Read Online Underworld by M. L. Woolley - Free Book Online Page B

trees that rustle magically as
though blown by an unseen breeze. The scents are
what amaze me most. The fragrance of lavender
blooming by the sea, pine trees in the Spring, and
even the essence of citrus ripening in the sun give the
place an ethereal feel about it.
    Of all the places I have ever seen this place is by far
the most interesting. I walk quietly around wondering
how this oasis even exists here. Then a voice broke
through my thoughts.
“You’re probably wondering how all this could exist
in the dark world?”
     
“Well- yesI suppose you could say that,” I said with
a smile and lookingin the direction of Tom’s voice.
    Standing a ways off is Tom. The dog, Jeff, is sitting
off a few paces to his side. Tom looks so out of place
in the spectacular gardens. Rather like an old troll in
a china shop. He is scratching his beard thoughtfully
as I have seen him do so many times.
Tom straightened with a laugh. “I’ll tell you about all
that later. First I want to show you something.”
    Tom began walking in the direction of the buildings
behind the house. Each of his steps was two to mine
and I had to run to keep up with him.
    “There.” Tom pointed to the field and a white horse
looked up from his grazing. Before I could say
anything the animal was halfway down the field. He
gave a couple bucks as he made his way to us and
stopped a few strides short of where I was standing.
He half reared in the air and snorted a greeting.
    “How in the world did you get here?” He didn’t
answer of course but tossed his head and pushed me
with his nose. I rested my palms on his withers and
scratched him under his mane. Tom stood next to me
with his hands in his pockets. He rocked back on his
heels and scratched his beard thoughtfully.
    “The white horses belong to the third realm. When
we saw him in the field this morning Emma said he
was yours. How did you ever get your hands on one?
He will prove right useful to you here.”
    I take a handful of thick mane in my hand and swung
up on the horse. I squeeze my legs and directed him
over to where Tom is standing. It’s not difficult to
see that Tom has a way with animals. The horse rubs
his head on Tom’s chest and seems completely at
ease with him.
    Tom patted the horse on the neck affectionately. Well
Jast you picked a good one,” said Tom smiling up at
me warmly. There is something in the way he is
looking at me. It almost looks like pride but why
should he feel proud?
“How do you know his name?” I said with a puzzled
look on my face.
    Tom smiled at me and shook his head as he patted
Jast once more. He obviously was not going to tell
me how he knew the animal’s name.
“We have a saddle that should fit him just right,” said
Tom as he headed back in the direction of the house.
    When we reached the path that led up to the door
beneath the stone staircase Tom stopped and
motioned me to follow. I slid off Jast and gave him
an affectionate rub between his eyes before following
Tom inside the house. We made our way upstairs
into and followed the long hall to a set of double
doors. Tom held one of the doors open for me and
once I was inside he closed it behind me.
    We were in a library with rows and rows of books.
The smell of the old volumes of books mixed with
cedar burning in the fireplace filled the room.
It was morning on the fourth day since I arrived. An
intense longing to be with Jen and the others had
settled on me. It had been my saving grace to find
this place but I was ready to move on find Lisa and
David. The problem is that I have no idea where to
look or what I will find when I finally do catch up to
them. How could Lisa survive one night here let
alone a week? When I do find them, what then?
Lizzie had said I was now part spirit and life could
never be the same for me. What does that mean?
    Tears fall hot on my cheek and I brush them quickly
away with the back of my hand. I feel somewhat
depressed and glance away so I can