We’re nearing the day when Soul Eater will be released, but leading up to release day, I thought I’d introduce our most important characters.
The main characters in this story are Thaddeus Ezax and Sandulf Hunter, and we’ll get to them eventually, but I figured we’d start with Wulfric – Ric – Hunter. Ric is Sandy’s brothers, and Thaddeus’ worst enemy… at least until he realises he has a real enemy.
Ric is not a nice person, but we wouldn’t have much of a story if everyone was. And he might be an arse, but there is a reason he acts the way he does, most of the time.
No one spoke, so Thad continued. “When it was decided we wouldn’t be in hiding anymore, the council deemed it best if some things were kept a secret.”
Ric snorted. “Like?”
“Like…” Thad shrugged. “Well, they didn’t think humans would accept us if they were aware some of us drew their powers from the spirits of the dead, for example. So the council decided we were all to be called wizards—better they saw us as wand-waving idiots who studied books to learn how to cast a spell than something that could—”
“You’re not using a wand.” Ric’s eyes turned blue and he increased the distance between them. When Thad glanced at Jaecar, his eyes were yellow, and Leo flashed his teeth.
“Really, guys.” Thad held up his hands. “I’m probably the least powerful wizard you’ve met.” He wished it wasn’t true, but it was.
“You’re an Ezax.” Jaecar narrowed his eyes. “All Ezaxs are powerful.”
“Yeah…the power must’ve skipped a generation.” Though it never had before. “We’re mages. We’re born with power, all wizards are, but real wizards—”
“You’re not a real wizard?” Ric looked confused.
“Eh… It’s complicated.” He sighed. “Okay, we have sorcerers. They draw power from spirits.”
“Ghosts?” Jaecar’s face was blank.
“There’s no such thing as ghosts.” Ric laughed but gave Thad an uneasy look.
“Ghosts is one word for it.”
“No!” Ric shook his head. “There is no such thing as ghosts.”
“Spirits, if you prefer that term.” Thad nodded. “Sorcerers draw their powers from the essence of the dead.”
“What? No! When you die you become one with nature. You’re put to rest. You’re given eternal peace.”
Thad grimaced. “Unless—”
“No!” Ric shot to his feet, eyes blazing blue, teeth sharp, and dark hairs dusting his arms. The seams of his shirt were ready to burst as his shoulders grew wider.
“Wulfric Hunter.” Jaecar stood, his animal close to the surface as well. “Get yourself under control or leave this room.”
Ric snarled before looking away while panting hard. Thad had no idea what was going on and glanced at Leo who was still sitting in his chair. Jaecar walked around the table, grabbed Ric’s arm, and looked at Thad. “We’ll be right back.”
Thad nodded and swallowed hard. A heavy silence settled over him and Leo as the door clicked shut behind Thad’s back.
“Ric’s brother was murdered.”
Thad looked at Leo. “What? When?”
“It’s nine years ago now, I think. On Halloween. So he’s a bit… Anyway, the circumstances were…” Leo frowned. “There was a ring drawn around the body, the head was missing, and there were candles in north, south, east, and west. It was before this department was created and humans were in charge of the investigation.” He was quiet for a few seconds before continuing, “They never caught the one who did it, and all they could say was that the circle he was found in, wasn’t where he’d been killed.”
Thad was gonna be sick. “What the fuck, Leo. You don’t think that’s something I should have known? No wonder he hates me.”
There was a twitch at the corner of Leo’s mouth. “You curse.”
Thad fisted his hair. “You’ve heard me curse before.”
“When you’re arguing with Ric perhaps, but not in everyday talk.”
Thad waved a hand without looking at Leo. “So his spirit was harvested?” A chill traveled down his spine.
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Detective Thaddeus Ezax is in over his head. He’s the only wizard in Rockshade’s Paranormal Investigations Department, and it was his name that got him the job. The Ezaxs are known as some of the most powerful wizards in the world, but Thaddeus isn’t your average Ezaxs. Is it any wonder his family shuns him?
When a kidnapping case is dropped into his lap, Thaddeus must act fast. While most five-year-olds can cast a location spell, Thaddeus can’t and is forced to get creative. When he finds himself in possession of a black market werewolf skull with a ghost trapped inside, accidentally releases the spirit, and somehow forms a connection with it, things get even crazier.
Sandulf Hunter doesn’t remember dying, but he remembers the last thing he saw before everything went black—a wizard. All wizards must die! The only problem is, the wizard standing next to him smells too damned good, so good Sandy thinks he might have to keep him.
And since wherever Thaddeus goes, Sandulf finds himself yanked along, he might not have a choice in the matter anyway.
Love finds a way—even if man’s best friend has to reach across the veil to make it happen.
Ofelia Grand 