The Outcast — Patti Larsen

SYDLYNN HAYLE IS BACK in an all-new series! Enters the Phoenix A burst of fire blazed in the corner of my eye, jerking me around toward the back door. I barely remembered moving, feet flying over the hardwood, hands slamming against the glass and throwing it open, hurtling out into the dew-wet grass. Fire climbed from a curled up ball of humanity, near the edge of the hedge row leading to the park on the other side of our property. I staggered to a halt, power reflexively tightening around me, ready to attack, when the figure unbent, half sitting, half lying on the ground, her face turned up toward me. “RUN!” Her scream pierced me to my soul, froze my magic in place before it could harm her. Flames burned her, devoured her, dark hair and eyes on fire, but she managed to stagger to her feet, eyes pure gold as she gestured toward me. “Sydlynn Hayle, if you love your family, run and don't look back!” Things have never been better for Sydlynn Hayle and her family, living out their lives in Wilding Springs, Pennsylvania. Her battles and struggles have come to a halt, her two young children happy and well-adjusted, marriage to her beloved Quaid all she could ever ask for. But when a woman of flame appears to her and warns her of impending danger, Syd understands at last the quiet she's enjoyed has all been a smoke screen, hiding the truth. Her old enemies have returned to destroy her and everything her family has fought for, with repercussions that could threaten the very Universe. So much for happily ever after.