Power of the Seven: Arnok Torrez

By Mahalia Radburn

Katie and her six newly found sisters join a team with three strange unlikely individuals, who claim to be from a magical world called the underworld, suddenly they find themselves in the midst of a war against an enemy hellbent on global control. Can they defeat her and save their planet from destruction?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris AU
• Release date: Jan 22, 2014
• ISBN: 9781493132249

Mahalia Radburn

I have been writing books since I was around ten years old. My interests include science fiction, fantasy and the military. I am planning my future with great enthusiasm. This is only the beginning.........

Book preview

Copyright © 2013 by Mahalia Radburn.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,

without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the

product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance

to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Rev. date: 12/18/2013

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris LLC

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CONTENTS

*Chapter 1*     *An Unbelievable Fate*

*Chapter 2*     *Bloodline*

*Chapter 3*     *Metamorphosis*

*Chapter 4*     *Deception*

*Chapter 5*     *Shadows*

*Chapter 6*     *Possessed*

*Chapter 7*     *Politicians*

*Chapter 8*     *Into the Lion’s Den*

*Chapter 9*     *The Temple of Prophecy*

*Chapter 10*   *Arnok Torrez*

*CHAPTER 1*

*An Unbelievable Fate*

The tunnels were dark and smelt horrible but the mission was far too important to give up now. Clara Oakwood descended the ladder into the sewers in search of the reported creature on the loose in New York City. She jumped the last few steps and pulled her torch out of her belt for light. She had a gun concealed in her waistband but she hoped she wouldn’t need to use it. Clara headed towards the end of the tunnel with her flash light out in front of her and her free hand itching towards her gun. She had seen a shadow.

Clara wasn’t the only person facing a difficult mission. Miles from the sewer Clara was exploring, Katelyn Montgomery sat with her knees held up to her chest in her school’s restroom. She had tear stains on her cheeks and her long brown hair was on end as if she had been running her hands through it. She was holding a battered photograph of her mother father and her two brothers Ryan and Terry. She had scribbled herself out of the photograph in red pen mere seconds ago in a fit of rage towards the rest of her family.

It was Monday afternoon and Katie was supposed to be in class but she had bigger things in mind than separating tin from copper. She was sixteen years old and her family had recently left her in the custody of her dad’s friend, Leo Ventroz. Her lip trembled as she thought about it. It had been only yesterday that she had seen her older brother Ryan shoving all the clothes he owned into his gym bag, leaving everything else behind. Terry hadn’t told her anything about where they were going, but she knew why they had left.

Katie jumped when the bell rang overhead, signaling the start of lunch. Knowing that she would be overrun by girls desperate to fix their hair, Katie left the restroom. She ran up the nearest flight of stairs towards her locker and angrily entered her code into the lock before yanking it open to retrieve her bag. She slammed the locker door shut, slung the strap of her bag over her shoulder and charged off down the corridor. She had almost made it out of the building when her best friend Clarissa Corrigan caught up with her.

Katie was in no mood for her questions.

I’m not in the mood, Claire Katie warned and continued her rampage down the corridor. Claire continued to pursue her. No matter how mad her friend was Claire always wanted to talk to her.

Well I need to talk to you. Why weren’t you in science? she persisted and pulled Katie to a stop at the end of the corridor. She seemed extremely determined to find out why her friend was so mad.

I just need to vent my anger. Now leave me alone! Katie hissed.

With that, she left Claire standing at the end of the corridor, by herself, not knowing why her friend was so foul. Katie slammed the door shut as she exited the building and trudged onto the school oval.

Dozens of boys were throwing balls around the oval and eyed her suspiciously as she pushed past them to get to the fence on the opposite side. She made sure her bag was secured over her right shoulder before jumping the fence and landing cleanly on the dirt on the other side. The boys playing in the oval behind her didn’t stop watching her until she was out of sight.

Many thoughts buzzed through Katie’s head as she wandered away from the schoolyard. Her anger increased as she thought of Claire, probably still standing at the end of the corridor she had left her in. Katie had just crossed into Brown Corner when she stopped dead in her tracks and looked down at the ground. She could see a shadow, taller than hers, approaching her from behind.

Katie allowed her bag to drop to the ground as she spun around to face whoever was following her. She went to hit him but he had already grabbed her forearm and bent it back. He didn’t bend it back so that it hurt her, just enough so that she couldn’t break free from his grasp. She had no time to react before some sort of a device was strapped around her wrist and an electric shock was sent coursing through her body. She was unable to stop herself from losing consciousness and falling into the hands of her assailant.

*     *     *

Clara pursued the shadow she had seen upon descending the ladder until it took her to the site of an abandoned subway track that looked as though it hadn’t been used in years. The tracks were well used, broken in places and there were no lights apart from the flashlight she was holding out in front of her. It was a suitable hiding place for anyone or anything that wanted to hide from the law. She had not seen her prey clearly enough to know exactly what she was looking for but could sense that it was close by.

She stealthily made her way over to the ruined train tracks and jumped onto the platform beside them. She had not seen the shadow for some time but there was no other way for them to have gone.

*     *     *

It wasn’t long before Katie had recuperated from the effects of the unknown device to find herself lying on a comfortable bed. She was still wearing the black tank top and jeans she had been wearing when she was attacked. The only difference to her appearance was that her long brown hair was tied back.

Katie jumped to her feet and stared around at her surroundings.

She appeared to be in some kind of a holding cell. There was a bed that had light purple bed covers, there were no windows and the only other thing in the room was a locked door. She looked down at the watch around her wrist and saw that she had been unconscious for four hours. Claire would most definitely have noticed her disappearance and would be calling by Leo’s to ask for her.

Katie pulled her cell phone out of her pocket and tried to call her number but she was receiving no signal. She thrust her phone back into her pocket just as footsteps were heard approaching the door of the holding cell. She stepped back as the door swung open and the man that had attacked her walked in. He had short, untidy black hair, the same color eyes and a tanned face. Katie grabbed his arm and bent it behind his back to pin him forcibly against the wall.

Move and I’ll break it Katie warned and tightened her grip on his arm. The man made no attempt to move or even look back at her.

I’m not going to hurt you. You’re safe here the man assured her.

The hell I am. You hit me with an electrical shock; you bring me here against my will. What am I supposed to think? Katie asked.

The man didn’t answer but winced when she removed a gun from inside his waistband. She released him and pointed the gun at him instead. He rubbed his arm and turned back to finally face her.

Do you know how to use that? he asked, indicating the loaded gun. Katie cocked the gun and aimed it at him in one professional motion.

Tell me how to get out of here Katie ordered and waved it threatening.

I can’t do that. Will you just let me explain? the man asked her hopefully. Katie looked at him and than back at the door just behind her. She knew her chances of getting out the door without his code were slim so she lowered the gun but didn’t let her guard down.

This better be good she warned.

The man relaxed slightly.

"My name is Darren Oakwood and I know who you are Katelyn Montgomery… he began.

It’s Katie and how the hell did you know that? Katie asked him sharply.

I know everything there is to know about you. You grew up under the custody of Rose and Dean Montgomery in Trenton, New Jersey. Sister to Terrance and Ryan Montgomery, right? Darren asked.

Katie was unsure how this Darren knew so much about her background.

Yes she hissed under her breath.

You can ask me anything about you Darren assured her.

Katie, feeling no vulnerability towards him, decided to put him to the test.

My birthday? she asked.

April seventeenth Darren immediately answered.

Katie blinked.

My middle name? she asked.

Rose he replied.

My first dog? Katie asked.

Scottie, who died when your dad ran him over Darren replied sympathetically.

Katie blinked again, not sure what to feel. The hand that was holding the gun was shaking and her eyes were filled with red rage.

Okay. You know things about me which is beyond creepy. Now it’s time for me to get to know you. Where am I? Katie demanded fiercely.

In a secure facility in New York City Darren informed her.

Katie was in even more shock.

How the hell did I get from New Jersey to NYC in a matter of four hours? she insisted. Darren looked over her shoulder at the door.

Let me show you around first he offered and extended his hand to take the gun away from her. She hastily shoved the gun into her own waistband before stepping back and allowing him to lead her. He led her out of the holding cell and into the corridor outside.

The floors were made of wood with red carpets covering them, the large windows were curtained with white strips of lace, the walls were made of what appeared to be pure white stone and there was a potted plant in every corner. They rounded the nearest corner and appeared in front of one of probably many elevators.

What is this place? What’s it for? Katie asked as they stepped into the elevator. Darren pressed a button for one of the upper levels.

Protection, mostly, but it’s more of a safe haven for us Darren explained.

Us? Katie asked.

My brother and my daughter and I live here, have for the last few cent… well a while. We’re going up to the residential level he answered.

Who’s in the residential level? Katie asked.

Darren grinned.

Not who… what? he corrected.

Katie’s eyes narrowed as the elevator doors opened in front of them. Katie prepared to leave when Darren gently grabbed her forearm.

I need to know if you’re prepared for what I’m about to show you. You’ve already proven yourself to be self-sufficient but what you’re about to see will shock the living daylights out of you, more so than that device did back in New Jersey Darren warned her cautiously.

He than led her into the corridor and round the corner.

This corridor had to be the longest one in the entire facility. It was almost the length of twice the size of the oval back at Katie’s school only slightly narrower. There were large enclosures on both sides of the corridor, each one of them filled with a strange creature.

Oh my God Katie exclaimed as she stepped in front of the first enclosure.

Inside this enclosure was a tiny cockroach like creature that was skittering around its rocks and hiding behind weeds from the onlookers. Katie’s jaw dropped as she watched the frightened creature.

It’s a baby Roachmite. We found him in the Sahara about two years ago. He took a bite out of my brother’s hand but we finally managed to contain him. He’s been here ever since Darren told her.

And he hasn’t tried to get out? Katie asked in shock.

That’s not the point of this place. The creature’s that are here, want to be here. The beings in these enclosures choose to live here because it’s the only place safe for them. But others, who aren’t in enclosures, are too dangerous to be left roaming around Darren explained.

So this place isn’t a prison? Katie asked.

Absolutely not, it’s the total opposite. It’s a home. Come on, let me show you the rest of the place Darren offered and led her down the remainder of the corridor. Katie’s eyes were fixated on all the enclosures and the marvelous creatures as she passed their windows.

One level down was the residential level for the humans of the facility. Darren’s bedroom was at the furthest end of the corridor and right beside his was one labeled Clara. The one on the other side was labeled Bryan. There were a large number of other bedrooms all along the corridor, which was at least as long as the one that housed the creatures. A few levels down were the office areas where there were at least a dozen offices. Darren opened the door of his office and stepped back to allow her to enter his study.

There was a television stuck in the wall in front of a large wood desk with an assortment of comfortable chairs positioned around it for visitors. Darren sat behind his desk while Katie sat on a comfortable chair in front of him. She folded her arms almost impatiently.

Why did you show me all this? she asked.

I’ve wanted to for a very long time. Waiting for you to turn the appropriate age was almost murder for me . . . he began, but was interrupted by Katie’s impatience.

"Look. I believe you about the