“He tried,” Talon whispers. “This is your last chance, Luna. Join me. For good. No more death.”
“I really wish Father was stronger. You should have died that night. You will lose. I will make sure of it. You and your friends.” Luna pins me with her steely glare. “I look forward to ending you. Once again, my father was weak. He should have killed you that first day.”
Static fills the air as Arrum sends an electrically charged cannonball at Talon’s shield. The shield shakes as Arrum sends another. The shield wobbles and Erek grabs ahold of both Talon and me. Behind Luna, Luka’s prone body still lies unmoving. As our forms flicker from the safe house, I know this will be the last time I see Luka.
And I will kill Luna.
My feet hit the ground on the outskirts of the city near a portal I’ve never seen before. Talon and Erek quickly escort me down a long alleyway.
“The Shades are retaking the city. We need to leave, now.” Erek drags us under the portal.
The now familiar cycle of wind envelops me as I close my eyes and let the tears fall. If only I hadn't followed Talon, Luka would still be alive. I dragged him to his death, even knowing how it would happen. How did I miss it?
“Kasik would also be alive.” Talon looks down at me as our feet hit the ground.
“Sorry,” I mumble. “I didn't realize I said anything.”
“You didn't. But I know what you're thinking.” Erek drops our hands and begins to search the area. “Luka was a good man. Growing up, we were friends. He had a heart of gold. Never broke the rules.” A sad smile forms on Talon's face. “I tried so many times to get in touch with him, especially after I heard about his parents.” Talon scrubs his face roughly with his hands. “The portals are always moving; it’s taken me many years to figure out the pattern.”
“Now what?” I look around.
Nothing looks familiar. Decomposing buildings surround us in what looks like a deserted business park. The grass is fried from lack of water and a thick layer of dirt covers everything. No one has been here in a long time.
“Our transport is on its way. We’ll head back to Clear Water.” Talon explains.
“Clear Water?”
“It’s where the Wraiths live. We’ll regroup and make a plan for going forward―”
“I’m not sure I should go there. I think it's time for me to go home.” I kick at the dirt beneath my feet.
Alone. It’s what I deserve. So many innocents dead because of me. My thoughts drift to Ana. I wonder if she has rented out my room yet.
“Do you think that's what Luka would want? Do you think he’d want his death to send you back into solitude?” Talon grabs my shoulders. “Make his death mean something.”
“He wouldn't want me to hurt anyone else,” I whisper, my head spinning.
“He wouldn't want you to sit back and let more innocents die. That I can promise you. Luka was a warrior. He thought he was fighting for good.” Talon tilts my head back and pierces me with his green eyes. “Your own family was almost killed because of the Shades.”
“Kasik’s dead. The threat’s over.”
“You know that's not true. Luna will lead the Shades and she will come for all of us. She will come for you.” His hands tighten on my shoulders. “Luka cared for you.” Talon blows out a breath. “Avenge him. Help us stop those who killed him.”
“I’m not a Wraith, just as I wasn’t a Shade. I don’t know if I can fight in this war.”
“You can. You’re strong. Powerful. You killed Kasik, you stood up to Luna. I have faith in you, just as Luka did.” His eyes glow as he continues. “Avenge Luka’s death at my side. Put an end to the Shades. Make his death mean something.”
Talon’s right. I will not let Luka’s death mean nothing. He believed in me. Trained me. He gave me back my life. No longer did my life revolve around fear and seclusion. I have Luka to thank for that. I owe Luka my life.
I will make them pay. They killed Luka. Whether right or wrong. Good or evil. None of it matters anymore.
All that matters is revenge. I will kill each and every Shade if I need to.
I will avenge him.
Or so help me, I will die trying.
The End
* * *
Continue the Hollows Ground Series in book two, Coming in 2018!
Books by J.A. Culican
Book 1 in the Keeper of Dragons Series
A mystical calling.
On his 18th birthday, Cole's learns that he is a dragon fated to save all that was deemed true.
Destiny.
Cole's life spirals into an uncontrollable battle for life or death. First, he learns that his family isn't really his own and his birth parents are dragons. With that legacy comes a special calling; devoting an eternity to protecting all true beings from creatures bent on controlling the Earth and bringing an end to dragons.
Danger.
As the newly-minted Prince of Ochana, Cole is also the Keeper of Dragons and his first task is to keep the nefarious farro-fallen fairies-at bay. With no formal training, no control of his mahier-dragon magic, and fear like he's never experienced before, will Cole be able to reach outside of his human side and embrace his destiny in time to defeat the farros?
Join bestselling author, J.A. Culican on an epic fantasy adventure fans and critics are calling a world of magic, and comparing to Robert Jordan.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FYL5BD0?tag=smarturl-20
Book 2 in the Keeper of Dragons Series
The fates have spoken.
Cole and Eva are the Keeper of Dragons - the only ones who can save all true beings from a time of fear.
Uncontrollable power.
Cole finds himself unstable, unpredictable and volatile. He has no control of the tilium-fairy magic he stole from the farros. Out of options, the dragons turn to a once ally - the elves - for help.Curious about the dragon who wields both dragon and fairy magic, they accept -but on their terms only. The dragons must submit to Prince Gaber and his rules.
A new enemy.
Queen Tana continues to haunt Cole's dreams, as a new enemy shows his face - another fallen enemy with a bigger agenda than the farros-fallen fairies; an enemy stronger and smarter; an enemy with an army that could destroy all true beings. Enter King Eldrick of the eldens-the fallen elves.
Sometimes evil wins.
Join international bestselling author, J.A. Culican on an epic fantasy adventure that fans and critics are calling a world of magic, and comparing to Robert Jordan.
About the author
About J.A. Culican
J.A. Culican is a teacher by day and a writer by night. She lives in New Jersey with her husband of eleven years and their four young children.
J.A. Culican’s inspiration to start writing came from her children and their love for all things magical. Bedtime stories turned to reality after her oldest daughter begged her for the book from which her stories of dragons came from. In turn, the series The Keeper of Dragons was born.
Contact me
I can’t wait to hear from you!
Email:
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Second Sight (Hollows Ground Book 1) Page 13