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

Thanksgiving wasn’t celebrated—with a silent blessing from Dakota. He hated that holiday, hated how Native Peoples were depicted. While it would allow Terrell some much-needed bonding with his family, the group couldn’t bear an observance with so many empty seats at the table. They ate a somewhat normal dinner that night, with duck instead of turkey.


Dakota enjoyed the peace and quiet. No news had to be good news, he thought, and he spent enough time patrolling to avoid feeling stifled. But by the tenth day, Terrell had cabin fever. Dakota convinced him that the two should grab a drink at the local dive bar, since it never carded—according to Eddie—and they deserved a real date. The family wouldn’t miss them for a few hours, he said.


He wanted to make Terrell happy, and it would be nice to spend time together outside of the ranch.17


Chapter 44