The Darwin Chronicles, Book One: The Mountain Ranges

Emmett woke up with warmth pressing against his skin. He opened his eyes to see Amelia asleep against him. He remembered the night before it had been cold and frightening, being all alone without the army to accompany them. His heart fluttered, but this time it didn't feel so....artificial. He wondered if he'd actually developed feelings for her, not just Legend's Lovesickness. She stirred as the sun's rays crept slowly into the cave.

"Good morning," He said. She rolled away from him.

"Good morning," She answered. She gathered her things. "We should get going."

"Okay." Emmett got up and stretched, then picked up his pack. They exited their cave. Amy literally ran off the edge of the cliff. "AMY!" He screamed, running to the edge. A phoenix swooped up towards him, and he stepped back, a powerful wind blowing at him as it soared. A wave of amusement hit his mind. She was laughing at him.

Don't do that, He told her.

Let's go. She landed next to him and turned back into a human.

"I feel something," Amy told him.

"What?"

"I don't know. Something....dark. Something worse than shadow serpents."

"Do you think..."

"Yes. It's the Ciis," A voice said behind them said. They turned. A young man stood before them, a glowing purple shadow serpent fag dangling around his neck.

It was Isaac.