Awakened: Jewel of Ages

By K.N. Lee

In Titania, those born with magic all have one thing in common; they are taken from their homes and trained at the Titan Academy for Mages.

Wren, on the other hand, is an orphan raised in the palace walls of The Vale by the clerics and mages. Robbed of her fairy wings at birth, she strives to prove herself by becoming the first female in the Dragon Elite. But, when a mysterious jewel is sent to her, something awakens within her that she never knew existed.

When a Titan returns and threatens to destroy everything in its path, Wren and the charming--yet bold--phoenix shifter, and the fierce warriors of the Dragon Elite must team up to stop him. While they do their best to ward off the coming darkness, secrets are revealed, and her life hangs in the balance. They only have each other as danger mounts and death awaits at the gates of Titania.

A sacred jewel from ancient prophecies, and a fallen kingdom may be all that can stop the coming storm.

Join the New York Times bestselling author of Half-Blood Dragon, and Rise of the Flame on an epic, coming-of-age adventure through the enchanting world of Titania. Lovers of Dragonriders of Pern, Lord of the Rings, and Percy Jackson will love Awakened!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dragon Roots Emporium
• Release date: Nov 8, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393647300

K.N. Lee

K.N. Lee is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She is the author of the Dragon-Born Saga, Eura Chronicles, Wonderland University, and the Chronicles of Koa series. When she is not writing twisted urban fantasy, epic tales of dragons, pirates, and mermaids, and dark poetry, she does a great deal of traveling and spending time with her family and Princess Polly, the pet pig. Wannabe rockstar, foreign language enthusiast, and anime geek, K.N. Lee also enjoys gaming and sketching. She is a winner of the Elevate Lifestyle Top 30 Under 30 "Future Leaders of Charlotte" award for her success as a writer, business owner, and for community service.  

Book preview

Prologue

Abone-chilling howl erupted from the outside that made the walls of the temple vibrate.

High Cleric Laurel clasped her hands over her mouth as she gazed out the tower window into what was once a pristine paradise with white shores, blue skies, and lush jungles in the distance.

Lion’s Keep faced the village of Cape Glenaran, which looked out to the sea. As her heart thumped in her chest, she beheld a dark cloud that stretched across the sky—a cloud that black, winged creatures darted from.

With fire erupting from their throats, and eyes as red as rubies, the screams of the villagers filled the foggy dawn.

It took a moment for her to process what was happening before her eyes. The creatures moved in the same motion, as if directed by one central mind. They weren’t dragons, or wyverns, but something from an entirely different world.

Necro was coming, and bringing all manner of terror with him.

What do we do? Captain Silas asked, his gaze following hers. This is something my men cannot battle. This is evil.

As a warrior, he knew only the art of battle and weapons. He knew how to kill a man with sharp objects and brute force. But, this darkness immortal, and would not bow to acts of mortal warfare. This creature would slaughter them all, if she didn’t act.

She shook her head, and turned to him. No, she said, under her breath. Her brows knitted together. "This is something ancient—something feral.

Magic?

Nodding, a shiver ran up her spine as she realized what she’d have to do.

Yes, she said. And, this is what I’ve prepared for my entire life. We can fight magic with our own. Hurry, summon the clerics into the temple, and send word to The Vale that they must gather their armies. Master Alistair will know what to do.

It shall be done, he said.

As Silas raced to execute her command, Laurel put on a brave face, hoping to rally the others into something they’d never anticipated. Necro was roaming free, sucking the life out of everything in his wake, and they would stand against him.

Even if it meant this would be their last day in the land of the living.

Chapter 1

The soft splatter of cool rain dripped onto Wren’s hood.

She sat in the tree, waiting, listening. It was just before sunset, when the horns would blow and the villagers would be called back to town before curfew. Nightfall meant danger for anyone who dared to linger outside the gates of The Vale.

It was up to Wren and the other Dragon Elite to keep them safe—to protect them from the beasts that prowled at night. 

She’d taken this mission from the King of Saldoria—a king who balked at being sent the ‘little fairy’ instead of one of the elven males from the Elite.

Arrogant bastard.

She glanced at the darkening sky, and the gray clouds that billowed across at a leisurely pace. From the sweet smell of the air, she sensed a storm was coming. Wren loved a good storm. Perhaps the weather would keep the creatures that haunted most children’s nightmares away. 

When the loud horns began to blow, she settled in on her belly, hiding within the leaves of the tall tree. The black bark and dark, evergreen leaves were perfect for such a disguise. Wren’s crimson hair was hidden beneath her hood, and her olive skin helped to camouflage her among the branches and foliage. 

She pressed her ear to the strong limb, listening to the wood nymphs humming. It was a hypnotizing melody that almost lulled her to sleep. 

Peeking down at the villagers as they left the fields and lakes after a busy day gathering food and supplies, Wren spotted North. He walked behind his two younger brothers, ushering them on as they begged to stay out and play just a little longer. 

He wore a crooked smile on his face, and his long chestnut hair hung over his eyes. He was one of Wren’s oldest friends from the Titan Academy for Mages.

She was coming of age to leave the Academy and pursue a life of her own. It was either that, or continue her studies to rise up the ranks of mages. Perhaps she’d even ascend to greater things.

She’d chosen her path. The Dragon Elite was where her heart belonged.

The silence that followed the procession of the villagers away from the forest was unsettling. Wren tried to focus on the hum of the nymph-folk and the soft drip of rain. Before long, thunder began to vibrate across the sky and strike lightning with a loud crackle that perked her up. She pushed herself onto her bottom, then wrapped her toned arms around her slim frame. The wind picked up and her soaked cloak and tunic began to cling to her in the most uncomfortable fashion. 

It was then that she noticed something out of the ordinary—something… odd.

Two pairs of glowing red eyes emerged in the looming darkness as the sun descended. Wren held her breath, neck muscles tensing as she watched a two-headed basilisk creep through the forest in search of food. The two snake-like heads sniffed and searched the thick underbrush of the forest floor, when suddenly they let out a shrill sound unlike anything Wren had ever heard. 

Lips parted, she watched in awe as the heads seemed to communicate with one another in a series of shrieks and grunts that reminded her of a pig. Swallowing, Wren forced herself to recall why she was there in the first place.

She carefully pulled an arrow from the quiver on her back, unblinking and barely breathing. As the storm raged on, she nocked the arrow and pulled the string back as far as it would go, feeling the tension in her fingers.

Raindrops fell into her eyes, blurring her vision. Now she blinked them away, her jaw clenched firm. Perhaps it was a bad day for a hunt, but she had no choice. Wren had taken this mission, and she would execute it.

She sucked in a long breath of the cool air, incanting a near silent prayer, asking her wisp guides for clarity.

Releasing the breath, she also unleashed the arrow and watched it sail through the night and slice deep into the chest of the deformed basilisk.

The roar that resulted made her jump, almost falling from the tree. She held steady, shivering as the massive creature ran. Her arrow protruded from its body.

Fiddlesticks, she growled, and after leaping from the tree, she descended to the forest floor, landing with little more than a gentle squish in the mud.

The basilisk fled, and she chased it, nocking arrows and shooting as fast as her skilled fingers could move.

The beast’s hide was