James Linniad and the Golden City by Caleb Baker (best fiction books of all time .txt) 📖

nonsense. We don't know what will happen if we touch anything in this place. You just proved it by messing around with that whistle thing."

Lucas bowed his head and James took that as an end to the conversation.    

Something began to glow brightly on the desk before the chair. Very bright indeed, it was all James could do to shield his eyes against its rays. Flakes of sparkly dust were forming something on the table, swirling about like the snowflakes outside. A low humming noise was projecting from somewhere, as well as a thumping on the desk. The chair was rocking faster than ever now, creaking loud and precariously.    

Finally, the light ceased. It retracted quickly and lowered into a mass that now looked like a book. The humming noise quickly changed to quiet whispers, what they were saying was anyone's guess. The book looked extremely old, like it was on its last legs. The cover was brown and frayed, and the spine was bound in ripped leather. A golden eagle was spread out across the front of the book, and in red curly writing was written; The Story Of Almaria. James couldn't help but graze his hand across the cover and watch in wonder as the dust sparkled in his palm. 

"What just happened?" Nathan said, coughing as he wiped the dust away from his face. Silence bestowed the group. It seemed everyone was trying to wrap their heads around what just happened. As far as James was concerned, there was no way to explain why a book had just materialized onto a desk out of thin air, whatever happened wasn't of this Earth. 

"Do you hear that whispering?" Juliet asked the group. 

"Yes, I hear it," Lucas replied, staring intensely at the book. 

"Good, I thought I was going mad," Juliet released, "but, what's it saying, and where's it coming from?"

"The book," Alice answered tersely. 

"I say we open it," said Nathan, who was already reaching for it. 

"I'll do it," James said gruffly.   

With one sweeping motion he took the book and slid it towards himself. The eagle looked him straight in the eye. James could have sworn that it winked at him. Slowly and carefully, he lifted the eagle and opened the book. The room was, once again, immersed in a glowing light. Alice and Juliet both screamed horrifically, and Nathan and Lucas staggered back. James stood defiant against the light as it pulsated and rippled into his eyes. The whispers grew louder, and soon he was able to make out what they were saying. 

"Caer salvenium ignotia." It said. 

He didn't know what it meant, but he did hear it clearly, as if it were speaking in his head. A new flutter of dust exploded into his face when the cover was fully extended, and on the first page was written only one sentence. At the moment, that sentence was being repeated again and again by the voice that rang throughout the entire room. That phrase, James would never forget. 

"Caer salvenium ignotia."   

"Why does that keep happening?" Lucas asked covering his ears from the noise, "and what in the bloody hell is that voice saying?"

"I don't know!" Nathan roared over the chanting. 

The voice was now reaching dangerous octaves, sending everyone's eardrums to the brinks of destruction. 

"What is going on?" Juliet cried. 

"I don't like this at all!" Alice exclaimed.    

James tried to close the book, but with all his force he couldn't. It wouldn't even budge. 

"It won't close," James tried to explain.    

The voices immediately stopped. It was a split second of silence before it all happened. Nathan had barely any time to release a gasp of relief, then he was sucked in. Then Lucas, and after Juliet. Alice went next, and lastly James. With one last fleeting look he saw the dust from before, encircling him and dragging him towards the desk.    

All five children were sucked into the book. Nothing but a faint pop could be heard before the book itself disappeared in a blanket of glistening smoke. The Linniad castle was gone in a flash.

Imprint

Publication Date: 07-16-2012

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
To all the young minds living in a grown era