The spot beneath the old tree where they had lain a moment before was blackened and smoldering, a black scar that exposed the soil. The air crackled with static discharge, and the air was thick with the smell of scorched grass. She looked confused when he threw himself on top of top of her like a football tackle, sending both of them tumbling, then she saw what was on the other side of the clearing and froze in place, a deer in illogical and utterly unexpected headlights.

She yielded when he grabbed her shoulders and pressed her to the ground, misunderstanding his intent when he rolled on top of her. “I–I like you too,” Alex managed, his voice catching in his throat. She squirmed on top of him, nestling closer, kissing along his neck, and Alex sighed involuntarily, his vision blurred and his hands trembling while he ran his fingers down the length of her spine. And by the time the dust has settled, the conflict will have lasting – even fatal – consequences for the staff and students of the Academy.“Alex,” Eerie whispered in her strange, melodic voice, one small hand pressing against his chest, “I like you. It will take the mustered forces of the Auditors, the Black Sun, the Hegemony, the student body, and even poor Alex Warner, to contend with the violent return of The Anathema. No longer able to cling to his apathetic neutrality, Alex must choose sides in both love and war, and quickly, before the decision is made for him. Meanwhile, Alex is reluctantly forced to make a number of choices, knowing that whatever he leaves behind will come back to haunt him. Even worse, the Auditors face a betrayal from one of their own that will rock the very foundations of the Academy. During their long stay in the Outer Dark, The Anathema have developed a host of terrible new protocols and abilities that Central is completely unprepared for. And while Emily Muir is indeed beguiling, she could end up costing him both his freedom and his budding relationship with the Changeling, Eerie.įrom the depths of the Ether, The Anathema, exiled from Central for a half a century, put an elaborate plan in motion to return to Central by force, stalking the depleted Auditors with a combined force of heretic Operators, Weir and Witches.

After all, his host for spring break is no other than the tyrannical future head of the Black Sun, Anastasia Martynova. But for Alex Warner, things are never that simple. It sounds like a Spring Break out of a dream – a lush island, perfect beaches, and the company of a beautiful girl. The Anathema is the second book of The Central Series

The Anathema by Zachary Rawlins