Page 109 of Dark Island: Rescue
This new series takes place in the larger universe of the gods, and while it stands alone, the two series will converge.
The book is scheduled for release on January 17, 2026, but it may be released earlier.
Flip the page to read the enclosed excerpt chapters.
BONDS OF WINGS AND FURY
THE TWO-FACED GOD
CHAPTER 7: KAILIN
“Across the vast Addolian Ocean, away from mortals and dragons alike, Elu created a refuge for his forgotten brethren—the fallen gods—to dwell in sacred Dolis, among its golden mist-shrouded valleys and diamond-encrusted peaks.”
—Ancient Elucian Myth
Pre-Division Era
"Kailin and Shovia." Morek blocked the doorway as we were about to leave. "Just the two ladies I need to talk to."
"About what?" Shovia asked. "If it's about Erona again, I'm not asking her out on a date for you."
He glared at her. "I told you that's not what I wanted you to do." He looked back to check the corridor for anyone who might be listening in and then leaned back to get closer to Shovia's ear. "I just wanted you to find out if she was interested."
Morek was a handsome, likable guy, and even though he wasn't overly bright, he should have zero problems talking to women, but the poor man got flustered every time he was face to face with a girl he was attracted to.
Should I feel offended that he had no trouble talking to me and Shovia?
Granted, neither of us could rival Erona's beauty, but Shovia had a knockout body, lustrous long brown hair, and oozed sex appeal, so he should at least get a little flustered around her. Although the fact that they were neighbors and had practically grown up as siblings probably had something to do with the lack of sparks.
I, on the other hand, didn't have such an excuse. I hadn't grown up with Morek, and even after my family had moved permanently to Skywatcher's Point, I hadn't interacted much with anyone, but I'd definitely noticed Morek. For a little while, I even had a crush on him, but he hadn't noticed, or if he had, he'd chosen to ignore it.
I couldn't blame him.
The first annum after the move, I hadn't been much fun to be with. After the attack on our village and Dylon's acceptance into the Dragon Force, I had retreated into myself, and if not for Shovia, who had taken me under her wing and pulled me out from the dark hole I had sunk into, I would probably still be stuck down there.
I was grateful to Elu for saving our village from the savages, and that only a handful of people had perished, but the attack had changed me. I had lost a part of myself that night, and I hadn't been able to get it back.
We moved to Skywatcher's Point mainly because mygrandmother needed help running her apothecary, but also because my parents had realized that it would be better for me to get away from our old village. They'd leased the house along with the farm and everything that went with it to a young couple, and we moved in with Grandma.
The move had been good for me. I felt safer in Skywatcher's Point, and after a while, I'd stopped lying awake at night and listening for dogs barking or feeling for tremors. I could finally get a good night's sleep without having nightmares about monsters with black-painted faces coming to kill me and mine.
Nineteen people had been murdered that night, people I had known all my life, and their faces still haunted my thoughts.
My gaze drifted to Mount Hope in the distance.
Five days from now, I would climb to the summit and learn whether I was one of the gifted. If I was, and if I made it through the training, I would join the Dragon Force and get a chance to avenge my people, but I was conflicted about that.
The Shedun who had killed and wounded my neighbors were all dead, turned to ash with dragfire, and killing their brethren as revenge didn't burn as hot in my veins even though it should.
I craved a safe and quiet life, on the ground, but I had to reconcile myself to the possibility that instead of going down the mountain with my friends, I might continue to the Dragon Force Citadel sitting behind a rider with my eyes closed in terror and shaking all over, and not just because of my fear of heights.
As magnificent as the creatures were and as purportedly intelligent, they were terrifying and vicious. They didn't think or feel like people.
Dylon had told me about how difficult it was for him to learn to communicate telepathically with his dragonia and all the misunderstandings they'd initially had because of their differences. Now, they were as one, and I didn't know whether it was good or bad.
Dylon had definitely changed, but there could be several reasons for that, other than the solidification of his bond with Jagura. He had matured, hardened, and what he'd seen during his service had scarred his soul.
He was still Dylon, funny and sometimes obnoxious with his uncannily accurate imitations of people and crude jokes at their expense, but while before the service it was what had defined him, now it seemed like he was putting on a show for my benefit and that of our parents.
