In a world where imagination isn't only frowned upon, but illegal, someone must safeguard the very thing that keeps dreams alive: books. For over 60 years Constance has safeguarded the world's last library. Now she's older and she's looking for another to take on the mantel of the Last Librarian. Raised in the Underslums since birth, Magnolia only knows one thing for certain. That obedience is the key to survival. She doesn't want to fight, she doesn't want to change the world. She wants her family to stay alive. But with Inspectors swarming the city, searching for dreamers and disease creeping around every corner even that seems impossible. Until Magnolia finds a treasure that has been long since forgotten-a book. It's value is immeasurable and she sets out to trade it for medicine. But she will recieve far more than she bargained for including a new job and an underground rebellion that needs her help. She didn't want this. She doesn't want to be a rebel. She just wants her family to survive. But after Magnolia learns the sickening truth about the Council she discovers that some things are worth fighting for. ___________________________ BOOK ONE: The Safeguarding Sentiments Series - #56 in Science Fiction - this is my first draft and it will remain largely unedited until around June 2018 - Copyright © 2017 Miranda Smith No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the author.

Before people, there were Primum. They ruled this world, the dominant species of Earth, and coexisted peacefully with the humans. But, the people grew afraid of their Abilities and drove them away into a small group of forgotten islands. Eventually, they were forgotten. This whole time they have spent plotting their revenge. And now, the time has come. The Recovery is beginning. "As she kicked her feet impatiently in the ocean's water, dark blue in the night, starlight reflected off its surface, twisting and turning as if to the girl's command. Then, she waited. After a few minutes a figure approached. He was of average height and build, dressed casually in jeans and a gray sweatshirt. A few feet from where she sat on the beach, he paused and said, "You found it then. Finally. So splitting up was a good idea." "Shocked?" the girl asked, without turning around. "No, I'm glad," the boy replied. "Just a little surprised, that's all." "Raidah was happy," the girl told him haughtily. "She thought it was meant to be." "You told her already?" "Yep. Called her on the fancy human cell phone she gave me. She wanted me to pass it on to you and go home for training." As she said this the girl sat up a little straighter, with a look of importance about her. "She appointed you The Guardian?" asked the boy, sounding a bit shocked. "Yes," the girl said curtly. "Not what you expected, is it?" "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude," the boy apologized. The girl sighed and shifted the weight of the heavy box in her arms. "I know, it's just that everyone thinks I'm not capable. They don't think that I, a simple light worker, should be the Guardian of the most powerful one ever. Most of them want you to be the Guardian, Owen." "Well, you still have years until the Hatching," the boy said, trying to console her. "If Raidah thinks you will be the best for the job, you are. She's never wrong." " An except from Recovering Our Own: Prologue