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

Dakota removed the oxygen in an ill-conceived attempt to place a lily among the other flowers without making much sound. He stood up and wobbled for a moment. Reaching out, he grabbed his chair as the world spun in circles. His knees gave out beneath him.


“Crap,” he heard Terrell mutter. Dropping his cane, he caught him just before his knees were about to hit the ground. At an awkward angle, Dakota could do very little to help right himself. Worse yet, he coughed uncontrollably. His eyes watered, and his head pounded. He tried to pull air into his lungs, but he couldn’t get enough. Moments later, Terrell slowly guided him to the ground, where he ended up on his hands and knees.


Chapter 54