Iniko

By Alicia McCalla

Every magical villain has a beginning...
Iniko, daughter of a West African goddess and a Norse god, struggles with her estranged husband, who abducted their child and is intent on murdering the girl in a blood-soaked ritual to gain power for his ancient demonic master. Iniko travels to a West African castle during the slave trade to battle possessed vampire-like beasts with her sword and dagger to rescue her child. Can she find the strength to kill the man who once held her heart and the key to her magic?
Kuumba has hunted his wife for ten years, slaughtering her adopted family in retribution for tricking him into sharing his magical power in the mate bond with Iniko. But when he learns the truth about the true source of his magical power, will he have the strength to rebel against his master, especially if it means he must sacrifice himself for his wife and child?

This villain novella is the prequel to Rise of an African Elemental. It is approximately 16,000 words.

Bonus material includes the mythology behind the West African pantheon of the African Elemental series and Iniko’s birth mother, the goddess Mawu.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alicia McCalla
• Release date: Jun 27, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301866212

Alicia McCalla

It took thirty years for Alicia to accept her calling as a writer of "unusual stories." Always writing edgy tales that pushed the envelope. She learned to hide her violent, heart-pumping,and tragically romantic stories from family and friends.It wasn't until she joined RWA that she began to share her stories openly and take the plunge. Alicia writes for both new adults and adults with her brand of multicultural urban fantasy, paranormal, romance, and horror. Her stories always include strong women heroines who fight back, sometimes to the death.Alicia is an activist in the movement towards diversifying Science fiction and Fantasy (#diversityinSFF). She created the first "State of Black Science Fiction 2012" blog tour, is an active member in the State of Black Science Fiction FaceBook group and has a ScoopIt page where she actively curates topics related to Afrofuturism, Black Science Fiction, and Black Speculative fiction.Alicia is a native Detroiter who currently resides in metro Atlanta. She works as a media specialist or school librarian in a local school district. Alicia enjoys spending time with her husband and son.Her first book for new adults, Breaking Free, is available in print or for immediate download. She has an adult series that mixes African-American women's fiction with dark urban fantasy. Check out the African Elemental series. Sign-up on www.aliciamccalla.com for e-updates, sneak peeks, and coupons.

Book preview

Iniko, Copyright 2013 by Alicia L. McCalla

Published By Alicia McCalla

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 book 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.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For permission, contact the author at www.aliciamccalla.com

This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used factiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Cover by: Noelle Pierce www.noellepierce.com

Editing by: Bev Harrison

Layout and formatting by www.formatting4U.com

Published in the United States by: ffpincolor, LLC Atlanta, Georgia

Table of Contents

The Prime Elementals

Prologue Mawu

Chapter One - Iniko

Chapter Two - Iniko

Chapter Three - Kuumba

Chapter Four - Mawu

Chapter Five - Iniko

Chapter Six - The Guhruhi

Chapter Seven - Kuumba

Chapter Eight - Iniko

Chapter Nine - Kuumba

Chapter Ten - Kuumba

Chapter Eleven - Iniko

Epilogue Mawu

A Note from Alicia McCalla

Soul Eater Series

About the Author

Every magical tale has a beginning...

Iniko, daughter of a West African goddess and a Norse god, struggles with her estranged husband, who abducted their child and is intent on murdering the girl in a blood-soaked ritual to gain power for his ancient demonic master. Iniko travels to a West African castle during the slave trade to battle possessed vampire-like beasts with her sword and dagger to rescue her child. Can she find the strength to kill the man who once held her heart and the key to her magic?

Kuumba has hunted his wife for ten years, slaughtering her adopted family in retribution for tricking him into sharing his magical power in the mate bond with Iniko. But when he learns the truth about the true source of his magical power, will he have the strength to rebel against his master, especially if it means he must sacrifice himself for his wife and child?

This villain novella is the prequel to Rise of an African Elemental. It is approximately 16,000 words.

Bonus material includes the mythology behind the West African pantheon of the African Elemental series and Iniko’s birth mother, the goddess Mawu.

Other Books From This Author

The Soul Eater Series (Urban Fantasy/Supernatural Thriller)

Origins of an African Elemental (1 & 2 boxed set)

Iniko: Villain Novella (1)

Flee: A Short Story ( 2)

Rise of an African Elemental ( 3) (Available Soon!)

Genetic Revolution Series (New Adult SciFi Thriller)

Breaking Free (Book 1)

Would you like the first three chapters of Rise of an African Elemental?

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4-stars for Iniko

"An Intriguing Diverse Story." —Notebook Blogairy

5-stars for Flee

"I was on the edge of my seat." —Sandra

5-stars for Flee

"I really enjoyed the Afrikan elements." —Zani

DEDICATION

I’d like to dedicate this novella to my mom, Lynda Cunningham, who taught me to be a survivor and a champion.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Writing a villain story is difficult. I am so grateful to Jessa Slade for helping me to flesh out this novella and my entire African Elemental series. I also appreciate Bev Harrison for proofreading and copyediting. Writers who have shown me support and help during this process are Deleyna Marr, Valjeanne Jeffers, Kenya Wright, and Delaney Diamond. Where would I be without the creative genius of Noelle Pierce? I always fall in love with her awesome cover designs. I need to give a huge hug and acknowledgement to my cousin, Kristina Nunn, and my best friend, Vershawn Young, for listening to me rattle on about elemental magic and fight scenes. I also have to give a large kiss to my better half, Howard McCalla, who has been a source of inspiration and taught me about the power of perseverance.

Finally, to all my beta readers, blog readers, FB friends, and twitter followers who have shared comments, feelings, and thoughts about this series. I appreciate your resounding support! I am grateful and thankful.

THE PRIME ELEMENTALS

Nyame (Creator of Souls)

Obatala (Sculptor of Mankind)

Asase Ya (Earth)

Shango (Fire)

Yemaya (Water)

Bagba (Wind)

Anansi (Trickster)

Gua (Thunder and Lightning)

Oshun (Water)

Oya (Wind)

Eshu (Trickster and Messenger)

Mawu (Earth)