Alia Rashad

At 6-years-old, Sela and her family were struck by a tragedy when her older brother went missing, and was said to have died in combat. Seven years later, Sela begins to suspect that not everything was as perfect as it seemed, and that something foul was at play. Sela, along with her loyal companions, decides to leave the village and embark on a long, perilous journey to find out what really happened to her brother all those years ago, with the use of a power she'd kept secret from all but her family her whole life: telepathic abilities, or as she calls them, her Mind Games.  On this journey, Sela faces terrible dangers and dark magic as she prepares to battle an enemy she did not expect, and uncovers a secret she did not foresee.

MIND GAMES

As we approached the burial grounds, we found nearly the entire village waiting by an unmarked tombstone. The men held shovels and little black bottles; the women held beautiful white roses. In front of the tombstone stood a large wooden box with the symbol of Sios carved into the sides and top. 


As Chester approached with Tula in his arms, the chief elder stepped forward and undid the lid of the coffin. A second elder knelt down and began to carve something into the tombstone. 


“You were seen walking through the village with Tula’s body,” explained the chief elder, “word got around quick, and so we gathered here, to honor a fallen hero.” 


Tula’s mother cried out. Tony, who was in Henry’s arms, looked down at his sister, and smiled proudly. 


CHAPTER 22: A NEW BEGINNING