Matthew Maine—The Voidwalker Saga

Tanzik, Allena, and Lura gathered together as the Rooks began to surround them. Allena held up her hand and a wisp of fire wreathed itself around her index finger. She pointed it to the shelf behind the bar that was filled from top to bottom with alcohol. “Take another step,” she said softly, “and I burn this whole place to the ground.” Yudhi grinned and spat on the ground. “You wouldn’t risk yourself, little girl. Or your friends.” Allena held up her other hand and a blue surge of magic sprouted from her palm and enveloped the three of them in a shimmering shield. Her breath caught in her throat and her voice shook, but she held firm. “I’d rather not. But I will.” Yudhi’s grin faded and she stayed in place. Tanzik shifted his weight uncomfortably and gripped his sword as he looked at Allena. She glanced over to him, but she was too nervous to take her eyes off of Yudhi. Lura put her weapons away and smirked, but moved closer to Allena and whispered “What are you doing, mage?” “Trust m...

“What was that?” Lura asked. Her voice quivered slightly with unease. Allena was still on her knees, covering her face in her hands. Tanzik had his hand on the hilt of his sword, and looked around the area watching for hidden Rooks. Their escape had been entirely too easy, and he expected an ambush. Lura was furious. She knelt down in front of Allena and grabbed her wrists. “Allena. What was that?” Allena steaded her breathing and looked up at Lura with torment in her eyes. “The end of all things.” “That’s what the bird was on the token, isn’t it?” Lura remembered Allena insisting it wasn’t a bird, and the translator not knowing what kind of bird it was. “Yes. But it’s not a bird. It’s something so much worse.” Her heart was pounding against her chest and all her strength had fled from her muscles. “You promised you’d tell us.” “I will.” Tanzik saw nothing, but kept on his guard. “I think this is a conversation we can have somewhere safer.” “Yeah?” Lura asked, not taking her eyes off o...