Nonmagical people are being demonized and falsely blamed for Magnifico’s economic problems after Queen Vivian’s bloody rise to power. But politics very quickly become more than abstract views to argue about when secret police wolves are deployed throughout the country to kill those born without magical abilities.<br><br>Seventeen-year-old Maximillian’s best friend Katherine is one such nonmagical person. In a bid to keep her safe, Maximillian turns to the queen’s estranged younger brother, a man thought to be dead until recently.<br><br>Prince Stefan is nineteen years old and has been in hiding from his family for years. He has no desire to resurface in the political world. Can Maximillian convince him the country needs him before it’s too late?

In the Name of Magic

I scoffed at the far-flung connection. Despite how cheesy she’d sounded for saying, “Nice boys shouldn’t see executions,” she’d warned me attending the execution was an emotional trigger for me. Given my sobs were already loud enough to cause a scene, it seemed she was right, and that was the last thing I needed.


An icy sensation crawled up my back. Great, another reminder of the impending snowy season.


“Are you okay?” a voice called out.


I spun around, frantically wiping my eyes.


A man a couple of inches taller than me and dressed in a tailcoat, T-shirt, and shorts, stood in front of me, gripping what appeared to be a locket in his hand. He wore a half mask that didn’t inspire much confidence as it made his identity a mystery.


Guessing the person’s age wasn’t hard even if half of his face was covered by a mask. His wrinkle-free skin meant he must have only been a couple of years older than me at most.


Chapter 4