ShadowFire: Unwanted (Unedited) (BOOK 1)

Prologue

Prologue

Written by... Salena Avro-Larimore

Edited by... Cress & Hope Avro-Larimore

*****************************************************************

This is my world, the land of Lenvere. A land where mystical creatures roam free. Good and evil exist separately yet in a state of harmony. Few remember the fall of the evil queen and those who do refuse to acknowledge it. That dark time void of peace is now gone, and the realms have embraced the Trials of Ages. Lenvere is no longer ruled by fear but by trials. When a child reaches the age of seventeen he or she is tested. His or her heart, mind, body, and very soul are measured and evaluated. Everything he or she has learned contributes to his or her grade. There is no failing, merely a mark with where they fall on the continuum compared to other creatures of their skill set.

There are light magics. These are our healers and other friendlies. They are honest, kind, and selfless. The “good” people, if you will. They are our friends and loved ones, those you can count on to be on your side.

Then there are the neutrals, or the red zone. They are neither good nor bad. Many neutrals choose to embrace the life of servitude. Most have a strong sense of self yet are at peace living a commonplace life in the neutral lands of Levere.

As there is good, there is evil. With little exception, the dark magics or “evil” ones are often viewed as ugly and always as vile. The darks are littered with sinfully rich vampires and free spirited werewolves. Many fear the dark lands these men and women embrace because safety is a luxury and selflessness is a myth.

I was born into the dark, but that does not mean that is where I will stay. The trials begin in two weeks. After that there is no guarantee I will ever see my friends again. I will gladly walk away from my enemies but leaving my best friend behind, well that is another story. When Fire was three years old his parents disappeared, leaving him at my family’s home. No one asked where his parents had gone because disappearances were common in the dark lands. My parents instead chose to raise Fire as their own. We had an easy life filled with every luxury. Fire became my best friend and is the only brother I have ever known.

Then there was Heli. She was the child of a close family friend and part of our lives from a very young age. I knew even then that we were destined to be together. She on the other hand felt nothing. She ignored my charms and the more I tried to woo her attentions the more she backed away. She grew even more beautiful with age and smelled of sweet roses, though I would be hard pressed to explain how I know that. Her scent has always called to me, even more so in the confinement of our classes together. I watched her as she worked on her assignments, drawing in her scent with deep breaths until it was almost too much to bear. I tried ignoring our connection, even courting a couple of other women once but it pained me too much.

Despite my growing temper and my innate desire to capture her, to make her my own, I knew she deserved better. Perhaps this is too kind of me. This is after all the dark land. And time is growing short. I approach the trials alongside my best friend and Heli, my love. She still does not see my wealth or even my body. In fact, she knows me not. Perhaps with the trials, more than one thing will change.

©Copyright 2014 Salena Avro-Larimore