Darkness Rising

By Meyari McFarland

Kia's life revolved around the monsters that stalked her tribe every night. The Dark killed at will and there was nothing that Kia could do. Until one night, Kia's anger overwhelmed her fear. Her life went on a different path, one that she could never have anticipated. Defender of her tribe, Kia bided her time until she discovered a weakness in the Dark that promised everyone freedom.

Darkness Rising is a moody science fiction story set in humanity's ancient past where one woman's life made a huge difference in humanity's development and in first contact with a mysterious alien race.

• Language: English
• Publisher: MDR Publishing
• Release date: Jan 16, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311807984

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

Darkness Rising

By Meyari McFarland

I do, Kia said. None of the others are angry enough to overcome their fear of the Dark. They think it's magic that I can fight them when really I'm just angry that the Dark dare to feed on us.

I like her, the woman laughed. Maybe we can stay here for a while, Lusala. It would be nice not to travel all the time.

Olamide, Lusala sighed. Their elders may not want more warriors.

Our 'elders' will do what I say to do, Kia snorted. She grimaced at their surprised expressions. All our old were taken by the dark ten years ago. There's no one over thirty here anymore.

Lusala started, his grip around his spear tightening as if he expected an attack at any moment. Olamide drew in a deep breath and then whistled, looking around as if seeing the cliff face and their caves for the first time. She studied the area and then looked back towards the ravine where the Dark always retreated in the morning.

Other Books by Meyari McFarland:

Fitting In

Artifacts of Awareness

A Range of Debts Collection

The Nature of Beasts

Captured Debts Collection

Repair and Rebuild

Infinite Horizons Collection

Tales from the Dana Clanhouse

Published by Mary Raichle on Smashwords

Copyright ©2013 by Mary Raichle

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

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

Dedication:

This story is dedicated to Dean Wesley Smith. Thank you for your wonderful classes and all your help, Dean!

Table of Contents

Darkness Rising

Stardust In Your Veins

Afterword

Darkness Rising

1. Night

Kia watched quietly, nibbling on her bottom lip as Chinara took a fresh incense cone and gently set it on the family altar. Her hands didn't shake the way Fola's had when she put the dates on the altar. Chinara's hands were steady. Her voice was calm as she prayed to the Gods to grant them good weather, bountiful harvests and freedom from the Dark. It felt wrong for her to be so calm. She should be angry, like Kia.

Outside, Kia heard the strange echoing sounds of impacts that always came from the Dark's ravine. They were such a normal part of her life that she barely noticed them. Since Mother and Father had been taken by the Dark the sounds seemed louder, more threatening. Kia had tried banging rocks and wood together but nothing made the same hollow booming sound that the Dark's hammering did. It was if they hammered on something completely different from the familiar wood, rock and earth that surrounded Kia.

Will you set the flame, Kia? Chinara asked.

Can I? Kia asked, surprised. I thought I wasn't big enough yet.

It's just the three of us, Chinara sighed, her smile so sad that Fola put a comforting hand on her shoulder. I think it's okay as long as you're careful.

I'll be very careful! Kia exclaimed.

She scrambled up from her cushion by the fire, coming over to take the little lamp from Chinara. It was heavier than she expected. The rosy quartz crystal base chilled her fingers and filled both her hands. Fola poured a puddle of oil in the hollowed out center of the base. Kia let her tongue poke out of her lips between the