Tale of Life (Essence Series #2) (32 page)

Calloway immediately thought of his father, knowing he would be the Hara-Kir, not his mother. “Was my father one?”

“I didn’t know him,” he said. “I came from the Anti-Life before your father was even born. We wouldn’t have crossed paths.”

Calloway sighed, frustrated that he still didn’t know anything about his own father. It was irritating living in the dark the entire time, not knowing the truth about his origins. “So, what am I?”

“I really don’t know, Calloway.”

“Is that why you had such an invested interest in me?”

Mr. Avey nodded. “When I realized you didn’t have an essence, I wanted to study you and determine if you were good or evil. When I knew how exceptional you were and how good you were, I knew you were someone that could be trusted. You definitely weren’t a Hara-Kir or something that would aid them. But I only assisted you academically because of your talents—no other reason.”

Calloway pulled the gifts from his pocket and handed them to his teacher. “My father left me these but there was no note,” he said. “I don’t understand the significance.”

Mr. Avey held up the orb and looked at it. “This is a Soul-Trapper,” he said. “The Hara-Kirs use it to capture the essence of humans, storing it until they release it inside of the supernova.”

“Can the souls be released?” Calloway asked.

“If there is, I don’t know of it,” he said. “But we should find out.”

Calloway grabbed the orb from his hand and squeezed it, showing the light inside. Then he squeezed it again, dousing the glow. “And what is this?”

Mr. Avey stared at it. “I don’t know,” he said. He grabbed the orb and repeated the gesture, but it didn’t respond to him at all. “But it only responds to you so it must be yours.”

“What do you mean?”

“All Hara-Kirs are given an orb that specifically belongs to them. It can’t be used by other Hara-Kirs because it is unique to every user.”

“So this is unique to me?” Calloway asked.

Mr. Avey nodded.

“But I’m not a Hara-Kir.”

“I know,” he said. “Then it must be your father’s and it mistakes you for the same person.”

“So, my father was a Hara-Kir?” he asked.

“It’s possible,” he said. “But it’s also possible that there is a completely different explanation. You father could have been fighting for the Life or he could have been fighting against it. Humans turn to the Anti-Life, giving up their essence willingly, and join forces with them. Your father could have done this as well.”

Calloway shook his head. “My father wouldn’t do that.”

Mr. Avey stared at him. “Time will tell. The more we investigate the Anti-Life and their plans, the more we will learn about them. Also, we will research your father and find the truth, Calloway.”

“We will?” he asked. “I’ve always wanted to know the truth. I’m tired of defending my father when I don’t even know if I should.”

Mr. Avey nodded. “We’ll figure it out, Calloway. I suspect these upcoming times will be dark and difficult, but if we persevere we’ll be successful—we can’t lose hope.” He rose from his seat on the bed and approached the door. “Good luck in the fall. I’m sure you will do well, Calloway.” He closed the door behind him, leaving Calloway alone with his thoughts.

Sitting in his new dorm room made him realize his life was forever changed. His high school career was over and now he was an adult, starting college as a freshman. He had traveled to the Anti-Life and seen the forces of evil at work and heard them proclaim their sinister attacks. He knew life would never be the same, but he would keep fighting until the war was over—until they won or lost.

The story continues….

Darkness in Light

(Book Three of the Essence Series)

Available Soon

About the Author

E. L. Todd was raised in California where she attended California State University, Stanislaus and received her bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, then continued onto her master’s degree in education. While she considers science to be interesting, her true passion is writing. She is also the author of the
Soul Saga Trilogy, The Alpha Series, and her bestselling novel, Only For You, the first installment of the Forever and Always Series.
She is also an assistant editor at Final-Edits.com.

By E. L. Todd

Soul Catcher

(Book One of the Soul Saga)

Soul Binder

(Book Two of the Soul Saga)

Soul Relenter

(Book Three of the Soul Saga)

Only For You

(Book One of the Forever and Always Series)

Forever and Always

(Book Two
of the Forever and Always Series)

Edge of Love