With Great Power (Grellan War #1)

By Brenna Lyons

When the Grellan kill Empathen, his son is drafted into service two years early to save him from a similar fate. Twelve years later, Soulchaser is the best of the best. When he encounters a Grellan woman by the name of Starseeker, his carefully cultivated world falls apart. She offers everything he wants and only asks his trust in exchange. Soulchaser wants to trust her, but is she what she seems? What does Starseeker hope to gain? Are his powers right or his training? Trusting Starseeker will either win him his freedom or cost him his life.

CONTENT ADVISORY: This is a re-release title.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fireborn Publishing
• Release date: Sep 16, 2016
• ISBN: 9781941984246

Brenna Lyons

Brenna Lyons wears many hats, sometimes all on the same day: ex-president of EPIC, author of more than 100 published works, teacher, wife, mother... She's a member of ERWA, IWOFA, Broad Universe, and more than 60 other author groups. She's taken Spinetingler's Book of the Year for 2007, and she's also finaled for multiple times for the EPPIE, PEARL (including one HM, second to Angela Knight), CAPA, and once for a Dream Realm Award. Brenna writes in 25 established worlds plus stand-alone fiction books and stories, poetry, articles, and essays. She's a bestseller in indie/e fantasy and horror, straight genre and cross-genres thereof. Brenna has been termed "one of the most deviant erotic minds in the publishing world...not for the weak." (Rachelle for Fallen Angels Reviews) Milieu-heavy dark work is practically Brenna's calling card, with or without the erotic content. She teaches classes in everything from POV studies to advanced editing, networking to marketing.

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Fireborn Publishing Copyright Statement

With Great Power

Copyright © 2003/2008/2016 by Brenna Lyons

eBook ISBN: 978-1-941984-24-6

First Fireborn Publication: September 2016

Cover Artist: Brenna Lyons

Photo Credit: 123rf

Logo copyright © 2014 by Fireborn Publishing and Allison Cassatta

Licensed material is being used for illustrative purposes only. Any person depicted in the licensed material is a model.

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All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is strictly coincidental.

This book is written in US English.

PUBLISHER

Dedicated To:

Stan Lee and Marvel and DC Comics for my fascination with the subject of heroes and the concepts that I have come to associate with heroes in general. My major sources of inspiration were The X- Men, Superman, Batman, The Justice League, and most importantly...The Amazing Spiderman and Professor Xavier.

Tamer, for hooking me on graphic novels and teaching me how to preserve them.

My kids, for regaling me with their inventions of heroes. Though none of mine are taken from those stories, it was the right inspiration, at the right time.

Prologue

Memo

To: Mindteacher, Dean of Discipline, Head Trustee, Calante Academy, Central City

From: Visionchaser, spokesman for the trustees, Calante Academy, Central City

Date: June 15, 2052

We heartily agree with your analysis of the situation. The trustees are unanimous in their decision. Soulchaser is to be brought to the academy to begin his training tonight. We cannot risk a repeat of Empathen's loss. Use whatever means you find necessary to secure the boy, before the Grellan can strike again.

End trans.

* * * *

Julien startled awake as his mother cried out in fury and frustration.

You can't, she protested. I have two more years. The law says...

You know he can't stay here, Patrice, a strange man insisted. How will you protect him? He has Empathen's powers and more. They know that.

Then take me, too.

You know I can't do that. If you were an operative... I can't let a human live inside the main complex. That's why your quarters are outside the wall.

You won't break that rule, but you'll take him early? she asked sarcastically.

The man sighed. You would have to leave the main complex in two years. How would we explain it to him then? How would we explain you being there to the other cadets now? The jokes would start tonight. The mighty Empathen's son needs his Mommy to come with him? Children can be very cruel, Patrice.

Julien snuck to the bedroom door, daring to peek at the man from the academy...the operative they'd sent to try to take him from his mother. His heart pounded at the sight of the grim-faced old man.

Julien looked at his mother's tortured expression in dismay. She was considering it. Patrice was actually considering handing him over early.

Please, don't agree. Don't let him take me. Julien bit back a sob as he felt her wavering.

He's my son, she managed through trembling lips. He's my only child.

The old man took her hands. You will lose him either way, Patrice. This way, you'll know he's safe. If he stays here... He let the threat hang between them.

She nodded. You'll bring Julien to see me? Promise me that much.

He took her shoulders in his hands, nodding. A guard detail will bring him once a month and accompany you where you wish to take him. You have my vow.

What...what is my son's name? she asked solemnly.

Julien shook his head in disbelief. His name... The name chosen for him when he was tested at the age of three would be spoken for the first time tonight, two years ahead of schedule.

Soulchaser.

Julien shivered. If they were really taking him to the academy, he'd heard his true name for the last time until he found a confidant. No one dared speak a power's true name, unless he or she was invited to do so, and his parents never would. That was the law.

The old man chuckled. Come, Soulchaser. It is time to go.

That is not my name, he replied stubbornly. It won't be my name until I turn ten. That is the law.

The door opened, and the man stared down at him, amusement curving his lips into a cruel smile. Are you inviting me to use your true name? he asked pointedly.

Julien felt his cheeks burn. He glared at the old man. No. I don't trust you.

That's good. People should earn your trust.

That's not what my father says, Julien groused. He says to trust your gut instincts about people. I don't trust you.

But Empathen was dead. Word had come to them that afternoon that his father had fallen in