Sneak Peak inside Show Me PLUS Title of Book 2 Reveal

Happy Monday, Soul Questers!

Today is a very exciting post!

You might remember a while back I shared Chapter 1 of Show Me here on my blog, but it was the old, old version of the book, which was also completely stuffed with spelling and grammar errors. Now, I have completely finished editing Show Me, so today, I’m sharing with you the complete first chapter of my book. Stay tuned because, at the end of the post, I’m REVEALING the title of the second book in the series!!

Let’s just dive right in!

Chapter One
From The Divine

Magic is not all it seems.

It’s a curse. An evil plague.

He had seen it bring ruin and chaos to anyone in its pathway. It never would stop–It couldn’t. And who would help him bring an end to this evil? Certainly not the Soul Questers, who did nothing but bring popularity to the darkness. No, he was going to have to work in secret.

If he lost, failure, and possibly death could be his punishment.

And if he won?

Freedom and light, for all elves.

***

Fifteen-year-old Kade Bolthunter closed his eyes, inhaling the fresh summery air floating around him. The early morning sun, peeking out from a blanket of clouds, heating his pale skin. It was absolutely picture-perfect.

Kade stopped in the middle of the dirt path, taking a minute to soak up the sunlight and cool air. People in southern Arjedia didn’t typically get this much sun–it was usually just rain and humidity–nothing this mild. This rare occasion was one he didn’t want to miss.

“Hey kids!” called Jasmine, the elderly hobo sitting on the side of the road. Her large hoops dangled, brushing her shoulders. She removed her shawl from her arms and reached for her black lacy fan, trying to fight the daunting heat. Kade turned, stepping towards her as he dug into his pocket for some change.

“Morning” he smiled at her as he dropped the coins in her hands like he did every morning.

“Good morning, Kade. Fine day, isn’t it?” Jasmine asked with a playful smile, tucking the coins into her shawl.

“Sure,” Kade shrugged. He glanced at the crowds of students talking and laughing with one another.

“I’ve got to go or I’ll be late,” he said, bounding towards the road, his brown curls bouncing with excitement. In the distance came a laugh from the group of students, all in Kade’s class.

Go talk to them his innards urged him. Smiling, and taking a deep breath to prepare himself, Kade pushed his hair falling into his eyes, and scampered towards the group. “Hey guys!” he called with a smile. His heartbeat, threatening to break loose from his chest. But Kade swallowed his nerves, determined to be friendly.

“What’s up?” Kade asked when no one acknowledged his arrival. A boy shrugged but said nothing. His eyes didn’t even meet Kade’s. Couldn’t they just give him a chance at making friends? They hadn’t for years.

“Harry?” Kade asked, his voice choked with suppressed emotion.

“Leave him alone,” sneered another one of the boys from behind him. “He’s not required to listen to anything you have to say.”

A couple of other students chuckled in response. Kade’s cheeks heated with embarrassment. “Of course he’s not required, Jonny,” Kade stated, trying to remain calm, though hurt and anger built up, bubbling like a volcano, ready to burst. “But you guys won’t even give me a chance at being your friend. I’m hardly different from the rest of you guys.”

“Lies. All lies. Go take your supernatural emotions somewhere else, freak. We’ve told you before–you’re not welcome here,” the boy retorted, pushing Kade aside, who noted how Jonny avoided making eye contact with him.

Kade stopped in his tracks, letting the group go on without him. He bit his lip, watching as the group continued to laugh and push each other around. Freak. Wizard. Kade had heard all these names before. But they still hurt as if he were hearing them for the first time.

The noise of the conversation from his fellow classmates continued to ring in Kade’s small ears, as he continued to follow, staying far enough behind them so they wouldn’t notice him.

The village he walked through, which he’d grown

up in, consisted of small brown houses, all lined up, one after another. There was little that distinguished them as being different from each other, except for the small variety of fruit trees that had been planted in the front lawn.

Many of the houses’ residents sat outside, also enjoying this nice spout of weather. Some tended their gardens, while others sat on the porch with a book. Kade himself longed at this moment to escape reality within the pages of a story.

Passing the local bakers, he inhaled the tempting aroma of freshly baked bread. But with no more pocket money to spend, Kade only hurried past by with a longing inside his empty stomach for what he couldn’t have.

Tripping over his feet as he reached into his bag and clutched the latest edition of the Depot Catalogue, Kade hurried to stay close to the group of classmates, without merging with their group.

He flipped through the pages, landing on the one with a red circle drawn around the latest camera and stared for minutes, though he tried to make sure he didn’t end up running into a pole or something.

Kade had asked for a camera for his birthday for the last 5 years, but of course, they could never afford one. They had a hard time affording food as it was. But he still had an inner yearning to have it for himself. He’d always loved photography and the idea of being to capture a moment in a picture forever.

Then the emotions kicked in. And they weren’t his own.

The vibes, thrills, and desires of all the students in front of him sought out Kade like a magnet. Joy. Humor. Disgust at the idea of going to school. Cravings for food.

Kade struggled, trying to block out the emotions, but this only made the pain worse, no matter how hard he tried to ignore them. Kade gasped for breath.

A searing pain ripped through Kade’s head, burning like fire. Several emotions rolled through his consciousness like one flipped through a shelf of books. Though Kade could feel them, they weren’t real. Not for him. These emotions belonged to someone else. They just tortured Kade like a whip lashing at his back. Breathe Kade, Breath. Just ignore them. Ignore the emotions.

In a minute, the pain melted, but the emotions continued to buzz inside Kade.

The group of students now stood quite a bit ahead of Kade. A couple looked back at him, some laughing under their breath. They gestured to one another and their chortles could probably have been heard had they been miles away. The adults in their yards, however, completely ignored Kade. Of course. By now, this was a completely normal thing to them, despite the fact that this had never before been seen in a human society until now.

Kade’s cheeks heated. This odd ability to be able to sense emotions should be considered a good thing. A gift. But the people he lived with thought otherwise. That he was different. Odd. Why couldn’t he just be loved and accepted by these people for who he was? Now, Kade hated it. He would give it all up just to be accepted as a normal person.

Reaching down to grab his bag, Kade hurried to catch up with the students, though he still stayed hidden behind them. All he wanted to do was get this day over with so he could go home.

***

Later that afternoon, Kade ducked into the bustling diner, brimming with students like himself who’d just gotten out of school. Kade squeezed between a few of them, heading straight towards the counter and bar stools. He let his schoolbag fall to the ground beside him as he plopped onto one of the stools.

“Bolthunter.” Kade turned as the man who owned the diner, Jack, approached him from across the marble counter. Kade rested his elbows on the counter in front of him. “Hello, Jack.”

“You getting anything?” Jack asked.

Kade shrugged. “I don’t exactly have the money at the moment,” he admitted. Jack gave a knowing nod. He sniffed, his white mustache twitching at the curl. He turned.

Kade tried to stare over his shoulder with his denim blue eyes. “Whatcha doing?” he asked. He could sense Jack’s calmness. It buzzed through him.

In answer, Jack turned, holding a grilled sandwich in one hand, and a glass of milk in the other. “This one’s on the house. Just don’t tell the boss.” He said, before setting them in front of Kade, who grinned. “Thanks.”

“So…” Jack turned, apparently feeling awkward, as he avoided Kade’s eyes. “…How’s school?”

Kade sighed. “There’s no point in trying to hide that you’re uncomfortable” he chuckled, as he bit into his sandwich.

Of course, he was uncomfortable. Everyone else in this town was. And why wouldn’t they be? Kade was the odd boy whose parents had left him inside the room of an inn, the only note reading they were leaving him behind for his own good. The boy who could feel your emotions as if they were your own.

Of course, they were uncomfortable. They didn’t trust Kade. And perhaps they shouldn’t. Maybe it was better that way. He was different. They had every right in the world to be.

Jack fumbled with his apron, tied around his waist. “I’m sorry,” Kade mumbled, casting his eyes downwards. Hopefully, he hadn’t offended him. “Maybe I should go.”

“No. You’re fine,” Jack smoothed out his clothing and heightened his posture. “I apologize for sounding rude.”

“You had every right to,” Kade sighed, swallowing the last of his snack. Now he was the one feeling uncomfortable. A silence lingered between the two. Kade pushed his plate away and reached for his bag.

“Axel’ll be waiting; I better go,” he said.

“Ah yes. Send Axel my good wishes” Jack said, now waving to the newcomers entering the diner. He was clearly distracted and focused on anything but Kade. Without giving as much as a farewell to anyone else in the diner, Kade headed out, and towards home.

When his little brown cottage came into view, Kade’s heavy body eased into a sigh of relief. Home. Another day full of emotions and pain had come to a close.

A grin broke on his face, and Kade ran up the dirt path, passing Axel’s well-tendered garden and pushing the sunny yellow door open. “Axel? I’m home.”

Kade stepped inside the small cottage, the smell of wood filling his nostrils. His eyes passed over the familiar room. A fire crackled in the fireplace. The few pieces of furniture still in good condition wobbled on their legs, threatening to collapse at any given minute. “Axel?” he called again. From the other room, the sweet melody of music from their musty piano swelled, and then stopped abruptly.

“I’m here!” came his voice. After another second or two, a man stepped from a back hall, leaning on a wooden cane. His thick, bushy beard, both white and gray hair poking out, was wild and carefree. His eyes, brown and kind, twinkled when they laid on Kade.

Axel was Kade’s adopted father, though he was old enough to be his grandfather. He knew Kade better than anyone. Perhaps even better than Kade knew himself. Kade couldn’t be happier to be home with him.” How was school?” Axel asked as he made his way to his chair–the one he sat in every night.

“Same old same old” Kade slammed his brown schoolbag on the old oak floors and settled on their simple green sofa. “But I did get a B on that history test I was telling you about last week, so that’s great.”

Axel gave a small nod. “Good job,” he smiled. “And what about your…” his voice trailed off. Axel didn’t have to say it, for Kade know he was talking about his gift.

“I think it’s getting worse,” Kade sighed after a moment. “It seems that nowadays I can’t even be near someone without feeling pain and emotions. And Jonny and his friends were pushing me around again.”

Axel groaned. “I’m worried for you. You know you can school at home if you’d like. I’m sure your teacher wouldn’t object to it.”

Kade gave a weak smile. “I know you’re just as concerned as I am…” He sent Axel a knowing nod while trying to ignore the burn attempting to press into his skull. Axel’s concern wedged itself into him. “However,” he went on, “hiding isn’t going make them go away. It’s just going to make me a coward. I wish you would just listen to me after all this time, and have someone take a look at me.”

What do you think they’re gonna find, Kade?” Axel asked, annoyance playing on his tongue. “I’ve told you, this is a mental issue, not a physical one.”

“I know.” Kade paused. “But I can’t possibly be the only one out there who has dealt with this problem in the past.” As he spoke, Kade stood, wandering towards their tiny kitchen and began digging through their chipping cupboards for a snack.

“Kade, I’m not paying to have you looked at,” Axel said. “We’re already short on money as it is.” Kade rolled his eyes. He’d heard this conversation a million times. “They’re just going to tell me to have you indulge in medicine of some sort that’s only going to make it worse,” Axel went on, sipping his cup of tea.

“We’ve been over this before,” Kade argued, grabbing an already open box of crackers and heading back towards the living room. “We’ll never know for sure if we never try. They might have a solution.”

Axel didn’t answer. Kade rolled his eyes. “Never mind.” No matter how many times Kade and Axel discussed Kade’s condition, it always did no good. He’d pushed him over and over again, and Axel seemed concerned, but it was very obvious that there was nothing he would do about it. Oh, well. Time to change the subject.

“Why don’t you tell me about the elves again?” he asked.

Clearly pleased with the idea, Axel set his cane aside and began to rock in his chair as he re-awoke the story with his words:

“In the olden days, before we even discovered the world of Arjedia, there was another race, much wiser and smarter than us,” Axel began.

“The elves,” Kade smiled, as he wondered what such a people might have looked like. What they might have acted like. What made them different from humans like himself?

“Every elf was born with an imprint,” Axel continued. His eyes were closed as if he was trying to lift the dust from the ancient story. “These imprints contain an elf’s magic. Some imprints were large, while others were tiny! If your imprint was large enough, you got trained to be part of a magic society.”

“The Soul Questers,” Kade finished. He grinned.

“Yes! The Soul Questers were known for their ability to read thoughts, communicate through thoughts, and even fight using their own thoughts.”

“Could they read emotions?” Kade asked a spark of hope flickering within him.

“No. Never has it been mentioned that there was a Soul Quester capable of feeling emotions,” Axel said. The spark Kade had lit died as quickly as it had been awakened.

Kade tried to not look too disappointed, but it wasn’t exactly easy. “I don’t mean to crush your dreams,” said Axel, reaching over to grab a cracker from the box in Kade’s lap. “But the chances of you having potential Soul Quester powers is nearly impossible. No human in our history has been known to be born with them. That’s what makes elves so different and unique.”

“Yeah, but..” Kade’s thoughts slowly began to wander. After a moment, he asked, “did my parents know about the Soul Questers?” Seeing the look on Axel’s face, and feeling the hurt in him, he winced.

“I…think they knew about the stories, Kade” Axel began, “but honestly, what do you think?” Kade paused to think. He wished he knew the answer, but it was hard, having grown up without them.

“Maybe…yes?” he said, slight hesitation hanging off the tone of his voice.

“Well,” Axel chuckled, “you would know best–you’re their son after all.”

“I know.” Kade’s voice was dead. Dead. Just like his parents. “What about your parents?” Axel smiled.

“Well of course! How do you think I knew all of these stories? They were absolutely fascinated by the Soul Questers.” Kade sighed.

“If only the stories were still told more often,” he said. Axel gave a slow nod in agreement. He was mournful, Kade saw.

“I would certainly love it,” he agreed. “But they would be nothing more than bedtime stories to the general public, and not legends.”

“But they aren’t just legends, right?” Kade protested, almost jumping from his seat. “And what’s the difference with a bedtime story?”

“First of all,” Axel shifted in his seat. “They are legends, Kade. Don’t mistake story for truth. And second, a legend is a tale that is treasured, while a bedtime story is only a nursery rhyme thrown around, and twisted until it’s nothing like what it was originally told.”

Kade nodded. He let the story of the Questers linger in his mind for another precious second before pushing it all away. “I should probably get to bed. I do have school tomorrow.” He got up.

“Any homework?” Axel asked.

“No, I did it during lunch”

“You also have a birthday tomorrow,” Axel reminded him as if Kade didn’t already know this.

“Yay,” Kade said unenthusiastically. “I’m another year older than before.”

“Most kids your age like getting older,” Axel commented as he snatched the box of crackers from Kade’s hands. Kade shrugged carelessly.

. “I don’t really care that much, to be honest,” he said. Axel gave Kade a kind smile–the one Kade loved seeing.

“Wait, I want to give you your present,” he smiled, reaching over and grabbing a wrapped box from beside him. He handed it to Kade.

“Thanks.” Kade smiled, accepting the box. He held it for a moment, trying to guess what it could possibly be.

“Well go on–open it.”

Kade tore at the brown paper, removing it from the cardboard box. He flipped the lid open, peeking at what was inside. His jaw dropped in surprise.

Inside was the actual camera Kade had been staring at in The Depot just this morning.

“No, you didn’t.”

Axel smiled. “Do you like it?”

Kade pulled the shiny black camera, the round lens jutting out from the case, the screen polished to a shine. The cardboard box dropped at his feet as he inspected the camera with wide eyes.

“Like it? I love it.” Kade held his eye up to the viewfinder for a moment. But then he lowered it.

“How could you have possibly afforded this?”

“Never mind that,” Axel said with a wave of his hand.

“Thank you, Axel,” Kade said, grinning and inspecting every little gadget on the device.

“Use it well,” Axel told him, winking.

“Oh, I will.”

***

Kade was all too happy when the small one-room schoolhouse came into view the following morning. A hard shower of rain splashed all over Kade’s school uniform–the green knit sweater with his white button-down. Over his uniform, he wore his hoodie and beanie hat.

He’d brought his new camera, hoping to get some good shots during the walk to school, but the moment he’d stepped outside, he’d had to throw it in his duffel so it wouldn’t get touched by the water bursting out of the clouds.

Kade shivered, the smell of rain in the air, and the light breeze climbing up and down his already protected arms. The humidity hadn’t yet fallen, thank goodness, which meant the weather was nice and cool. This was how he preferred it: nice and breezy.

Thankfully this morning, Jonny and his friends were nowhere to be seen. Kade couldn’t have been happier to be able to run free through the streets, soaking his ankles in mud, and with no one around to call him names or whisper about him. And definitely no emotions other than his own bursting joy.

As Kade mounted the steps to the safe and warm schoolhouse, he paused, something catching his alert blue eyes. He turned as a swift shadow drifted into the alleyway across the road. He shuddered as the figure passed his eyes. His face was dark, so Kade couldn’t see it clearly. But he left Kade with a spooky feeling crawling up his spine

As Kade reached for the handle to open the door, his eyes caught the shadow flash by again. Curiosity filled Kade, who stared down into the dark shadows of the alley, which almost seem to beckon to him to come. Kade placed his schoolbag under the safety of the school awning before dashing back down the school steps and towards the alley shadows.

Of course, this could simply be a stalker trying to lure him in. Or one of the people from the town trying to get rid of him. I should go back. Though Kade’s good conscience enticed him to leave and return to school, the curious, more dominant side of Kade ignored the thoughts, and he crossed the path towards the calling shadows of the alleyway.

Kade’s eyes scanned for the shadow he knew he’d seen. He stepped into the alleyway, inhaling the rotten vegetables and dead rodents rotting in the dark. Tripping over a loose bag of garbage sprawled in the middle of the cobblestone path, he pushed it aside and tried to block out the stench as he scanned the narrow street squished between the grocers and the tiny library. “Hello?” His voice bounced off the walls. He was answered with only his echo. Maybe it was nothing. I should go back Kade decided. I’m already late for school as it is.

Then there was hiss.

And a growl.

Kade hardly moved. In fact, he couldn’t. It was as if he was frozen out of fear. Like an invisible force was actually forcing him to stay still. Kade’s eyes darted around the darkness. The fear welling up inside of him clamped his mouth from saying another word.

“Ah..what is this?” hissed a voice coming from the eerie shadows.

“Who are you?” Kade asked. His chest rose and fell with rapid breaths; he tensed.

Wouldn’t you like to know.” The voice chuckled. Kade was quiet. “Why is it an anthro can see me, may I ask?” the voice went on.

“I can’t,” Kade sneered, jerking his arms in hope that he would regain control of them. What kind of sorcery was this? Maybe he should shout and hope that someone would hear him. Not that anyone would listen anyway.

“But you can hear me.” Kade rolled his eyes in disgust. Who was this freak? “What’s an anthro?” he asked. As he did, a silhouette came into view. A stocky, tall figure, with a tall hairy mane. Its color still a mystery to him.

“So you are him–the Landau boy” the figure hissed. I would never have guessed. What a great responsibility has been placed on your shoulders. It’s too bad you’ll never have the chance to complete your destiny.”

“Look, I don’t know who you are,” Kade began. His voice shook, but he forced it calm. “Or what you want from me, but I can promise you this–I’m just an ordinary person. I can’t help you with anything. Now let me go.”

“You’re not ordinary, though, are you?” The voice took another step towards Kade. “You feel things other people don’t. Emotions–am I right?”

Kade stuttered for a moment, shocked. “How did you know that?”

“I guess the best thing for me to do is kill you and get you out of the picture. Best for all of us,” the voice snorted, ignoring Kade’s question.

“What?” Kade gasped. “No–please–answer my question!” The figure gave a snap of his fingers. Immediately–all oxygen seemed to be sucked from Kade’s lungs with a vacuum. He gasped for breath and reached for his voice, but there was nothing to reach for. How was this possible? His limbs shook and his stomach tightened as a bead of sweat eased off cheekbones.

The figure slowly stepped into the light, revealing his taunting smile, his teeth painted white against charcoal black skin. His hair, a bright green, and a white tattoo was painted across his neck.

“What’s wrong? Can’t catch your breath?” the creature smiled wryly. “It’s too bad.” He pursed his lips, faking sympathy. “The elves will be so sad to lose the only person able to save them from destruction.”

Kade stared at the creature. Anger, fear and even distress was all fading as the realization dawned on him: I’m dying.

“Let him go.” Another person stepped into the alley, moving his dusty blond hair out of his green eyes. The first creature turned, his face plastered with a mixture of horror and fear.

“How dare you interfere with my affairs you elf?” he asked with a sniff of annoyance.

“How dare you interfere with the affairs of an anthro?” the second man demanded. “I’m sure your master had much better things for you to be doing than pestering anthros around.”

“If you must know, my master sent me to get rid of him.” He glanced at Kade with a devious eye. “He is the only hope for your people. Therefore, I must squash that hope before the spark grows out of control.”

Kade met the eyes of the second man. Help, he thought, though he knew the man couldn’t hear him. But as he did, breath filled his lungs, and the tightening grip around him began to loosen. Kade collapsed on the ground. As he caught his breath, he continued to stare up at the two figures. The first creature’s eyes were stuck on the second man’s.

“Oh no. You won’t be doing any more of your master’s dirty work,” the man went on with a shake of his head. As he did, he removed his own gleaming knife from his waist and plunged it into the first creature’s chest. The creature cried out in agony. Blood oozed from the wound, and he slumped to the ground, limp and lifeless.

Time froze, for only a second. Kade stared at his apparent rescuer. A black mark, shaped like a scripted x, was inked near the front of his neck. A tattoo, perhaps? The man stared at Kade with a sense of wonder. But why Kade wondered.

“What was that?” Kade asked, his voice still hoarse from the lack of breathing. His body shook with fear.

“A Kaminza.” The man reached down and helped Kade to his feet. “What’s your name?”

“Kade Bolthunter. Why do you ask, stranger? You look unfamiliar,” Kade said, trying to sound tough.

“That’s because I’m not from around here,” the man said. “I have business here, and I won’t be staying long.” What kind of business, Kade wondered. The man took a couple of steps closer to Kade. His small green eyes narrowed. “Is it really you?”

“What?” Kade said with a shake of his head. “I don’t understand. What’s going on? What’s all this talk of hope, and destiny?” he gestured to the dead body behind them, though he refused to look at it. “Who are you guys, and what do you want?”

The man’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “I can’t tell you who I am. Not yet at least. But you should trust me because I just saved your life from a Kaminza, which would have been a slow and very painful death indeed. I’m a friend, and that’s all you need to know for the time being.”

Kade avoided rolling his eyes, “I can help you with whatever business you have. I know everyone and everything that goes on here. What are you looking for?”

The man sighed. “I shouldn’t be even telling you this stuff,” he groaned. A smile hid in his bright green eyes Kade gave him a loose smirk. It must have been convincing.

“I’m looking for a man who I haven’t seen in a very long time,” the man explained. “He goes by the name Axel.”

Kade grinned, surprised. “How do you know Axel?” he asked, a bit curious. As far as Kade knew, Axel was not well known. “Axel is my adopted father,” he explained with a bit of pride and joy in his voice.

The man stared at Kade. Who was this guy? In the village, the only visitors were typically family or people passing by. And Axel hadn’t told them they were expecting visitors. “Take me to him.” Kade gestured down the path outside the alley. He smiled once he felt rain pouring on his face, and the mud under his shoes.

Kade glanced at the schoolhouse. Its white doors closed shut tight. No point in even going now. “Wait, I need to get something first,” he called, dashing back towards the steps and retrieving his satchel.

A quick peek told him someone hadn’t dared steal his camera. He rushed back to the man. “Sorry.” The stranger seemed on edge. Nervous, even. He didn’t answer Kade. For most of the walk, they didn’t speak to one another.

Kade couldn’t believe it. In a matter of minutes, his day had completely flipped. What was he doing with this stranger? Was he going to attempt to kill him, too?

“Is everything OK?” Kade dared ask.

“Just take me to Axel,” the man said. “We’ll get this all sorted when I get to talk to him.”

Kade didn’t answer. There was silence on the rest of the walk down the road. It was quite awkward, but at least the rain had stopped. But he did have to take off his sweater and tie it around his waist due to the humidity.

Kade felt quite a bit of relief when the thatched roof of the cottage he called home came into view behind the rolling hills outside the village.

But something wasn’t right. His blue eyes squinted and then widened. Black clouds rose thick and dark like angry thunder. Its smell reminded Kade of the time Axel had burned dinner on their gas stove, but worse.

Kade burst into a run down the path, dashing towards his house.

Behind him, the stranger called, “Wait, where are you going?” Kade ignored him. Where was Axel? Was he OK? Kade’s eyes watered trying to get past the wall of smoke. He stopped in front of the door, grabbing on to the metal doorknob. He yanked and pulled. Why can’t I get it open?

“Here, let me help.” Kade stepped aside, mostly unwilling. He should be the one helping Axel, not this stranger. The man kicked the wooden door off its already rusting hinges. It dropped into an abundance of smoke, which faded to reveal a burning arena, with flames dancing like they were acrobats performing in the capital.

“Axel!” Kade gasped, resisting the urge to dive headfirst into the pool of fire. Smoke flooded his eyes. It burned. Before Kade could take another step, he felt a shove and was pushed into the dirt.

“Stay there!” the man hollered as he disappeared into the house. Kade wiped the tears from his watering eyes, his eyes locked onto the place he’d always called home, now consumed in heat. Who started the fire? Why? Kade tried his hardest not to panic. This wasn’t the time for that

At the first grunt, Kade’s eyes locked onto the broken doorway, just as thick black smoke plummeted out the door, couching up two figures. The man was dragging Axel out into the open.

“Axel!” Kade ran to his side. A large dagger was stuck in his chest. Axel made a choking sound in his throat, which probably came from all the smoke he’d taken in.

“What did you do?” Kade gasped in horror, touching the handle of the knife, several jewels encrusted in it.

“This wasn’t me, “the man insisted as he dropped next to Axel, who was still coughing smoke, ash painted over him. He grabbed the hilt of the knife, and jerked it out of Axel’s body, revealing a blade, red blood stained on the silver.

Tossing it to the side, the man ripped Axel’s shirt open, revealing the crimson wound. Kade cringed. “We’ve got to stop the bleeding,” the man began, before smoke gushed into the air, provoked by the wind, polluting the clean atmosphere. Kade resisted the urge to cry out in agony.

Let’s get out of here!” the man called. He hefted Axel over his shoulder and ambled farther down the road, attempting to escape the fire. Kade scrambled to his feet, taking one last look at the place he had always known as home, engulfed in an array of wild flames. It was gone. All of Kade’s childhood. Just like that. This is no time to be emotional Kade told himself as he followed the stranger.

Axel was laid in a grassy field, sprinkled with violets. The man used the rags of Axel’s torn shirt, pushing at the wound in his chest. Red stained the more he pushed. Kade winced. “Is he going to be OK?”

“For now,” the man sighed and looked up, meeting Kade’s eyes. Looking into them, Kade could sense his worry and helplessness. It was stronger than ever.

“He needs help. We’re not going to be able to get it here.” Kade nodded.

“Where do we go?” he asked.

“My place,” the man announced, still pushing at Axel’s wound.

“But, what about your business?” He was cut off by the man’s softened words:

“I completed my mission. I found who I was looking for.” He looked up to meet Kade’s widened eyes.

“You’re looking for me?” he gasped. “Why?”

“That’s a bit hard to explain,” the man said, “but I highly reckon that you want to know who I am. And I think that is what I should tell you now, before anything else. My name is Jerome. I’m a Soul Quester, sent to bring you back with me to Kesha. We’ve waited for you for a long time, Kade Bolthunter.”

That’s it for Chapter One! Thoughts? Questions? Leave them all in the comments below! I’d love to chat with you guys.

Now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for: The title of book two.

Now, why, you may ask, am I announcing the title so early? Well, because the title is already inside book 1, so I thought why not share it in an upcoming blog post before the release? 

Soo, drumroll pleasee…

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