Dark Stranger: The Dream (The Children of the Gods #1)

by I.T. Lucas

Probably. Amanda’s students were too busy gaping and admiring to actually listen to her lectures, let alone notice that there was something off about her. Tall and lean, with dark, glossy, short hair, deep blue eyes, and full, sensuous lips that were red without the benefit of a lipstick, Amanda’s beauty bordered on the surreal. Distracted by her looks, most people could see nothing beyond it, and at first, Syssi had been no different. But with each passing day, since she had first walked into Amanda’s lab a little over two months ago, it was getting easier to see the person inside and ignore the cover.

Syssi blushed. “Yeah, almost every night.” She’d told Amanda about the dreams, but not about the recent changes in their nature. Last Saturday, she’d gotten a little closer to her would-be dream rescuer, and closer yet each night since. His facial features were still obscured by the shadows, but she could tell that he was tall, exceptionally so, and that his body was beautifully built—lean and strong like that of an athlete.

But only males possessed the venom necessary to activate the dormant DNA.

Only the immortal females contributed the special genetic material to their offspring. And only males could activate it in a Dormant.

“Better shun the bait, than struggle in the snare,” Amanda quoted, looking down at her stiletto-clad feet.

DOOM—the Devout Order Of Mortdh Brotherhood—was his clan’s ancient enemy. Sworn to annihilate every last member of his family and destroy any and all progress Annani was helping humanity achieve, they sought to plunge the world back into ignorance and darkness.

Yamanu was a master illusionist with an ability as powerful as that of the gods of old. His illusions could alter the perception of reality in thousands of mortal minds, providing a sense of touch, smell, and sound, in addition to sight. On more than one occasion, this unique talent of his had saved the clan from serious trouble.

By portraying the desired state as an expressed ideal, enacting it in stories, plays, and movies, mortals assimilated the message. To strive for something better, people had to imagine it first to be aware of the possibility.

The fact remained, though; wherever women were marginalized, considered inferior, and denied rights available to men, the society as a whole lagged behind.

To be angry was poisonous to the soul, and forgiveness wasn’t easy. But she’d found a way to do it, and not only with Gregg. Often, there was at least one good thing or quality that deserved gratitude. Finding this one thing and focusing on it was helpful, it allowed letting go of resentment with ease.

Sometimes, a girl needed to acknowledge her limitations and accept help.