Reign of Inception

Table of Contents Reign of Inception (Elderwood Series, #1) Dedicated to all the grown ups that still believe there is a bit of magic hiding in this world, just waiting to be discovered. Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Part II Chapter 13 | “To live will be an awfully big adventure” – Peter Pan Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 | Vivian | Time difference: Four days Chapter 24 | Rayna | Present Day Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 | Vivian | Time Difference: Three Days Chapter 28 | Rayna Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Playlist Glossary | (Terms and their association) Thanks for reading! Please add a short review on Amazon and let me know what you thought! Reign of Inception Saga one – Book one of the Elderwood Series Copyright © 2022 by J.C. Blacklock All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form or by any electric or mechanical means without written permission from the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademark status and owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication and use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owner. Any use of terminology or language other than English was researched and sourced via the internet. An acknowledgement of alternative ways of pronunciation or terms is recognized, and any use of such language is merely for character development and not an indication of proper and singular usage. For information contact : http://www.jcblacklock.com Beta Readers : Cindy Blacklock & Kaider Boyce Editing by Grammarly Cover design by Broken Candle Book Designs Formatting by Derek Murphy @ Creativindie ISBN: 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Dedicated to all the grown ups that still believe there is a bit of magic hiding in this world, just waiting to be discovered. Prologue THE MIDDAY BLACKENED SKY was alight with flames. The red and orange streaked overhead, a beacon for all to witness our demise as the top of the Academy collapsed in on itself. Only avoiding complete destruction due to the thick stone walls that made up the first two floors of the towering structure. In the distance, sirens waged war over the crackle and roar of the fire. The destruction swept through the structures in the dorm housing and historical building of the Square. So much destruction. For what purpose? No one would ever know the truth about what went on here. No one would believe us if we told our story. Turning back, I looked upon the beaten and battered bodies of my companions that stood beside me, fighting for survival. Fighting for justice, risking their lives in a battle of dominance they had no business in. Up until a year ago, most of us had no comprehension of what the world was like. We lived in complete ignorance, in a haven all our own. Until me. Until I came swooping in with my toxicity, polluting everything around me. Because of me, I would be their undoing. I felt their conjoined strength seep into me and hinder the growing dread that racked my body. Blood seeped from the open wounds of the five figures that stood on either side of my beaten and bruised body. Inhaling deeply, I took a confident step towards the dark figure hiding behind a wall of flames. The heat licked at my skin the closer I got, causing me to grit my teeth to keep from flinching back. Dark laughter cackled across the distance, a taunt that radiated violence and hatred. An underestimation of my strength and determination. And it would be their undoing. A calloused hand gripped mine tightly, intertwining our fingers and easing the shaking in my limbs. On the opposite side, a shoulder gently pressed into mine as I held my weapon steadfastly in my hand, raised at the ready in front of me. Tears licked at the corners of my eyes at their show of affection, assuring me they would stand with me to the end. And the agony of it all, the mere thought I might lose any of them, was beyond torture. But the pride I felt for my friends was incomparable. Their belief in me was a beacon for the strength I needed to finish this fight. And I would, even if it killed me. They call me a Queen. A weapon that will fight against the darkness that has befallen the world. I will return the balance that had been disturbed millennia ago. But the truth is, I'm not good. I'm not just or righteous. And for my crimes against the people I considered friends, I will most likely burn in hell. But I am okay with that outcome. I have set forth my own destiny. Choosing the path that best suited me at the time, never considering the hardship of the others it may impact, just like I am doing now. I am not honourable. I am selfish, through and through. My story will not have a happy ending, and I’m okay with that if - for once in my life - I sacrifice myself to save the people I care about. The individuals that fight alongside me, at the ready, to charge headfirst into the path of a killer that would rather see the world burn to ash than allow us to leave here unscathed, are worth that sacrifice and