Exhausted with life, Dakota tries to end his -- only to be saved at the last moment by his friend Terrell, who then drags him into a world of magic and intrigue that's always been right there, hidden beneath the surface.<br><br>Powerful magic users are steadily pulling the planet into a violent war, and evil forces will stop at nothing to take the talismans possessed by Dakota and his newfound family. Dakota soon finds himself deeply in over his head ... with love, with family, with fighting for all their lives.

The Pyre Starter

The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. Why would Terrell ask a question like that? He already knew Dakota intended to stay with him and his family, to learn more about the talismans, and generally to get involved in whatever escapades ensued. Didn’t Terrell already know what he wanted? Unless he hoped there was something on top of that.


Dakota wasn’t an idiot. As a conclusion settled in his mind like a rolling wheel reaching the bottom of a hill, he licked his lips and forced himself to relax once more. “Answers, mostly.”


He smiled. “Well, sure. I’d love to know what this thing around my neck actually does.” He looped his thumb around the cord and slid it down to the pendant before letting it go again. “But not just that. I still don’t know much about your family or about you.” He raised an eyebrow. “Hell, I don’t even know why you followed me to that bridge.”


Chapter 17