Black Bound

The Zyearth Chronicles

by R.A. Meenan

Matt Azure is a candidate for the Defender Academy and one of only two in his graduating class to already have one of the coveted Lexi Gems – powerful magic jewels that grant their owners long life and special powers. However, the only reason Matt has a Gem before everyone else is because he bound himself to it, making him a rare -- and feared -- Black Bound Gem user.

When Matt’s Gem finally breaks and gives him a magic specialty, it grants him rare wind manipulation powers… and he critically injures a student by accident. And worse, his best friend and adoptive sister Izzy Gildspine is getting dragged down with him when he discovers his Gem is stealing energy from her.

Now Matt must confront impossible odds and control before his magic gets completely out of hand… and drives him or Izzy to an early grave.

Companion Story to Golden Guardian. Color story to Shadow Cast.

74 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2022

About the author

R. A. Meenan was born in London during the golden age of science fiction, but somehow time traveled to the Modern Era (some say a mad man with a blue box was involved). She was dropped on the doorstep of a house owned by anthropomorphic cats and though they were disappointed she didn't have furry ears and a tail, they took her in to teach her the ways of elemental magic. After setting fire to her furry cat friends' tails one too many times (final score - fire: 2612, cat's tails: 0) they called an exterminator and sent her out on her way.

Now an adult (physically, not mentally), she ride-hops intergalactic military spacecraft, combing the outer reaches of space and time, writing science fiction and urban fantasy stories based on her experiences. She's also hoping to find the perfect cup of coffee and a better way to grow dinosaurs. Humans kind of look at her funny, but she's managed to make herself an honorary ambassador for furry and anthropomorphic aliens and space dragons.

She carefully feeds and brushes her wonderful husband Joe and the pair have four furry children (which are really cats, but don't tell them that). She also spends her spare time teaching essay-writing haters, molding them into people resembling Actual Students and Lovers of English.

She may not win the hearts of stiff military men or students who want good grades for no effort, but she certainly captures the spirit and imagination of time travelers, magic users, nerds, Students-In-Training, and fantasy lovers.

Reviews

[Mark Engels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fans of The Zyearth Chronicles will surely enjoy this short book featuring one of the series' main characters. In it, future Golden Guardian Matthew Azure must come to control the remarkable elemental powers after first manifesting during a schoolyard scrap. Or society will do it for him, consigning him to a miserable and short existence like a common criminal. Matt, doggedly persistent in everything he does, sets himself to overcoming his limitations, and succeeds! But he will need to navigate an even bigger and scarier challenge when his fix puts his best friend's health and well-being in jeopardy. A thrilling and somber tale calling upon readers to stand at the precipice and step out in faith. Because failure is not an option.