Nefarious Gift

None of his books had ever taught him this. No book ever told him what it was like to die.

Loren Turtingas would rather read about heroes than become one. His dream of a quiet life is destroyed when he's forced into an expensive academy where students gamble at the opportunity to unlock Guild abilities.

Amidst new program friendships and a budding romance, Loren discovers a terrifying gift he never wanted-the ability to extract very essence of life. This power connects him to the beautiful and mysterious Paerli, a girl who is far more than she seems. Her friendship is suspicious, her mission is ancient, and Loren is the unwilling key to unlocking a secret even the capitol fiercely protects.

Now, Loren must master his cursed abilities before the close friend he trusted costs him everything: his friends, the woman he loves, and his own humanity.