Fire Mage (Blacklight Chronicles, #1)

by John Forrester

displayed the fruits of his last hunt, “It’s just a pheasant, boy. Your brother hunted big game when he was twelve.” He clenched his jaw, still feeling humiliated at the words. Why did Father’s voice etch in his mind like ink on a page? His brother had hunted with a team of men and only managed to bounce his spear off a deer. Talis was thirteen now and though he’d asked many times had been spurned by every hunting trip his father’s men had pursued. How was he supposed to impress his father if he was spurned at every hunt? Talis and Mara had no other choice but to sneak off and hunt by themselves. Finding nothing all day, he scanned the muddy ground for tracks, kicking away needles and sticks. Off to the side, he spotted an indentation in the wet leaves. He strode over and bent down, flipping his hair away from his eyes for a better look. A thrill raced

curved blade at the stream. This was their hunt and even though they’d failed to even bag anything as big as a deer, he swore he’d do anything to bring it back home to father. Mara shook her head, the movement stubborn and terse, her short, brown hair slashing along her neck. “It’s too late. I’m serious, don’t look at me with those oh-please-Mara eyes of yours.” “But the prints are fresh, an hour old at the most—” “What are you trying to prove? We’ve been out here all day and my ass is sore from sliding down that stupid muddy hill. I know I agreed to sneak out here without the rangers, but I’m worried, Talis.” She sighed. “I’m hungry, irritable, and want nothing more than to eat a slice of peach cobbler, steal a mug of ale, and prop my feet up and feel the heat of the fire. Besides, I’m not going to let you get yourself killed doing something stupid as hell like hunting in the dark.” “Don’t be angry.” He flashed her the look he knew always made her smile and gazed into her incredibly-cute eyes, hoping to convince her. But it didn’t work this time. She set her jaw and scowled. He tried