Firebrand

By Claudia Blood

Rex DeVille is a druid apprentice with a problem - he has a black thumb and can't seem to make anything grow. As the Spring Equinox approaches, he faces his final test, where he must prove himself worthy of becoming a full-fledged druid.

But when Rex discovers a dark secret that threatens the balance of nature and the arrival of Spring, he must race against time to uncover the truth before it's too late.

"Firebrand" is a thrilling fantasy adventure full of magic, secrets, and unexpected twists.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Claudia Blood
• Release date: Aug 11, 2023
• ISBN: 9781954603295

Claudia Blood

Claudia Blood’s early introduction to Dungeons and Dragons, combined with her training as a scientist and a side trip into the world of IT set her up to become an award-winning author of Science Fiction and Fantasy.For her latest release, visit her atwww.ClaudiaBlood.com

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Firebrand

FIREBRAND

CLAUDIA BLOOD

DRAGON BANE PUBLISHING

Written by Claudia Blood

Cover design by Kelly Lambert-Greer

Copyright 2023

by Claudia Blood

EBook ISBN: 978-1-954603-29-5

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed in this book are fictional, and any resemblance to real people or incidents is purely coincidental.

Seriously, I make stuff up all the time. It’s my job.

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CONTENTS

Preface

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Afterword

Enjoy this book?

From the Author

Acknowledgments

Also by Claudia Blood

Also by Claudia Blood

Also by Claudia Blood

About the Author

A druid apprentice with a black thumb; A final test. Will Rex discover the truth before Spring is lost forever?

Rex DeVille is a druid apprentice with a problem - he has a black thumb and can't seem to make anything grow. As the Spring Equinox approaches, he faces his final test, where he must prove himself worthy of becoming a full-fledged druid.

But when Rex discovers a dark secret that threatens the balance of nature and the arrival of Spring, he must race against time to uncover the truth before it's too late.

Firebrand is a thrilling fantasy adventure full of magic, secrets, and unexpected twists.

This short novella is from the Adamant Spirits: A 2022 Charity Anthology of Romantic Urban Fantasy, Science Fiction, & Paranormal Romance for Ukraine and has only been reformatted from the anthology version.

Firebrand is a side story set in the supernatural detective agency world.

CHAPTER 1

Rex DeVille felt a trickle of heat. It started in his belly and radiated out to his right hand. At the center of his palm, a tiny red flame that smelled of mulling spices appeared. For a moment, he could ignore the cold wind whistling down the walking path next to Cascade Creek in Rochester, Minnesota. He could swear the little flame giggled and then ducked behind his thumb.

What are you doing? Lawrence's voice sounded annoyed and was edged with anger. His white cowl with gold piping along the edges and the winter jacket hidden under his robe made him seem like a much bigger man. You should be paying attention.

Lawrence and the other four Druids had to perform the ceremony for Imbolc, one of the high days meant to assure the transition of the season to spring. If they couldn't do it by midnight, then spring might never come to Earth.

Lawrence had brought Rex, an apprentice, because the signs had said the ceremony would not complete without him. Too many ceremonies had failed recently. Something was out of balance.

Rex shivered and put his hands behind his back even as he felt the flame slip under his skin and heat his blood. He leaned forward so his long, black bangs hid his eyes, and he schooled his features to blankness. Lawrence must never suspect how different Rex was from the other Druids. If Lawrence knew, Rex would never be allowed to take his final test.

Lawrence stared at him for a moment longer. His expression didn't give anything away. He walked back to the clearing, murmuring something to the other robed men. They would need three items to create a sacred space.

One placed a portable fire pit on the ground and knelt near. Another added a stack of wood for the fire. A third Druid placed a large mug in the shape of a stone well three feet away from the fire pit. The final Druid placed a two-foot-tall Christmas tree so it formed a triangle with the other items.

Once they created the sacred space, the Druids could begin the ceremony.

One Druid bent by the fire ring and clacked the fire starters to create a spark. The spark landed in the tinder, but a