It's 1918, and Matty returns home to the family farm from the trenches only to find his brother Arthur dying of an unknown illness. The local doctor thinks cancer, but Matty becomes convinced it's connected to the mysterious books his brother left strewn around the house. Rob knows something other than just Arthur's death is bothering Matty. He's know him for years and been in love with him just as long. And when he finds something that looks like a gate, a glowing, terrifying doorway to the unknown, it all starts to fall in to place. Matty's looking sicker and sicker in the same way Arthur did. What is Rob prepared to sacrifice to cure him? The answer is in the esoteric books ... and with the mysterious Lin of the Frem, who lives beyond the gate to nowhere. It's taken Matty and Rob more than a decade to admit they have feelings for each other and they are determined that neither social expectations or magical illness will part them now.

Inheritance of Shadows

“I think that if we went out beyond the barn, where the gate opened before, and tried it there, there would be enough room. And it would keep everything away from that house.”


“Is that where you’ve been practising?” Matty’s voice was steady and Rob answered in kind.


“Yes. It seemed like it was sensible to keep it away from the house as much as possible.”


“So, you do admit that it’s dangerous?” Matty’s steady voice had an edge.


“Of course it’s dangerous, Matt. Of course it is! But I can’t think of any other way to help you.”


“What about...” Matty was cautious, obviously thinking it out as he went, “What about... if this connection is real and I’m attached to something or something is attached to me... what about trying to break it off? Before we do this?” He bit his lip and looked firmly at Rob. “Because whatever you do, you’re not doing it alone, Rob. If you go through the gate, I’m going with you.” He paused. “So, let’s try this first?”


Chapter 30