Think the Elves are cute? Think again. They’re warriors with explosive magic and fleets of airships. Can the Humans free Belissia from the Elves, or are their plans more sinister?
Book Excerpt:
Ryu stared, openmouthed, trying to understand what he was seeing.
“Stop running at him like drunks,” the scarred man said. “He’s one man. Attack together!”
The bandits pulled themselves to their feet and began to spread out until they had fully encircled their opponent.
The old man did not run or even try to reposition at all. He just stood there, head bowed, looking as peaceful as the moment he had arrived.
“Now,” the scarred man said. “As one.”
Ryu braced for the inevitable, unable to look away as five men closed on their prey, brandishing swords and knives. There was no more dancing around the attacks. The old traveler was trapped.
Then, as Ryu watched him, the stranger seemed to change. First, he straightened and lifted his head up to show his face—a face that looked far younger than Ryu had expected. Next, he seemed to grow, both in height and in the width of his shoulders.
Ryu blinked, wondering if the shadows of the forest or the baggy robe were playing tricks on him. There was no time to figure out which it was, because the bandits attacked.
One holding Jinon’s sword went for a backstab, but the man seemed to know it was coming, twisting to avoid the weapon and delivering a counter punch that lifted the bandit off his feet before dropping him on his back. A knife appeared, stabbing straight at the stranger’s eye, but he caught the wrist that held it, throwing the bandit through the air like he was a child. Hands grabbed at the long robe, trying to pull him down, but the stranger spun, extracting himself from the clothing.
Under the robe, the stranger was wearing a simple vest, showing off thick shoulders and muscled arms. He turned so that Ryu caught his gaze for an instant. Where the iris and pupils should have been was only glowing jade light.
When Fiona falls through a portal into a violent and magical world, she is captured by a group of cruel soldiers who are tasked with breeding her, and hiding her from the Goddess of Wrath. Fiona’s mysterious new powers make her sought-after…and dangerous. An enchanted collar makes her to submit to the whims of the army’s mercurial commander as he and four soldiers travel through dangerous land by day and take turns bedding her each night.
Have you ever wondered what you would do if you had telepathic abilities?
How would your daily life change if you could read other people’s minds?
How would the world change if the human brain suddenly began to evolve in a small part of the population?
Would you tell anyone, or would you be afraid to admit it?
What would be the consequences for a city with only twenty such people?
What if the telepathic abilities of the few telepaths were at different levels? Would they be afraid of each other, and where would that lead?
What if such a power fell on children, who couldn’t even realize they were different and tell their parents?
And what if such a power fell on teenagers, who live their complicated lives and do not share their personal feelings with anyone?
He swiped his hand over his face. “I think I’ve found my fellow Squires…or they found me, yeah, that might be more accurate.”
He cocked his head toward the mountains. “They’re pulsing out a call to arms, for more Squires to join our cause, to fight against the tyranny.” His eyes started glazing over again.
Zia still had her hand on his arm, feeling the electrical charge building again, like lightning gathered. She squeezed his arm, hard.
“Jakari!”
He started to turn Kicker’s head. Kicker danced in place, head turned to the left from Jakari’s pull on the reins but the mule didn’t want to leave Starwind’s side.
:I’m holding him here, bonded, but the magical call is strong.: Starwind’s mental voice sounded strained.
“Jakari!” She punched his shoulder with a doubled-up fist, one knuckle protruding for extra attention.
Shaking his head, Jakari gave her a bewildered look. “Why’d you do that?” he complained.
“Look, man, you almost disappeared on me again.”
Jakari dropped his head, rubbing his ears, opening and closing his mouth. “That pulse of magic is strong; must be several Squires working together.”
“Have you considered for one second that it’s a trap? Maybe they’re luring in Squires to bind you to their cause or anyone else who responds to their call,” Zia snapped, frustrated.
His eyes widened as he rubbed his nose with a finger. “I hadn’t thought of that.”
Zia said in a cross voice, “Something that strong and alluring can’t be good. If you’d been by yourself, you would’ve gone blindly to that call and we would’ve lost a fine man and magician.”
He scrubbed his face with his hands. “By the farts of the gods, I think you’re right; that might be how they’ve gotten so many Squires on their side. I’ve had a hard time believing so many would willingly join them but this would explain that. A lot of the ones I trained with were decent men for the most part, despite the harsh training methods.”
“If you’d been alone, I shudder to think of what would’ve become of you.”
“I owe you thanks for saving me, then.” He rubbed his shoulder, smiling ruefully. “That hurt but you brought me back.”