Genesis

By Gabriel Halcyon and Danielle Rexilius

In the debut novel by 18 year old teens Gabriel Halcyon and Danielle M. Rexilius: 19 year old Halyn Chappell has never fought a werewolf, met a real witch, or walked through a door that led to another dimension. In the sleepy port town of Camden, Maine, nothing out of the ordinary ever happens. The 10-year-old memory of her parents’ sudden disappearance is the only reprieve from the monotony of small town life. Halyn’s world is turned upside down after a violent break in separates her from her older sister. She then discovers a world where things aren't what they seem when the Einherjar—a race of half-human/half-fae Warriors charged with protecting mankind—claim her as one of their own. Against all odds, she makes new friends and begins to adjust to the unpredictable lifestyle of the Einherjar. Her newfound way of life is compromised when she finds herself caught in the middle of a power struggle. Halyn will quickly learn the consequences of trusting the wrong person.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gabriel Halcyon
• Release date: Oct 30, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370377145

Gabriel Halcyon

Gabriel Halcyon is a regular California teenager with a seemingly irregular life. With a rare muscle disability ensuing many problems in his past and present, he gained a burning ambition to succeed in his future. Motivated by a love for the arts, a personal hobby of creative writing, and an overactive imagination obtained from excessive reading, he teamed up with his best friend of two years, Danielle Rexilius, in 2014 to co-write their debut novel. When he learned a final diagnosis for his disability soon afterwards, he became eligible for the Make A Wish Foundation and obtained a publishing deal through Rivershore Books with their help. After three years, Gabriel has become a published author at seventeen years old.

Book preview

GENESIS

by

Gabriel Halcyon & Danielle M. Rexilius

Genesis

Copyright 2017 Gabriel Halcyon and Danielle M. Rexilius

Rivershore Books

All rights reserved.

Dedicated to everyone that asked; yes. It’s real.

Table of Contents

Part I

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Part II

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

THANK YOU

AUTHOR BIOS

TO BE CONTINUED . . .

Part I

CHAPTER ONE

Ecclesiastes 3:1

September 12, 2013

Halyn was on the street in front of her house when the first raindrops fell. It began slowly—the drops plinked down from the trees and formed puddles in the cracks of the sidewalk; they hung from her eyelashes like unshed tears—and then all at once it was pouring. The rain was torrential and Halyn could hear the boom of thunder. She tilted her head back and grinned while the water dripped down her face. She had always loved a good storm.

Are you just going to stand out there all night? Victoria called from the doorstep.

Halyn opened her eyes and saw her sister hanging half out the door. She wore a chef’s hat at a jaunty angle on her head that made her light brown hair mussed up on one side. Halyn groaned when she saw the hat. Her sister had decided to try cooking again.

I reckon I could stay out here that long; what do you think? she replied.

Come on inside. The food is almost ready and this is supposed to be one of the worst storms we’ve ever had here, Victoria said, swinging the door open invitingly. The warm light fell across the steps and reflected across the rain-soaked ground.

You say that every time we have a storm, Halyn said. She took one last look at the sleepy neighborhood. The edges of everything seemed softer, like the rain managed to wear down the sharp edges and corners of each white-picket-fenced house. A street lamp at the far corner of the road flickered. She took a deep breath and was calmed by the earthy smell before she stomped her way up the path to her house.

Take your shoes off before you go inside, Victoria warned her. I don’t want the wood to warp.

Halyn sighed, unlacing her boots and leaving them outside. She was wearing a pair of mismatched socks—one was navy blue with a pattern of angry green apples on it, the other was white with pink polkadots.

Victoria opened her mouth to say something else when suddenly there was a loud hissing noise from the kitchen. They both looked at each other in alarm and ran through the hall to the source. The kitchen was a mess. Aside from being covered with various spices and spilt parmesan cheese, there was a large pot that had boiled over in the middle of the stove and the foam was everywhere. She opened the pot and jumped backward to avoid the steam that came billowing out of it. The pan next to it was filled almost all the way with tomato sauce. When Halyn tried to stir it, she discovered half of its contents were congealed to the bottom.

I followed the instructions exactly! Victoria protested.

Where exactly in the instructions did it say to destroy the food? Halyn asked, laughing at her sister’s flabbergasted face.

Okay, I might have taken a few liberties with the recipe, but we can’t just have regular old spaghetti. It’s a special night! Victoria said.

Halyn grabbed a spoon and tried to salvage what she could of the noodles. Eventually, she gave up and chipped them away from the bottom of the pot.

So it is. How long do you think it’s been now? Halyn asked.

. . . Ten years, Victoria said.

Halyn took a deep breath to clear her head and grabbed two bowls. She dished out the solid noodles and scooped out copious amounts of sauce from the pan, attempting to improve the dish. She handed Victoria hers and sat down.

Do you ever miss them? Victoria asked.

Halyn dug at the noodles, trying to break them off into a bite-sized piece. When she finally bit down on one, it was like eating a rock. She swallowed, with difficulty, and met Victoria’s eyes.

No, she said finally. There isn’t anything for me to miss.

That was a lie, of course. Halyn missed her parents dearly. But she was more angry at them for abandoning them than anything. Not only did they rob her of a childhood, they took what little life Victoria had made too. After they left, her sister dropped out of school to take on as many part-time jobs as she could, refusing to allow them into the foster system with a vehemence that Halyn had never seen before. One by one the friends she made in school dropped out of her life, but Victoria never complained, saying that Halyn was more than enough for her. But, just like Victoria knew she couldn’t replace a mother, Halyn knew that her sister was lonely.

Victoria sighed and pursed her lips.

I’m sorry, Halyn said.

No, don’t be. I just . . . I miss them a lot. I wish you could forgive them, Victoria said.

Halyn gave up trying to eat the pasta and took her bowl over to the sink.

Yeah, me too. But you know I can’t, she said, scraping the food out and rinsing her dish. She grabbed a rag and began to clean the rest of the kitchen in silence. The conversation was over. Victoria discarded the rest of her food and picked up her cell.

Takeout? she asked sheepishly, trying to lighten the mood.

Takeout. Halyn nodded. I’m really feeling Chinese.

Ooh, yeah that sounds great, Victoria said, dialing the local Chinese restaurant.

Oh, and Victoria? Halyn asked.

Hmmmmm?

Next time . . . let me do the cooking, Halyn said.

All right, fine, Victoria said.

Halyn shook her head and finished scrubbing the sauce from the pan. She went through the garage side door in the kitchen to get a broom and dustpan. When she got back, Victoria had a puzzled look on her face.

What’s up? Halyn asked.

My service isn’t working for some reason . . . Mind grabbing your phone for me? she asked.

We have the same service provider; it’s probably the storm, Halyn said.

Just go, she replied.

Halyn shrugged and leaned the broom against the stove, then walked across the hall to the stairs. When she reached the top, she felt along the wall for the light switch and flicked it on. At the end of the hall was her parents’ old room. Neither sibling had stepped through that doorway since their parents left. She avoided looking there and bypassed the hall closet on the right. The door on the left was the one she was looking for. Her room was just as she had left it, impeccably neat. Her bed was made in the corner, her desk was bare, and a bookshelf was filled strategically with as many books it could take without bursting. The only thing out of place was her window—it was wide open, shutters banging against the house. Her white, airy curtains were soaked through and too heavy to flap around with the wind. The carpet was drenched in water. Victoria would have an aneurysm if she walked in right now, Halyn thought to herself. She walked over to the window and shut it, then reached into her bedside drawer to grab her cellphone. She clicked a button and the screen lit up, revealing no bars on hers too. She heard footsteps on the stairs and backed out of her room before Victoria could see the wet carpet.

Hey, I don’t have service either! she shouted.

Really? Maybe we can fix it, she called back. Halyn rolled her eyes at that, anticipating a long-winded explanation about why just turning off the phone wouldn’t work. When she glanced at the stairwell, no one was on it. She jumped when a bright flash came from the hall windows and a clap of thunder shook the house.

Halyn! Victoria called.

She’s still in the kitchen, Halyn figured. She closed her door and walked over to the light switch when suddenly she heard a voice from inside the hall closet.

Did you hear that too? the voice whispered. Halyn opened the closet and went pale. Her sister was crouched inside, looking at up at her.

What are you doing in there? Halyn asked. I thought you were downstairs. You shouldn’t scare me like that.

Suddenly, the lights shut off.

Halyn I think the power just went out! the Victoria downstairs yelled.

What is going on? Halyn whispered, turning on her phone’s flashlight.

I have no idea, Victoria replied. She squinted at the phone’s bright light and Halyn moved the light away from her face. I came home and heard someone downstairs, and I’ve been hiding here ever since.

Halyn? the other Victoria called. Halyn heard footsteps in the hall.

She’s coming! Victoria hissed. She grabbed Halyn by the arm and pulled her into the closet. She shut the door with a low click.

How do I know you’re the real Victoria? Halyn asked, scrutinizing her sister’s face.

Come on. Of course it’s me, Victoria replied.

Halyn lifted her phone back up so she could see her sister’s face again, searching for anything amiss. Her peaches and cream skin was unmarked. Her trim, elegant brows were furrowed over forget-me-not blue eyes, so unlike Halyn’s muddy hazel. Halyn’s gaze dropped to her half teardrop nose and then she knew.

What happened to your nose piercing, Victoria? Halyn asked.

They both stared at each other for a moment, gauging the other’s reaction. Halyn moved first, dropping her phone on the ground with a clatter and shoving Victoria down before jumping up. She swung the door open and half-ran-half-staggered down the stairs. The house was pitch black. She made it to the bottom of the stairs and felt Victoria shove her from behind into the wall. Her head connected with a loud clatter, but she used the wall to make her way to the kitchen. Her lip stung; she could tell she’d split it open.

Are you okay, Halyn? That sounded like it hurt, Victoria said. She was rifling through the kitchen cabinet in search of their hurricane lantern. It looks like the whole neighborhood lost power.

We need to go right now, Halyn said. At least, that’s what she tried to say. It came out more like, weneegorinow.

Victoria lit the lamp and stared at her. The light washed over her features with a copper overtone and made her look creepy. She was confused.

What? she asked.

We need to go right now, Halyn said, enunciating each word.

Look, I know you really wanted Chinese, but the storm is too crazy right now. We have to stay here, Victoria said. See if you can find some flashlights, will you?

Halyn almost screamed in frustration. No, you don’t understand, there’s someone in the house with us. My window was open and the hall closet, and they looked like you but they didn’t have a piercing, she rambled.

Halyn, calm down. Go back. There’s someone in the house? Victoria asked, her ice blue eyes flashing with concern.

Halyn nodded. There was movement behind Victoria from the living room. Halyn could see a figure moving toward them and froze.

Where are they? Victoria asked.

The figure took a step into the light, revealing his features. He was a middle-aged man that she had never seen before. He raised his arm above his head; he had one of the pans in his hand. The shadow fell across Victoria’s face.

Victoria, duck! Halyn shouted.

It was too late. The pan smashed into her head and she crumpled to the floor. The man advanced on Halyn and she scrambled backward to avoid him. He’s going to kill us, Halyn thought. She tried to think of a way out but drew up blanks. He blocked the only exit; there was nowhere to run. She balled her fists and raised them to cover her face. The man was easily twice her size, but she had to do something. He laughed at her impromptu fighting stance; his laugh sounded like a bark. She darted forward and swung a fist at his face. He took the hit as if it were nothing and swatted her aside like a fly. She hit the oven and ducked just in time—the pan hit the stove with a deafening crash. The exit was open now and she dove across the kitchen toward it, running as fast as she could. She had made it through the door and down the hall when she ran headlong into a tall boy around her age, dressed in all black. His eyes widened in alarm and he caught her before she fell over.

Where’s the fire? he asked.

Get out of my house! Halyn tried to punch him and he promptly blocked it. He grabbed her wrist and pinioned it to her side.

Listen—

I don’t know what you guys want but I’ll tell you right now we don’t have a lot of money, Halyn said, trying unsuccessfully to free her arm.

What are you talking about? he asked. The man came barreling around the corner; when he saw the boy, he sized him up and continued down the hall. Oh.

He turned to Halyn with a conspiratory look and let go of her arm. This should be fun. Halyn grabbed at his shirt but he shook her off and walked toward the man without care. While the boy projected a powerful aura that was contrary to his lean build, the two weren’t well matched. The man looked like he could crush the boy with one bicep.

You sure are ugly, aren’t you, the boy said to the man. What’s a nasty thing like you doing in Midgard?

Your kind won’t be able to joke like that for long, the man spat, swinging the pan down.

The boy dodged it with ease and gave a punch to the man’s chin that sent his head snapping backward. Halyn’s mouth fell open. The man charged forward and knocked the boy on his back, and they wrestled for a moment, each trying to gain the upperhand. After a few well-placed maneuvers, the boy ended up on top and beat the man’s face until he stopped moving.

That wasn’t so hard now, was it? he asked Halyn, standing up and walking toward her. He wiped the blood off of his knuckles. Behind him, the man balled his fists and stood up. His eyes said murder. Halyn felt the blood drain from her face. What are you staring at?

The man grabbed him and squeezed.

You know, some warning would’ve been nice, lady. Since you can see him and all, the boy complained.

The boy went limp and let the man hold his dead weight. Then, he swung his legs upward and kicked the man in the face with both feet. The man fell on his back and the boy kicked him again. This time, he watched him. The man didn’t get up. That’s better. What’s your name?

Halyn, she answered faintly.

Alexander. Well, Halyn, I think it’s time to go now, he said.

My sister, Halyn said. He hit her in the head and she hasn’t moved. I won’t leave her.

Alexander rolled his eyes. Look, we have about one minute before the others realize he’s been taken out. We don’t have time for this.

We’d better move quick then, Halyn said, standing her ground.

The entire house shook from the foundation; glass and framed pictures fell from the walls.

They’re here already. We need to go, Alexander insisted.

No, Halyn said.

Sorry for this, Halyn, he said.

What? she asked, turning around. He lifted his finger to her temple, and she felt a zap of electricity pass through her before she collapsed.

Why did you hit her so hard? a feminine voice asked. You always go overkill. She’s been out for over a day.

At least she has a pulse. If I hadn’t knocked her out she would’ve gotten herself killed by a bunch of Echelon E demons, Alexander said.

Halyn groaned. Her head throbbed as if a battering ram was hitting her temple.

I think she’s waking up, another woman said.

Don’t scare her, a man chastised.

Halyn opened her eyes into slits, squinting against the harsh, clinical lighting. Moving her eyes hurt her head. When she finally adjusted to the light and opened her eyes fully, she could see she was in a small, rustic-looking hospital room. Stacks of medical equipment sat haphazardly around the room, looking like they were one second away from collapsing. A suspicious-looking wooden bureau filled with old bottles hid in the corner and there were three other hospital beds beside it, complete with crinkly white paper. When Halyn moved, the paper tore under her. She was wearing a blue hospital gown that tied together in the back.

Hey, take it easy, a young woman with white hair said while pushing her back down on the bed. You’ve had quite a shock. Halyn ignored her and sat up.

There were three other people in the room besides the woman standing over her bed. An older man stood front and center, projecting an air of authority. He had aged white scars all over his face and arms that contrasted sharply with his rich black skin. His face was grim, and he looked as if he carried the weight of the world solely on his own shoulders. His hair was buzzed and nearly gone, with only a fine layer of coarse black hair remaining on his scalp. Next to him was a short girl around Halyn’s age. She had long brown wavy hair and skin like melted butterscotch—all gold and bronze and amber. She had makeup smudges under her walnut-brown eyes and looked like she hadn’t slept in a long time. Despite that, her eyes still twinkled and she had a good-natured half smile on her face.

The third person was a familiar face: the boy from the house. Alexander. His hair was jet black. He was nearly as pale as Halyn was but a few shades too dark to be called ivory. His skin was more of a muted beige—like the jagged marble cliffs she’d seen when she watched Planet Earth. Victoria would have called him handsome, but pretty is the only word Halyn could say suited his features. The only thing that marred his appearance was a scar that split his left eyebrow and the sneer he had his mouth curved into. His eyes were a gunmetal gray and they were glaring at her like she was a pesky insect.

She crossed her arms in defense, preserving all the dignity she could in a hospital gown, and glared right back.

What happened to my sister? she asked in a loud voice.

The man in front stepped forward and spoke in an even, calm tone that made her feel abashed for raising her voice. My name is James Garrison, but everyone calls me Garrison here. Your name is Halyn, right?

Yes, Halyn Chappell, Halyn answered, quieter. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and winced at the pain it caused her head. Where am I?

Acadia National Park. Alexander took you here after your home was broken into, Garrison said. Does your head hurt still?

Yes, Halyn said.

Side effect of getting hit with an aura, the white-haired woman grumbled. I have enough work as it is without you giving new recruits concussions.

Alexander muttered something under his breath, not looking sorry at all.

What was that? the woman asked, her eyes flashing dangerously.

We’re sorry, Lily. Would you mind getting something to fix Halyn up? Garrison asked before the two got into a fight. Lily clucked her tongue and walked out of the room, shaking her head.

When the door shut behind her, Garrison turned on Alexander. Since you can’t behave yourself, go on out. You too, Dawn, he said to the brown-haired girl. It’s nearly time for training anyways.

Alexander strolled out of the room without a backward glance.

Dawn, Garrison said. She stopped by the door, looking back at him. I’ll call you back here after lunch to show your new cabin-mate the ropes.

At the word lunch, Halyn’s stomach growled. The dinner she’d had with Victoria hardly counted as a meal. Dawn nodded and left the room with a smile and a friendly wave. Halyn tried to smile back at her, but she had already disappeared.

We have a lot to talk about, Garrison said.

What happened to my sister? And what do you mean cabin-mates? I can’t stay here . . . Why am I here? Halyn asked in a jumble, one question after the other.

Whoah, one question at a time. In regards to your sister, we think that whoever broke into your house took her with them. I sent a team over to your house to check it out, and she wasn’t there, Garrison said.

Halyn took a deep breath in through the nose and out her mouth, closing her eyes in an attempt to stay calm.

There are still search parties looking all over the state for her. As for why you’re here, that’s what we need to talk about right now, Garrison said.

Lily opened the door and walked back into the room, carrying a mysterious purple bubbling vial of liquid over to her bedside.

Here, Lily said, handing it to her. Drink this.

Halyn stared at her and then looked at the drink. It was hot to the touch, and when she swirled the liquid around it popped and stung her face. It smelled like peppermint.

Go on, Lily insisted,

Halyn shook her head. She had expected a Tylenol for her headache, not a strange hot purple peppermint soda.

You’d better drink it. You’re going to need a good head in a minute, Garrison said.

Halyn sighed and raised the glass to her lips, tilting her head back. When the contents hit her throat, she gagged at the awful taste. It wasn’t at all what she expected—the sickly sweet taste of grape cough medicine mixed with toothpaste.

Finish it up now; it’s medicine. It’s not supposed to taste good, Lily said.

Halyn took one final gulp of it and handed the vial back to Lily. She swallowed several times, trying to get the taste out of her mouth, and shuddered. Already, she could feel her head clearing up and the aching of her body fading away.

Better? Lily asked.

Much. Thank you, Halyn answered.

Lily nodded and walked over to a window Halyn hadn’t noticed before. She drew open the brown curtains and let the early autumn light stream through. When she opened the window, a gust of chilly air blew them back and raised goosebumps on Halyn’s skin. There were trees that appeared to be spruces shading the area, and the room filled with the scent of the forest.

So what do we need to talk about now? Halyn asked.

Garrison and Lily looked at each other in a silent conversation, deciding in a few split seconds how to start. They pulled up two chairs and sat by her bed in silence.

Listen, this is going to be hard to believe. What I’m going to tell you is going to challenge all preconceived notions you have about how the world works. You need to promise me that you’ll hear us out until the very end, Garrison said finally.

Okay, Halyn said, drawing out the first syllable. She was beginning to feel uncomfortable and shifted around on the bed, making the paper crinkle.

Everyone at this camp, rangers and children alike, are all descended from the Harii tribe. Our race is called Einherjar, half-human half-fae, Garrison said.

Half-fae . . . what, like Tinkerbell? Halyn asked incredulously.

I wouldn’t say that around a full-blooded faery. They are far more warlike than your Disney friends, Garrison said. The words sounded harsh, but he looked amused. The faeries come from a world called Alfheim. There are nine different worlds, all supported by the roots and branches of the Holy Tree, Yggdrasil. We, he said, gesturing at the room, live in Midgard.

Midgard, Halyn repeated.

We work with the Seelie Court to protect this world. It’s the Einherjar’s job to keep Midgard safe from the problems in the other eight worlds. Unseelie fae from Svartalfheim, demons from Niflheim, giants from Jotunheim and Muspell, dwarves from Nidavellir, and even witches, he said, gesturing to Lily. Oh, and gods from Asgard and Vanaheim. You name it, we’ve probably fought it, Garrison said.

Halyn shook her head.

You can’t expect me to believe any of this; it’s insane, she said.

That doesn’t mean it’s not true, Lily said.

Even if it is true, I don’t see what it has to do with me, unless . . . Halyn trailed off. Realization hit her and her eyes widened to the size of saucers. You can’t be serious . . . you people are crazy! I’m one hundred percent human and I always have been.

Tell me if this sounds familiar, then. You’ve never been sick a day in your life. One or both of your parents disappeared out of the blue one day, leaving you and your sister to fend for yourselves. Weird things you can’t explain have happened to you over the years. You’ve always felt different from everyone else, Garrison said in a measured tone, knowing his points would hit close to home.

Okay, aside from the tragic backstory part, all teenagers think they’re different. Just because some of these things are true hardly means I’m some crazy super race, Halyn replied. You people need major counseling.

Einherjar have different bodies from humans. We’re more durable, and we live longer. We also attract more trouble, Garrison explained.

No, Halyn said.

What if I told you I have proof? Garrison asked.

What proof? Halyn asked. Is it a young adult fantasy book?

Garrison nodded at Lily and she reached into the cabinet,