Prologue: The Shade
ABOVE THE BLUE SEA, birds flew in flock. An abnormally tall man with a black hooded trench coat walked out of a fog of shadows, staring up at the cloudy sky. Looking around at what used to be a city called Miami in South Florida, he surveyed the marshes that conquered the area. The drowned city of ghosts had only a few thousand residents who were too stubborn to move. He turned and saw an elderly man fishing off the coast. The frail fisherman noticed the man staring at him i
K.D. THOMAS
May 1, 20243 min read
Chapter I: A New World
ON A SATURDAY MORNING, many people slept comfortably in warm homes, while others shivered from the cold front that tormented the state. The normal array of signs supporting the rights of fae was put on hold, for the people who waved them were mourning the death of a man named Simon Coy. As Novus Episcopal Church held a packed funeral for Simon, most of the city wept for what they feared was to come. Tragedy often sparked unrest, and those who opposed mixing with the fae had a
K.D. THOMAS
Apr 1, 202419 min read
Chapter II: Deathly News
AS THE WINTERY CHILL flew through Tallahassee, Novus started ringing a hollow-sounding bell. Rushing through the side entrance of the church, Wren found her way to the front pew and sat next to a tan man of Korean descent, Ha-Ru “Ray” Kim. While staring at the closed casket in front of them, Wren took hold of Ray’s hand to calm her nerves, and he gave her a light squeeze. “I was worried you’d be late,” Ray whispered. “Never,” Wren said. “Where’s Esme?” Ray shrugged. “I bet
K.D. THOMAS
Mar 1, 202413 min read
Chapter III: The Mages Guild
AS IF IT HAD become a religious practice, prejudiced people attacked Tallahassee routinely after the tragedy befell Sparrow Manor. The Council noticed this from their home in the city of Birdsong, which was located on Birdsong Island, an island shielded by a barrier dome in the middle of the Bermuda Triangle. To conquer the raids on the human city they had grown to like, the Council gifted Tallahassee a guildhall for the Mage’s Guild—a society of healers, who threaded breaks
K.D. THOMAS
Feb 1, 202410 min read
Chapter IV: A Bode to my Eternal Love
FATHER BERNIE WALKED UP to Ray at the podium to see if he was ready to begin the eulogy. He pried his eyes from the book and nodded at the priest. “I am going to recite Simon’s favorite song, ‘A Bode to My Eternal Love.’ Don’t worry—I’m not going to sing it.” Ray began the service with a light-hearted joke. “Wherever Simon is now, I hope he is listening.” Wren tried to smile at Ray. She knew the song he was referring to. Everyone did—it was the most cherished song within th
K.D. THOMAS
Jan 1, 20245 min read
