by Kyle Prue
He pooled his energy in his stomach and attempted to materialize out of the shadowy grip. He only managed to break out of his human form for less than a second and he immediately found himself choking as the force tightened around his neck.
Savagely and all at once, he felt the force rip him off his feet and away from the center of the square. Through the fog he glimpsed one last look at Bianca who waited there for him to arrive. As the force pulled him into the depths of an alley, Neil desperately dragged his fingernails down the side of the nearest building. They fractured on the brick and warm blood was left in their absence. Neil’s body was lifted up into the air and then slammed mercilessly down onto the hard ground. Over and over again, he was pummeled against the stable earth until his ribs cracked. He tried to spit blood into the street, but instead it ended up dripping down his chin. His body was pushed up against a nearby wall. Neil knew this feeling. He knew of this empty coldness and he knew of its merciless nature. He also knew the hand behind the force, he’d felt it before. “Sae…” he managed.
He tried over and over again, but all he could push through his lips was that word. “Sae...”
“You’re so close,” Saewulf Anima rasped as he exited the shadows, one arm raised and glowing with a black aura.
Burns stretched from his left hand all the way to his face. The pattern almost resembled a hand clawing at him, as if his burned flesh were trying to claw his face off and lap at his burnt orange hairline. The left side of his lips was burned away and his teeth shined through in a grim smile. “Say my name, Vapros,” Saewulf hissed through his mangled mouth.“Do you even recognize me?”
“I watched you die,” Neil said when he felt Saewulf’s grip loosen. “Jonathan died for it.”
Saewulf shook his head violently. “The slave died for nothing. He was close. Very close. But I had just enough time to shield myself.”
The grip tightened again and dark spots appeared in Neil’s vision. “You know what else, Vapros?” Saewulf whispered as Neil felt his consciousness slipping from his grasp. “You may find comfort in the idea that your death will mean something else…”
Neil’s head drifted without his will and Saewulf leaned forward so that their eyes could meet. Saewulf’s eyes looked as they always did, desperate, starving for something. “Your death will mean a safer world, a safer existence for Altryon, a brighter future, and an end to this fruitless revolution.”
Neil’s head slammed back into the wall and his vision left him. His body collapsed onto the ground.
Saewulf chuckled as he placed a foot on the back of Neil’s body. “In the end, the sum of your existence could never possibly be more important than your death.”
He turned and trotted down the alleyway with Neil’s body slowly being dragged behind him. Neil’s mind clung to one thought as he felt his wits leave him. Bianca was waiting for him. She was alone. In a way, he hoped she didn’t long for the same reunion he did. Because he knew that day would never come.
A SPECIAL NOTE
If you’ve enjoyed this book, I would be so grateful if you could take five minutes and leave a review on Amazon. Reviews help other readers discover my books. Here is the link to leave a review. Thank you so much!
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Get A Free Copy Of Like Cattle
Would you like to find out how Carlin got his scar? Find out more about Anthony and Carlin’s relationship? Meet a new Lightborn family? If so, you can download a free copy of Like Cattle, a prequel to the Feud Series.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kyle Prue is an award winning author and teen advocate. He wrote The Sparks, the first book in the Feud series, at just 16 years old. The Sparks has won numerous state, national and international awards for Best YA Fiction. Prue is also an actor, improv comedian and popular keynote speaker. To book an event, visit [email protected].
Prue is also the founder of Sparking Literacy, a non-profit dedicated to lowering the high school dropout rate by inspiring teens to read, write and follow their dreams. You can learn more at sparkingliteracy.org.
CONNECT WITH KYLE
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One more thing, if you liked this book, please leave a review. As a young author, I really appreciate your help to spread the word about my books. Thank you so much!
OTHER BOOKS BY KYLE PRUE
The Sparks Audio Book
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This book has been two years in the making, and I am so grateful for the help of so many people.
The team at Cartwright Publishing has been amazing and I am so happy that we are taking this journey together. A big shout out to Samantha Paxton who started as an intern and has quickly become indispensable. I want to thank my agent, Veronica Park, for always believing in me. Also thank you to Ashley Ruggirello for the awesome cover designs for the series and the interior layouts. Also a big thank you to Sari Cicurel, my incredible PR agent, who is so great about helping me to share my message about literacy and helping to get my books into the hands of readers.
I have to thank my editor, Julie Mosow, for always getting what I’m trying to communicate and giving me great notes to improve the story. A special thank you to Howard Schott who is the world’s best copy editor. You were the first person to encourage me to get published so in a way you are responsible for this amazing journey. Teachers have the power to change lives, so I am so happy that you are now Head of High School at Seacrest Country Day and inspiring the next group of kids.
I am also grateful to Julia Basile for being an early reader. A special thanks to Owen Gemmer for always being the first person to read my drafts, giving incredible notes, and for always getting my inside jokes.
Thanks to the University of Michigan Class of 2020 for being a constant source of inspiration and for keeping me humble.
A special thank you to all the teachers and students that I met on my year-long book tour. You were all amazing and I loved meeting each and every one of you. I know you’ve waited a long time for The Flames. So thanks for your patience and I hope you enjoy it.
I would like to extend my greatest thanks to my parents. Over the last couple years you’ve been readers, collaborators, advisors, and the best of mentors. I’m incredibly proud to be your son and I’m so incredibly grateful to be learning from you every day.
Thanks to all my family and friends for your incredible support. A very special thank you to all of our donors and volunteers at Sparking Literacy. Because of you, we are making a positive impact and lowering the high school dropout rate. Thank you for helping us to make a difference.
