Esteria: Rise of the Faeries, #1

By S.A. PETERS

Reece didn't stop, he was running as fast as his legs could carry him. He ran out of the trees into the grasslands and paused to see if the attackers were still behind him. Reece had such a hard time catching his breath, that he placed his hands on his knees and shut his eyes, trembling in fear. Just then, as he opened his eyes, the feet of three men surrounded him. Reece slowly raised his gaze to see laser guns in their hands. The guns looked like Tasers but were longer. They were all wearing black hoods, the kind wizards wore. They had the same build as him. Tall, fit, but not as muscular.

• Language: English
• Publisher: S.A. PETERS
• Release date: Jan 13, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393331865

Book preview

PROLOGUE

Reece’s gaze spanned over the smelly swamp, skimming the unfamiliar area. He flung his head back, hands on his hips, and gazed at the sparkling stars perfectly laid across the black, velvet sky. He had been wandering for so long, walking aimlessly along the low-lying grass till he found highland. Reece stood there for a few moments, fighting to catch his breath, his mouth dry, and his shirt soaked in sweat. It felt like he had been walking for ages.

Then he heard a rustle in the bushes. His head swung to the direction of the sound faster than he could think, his body more attuned to the rigors of survival than his mind was. He could make out a figure standing at the far end of the swamp, away from the silver rays of the night sky. Reece slowly removed his hands from his hips, as he struggled to make out the face of the person standing very still in the bushes.

Hello?

No response, the figure was still. He stood, legs apart from each other, and his hands seemed to be placed behind him. Before Reece could decide his next move, a laser beam flew just above his head, and hit a tree. Reece watched as smoke emanated from a tree at the point of contact. The beam had pierced it and was burning it inside. Confused and incredibly terrified, Reece searched for the figure in the woods, but he was nowhere in sight. He shivered, shutting his eyes in an attempt to listen for voices, or any other sound that might lead him to the direction that the mystery man went.

Not more than three-seconds later, the laser beam was shot again, accompanied by more rustling in the bushes. Reece didn't need a fortune-teller to advise him to run for his dear life. He raced through the trees looking back to figure out what on God's green earth was chasing him, while dodging laser shots. He could hear them in the bushes, but he couldn't see them. They moved like ghosts... ghosts with guns that shot lasers.

Reece didn't stop, he was running as fast as his legs could carry him. He ran out of the trees into the grasslands and paused to see if the attackers were still behind him. Reece had such a hard time catching his breath, that he placed his hands on his knees and shut his eyes, trembling in fear. Just then, as Reece opened his eyes, the feet of three men surrounded him. Reece slowly raised his gaze to see laser guns in their hands. The guns looked like Tasers but were longer. They were all wearing black hoods, the kind wizards wore. They had the same build as him. Tall, fit, but not as muscular.

You need to come with us, Reece. 

Their voices bellowed together, deep and assertive. Before Reece could utter a single word, they simultaneously placed one arm each on his shoulder. Reece saw a little star appear in front of him. As it slowly enlarged, its light grew brighter and it snowballed into a portal. He planted his feet on the ground, but he was no match for all three of them. They dragged him, pulling him into the portal.

No! Where are you taking me? he cried, struggling to be free of their grip.

Their strength matched his, which was strange because Reece was immensely powerful. They lifted him with his armpits on both sides with ease, as they headed into the portal.

No... no... NO!

Table of contents

PROLOGUE

Table of contents

CHAPTER ONE Reece McLeash

CHAPTER TWO  Diana Blaise

CHAPTER THREE  The Match

CHAPTER FOUR  Hannah Flint

CHAPTER FIVE  Diana's Performance

CHAPTER SIX  Hope For Andrew

CHAPTER SEVEN  The Eltons

CHAPTER EIGHT  Tony Bradford

CHAPTER NINE  They Found Him.

CHAPTER TEN  Madame Ofelia

CHAPTER ELEVEN  What Does Mark Know?

CHAPTER TWELVE  Curiosity and The Cat

CHAPTER THIRTEEN  Freya Ander

CHAPTER FOURTEEN  Devil Devon

CHAPTER FIFTEEN  Mark McLeash

CHAPTER SIXTEEN  Tiffany Denzel

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN  Atlas and Friends

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN  Hope for Diana

CHAPTER NINETEEN  Esteria

CHAPTER TWENTY  Gelda

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE  The Faeries

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO  New, Unexciting Beginnings

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE  Tony the Flip-flopper

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR  Reece Is Missing.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE  New Realities

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX  Rowan Ander

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN New Skill Set

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT  The Rescue Plan

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE  Marco, Polo

CHAPTER THIRTY  Teamwork

CHAPTER THIRTY -ONE The Elders

CHAPTER THIRTY - TWO  The Staff of Esteria

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE  Samantha Stewart

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR Cyrus Orion

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE Hummas

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX The beginning of the end

CHAPTER ONE

Reece McLeash

Reece jolted from his bed, his chest rising and falling very rapidly. He scanned the room nervously, his eyes bouncing off the walls of his room. Reece calmed down when he realized he was safe, in his house. His heart slowly got back its rhythm, as he palmed his face, steadying his breathing.

The same fucking dream, again.

He leaned his head back on his bed frame, taking in deep, steady breaths. The Ohio sun seeped into his room, casting warm rays on his face. Reece frowned, shifting his head in the opposite direction to avoid the morning sun. His gaze fell upon the mirror at the other side of his bed, and he took in his features for the umpteenth time. His hair was pitch black, silky and long. His eyes were grey and smoky, like they were drawn with a pencil. He had tanned skin, Arabian skin, and a short stubble that people said made him look hot. And he was tall, well built, because he worked out, and fit. Reece was handsome and he knew it.

He was a boxer, an incredibly talented one. It took his foster dad a lot of convincing to get Reece to finish high school, before pursuing his passion. After high school, Reece didn’t apply for college, instead he devoted his time fully to his boxing, practicing for long hours.

Reece knew he needed to get up and head to the gym, before his coach harassed him with text messages and calls. Boxing was his strong suit. At 21, he had won every single match he fought in, owing to his strength. Reece was strong... incredibly strong. He had never fallen sick, and he healed at an incredible pace. In addition to this, he had the strange talent of seeing memories from animals. He just needed to touch them, and he could see where they had been, what they had heard, and what they had seen. He knew that he was different, like all the heroes with superpowers you see on TV. But Reece had no intention of finding out who he truly was, or what he was. He made sure to tell no one too, except his most trusted friends.

He was abandoned as a child, and as a consequence, he bounced from one foster home to another, until an unfortunate event landed him in juvenile detention, where he developed his love for boxing. It was a way to let off steam for him, help him channel his frustration on someone... anyone. With the help of his foster father, Mark McLeash, who helped get him out of juvenile detention, Reece was able to control his strength, and lower the risk of actually killing someone with a single blow... again.

Mark was like an angel sent from heaven to Reece, he was so good to him. Mark knew of Reece's abilities but kept it a secret from people, and helped Reece accept whatever he was. He trusted Mark with his life, and always felt indebted to him.

His ringtone jolted him from his deep thoughts. Reece picked up the smartphone, let out a loud sigh as he checked the caller ID. Hannah was calling, again. Reece was starting to find it difficult to keep on ignoring her calls, text and voice messages. He loved her, but he couldn't be with her. Reece constantly tried to convince himself that it was for the best, that she was better off without him in her life.

Reece watched the phone ring, staring at her name displayed on the screen. When the ringing finally stopped, he threw the phone on the bed and stood, hands on his hips. To avoid unsolicited lectures from his always-nagging coach, Reece needed to get to the gym, fast.

Keep your elbows high when you punch, Reece. You're a boxing champion, punch like it, Mark cautioned, walking into the gym.

He was of average height, pale, and sturdy. Mark was a lawyer, and a very good one. In his years of service, he had helped hundreds of children get justice for abuse they suffered at the hands of their parents, step-parents, or foster family. His devotion ran so deep, that he built a foundation for these children and helped most of them find loving homes.

You know nothing about boxing, Mark, Reece said with a smile. He turned back to his trainer. Let's take five, coach.

I know enough, Mark retorted. He watched Reece get out of the ring and put on a black shirt, as he followed him to sit on a bench at the far corner of the gym.

Reece was the closest to family that Mark had. After officially adopting him at the age of seventeen from Nevada, Mark watched Reece transform from a depressed, abused young boy, to the confident young man that he had become. Reece was a reminder of how well, and how far he had come in this world.

So, you have a match today. Are you nervous? Mark asked Reece, watching him take off his boxing gloves.

Should I be? Reece asked, his voice was husky and deep. The kind of voice girls liked to hear in the bedroom.

Absolutely not, Mark paused, his mouth still slightly open, like he wasn’t done talking.

Reece frowned. What is it?

Maybe you should allow your opponent get a few punches in, Reece.

I always give them a fair chance, Mark.

Oh, really? Mark raised an eyebrow, adjusting himself on the bench to face Reece squarely. Your last match, you knocked him out five minutes after it started.

I had a football match I really wanted to see, that’s why I was in a hurry. At least, I didn't kill the guy.

Yeah, but you shattered his jaw.

That happens all the time in boxing. It's fine, Mark. Reece exhaled softly, observing Mark's worried face. I know how to control it. It's fine, really.

I know, and I'm sure you can control it. But you shouldn't draw suspicion to yourself. You have fought in tons of matches, and you haven't lost a single one. You're beginning to get really popular, try to take it down a notch.

What do you want me to do, Mark? Lose, on purpose? You know I won't do that.

Just, make it look like a close call, or a lucky win, just...

Mark sighed, shaking his head and running his hand through his hair. I don't know what I'm saying, I'm sorry. It's just... if people find out about you and your abilities...

You worry too much, Mark. Reece said, placing his hand on Mark's shoulder.

I worry because I'm supposed to protect you. Plus, you barely have any friends.

I have friends! Reece raised his voice slightly, removing his hand from Mark's shoulder.

Oh, who? Your ex girlfriend, Hannah? I thought you weren't speaking to her...

Mark saw the hurt creep into Reece's eyes at the mention of Hannah's name. He knew he shouldn't have brought her up. Reece loved her, that much was evident. They dated for a year, and were inseparable at the time. But the moment Reece hurt her by accident with his strength, he concluded she was better off without him. He couldn't forgive himself for hurting her, even if it was accidentally.

...I'm sorry for bringing her up.

It's okay. Reece assured him with a half smile. So, what? You came all the way to the gym to what? Ask me to lose?

Uhm, actually no. I came to ask for your help with work, Mark revealed.

Work? What about it?

There's this kid whose case I'm working on. He's currently at the foundation. Apparently, his foster dad beat him up badly, but they keep claiming he fell. The boy can't speak, so we need hard evidence to get him justice. I was hoping you could help us with that. They have a dog. He might have seen something.

Reece leaned his head back on the wall and shut his eyes. Mark, you know I don't like doing stuff like that.

It wasn't that Reece wasn't eager to help a desperate child in need of justice. He just didn't like seeing what they'd been through. Reece had his fair share of violence growing up. He was beaten, locked up, threatened, and starved by his first foster parents at the age of eleven. When he was twelve, he found another home and they treated him well, until the mother got pregnant. They decided they didn't need him anymore and one day, they abandoned him at a park. He had nothing but painful memories from his childhood, and and watching children get beaten only brought them back.

I know, Reece. But I would never ask you if there was another option. We don't have anything to help this case. The boy is so traumatized, he won't even eat.

Reece was silent, his eyes still shut. He toyed with his fingers, and circled his tongue in his mouth.

I promise, this is the last one. I know how much it hurts you, Mark tried to reason with him.

Okay fine. Let's talk about the details after my match, Reece gave in, standing up from the bench and picking up his gloves.

Thank you, Reece. And good luck tonight, I'll be watching from my front row seat.

You know I don't need luck, Reece winked, jumping into the ring.

Yeah, it's just something people say.

HANNAH FLINT walked into the dressing room, exhausted to say the least. When she realized that the bus was running late, she decided not to wait for it. She didn't want to be late to Reece's championship match. She struggled to steady her breathing, taking in deep, calculated breaths. Hannah was African-American, with silky brown skin and honey colored eyes. Her hair was jaw length, curly, lustrous and thick. Hannah had a model-like body, curvy and tall. She wore jeans almost all the time, coupled with a t-shirt and jacket. It was her thing, because she was always on the go... always active.

Hannah was a sophomore student at the Ohio state university. Up until a few months ago, she lived with Reece for almost a year, during the time they dated. The breakup was hard on her, something she refused to accept. She had spent the past few months trying to win Reece back, but he wasn't budging.

They met at a restaurant. Reece was on a date with a beautiful blonde girl, and Hannah was their waitress. His date was staring at her phone screen the entire time, texting and smiling. Even when it was time to order, she barely looked at the menu and asked for a salad. Hannah could tell Reece wasn't having a good time. What pissed her off more was the fact that his date was ignoring a guy that looked like him, so handsome. When his date left to go to the bathroom, she took the chance and talked to him. In the course of their brief conversation, they hit it off. They couldn't help but keep smiling at each other all through their conversation, although that was cut short by Reece's date interrupting them.

Maybe it was fate, but they met two days later at a bookstore. Reece was looking for a booked titled 'The Sweet Science' by A.J Liebling, and Hannah just happened to know where it was. It was like the universe was telling them something, and they decided to listen. They liked the same things, the same places, food, artists, movies, everything. They fit.

Hannah scanned the room, searching for Reece. A smile formed at the corner of her lips when her eyes caught a glimpse of him, standing in front of a locker. Hannah adjusted her backpack and trudged over to him, tapping him slightly on the shoulder.

Hey you, she greeted with a wide smile.

Reece glanced at her, and turned his attention away the next second. Hannah, Reece responded blankly.

Oh my God, I literarily walked all the way here from school. My legs are killing me, Hannah whined, leaning her head back onto the locker.

Reece smiled faintly, arranging his gym clothes and stuffing them in the locker. He ignored her, as he focused his attention on the simple task he was doing.

Hannah heaved, staring at Reece as he continued to ignore her presence. You're ignoring me.

I'm not. I just really have a very important match in a few minutes.

I've been calling you for weeks, Reece.

I've been busy.

You don't think I know that? I've been busy too. You could at least reply my many messages.

Hannah, let's not do this here, please. I'll call you.

No, you won't. We both know you won't, Hannah said, shaking her head.

Silence ensued for a couple of seconds as they stared at each other. Hannah was stubborn, but so was Reece. She loved him and for months, she made it her mission to convince him that it was not his fault, that she was not angry. But Reece chose to blame himself.

You know you're not the bigger person in this, Hannah continued. I'm supposed to be angry, but I'm not.

That is exactly my point, Hannah. Why aren't you mad at me? I hurt you.

It was a fucking accident, get over it! Hannah bellowed, drawing the attention of the workers in the dressing room. You're treating me like I was the one that hurt you, like I'm to blame for our breakup. When in fact, you're the one pushing us apart. I have tried countless number of times to convince you that I am fine. Reece, I'm over it, get over it too.

Reece watched her clearly pissed off face as she ranted on about their relationship. He didn’t like seeing her upset, but at least he got to see her. 

Hannah, now is not the time. You're causing a scene.

When, then?

Later.

Hannah let out a frustrated sigh, as she folded her arms. I have things to do in school for the rest of the week, but I'll be at your place, Monday night. I won't leave until we settle this.

Alright, Monday night it is.

Order snacks, it's going to be a long night, she said, retreating. And, good luck tonight, Hannah concluded as she stormed out of the dressing room, still pissed off.

She most definitely wasn't letting Reece go without a fight. He was the love of her life.

I don't need luck, Reece whispered under his breath.

CHAPTER TWO

Diana Blaise

DIANA BLAISE glided down the stairs, rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand. Her silky, midnight black hair bounced freely over her shoulders, visibly rough from tossing and turning all night. Diana had a sculpted figure, carefully carved waist that fell on round, toned hips. Her eyes were grey, like a grisaille painting, and her lips were rosy, with a cupid’s bow. She was about six-feet tall, and an incredible ballet dancer.

Diana's light brown skin was silky smooth and beautiful. This always begged the question of her birth, because on first look, people always thought Diana was adopted. Her parents were originally from California, before they moved to Ohio. Her Mom was a blonde, so was her sister, Ruth, and her dad had dark brown hair. They all had pale, white skin. Her mother, Katherine always tried to explain to her that her grandmother was of Mediterranean descent, hence her inherited looks. But for some reason, Diana wasn't buying it. Her looks weren't the only 'different' thing about her, Diana was almost certain, she wasn't a human being.

Her parents were both English Professors at the Ohio State University and her sister Ruth, was a sophomore student in high school. After Diana graduated from high school, she decided to put off college and face ballet.

Their family led a normal life, they tried to be the usual, typical American family. Only one thing, Diana wasn't usual, or typical. Growing up, she was diagnosed with Alexithymia, but that was something her parents told her, not a doctor. She had never been to a doctor’s office. Diana lacked the ability to feel physical pain, but she felt every other emotion. Diana had a boyfriend whom she loved, and she could die for her family. She knew happiness, sadness, she could cry, and she could feel fear. Her parents tried to convince her over the years that all those emotions were learned, and that she could learn how to feel pain too, she just had to give it time.

However, that wasn't the only thing that made Diana different. The way she healed, was incredible. Diana had never in her twenty-one years