Instinct: Season 1

By Sarah Aderholdt

Senserial offers e-books that can be read in an exciting series style, with an episode being released every week. This way, much like a favourite TV series, readers can have something to look forward to weekly.

While all of Senserial’s e-books can be downloaded in full and read in the traditional style, readers who want something extraordinary can opt to read the books with impressive graphics and a musical score to enhance their reading experience. This helps readers further immerse themselves into the colorful worlds portrayed in each series. This is an especially excellent feature to use during storytelling with kids, or simply anytime you want to liven up your reading time.

Description:
Candace was born into a world of magic and secrets. As a shifter, she has trained all her life to be a guardian to protect a higher class of the Dragmon Order. When the day of her 16th birthday approaches, a sudden attack occurs and she wakes up in the hospital with no memory of who she was. She starts an entirely new life in a new home and a new school. Things are going great for her, even gaining the interests of a boy that she really likes. However, when her past begins to sneak up on her, she must decide whether she is willing to sacrifice everything for something she doesn’t even remember believing in.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Senserial Publishing
• Release date: Sep 17, 2013

Book preview

Episode 1

Don’t worry you’ll be fine, Jane said as she wrapped her hands in white cloth. What’s the worst that could happen?

Uh, I could get knocked down on my butt in front of everyone. Candace sneered a reply. Jane didn’t have nearly as much pressure on her to come out on top as Candace did, of course she wasn’t nervous.

Don’t be so negative, it’s just a fight. Besides, it’s the last one of our sophomore year.

Yeah, I suppose so, Candace looked at the locker room floor and kicked a stray bottle cap with the toe of her tennis shoe, she was so anxious for the school year to be over. What are you doing over the break? She secretly hoped that her friend would stay with her during the next few weeks. The day of her shift wasn’t for another thirteen days, but she could already feel the animal inside her churn in her gut. She wouldn’t admit it, but she was scared.

As if reading her mind, Jane responded, Relax, I’ll be with you every step of the way. The shift isn’t as painful as everyone makes it out to be. Jane tried to hide a grimace as she remembered the day of her own shift. It felt so unnatural as her whole body contracted into a big German Shepard. The pain was excruciating, but she wasn’t about to tell her best friend that.

Suddenly, the locker room door burst open, and the room was filled with the rough voice of their teacher, Candace!!! Jane!! What are you doing in there? You were supposed to be out here ten minutes ago!!

Be right there! Jane shouted back.

The teacher replied with a grunt and the door slammed shut behind her with a bang. I swear that woman is going to get an ulcer if she ever finds out about me and Robby. A wicked smile formed on Jane’s face. Candace made a great show of gagging. Robby was Mrs. Ramon’s son, and the stalky woman had no clue the two were going out.

Jane put both of her hands on Candace’s knees and looked her in the eyes. Her eyes were the color of light almonds and sharply contrasted with Candace’s light blue eyes. Candace always thought her own eyes made her look blind. Just breathe. It will all be over a minute. Jane stood and led the way to the gym. She had never given Candace a reason to doubt her. Candace followed her friend’s every step, trusting her as she always had.

Jane was up first. The gym was adorned in the schools colors. Black and red ribbon lined the walls. Years of football, volleyball, soccer, and basketball championships were celebrated with banners that hung from the ceiling. The schools mascot, a brown German Shepard, was painted on the far wall. Big letters were pasted under it spelling out ‘Masters High School’. Jane’s sleek figure looked so natural in the ring that was mounted in the middle of the basketball court, straddling the centerline. The door that led to the football field was opened and a cool breeze swarmed the gym. Candace took a deep breath and watched as Jane’s long blonde hair blew freely with the flow of wind. A tall brunette joined Jane in the ring. The girl had at least six inches on Jane, but Candace already knew the outcome of this fight.

Jane and the girl faced each other. As they locked eyes, Jane’s muscles twitched with anticipation. A man seated at the judging table counted down from three. Candace breathed the words with him. Three. Two. One

The brunette took a swing just as the countdown ended. As her right arm came forward, her body expected the impact. Jane leaped back quickly; her arms already up. She landed gracefully on her toes. The girl over swung and lost her footing. Jane took the opportunity to kick the girl in the ribs. The girl lurched, but was balanced again in an instant. As they faced off once again, Candace thought she saw something pass between them that resembled respect. Everyone in the school knew who Jane was, and everyone wanted to be her. She was the best, but Jane refused to accept the title. She always said that there was something about Candace that made her think otherwise.

Suddenly, Jane took a swing. Her power came from her entire body, and her fist struck the brunette squarely in the jaw. Blood gushed from her lip, but she wasn’t about to call it quits. Jane was taken by surprise as the brunette swung her leg to the side and kicked the back of her knees, making her collapse. For a moment, everyone in the room stopped breathing. Everyone but Candace. She cracked a smile as she watched Jane’s leg come back and catch the brunette in the chin. Just like that she was on the ground, and Jane moved to pin her down. The judge counted down from ten, and the crowd roared.

Candace didn’t have time to congratulate her friend. It was her turn now. Each step felt agonizing as she approached the ring. Her small body slipped through the ropes effortlessly. Candace was well aware of her short stature, but she wouldn’t let her insecurities take over her right now. It was time to fight.

Candace could feel her blood pulse through her neck. She knew she was more powerful than any human, but these weren’t humans she was facing. She went to a school full of shape shifters, and she had to be careful not to underestimate any of them. That mistake could cost her the fight, or worse.

A redhead joined her in the ring. Candace knew this redhead. Her name was Grace, a girl from her homeroom, and Candace had no qualms about kicking her ass. Grace smirked at Candace, as if she was nothing to sniff at. The judge counted down from three, and this time Candace didn’t dare breathe. She could see Jane standing on the sidelines out of the corner of her eye. She remembered what Jane had told her, and her whole body calmed.

…One She barely jumped out of the way as Grace threw a kick in her direction. It was obvious that Grace didn’t have any problems with fighting her either. She may have been a royal brat, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t fight. Candace’s arms went upas Grace looked for an opening. Candace wouldn’t give it to her. She moved around the ring, and Grace followed her movements. Grace threw a punch and missed. The dance continued, and Candace wondered if she would ever get an opening. Finally! Grace’s shoulder dropped an inch, and that was just enough for Candace to land a blow to her temple.

Grace barely swayed, but anger glinted in her green eyes. Anger was a dangerous thing during a fight; it could easily be used against you. Grace rushed forward and Candace saw her shot. She swiftly dodged the attack, and turned just in time to get an opening at the back of Grace’s neck. And as her elbow struck Grace’s spine, she heard a slight gasp. Grace crumpled, but only for a moment. As the girl started to stagger forward, Candace heard another gasp, only this time, it was her own. Her hands flew up to her head. What was going on? It felt like her skull was shattering. She forced herself to regain control in order to maintain consciousness. She was still in a fight. She would have finished Grace off if it weren’t for her head. Her vision was blurred, but she could see Grace rush forward, and this time, Candace didn’t have the presence of mind to avoid her advance. Instead she made an X with her arms in front of her and let them absorb the force of the impact. She needed to end this quickly. Candace didn’t know how long she could keep this up. She quickly sidestepped to move out of Grace’s punching range, but stumbled. Grace saw this as an opportunity and put her whole body into swing. Candace moved back and barely dodged the blow. She caught Grace’s arm with her right hand, and elbowed her in the cheek with the other.

Grace was out. Her whole body crumpled again, but this time, she didn’t move. Candace staggered out of the ropes. She barely avoided falling on her face when she jumped down from the ring. She saw Jane rush forward to greet her with a huge smile plastered on her face, but Candace wasn’t smiling. Jane’s outstretched arms were the last things she saw before everything went black.

What on Earth could be wrong with her? Candace heard Petunia’s muffled voice as she came back into consciousness.

We can’t be sure until we’ve run all the tests, but I don’t think it’s anything to worry about. The doctor tried to sound assured, but his voice faltered slightly.

What do you mean it’s nothing to worry about? Her shift is in less than two weeks. said Petunia in a harsh whisper.

You just need to calm down, ma’am. The doctor seemed agitated.

No. I don’t need to calm down! You just need to fix her. And with that, Candace could hear Petunia’s heels click down the hall away from her room. ‘Fix her’. Petunia said the words like she was some kind of machinery that had a glitch. Ever since Candace was three, Petunia had taken care of her. Although the lady was a harsh woman who had a distasteful sense of fashion, Candace had to respect her. The woman was powerful.

Although Petunia wasn’t a shape shifter, she did belong to a species that used magic. Petunia was part of the Dragmon Order. It was a group of about two hundred magical beings that ruled over the magical realm. Each species had a role. Candace’s role, like the other shape shifters, was to protect one of the rulers. Candace was assigned to Petunia when she was very young. Now with the rebellion in full gear, Petunia had a right to be worried. She couldn’t protect herself without the help of Candace. The rebels would be targeting the rulers first, which put Petunia at a very great risk.

The Dragmon Order mandated that each shape shifter must take the form of a German Shepard in an attempt to portray conformity and command. Candace had never questioned the decisions of her masters. This was her world, and she accepted it. Her high school was made up of about one hundred and fifty shape shifters, one hundred fairies, whilethe other five hundred kidswere a mix of about thirty different magical species. There were no humans at the school, which was in their own best interest since about three different species at the school fed on human blood and spirit. Petunia and Candace’s two aunts were furies. They could torment sinners, but they are very poor at defending themselves.

The return of Petunia’s clicking heels brought Candace back from her trance. The door opened rapidly as the woman entered. Good, your up. Petunia tossed a tee shirt and some jeans onto the bed. Get dressed, we’re leaving. The doctor entered suddenly with an exasperated expression.

Miss, I strongly recommend that she stay in bed…

We don’t have time to just sit about…she can rest at home. This seemed to appease the doctor a bit as he took the suggestion into consideration. Candace knew it wasn’t simply a suggestion; it was a command. She jumped up quickly and walked swiftly into the bathroom.

When Candace and Petunia finally arrived home, night had fallen. The night’s fresh air flooded Candace’s lungs and gave her a sense of peace. She decided to take a walk around the neighborhood.

The manicured lawns were quiet, and the only noise came from the crickets. Her life was usually so hectic. Moments like this, when she could forget about her troubles, were precious. She still felt a little dizzy, but she pushed away any thought of worry. At the end of the neighborhood, the houses were replaced by the tallest of trees. They were spaced apart so that a person could walk through them. The forest was quiet and beautiful. The green leaves were tipped with red, and signaled that fall was approaching quickly. It was only September, but Candace felt the cold icy chill of winter in her veins. She loved snow, and waited eagerly for it every year. She would go to this part of the woods whenever she felt stressed, and all of her fears would evaporate.

As she entered the woods, she could hear the scurrying of little animals, and she could smell the bark of the pine trees. Candace was acutely aware of each and every noise, no matter how small. She walked by a tall oak tree and let her fingertips brush against the rough bark. She couldn’t help but feel like a part of this forest. It was her salvation…the only place where she felt normal. She reached a clearing, and laid her brown jacket on the tall grass and curled up on the ground. The stars pierced the nighttime sky and shimmered. When Candace was small, she used to believe that the stars were her friends. She would talk to them, and would listen as if they had something to say back to her.

Candace! Candace! Petunia called from the edge of the forest. Petunia swore she would never enter the woods. Candace let out a sigh.

Yeah, I’m here. She called. A slight tinge of annoyance hung in her words. She scrambled up and grabbed her jacket. She paused for a second and took a deep breath. Alright. She whispered to herself and turned to leave.

Petunia looked scornfully at Candace. You need to rest. Candace met her gaze and nodded. They both headed back to the house in silence.

The smell of grapefruit and peaches assaulted her as she threw open her bedroom door, and she cursed under her breath as she realized that Petunia had freshened up her room again. Candace tossed her backpack onto her bed and flung her pillows down on the floor in order to make room for herself on the over-decorated bed. The day had taken a toll on Candace’s strength. It was as if all of her energy had been zapped right out of her. She closed her eyes for a moment, letting the feeling of freedom from school take hold. She was already planning all of the shopping-filled trips she had yet to take with Jane. The nice part about guarding a ruler was the pay. Talk about a summer job. All she had to do was put up with the lady’s mood swings, and she could afford all of the shoes she could ever want.

Candace’s thoughts drifted to her sixteenth birthday that was only a little more than twelve days away. She was so nervous for her first shape shifting experience. What would she look like? Candace could imagine herself as a German Shepard with matted black fur. She had always hated her black hair, and sometimes wished she could just dye it. Petunia said that it was elegant and she forbade Candace to do anything to it.

Soon the world began to fade away as she drifted into a light slumber. Dreams overtook the darkness, and a man with a goatee stood over a girl and began to laugh. The laugh was soft at first but then it grew louder and louder. Candace heard a voice in the distance call her name. The voice sounded frantic as if it was trying to will the girl to live by sheer volume. The girl began to shake violently. Suddenly Candace was looking at the man from the girls eyes, and she reached up and grabbed his arm. She twisted it fiercely and the man flipped on his stomach in front of her.

Candace awoke to find Petunia sprawled out on the floor in shock. A glass of water lay on its side as it flowed onto the pearl white carpet. Candace leapt back against her bed frame.What on Earth just happened? The thought replayed again and again in her mind as Petunia began to stand.Candace’s hands grasped the pink sheets as if she were trying to keep herself from falling. She had just attacked Petunia, the woman she had sworn to protect.

She expected to be scolded or even slapped, but Petunia had only a look of worry in her eyes as she approached the bedside. Are…are you alright? Candace managed to get the words out.

Don’t worry about me, Petunia spoke in a calm whisper, I’ve had to deal with a lot more in my lifetime than you will ever know. I’ll be fine, just get some rest. She knelt down to pick up the cup from the floor. She stopped at the doorway on her way out as if contemplating saying something. Her right hand rested softly on the doorframe. Finally, she turned and left Candace to her own worried thoughts. Candace closed her eyes, and wrapped her arms around her chest as if pulling herself into a hug. She felt as if she was letting Petunia down in some way. A silent tear crept from the corner of her eye, but she quickly brushed it away. What was wrong with her? Why was she acting this way? She was a warrior: she was strong, fast, powerful, and determined. But now… She never wanted a break more in her entire life. The events of the day had been overwhelming, and now Petunia was acting as if Candace was a fragile child. Of course, she was only trying to take care of Candace, but it was supposed to be the other way around. Candace had always been taught that sacrifice was necessary to preserve the greater cause, even if that meant sacrificing her own life. Now Petunia was worried about her? Ha! What kind of guardian was she?

The next morning, Candace awoke to the sound of Claire De Lune. Why would Jane be calling her this early, she wondered, as she reached over to her nightstand and fumbled for her phone. Hellllooo!! Jane cooed from the other end. Has sleeping beauty awoken from her slumber?

Hi, Jane. Candace feigned annoyance at being woken up.

Are you feeling better?

Yeah, I’m good.

Any plans for the first day of break? Jamie is having a bonfire tonight….

No. Definitely not, Jane, come on… Remember what happened last time? Candace had to shut her eyes as she remembered what had to be the most embarrassing moment of her entire life. She had stripped down to her bra and underwear and jumped in the creek next to the woods where Jamie was having one of his famous bonfires. She had emerged from the water safely, but her bra had not.

Jane began to giggle. Yeah…. speaking of which…. Tommy still has the biggest crush on you. Candace blushed, but didn’t respond. Jane continued, Fine, we don’t have to go, but you are not going to spend the day moping. Yesterday wasn’t that bad. I wish you could have seen Grace after she woke up. I swear she had steam coming out of her ears.

I really wish I had been there to see that.

Yeah. So what do you say we celebrate by taking a shopping trip. Of course that would be Jane’s Suggestion. Candace grinned.

Alright. When do you want me to come get you?

Maybe six-ish?

Sounds good. Make sure you’re ready by then.

Candace drove her orange Jeep to go pick up Jane. The trees zipped by as she passed the forest that ran along the road. The sun shone bright and made Candace squint, but the forest was dark and calm. It seemed welcoming to Candace as if beckoning to her. She spotted a deer darting through the brush and she wondered what it would be