Fall of Igneeria: The Half-ling

By Kaylee Soderburg

"Summer vacation’s supposed to be fun right?
I wish I had a better answer to that question."
Jazell’s different, along with her three friends Emily, Jason and Seth. They protect Starlings, New York from an unseen band of monsters that would wreak havoc if the four friends didn’t stop them. They do the same routine every day.
But things are changing. Some powerful demon is rising in the world that these monsters are from. Now they must travel to a new world, meet new enemies, and realize their destiny. But what worries Jazell the most is: What if they can’t stop it?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kaylee Soderburg
• Release date: Oct 29, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465929488

Kaylee Soderburg

I'm a new author and I have just pulished my first book in my Fall of Igneeria series called the Half-ling. Please check it out and give me feedback. Thank you so much! I live in New England and spend most of my time doing school work, reading or writing.My favorite series are the Gone series by michael Grant, Lorien Legecies by pittacus lore, Maximum Ride by James Patterson, The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare, Hex Hall by rachael hawkins,and many more. :D if you comment on my books, please leave a P.S. with book suggestions. I like anything fantasy, action without too much romance. BOOK NEWS! 1) The sequal to Fall of Igneeria: The Half-ling is now up!!! It contains an excerpt of Identity! I hope you enough!!!!!!!!!! :D 2) I know I have published a volume of poems on here. I will eventually post another volume but it isn't my main focus right now. I must finish my sequal before my readers not on here destroy me! D: 3) Once I have finished book two of my series, I am going to work on my novel. Yes novel, with 60,000 words! Ahhh! It's called Identity and it's sci-fi fantasy. That's all I can say. I'm working really hard on it to make it the best yet! CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE!!!! : www.kayleesbooks.webs.com TWITTER: @halflingsrule

Book preview

Fall of Igneeria (book 1): The Half-ling

By: Kaylee Soderburg

Published by Kaylee Soderburg at Smashwords

Copyright 2011 Kaylee Soderburg

Cover Illustration by Anna Reyes

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this ebook with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Chapter 1

Summer vacation’s supposed to be fun, right?

I wish I had a better answer to that question.

Starlings, New York is not the place you’d expect much to happen. It’s a small quiet town, the kind where everyone knows your name. It’s a place where your parents wouldn’t even care if you stayed out late biking with your friends. Only because everyone felt so safe, so comfy. They don’t know the half of it.

But I do. I know it all and Starlings is not the place where you want to be after dark. The only reason why no one knows this is because Jason, Emily, Seth and I have kept it that way.

I walked along the empty road alone, occasionally waving to passing kids on bikes. My backpack was slung over my shoulder, filled with my writing books and sketchpads. I kept my eyes on the shadowed road, watching my every step. Usually I was more aware of my surroundings, but today I was tired and didn’t care if I rammed into a tree. I kicked a rock into the grass.

The sun was starting to set, painting the sky in brilliant oranges and reds. It slipped down the sky, allowing the first stars to peek out from behind the bright curtain. The remaining light cast shadows over everything, creating the illusion that there was double of everything. The world prepared to go into its hours of unreal silence that made it seem magical, and it really was.

My phone buzzed and I awoke from my trance. I thumbed the keypad and opened the message Seth had sent me. It read: Whatcha Doing?

I flipped open the pad and wrote: Walking home.

I shoved it back in my pocket and continued walking. The sun was almost gone and shadows were starting to appear behind everything. I looked at my own shadow, that danced behind me.

The phone buzzed again as Seth sent me a reply. See anything? Do you want me to meet you?

I glanced at the nearby woods. My ears heard nothing and I didn’t see any movement but my hands shook slightly as I typed, Nothing, I’m fine.

I didn’t open his reply because I knew what it would say. I already knew that it was strangely quiet. Maybe I could stay home and sleep one night. Or maybe I could finish a painting tonight and watch Mom do origami.

I turned the corner, and my house came into view. I started to climb the hill when I froze. Out of my left eye I saw the outline of a creature. It was heading through the woods in the direction of my house.

I swore under my breath and took off for the woods. My feet crunched on the fallen branches and leaves. I could see the creature ahead of me. I didn’t have much time. I placed my bag on the ground and crossed my legs. I started to grab my phone but stopped. I didn’t need to tell the others, it was just one. And if I was lucky, it would be an easy take down.

I closed my eyes and began my mental countdown. The wind picked up around me, as if a wind current had just appeared out of nowhere.

5…

My body started to feel hot, like I was being hugged by the sun. I hated this part.

4…

Power surged through me as I was freed from my human self. Shivers ran down my spine.

3…

I felt cold, like being dipped in ice water. The breeze picked up even harder.

2…

I was hollow and could probably see my own body if I opened my eyes. But I could never get the courage to do that.

1…

The wind died. My body felt normal except it was different. I opened my eyes and looked over to where I just had been or still was. My human body slightly glowed as it sat in meditation under the tree. It didn’t move.

I could see the monster clearly now that I had stepped into its world. It was hunched over, occasionally touching the ground with one of its curled front paws. Dark saliva dripped out of its mouth. The beady black eyes made it no less scary. I knew exactly what it is.

A Thrasher!

A shiver ran down my spine. Thrashers weren’t nice by any means, most of the monsters I’ve met so were not. They sometimes travel alone or hunt in packs. They’re awful in packs, extremely hard to take out without their knowledge of your presence.

I placed an arrow in my bow, and aimed for the head. I couldn’t let the creature reach my house. I pulled back the string, and then stopped. I couldn’t take out one of these like, this unless I set it on fire. But Emily wasn’t here. I could take it out with a few arrows but it’s best to kill Thrashers before they realize you’re there.

Instead I slowly crept up to it, until I could see the hideous claws on its hands and the hatred in its eyes. Thrashers hate everything and sometimes I wonder how they tolerate each other. I aimed for the head again and released the arrow. It whizzed silently into the Thrasher and it howled in pain as the arrow dug into its fur. It whirled around, facing me. A low growl sounded in its throat and it charged. I ducked as it slashed my side and I winced. My shirt slowly turned blue. Yes blue, my blood is blue. It turned back around and threw its self at me.

This time I was prepared. I pulled out my hunting knife out just as he landed on me. He yelped and went limp. I pushed him off and grabbed my fallen bow. I turned back around and started back where I left off, but then a body slammed into me. I just had enough time to see the Thrasher, before all the fur and dirt. I spit out the clump of hair that had somehow found its way into my mouth. I felt a searing pain as the Thrasher raked my left leg. I closed my eyes, wishing I had my knife in reach.

Then the Thrasher went limp again. It was pulled off me and I found myself looking up at a dark blue haired boy. His sword was gripped in his fingers and a look of amusement was on his face. It was also mixed with anger.

I swallowed and grabbed my weapons. I didn’t dare look at my leg. Hi Seth, this is unexpected.

Seth glared at me and pulled me up. I tried to place weight on my leg but winced. He kicked the Thrasher one more time and sheathed his sword. You know better Jazell then to take on a monster by yourself. You never know what kind it is until you have already changed.

I looked down at leg. Claw marks ran up my shin and my blue blood was soaking my pants. I had to Seth; it was heading for my house.

I don’t care Jazell; if I hadn’t been here I would have found you scraped to pieces. Then how would you get back? All you have had to do was send me a quick text. But you didn’t.

I sighed, Seth was like this sometimes. But mostly he was saying how we could take on anything. He’s strict on the fact that we attack in groups. I limped back to my body but Seth just disappeared. He had the skill to be able to just return to his body without having to be near it. That makes him the best person to contact in an emergency.

I closed my eyes and the wind picked back up. My body felt hot and cold as I returned. I reopened my eyes and grabbed my bag. My back sent a chorus of cracks as I stood up. I raised the side of my shirt to find the thin, red scratch marks. Any injuries I get in my hunter form I have when I become human again. I quickly ran my fingers over the darker, thicker marks on my shin. It was bruised but fine.

I trudged home and pushed open the door. My house wasn’t big and fancy. It was pretty plain actually. It was two floors with a fair sized kitchen and living room. My mom was cooking dinner and my dad was sitting at the kitchen table going through paper work. He worked at an insurance building ten minutes away. He looked up as I entered.

Hi sweetheart, finally home? he asked giving me a warm smile.

I kissed his cheek and my mom’s before heading toward the stairs. Yup.

Dinner’s ready in a few minutes Jazell! My Mom called as I climbed the stairs.

Got it! I called back.

My room was painted a light green and wasn’t very big but I loved it anyway. I had a small desk to the left of my bed that was piled up high with books and drawings. I threw my bag on my bed and took off my shoes. Then I headed back down stairs. My Mom handed me some dishes and utensils. I set a plate down in front of my Dad. He frowned and pointed to my scratched shin.

What happened, Jazell? He asked, and studied my leg.

I tripped on a crack and scraped my leg. I said flatly. I placed my last dish down and sat in my chair.

Dad chuckled. You’re so clumsy. I wouldn’t be surprised if you tripped on your own feet.

Yup, that’s me, clumsy. I pulled my leg up close.

My parents had believed for a long time that I was a klutz. That was the only way to explain the