The Dominion Pulse

By Brad A. LaMar and Igor Adasikov

Control of the worlds beats within the dominion pulse.

After losing his father to Elathan, Brendan and Lizzie are forced to regroup, recover, and come to grips with the immense responsibility that has been thrust upon them. Faced with the golden god's aggressive plans to free his powerful allies and seize control of Otherworld, Brendan and his friends must seek their own power and enlist the help of the wise goddess Bibe.

As the worlds becomes further marred in darkness, the heroes must work against time if they want to save Otherworld––and themselves.

“Once again Brad LaMar did a phenomenal job writing an amazing story and creating a world I loved reading about.” – Because Reading is Better Than Real Life blog

‘Brad LaMar's third installment of this series is one that has, and will be, well read and well loved - creased pages included.” – Valentine, Verified Purchaser

“My students can't stop talking about this book.” – Jeremy, Verified Purchaser

If you liked Percy Jackson and the Olympians or Fablehaven, you won't want to miss The Megalith Union!

The Celtic Mythos

1. The Obsidian Dagger
2. The Megalith Union
3. The Dominion Pulse
4. The Bloodright Inheritance

• Language: English
• Publisher: Torchflame Books
• Release date: Feb 18, 2015
• ISBN: 9781611531053

Book preview

Dedication

Dedicated to the readers

and those who have allowed me to tell my tales.

Celtic Mythos is dedicated in loving memory

of my father John A. LaMar.

Acknowledgments

Wow! It’s so hard to believe that I’m getting to live my dream yet again. It’s amazing to see that months of writing, editing, conferencing, and rewriting are paying off in the delivery of a story that I’m very proud of and happy to see as a part of the Celtic Mythos universe. There are many more stories to tell, and I can’t wait to put the proverbial pen to paper and deliver them to my readers.

I need to begin by thanking the readers themselves for their support, reviews, and for the awesome feeling you give this middle-school-teacher-turned-author. Being accepted and read by you is an honor, and I can never thank you enough for that.

My family, friends, students, and colleagues are also very supportive and hold a dear place in my heart. When you first begin sending out your manuscripts to agents and publishers and getting one rejection after another, you begin to think that your dream will never come true. It means the world to have such wonderful people who hold you up when you’re wobbly from the rejection beat down that some of us endure. To hear their words of encouragement makes you feel loved and believed in.

Thank you to Igor Adasikov for his extreme artistic talent and to Laura Brown for her keen eye as my proofreader. Thanks to Light Messages Publishing for being that cherished partner in the creation of the Celtic Mythos series. I can’t believe we are already to book three in the series! Elizabeth, you have been fantastic to work with and your encouragement and creative mind have been invaluable throughout the entire process.

My wife, Lori, and children, Evan and Paige, are among my greatest supporters, and I thank them for their love and massive encouragement. I would also like to thank my Mom, my brother, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, and parents-in-law.

I would be remiss to neglect to thank all of those I’ve connected with on social media as an author in this era. So: #thankyou! Thanks to all of the book sellers (both independent and larger) for your support and opportunities to come and visit with many of your patrons.

Join me online @bradalamar29, on Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn, and at bradalamar.com. I love to connect with my readers and learn about their stories.

Lastly, I want to thank the Name a Character contest winner, Raven Nivhaar, for the winning submission for a character in The Dominion Pulse. Raven, this little character is definitely a Della, so thank you for the name suggestion and your continued support.

- Brad A. LaMar

Prologue

Chess

Brugh, Otherworld Realm – 100,000 Years Ago

M urderer! shouted Maddox. The ground was hard and rough on the Sidhe’s back as he pulled himself away from his attacker. One of his wings was torn and flimsy and the other was gone completely.

Elathan stalked forward, stepping around the mounds of rubble and debris from a cave wall he destroyed when he entered the Sidhe’s territory in Brugh, the Otherworld Realm of Caverns. He ignored the injured Sidhe as he looked around the area, assessing his new property. Nuada had naively given the worthless Sidhes a prominent location in Brugh, thinking that there wouldn’t be any other suitors for a land as rich as this in resources. That was one of the many attributes that Elathan hated about Nuada. The silver god prized mercy and philanthropy, sure signs of weakness.

Elathan took in the points of light that peppered the cavern walls, ceiling, and floors. There were so many minerals and viable metals to choose from, between what was in the rock and what lay at the bottom of the crystal blue lake in the center of the cave. The lake was fed by the River Boyne, a powerful river that ran from the Danti Mountains bringing massive amounts of minerals, crystals, and magic-enriched deposits. The little fools thought the lake was only good for recreation, missing the rich potential that surrounded them on a daily basis.

Maddox began to sob uncontrollably. We’ve done nothing to you! The Sidhe laid his head against the body of one of his fallen kinsmen.

Elathan glanced down at the critically injured Sidhe with contempt after having nearly forgotten that he was still breathing. Nuada favors you, imp, therefore I hate you. You were given something so abundant and you took it for granted, therefore I hate you. The Bringer of Death’s eyes flashed over with gold. You exist, therefore I hate you.

Maddox looked at his murderer with pity. Your black heart will be the death of you, he declared with his last breath.

Elathan walked towards the edge of the lake and looked at his own reflection in the mirror-like surface, seeing power and strength gazing back at him. His eyes began to glow, all of the dead bodies that littered the cavern floor instantly burst into flames, leaving greasy, charred spots in their place and the new keeper of the cave alone with his thoughts.

Q

The Sidhe’s Cavern of Brugh was dimmer and cooler than it was when Camulos last entered it over an Earth millennia ago. The flecks of light that reflected from the minerals on the wall hadn’t changed, nor had the clarity of the lake, but there was a much different mood about the place. Camulos credited Elathan’s arrival for that change.

Elathan was sitting in a smooth, black throne on the opposite side of the cavern. Camulos eyed the golden god wearily as he crossed the distance from the entrance. He was well aware of Elathan’s reputation. Camulos, being the god of war, admired such qualities in a fellow god—especially one of the more powerful gods—but that was precisely why he had a good hold on his sword’s hilt.

Lord Elathan, Camulos said, bowing slightly before the golden god. You asked for me to come.

I did, Elathan said after a brief pause to breath in the singed smell of death on the air. My enemy plots against me.

Camulos nodded. Hence the reason he’s your enemy. What does that have to do with me? he asked a little too impatiently.

Elathan raised an eyebrow and stared at the youthful god. Your peevishness aside, we could have a mutually beneficial partnership, Camulos.

Camulos folded his arms across his muscled chest, careful to keep his weapon at his fingertips. Is that so?

Elathan stood up and walked towards the god of war. Camulos took a few steps back and began to draw his sword in defense. The golden god held up his hand and telekinetically pushed the sword back into Camulos’s sheath. That won’t be necessary, nor would it help you.

Camulos was so stunned by the golden god’s power that he was speechless as Elathan strolled past him to the bank of the lake. The god of war followed him to the edge, fear and admiration pulling at his thoughts. The water was crystal clear and placid. Camulos couldn’t quite see down to the bottom since the lake was remarkably deep, but what he could see brought serene thoughts to his violent mind.

Are you familiar with Gioibniu the blacksmith? Elathan asked the younger god. Camulos nodded. He has crafted something that I desire.

The war god glanced curiously at Elathan before his attention was pulled to the water when the surface was breached by the massive forms of two niseags. The creatures rose into the air and filled the space above Camulos and Elathan, water rolling off their hides, raining down on everything below them. The beasts flew out of the cave through an expansive hole that was hundreds of feet off of the ground.

What does Gioibniu have, Lord Elathan?

Elathan waved his hand over the water and an image of a black dagger shimmered into view on the lake’s surface. He has made an obsidian dagger that I need to possess. Gioibniu is a very talented craftsman and has melded the dagger with very precise magical qualities.

There are many magical items crafted everyday in Otherworld. What makes this one special? Camulos asked.

Elathan pointed to the depths of the waters. The conduit metal was obtained at the bottom of this lake, which I have laid claim to when I killed all of those flying pests.

I don’t see how that helps you, Lord Elathan.

When Nuada hired Gioibniu to craft the dagger these lands belonged to him, but now the metal that spawns the dagger’s magic belongs to me, giving me control. Elathan’s lips twisted into a wicked grinned. Nuada doesn’t know. He is ignorant of the simple laws of gods and magic.

Why not take it yourself? Camulos asked. Gioibniu would never be able to stop you.

True. I could kill Gioibniu easily and take the dagger, but I don’t want the blacksmith to know it’s gone nor do I want to engage Nuada who would surely come to the blacksmith’s aid. Elathan recognized Camulos’s lack of understanding. I want you to bring it to me so that I can make some adjustments, and then I want you to take it back. Bright blue sparkles twinkled beneath the surface of the lake in response to the words.

You said that you could kill Gioibniu? How is that so—he’s a god?

True, but I am much more than that, Elathan replied. And I can show you how to kill the lesser beings of Otherworld who so arrogantly place themselves in the company of gods.

Camulos raised his chin as he thought. Nuada was a very powerful god as well. Making an enemy of him would not be wise. What am I to gain in this? Nuada is not to be crossed by the likes of me.

A war is coming, Camulos, Elathan began. You will need to decide if you’re with me or Nuada. Every god will have to choose. Elathan took on a golden glow as he stared at the younger god. I suggest you decide quickly.

Camulos considered the immensity of the statement and perceived the power that Elathan was ready to display. Being the god of war didn’t guarantee victory but siding with a powerful and vicious god gave him better odds. Camulos bowed low to Elathan. I am at your service.

I would have expected nothing less, Elathan said with a slight smirk of satisfaction. Bring me the dagger, Camulos.

Camulos marched away from the golden god, his own plans turning over in his mind.

Q

A raven cautiously peered around a pile of rubble created in the cleansing of Brugh by Elathan. She carefully exposed one large eye from the cover of the rocks and peered out at the cavernous lands. The place was vacant, but the raven dared not fly out into the open air of the cave. Since the Sidhes had been eradicated from these lands, insidious creatures had migrated to Brugh. It wasn’t safe anymore, even for a goddess.

The megaliths near the opening of the cave glowed and Elathan emerged from the golden light, followed by a small group of primitive humans. The humans were hunched over and ape-like in their actions, but the raven doubted that evolution would keep them that way. There was too much potential to be lost if the humans weren’t free to progress. The golden god led them into the cavern and up to his obsidian throne.

Humans, Elathan scoffed, looking out at the fumbling group.

Elathan allowed the humans to explore the cavern for a short while. Some of the humans ventured near the water while others avoided it entirely. Some humans tried to climb up piles of rocks while others simply walked around them. The raven was intrigued by the differences in the choices the humans made. So was Elathan.

So weak, so stupid, so fragile—humans. Elathan observed the brood for a short time in silence.

Finally, Elathan stood and the temperature in the cave dropped drastically as the golden god took on a sullen glow. You are my chosen bloodlines, he declared. I have already blessed some humans with size and strength, but I will make you and your children in my image. You will have power. You will have wisdom. You and your descendants will serve me and be given the ability to dominate the ignorant beings of the Earth.

Elathan chanted in low tones causing his body’s golden light to pulse. Streaks of golden energy shot off of his person like electric currents straight into the thirteen humans making them cry out in pain. They fell to the ground convulsing as if they were being electrocuted. One man flopped around while another man’s muscles turned rigid and a woman began to tear her hair out.

The raven retreated back to her cover and was at a loss. She hated to see living things suffer, but she hated that Elathan was exploiting the humans even more. Even though Bibe was known as the wise, she didn’t know what to make of the scene. Was Elathan really granting these primitive humans powers?

Bibe hopped into the air and flew as low to the ground as she could towards the cave entrance. She avoided mounds of rock and piles of bones all the way out of the cave. When she hit the open sky, Bibe increased to a speed that would rival any bird of prey. There was no time to waste. She needed to consult with Nuada.

Chapter 1

Camulos

Brendan sat on a wooden bench in front of the newly renovated treasure building in Corways. He stared towards the center of town, lost in his own reflections. The statue that once stood there was gone and three obsidian megaliths had risen up from the ground erected in its place. They were covered in runes but remained cold, except when he and his group needed to travel. Brendan could feel them radiating power and that reminded him that it was a doorway into Corways as well as one out of the Leprechaun village. Anyone with the know-how to travel on the megalith tethers could come and go as they pleased and that concerned everyone. Dorian had ordered guards to be on shifts at the megaliths, each equipped with a vial of the rainbow’s magic and a bell to ring to sound the alarm. If only the Banshees hadn’t gotten away with Oscar, then Corways wouldn’t have been made so vulnerable.

Hey, Dorian said as she approached from Brendan’s right.

Hey, he replied. He scooted over and made room for her to sit beside him. He smiled at her as she sat, her style unmistakably her own. Everything about her was perfect to Brendan. She had that thing about her that would make any guy cast a glance her way, but they would be selling her short if all they saw was just another pretty face. Dorian was Queen of the Leprechauns, endowed with power and responsibility, bravery and courage, and wisdom beyond her years. She was so much more than a pretty face.

She took his hand in her own and leaned her head on his shoulder. Brendan grimaced but didn’t pull away. Every part of his body, including his shoulder, was still in recovery mode after his battle with Elathan more than a month ago. Brendan scoffed at the thought of actually calling it a battle. It was more like a one-sided beat down that he took at the hands of Elathan, the golden god. He wouldn’t have even been sitting there beside his girlfriend at that moment if Lizzie and the others hadn’t shown up.

He had gone to the sacred Wampanoag site near Sam’s Creek in New York state thinking he was going to be able to waltz in, get his father, and maybe stop Elathan from completing the megalith union. He had never been more wrong in his life, and he had let Elathan open up a connection to Otherworld, steal his father, and destroy what little confidence he had built since he defeated the witch.

Frank, Lizzie, and Garnash still not back yet from New York? Dorian asked her boyfriend. She absently adjusted her fingers to interlock with his.

Not yet, he said. It was really cool of you and the village to donate gold to Frank, Dorian.

Dorian smiled. I was glad that the village agreed. Frank is important to our team and to Lizzie. It’s good of him to want to help. It would have been really hard for him to come back if he didn’t know that his grandmother was in good hands.

Brendan put his other hand on top of hers. I’m not sure what Frank or you or anyone else can do right now. I’m still healing, and we haven’t even seen Bibe yet.

True, but Griffin is already scouting Scotland, and maybe he’ll find her and make it that much easier on the rest of us, Dorian noted.

Brendan nodded, but he was worried, not so much about finding Bibe but about his friends and loved ones. Maybe we should just tell Frank to stay home. I can set Lizzie up at a friend’s house and she can start back to school.

Dorian lifted her head and looked at Brendan wryly. I know you think you can protect us by keeping us out of all this, but the fact is that when Elathan does come back, the whole world is in danger. They want to stop that from happening, too, Brendan. You have to trust them.

It’s not about trusting them, shot Brendan. He regretted his harsh tone immediately and took a breath. I’m not sure I trust myself anymore.

Dorian stroked his cheek and kissed his lips. That’s why we’re all in this together. There is strength in numbers, love.

He nodded, but the aches and pains in his body made him hang on to the doubt in the quiet of his mind.

Q

What do you make of it, Detective?

Simmons shrugged and unwrapped a stick of gum. Some giant rocks, Edwards. What do I look like, an archeologist? Why did you call me out here?

Look at the symbols and designs all over these megaliths, sir, Officer Edwards said, pointing to the new editions to the Sam’s Creek area.

Megaliths? Simmons said, rolling his eyes. Symbols, huh? Sounds like we need Fox and Mulder or maybe Indiana Jones. What do you think, Edwards, should we give them a call?

Edwards, undeterred by Simmons’ crassness, pulled out his smartphone. This area is a habitat for the short-eared owl.

And?

And there is a conservatory that has a camera in that nest on the ground over there near the thick tree. You can see the wiring leading up to a solar panel and a transceiver up there. His finger followed the path of the wire up to a transmitting antenna sticking out of the top of the tree.

Simmons glanced up and shrugged. And? he repeated.

Well, these megaliths just appeared here last month out of nowhere. No work permits, not a single group to claim responsibility.

I’m not investigating aliens, Edwards. What does this have to do with me? Simmons folded his arms across his chest and waited, growing less patient by the second.

My wife is a high school science teacher and her class is studying endangered species and one of her students ran across this video.

Edwards hit the play button and handed the phone to Simmons. The detective squinted and watched the grainy greenish video on the three-inch screen. A nest with about ten eggs sat exposed to the world with nothing else really happening until Simmons saw a person walk into view. It really meant nothing until the young man turned and walked directly towards the camera. That’s when it hit Simmons.

Brendan O’Neal, Simmons said in disbelief.

That’s why I called you, sir, Edwards said with a bit of a satisfied edge.

Do we know what happened after this video?

Edwards shook his head. No, the signal was lost. Actually, that’s how these megaliths were discovered. A scientist from the conservatory came out to restore the feed and he found them.

Find out everything you can about the video and this place. Simmons began walking away. He paused and turned back to Edwards. We have to find Brendan O’Neil. He’s dangerous.

Q

Camulos arrived at Elathan’s Tech Duinn megaliths in a flash of golden light. He had only been to Tech Duinn on a handful of occasions, never having gone without an invitation from the most powerful god in the Realm of the Dead. This visit was no different.

He stepped out onto a thin bridge that connected the small island housing the megaliths to a massive castle that had been carved right into the side of the mountain’s face. Veins of gold glistened in stark contrast to the chiseled dark stone surface. Turrets, curtain walls, and flanking towers made it hard to believe that it was not a freestanding castle.

He strode across the bridge and noted the heat from the lake of fire beneath his feet. The god of war carried his metallic war helmet under one arm and gripped the handle of his sword in the other. He glanced down as he walked and caught his reflection in the shiny metal of his barbut head protector. He had to admit that he looked slightly afraid of meeting Elathan face-to-face after all of these years. He doubted his visage in the ram’s head helmet would do much to intimidate the golden god if it came to that.

As Camulos reached the large stone door, it dragged and scrapped across the ground, allowing him to enter. A beautiful maiden waited for him in the foyer.

Welcome, Camulos, she said with a bow. I am Meghan of Mag Mell. Lord Elathan has been expecting you.

Lead on, Banshee. He followed Meghan from the foyer into a great throne room. The temperature in the room was frigid compared to the exterior of the castle where the fire lake blazed. Camulos took one step into the room and exhaled a clouded breath. His boots click-clacked on the stone floor as he walked cautiously, not wanting to slip if it was icy—surprisingly, it wasn’t.

Meghan closed the door behind him, and he found himself all alone in the cavernous room. Torches hung on the wall and from suspended chandeliers—bright with blue and white flames—giving a strange, almost surreal ambiance. It appeared to Camulos that even the fire was frozen in Elathan’s castle.

Camulos. His name echoed off the walls and the flames flickered in response to the voice of the castle’s master.

The war god scanned the room for Elathan, but he didn’t appear to be anywhere in sight. Lord Elathan? he asked, his voice showing only the slightest hint of his nervousness.

The distant shadows on the far end of the massive room lightened and Camulos could see the form of the golden god sitting stoically on his throne. A soft golden beam illuminated the golden god coming from somewhere high in the rafters.

Come closer, Elathan requested.

Camulos strutted forward, his hand still loosely on the hilt of his sword, a habit that the warrior in him could never quite relinquish even in Elathan’s powerful presence. The war god had keen eyes and took in everything he could as he neared Elathan’s throne. The space was empty with the exception of a necromancer in a black cloak.

Lord Elathan, Camulos said with a bow, his eyes never leaving the golden god. I am pleased to see that you have returned to Otherworld.

As am I, Camulos, Elathan said evenly. This is Conchar and he is of my chosen bloodline and has proven himself above all others.

More so than Warnach? Camulos said with a raised brow.

Elathan was quiet and observed the youthful god. Both will be part of my revolution, as are you and our fellow brethren being held by the traitor, Arawn.

A snarl tugged at Camulos’s lips at the mention of that hated name. Now that you’re back, Lord Elathan, it would be my pleasure to lead the assault on Arawn.

You’ll need to get in line, handsome, Meghan said, leading her sisters into the chamber.

We want Arawn dead more than anyone here! Farron shouted.

It was our clan he murdered, Isobel echoed.

Elathan raised his hand, and all of their voices fell silent. In time, Arawn will meet the same fate as all those who oppose me, Elathan growled, looking each of his followers in the eye. He will die.

Q

Since Elathan’s castle was carved deep into the mountain, it had many rooms and halls that seemingly went on for miles beneath the massive weight above it. The Seeker was in one of the rooms deep within the passages lying on the stone floor, his mind somewhere across the tether in Earth.

Oscar O’Neal was trapped in his own mind, but he didn’t realize it. He thought he was back at home in Kingston in his soft, warm bed. Brendan was off at Syracuse and Lizzie was probably already up making breakfast before she rushed off to school. The alarm should be going off anytime now.

Q

I’m sort of nervous to meet your family, Lizzie said quietly to Frank.

They had just exited a bus in front of Frank’s aunt’s apartment on Rosswood Avenue. Garnash, Frank, and Lizzie had arrived in the megaliths in Brookstone Park with little fanfare. Though it was during the day, no one seemed to notice the arrival. They cautiously exited the park on the opposite side of the police station, not wanting to draw any unnecessary attention before catching a bus that was heading north. One connection and 25 minutes later, they arrived at Frank’s aunt’s home.

You’re nervous? Frank scoffed. Oh, please, this is the same girl that tossed a giant out of a town with only a staff. What do you have to be nervous about?

Lizzie shrugged. This is different. I always feel like I’m being judged when I meet new people, and this is ten times that since I’m your girlfriend.

Relax, Lizzie, Garnash said, sitting invisibly on Frank’s shoulder. They’re going to love you.

Lizzie, Frank, and Garnash reached the fifth floor of the apartment building and stood outside of a freshly painted door. Lizzie recognized that right away since some of the other doors were chipped and peeling.

My aunt’s name is Kim and my grandmother is Cecilia, but you can call her CeCe. Frank knocked on the door and then they took a step back.

The bolted lock was thrown and the door opened as wide as the chain would allow. A woman’s eye peeked out through the opening and then she screamed. Frank!

The door shut and the chain was unlatched. Aunt Kim threw the door open and jumped up