Marion Norindale Books

Curious and easygoing, Drew loves spending time with his friends and family—in particular roughhousing with his adoptive cousins, or discussing his favorite comics with his dormmates.

Despite being orphaned at a young age, he’s grown up with a large family, thanks to the siblings and relatives of the family friend, Mae, who took him in.

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EXCERPT

Mae settled onto the front porch, flicking through the mail.

Drew wouldn’t be back at the house for a bit. He’d finished up his homework and gone off to play with the other kids. She could barely see them from where she sat, tumbling on the lawns around Todd and Andrea’s house.

Mae finished sorting the letters and flyers, then sat back with a sigh.

Eventually, Drew tromped up the path to the cottage, fumbling to right his glasses. His t-shirt and shorts stained with dirt.

In the beginning, he’d been a sight to behold. Mae belonged to an old Castillan line, where every member was born as fair as could be. Only the last few generations had really begun to accept interracial mingling.

But then Jody and Rahan were killed—and Mae had brought home baby Drew with his dark Jeha complexion and his midnight-black hair.

Mae’s family had accepted Drew without hesitation. Her uncle had even built the two their house on his property, offering them his protection as Drew grew up.

The boy waved as he came up the lane. Mae returned the gesture with a smile. “Hi, pumpkin. Didya have fun?”

Drew nodded, reaching out to grab the railing as he mounted the steps. “Yep. We played catch the corn. I think we spent as much time on the ground as we did on our feet.”

“You certainly look like it.” Mae waved her hand before her face. “And smell like it. How about you go and change before you come down to help me with dinner?”

Drew giggled, racing past her to the door. Mae heard him clattering up the stairs as she scooped up the mail and moved into the kitchen.

Drew told Mae about his day as they sat down to dinner. Once they’d cleared up the table and scrubbed off the dishes, she sifted through the mail.

“I got a letter for you today.” She picked up an envelope from the stack, then handed it to the boy.

Drew bit his lip as he began to read.

Mr. Drew Rukani:

You are cordially welcomed in your upcoming attendance of the House of the Scroll.  Enclosed is a list of supplies necessary for purchase, as well as the courses available to first-year students. All course selections must be submitted no later than the first of Kaechim. Please be prepared and present on campus no later than Dechri, Julichème first.

We look forward to your joining our community.

Thank you,

Demille Thorncrown

Headmistress of the House of the Scroll

* * *

Drew felt Mae’s arm curl around his shoulders. “Congrats, pumpkin—even if we knew this was gonna happen.”

The boy smiled, though he felt how weak it was. He set the letter and the torn envelope back onto the counter.

“You’re gonna have a great time.” Mae rubbed up his back.

Drew nodded. He didn’t want his silence to be mistaken for dread, and mumbled, “I know. I just—you know. Am gonna miss everybody here.”

“Aww.” Mae continued to strobe his back. “You’ll get to see them in the summers and on holidays. And if you ever wanna come home for a weekend. We’re just a drive away, after all.”

Drew nodded again, then turned and threw his arms around the woman.

He barely remembered his parents; Mae was the only parent he’d ever really known. Though she wasn’t related to him, he’d always referred to her as his aunt. Her family had pulled him in as readily as if he were one of their own.

He swallowed down the next concern that tickled at the back of his throat. “Y’don’t think, if the other kids find out about me…they’ll treat me any differently, will they?”

Mae pulled away, sliding her hands to the boy’s shoulders. “I’m sure there’ll be wonderful kids out there who’ll wanna be your friends. I mean, just look around here. None of us care who you are—we all love you just the same.”

A tiny bit of reassurance flickered over the boy’s face.

“Come on.” Mae patted Drew’s back, then moved to stand. “Let’s get all cozied up. Those radio programs aren’t gonna listen to themselves.”