The Rite of Abnegation
The Rite of Wands Book 2
by Mackenzie Flohr
Genre: YA Fantasy
When Lochlann becomes nervous about his upcoming Rite of Wands ceremony, his brother Mierta McKinnon reassures him everything will be okay. But when Lochlann staggers out of his ceremony and refuses to use magic, Mierta McKinnon is determined to find out what really happened.
Meanwhile, the kingdom of Vandolay is under attack by a dangerous, unidentified creature, and Mierta’s father, Mortain McKinnon, requests his son’s assistance to help aid the injured.
But the people of Vandolay aren’t the only ones Mierta must save when someone he holds dear comes face-to-face with the creature and their life hangs in the balance.
Now Mierta must draw upon his strength and his newly acquired magic skills to defeat a dangerous foe and save everyone from death.
“You fool,” Mierta said, unable to believe the sight that had met his eyes. Lochlann was outside beating a tree with a wooden sword. And not simply any tree, either; it was the tree that Mierta and his father had planted as a memorial to his mother!
Quickly, Mierta ran down the hall to his bedroom and grabbed a wooden sword he used for practicing sword fighting before proceeding outside in an effort to stop Lochlann from doing any further damage.
“What are you doing?” Mierta yelled as he approached Lochlann, holding the wooden sword in his hand. “Why are you trying to destroy Mum’s tree?”
“Sorry? What?” Lochlann stopped and looked back to assess the damage. There were marks throughout various branches of the tree. Shocked, he dropped his sword. “Sorry! I’m so sorry! I didn’t…I mean, I didn’t mean to. I was bored. I wasn’t thinking.”
“That’s right. You’re such a blubbering buffoon! You never think!” Mierta accused.
Lochlann’s cheeks flushed and he began to stare down at the ground in shame.
Mierta raised his wooden sword. “Hit me.”
“I’m sorry, what?” Lochlann said, looking up, confused.
“You heard me. Hit me! I dare say you’ve been wanting to ever since your Rite of Wands,” Mierta said. “Go on, then. Do it.”
The Rite of Wands
The Rite of Wands Book 1
One boy…one Rite… And a world of deadly secrets that could change the course of history—forever
And so begins the tale of Mierta McKinnon. When a horrible fate reveals itself during his Rite of Wands ceremony, he must find a way to change not only his destiny but also the land of Iverna’s.
Forbidden from revealing the future he foresees to anyone, he is granted a wand and his magical powers, but still must master the realm of magic in order to save himself and those he loves.
But Mierta is not the only one with secrets…especially when it’s impossible to know who to trust.
“Mierta!” Mortain shouted at the top of the stairs, hearing nothing but his own voice echo. Watching smoke drifting out of the open doorway, Mortain took in a deep breath and tried to slow down his heart. The aroma of acrid chemicals and burning flesh filled his nose.
“Mierta!” he shouted again. “Son, you all right?” He listened, hearing nothing more than what sounded like gasping breaths.
“Father,” Mierta mouthed in response to Mortain’s calls, unable to produce any sounds as he dropped to one knee. His heart was pounding. Each pulse matched the ache he felt in his temples. A deep burning pain seared through his chest every time he took a breath. It was like he was slowly being strangled and there was nothing he could do to stop it. The inside of his nose felt charred and his throat felt like he was swallowing tacks. He blinked, his eyesight blurring, the pain beginning to overwhelm him. Nausea built in his throat and droplets of sweat slid down the side of his face. He wished he could do anything to end the torture. He could not imagine dying would be much worse.
Mierta attempted to stand and tried to get away from the workbench. He managed a few staggering steps before his body was drained of all energy. He watched puffy white circling clouds fill his vision before everything was replaced by darkness.
Mortain felt his stomach drop at the sound of something breaking. “Mierta!” he screamed, racing down the stairs. “Mierta, answer me!”
When he reached the bottom, Mortain abruptly stopped, taking in the horrific scene before him. His son was unconscious; lying sprawled out on his back. What remained of a small culture tube lay shattered next to him, and chemicals dripping from a workbench bubbled and fizzled as they made contact with the hardwood floor.
Acidum salis, he thought, his eyes widening.
Mortain raised his arm to his mouth, careful to not inhale any of the smoke that was filling the room. He trembled as he came closer, observing the damage that had been done to the left side of his son’s face.
The skin was mostly raw red with patches of peeling burned black skin hanging off his face. Blood was seeping from some of the deep crevasses caused by the acid. Most of the damage was confined to the cheek and jaw area. His eye was spared any damage.
“Oh, my dear Lord,” he uttered, fear filling his heart. “My poor boy! What have I done?”
Book Trailer
2019 Author Academy Awards: Top 10 Finalist - Fantasy
2018 Literary Classics Awards Gold Medal Winner: Best Young Adult Fantasy Novel
2018 Imadjinn Award for Best Fantasy Novel
2018 International Book Awards Finalist in the Fiction: Fantasy
2017 Foreword INDIES Book of Year Awards Silver Medal Winner: Fantasy
Mackenzie is the award-winning author of the young adult fantasy series The Rite of Wands. A storyteller at heart, she loves to inspire the imagination. Mackenzie makes her home in Michigan, where she is currently penning her next adventure.
You can follow her on her publisher's page at:
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