Jordan and Julien St. Croix could be mistaken for twins. Jordan and Julien are 11-year-old cousins born twelve minutes and half a world apart. The boys meet at the family chAcentsteau in Saint-Die, France. The cousins find a pair of perfectly matched rapiers while exploring the huge old house. The swords once were owned and wielded by the only known pair of identical twins born into the St. Croix family line. The strange tingling in their hands should have warned them. It happened every time they touched the swords. Something was very different about the elegant weapons. Instead, they did...

Dying isn't scheduled today, Ashur grimly thought. "Keep close to the trees " He warned Raeven as another bolt scorched past, barely missing him. "Zigzag Make their shots as difficult as possible " He and Raeven dodged in and out of the trees as energy bolts whizzed around them. Ashur and Raeven are eleven years old. Growing up on Lalor isn't easy. Staring down death seems easier than facing everyday life. They are loners, bullied and taunted by other kids. Earning their parents' approval takes courage. Ashur and Raeven become messengers who run from town to town. They must prove their...