Children of Destiny (eBook)

Nicole R. Stevens (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2018 | 1. Auflage
234 Seiten
Bookbaby (Verlag)
978-1-5439-4867-7 (ISBN)

Infos

The last time Adriana saw her family, they disappeared over the horizon as the land vehicle drove out of sight. Hoping to forget them, she dedicates herself to becoming the best thief the world has ever known-but her enthusiasm wanes with each completed job. When her boss insists on one more robbery, promising it's the big one, she agrees, knowing it'll be her last. It will be an in-and-out job. By the book. They only have to rob the King of Eskorgan... Children of Destiny is the first thrilling installment in the new series by Nicole Stevens. With elements of action, adventure and suspense, it's sure to thrill readers looking for the next great fantasy series!

Textauszug

Chapter One

The Human, Fyssh, Elfan and the Shrew

 

Creaking.

The wind pushed the airship farther into the white clouds. The breeze caused the aged wood to groan as the air pressed against her hull. Between the short sprinkles of crystal rain and the sun playing peek-a-boo, two young women sat on the thick wooden railing at the bow of the ship; the breeze playing in their long hair.

Phoebe, an Elfan, had wild black hair that cascaded to kiss her hips. Emerald eyes that could hold you like a lover and then kill you before her pale eyelids dropped. She sat cross-legged on the ship’s edge; her pointed, bat-like ears were visible through her charcoal mane as she peered over to take in the city below her.

High marble towers glowed from the sun’s warmth, as if she could reach her hand out and feel them. The hustling marketplaces packed with tradesmen selling their crops, clothing, and the occasional rarity. The burrows filled with children kicking a ball to each other, playing tag, and screams of laughter. To be that carefree, Phoebe mused, felt like many eons ago.

Noticing the silence between her and her companion, Phoebe looked over her left shoulder. “From up here, Keyla looks like a shining jewel, but it doesn’t have the charm of home. What do you think?” Phoebe’s fingers smoothed the wrinkles in her dark blue trouser trying to avoid direct eye contact. She shifted, causing the leather on her feet to stretch to fit her tiny feet.

Adriana wore a deep rust-colored corset, her hair was the color of golden sand, long enough to wear in a high ponytail and still touch the back of her thighs. A few wisps floated in the wind. Her calf-high boots pitch toned and so worn that the heel was a nub. Phoebe smiled a little to think, despite her friend’s attitude she gave up the new boots so Phoebe could have them, even though it was clear she needed them more. Her heels tapping the hull. Blue eyes staring off into the future.

As if she had been paying attention the whole time, Adriana turned to face her companion, “Yes, just like home.” She looked down at what she had been holding onto- a dagger. The edges reflected the light as it moved to the tip. Centering the dagger at eye level in her left hand and ran her whetstone across the blade.

“Sharp enough.” She placed her little steel treasure into a gold-colored sheath that attached to the hem of her trousers.

Phoebe placed her finger on her chin as if in deep thought, cocking her head at Adriana and giving her a knowing, teasing smile.

“Not enough to keep Braian away.” She giggled.

Adriana glared in return, but under the glare, the crow’s feet pulled at her eyes in a laugh.

There had always been something unusual about Adriana. It might have been her furry feline-like ears or her long tail that seemingly had a mind of its own. Occasionally, things would be knocked over, and she would swear she had not meant to touch it. However, the few that knew her, knew she was different because she had the worst sort of temper that anyone had ever seen, and had no qualms of showing it. Because of this, she had earned the nickname the Shrew. Polite company would never hear this nickname. Lucky for everyone, this ship was filled with the impolite sort.

A distorted hiss escaped from Adriana. Pointing her claw-like finger at Phoebe.

“You know, if you weren’t the only female on this ship, I’d cut open your belly for the vultures to feed on.”

“How cute,” Phoebe baited. “I’d like to see you try.”

Adriana moved her feet underneath her so she appeared to perch on the wooden planks, ready to pounce on her prey. She steadied herself, careful not to overestimate how much strength she needed to stand. Too much power and she would send herself flying off the ship; too little, she would end up falling backwards. Once she had enough balance, she took one last fluid motion and stood atop the railing.

“How’s the view?” Phoebe asked.

“Just like every other one,” Adriana jumped back down, her feet hitting the ship’s deck with a thud. “I’m starving. Come on. Let’s go. Breakfast should be ready soon.” Nodding her head towards to door to the lower deck.

They walked side-by-side over to the cabin door. Despite their difference in almost everything, they considered each other their most valued friend.

The ship pivoted starboard, sending the girls and other crewmembers falling face first into the deck.

Adriana pulled herself up off the deck snarling, “Who in the hells is at the helm?”

“Owen,” Phoebe said. She did not have time to regret saying his name.

“Asshole. This is not the way to Belleza.” Adriana ran up the stairs to the bridge.

Phoebe pushed herself up off the floor with ease. She scratched the back of her head as she laughed to herself.

“Poor Owen,” she said. Turning to walk to the dining room, Phoebe stopped upon seeing Braian running up the stairs.

“Where’s Adriana?” he asked, his long tawny fingers skimmed through his shaggy brown hair. “Oh wait, don’t tell me. Owen is piloting, eh?” Phoebe nodded.

“Great, just fantastic really,” he sighed. “Breakfast is ready, my lady.” He walked past her to the open deck.

Braian was human and had lived his younger years in the city of Keyla. He had never been tall or stocky until 2 years ago. At 19 years of age, almost overnight he reached six foot two inches tall and had to duck under doorways to avoid knocking himself in the head. He lived the first 8 years of his life with his alcoholic father who sent him to an orphanage. Braian had the curious feature of bright violet eyes.

Keyla was a human city, and the humans came in all shapes and sizes: tall, short, thin and fat. Nothing out of the ordinary, except a small percentage of the population born with what many had called a defect.

Due to the belief that anyone born with discolored eyes could bewitch others, parents sent away their children. Braian’s mother wanted nothing more to keep her little boy, and against all the wishes of her husband, she kept him. He never found out how his mother died, he suspected his father was to blame. After the healer removed her corpse from their home, his father took him to the orphanage. He told Braian that he could not have him around to continue his shame on the family. As a child people tried to be nice and well-mannered with him, but they would never keep eye contact too long.

“Stop yelling at him and get down here.” Braian called. She jumped out of the bridge window, crouching only a few feet from Braian, her nails digging into the wooden decking. “I swear to the Gods, if you put one scratch on his head, Aaron might have to bench you on the next job.” He said. Adriana backed away as he wipes away a stray droplet of sweat from her flushed face.

“I wish you wouldn’t walk away from me,” he said, pained.

“Aaron said we were going back to Belleza,” She said, ignoring his plea. Not long ago, she wouldn’t have.

Braian shrugged. It wasn’t even mid-day, his eyes wore crow’s feet, and a dull ache danced while she spoke.

There was a growl of frustration as Adriana gained her composure, “What is the mission?”

“First, come have breakfast. Then we will see what happens to you. And if you don’t get put on standby, we’ll go over the plan and start the beginnings for what I assume will be a long day.” He wrapped his arm around his companion’s waist, ignoring her twitching. “Come on now. He’s not going to wait all day for you.” He said. Taking her hand off her dagger, she crossed her arms over her chest. They walked down into the cabin together, his arm over her shoulders.

The artisans who built the interior of the airship had worked day and night to create a seamless experience, it was difficult to tell where one plank ended and another began. When walking below deck, the first room you entered was the dining room and meeting room. In the middle was a wooden table, with space enough for twenty people. To the left of the dining room stood a corridor of crew cabins. To the right laid the captain’s cabin and the galley. Aaron liked to be near the kitchen.

Sitting near Braian and Phoebe, Adriana dropped her spoon into the empty blue plastic bowl of what used to be her breakfast. Braian was telling them about the time the baker caught him with his daughter. The image of Braian running down the street trying to keep his pants from falling, his shirt hanging around his neck caused laughter to bubble from around him.

“And as I was running down the back alleyway, over her father’s screams of how he would kill me, Cassie yelled she would see me later.” He laughed as he recalled the memory. “I avoided her well after that.”

“Guess that teaches you not to go sleeping around with the baker’s daughter.” Adriana said. He looked over at her, his lips pursed, ready with another story.

Before he could retort, the sound of heavy footsteps made their way down the stairs. They turned to face them just in time to catch the first glimpse of black leather boots, with a glittering steel toe and silver buckles. Even when he got to the last stair, he still bent down to duck under the doorway, the top of his head skimming the bottom of the frame.

“What are you all staring at?” Owen said. She stared, defiant. She would not let him get the better of her. Their companions turned to face their breakfast

Owen was taller and bulkier than Braian, he was greater than the doors and at his shoulders, and he touched each side of the doorframe. No one, but Adriana, would pick a fight with him. He...

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 30.9.2018
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Fantasy / Science Fiction ► Fantasy
• ISBN-10: 1-5439-4867-7 / 1543948677
• ISBN-13: 978-1-5439-4867-7 / 9781543948677