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

“I can’t believe you wrote all that. It must’ve taken you forever.”


Dakota caressed the side of his neck.14


When they reached the second floor, Dakota dropped all pretenses. He ran his hands down Terrell’s chest and kissed him deeply.


But just as soon as his plans became abundantly clear, Terrell gently pushed him away. With a conflicted expression, he shook his head. “I’m sorry. I’d love to, but there’s no way. My leg is killing me.”


Dakota was unconvinced. “I can be really careful, like last time.”


“I know, but I can’t. I’m sorry.”


He didn’t know how to take that. Even with the pain, there were plenty of things they could still do together. But the look on the Terrell’s face stopped him from arguing. Emotional pain. Something that reached much deeper and caused far more of an issue than just his leg.


“What’s wrong?” he asked with real concern. “Terrell, it’s okay. It’s not a big deal. I love just being close to you.”


Chapter 41