My parents named me after an angel. That was a mistake. My words and actions remind them of this on a daily basis.

My father disagrees. He is the Sentinel of Order, God’s unchecked hand on the world, but I’ll always be his little girl. Da may be biased, but he’s not deluded. The angel for whom I was named is beautiful, brave, and temperate. Da says two out of three isn’t bad. I cannot take credit for my beauty, and will not attribute bravery to things that simply must be done. As for temperance, I have none.

I come to my lack of temperance honestly. It flows from my mother, the Soulborn of Order. My hair may lack her fire, but my blood makes up for it in spades. I have a sentinel’s blood, which means I can perform what others might call magic.

All my life I’ve been told that, like my father and brother, I am a sentinel, but I’m really not. A sentinel guards. She stands watch and waits for threats to emerge. That’s not me.

Who am I? I am an enforcer for the Council of Havilah, and I don’t wait for threats to emerge. I seek them out in their cradle and destroy them utterly. I do so without regret. I do so without mercy. I am Ariel Thorne, and this is my story.

Author's Note:

Nick Podehl is a featured narrator within this title, having previously voiced all the Thorne Boys in everything I've ever written because he loves them so much and, I think, didn't want anyone infringing on his territory.

I hope everyone enjoys this very cool, duel narration.