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

“What makes you think I’d be good for that? I’m barely standing on my own feet. Terrell—” Dakota’s voice took on an undertone so filled with sympathy that he actually surprised himself. “I dunno if I can give you what you need.”


“I’m not lookin’ for a crutch. You’re more than that, anyway. What I meant was, I keep people close. If I let somebody in, I care about them a lot, look out for them.” After a couple seconds of hesitation, he continued, “Trust them. You may not think that much of yourself, but when I gave you that necklace, you put it on. And you didn’t take it off. You’ve been taking care of it for me without there being much in it for you.”


Dakota couldn’t help but pick up the heavy disk and wrap his fingers around it tightly. Maybe he was right. Quietly, he asked, “What about your family? Are you gonna tell them about me? Us?”


Chapter 21