The Everveil Chronicles

<h2><strong>The Shadow Heir - Everveil Chronicles: Book I</strong></h2><p><strong>By Stephen M. Ovak</strong></p><p></p><p>Beneath the mist-veiled forests of Duskford shadows whisper of a legacy long buried.</p><p> For fifteen years <strong>Stephen Umbra</strong> has lived quietly within the safety of his ancestral home-unaware that his bloodline carries the mark of ancient power. Born of the <strong>Umbra Clan</strong> the First Shadow and Walker Between Worlds his fate is bound to secrets older than Everveil itself.</p><p>When Stephen's fifteenth summer arrives his parents <strong>Cael and Elara Umbra</strong> reveal the truth of his heritage: the call of the <strong>House of Shadows</strong> and the awakening of the blood. With the family's ancient crest watching over him he is sent to <strong>Everveil Academy</strong> a fortress of learning hidden deep in the Northwest where seven Houses train the gifted heirs of magic to walk the line between light and dark.</p><p>But Everveil is not what it seems.</p><p>Beneath its gothic towers and candlelit halls lies an unseen network of ancient oaths and shadow-forged secrets. When Stephen's gift finally manifests it comes in the form of a bond unlike any other - a <strong>shadow wolf named Ashael</strong> born from his soul and the legacy of the Veil itself. Together they uncover a hidden chamber beneath the academy - a relic vault sealed by the power of the Umbra Crest. Within it lies a prophecy a set of ancient relics and a truth that will shape destiny.</p><p></p><p>There the first four are chosen.</p><p> <strong>Lunaris Corvus Nyx and Veyr</strong> - heirs of shadow flame mind and storm.</p><p> Together they form the <strong>Ebon Vow</strong> - a pact bound by oath blood and darkness.</p><p>As the year unfolds their friendship is tested by training secrets and the gathering storm of an approaching war. A tear in the <strong>Veil</strong> threatens to release creatures of nightmare and whispers speak of a rising entity named <strong>Malrec</strong> a figure of the old dark who seeks to claim the Heir of Shadows for his own.</p><p>With his familiar by his side and the relic sword <strong>Veritas</strong> in hand Lunaris must face the duality of his birthright - half light half void - and decide what kind of Shadow Heir he will become.</p><p>For in Everveil every truth is written in darkness.</p><p> And some were never meant to be revealed.</p><h3></h3><h3><strong>Themes & Tone</strong></h3><ul><li>Epic dark fantasy rooted in gothic atmosphere and emotional realism</li><li>Magic as blood inheritance shaped by ancient clans</li><li>Found family loyalty and moral ambiguity</li><li>Coming-of-age within power and destiny</li><li>Prophecy shadowcraft and the cost of truth</li></ul><p></p>