Read Online Catalyst (Book 1) by Marc Johnson - Free Book Online Page A

doorway, holding a gnarled wooden staff. “Do you need some help, young man?” He stepped toward me with a warm, genuine smile on his aged face, ignoring the fact that I was holding a weapon.
    I hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to trust him. But it was either trust him or face the dragon, and he was less likely to help me while I waved a weapon in his face. Considering the choices, I put the dagger away. I kept it close on my waist where I could draw it easily. “Please, you must help me. There's this dragon and—”
    “Calm down,” he said, putting a hand up. “Calm down, young man. You're not in any trouble, but by the time we begin, you will be.” He chuckled, his face gleaming like the fist-sized pearl on top of his staff.
    I raised an eyebrow. What was he talking about? “What do you mean?”
    “Don’t worry, I'm not going to harm you. Hold on. I'll be right back and explain everything.” He disappeared into the doorway and came out with two stools. “Please have a seat. I've been expecting you, Hellsfire.”
    I was stunned. Even though I’d come to the mountain for answers, I hadn’t expected to find someone who knew me by name. “How do you know my name? And what do you mean, expecting?” I backed away from him and put my hand on the hilt of my dagger. He stared back at me and said something in a language I’d never heard. His blue eyes flashed, and calmness overcame me. I let go of the dagger, sat down, and listened to him.
    “I will explain everything. Where should I begin?” He fiddled with his long white beard. “I suppose I'll answer your first question. I know your name because it was I who named you. I was at your home the second you were born. I'm sure your mother must have told you?”
    I couldn’t believe this was the so-called angel my mother told me about. The story was true, but he didn’t seem like an angel. No wings, no special glow, no heavenly voice, nothing. He was merely a strange old man with an unusual staff.
    “She told me,” I said, barely finding my voice. “She's told me the story countless times. She called you an angel.”
    “Believe me, I'm no angel. I'm better than that.” He laughed, then frowned, seeing the sternness and shock on my face. “I certainly hope you have a sense of humor, Hellsfire, but I guess now isn't the time for jokes. I had made it in time for your birth and decided to name you Hellsfire. The name came to me, and I knew that it would be the right name for you.”
    I leaned forward. “You named me?”
    He nodded. “I did.”
    “Did you also give me these powers I can barely control?” My anger rose, and the fire began to surface on my hands. “Were you responsible for this?” I thrust my hands out to him.
    The old man didn't flinch. In fact, his eyes sparkled with delight. “You're further along than I thought.”
    “Is that all you have to say?”
    I was filled with anger. I thought of the dragon and the climb up the mountain, both of which had almost killed me. But it was the memory of what I had done to Kenneth and his family and to my mother that caused me to lose control. Fire shot out from my hands. My eyes widened in horror as the flames headed towards the old man. I was too slow to warn him. There was nothing I could do.
    An invisible force parted the flame. Instead of enveloping him, the fire went around him. The flames hit the wall and dissipated.
    “I-I-I'm sorry,” I said. “I couldn't control it.”
    “It's all right, my boy. I wasn't in any danger.”
    I studied him, checking to see if any part of him was singed or burnt. He was fine. “How did you do that?”
    “I'm a wizard.”
    I gasped. “A wizard?”
    It all made sense now. Why I was able to do what I did, who made it winter on the White Mountain, and why he had a dragon. But there weren't supposed to be any more wizards in Northern Shala. The Great Barrier and the aftermath of the war had destroyed most of them. The others had disappeared long ago. I