Bloodrush (The Scarlet Star Trilogy Book 1)

by Ben Galley

Trapdoor spider

  Rushers are able to move in incredible, though short-lived, bursts of speed.

  Black Widow spider—The Dead Man

  Causes the rusher’s fingertips to become poisonous. The drawback, even for strong rushers, is permanence, hence this shade’s nickname.

  Goliath spider

  This shade causes the rusher’s body to grow one and a half times larger, and swell with muscle. It can result in dislocated shoulders and joints.

  Centipede/Cockroach—Black Knight

  Gifts a rusher thick, armoured scales along the forearms, back and shoulders. In almost all cases, it causes a blackening of the eyes.

  Stick insect

  This shade causes thinning of the limbs and enhanced sneaking ability.

  Mosquito—Sapper

  Gives a rusher the ability to sap energy from a victim or enemy. This shade should be treated with caution, as it is viciously addictive.

  Leech

  This particular shade can heighten a rusher’s power and ability to rush. The drawback is once again blackened eyes.

  Earthworm

  This gifts rushers with an incredibly sturdy digestive system.

  —Myth—

  The Fae

  Invisibility.

  Minotaur—The Beast

  Increased strength and endurance.

  Centaur

  Enhanced vision.

  Phoenix

  Immunity to fire, and marginally increased life-span.

  Huldra

  Gives a rusher the ability to seduce or coerce people.

  Kelpie/Water Nymph

  Rushers can breathe underwater for short periods of time.

  Dragon

  Impenetrable skin.

  Elf/Wood Nymph

  Rusher becomes extremely light of foot.

  Dwarf

  This shade grants the ability to bend metal and withstand heat.

  Giant

  Increased strength and size.

  Troll/Golem—Stoneskin

  Gives a rusher skin as tough as stone.

  Goblin

  This shade grants a rusher the ability to see in the dark.

  Sphinx

  Rushers have the ability to temporarily transfix and stun enemies with a single look.

  Banshee

  Rushers of this shade can fade the skin and howl in a mesmerising fashion.

  Mockinghawk

  Rushers can change skin and clothing to imitate almost anybody.

  Thunderbird

  This shade electrifies the skin and causes it to crackle.

  Rainbirds

  This shade grants rushers the ability to control and manipulate rain.

  Wisps

  Rushers are able to manipulate fog, mist and smoke.

  Kee-wakw/Draugr

  A very special shade that should be treated with absolute caution. Rushers can use other shades for a limited period of time, emulating a leech. Should it wear off whilst rushing a foreign shade, it can have disastrous consequences.

  Nimerigar

  Rushers can shrink to less than half their size at will.

  Piasa bird

  This shade turns the rusher’s skin colour into a hypnotic, ever-changing rainbow.

  Wampus cat

  Rushers can growl with intimidating ferocity and volume.

  Mermaid

  A curious shade that allows rushers to understand the minds of fish and aquatic beasts.

  Sleeping Tree/Oracle

  These shades give a rusher visions of truth and the future.

  Chupacabra

  This shade gives certain rushers the ability to steal and empathise another rusher’s powers, replacing their own until finding another victim.

  Lupus

  Turns a rusher into a creature similar to a lupus itself, though decidedly more human.

  Sprite

  Control and manipulation of fire.