Shattered Start: The Story of Sera

By C.R. Rice

She is held together with carefully stitched threads of deception tied off with lies.

Seraphina has always possessed unexplainable powers. Some know her as "Sera" while others call her "The Shadow." Once, she was just a shy, scared little girl who felt the Realm's pain as though it were her own. But when the ki

• Language: English
• Publisher: 4 Horsemen Publications
• Release date: Nov 15, 2022
• ISBN: 9781644503126

C.R. Rice

C.R. Rice is a fantasy/sci-fi writer, currently immersing you in the Realm Series. As someone who grew up in a small town, she has always loved escaping into the world of fantasy, paranormal and legend. C.R. has dedicated herself to creating that same opportunity to anyone who wants to escape the boring reality of real life. Through the years, she has traveled to dozens of different states and countries, has lived in North Carolina, Pennsylvania and now Florida! While they all have their own unique treasures, she admits to favoring the sunny southern states over the chilly northern ones, though there is nothing like curling up with a wonderful book by the fire as the snow falls outside the window.Some of her favorite reads are Terry Pratchett's Disc World series, The Uglies Series by Scott Westerfeld, and The Hallow Kingdom by Clare B. Dunkle. When she is not reading or writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband.

Book preview

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Table of Contents

Dedication

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Epilogue

Book Club Discussion Questions

About the Author

Shattered Start: The Story of Sera

Copyright © 2022 C.R. Rice. All rights reserved.

4 Horsemen Publications, Inc.

1497 Main St. Suite 169

Dunedin, FL 34698

4horsemenpublications.com

[e-mail]

Cover by Autumn Skye

Typesetting by S. Wilder

Editor SL Vargas

All rights to the work within are reserved to the author and publisher. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, except as permitted under Section 107 or 108 of the 1976 International Copyright Act, without prior written permission except in brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. Please contact either the Publisher or Author to gain permission.

This is a work of fiction. All characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022937700

Print ISBN: 978-1-64450-313-3

Audio ISBN: 978-1-64450-311-9

EBook ISBN: 978-1-64450-312-6

Dedication

For Zayn,

‘til the last beat…

Prologue

There was something comforting about the dark. It contained no chill or sweltering heat, no pain or consciousness, only a serene sense of being. One that was quickly ripped away as water, straight from the Arctic, washed over his crip pled body.

Thane gasped through the relentless spray, his body jerking against a hard surface.

Good, you’re awake.

Thane groaned and forced his weighted lids open. Sera? he wheezed. Are you bothering me in death now?

Sera smiled and her melodic giggle surrounded him. You’re not dead, Thaney. At least, not yet.

So, you came to torture me in my last moments, he mused.

Sera shook her head as she dragged a small wooden chair to his bedside and took a seat. No. I’ve come to ask for your help.

The soft light filling the room burned his dry eyes. What did you do to me?

I have … suspended your death. For now.

Why?

Because I need something from you. Something that I think you will only give if I give you something in return.

I won’t make a deal with you, Sera. So go away and let me die in peace.

Sera smiled and let her eyes roam over the fissure in his chest before meeting his stare once more. I don’t want to make a deal with you, Thane. But I need your help.

Thane swallowed through the sandpaper that had become his throat. What do you want?

I need Averie’s help, and I need you to convince her to trust me.

He narrowed his eyes and shook his head. No.

I think you’ll change your mind after you hear what I have to say.

Alright, I’ll bite.

A feeling that rivaled hope threatened to bloom before she shoved it down. For you to understand, I’ll have to take you back.

Back? Back to where?

A sad smile paled her light. My childhood.

Chapter One

Cleo’s heart pounded in her chest as her feet flew over the densely packed earth, up the pristine stairs, and across the porch. Her hands slammed against the bright yellow door with more force than necessary, sending it into the wall with a loud slam. Cleo searched the room, ignoring the twelve pairs of curious little eyes staring back. The room was one large, open square with enchanted walls that depicted a sunny spring day—complete with large fluffy clouds and a softly glowing sun that drifted across the room, depending on the time.

Cleo’s attention slid to the row of bookshelves that covered one corner and the three empty chairs. Her breath caught as panic began to well. A small group of playing children surrounded an assortment of floating blocks, their hands frozen above them at her sudden entrance. Another small group huddled closely together, their fingers tracing the air space and leaving their glittering letters behind.

Where is she?!

A tug on the light fabric of her dress forced Cleo’s attention to a small, black-haired little girl hugging an oversized pink bear to her chest. She was dressed in a seemingly endless swath of purple fabric that brought out the verdant green in her eyes. Are you looking for Seraphina?

Cleo swallowed around the growing lump in her throat. Yes, she whispered.

With a small smile, the little girl took Cleo’s hand in her own. I’ll show you where she is.

Cleo hesitated at the thought of bringing an innocent child into a potentially dangerous situation, when realization settled its angry weight. Her eyes narrowed as she searched the room. Where are the teachers?

The little girl stopped, her brow creasing in thought before she shrugged. I don’t know. They said they would be right back, but that was a while ago.

Dread dripped like acid in Cleo’s stomach. What is your name, sweetheart?

The girl smiled, revealing a missing front tooth. Her eyes sparkling with joy. Evelyn. I’m Seraphina’s friend.

Cleo could resist the smile that curved her lips. It is very nice to meet you, Evelyn. Why don’t you tell me where she is, so you can stay here with the other kids?

Evelyn’s smile faltered. But I promised I would be right back, and friends don’t break promises.

Cleo crouched down to the girl’s eye level and gave her hand a light squeeze. I know, but sometimes we can’t keep our promises. Sometimes, things get dangerous and we have to protect ourselves. Do you understand?

Evelyn stood in ponderous silence for several moments before a giggle broke free. Oh! Don’t worry. Seraphina isn’t dangerous. She’s just scared. Come on!

Cleo froze in shock. In the six years that had passed since Seraphina had been placed in her and her husband’s care, she had never encountered someone who didn’t flee after witnessing one of Seraphina’s fits. It had taken her and Armand several months to stay in the same room with her, let alone actively seek the girl out. And yet, Evelyn hadn’t batted an eye at the idea.

With the unnatural force that every child possesses, Evelyn pulled Cleo through the small building, down the three back stairs, and across the small clearing to the tree line. The shift was tangible in the air. The charmed tranquil environment of the children’s school collided with the turbulent aura of something … wrong.

With Evelyn leading the way, Cleo swallowed around the biological fear that her own abilities screamed within her mind and continued down the narrow path. While her mind begged and pleaded with her to come to her senses, Cleo held strong, ignored the pounding of her heart as it slammed against her ribs. Instead, she clung to Evelyn as though she were her lifeline.

Ser-a-phi-na! Evelyn called in a sing-song voice. I brought your mommy!

One last step, and Cleo found herself in a perfectly circular clearing. Trees bowed away from the center, where a petite child rocked with her legs drawn up to her chest and her chin resting atop her knobby knees as her toes pushed her back and forth. Four adults stood around her, adults that Cleo immediately recognized as the school’s teachers.

Cleo released Evelyn’s hand and stepped closer. The teachers turned as one. Their eyes glossed over with cloudy white cataracts as thick white veins bulged from their sockets. Cleo licked her dry lips and forced a smile.

Seraphina, honey. It’s Cleo.

Seraphina’s rocking stopped. Her tiny shoulders tensed as she lifted desperate eyes to meet her mother’s. I’m scared.

Cleo took another small step forward. Her eyes bounced between the four bewitched teachers before focusing on Seraphina’s crystalline ones. I know, honey, and that’s okay. Everyone gets scared sometimes.

The tension in Seraphina’s shoulders loosened as hope simmered in her eyes. Really? she whispered. Even you?

Cleo’s smile broadened as she tipped