Before Dawn (A Children of Man short story)

By Elizabeth Mock

Kade Hawthorn was eight years old when the Nabosian War began. Kade is fifteen now, and the war is far from over. For the last three years, he has worked as a Tereskan battlefield healer. Wounded at the front, Kade is sent back to his hometown of Finfossing on forced leave, along with his partner Sheridan Reid. During their last night home, Kade's younger brother Liam takes them to explore the nearby ruins. Amid the ruins, Kade finds more than just the past.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elizabeth Mock
• Release date: Jul 30, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310833168

Elizabeth Mock

Elizabeth C. Mock lives with her spouse in Cincinnati, Ohio where they watch too many international shows and plot their next culinary adventure. She currently a grad student and continues writing The Children of Man series and other projects. Elizabeth is a fantasy author repped by Barry Goldblatt of Barry Goldblatt Literary.

Book preview

Before Dawn

A Children of Man short story

Elizabeth C. Mock

Before Dawn: a Children of Man short story

This is a work of fiction. All the characters and events portrayed in this novel are either fictitious or used fictitiously.

Copyright © 2015 by Elizabeth C. Mock

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof, in any form.

Cover art: Elizabeth Mock

Cover design: Elizabeth Mock

Cartographer: Anne Hromalik

First Edition: July 2015

E-book Edition License Notes

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For my readers. Thanks for sticking with me.

The events of Before Dawn take place twelve years before Shatter (The Children of Man, #1) during the Nabosian War.

LIAM REMOVED THE last gear from the gutted pocket watch he was repairing. He turned over the gear in his hand, then lobbed it at his brother’s shoulder. Without thinking, Kade tensed and leaned forward. The gear pinged off the bookshelf behind him and rolled onto Kade’s bare foot.

Nothing dangerous. Just a gear. Forcing himself to relax, Kade let the tension flow out of his muscles. He reminded himself again that he was safe in his dad’s workshop. He was home.

How many times has Mum yelled at you for throwing parts? Kade asked, not bothering to put down his book. It steadied his hands.

As many times as she’s yelled at you for not wearing shoes in here, Liam said. He threw a small bolt. Kade deflected this one with a shimmering orange barrier, turned a page, and kept reading. Though he hadn’t received formal Daniyelan training yet, the Daniyelans he’d served with had taught him some useful tricks.

A small forge across the room from Kade kept the workshop cozy no matter how dreary the weather was in Finfossing. He liked the feel of the cool slate on his feet in the warmed air.

Liam swiveled his stool at the workbench along the opposite wall from Kade. Bookworm,—he pointed at his projectiles lying under the worktable next to Kade—retrieve my parts.

No. Kade rested his cheek into his hand propped on the table. You threw them. Get them yourself.

Come on, Kade, Liam said. They’re practically under your feet.

And your legs work.

Liam puffed his cheeks. You’re only fifteen. Why do you always have to act like you’re so grown up?

Kade clapped the book shut with one hand. He picked up the parts, one by one,