Into Darkness: The Akrhyn Series (Book 1)

  Copyright © 2020 by Eve L. Mitchell

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. Copyright infringement is against the law, please do not abuse the hard work of the author.

  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to any person, living or dead, or even events or occurrences, is purely coincidental. The characters and storylines within this book are created by the authors imagination and are used fictitiously.

  Editorial services provided by: Paladin Editing

  Cover design provided by JJ’s Design & Creations: jjsdesigncreations.wixsite.com/mysite/services-pricing

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Note From The Author

  Glossary

  Character List

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  From The Author

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Also by Eve L. Mitchell

  Indian Summer

  Cole

  Dark Heart

  Unbroken Bonds

  For The Win

  For those that fight the good fight every day, it doesn’t matter how small the win. It’s still a win.

  They told me I couldn’t.

  So I did.

  This story is placed in Canada, it could have been anywhere, I was just browsing images one day and came across Prince George, British Columbia. There are very few references to any actual locality, it is a City for reference only. However, any deviations that there may be from the City or surrounding area, are to fit in with this story.

  There are terms and words within this book, that are not contained within the dictionary, this is a fantasy book - I reserve the right to make up names and words at my leisure.

  Please note that I am a British author and although I have tried to make this as universal as I could, there will be some British spelling, phraseology, and terminology that I can’t (and won’t) eradicate from my writing and I am okay with that.

  Headquarters: There are seven Headquarters around the globe. Each is responsible for their own territory. Locations are Canberra, Australia; Prince George, Canada; London, United Kingdom; Johannesburg, South Africa; San Diego, USA; Moscow, Russia; Tokyo, Japan. Heads of Headquarters are known as Principal Elders.

  Territories: Areas within each country that are governed by their Headquarter. Each Territory has three Elders (see definition below) who represent the Territory.

  Akrhyn: (AK-rin): Supernaturals (see definition below). Although they have many human characteristics and display traits in common with humans, Akrhyn are blessed by the Ancients. They are gifted with speed, strength and agility. Some are blessed with an affinity for magic. Akrhyn train to become Sentinels (see definition below) from a very early age. Not all Akrhyn are Sentinels, but all Akrhyn are considered equal.

  Sentinels: Sentinels are Akrhyn who are predominantly soldiers trained in the art of warfare to defend the humans and the weaker supernatural races against the Drakhyn (see definition below).

  Elite Guard: Specialist soldiers who have excelled, or are expected to excel, in their service as Sentinels. Selected by the Great Council to complete a final Elite Trial in order to be selected to guard the most Elite of the Akrhyn.

  Drakhyn (DRA-kin): Creatures of dark; mostly humanoid in appearance but with taloned hands, pointed ears, slanted black eyes; and completely hairless. No female Drakhyns exist.

  Supernatural: Any being or entity that is not considered human; non-human.

  Lycan (LIE-can): Also known as a werewolf. They have the ability to shapeshift from a human form into the form of a wolf. Proficient hunters and fighters, they make excellent Sentinels. Fiercely independent warriors but hold to ancient Pack Law customs, although in recent years, packs themselves have become a rarity.

  Since 1897, all requests to “turn” an Akrhyn must be lodged in writing to each of the Headquarters for approval before being submitted to the Great Council (see definition below). It is rare that a human can survive the bite, and none are known to survive the first turn.

  Vampyre (VAM-pire): Also known as “The Undead,” “The Turned” or “The Made”. They have lost life through a bite of an “infected” whilst they were still Akrhyn, which is why they are termed “Made.” One of the most proficient hunters, Vampyres make excellent Sentinels due to the low cost for resources that they require to survive. Blood is their only sustenance. Willing donors are the usual food source. It is frowned upon for a Vampyre to drain a food source—but not unusual.

  Since 1897, all requests to “turn” an Akrhyn must be lodged in writing to each of the Headquarters for approval before being submitted to the Great Council (see definition below). It is possible for a human to survive the bite, but it is very rare in the modern age for any being to be “Made.”

  Castor: Castors are magic users. With the aid of powders and potions, they make formidable Sentinels. It is not uncommon for Castors to be reclusive in nature, keeping to themselves. Castors are treated with caution by others. An Akrhyn is born with the ability to wield the knowledge and power of Casting, it cannot be “gifted” to another. The blessing to Cast is given by the Ancients.

  Castors are notorious for their infighting and bickering between Casts. There are three Casts: Dark, Crimson and Pure (see definitions below).

  Dark Cast: Castors of this calling wear black robes. They are deemed to be untrustworthy given their practice of the darker elements of magic and darker sacrifices. Dark Castors favour the Ancient Velvore and the Ancient Brindlelay.

  Crimson Cast: Castors of this calling wear deep red robes. They are neutral in their beliefs and practices, striving to maintain balance between the Dark Cast and the Pure Cast. Crimson Cast favour the Ancient Harrian.

  Pure Cast: Castors of this calling wear white robes. They are clinical, yet pure in their beliefs. They are criticised for being too strict, and some consider them to be sterile due to their upholding the Laws to the letter. Pure Castors strive for right and justice. They favour the Ancient Arflyn and the Ancient Delfar.

  Ancients: Known also as the “The Old Ones,” “The Elders” and “The Firsts.” Godlike beings, so old in the beliefs of the supernatural world, that they are thought to be the “first” of their kind. There is no known record of any being witnessing all of the Ancients, but from folklore, history and memory, there are five entities. Each Ancient is prayed to for luck and courage before trials, battles, war. Gifts of nature are given every Winter and Summer Turnings (see definitions below). Gifts range from a simple flower to be laid in their honour, to animal sacrifice for extra bravery and courage.

  Arflyn (AR-vlin): An Ancient One. Thought to be the beloved of Harrian. She is kind and loving and will bless crops and harvests for those that sacrifice to her.

  Brindlelay: (BRIN-dull-le-lay): An Ancient One. Ancient texts believe her to be beloved of Delfar. She is as be
autiful as she is vengeful. Sacrifices to her are from those seeking courage and bravery, with darker sacrifices being rumoured for those seeking vengeance.

  Delfar (DEL-far): An Ancient One. Believed to be favoured of Brindlelay. A wise and benevolent Ancient. Sacrifices to Delfar are for those seeking favour in trials and battle. Delfar is also known to bless crops, fertility and growth.

  Harrian (Har-REE-an): An Ancient One. A wrathful Ancient, quick to anger but equally known for compassion. Sacrifices to Harrian are more common at Winter Turning when Supernaturals are seeking milder weather and longer days. Blessings are sought of Harrian for those going into battle.

  Velvore (Vel-VORE): An Ancient One. A warrior. Velvore is also known as a mischievous Ancient, known for discord and unrest. A trickster. Sacrifices to Velvore are favoured amongst the children, seeking fun and mischief on their counterparts. Dark sacrifices to Velvore are performed when the benefactor is seeking advantages in Trials and battles. Velvore is revered for his skill in battle, and The Texts (see definition below) say that he is never defeated.

  The Texts: Ancient chronicles that detail the nature and origin of the Supernaturals. They have been transcribed and interpreted by the Castors over the centuries. It is rumoured, by some, that The Texts are no longer a true account of origin. The original Texts are kept with a member of the Great Council at all times.

  The Great Council: Formed in 1893, this group is a selection of representatives from all Headquarters and the community as a whole. The Great Council is made up of seven members all elected by each Headquarter and their constituents. All must vote; to forgo voting incurs a penalty of one hundred lashes.

  The Great Council travels the world, having no permanent seat. Each Headquarter is obligated to house the Great Council at any time.

  The Sisters: The Sisters are esteemed Elders and travel with the Great Council. They are triplets, and their age is unknown. They are considered “ageless” for they have not changed in centuries, believed to be gifted prolonged life from the Ancients. All records of life and death are kept by the Sisters. They are sometimes called into service of the Great Council for their ancient wisdom.

  Elders: Heads of the Headquarters and Territories. Also esteemed Sentinels with many years of service can be deemed an Elder as a mark of respect.

  The Trials: Contests, battles, tests of strength, wit and endurance. Sentinels compete in yearly Trials to attain higher status within their ranks. The First Trials are for candidates to gain entry into the Sentinel ranks.

  The Mark of Velvore: It is said those that carry the Mark of Velvore will be undefeated. There is only record of one such occurrence of an Akrhyn bearing the Mark. A Lycan was deemed worthy to bear the mark. It is not known what must be done to receive the mark, although all Trials are always conducted in “Honour of Velvore.”

  Winter Turning: The shortest seasonal day, where daylight is short in the sky. Supernaturals lay gifts to the Ancients, asking for sustenance to see them through harsh winters.

  Summer Turning: The longest seasonal day, where daylight is long in the sky. Supernaturals lay gifts to the Ancients, asking for bountiful harvests and sustenance to prepare them for the longer days ahead.

  Reflection: An allocated time of day where Sentinels “reflect” on their day, their training, their hopes and dreams. It is considered a private time and is acknowledged to be a Sentinel’s time with the Ancients.

  Human: That’s you my friend, the reader.

  House Holt

  Joaquin - deceased

  Salem

  Michael

  Zahra

  House Novikov

  Leonid

  Kateryna

  Tegan

  House Ivanov

  Matteo - deceased

  Cornelius

  Celeste - deceased

  Delilah

  Cord

  Sloane

  House Volkov

  Marcus

  House Delgaard

  Larcius - deceased

  Tove

  Tegan looked over at her father as they walked through the woods in silence. His hood was pulled low shielding his side profile. She was well aware of her father’s moods, and right now she knew he wasn’t happy. She knew not to raise her concerns whilst they travelled. Tegan had been trained in the art of warfare since she could stand unaided, groomed until she was the perfect soldier. They were skirting the edge of Calgary as they headed north through Banff National Park. She would talk to her father when they stopped for the night, if they stopped for the night. Father sometimes forgot she needed to sleep. Although after a quick assessment, she was still feeling good, she knew she would manage to go through the night if father wanted to keep pushing on.

  Her attention was suddenly caught on movement to her left. Raising her head and looking skyward, she instinctively crouched low. From the corner of her eye she saw her father had done the same. He glanced at her once and with a sharp nod, he moved at speed to the nearest cluster of trees. Tegan watched him almost blur as he moved. Show off, she thought to herself. Her father was a Vampyre. A small smile played around her lips as she thought of that sentence. It always made her smile. Just once she would like to say it out loud to a human just to see their reaction. Staying completely still, she waited for him to scout out ahead whilst keeping her senses alert. A light drizzle started to fall, causing the still woods to seem even eerier. They had been heading towards Prince George, British Columbia, for the last few days. Having made most of the journey on the train from Winnipeg, they had disembarked at Jasper because father was never one to pass up a training opportunity. He felt that she would be best presented at their destination bone weary, bedraggled and ravenous after walking for the better part of four days with a minimal three hours sleep per night.

  Movement to her right brought her already heightened senses to alert. Instinctively Tegan started to go through breathing exercises to keep her heart rate low. It was altogether possible that they may not be the only non-humans out in these woods. Erratic heart beats could be heard by more than her father; it was essential that she give nothing away. Tegan considered moving. It was possible she would bring attention to herself, but she felt too exposed where she was. Moving stealthily, she slipped behind a tree that gave her better coverage. Moving her head slightly, she was able to assess the branches above her. There was one lower-hanging branch that she could swing up onto should she need to. Her father appeared back in the spot where he had left her. Looking immediately to his left, he found her easily enough. The relaxed set of his shoulders told Tegan more than words that all was okay. She walked over to meet him.

  ‘Deer,’ he explained softly; she nodded in acknowledgment. Speech wasn’t necessary. If they had been just out for some hiking father/daughter time, then they could have had a more open conversation. However, her father was on a tight time schedule and he was convinced they were being followed. Which had made Tegan question why they needed to do the final leg of their journey on foot. However, father was not to be deterred. Travelling to the Northern Headquarters like this was what he wanted. She had learned a long time ago, there was no point arguing with Leonid Novikov when he set his mind to something. They travelled for the remainder of the day, father scouting out to the front and wide, Tegan checking the rear. It was well after midnight when father appeared beside her out of the shadows. Had she not been so used to him appearing from nowhere, she would have reacted. As it was, when he touched her arm, she stopped and quickly assessed the area for a suitable resting place. Her father handed her a small bag, and she looked up at him in question. A rare smile graced Leonid’s features as he looked at his daughter. Tegan reached out and took the proffered pouch. Opening it eagerly, she smiled gratefully at her father for providing her with extra provisions before hungrily biting into the beef jerky with relish.

  As he always did, Leonid watched his daughter with a small measurement of amusement as she ate her food in appreciation. His last memory of food had been
1543 in Russia before he was created into what he was today. His last meal was a boiled haunch of rare meat with potatoes. He marvelled at the food that was available now and the sheer volumes of waste. Although modern food fascinated him, he had no appetite to taste any of it, his only food source being blood.

  When Tegan was younger, she had never questioned why he never ate at mealtimes. As she got older and discovered the romanticism of Vampyres portrayed in books, she fooled herself into thinking her father was noble and fed off animals. She had been ten years old when she asked him outright. Leonid had realised long before she decided to ask him what she thought and had watched in amusement, as his normally fearless daughter, found the courage to broach the subject. Leonid put her out of her misery quickly when he told her he would rather eat a pizza than eat a rat. His food source was Akrhyn or, if he had to, human. Tegan had been disappointed but had laughed when he reminded her that he didn’t sparkle in the sun either. She had never been brave enough to ask who he fed off. She didn’t want to know, and she was pretty sure she didn’t need to know. The feeding time for Vampyres was considered private and carried out in seclusion.