Philippe

My oh my, so much to consider in the world of Kalian this chapter. The King and Queen have now seen Kalian as a jewel of the crown, with skills only to be honed by Tyren. Tyren is a master of metals manipulation, and a genius that leaves Talon envious to experience Kalian’s position in school. Malicious Mallex continues to push his ways upon Kalian and the royal court but the the rumors of Talon’s presence and relationship misdeeds with Kalian are hampering his plan; or is it? 🤔 Who has heard these rumors, and who started them? It is rather curious, or too convenient an argument to rid himself of Talon’s protective stance with Kalian. Meanwhile, the bonded link has been more accepted and embraced by the linked partners, but this remains secreted away to all but them, for now. The relationship too is beginning to be more open; Kalian has a name, and so sweet when spoken by Talon! Mallex may have been surprised that Talon knew of his tongue wound, but would most likely assume the more common “I guess I let it show, he’s very observant.” But when the brutal and challenging Tyren breaks Kalian’s defenses in class, how long will the master be kept in the dark about this bonded link? Could it be that the school master Tyren may discover the bond and pull Talon into the classes also? What will be the synergy of the bonded pair, of the bonded majiks? Eon is proving himself a better ally now, and possible support from the Queen and the King’s Master Instructor could play against the end run Malicious Mallex is trying to quickly seal by marriage. Yes, Lex, Kalian is Talon’s. They have consummated their...thoughts and bond! Hmmm, touched but untouched? I guess the candy wrappers came off through telepathy! Yoo-hoo! @Demiurgeamazing chapter and story!

Tears shed in a fond farewell...in hopes we may again return to Sanctuary.

Aww, our shy carrot top is not running away anymore; he’s even got game...when encouraged 😝 There is so much to feel good about in this chapter. The redefining and re-bonding of the group continues. Shane is a very patient “friend with benefits” that Jared needs to be more honest to and with; what a charming cowboy with very keen people skills. I suspect there is more to Shane’s history too and somehow it makes me think tragic love loss; he’s too precious for someone to turn away from and too smart to be fooled by shallow hearts. Adrian has found true love, patience, and a sprinkling of humble. Now we need to see if the advice of friends can be executed with the magical balance of confidence, honesty, and determination to thaw the frozen heart belonging to the object of his affections. Hopefully, Edward will stop denying himself a loving relationship. @Laura S. Foxyou always make us feel a part of the characters, attached in ways it is impossible to not have hope, to shed a tear, and to witness the life you have given them. Thank you!

Lex, so high in the military that he abandons his betrothed so that he may arrive ahead in his jockeying for power; hmmm, just what was he up to... The link may now be more critical than ever before as the grounding Talon gives Kalian may be crucial to his survival under Lex’s quest for power and position; Kalian is no longer the meek, in power nor in spirit, but he remains naive to the ways of the world and to politics of the royal court. I’m hoping the jestering by the king of the things we do for love, and Queen witnessing the quick dropping of smile from Kalian’s face upon Lex’s reaction to the Queen’s words, will be an indication of the inter-workings of the King’s highest and most trusted council...the Queen. She is no fool and is well within her rights to host Kalian as a betrothed royal spouse to one of the King’s high military. Now, will the powers reveal before the King or will some underlying force be withholding until the conditions are more favorable?

Hooray for Eric, Hooray for Brice, they have finally found some inner strength to deal with the witch. We have yet to re-introduced Steve as his long lost best friend. Hopefully Eric will trust in his friends; with the guidance of Eric’s mom, David, and now perhaps even Brice, Steve and Sergio, then Eric may be saved from becoming obsessive with personal vengeance and manipulation of the likes Giada. But that doesn’t mean Giada and Travis should not be given enough rope to hang themselves. With Giada willing to go so unethical with David, I still would love to see the DNA on Travis; it is too convenient the way Giada has manipulated Brice and his love so long; only for her love of power and money! Another exciting chapter @vanalas!

Ahh, the connection; it grows more dynamic, more guided, but by what? Is it the powers guiding the host or the host guiding the powers. It appears the powers are guiding or controlling for our young men of destiny, and that has been the case for their entire familiarity. Kalian was pulled towards the shifts, as was Talon drawn to the alleyway to find Kalian in need; neither fully understanding why or how they found themselves in that situation. Kalian was drawn again to the shifts as the powers were seeking release, perhaps in the presence of the only one that could resist to lure of power not of his own. Mallex continues to become less stable and it is almost as if the powers influence Kalian to bait or draw out Lex’s inner impulses while Talon is perhaps linked in to the raw emotions and distrust his linked partner feels. The question is to whether either of these young men understands the gifted link the powers bring.

So where was the mole that leaked the travel itinerary; in their house or in the capital where opponents do not want another house gaining strength? What is this power that Kalian has? It seems more is probably understood about it, but still being withheld from Kalian. Does Eon know more or was his statement of “we don’t deserve you” based on seeing Kalian’s untrained powers and pure emotions protect the brother that “was” and hopefully will be again as he earns Kalian’s trust again; Eon, make amends with Talon NOW! Your brother set the bar of trust and non-manipulation right before your eyes and ears; become more than your family reputation, become the best brother and friend again. Mallex is barely constrained even when Talon was a savior. Lex was mostly un-injured, yet his best friend is severely injured and nearly killed. Initially, Kalian was pushed back into the coach and even with the axe raised, the assailant was trying to restrain his feet? Only, Talon had told Kalian to get down for safety. Lex challenged Talon’s help immediately after the battle and again as they needed to fine safer territory. Oh Kalian and Talon, please learn some social skills and recognition, and be open with the same honesty summonsed by Kalian on the night of freedom in the shift. Hmmm, Mallex is so power hungry and I could see his need to prove the protector and move up the wedding before established in Syrin. So, it is not beyond my thoughts that the selfishness of Lex may have lead to a leak, but not realizing the true level of interest and the peril he would be inviting. Of course, the sister is quite jealous but the appearance that Kalian was possibly targeted for kidnapping still put more weight on Lex suspicions for me! lol Another great chapter @Demiurge, it has suspense, action, romance and brotherly love all at play; I loved the mash it served up!

Oh Nick, you laughed at the cocoon, basically in Brad’s face. Then you disregarded Brad’s orientation of school, chores, etc, and then the more specific directions that Brad would have other kids show you the ropes following the clinic checkup. Whether spoiled by privilege or lack of discipline, Brad will not let you risk the safety of Sanctuary. Hopefully, the boys will huddle and prevent Nick from a terrible mistake. Let’s hope Nick doesn’t seek freedom like a paddle-ball having won freedom from the tether. If unable to follow the rules, then the normal social services would be his last grasp at a monitored program; but Sanctuary has proven why that is a false hope. The Sanctuary family hasn’t failed yet, and hopefully they won’t have to suffer the shared grief of loss or injury to another child now under the umbrella.

Much has happened in five years, we don’t know the full extent of Laurel’s health conditions or recovery; yet we know that Eric holds her to have made the biggest impact on his life. If Giada and Travis plan their vengeance (for Eric being successful), then perhaps Sergio may get the chance to proof where is heart really is. Where the mistrust of his past may not ever win over is love, it may win his forgiveness. Brice, Steve, and Sergio need to collectively reevaluate their lives and decide whether they really are willing to make their own decisions, with their own conscience. I’m loving the reintroduction of the characters with the time lapsed; will they finally see beyond the manipulations?

Through the reminiscing of growing up antics, and the heroic tales of action in the face of danger, and the more simple rising to be ones best in education and professional leadership, it brings forth the meaning of an ole American comic for the driver force to meet our challenges; but on the lighter side was more literally addressed as the horny couple sealed the deal to “Keep on Truckin’.”

Oh the pain, and the agony, from all...turning on and maiming a friend, ignoring and neglecting a brother, never facing that darkness ...standing in that alleyway and hearing the bearing of Kalian’s soul, must have forced Eon to look into the the mirror of his soul for the first time; and that image was weaker than his brother had ever been, and the vile darkness was more twisted and scary than people believe the alleys and shadows of the shifts to be. The shadows of Kalian and Talon’s souls seem to be pushing and tugging, but the training of powers have lead the duo to cross beams...ahem, as their powers of light and dark have touched with surprising results; the recoil for Talon was shocking but brought him joy. Was that smile the pride of the teacher or the joy of experiencing the purity of light’s touch; or both? The pull of energy was so strong to the student that his energy reserves were zapped. Despite the darkness found within this chapter, the underlying evil of Mallex still prevailed; he lured Eon to escalate torture upon Talon, has a history of preying upon Kalian seeking family position and status, yet shows no remorse and only marginal restraint under strong protest from Kalian. Kalian has no future with Lex, at least not a good one. Hopefully, the day of reckoning in the alley for Eon has awakened a staunch advocate for Kalian. The confessions made by Kalian in a bearing of all, but then to make the concession of walking away from Talon, the only emotional bond Kalian has had since a very young age, could draw tears from a granite statue. Hopefully, it may have also opened the door for Eon to at least show some level of remorse to Talon.

Awww, so do we call it an intergalactic, blended species, family? Hahahaha As the claims of Timor being a true scientist, and warnings aside, it is the very nature that had our young interloper Essel exploring a forbidden planet; hmmm 🤔, so an interesting mirror on the relationships developing whether professional or personal. What a huge step in trust to set increasing freedoms for our young interloper and his bonded velociraptor...ahem,...adolescent ceros, Bouncer. 😆

“Hi guys, i am sure you've noticed that i take too long to update a chapter and i am sorry for that. The reason is that I have no idea if you're following this book or not so sometimes I just forget I am even writing this book and sometimes I feel lazy to update. Please, if you're following this book just be leaving comments so that I know people are following. Thanks“ All I can say is YES: I am reading, I am very much enjoying, I am eagerly awaiting updates,...SO DON’T GETTING LAZY @vanalas 😝! Please.... Seriously, I’m enjoying the book and this last chapter serves well to ratchet up the type of payback Giada and Trevor have so greedily earned; VIPs indeed, ha! It’s great to see Brice growing so balls to find his son; way overdue, and much damage to repair but this definitely looks promising. I still wonder whether Travis was really Brice’s son or another manipulation by Giada to gain power and control over him. How sweet it would be to find that Travis is really the bastard child and disinherited by Brice upon learning his crimes against Brice’s true son. Then the wicked witch Giada should be jailed with hard labor for her crimes; with any properties solely hers should be awarded in restitution of the pain and suffering to Laurel and Eric. This back story for Eric, Laurel, and David should be a great chapter of rescued souls and honest love; this I hope will be woven in the ways that you bring the added suspense to the drama unfolding. I like how the best friend Steve and ex boyfriend Sergio have found common ground and support in each other. I believe this will help set up possibilities for forgiveness and resolution between the old circle of friends and any new circles that may emerge. I know you’re writing long chapters in English is an effort, but the storyline transcends the slang, idioms, and cultural intricacies to bring us these tales of gay suspense and drama with flavors of your culture we’d be otherwise denied. Please don’t lose your inner strength and resolve to share your passion and grow your audience!

Please let Eon be true and honest about his support of late, as the lives of these two are very much at stake, and to betray his brother Kalian too, after contributing to Talon’s destruction would be an unforgivable sin. Ironic that Talon’s parting sadness was probably not that Talon believed the barbs spoke in anger, but that it was possibly a good time to remove himself from the relationship before suffering another personal tragedy or being denied a forbidden love. Yet, there is hope as Eon mentioned, for Talon has been drawn far from his comfort zone and has even experienced joy beyond his masking abilities; that is an ache for which leads to depressed resignation or explosive anger when the battling emotions overwhelm; which direction shall we find Talon? Either direction has only one common thread to bring these warring emotions within check. The destiny of the two it seems is to save each other, Talon and Kalian. Perhaps I’m a hopeless romantic, but I truly hope that Eon’s instincts or suspensions do foresee a greater calling in destiny for these two lost ones, but that it also results in love and happiness when the shadow and light merge in pairing. @Demiurge, another fantastic step into mystery, suspense, and fantasy; this story is so captivating. Thank you!

As she goes into nag overload just stand back enough for the house to clear you when it falls; don’t forget to grab the ruby slippers! OMG @Krista, it’s so good to have you posting on this story again. The gang is every bit as fresh and full of teen life as I remember; that is the powerful character identities you’ve created and we so adore, the realism just makes us want to be a part of their group.

It’s nice to see Kalian finding his strength...in spirit if not physical. 😝 Lex is definitely a douche but Kalian’s family is propagating this tradition on Kalian without even asking or explaining their actions. So sad to they were products of that system and now they would choose to propagate it to the next generation. What was it that Talon saw or felt as Kalian held the golden energy in suspension? Argh, when is Talon going to start trusting Kalian with more explanations of what he knows or thinks is possible? I’m really enjoying your tale @Demiurge, it’s suspenseful and so mysterious how these legendary powers and the descendants find themselves embroiled in struggles far beyond their makings or choosings.

Oh the pain and frustration. You dropped this posting at a time I was loading up and driving 8 hrs to take care of mom and property; oh the agony of knowing it was there but could not touch, it was much worse than waiting as a kid for the holiday cookies to cool! Then at the time of final reward...exhaustion had me waking to a dead iPad and thankful there were no unintended comments submitted from the shadows of my untimely haze. This is not the end! Book 1 has built the story, the characters, and the brotherhood. We’ve embraced a whole new world of magic and mystery, a world of wolf myth and the tapping of powers yet unrecognized, all woven skillfully into a tale that leaves us with boundless anticipation of what remains behind the curtain. Thank you @astone2292, for sharing your imagination and creativity, your commitment to this work of art, and for discussions along the way in this personal, yet public, journey. This final chapter is a type of unmasking; that of the monk, the monk’s talents, his history of teaching, the pull towards Vinsy, the mystery of veiled auras, veiled Mages, etc, etc... This was a monumental growth chapter leading us to “Rising in the Shadows.” So it is without remorse that we close book 1, knowing that we have completed a foundation of which a whole world rest upon. The monk has seen hope where his devastating enlightenment of Stefan left regrets. The confidence he now sees in Vinsy has the teacher learning what a mistake he made in Stefan so many years ago. His insights and commitment to Vinsy’s training will on be exceeded by the efforts of our young Alpha MageWolf Vinnie to forever remove the stain of Stefan from the Shadows. Standing Ovation my man @astone2292! Well done and congratulations on this milestone “Within the Shadows.”

Everyone was enjoying crack, except Avery and the crack addict... 🧐

Hopefully you’re right as this is a cliffhanger for sure. The relationship issues have affected the purity of Ronnie’s powers by not having honesty with his dad, requiring him to focus to purify and strengthen his energy. Now Taran has accepted or been more honest with himself, the energy was building with emotions, this seems to be connected to a sudden unleashing of power. Then....cliffhanger! Argh 😡, please post again soon; I really like your tale!

What a pleasant surprise to find this update! Kalian suffers in a dismissive environment; it seems to describe his life so far. Despite having shown the family a surprising gift, they continue to act as they’ve granted mercy to an orphaned child; poor Kalian got his hopes up to see their excitement that he would not remain un-gifted. The relationship between Talon and Kalian is awkward as they deal with a curious attraction in the environment that says they should understand class status and social boundaries. Yet underlying that awkwardness seems to be a driving force of nature. Whether driven by fate or prophecy, it would seem this magical pairing has a more significant meaning; and their unique relationship may be the very key to survival. I’m loving the storyline and hope to see much more in the life and challenges of this pairing!

Awww, our Beta, Kaplan, has himself a teddy bear....ok, Panda Bear. Growing up in the ole days when a teddy bear was very common, and the favored ones would let out a little roar 🦁 when bent forward, my brother had the panda version but I don’t recall the giggles! 😝 Hmmm, the Panda seems much more comfortable and moving at a faster pace than ever expected. It may be the Panda will even out pace Kaplan, but it’s a nice growth in relations that just leaves observers smiling. Growth in relationships can be even better when it’s the topsy turvy world of two newly acquainted wolves, Alpha Wolves; oh yeah, I was checking that fine Alpha Asxx....what did you say Mace, my Pack Alpha? As Mace recalls he did get a few “scratches” from his newly turned Alpha Mate; thank goodness for a support group...of Alphas, to survive the night! 😝 Vinsy, man, I love ya but you’re killing me....it’s me, your Mate, please stop 🛑! 😂 Now that the Alpha Mates are bond building, post turning, Vinsy is enjoying farm orientation; learning new farming skills of turning the soil to grow granular shadows; yes, SHADOWS! While chairing the Council of Vinnies in human form, VinsyM decides the reluctant Wolf pup needs flying lessons..., though hesitant and howling in horror when tossed from the roof, the thrill leaves VinsyW begging for more as VinsyM demonstrates his soil turning, granular shadow harvesting techniques for landing. So the ever endearing, Skydiving, Granular Shadow Speedster, Alpha Mage Mate 🧙is a constant source of love and hope for the human innocence, youthful purity, and accountability of the Shadow Mages; hmmm 🤔 now where and why do I see that unknown Shadow Monk, does he come in self-interest, an Order, or as a servant to his master? Another great chapter @astone2292! If you must torture us with more exciting, magical, mystical, chapters of these lovable characters; know that I willing accept the challenge to endure through such torture and pledge to do so in it’s entirety!

😱 I laughed at this as we are training people to be so gender neutral that we also ignore real differences. My interpretation on this was more along the lines of earlier context that some of the kids, especially girls, may not be interested and therefore other activities need to be offered. If I put the most masculine traditional activities out there along with the most feminine traditional activities, there will be cross flows of interest; the sexiest issues to me only enter if the cross flows are prohibited or discouraged, not because I recognize that boys and girls are more likely to migrate towards gender traditional roles. Boys like visual and girls like tactile...more traditionally, but not entirely. My oldest daughter asked to be guided through changing her car’s oil, filters, plugs, and injectors. The other two looked on in horror that they they might need to depend on their own repairs. Likewise, my daughters know better than to ask mom to sew or repair their bags, cloths, or to make their custom dogs harnesses; ironic that other kids have been jealous that the girl’s dad helped them sew custom items that them and their mothers can’t. Likewise, my girls hated it at the time, but they were required to explain every light, meaning and impacts, on the car’s warning light panel, as well as properly change a tire with the spare before I took them to get their licenses. Later, they thanked me and said how much they appreciated what we had done to keep them same, secure, and aware of driving responsibilities to themselves as well as regular road safety. My oldest daughter’s husband is jealous of my daughters knowing more about cars than him! lol So my requests is that people not judge brainstorming traditional interests and norms to be sexist unless a more specific act to prohibit and force those norms upon the traditional gender assignment is truly present.

The sad reality is that the very system that’s supposed to provide and protect the kids all too often keeps them in near juvenile detention; imagine reaching 18yo without hugs, without compassion, and without a car, a license, and little savings; then pushed out into the world unprepared. They are too frequently not treated as kids needing family, life skills and career guidance. Instead they are children held for the rewards of state contracts based on occupancy, and frustrated by bureaucratic desires to find a “perfect” forever family; the system should have to justify rejections of people wanting to foster or adopt these kids, the kids need a family, not a group detention center. There is no wonder why the destitution, incarceration, and homelessness rates are astronomical among kids raised by the state; I’m not award of any state that has bragging rights of having broken that mold of these wards of the states; so terribly sad, yet I was questioned by the contractor as to my motives when I had “inappropriate contact” with a kid other than my mentee. The inappropriate contact was a generic warning to not interfere when the event was a kid that was craving a different name into his forearm; as he didn’t want to be the same misfortune kid any longer. I merely talked with him and got him to ask for ointment, bandages and to have his case worker advised of specialized help needed. The kids are just a job and numbers far to often invisible.

I’m fine with being young, fun and casual, but he was in tears for Sam and now...tears...

Yup, Giada is the devil’s spawn and it seems she may have entrapped Brice for money and power in the first place. She is the one that has long manipulated and broke a family of love, while her love is only of money. Arrrgh! Trevor is now confirmed as a disciple of the devil spawn and readily embraces the power and scheme of manipulating others to bow to their loftiness. Poor, poor Eric, has been ripped from his dad, manipulated by the dad’s wife (evil step-mom seems to attached as she disavows his relationship as anything other than contemptuous), guilted to feel harmful to his mom’s existence, and now he is callously abused in mind, heart, and soul by the first lover to fully win his heart; he suffered a terrible betrayal to furthermore add to his distrust. I don’t see him ever trusting or forgiving Sergio; I don’t think I ever could. Sergio was foolish to put himself above others. It seems he has some good in him, but unfortunately not enough to keep him from volunteering to fulfill an inhuman challenge without any reservations; until Eric’s purity makes him feel worthy.