The Divine Path (The Divine Series) by Allen J Johnston Page A

you.”
                  “I thought you said that amulet would keep him from finding us.”
                  “It did.  He still has no idea where we are.  As a matter of fact, I think he was barely able to be in my dreams because of the amulet. I believe he was fighting its power,” Kade said as his hand went to his chest, expecting to find nothing.  There was a huge blister forming where the amulet hung.  He furrowed his brow as he ran his finger gently over the spot.  “He still does not know where we are.”
                  “He tried to get you to take off the amulet, didn’t he?” Darcienna asked as she bent to inspect the burn.  She placed her hands over the spot and the blister melted away.
                  “Not at first.  I don’t think he was even aware of it until I told him I had it.  He was only trying to get me to tell him where we are,” Kade said and then paused.  “You…were trying to stop me from taking it off, weren’t you?” he asked as he recalled the counter pressure he felt in the dream.
                  “Yes.  You almost had it off until I stopped you.  Even then, it was close.”
                  “How did you know something was wrong?” Kade asked as he stood.
                  “It wasn’t me.  Your dragon figured it out.  From out of nowhere, he roared so loudly it almost stopped my heart.  It was enough to wake the dead.  When I saw that you did not even flinch, I knew something was wrong.  I tried to wake you, but it was no use,” Darcienna said as her eyes threatened to spill over again.  “That’s when I noticed that the amulet was scalding hot.”
                  “Yes, I noticed that, too.  That’s why I tried to take it off.  Morg knows why he has not been able to track us now,” Kade said with regret.
                  “How did the dragon know that you were in trouble?” Darcienna asked, her composure returning.
                  “I suspect it was when I tried to call to it with my mind.”
                  “Well, I am glad it worked,” Darcienna said as she looked at the dragon.  Rayden was still watching Kade intently.  The apprentice hugged the dragon tightly around the neck.
                  “We have to leave now,” Kade said.  “Morg does not know exactly where we are, but he does have an idea,” Kade said as he felt a slight vibration in the amulet.  His hand shot to it and held it tightly, as if suppressing the vibrations might keep them hidden.
                  “I think that would be best,” Darcienna said as she looked around the site, preparing to leave.
                  Kade felt the feather-light touch in his mind and recognized it for the Detection Calling.  Just for a moment, he felt as if he wanted to give up and fall to his knees.  And then, he looked into Darcienna’s blazing eyes.  The Divine raced in, ready for Kade to meet whatever it was that was stalking them in the night.
    “Darcienna,” Kade whispered fiercely.  She turned toward him, her eyes showing like bright flashes of lightning.
                  “I can sense it,” Darcienna said, trying her best to keep her voice low.  “Does it ever stop?” she asked in exasperation.
                  “I can feel it on all sides,” Kade hissed as he quickly scanned the dark, struggling against his exhaustion.  Before he knew what was happening, he felt a pair of hands lock onto his head.  Out of reflex, he tried to jerk away and prepared to deliver a crushing blow.  Just as he was turning to attack, his mind cleared of the fatigue.  “Thanks,” Kade said with a glance, grateful for her help once more.
                  Rayden, be alert.  I am sensing danger on all sides, Kade thought to the dragon. 
    Natures best hunter spun around, sniffed the air rapidly