Chapter 1

• INTRO.
• UREKAI:
• In the days of old, the Urekai stood out as the strongest and most powerful beings in the world.
• The ancient tongue called them ‘fearsome beasts’ for:
• Like werewolves, they could transform into beasts.
• Like vampires, they consumed blood.
• And walked among humans with no one the wiser.
• The ageless, peaceful, selfless beings preferred to keep to themselves. Despite being feared and distrusted, they never responded with aggression.
• They granted passage to any species wishing to enter their lands beyond the great mountain and welcomed everyone.
• But five centuries ago, an unexpected species attacked the Urekais during their one night of weakness. The humans.
• While protecting his people, Grand King Daemonikai lost control of his mind, going feral.
• Becoming a danger to the same people whom he had given everything to protect.
• Although it seemed impossible, the Urekais managed to capture their king’s beast form, imprisoning him in a secure cage, ensuring he could never escape.
• But, consumed by hatred for humans, the Urekai plunged themselves into darkness.
• Becoming the fearsome beasts others had always feared them to be.
• Wearing their monstrosity with pride.
• HUMANS:
• After invading the Urekais, a mysterious virus outbreak struck.
• No one knew where it came from, but many speculated their attack on the Urekais brought it on.
• While most males eventually recovered after a long struggle, the virus proved fatal for the majority of females.
• Survivors rarely gave birth to female children. Those left or born became scarce and sought-after commodities.
• In many kingdoms, greedy fathers sold their daughters to breeding houses. Some were forced into pleasure houses, existing solely for men's enjoyment. Some faced terrible abuse in exchange for protection.
• Even the wealthy and the privileged could not guarantee the safety of the females in their lives, as the mere sight of a female—be it an infant, a young girl, or an elderly woman—drew unwanted attention.
• Female children faced constant danger.
• They are not safe in the society.
• PROLOGUE
• HUMAN LAND: THE KINGDOM OF NAVIA.
• "It's a g-girl, your highness,"
• Prince Garret froze.
• As he turned, looking at the palace healer, his hands resting on his exhausted wife's body, shook uncontrollably.
• He had secretly arranged the delivery months ago, and now they were hidden in one of the underground rooms in the palace, where his beloved wife, Pandora, was giving birth.
• "What did you just say to me?" Prince Garret hoped he heard wrong. Perhaps it had been a mistake.
• Please, gods, let it be a mistake!
• But the pity in the older man's face couldn't be disguised. The palace healer turned the little bundle. "The baby is a girl."
• Terror crossed Pandora's face as she adjusted herself to get a closer look at her baby.
• "No. Oh, the gods, please no..." She shook her head vigorously fresh tears gathering in her eyes.
• Tears welled in the healer's eyes. "I'm so sorry, your highness."
• "No!!!" Pandora cried out burying her face into her husband's waiting arms, sobs after sobs ripping from her throat.
• Garret felt numb as he held his wife.
• His first daughter, Aekeira, wasn't even four yet, and the king was already negotiating with the kingdom of Cavar to sell her to the highest bidder.
• Because, apparently, Navia 'could use more funds.'
• King Orestus might be Garret's brother, but he was a tyrant, and his word was law.
• Now, another girl child? Two daughters?
• Tears filled Garrett's eyes as he looked upon the crying bundle wiggling around in healer's arms.
• The world was not safe for either of his daughters.
• “I’ll raise her like a boy,” Pandora declared suddenly.
• The healer's eyes widened. “Are you suggesting we keep her identity a secret?”
• “Yes," Pandora affirmed, her resolve strengthening. "This child will never be seen as a girl. No one will ever find out!”
• “B-but, it’s impossible to hide something like this, your majesty." The healer panicked. "The king will order our execution!"
• “Then, we take the secret to our grave." Pandora's voice was fierce. "I was unable to protect my first daughter, but by the Light-gods, I will protect my second."
• Too dangerous, but Garret was all for it too. This was their best chance to keep their daughter safe, and they would take it.
• "As far as we are concerned, the child I bore today was a male." Pandora looked at the baby. "His name is Emeriel. Emeriel Galilea Evenstone."
• Emeriel.
• It's a neutral name, and also means 'Sky's Protection' in the old tongue. Garret liked it.
• Fitting too, for their daughter would need all the luck and protection in the world.
• "I agree," Garret spoke aloud.
• With the plan fully in his mind, Garret swore the two other men in the room to secrecy.
• That night, Garrett and his wife, stood by the baby’s small cradle, watching their newborn sleep. Across the room, their three-year-old daughter, Aekeira, lay curled under a blanket, her tiny chest rising and falling in peaceful rhythm.
• "In all my years on this earth, I’ve never seen anyone bear two female children, Garrett," Pandora whispered, voice cracking.
• She glanced up at him, eyes glistening with tears. "I don’t know what this means for us... or for them."
• Garrett placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Maybe it means they have a great destiny to fulfill."
• "Or a great sorrow in their future," Pandora's eyes drifted to their eldest, worriedly. "I’m so scared for them. How could something like this happen?"
• “Perhaps you’ve been touched by the gods, my darling," Garrett said in comfort.
• "I really doubt that. Why me? Why us?"
• He had no answer to that.
• "If that’s true," Pandora sniffled, brushing her fingers over the baby’s soft cheek, "may that god always protect my babies. We won’t always be here to do that."
• Garrett pulled his wife into his arms, holding her close, fighting to hide his own worry.
• Because, she was right.
• What were the odds of a couple in these times bearing not just one, but two daughters?
• None. Absolutely none.
• As he gazed at their sleeping children, prayer rose in his heart. Whatever god you are, please... protect our angels.