Synopsis:
In the land of Astra, there are two kinds of magic: good, healing magic and dark, toxic magic. Master Brok, leader of a band of teenage magicians-in-trainings, has just rescued his student Jon from the clutches of an evil queen, but Jon has not come away unscathed. The Queen of Siswae taught Jon dark magic, a magic more powerful and more dangerous than any Jon has known. Brok must convince Jon to give up the dark ways, or the boy will be lost. So he digs up the old, rare story of a lord, a dark magician, and the man who dared stand up to the Mad Lord Lucian…
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Excerpt:
Master Brok was about to give up his search for Jon and Saemus when he heard Captain Thrace Morden’s voice echoing through the narrow passageways of Lucian’s Fury. He suspected the boys would be with the captain. Brok had been keeping a close eye on his Chosen ever since learning of Jon’s ability to use the dark magic. The others wanted to know about this forbidden magic, and none more so than Saemus. His studious nature desired information, especially about things that weren’t often found in books and scrolls.
Brok peered around the doorway and into the room. Jon and Saemus stared at a large map covering a wooden table, their heads nearly touching as they pointed to the location of Haunted Island. Captain Morden stood nearby, arms crossed over his chest, a sliver of wood jumping around between his lips.
“I thought anyone who visited the island never came back alive,” Jon said.
“Aye, ‘tis true lad, for the most part,” Morden said.
Jon and Saemus shared a glance. “So what did you see?” Jon asked.
Morden stared at the map, his eyes glazing over as the sliver of toothpick moved even more quickly. “Some things are better left unsaid.” The man turned and nearly ran into Brok who was still lurking in the doorway.
“I guess we’ll never find out what happened.” Jon sighed.
“Morden is right. Some things are better left unsaid.”
Jon and Saemus jumped at the sound of Brok’s voice.
The old Mystic shooed Jon and Saemus out of the room, shaking his head when the two gazed back at the map longingly, as though they could see the secrets of the island in the charcoal drawings on the faded parchment.
Perhaps I should tell the boy.
Brok watched Jon as he made his way up the stairs to the deck. After all, what happened on the island had a direct connection to evil doings and dark magic.
Jon may know how to call on the forbidden power, but he has no ounce of evil in him.
Brok walked to the quarters he shared with Jon and Saemus and rummaged through his knapsack. He pulled a thin book from the depths. Brok turned it over in his hands, remembering the first time he had come across this piece of history.
He was new to this world and was diligently working to build his new identity. Brok had traveled to Vis Rellisa soon after arriving through the portal from Gentra. He needed to establish himself there for a short time before traveling to Heart Stone to meet his Chosen. His studies back home made it possible for him to quickly blend in and become nothing more than another Mystic, another learned man waiting for the call to serve a village or town of his own.
The invitation to attend a banquet by Lord and Lady Stoneworth had given him the perfect excuse to mingle. Torches cheerfully keeping the dark at bay surrounded the manor house. Brok handed his invitation to a servant who then escorted him to the main hall.
“Lord and Lady Stoneworth will be here shortly. Please enjoy the refreshments.” The servant bowed and disappeared back to the front door.
Brok’s hand dipped into the pockets of his robes and stroked his wooden pipe. He pursed his lips, wondering how long it would be before the Lord and Lady of the manor would make their appearance. He spotted a door at the back of the main hall.
Just a quick smoke is all I need.
Brok shuffled quickly down the darkened hall, hoping to find an exit that led outside so he could have a few puffs on his pipe.
He passed a partially opened door and peered inside. He paused when he saw the shelves full of books, his love for them warring with his love of pipeweed. A quick glance in either direction showed that he was alone. Brok darted inside and closed the door softly behind him.
The light from the single lamp was enough to reveal the luxury of the Lord’s library, the warm glow of the honey-colored wood, the richness of the leather-bound volumes. Brok touched each one as he made his way slowly along the length of the shelves.
What’s this?
Nestled between Lady Arie and The Secrets of the Blasted Lands was a thin book, shoved so far back as to be almost invisible. Brok pulled the volume out, brow furrowed when he was met with a blank leather front.
Curiosity not to be ignored, Brok opened the book and began reading. Within a few sentences, his hands began shaking and he slammed the book closed, eyes darting to the closed door, certain someone was about to come bursting into the room to take the book from him. In seconds, the book was tucked into a pocket sewn into the inside of his robes.
Brok left the library and wandered down the hall, feet taking him somewhere his conscious mind wasn’t aware of. His hand reached out and opened a door, and Brok left the manor house, pipe and pipeweed forgotten.
He reached the dormitory and walked to his rooms, ignoring the greetings from fellow Mystics. He grabbed his belongings and left that same night, heading for the village that was to be his home until the signs appeared that would lead him home.
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About the Author:
Shay West was born in Longmont, CO and earned a doctorate degree in Human Medical Genetics from the University 
of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, CO. Dr. West currently lives in Grand Junction, CO with her two cats. When not writing novels, she plays with plushie microbes and teaches biology classes at Colorado Mesa University. She is the author of the Portals of Destiny series and the Adventures of Alexis Davenport series. She has also been published in the military scifi anthology, Battlespace. Her final book in the Portals of Destiny series, Resigned Fate, is forthcoming from Booktrope in 2013. The final book in the Alexis Davenport series, Desperate Reflections, will be released in 2013.
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