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

He laughed and slapped his knee in delight. “Good lord, you got a tongue on you, boy. I wish. Let me tell you, Maria was the most beautiful girl for miles back in the day. I woulda sold the Devil my left arm just to take her out. But she had none of me, that’s for sure. But I don’t blame her. She coulda done much better, and she did.” After a heavy pause, as he seemed to remember days long past, he continued. “Nahh, but Maria and I, a bunch of us, we all got similar interests, you understand? One way or another. I see you do, too.”


Dakota instinctively rested his hand on top of the two talismans hanging from his neck. Though only one was visible, they both hung at the same length.


“Now that I got a good look, those were hers, weren’t they?” His voice became just a bit quieter. As he waited for a reply, the guy’s mouth moved as though to adjust dentures or clear imaginary particles of food from his teeth.


Chapter 36