Read Online Dragon Knight's Medallion by Mary Morgan - Free Book Online Page B

and she could hear them arguing. They were looking at some kind of document on a table at the far end of the room. Liam had his fists clenched on the table shaking his head back and forth.
    Aileen really wanted to look at this book, the one with her name in it, yet, she did not want to get in the middle of their heated conversation. Deciding she had waited long enough, she stepped forward.
    “Should I come back another time?” Her voice tinged with just a bit of sarcasm.
    Both men snapped their heads up at the sound of her voice.
    “Nae!” her father barked out. He quickly folded up the document and slid it into the desk.
    “I’ll keep you informed of the progress.”
    He gave Liam a curt nod in response.
    Liam gathered up a scroll off the chair and strolled over to her. “Listen with an open heart,” he said, placing a gentle squeeze on her arm.
    Anger simmered within her, but she swallowed back the harsh retort. Nodding slowly, Aileen let her gaze travel to a gaze that bore into hers behind Liam’s back.
    Liam released his hold, taking his leave.
    She crossed the room to stand before her father. “I would very much like to see this book, since you seem to be so concerned about its contents. Perhaps, I can shed some light on its mysterious drawing.”
    Her father arched a brow and folded his arms across his chest. “Perhaps...”
    “Well?”
    He let out a sigh, and stepped away to walk over to a paneled bookcase. Easing his hand along the upper ledge of one of the shelves, he released a latch, and the entire bookcase opened to reveal a passageway. He then proceeded to disappear from her sight.
    Aileen snapped her mouth shut and scurried after him. The moment she passed into the dark tunnel, she heard the bookcase close behind her; a cloak of darkness descended over her.
    “Dad,” she squeaked.
    “Keep walking, Aileen. I’m lighting the torches.”
    Light filtered and bounced off the stone walls, and she took a deep sigh of relief. The air cold and musty caressed her shoulders as she took careful steps forward. Keeping her pace steady, she gingerly followed the lit torches along the curves. Where in the blazes was her father taking her?
    “Not much further,” he uttered. “How are you doing?”
    “Just peachy, Dad!” she replied sarcastically.
    Her dad chuckled, and she wanted to smack him. He was just full of surprises.
    She halted before some stone steps that spiraled downward. They were incredibly narrow and considering how damp the air was, Aileen hesitated before taking a cautious foot forward.
    “I’m right here, Aileen. Take my hand.”
    She looked down into his eyes, and for a moment, something flashed within them.
    “Aileen.” His voice soothed her senses.
    She reached out to grab his hand and slowly made her way down the steps. In truth, there were only a few, but fear fed her nerves.
    “Here we are.” Taking a large key, her dad unlocked a large medieval bolt in the wooden door. When he opened it, light flooded the area.
    “Oh my...” she murmured.
    He smiled as he led her inside the massive room. “Only electricity will do inside here.” He moved away from her and strolled down the aisle of artifacts that were neatly organized on tables and shelves.
    Aileen scanned the area, slowly making her way toward her father. There were swords displayed against one wall, and metal armor on another. Scrolls rolled neatly and tucked into slots framed one wall, with books shelved next to them. Pottery adorned tables, as if someone was cataloguing the pieces, and she marveled at their craftsmanship. She let her fingers glide reverently over a bowl with dragons painted on its sides.
    “Beautiful artwork, isn’t it? Liam believes it’s from the ninth century.”
    Aileen gasped, snatching her hand away from the bowl and onto her chest. “The ninth century? My God, Dad! This is like some sort of treasure cave.” She shivered more from the artifacts, than the bitter coldness of the room.
    “Aye.”