by Lucia Ashta
“You’re coming into your true self. There’s no more reason to hide who and what you are.”
I barely dared believe it, but I held my head high as we finally broke free of the cave. I stepped out into the bright light of the sun, low in the sky, ready to set. There I was, visible for all to see, beneath the rays of the golden sun.
Rane and Traya barreled toward me. Rane reached me first and almost took me down. Dean and Shula shot strong arms out to brace me.
“Holy crap, Anira” was all my twin said before Traya embraced me too. I sensed how much he wanted to say, but I also sensed he was overwhelmed—because so was I. Talking would have to wait. I released my arms from Dean and Shula and embraced first Rane, and then him and Traya together, with all the strength left to my shaken body.
I only released them when the sound of clapping rose around us. I looked out across the clearing to see nearly a hundred dragon tamers and charmers applauding me. They drew closer, and I grew rigid, even if I didn’t want to. A lifetime of experience was warning me to flee before they reached me, before I could really be seen.
But I drew on the strength of my brother and sister, and I didn’t allow myself to go anywhere. I tried to stand up fully as Rane announced, “Everyone, this is my sister, Anira.”
I thought maybe I should say something, but then, it didn’t matter. Hoots and hollers and clamors would have drowned out anything I could have come up with anyway. In the end, all I did was smile a shy smile while everyone clapped.
It was my first smile as a true member of the Ooba people. And there, beneath the rays of the sun and the fading smoke of the forest, I was very much a tribesperson. I sensed the strength of the ground supporting me, and the richness of the air caressing my battered flesh. I absorbed the heat of the sun and glowed beneath it, my caramel tones on display for all to see.
I smiled, and then I too hollered, declaring my power to my people and to the world around me.
I was Anira, an Ooba, and I was there to stay.
Invisible Rider - Book 3
Continue Anira’s adventures in book 3 of Dragon Force.
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Acknowledgments
I’d write no matter what, because telling stories is my passion, but the following people make creating worlds (and life) a joy. I’m eternally grateful for the support of my beloved, James, my mother, Elsa, and my three daughters, Catia, Sonia, and Nadia. They’ve always believed in me, even before I published a single word. They help me see the magic in the world around me, and more importantly, within.
A big thank you also to my Musketeers, Malcolm, Debbie, and Leslie, who were the first to love Anira’s story, and who continually encourage me to write more magical books.
I’m thankful for every single one of you who’ve reached out to tell me that one of my stories touched you in one way or another, made you smile or cry, or kept you up long past your bedtime. You’ve given me reason to keep writing.
Read more by Lucía Ashta
THE WITCHING WORLD
(Young adult paranormal fantasy - a complete series)
Magic Awakens
The Five-Petal Knot
The Merqueen
The Witching World Omnibus, Books 1-3
The Ginger Cat
The Scarlet Dragon
Mermagic
Spirit of the Spell
MAGICAL ARTS ACADEMY
(Young adult paranormal fantasy - a Witching World spinoff series)
First Spell
Winged Pursuit
Unexpected Agents
Improbable Ally
Questionable Rescue
Sorcerers’ Web
Ghostly Return
Transformations
Castle’s Curse *
Spirited Escape *
Dragon’s Fury *
Magic Ignites *
Powers Unleashed *
PLANET ORIGINS
(New adult space fantasy)
Planet Origins
Original Elements
Holographic Princess
Planet Origins Omnibus, Books 1-3
Purple Worlds
Planet Sand
Holographic Convergence
Mowab Rider
THE LIGHT WARRIORS
(Visionary fantasy - a complete series)
Beyond Sedona
Beyond Prophecy
Beyond Amber
Beyond Arnaka
DRAGON FORCE
(Young adult space fantasy - a complete series)
Invisible Born
Invisible Bound
Invisible Rider
POCKET PORTALS
(Young adult paranormal fantasy)
The Orphan Son *
(Paranormal fantasy)
Huntress of the Unseen
(Time travel romance)
A Betrayal of Time
(Magical realism)
Daughter of the Wind
(Superhero satire)
The Unkillable Killer
(Magical realism)
Whispers of Pachamama
(Science fiction)
Immortalium *
(* coming soon)
About the author
Lucía Ashta, a former attorney and architect, is an Argentinian-American author who lives in Sedona with her beloved and three daughters. She published her first story (about an unusual Cockatoo) at the age of eight, and she’s been at it ever since.
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Lucía on the web:
LuciaAshta.com
[email protected]