Foster Home

By Meyari McFarland

In the aftermath of his Gifts erupting, Pablo finds himself in a whole new world. Gone is his familiar apartment building and run-down school. In their place, he has a brightly colored world full of incredible people who all expect great things of him.

One thing hasn't changed for Pablo. He wants to go back where he belongs with his parents and little sister Maria. But the adults around him had very different ideas of what was best for Pablo, starting with a new place at a foster home that's even farther from his family than before.

• Language: English
• Publisher: MDR Publishing
• Release date: Nov 21, 2013
• ISBN: 9781311225610

Meyari McFarland

Meyari McFarland has been telling stories since she was a small child. Her stories range from SF and Fantasy adventures to Romances but they always feature strong characters who do what they think is right no matter what gets in their way. Her series range from Space Opera Romance in the Drath series to Epic Fantasy in the Mages of Tindiere world. Other series include Matriarchies of Muirin, the Clockwork Rift Steampunk mysteries, and the Tales of Unification urban fantasy stories, plus many more. You can find all of her work on MDR Publishing's website at www.MDR-Publishing.com.

Book preview

Foster Home

By Meyari McFarland

Some Other Books by Meyari McFarland:

Matriarchies of Muirin:

Coming Together

Fitting In

Following the Beacon

The Solace of Her Clan

Debts to Recover:

The Nature of Beasts

Assumptions of Debt

The Manor Verse:

A New Path

Following the Trail

Crafting Home

Finding a Way

Go Between

Like Arrows of Fate

The Drath Verse

Clash of Lines

Joining of Lines

Consort of the Crystal Palace

Fragments of a Chain

Stranded With You

Reunited Hearts

Copyright ©2017 by Mary Raichle

Copyright ©2013 by Mary Raichle

Cover image

© Jemastock | Dreamstime.com - Draw Of Superhero Cartoon, Vector Illustration Photo

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Requests for permission to make copies of any part of the work should be emailed to [e-mail].

This book is also available in TPB format from all major retailers.

Dedication:

This story is dedicated to all the dedicated and loving foster parents of the world for their hard work and open hearts. You're all amazing people.

Table of Contents

Foster Home

Excerpt: Hearts of Magic

Afterword

Foster Home

Pablo stopped on the threshold of the clinic, staring at the wide armored glass doors. Around them people went about their business. Two men in military-looking uniforms floated near the ceiling, legs crossed as if they were seated in chairs but nothing was underneath them. A woman with brilliant rainbow scales sat behind the reception desk, humming as she typed something into a computer that looked too modern to be real. Two people surrounded by showers of sparkles walked by, one smiling at Pablo's companion Rudo and nodding as if she knew him well.

I thought, Pablo said, pausing as Rudo knelt down to stare at him with a concerned frown. I thought we'd get to stay together. My family. Maria and Mother and Father and me. I thought I'd get to see them today.

Rudo sighed, one large hand rubbing over Pablo's arm comfortingly. He was huge, easily twice Father's size. His skin was so dark that it was nearly black unlike Pablo's warmer brown tones. His eyes were equally dark. Pablo couldn't find the separation between his irises and pupils.

That might be because of Rudo's Gifts. He was very, very strong and had light powers that manifested as beams of light that came from his eyes. Right now the fire didn't burn behind his eyes. All that Pablo saw was sadness and understanding. After a moment Pablo dropped his eyes to the floor, staring at the pristine white rug as he fought not to cry.

We try to keep families together, Pablo, Rudo explained. His deep voice rumbled around Pablo, gently rattling his teeth. It was like listening to a mountain that moved. But it's not always possible. Your Gifts are very strong. You're already too strong for one of the regular houses.

I didn't mean to break the chair, Pablo whispered as he clenched his hands in the hem of the new black coat he'd been given. It stretched a little, not tearing the way his old coat had.

No one thinks that you did, Pablo, Rudo said. He tapped Pablo's chin, prompting him to look up. As soon as Pablo did Rudo smiled. "We've all been there. Your Gifts are brand new. They haven't stabilized yet. One second your strength is almost normal and