All Chapters of The Hunt for Knowledge: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

They neared the Literature building with its massive alabaster columns and marble staircase. The red brick was in stark contrast to the white window trimmings but spoke of old money. The grounds were immaculate and well tended. Students lounged on blankets under trees. Others sat by a man-made pond reading their texts. Strewn backpacks were the only debris that littered the thick green grass. Brick pathways, bordered by purple jump-up johnny's, meandered this way and that. As they came upon the main entrance of the Literature building Zinnia changed course and turned down one of these brick lanes. A small building that Katalea hadn’t noticed before stood off to one side of the main hall. Katalea remembered looking in this direction when they arrived and seeing a massive plum tree in this general area. Not only was the tree no longer present, but the building Zinnia was gesturing to for the group to enter didn’t quite match up with the pathways. The door was a little a

All eyes were on the newcomer. Luca came in, and with a flourish set down his bag. He wore a sports coat over jeans, sporting sunglasses that he now held in his hand. He looked every bit the modern day professional. Katalea clutched her hands together under the table to keep them from shaking. As she tried to gain composure, she knocked her plate to the floor. Dakari caught her as she began to sway in her chair. Her eyes rolled back and her body went limp. As fast as the vision took her it released her. She sat up straight in her chair, noticing Dakari’s arms around her. Pushing aside her arousal, she turned and addressed the group. Her eyes intense, she looked at each one directly. “We are six, we are gathered. Make your choice, and consider your options. If you take on the quest, you risk all. There is one still hunting, who would stop at nothing to destroy us. An evil god gone mad, he seeks the prophecies to advance his bloodlust. He must be stopped.

The hands on the clock ticked loudly while the group stood still. Outside, the light was beginning to send long shadows as the sun reached its last stretch of daylight. Dakari yawned. It had been a long day. He had been looking forward to getting to know his mate, but now suddenly he had five new best friends. Katalea saw his yawn and felt the same exhaustion. “Why don’t we get some rest, and meet for a late supper somewhere. Are you all staying nearby?” “I have only to dip a toe in the water to be home.” Aquina remarked. Turning to Beecher she chuckled, “I’m sure we can find you a nice den to settle in, pup.” “Don’t you worry about me, I suggest you worry more about staying out of the jaws of a hungry shark tonight.” He turned to Katalea. “I think a little rest is a great idea. Are we all in agreement to meet tonight? I know a great restaurant off the beaten path. It would be a great place to sit and brainstorm.” One by one they voiced their agreement. D

Beecher was flipping the pages of a magazine when Katalea and Dakari walked in. “It doesn’t matter where you go, you cause a scene.” Beecher chided, grinning and showing a dimple in his left cheek. “Do you have any ideas on who they were?” Aquina asked, dismissing Beecher’s comment. “No,” Katalea responded. “No clue, All I know is that this morning when I woke up I thought today was going to be a mundane trip to an old library. Suddenly, the world around me has gone nuts.” “I guess I understand all the security around you now,” Beecher added. “It must be hard to be the black panther. How are you two ever going to get to be alone?” He raised his eyebrows twice and googled his eyes. He knew they were newly mated. Katalea found herself flushing despite herself. She could feel the color climb right up her neck and jump up onto her face. Zinnia chimed in and broke the awkwardness. “You had such a lovely suite at the hotel.” “It really was, before th

The someone was Katalea herself. The vision took over her, it came up so fast that her instinct was to block it. She tried to call out, somehow get help before she fell over. Too late. All around her, dragons flew, nipped at her skin, tried to find flesh. She ran with all her might towards a cave. The cave had a suspicious glow, blue in tone, but it seemed the lesser of two evils when a fire breathing reptile was at your back. As she dove into the cave, the light intensified. For the moment, she was safe, the entrance was too small for a dragon. She could hear the roars of anger outside as her chest heaved and she tried to calm her breathing. Behind her she heard the sound of a low growl. What fresh hell was this she thought as she turned to find Kaya, her own black panther, pacing back and forth. Kaya was intently staring into a deep blue light, emanating from what appeared to be a spirit trapped in a stone. Back and forth she continued, so intense she barel