R. E. D. Birth of an Elemental / J .E. Scherf (ePub)

My name is Rayolynn Elenore Drake, or RED for short. Since my mother disappeared when I was very young, there has always been a mystery surrounding my family's blood line, the Drake line. My father won't talk about her and I'm starting to dream about her. You would think growing up without a mother was more difficult, but as the daughter of a wealthy merchant (and a well-known Air Mage) my life has been easy. I spend my days working with my Earth-Mage friend Jan, in the gardens and play the role of independent daughter to my father. My best friend Susie is a water witch and my partner in crime. I work with my old-hermit-adopted-uncle Skip in the valley on different experiments and contraptions. I failed the magic trials at the High-Temple,
so my day is looking up!
But it was too good to be true. The next morning, I wake up to strange marks on my skin, which mark me as an Elemental, and they are spreading down my arms. This is unusual because those who develop powers are only supposed to have the ability to manipulate one of the elements. My hair is changing colors and my dreams are
getting worse.
In a free capital city, steeped in magic and science, you can use your gift to benefit
the Capital. I wanted to live a simple life and be able to choose my own destiny,
and I hoped to be accepted into the Science Guild Academy. I never wanted to
develop powers. My father is worried, and my mother's past is coming out of the
dark. Now I am told I am part of an ancient prophesy, an Empress from the north wants to kill me, someone I love goes missing and an assassin with a secret
switches allegiances. I hope he and my friends are prepared, because everything is about to violently change.