Stone and Ice
Book 1: The Lost Half-Blood
Prologue
Ataopus placed her cup on the table, glancing into the swirling waters of the crystal ball.
"Mortals," she snickered to herself, "so much fun to watch."
Lakhisis, Ataopus's younger sister came into the poorly lit room humming, holding a cookbook.
"Ataopus, what are you doing with the crystal ball?" Lakhisis asked.
"Oh, just watching the mortals makes fools of themselves."
"Again?"
"Yes, they never seem to bore me."
Lakhisis leaned over, peering into the crystal ball, "who are you watching?"
"Well, for a little while I was watching a group of supernatural's, but they all grew up and now have families of their own."
Lakhisis nodded, "that family, the Ellis family is extremely strong."
Ataopus shrugged, "what do you except when a demigod and a witch get together?"
"True."
Clotho, Ataopus and Lakhisis's youngest sister appeared in the room, peering into the crystal ball like her sister. "I heard discussion of mortals, am I correct?"
"Yes," Ataopus waved her hand across the crystal ball, speaking in a strange tongue.
The crystal ball clouded than slowly revealed a tall boy about 5'6 with light brown hair and a streak of silver through the middle of his bangs holding a Englishman styled sword and a fire ball.
"The boy of the prophecy!" exclaimed Clotho.
Lakhisis looked into the crystal ball, "wait, that's him? He's so small, how is he going to save the mortal and magic worlds from ice?"
Ataopus looked at the moving image, the boy looked about thirteen.
"You doubt this boy, sister? Do you not remember his own father was small too, but he saved the world and you several times or do you not remember?"
Lakhisis huffed and asked, "What's his name again?"
"Dean Ellis." Clotho said.
"No! The boy's name, you idiot!" Lakhisis yelled.
Clotho turned scarlet, "oh…I believe it was Daniel I think."
"Daniel Joseph Ellis," Ataopus said, rolling her eyes at her sisters. "But he prefers Danny."
"If you have such faith in the boy, how is he going to save the worlds by himself?"
Ataopus smirked, "he won't be alone," she waved her hand again.
Someone appeared by Danny's left.
A boy around Danny's age, with light brown and blue eyes, he had a lightning bolt in his hand and a sword in the other.
"The son of Zeus?" asked Clotho.
Ataopus nodded.
A girl with wavy brown hair that was a tangled mess holding a wand and a shield made of ice appeared by Danny's right; she was his twin sister.
"So we're depending on children?" Lakhisis questioned.
"Oh, sister. You don't believe me?"
"I will believe you when I see it."
Ataopus gave a devilish smile, "you will soon, sister."
Chapter 1
Tyler
I woke with a start and sat up in bed.
The room was dark except from the faint light behind my curtains.
My alarm was screaming like a siren and I rolled over to turn it off.
For once, I was thankful for my alarm. It had waked me from the nightmare I was having.
Since I had turned thirteen back in July, I had this recurring nightmare that always scared the heck out of me.
I had always thought about telling my mom about the nightmare but never had the guts to.
"Tyler, mommy says it's time to get up." My seven-year-old sister, Ariana opened my door, without knocking.
"I am, Ariana." I said, "Why are you up so early? Your school doesn't start until nine-thirty."
Ariana, who was tall for seven with long brown red hair and diamond blue eyes answered, "mommy has to work early, she's dropping Patrick and I at grandma Emily's after you go to school."
"Oh," I said, getting up to close the door.
"You better not go back to sleep," Ariana put her hands on her hips like a sassy teenager.
I chuckled, "I won't."
I looked at the calendar of wildlife on the back of my door, Friday, December 18th, 2009.
The day before Christmas break, I thought. After school, I'd be on a plane heading to Ireland for the annual Christmas party that my mom and stepfather with some high school friends threw each year.
Other than the summer, this was the event I looked forward to all year.
My best friend, Danny Ellis would be there.
I never got to see Danny; he went to a private school with his twin sister, Faith. So I was full of excitement.
"Just make it through today, and you're home free." I told myself.
"Tyler, hurry up. The bus will be coming any minute!" Mom called from the kitchen.
I ran a comb through my hair, "beat the bullies, don't let the bullies beat you." I said, changing into a red t-shirt and jeans, and slipping on my sneakers.
Mom sat at the breakfast table with my five year old little brother, Patrick.
"Morning," I made myself some toast.
"Morning Tyler," mom said, "you ready for tonight?"
I nodded, "totally."
Mom smiled, "Rob's going to pick you up after school, ok?"
"Okay."
"Are you all packed?"
I nodded again, "yup, all ready and in the back of Rob's car."
Mom stood up, taking the dirty plates off the table.
I took a bite of my toast and put on my coat, "I'm going to go meet Rosaline at the bus stop."
I walked over and kissed her cheek, I was her height, 5'5, "love you."
"Love you too, sweets. Be safe."
I put my backpack over my shoulder, "I will."
Not realizing the meaning of my mom's words.
Rosaline has been one of my closest friends since sixth grade, we met in music class and something just clicked, making us instant friends.
Rosaline has curly fire red hair, with eyes the color of lily pads; she always carries around a book about Greek mythology with her. Why she does is beyond me.
"Hey Rosaline," I walked over to the bus stop.
Rosaline had her nose buried in a book.
"Rosaline, hey come back to Earth."
Rosaline closed her book and pulled her winter hat over her ears more, "hey Tyler, how are you doing?"
"I'm am so ready for Christmas break." I answered.
"Me too, what's your plans for the break?"
"Going to my stepfather's friend's cabin."
"Lucky! Dean's cabin is amazing!" Rosaline exclaimed.
I looked at Rosaline, "you know Dean?"
Rosaline's eyes widened, "um…"
My eyes followed Rosaline's fingers trace the spine of her Greek mythology book, "I…well, met Dean once…"
"You did?"
Rosaline wouldn't make eye contact, "my mom is friends with Dean…"
"Really?" I knew Rosaline's mom, Mrs. King was much younger than Dean.
"Yeah." Was all she said, so I decided to drop the subject.
A couple of minutes later, the giant yellow school came plowing down the street, running over anything in it's path like an army tank.
Our friends, Brooke and Harley Aarons were sitting together in the middle seats.
Harley was staring at the seat and Brooke was jamming out to her iPod.
"Hey guys." I said, sitting in the seat in front of them.
Harley looked up and shook Brooke's shoulder.
Brooke glared at him for a minute than looked up at us, "oh, hey guys."
"Hey, what are you listening to?" I leaned over to see.
"Muse." She answered.
"Oh, man, I love them!" I said.
"Me too," Brooke answered.
"So, what are you guys doing for Christmas break?" asked Rosaline.
Brooke was already rocking out to her iPod again so Harley answered for them both, "just going to hang with our mom. You?"
"I'm going Christmas shopping for Nicky."
Rosaline has a little brother named Nicky; he's super sweet and fun.
Ariana adored him.
"What are you doing, Tyler?" Harley asked, as I looked back from the window.
"I get to hang with my best friend, Danny." I smiled.
"Hey, I thought I was your best friend?" Rosaline inquired.
I chuckled, "can't I more than one best friend?"
Rosaline shrugged. "Maybe."
Than I spotted him and hurried to sit down and put the hood of my jacket over my head.
"Justin Kidman." Justin was my personal bully; I was his favorite kid to pick on.
"You should report him to the office, he's been bullying you since the beginning of eighth grade." Rosaline gave me words of encouragement. I shook my head, praying that he'd just stop on his own.
"Hey Williams, how's it going?" Justin came over, he was fat with pasty skin, yellow buck teeth and smelled like rotten eggs, I ignored him best I could as he called me by my mom's maiden name which was my old last name, My mom had me without being married, I didn't know my father at all, not even his name. But Justin can't get it through his thick skull that's Youngblood now.
"Justin, please go away." I muttered.
"I don't want to, how bout you answer the question?" Justin said, taking off my hood.
"Leave him alone, Justin." Rosaline sat up on her knees on the seat.
"Aw, how sweet. You got a girl fighting your battles for you." I knew that Rosaline was tough and could kick any guy's butt but this was my fight.
"Hey Justin, how about you just SHUT UP and LEAVE ME ALONE?" I sat up, trying to keep my temper down. The teacher, who rides the bus in the mornings, Mr. Rollins gave me a mean look and told me to sit down. I was hesitate for a minute but sat down. Justin smiled like a jackal and made a fist. I was dead after school.
My first class of the day was Creative Writing with Mrs. Bramell, she was the greatest teacher I ever had.
She was more of a friend than a teacher, she would personally give me advice on my stories and when I had a hard day, she'd listen.
I was always early to her class, mainly to get away from Justin who stormed the hallways like he was Darth Vader from Star Wars; and to talk to Mrs. Bramell.
"Good morning Tyler." She said, closing the book she read as I walked in and placed my backpack on my regular desk.
"Morning Mrs. Bramell." I took out my folder and placed the latest assignment in the turn-in basket.
"How are you?"
"Ready for school to be over, already."
Mrs. Bramell chuckled, "oh, I know how you feel. Two weeks of relaxation, will I have the chance to read the next chapter of Cole and Taylor soon?"
She was talking about the story I was currently writing, it was part of a twenty-page story the class had to write but I extended it.
"Almost, I've been having writers block."
"Oh, shoot. How long until it's done?"
"About 90%, I'll finish it over the break, I promise."
"Alright, what are you doing over the break, Tyler?"
"Going to Ireland."
"Ireland?" Mrs. Bramell's eyes widened. "My word, are your parents extremely wealthy?"
"No, it's my step dad's best friend's cabin, I have no idea how he can afford it. He's a fireman."
"Maybe he inherited a fortune like Ren?" Mrs. Bramell mentioned a short story I had written at the beginning of the school year.
I smiled, "possibly, what book are you reading?"
Mrs. Bramell looked back at the purple covered book, "oh, it's a really good series called Burning Rose."
"What's it about?"
"A bunch of super naturals, like witches, vampire hunters, shape-shifters and demigods saving a magic world called Avalon and ours from the gods of Avalon and the Greeks from going to war. It's really good."
"Awesome, I'll have to find it at the library when we come back from break."
"Here, just borrow my copy." Mrs. Bramell offered the book to me.
"Oh, I couldn't…you're reading it."
"It's fine, this is my eighth time reading it."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I have feeling that you need this more than me."
***********************
After Creative Writing was the class, I dreaded the most.
Science, taught by Mr. Rollins, a short man with graying hair and the constant smell of coffee.
Through Mr. Rollins' lesson, I was bored out of my mind. I started to draw on my notebook cover. Without thinking, I drew lightning bolts, monsters, and swords. I spent the longest on a drawing of my perfect sword; it was long with a sharp blade like a pirate's and had a silver handle. I named it, Fearless.
Rob told me to always name your swords, they become like a best friends. He has only one and its name is Rage.
A ruler smacked my notebook and I jumped in my seat, Mr. Rollins stood above me, "Tyson Youngbreath," Mr. Rollins getting my name wrong AGAIN, took the notebook from me. "A sword named Fearless?" He looked through my notebook that was packed jammed with drawings. "Where are your notes?"
"They're...uh..." I stuttered, Mr. Rollins than threw my notebook on the table, startling me.
"You fail, Mr. Youngblood. You fail!" He yelled in my face than walked back to the broad. "Also, Mr. Youngblood. Met me after class."
I huffed and leaned back in my chair, Mr. Rollins hated me since day 1 and hated me even more after he had a parent teacher conference with Rob.
Rob had been a pervious student of his when he attended my school, Tulsa Junior High School.
"Youngblood, you are failing this class." Mr. Rollins told me, his beady black eyes staring at my grades, his nose made him look like a pig, as he snorted, "You got no chance of passing my class."
"Is there anything I can do?"
"No, I'm afraid not, Youngblood. Just transfer out soon."
I was shocked that he had said that, I didn't even do anything to him and he wanted me out. Ok, fine. I'll show him, my inner rebel self told me. "OK, I'll talk to my parents about it." I put on my backpack and left, couldn't help noticing that Mr. Rollins' eyes were blood red.
Chapter 2
I felt relief when the end of school bell rang.
I didn't go on the bus with Rosaline, Harley and Brooke because I knew Rob was picking me up.
So I had time to grab some books out of my locker and wander, knowing Rob wouldn't be here right away.
Unfortunately, my locker was located next to Mr. Rollins' room, as if I hadn't had enough of him today.
As I grabbed my US History book, I heard something.
"I think I scared Youngblood pretty well today, didn't I?" I heard Mr. Rollins say.
"Yes sir." Someone said.
"If I keep him scared of me, he won't realize what he truly is. You'd think with him being friends with that fire demons, he would of figured it out already."
I went closer to the door to hear better, who and what was a fire demon?
"If he doesn't figure how he's a demigod by now, I don't think…" Mr. Rollins stopped in mid-sentence.
"What is it, sir?"
"Youngblood, he's listening."
My eyes widened and I ran.
I heard Mr. Rollins' door slam open, "Youngblood!"
I didn't stop running, I ran until…
BANG!
I fell onto my back to see Justin Kidman, standing above with that jackal smile. "Hey Williams."
I swallowed hard, "hey Justin…"
"What are you doing?" he asked.
I slowly stood up, "uh…just heading home."
Justin cocked an eyebrow, "are you little friends around anywhere?"
"No, they all went home on the bus."
Justin suddenly smiled, his brown eyes suddenly turning to red, "good, than they won't be here to save you."
Suddenly, Justin grew and grew, to the height of 7 feet with large black wings and horns; he grew fangs and muscles that ripped his shirt.
My eyes widened and I desperately tried to get up but Justin tackled me, pinning to me to the ground, his fangs right next to my throat.
"Now, I get to have this nice little demigod for lunch finally!" he hissed.
"Make sure you share, my young apprentice." Mr. Rollins' voice came out of a creature like Justin as he entered the empty hallway.
"Help!" I cried.
"No one is here to save you, pitiful excuse of a boy!" Mr. Rollins boasted. "Dig in, Justin."
I closed my eyes as Justin came in for the kill.
My thoughts were of the sky ripping open, a giant lightning bolt coming and hitting Justin.
Suddenly, I heard a giant rumble.
Justin shrieked as I opened my eyes to see the ceiling cracking open, dark clouds, the color of midnight overtook the sky, blocking out any sunlight.
The wind blew like a tornado and the school shook like it was a snow globe on a wobbly shelf.
"Youngblood!" Mr. Rollins screamed, "Stop this instantly!"
I had no idea what he was taking about but I was getting the heck out of here ASAP.
"Justin, get the boy!" Rollins shrieked as I bolted for the closest exit.
Justin flew towards and I covered my face with my arms, screaming.
The sky crackled and I heard Justin scream.
"Tyler!" I heard over the howling wind.
I uncovered my eyes to see my stepfather, Rob Youngblood coming towards me with a long glowing green sword.
"Rob!" I cried, "Behind you!"
Rob turned around just as Rollins charged for him.
He swung the sword through Rollins, "I always knew you were a monster!"
Rollins fell back, blood oozing out from Rob's slash.
Rob didn't wait to see if he was dead or not, he ran over to me, avoiding junk flying through the sky.
"Tyler, are you alright?" he yelled over the howling wind.
"What's going on?" I exclaimed.
"Tornado!" Rob said, "Come on, let's find somewhere to take cover!"
I followed him to an empty classroom.
"Get under the desk." He pushed me under the giant desk teacher had.
Rob and I didn't say a word after.
Though the same questions kept flying through my mind like the paper in the tornado.
What were those things?
Who and what was a fire demon?
And lastly, what was a demigod?
The tornado finally stopped twenty minutes later.
"Come on," Rob stood up and helped me up.
"That was the shortest tornados ever." I said as we headed out of the school, the school wasn't as damaged as I thought it would be.
Only a few things had fallen over, some windows were broken or cracked.
"That was a tornado, Tyler. You've known about those things since you were little."
"No, those bat like…" I looked up at the ceiling where it had been cracked, but it wasn't…
"What happen to the ceiling?" I exclaimed pointing to the crack should have been.
Rob looked at the ceiling in confusion, "what are you talking about?"
"There was a crack in the ceiling from lightning, it got Justin Kidman!" I said.
"Who?"
"Justin Kidman, the guy who has been bullying me since eighth grade started!"
Rob shook his head, "I don't remember any, Justin Kidman."
"How could you not?" I nearly screamed, "Mr. Rollins and him nearly killed me!!"
"Tyler, are you alright?" Rob said with concern.
"I'm perfectly fine, it's you that I should be asking if you're alright!" I screamed, than took a few deep breaths.
"Tyler…?"
I looked up at him, "I'm okay now. Let's just get to the airport, I need to see my therapist named Danny."
Rob chuckled, "alright."
Chapter 3
"Flight from Quebec, Canada to Dublin, Ireland landing." Was announced and I ran to the window to see the plane land on the platform.
I finally got to see my best friend after months of waiting.
"Danny, sit back down. They won't get off the flight for another twenty minutes." My mom, Sophie Ellis said as I watched the plane.
"I know, but I still wanna watch." I told her.
My Dad, Dean Ellis stood up and watched with me, "is that their plane?"
I pointed to the one that said, Air Flights.
"No, it's that one." I said, smiling, hoping to see Tyler in one of the windows. "You excited to see Rob and Emilio?"
"More than you know," Dad kept his eyes on the plane.
"Do you think Tyler knows yet?" I asked, looking up at him.
"Knows what?"
"His true identity?"
Dad turned to look at me; his eyes were like ember in a fire. "No, and don't you tell him, he has to find out by himself."
"Why can't we tell him?" I asked, "I hate keeping my powers from him, he's my best friend!"
"I know it's tough, Danny. But did your mother and I tell you about your powers?"
I shook my head, "but I was two when I discovered them, Tyler is thirteen."
"Just have some patience, Danny. He'll find out about them soon enough." Dad placed his hand on my shoulder.
"That's the one thing he lacks, dad." My twin sister, Faith teased.
I turned to her and she smirked at me.
"They're here!" our oldest brother, Carson leaped out of his seat and nearly ran to the platform.
I nearly ran with him, when I reached there.
Carson had already found Melissa Hazel, one of Dad's friends' daughters.
They had been crushing on each other since they were kids but never admitted it, though everyone else around them knew it.
"Danny! Faith!" Tyler called, as he ran over with his suitcase.
I consider Tyler my brother; we've known each other since we were four when Dad's best friend, Rob Youngblood –Faith and I's godfather- married his mom.
We hugged excitedly, "it's been too long!"
"Four months," I said, a giant smile on my face.
"So? It's boring in Tulsa!" Tyler said.
"Ha! Not when Danny and Tyler are around!" I exclaimed.
"Hey Tyler," Faith came from behind me.
"Hey Faith, how are ya?" Tyler asked as the two hugged.
Faith considered Tyler another brother.
"Fine, how was Oklahoma?"
Tyler's eyes went wide and he turned to face me "oh, fine. But hey, I have to tell you something when we're alone."
"And what would that?" questioned Emilio Hazel, one of dad's friends.
Tyler turned around on his heels, "oh nothing."
Emilio cocked an eyebrow and cracked a wild grin.
We couldn't help but smile back, he has one of those smiles that does that to you.
"Faith!" Tyler's younger sister came and hugged Faith from behind.
"Ariana, finally, I won't have to hang with boys now!" Faith joked and Ariana glowed.
"Come on, we better get to the van so you can tell me all about your plane ride here!"
Instantly, Ariana started jabbing on about how her and Patrick, their little brother drew pictures and placed pennies on their dad's faces while he slept on the flight.
"So what is that you have to tell me?" I asked Tyler as we lagged back a little from the group.
"Something happened at school, something unnatural." Tyler whispered.
"Danny, Tyler, hurry up." Mom said with a smile.
Tyler and I ran to catch up.
Was it happening? Did Tyler finally find out?
I'd have to have a little more patience to find out.
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