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Prologue: Derek

As our helicopter tilted, Sofia and I peered through theBeneath us was California, a place we’d once called ho like home Not to us, not to anyone

The land was etched with scars of co upon the realization of the oracle’s prediction Theof that which should never be mixed The fusion of that which should never be fused

The final boundaries falling

Towns and cities vacated Swaths of country left to invaders New huh elevations and closed off by higher walls

America had morphed into a new land A land marked by a myriad of supernaturals, yet shared withas one

Meanwhile, we in The Shade re United Unshakable Only now, our responsibilities lay no longer with ourselves alone

Others claimed to be protectors, but we all knew the truth

We were the only true warriors left in this world devoid of rules…

Sofia

I stood on the veranda ofout over our dark island while sipping frorant breeze rustled the redwood trees surrounding me and touched my skin I breathed in deeply The sun had not yet risen beyond the boundary of the island It was still early , however, I would not have long to relish the quiet