Ancient Forces Collection (Forbidden Doors, Band 4) - Softcover

Myers, Bill

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0310729068 ISBN 13: 9780310729068

Verlag: Zonderkidz, 2011

Inhaltsangabe

Some doors are better left unopened. Join teenager Rebecca “Becka” Williams, her brother, Scott, and friend Ryan Riordan as they head for mind-bending clashes between the forces of darkness and the power of God. The Ancient Forces Collection brings together three fast-paced novels of the supernatural by bestselling author Bill Myers. The Ancients Sent to a remote village in the mountains of New Mexico by the mysterious Z, Becka, Scott, and Ryan encounter a Native American cult and an evil so potent it can control the very powers of nature—and subtly poison the soul of one of their own. The Wiccan The star of The Hex, the hottest show on TV, is appearing at a local bookstore, and Rebecca’s friends are headed off to see her. But Becka quickly discovers that the glamour of Wicca cloaks lies more sinister than anyone imagines. The Cards As past hurts resurface and his emotions reach the breaking point, one of Rebecca’s friends seeks the counsel of the Tarot. But do the cards offer hope … or destruction?

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Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

Bill Myers (www.Billmyers.com) is a bestselling author and award-winning writer/director whose work has won sixty national and international awards. His books and videos have sold eight million copies and include The Seeing, Eli, The Voice, My Life as, Forbidden Doors, and McGee and Me.

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Ancient Forces Collection

By Bill Myers

ZONDERVAN

Copyright © 2008 Bill Myers
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-310-72906-8

Chapter One

The eagle soared through the clear blue sky. Sleek and beautiful, it rose higher and higher. Suddenly it dipped and dived, screaming through the air like a jet fighter.

Rebecca Williams watched in delight as the wonderful creature swooped low toward the ground. Then, at the last second, it pulled up and sailed high into the sky in a graceful arc.

And what a sky. Becka's delight changed to wonder as she saw that the sky had taken on a dark, purplish hue. But what really mesmerized her was the weird geometric pattern covering the sky: lines, triangles, and squares swirled in a concentric pattern that made them impossible to distinguish from one another. And yet the pattern was strong and focused, making an instant imprint on her mind.

The eagle's harsh cry rang out across the horizon, distracting Becka from the pattern in the sky.

"Becka! Be careful!"

She turned to see Ryan Riordan shouting and running toward her. She looked back at the eagle. Now it was diving toward her. She threw her hands in front of her face and darted to the left. But the eagle did not follow. It swooshed past her, heading directly for Ryan.

She turned and saw Ryan's mouth open. He lifted his hand to protect his face. He began to scream, but it was too late. The sharp, leathery talons slashed at his neck and—

"Noooo!" Becka woke up with a start. Sweat dampened her face, and her breath came in gasps.

Before she could get her bearings she heard, "Will you stop all that whimpering?"

She spun around to see Scott, her younger brother. She was about to yell at him for being in her room when she realized that she wasn't in her room at all. In fact, she wasn't even in her house. She had been napping on a plane.

A plane heading for New Mexico.

"Honey, are you all right?" Mom looked at her from the seat next to Scott's, her face showing concern.

"I'm okay," Becka said, wiping the perspiration from her forehead. "I just had ... It was only a dream."

"Must have been pretty weird," Scott said. "You were making all kinds of noise."

"It was an eagle," Becka explained. "A huge one. It flew right at me and then wound up attacking Ryan."

Scott held her gaze a moment. There was no missing the trace of concern in his eyes. This had happened before. Her dreams. Usually they had something to do with an upcoming adventure. Finally, he shrugged. "You're just worried about the trip."

She could tell he was trying to reassure her. "Yeah. It's just ..."

He glanced back at her. "Just what?"

"This whole assignment." She hesitated, then continued, "Doesn't it seem a little stranger than the others?"

Scott gave a half smirk. "Stranger than fighting voodoo in Louisiana?"

Becka said nothing.

"Or tracking down make-believe vampires in Transylvania? Or facing down demons in Los Angeles?"

Becka took a deep breath. Okay, so he had a point. Life had become pretty incredible. Still ...

"What are you guys talking about?" It was Ryan, Becka's sort-of boyfriend. He had turned around from the seat ahead of them and was grinning.

Becka felt a wave of relief. She knew she'd been dreaming, but it was still good to see him and know he was all right. Come to think of it, it was always good to see Ryan Riordan. If not because of their special friendship, then because of the gentle warmth she always felt inside when they were together.

"We were talking about this trip," Scott said. "Becka's afraid this one is stranger than the others."

Ryan's smile faded. "What makes you say that?"

"I don't know." She shrugged. "Just a feeling, I guess."

"At least we get to stay in a fancy hotel again," Scott said. "What's it called? The Western Ground on the Cliff?" He leaned back, folding his hands behind his head. "Sounds pretty hoity-toity to me. Like one of those expensive, something-on-the-something hotels in Beverly Hills."

"I'm just glad to be going this time," Ryan said. "I went crazy when you guys were in L.A."

Becka was glad he was with them too.

"Well, Becka's right about one thing," Scott admitted. "Something's definitely up. Z never sends us out on boring assignments, that's for sure."

Becka and Ryan both nodded in agreement. Z was their friend from the Internet. He'd sent them to help people all over the world. And yet, to this day, Scott and Becka had no idea who Z really was. Not that they hadn't tried to find out ... but somehow, someway, their attempts had always met with failure. Z's identity remained a mystery.

"Actually," Ryan said with a grin, "I'm pretty excited to be visiting an Indian tribe. I mean, I've always liked reading about Native American culture. I think they're a noble people who got a raw deal."

Rebecca nodded. "Taking their land was a wrong that we'll never fully repay. Kinda like slavery. And you're right about their culture. They've got a real respect for nature."

"I suppose," Scott said. "But aren't some tribes really involved in weird spiritual stuff? You know, like shamanism and séances and visions?"

Ryan nodded slowly. "But some of that is in the Bible."

"So?" Scott asked.

"So they must have some truth to them."

"There's some truth in everything," Scott countered. "That's the devil's favorite trick ... a little truth, a lotta lie."

Before Ryan could answer, Becka called out, "Wow! Look down at that canyon!"

Mom and Scott crowded in close to her so they could see out the window. There below them lay a beautiful canyon, its cliff walls shimmering red, yellow, and purple in the sunset.

The captain's voice sounded over the loudspeaker. "Well, folks, we're beginning our descent into Albuquerque. Please fasten your seat belts. We should be on the ground in just a few minutes."

* * *

On the ground far below the plane, an Indian brave ran through the desert. Above him, the huge canyon walls towered and rose toward the sky. Beside him, a river flowed, its power thundering and cutting into the rock and sandstone.

Swift Arrow ran because he wanted to crest the hill at the far end of the canyon in time to see the sunset. As he neared the top, he could see the bright yellow sun dipping behind the mountain ahead. When he arrived, he raised his hands to the sky and called, "Father, you are the master creator. I praise you for the beauty you have made."

Far in the distance, a rumble caught his attention. He turned and looked behind him. Dark clouds were beginning to gather. A storm was brewing. Suddenly a great lightning bolt cut through the sky and then another and another. Jagged lines seemed to fill the sky, forming triangles and squares, all arranged in a swirling, concentric pattern ...

Swift Arrow stared as the light from the bolts faded, his heart beginning to pound in fear. He'd seen that sign in the sky before. He lowered his head and began to pray. "Lord, deliver my people from their bondage. Free them from the snares of a thousand years. Help them to see beyond the old legends, the old fears, the ancient beliefs. Help them see your truth."

Another burst of light startled him, and he raised his head just in time to see the remainder of its jagged tail slice through the sky.

Swift Arrow grimaced as a mixture of fear and concern swept over him.

* * *

Becka lurched forward in her seat...

Details zur Ausgabe

• Verlag: Zonderkidz
• Erscheinungsdatum: 2011
• Sprache: Englisch
• ISBN 10: 0310729068
• ISBN 13: 9780310729068
• Einband: Taschenbuch
• Anzahl der Seiten: 336
• Kontakt zum Hersteller: BOOM ENTERTAINMENT; https://harpercollins.co.uk/; ; The News Building\n 1 London Bridge Street,; London; SE1 9GF; Vereinigtes Königreich
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