1 ~ A New Life

For this girl, leaving home is the moment she's been anxiously waiting for. Although, it's not like anyone cares she's gone...

     I stand my ground as three guards walk towards me with a collar. This is normal for any Estius, except I'm just a little different.

     "Double the power needed for a teenager that's double the trouble."

     "I wonder why they're sending her out. Don't we need her skills here?"

     "Don't ask me. I'm sure that the counsel decreased the power of her Athvor, right? It'd be a shame if she transformed it in an unfamiliar environment and she couldn't handle the gun or whatever weapon she made it into," they sneer.

     No one is afraid to talk trash about me to my face. They should be, though, in my opinion.

     "You three know very well that I can handle any gun, any weapon, anytime," I growl.

     "Yeah, yeah. Whatever. I can't believe we got the job of sending this brat off. Anyway, you ready, 5617?" one guard asks me as he hands me the thin leather collar.

     The tag reads, 'Ethan Cardwell' and has my name, in my case my number, underneath the letters.

     "Again with the number," I sigh halfheartedly. I have waited a long time for this moment. A long time to leave this place, this abuse, this reputation that I didn't earn myself.

     I put the collar around my neck and turn towards the massive door, which is already in the process of being unlocked. The door that leads to the other world; a human world. Some humans can see it, others can't. And some just need it to be shown to them.

     As I step through the doorway, I take one last look at my world. At the other Estiuses going about their daily lives, playing their instruments, cleaning their weapons. So peaceful and quaint. And I couldn't be happier to leave it.

     "Goodbye. As if any of you will care that I'm gone," I whisper as I step into the portal, closing my eyes to block out the white light.

                           ***                       
                             
     When I come to, I am in a meadow. A sodden one. Lightning flashes and rain pelts me relentlessly.

     And I had to come to Earth in this weather because...? I think in annoyance as I get to my hooves. Yes, my hooves.

     Ethan lives on a horse ranch. No wonder horse is my day form.

     Although I was hoping that I would be a barn cat or something. Something smaller so that I could complete my day work without a human having to lead me everywhere so that it's not suspicious.

     I shake out my soaked white mane and give a shrill whinny. On cue, a still-human Estius appears with a halter and lead rope in hand.

     I am about to open my mouth to speak but then I remember that in a day form, an Estius communicates a little differently.

     As soon as the man places a hand on my back, I send the 'mind message.'

     So, where am I staying until tomorrow?

     "I have a small stall you can use," he replies, fitting me with the halter and attaching the lead rope to it.

     "Were you fitted with the collar?" the man inquires as he begins to lead me away with an anti-demon pistol in hand. For safety precautions.

     Yes.

     "Very good. Now, remember. Your partner won't be able to see the collar until you reveal your night form to them and you won't be able to take a night form until your partner is ready for it. You will know when the time comes. Good luck and make sure you put on a good show. We're still rubbing it in the Elcoses faces that we have your power," the man smirks.

     Unless I join them, of course. They might treat me a little better, I counter, not caring that he looks a little shocked. One Elcos treated me better. But I can't think about that traitor now. I have a new life to begin. And it apparently starts tomorrow.

Author's Note

Chapter 1...
Well, I hope that you enjoy this! And check out my other book, Casonia Book #1: The Heart of the She-Wolf if you'd like.
Starshine is set in modern day and I am having a ton of fun with it.
By the way, in the Casonia series, the romance is a bit more 'romance-y' (hehe, new word). But in the Starshine books, expect a lot of 'I hate you, I love you' stuff. ;)
Rate & Review, please! Your comments are much appreciated. And feel free to check out my bio and message me anytime. :)

Reviews

[Horizon K.]

Ohh, I love it ! The attitude of dejection, bitterness, and pride. She is so different from anyone in Casonia! I have no idea what these forms are or who these guys are or thier objectives yet, but the way this is written, I want badly to know... And who is this one Elcos? Really fantastic intro chapter. Even if I was not already your friend Nora, I would be so drawn in by this!!!

[Felicity's Eve]

Thanks so much :)

[Art Lover/Love Writing]

It's a little confusing because it doesnt tell about what the names mean but i love the feeling

[Felicity's Eve]

Thanks for the review. I kinda didn't reveal names and such so that it leaves the reader wanting to know. ^^

[Felicity's Eve]

So do you think you'll read more?

[Art Lover/Love Writing]

Yeah I just haven't got to it quite yet

[Felicity's Eve]

:)

[Weeping Willow]

nice book so far it's a great read.
:)

[Felicity's Eve]

Thanks so much. ^^

If you don't find this one to your liking, you can go check out Casonia. ^^

[Balkaran Sidhu]

great chapter...nicely done...detailed nd well established!

[Felicity's Eve]

Late reply to this but... thanks so very much! :)

I have another book on here called Casonia if this ends up not being to your liking. ^^

[beautiful dreamer]

great chapter :)

[Felicity's Eve]

Thanks and I hope that you like the rest ^^

[Hester Vane]

In the first section, where the guards are talking about the protagonist, I would put some description of each guard after each bit of dialouge. i.e:

"Double the power needed for a teenager that's double the trouble."the stout guard jeered.

"I wonder why they're sending her out. Don't we need her skills here?" the taller guard asked.

"Don't ask me. I'm sure that the counsel decreased the power of her Athvor, right?....etc

I just think it adds more depth to the world you are creating. It is a very interesting concept, I did sturggle with it at first, but i think ive got it now. Anyway a good start. Very creative stuff.

[Felicity's Eve]

Thanks so much for the advice and your review. ^^

If you don't really get it I put a full summary in the Author's Note in the Table of Contents. :)

And I have another book on here that you could read if you decide that you don't like this one.

Thanks again! :)

[Imagine Blade]

Okay. Just from the title alone I thought I was right.
AWESOME!!!

It's detailed and greatly established a plot with just chapter 1!
I love how this turns out! I'm going to read this tomorrow again 1st thing in the morning (though I am reading it now at 1:00am).

Just a friendly tip though, put a single space between your paragraphs that tell details of the story and the part where the dialogue starts. It can make reading easier and more comfortable.

Thanks for this! Just got another one for my library!

[Felicity's Eve]

Thank you so much! :)
Lol it's 11:30pm where I am. I'm homeschooled by the way so that's why I am online at "this time of day".

Yeah, I know about the paragraph thing before you ask (some people wonder where the indents are). I would always copy and paste from Word and WC would always take the indents and spaces off. So it goes from flowing smoothly to one big block. -.-"
But the good news is a few weeks ago, I got a MacBook Pro laptop and since I can choose my browser on here, WC doesn't do that annoying thing anymore! When I have a lot of time on my hands, I'm gonna go back on this book and Casonia to add the indents and spaces on the chapters I've posted so far. Plus, there's nothing wrong with a little-once over every so often. ^^

Feel free to message me anytime you'd like. I'm going through some tough stuff so I suppose I'm good at talking about life and working out problems. :)
I also like talking about books, art, writing whatever. If you read my bio you'll see that I'm 'academic' as some have called me.

I hope that you enjoy the rest of this and read my other book, book 1 of the Casonia series, if you'd like. You may want to read the summary I put in the Author's Note on the table of contents before reading that, though. :)

Again, thanks so much and I hope to see more comments from you. ^^

[Imagine Blade]

I'll check out Casonia too. Nice title! Hahaha. Thanks!

[Felicity's Eve]

Lol it took a lot of tweaking to come up with it! XD

Thanks. :)

[Imagine Blade]

I'm checking it out now. I don't know why but I'm more of a nocturnal animal. Hahaha. Check your inbox btw. ^^

[Felicity's Eve]

I used to be. But I've finally learned how to get my sleep-schedule back on track with my illness. ^^

[Dark Rider]

OKay, you have gotten my attention. This is so cool. I love the way it is writen and the details you have put into it. I can't wait to read the next chapters! :)

[Felicity's Eve]

Yay! I'm so glad u like it! :D
The chapters r relatively short I guess (idk. They r short to me cuz my other book's chapters are always really long!) so I try to post often. :)
Ch 7 should be up soon. :)
I hope that u like the rest of Starshine and I'll keep u posted!

[Dark Rider]

It doesn't matter about the lenght of the story, so long as you know how to draw in the reader, which you do. :)

[Felicity's Eve]

Awww. Thanks ^^

[Dark Rider]

You're welcome!

[Felicity's Eve]

:)

[Forever Hidden]

Oh goood. I looovve this! Mostly because horses are in it! XD

I think I won't be reading/reviewing the next few chapters because there is a lot going in my mind. Drama on here and then friends and yeeaaahh. hope you understand

[Felicity's Eve]

I totally understand. :)
Just read it whenever you'd like. It'll probably have more chapters up anyway when you pick it up again. :)
And thanks! I'm glad you like it

[Larry Dyson]

nice intro and first chapter.. I like it as well and will read both of your books..Laury

[Felicity's Eve]

Thanks! :)

[gombeggar]

interesting start