Merrick and Book Excerpt

Desert Elf '“You don’t have to do this, you know,” Ilsie said, wringing her hands. Merrick could feel her eyes watching him as he gathered together a sack of traveling rations.“The last time I ignored a vision that vivid I regretted it. I still regret it,” he said, stopping his work, his eyes avoided her gaze. The heaviness between them furthered his hesitation, but did not cease his task.“Her death wasn’t your fault. It could have been anyone of us. Don’t go. Please. The village needs you. I need you. I’ll not lose another brother to this hell.” She reached out to touch his arm only to grasp at air. They stood silent in the dark coolness of the red rock hut. The biting desert wind hissed sand through the open door, careless of this revered silence. “This hell is our home. And you’re not going to lose me. But there’s nothing you can say that will convince me to ignore this and stay.” He looked up for only that one moment. The pain in his sister’s gaze drove his eyes away, burning holes in his heart.“At least tell me where you’re going.” Her voice cracked under its own weight. Merrick stood, his eyes fixed on the open door, empty of words to ease her suffering. “I don’t know.” ' --Excerpt from Shadow Maiden