps forward, his movements smooth as if he could strike effortlessly at any moment. “Your animals are embedded deeply, but they are untamed, and you have little control over them.” His voice was raspy but gentle somehow. “You’ve only seen a brief glimpse of what they can do…what you can do.”