Free Reluctant Hero (The Dunamis Covenant Book 1) by Ron Francis Page B

the morning. He hadn't pulled an all-nighter like that since junior year, although he didn't think anyone had ever pulled an all-nighter like that. Secret organizations, shape shifters and elves, a person that could change into an eagle; all trying to kill him. He was beginning to come to terms with the feelings of betrayal he had felt yesterday. He knew Abby really believed she was trying to keep him safe, but he still wasn't thrilled with how she decided to go about it. He trudged down the stairs into the living room. The first thing he noticed was Abby. She had her hair in a pony tail, and was wearing a green sports bra that made her eyes look even greener than usual, and black spandex pants. She also had on green running shoes. He realized that green must be her favorite color, and then he realized he really didn't know much past third grade about his alleged fiancée. She had an iPod Shuffle strapped to her arm, and he was told her headphones also acted as comms so she could stay in constant contact with the safe house. She was supposed to be jogging around the neighborhood, but she was instead running surveillance. She looked so good he had to look away. It was difficult to be so attracted to a woman you couldn't be with.
    Abby left the safe house with a wave, and Thomas proceeded to the kitchen to look for some food. Asa's friend was there with two other men so he decided to introduce himself. Except for the second floor, this safe house may as well have been the same as the other one. There was no decor, and a bare minimum of furniture. He started to get anxious for something a little homier and it had only been one night.
    "Hi guys, I'm Thomas, or TJ to Abby.
    Asa's friend replied, "I'm Stephen and these two young Paladins are Samuel and Jacob."
    "You can call us Sam and Jake," Jacob added and held out his hand. "Are you excited to begin your training today?" He asked with an enthusiasm Thomas didn't feel.
    "I don't know if excited is the exact word I would use. This whole Ethereal thing is still pretty new to me and I'm not sure where I fit in. I've also been told there's some kind of spell placed on me when I was a little kid that makes me more cautious than I should be. Asa seems to think that the return of my early memories is weakening the effects of the spell and that I should be back to normal, soon. The problem is, back to normal won't be normal for me; so I guess I'm just trying to adjust and take it all as it comes."
    "Well, if Malachi doesn't drive the caution from you, it can't be done." Sam added.
    "Who's Malachi?"
    "He is the chief trainer of our clan. Anyone in our clan with any skill has learned their craft from Malachi. Asa is off to pick him up at the airport now. They should be back within the hour."
    "So wait, I can't do my bike ride?"
    "If you still have the energy to ride your bike after Malachi is finished with you, I will believe the hype about you being the child of destiny," Jacob said while Stephen just shook his head.
    "What child of destiny? What are you talking about?"
    "I think it would be best if Asa told you." Stephen replied in an even, but wary tone. Sam and Jake had grown very quiet.
    "I think it would be better if someone told me now!" Thomas insisted a little bit louder than he intended. He was growing weary of all of the important details that were getting left out. Why could they not just tell him everything at once instead of all of the intrigue and lies. It was one shocking revelation after another with these people. This was already difficult for him, and not knowing what he needed to was making it worse. "Just rip the band-aid off already, someone needs to tell me everything or I'm done." When no one said anything, he threw his hands up in the air and stalked out of the room. He was beginning to hate Ethereals. He hated their lies and secrets, he hated their rules and he hated the soulless safe house he was cooped up in.
    Fifteen minutes later, Abby knocked on the door and