by Elon Vidal
Oh no, she had to be imagining this.
Time stopped as she lowered her glass with a trembling hand. There were several people in the restaurant but all of them disappeared as her eyes zeroed in on one man. And as if he sensed that she was looking at him, he looked up too and their eyes met.
Bright red eyes, just like she remembered, with a hint of mischief in them.
This can't be, she thought. But the evidence was right in front of her. She didn't know how long she sat there looking at him, or how long he stood there staring at her. But as the man finally smirked at her and broke their intense connection, there was no doubt in her mind that it was Hades. He was a large man with chiseled features and dense beard. She remembered him with spikes metal rods emerging above his eyes and in front of his forehead, but in its place, this man just had marks running across the forehead in a different shade of darker skin.
“How?” she spoke to herself out loud.
"Dawn?" Elijah said, bringing her back to the present moment.
She looked at her friend for a second before looking back at the man. She watched as Hades walked to a table with a hand on the lower back of his date. At the last minute the man turned around to look at her and gave her a wink. His eyes flashed an iridescent red sheen for a second as his mouth curved into a smile that chilled Dawn to the core, seemingly menacing.
"Oh my gods," Dawn whispered, her entire body was rigid.
What had she done?
ELON’S AUTHOR NOTES
DECEMBER 10, 2020
Oooooooh, so Hades is on the loose! Now that’s one tough challenge for Dawn!
Thank you for having read The East Gate. I hope you’re enjoying Dawn’s adventures. There’s more to come as I’m currently writing more books in the series. Five at least.
In spite of Dawn’s love of botany, I don’t actually have plants at home. Well, not for now anyway. I did until recently. It coincided when I also found out that the average lifespan of a houseplant is around five years. Having had a lush one for that long, one which grew like a vine, and kept on extending across my living room stand and over my disconnected TV (yeah, don’t watch much TV these days either, I prefer writing or reading), I couldn’t figure out what I had to do to keep it alive.
I kept it in the shade, watered it as always, and added a few vitamins. I even left a banana peel to enrich the soil. Little did I know that that plant’s better days were behind it.
The cool thing is that just across the road I can enjoy a small city forest with a couple hills. That’s where I stroll or jog most days. It offers beautiful views overlooking the city and I get a chance to connect with nature. It offers me some perspective away from the bustle of city life and there I either clear my head or take some time to think of twists and turns in the stories.
As I overlook the city, I even think it’d be cool if rooftops had more green that would gain some space over the concrete and asphalt. I’m sure that’s not an issue for those of you who live in more natural settings, but for us city-dwellers, we could do with a bit more nature.
So, while I don’t have an indoor plant for now, I have many within reach close by. And that’s where some of Dawn’s character traits and interests were born.
Alright, I’m off for another afternoon walk that will inspire me for Book 3 in the Dawnbringer series.
Big hug Light Riders! (Oh, yeah, if you don’t know, I call my readers Light Riders. Join my newsletter to find out why… plus you’ll get some more free books while you’re at it).
Elon
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ELON VIDAL
Writing a book is the result of many minds and interactions coming together. Inspiration, experience, and insight is gathered from everywhere, and this shows in how this all finally comes together.
I want to begin by thanking you, the readers, who become a part of these stories by reading, reviewing, recommending, and buying the books. It is thanks to you that people like me get a chance to keep tapping into the imagination and sharing new stories. Thank you for your ongoing support.
Thank you also to the team at Light Age Media. Without Erynn, Daphne, Jordi, and several others, this would not have been possible. You have breathed life into these stories and made it so that they could engage with a wider audience.
I also wish to thank Ty, Marty, Ja, and Josh who have guided my way to publishing and have opened up my world of what was possible from my laptop and with determination. I now feel much more empowered to keep sharing these stories as a way of life.
A special thank you to my Advanced Reader Group who have offered valuable insights early on to improve the story. Stay tuned to know how you can become a part of it.
A note of gratitude also goes to my early teachers at writing school. I had always wanted to write novels. Always gathering ideas and thoughts for inspiration. We began with short two-page stories on Friday evenings and soon after I was hooked and moved onto novels. It still took many years to getting down to writing my first, but I never let go. I smile every time I walk past your school and remember the beginnings.
And thank you to my friends and family who want to see me continue to do what I love. I appreciate your support on this journey and for this craft.
OTHER BOOKS BY ELON
WITCHLIGHT
Check out more from Elon Vidal’s YA Fantasy:
Witchlight, Book 1 in Lightkey: The Intrepid Lucy Duceaul series
Lucy is a rare Lightbringer.
Forces of order and chaos, light and shadow, Druids and Sidhe, rule behind the scenes since the inception of time.
The prophecy of higher consciousness destines a Lightbringer to end their reign and bring about Unity. Fearing being overturned, they will stop at nothing to prevent it.
Lucy is soooo not ready yet.
Witchlight is yours for FREE when you join Elon’s newsletter. Click here or if this link doesn’t work on your device you can also type the following: https://BookHip.com/XSBXCF.
THE TIME WIELDER
COMING SOON
The Time Wielder, Book 1 in The Indomitable Ella Larisse Series
Ella’s search for The Eye of Evermore Sight opens up the very fabric of the Universe.
The Crystals of Reality are calling their wielders. Underworlders are already on the chase. Ella’s destiny is unfolding. It’s the way of the Jarmin.
If only she listened to her true calling.
THE ATTRACTION WIELDER
When you join Elon’s list, you will also receive this bonus novella.
The Attraction Wielder (Juro’s Backstory) novella bonus in The Indomitable Ella Larisse series.
Juro Carp gets himself entangled in a web of dark magic when he steals the Attraction chalice.
The Crystals of Reality are calling their wielders. Underworlders are already on the chase.
He would much rather ride his custom-built solar-powered magnetic levitation monocycle and continue his petty thefts.
But the artifact he lifted from Sintila is a whole new game for him.
Know Juro's backstory, before he ever met Ella Larisse.
Juro’s Backstory is yours for FREE when you join Elon’s newsletter. Click here or if this link doesn’t work on your device you can also type the following: https://BookHip.com/XSBXCF. On this link you will download Witchlight and you will also be sent Juro’s Backstory.
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Have a wonderful day Light Rider!
Elon