Hunted by an empire, haunted by prophecy—
Auren's power could
save or destroy the world.
Shadow Stalker - Episodes
1-6
Shadow Stalker Bundles Part 1
by Renee Scattergood
Genre: Grimdark Fantasy
"This is the first time I’ve read a serial and I
didn’t know what to expect. I was pulled into the story right away. The pacing
was cleverly crafted so that while the action had the pages turning, there was
enough back story to keep you rooted in the plot." ~ Melissa Barker-Simpson, Author of the Morgan
and Fairchild Series
"Scattergood's writing style is simple and straightforward and her
characters very believable." ~
Grant Leishman, Author of Tortured Minds
"One of the best things about the series are the characters, who are
human and sympathetic. The heroine is both a tough, capable young woman, and a
naive and self-centered teenager; the tension between the two sides of her
personality as she is suddenly forced to leave childhood behind and enter into
adulthood is often well-captured, as is her ambivalent relationship with her
foster father." ~ E.P. Clark,
Author of The Zemnian Trilogy
“Hunted by an
empire, haunted by prophecy—Auren’s power could save or destroy the world.”
The shadows are
calling—and they know her name.
For eighteen years, Auren Trask has lived under the watchful
eye of her foster father, Kado. He’s trained her in combat, wilderness
survival, and strategy, but never explained why. His strict rules and secrecy
have left her feeling trapped, desperate for freedom and a normal life with her
friends.
That all changes the night she sneaks away for a simple
camping trip. When the Galvadi Empire invades, burning villages and capturing
innocents, Auren’s world shatters. She and her friends barely escape with their
lives—thanks to Kado’s sudden appearance and skills that suggest he’s far more
than a reclusive courier.
As the Galvadi tighten their grip on the Serpent Isles,
Auren discovers she is at the center of a prophecy that has haunted the empire
for generations. She is the delohi-saqu,
a shadow stalker destined—according to Galvadi belief—to plunge the world into
darkness. To stop that future, they will hunt her without mercy.
But the truth is far more dangerous than the Galvadi know.
Auren’s powers are awakening, shadows whisper secrets in her dreams, and even
Kado can no longer shield her from the path ahead. To survive, she must
confront the terrifying legacy of the shadow stalkers and decide whether
destiny is a prison…or a weapon.
Shadow Stalker Part 1
(Episodes 1–6) launches Renee Scattergood’s dark fantasy serial, a journey
through treachery, prophecy, and the struggle between fear and hope. Perfect
for fans of epic adventure, morally
complex heroes, and worlds where light and darkness are never simple.
**Get it FREE!!**
Amazon * Ream
* Books2Read * Bookbub
* Goodreads
Episode 2 — The Delohi-Saqu's Fate
Chapter 1 | Something in the darkness
I tried to think of something else, but my mind went blank. Looking around, I suddenly grew agitated at not being able to see anything. If I didn't keep my mind occupied, I'd risk a panic attack. All I could think about was the darkness and how much I wanted to get out. I was about to scream in frustration again when I heard pebbles crunch.
"Who's there?"
No one answered.
It was just my imagination, I told myself, until something cold and wet brushed my neck. The thing sniffed at me, sending shivers through my body that had nothing to do with the cool, damp air. I gasped and stiffened. My first instinct was to move away as fast as possible, but my training took over. I slowed my breathing and held myself as still as I could. Yet my heart pounded uncontrollably, and I would have sworn the sound echoed off the cavern walls.
It sniffed me again, nudging my face with its nose and emitting a low, guttural growl. Its foul breath suggested it had eaten recently, so it likely wouldn't be hungry for a while. If it had meant to harm me, it probably would have by now. But what was its purpose? And how did it get here? I tried to move away, but it growled and pushed me forcefully with its head. When I remained still, it clamped its jaws on my arm and started dragging me along the floor.
"Let me go!" I cried, punching the animal's thick fur.
It yelped and snapped at my hand. I scooted away as fast as I could, but it grabbed my arm again and pulled me the other way. This time, it dragged me along on my knees. To keep from falling forward, I had no choice but to go where it wanted me to go. It didn't let go until we reached the stream. Then it nudged me a couple of times towards the water.
"What do you want with me?"
I shook my head. Now I was talking to an animal, as though it would answer. I tried to back away again, but it snarled and clamped down on my ankle. Though it didn't bite me hard, I cried out. It didn't let go until I stopped fighting, and I curled into a ball, hoping to wake from this crazy nightmare.
The lapping water beside me distracted me from my panic attack. The animal nudged me, then resumed drinking. Suddenly, all I heard was the stream gurgling. Although I was, in effect, blind, I knew I was alone. Whatever that thing was, it seemed to vanish as quickly and quietly as it had appeared. To be sure it had gone, I cautiously reached into the space it had occupied moments earlier. It wasn't there, so I listened for pebbles crunching on the rock floor.
"Huh."
Was it all just my imagination? Given that studies indicate hallucinations can start within fifteen minutes of sensory deprivation, and cognitive functions could be affected within hours, it wasn't an unreasonable conclusion. I had no idea how long I had been here, but it must have been at least an hour or two.
I rubbed the welts on my arm where the animal's teeth had raked my skin. For now, I could dismiss any thoughts of insanity. Something had been down there with me. But where did it go? The stream's murmuring sounded louder now, perhaps because I had nothing else to concentrate on. Or maybe it was simply because I realised my throat was parched. I leaned over the water and cupped my hand to drink.
The flavour was unlike anything I had ever tasted, and it left me wondering if it was water at all. It didn't matter. With each sip, I wanted—no, I needed—more. My hand was too small to hold enough to satisfy me, so I put my face to the surface and sucked it in. I gasped for air and noticed the cavern had grown warmer. Even stranger, a faint, odd glow surrounded me.
Now I must have been hallucinating. A greenish mist enveloped me, and shadows moved in the distance. They resembled the shadow people I remembered from my youth. I tried to push myself up, only to realise I was already standing. Huh! Believing I had somehow died, I looked down at where my body should be, expecting to see my lifeless form. But there was nothing—not even the stream.
Renee Scattergood lives in Australia with her husband,
Nathan, and adult spawn (yes, that’s what they like to be called). She has
always loved fantasy and was inspired to become a storyteller by George Lucas,
but she didn't start writing her stories until her late twenties. Now she
enjoys writing dark fantasy. She is currently working on a novel series, Shadow
Guardians of the Serpent Isles, based on her serial, Shadow Stalker, and a new
series called The Emperor’s Blades. Aside from writing, she loves reading
(fantasy, of course), watching movies with her family, and watching YouTube
Videos with her spawn. Visit her site for more information and a free copy of
Shadow Stalker Part 1 (Episodes 1 – 6): https://reneescattergood.au
