Threshold of Annihilation (The Firebird Chronicles #3) - T.A. White Page 0,173

the communicator on the bedstand next to him.

“What is it?”

Kira’s voice came over the line. “The Tuann have Selene. I thought you should know.”

Kira didn’t wait for his response, a click signaling the end of the transmission seconds later.

Alexander sat up before pacing to a blank wall and touching its side. A window appeared, allowing him to stare at the space outside.

Their years of exile and freedom were coming to an end.

The feelings that knowledge brought were complicated. It had been so long since the forty-three walked in the light. He didn’t know if they could survive in the new paradigm.

Their psyche had been scarred by their beginnings. In many ways, their development was stunted, never allowing them to evolve, much less heal. They were so desperate to cling to the safety of the known, they would sacrifice anyone who threatened that.

Alexander had always known their peace couldn’t last. Soon, the events set in motion nearly a century ago would come to a head. Would the Tuann be the thing they feared or their salvation?

The forty-three were about to find out.

TERMS

Adal – Loosely translated it means the reckoning – challenging to dangerous undertakings

Adva Ka – A rite of passage Tuann must pass

Aksa – Fist sized animal who is stubborn and blood thirsty

Alja – Haldeel word for spy. Often used in reference to the ilsa

Almaluk – the crown jewel of the Haldeel empire. It doesn’t have a fixed location but rather wanders space.

Azala – Child

Azira aliri – Cat ear shaped flower

Aza – Polite form of address, ex: Sir or Ma’am

Balial – the material with anti-ballistic properties often used in the clothes Kira is given by House Roake

Buka – a carnivorous fish raised by the Haldeel

Cheva nier – My love

Choko trees – A tree on Ta Sa’Riel

Coli – Affectionate term of endearment similar to sweet heart

Colina – A formal form of coli

Etheiri – Place of remembrance

Etair – Horse-like creature

Feilli – Symbiotic creatures in the ocean

Fendrik – An enemy on Roake’s border

Iffli – Insult. Roughly translated – mutt, half-breed, waste

Ilsa – alien arachnid that is sometimes used as a spy or pet

Kattas – Warrior forms

Keeva – Alcoholic drink

Ki – Soul’s breath

Kithiw – derogatory term by the tsavitee used in reference to humans. Loosely defined it means fodder or food

Kueper – A snack wrapped in a pastry

Loaw – Hoverbike

Lu-ong – Dragon like creature who is able to manipulate ki.

Mea’Ave – The soul of the planet

Ooros – Beast of burden, pulls carriages, looks like a cross between a bison and woolly mammoth

Ooril – Night animal

Oshota – Elite Tuann warriors – their name means shield

Seiki Stone – Drains ki

Seon’yer – Teacher or guide

Sirav Rytil – Second chances

Sye – direct translation means all and none. It is the third neutral gender of Odin’s people, being neither female or male

Tala dog – Cross between boar and wolf and armored tank

Tilu – A Tuann invention that looks like butterfly wings and allows the user to fly

Tijit – A small angry rodent

Uhva na – Trial of the Broken. A rite of passage those of House Roake must pass before receiving a teacher who will prepare them for the adva ka

Ural – Similar to synth armor but not as advanced

Vertier Order – an order of the Haldeel that is considered sacred

Yer’se – Student or apprentice

Zala – Infant

Za/Za na/Za na ri/Za na ri na – various forms of formal address by the Haldeel

Zinyai – precious small one

Zuipi – Tuann energy/projectile weapon that looks kind of like a bow and arrow

TUANN HOUSES

Luatha – Major House - Kira’s mother, Liliana, is descended from this House. Its Overlord is Liara.

Maxiim – Minor house who has pledged allegiance to Luatha. Its Overlord is deceased. Joule is attempting to resurrect the House.

Roake – Major House – Kira’s father, Harding, is descended from this House. Its Overlord is Harlow.

Danai – Major House – Overlord is still unknown

Dethos – Minor House who has pledged allegiance to Danai. Overlord is still unknown.

Asanth – Major House

Kashori – Major House

Remie – Minor house – allegiances still unknown

DISCOVER MORE BY T.A. WHITE

The Firebird Chronicles

Rules of Redemption

Age of Deception

The Broken Lands Series

Pathfinder’s Way

Mist’s Edge

Wayfarer’s Keep

The Wind’s Call

The Dragon-Ridden Chronicles

Dragon-Ridden

Of Bone and Ruin

Destruction’s Ascent

Secrets Bound By Sand

Shifting Seas – Novella

The Aileen Travers Series

Shadow’s Messenger

Midnight’s Emissary

Moonlight’s Ambassador

Dawn’s Envoy

Twilight’s Herald

CONNECT WITH ME

Twitter: @tawhiteauthor

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Writing is my first love. Even before I could read or put coherent sentences down on paper, I would beg the older kids to team up with me for the purpose of crafting ghost stories to share with our friends. This first writing partnership came to a tragic end when my coauthor decided to quit a day later and I threw my cookies at her head. This led to my conclusion that I worked better alone. Today, I stick with solo writing, telling the stories that would otherwise keep me up at night.

Most days (and nights) are spent feeding my tea addiction while defending the computer keyboard from my feline companions, Loki and Odin.