Novels by Israel James

Gunfire lit up the dark alley as bullets smashed against the brick walls, sending red sparks flying into the rain.Julian pulled Maya down behind a rusted metal dumpster just as a heavy round punched through the container with a loud screech. Beside them, Old Man Marrow and Commander Eleanor Vance scrambled through the open steel door, sliding down the dark concrete steps into the hidden escape tunnel beneath New Oxford.Get inside! Maya shouted over the roar of the tactical rifles.She did not wait for Julian. She shoved him through the doorway first, then slipped inside herself, pulling a thick iron lever on the wall. With a heavy, grinding thud, the steel door slammed shut, cutting off the line of fire and plunging the underground space into total shadow.For a few seconds, nobody spoke. The only sound was the heavy breathing of four people standing in the dark, listening to the muffled shouts of the Vance family enforcers beating on the steel door upstairs.Are you okay? Julian as

White fire filled the small room in a blinding flash.The wave of heat rushed forward, but Julian and Maya kept their fists buried deep inside the glowing glass pillar. The gold and silver gears stopped spinning all at once. A loud, sharp crack echoed through the space, sounding like glass breaking under heavy pressure.Lord Vane stopped in his tracks, his eyes widening in sudden shock. The white light in his hand flickered out.No, Lord Vane said, his voice losing its cold calm for the very first time. "You do not know what you have done. Without the loop, the barriers fall. The real city returns, and our enemies will find us.Let them, Maya shouted back.She shoved her arm deeper into the pillar and yanked out the main control gear.The entire room began to shake violently. The walls of the master clock cracked open, letting in a flood of bright, natural sunlight that Julian had not seen in five hundred years. The millions of floating clocks in the sky shattered into tiny pieces of

The blue fire exploded across the glass floor, filling the dark hall with blinding light and a sharp, crackling roar.Lord Vane threw his arm up to block the glare, his pale face twisting in sudden anger. The white blade of light in his hand flickered and died as thick blue smoke rolled across the ground, blocking him from view.Maya did not hesitate. She grabbed Julian by the arm and pulled him hard toward the dark shadows near the massive iron throne.Move! Maya said, her voice sharp and urgent.Julian scrambled to his feet, running beside her as the blue fire began to clear. Behind them, Lord Vane let out a cold, angry shout that shook the floating clocks in the sky.You cannot run from me, child, Lord Vane called out through the smoke. The prison belongs to the Vance family. Every stone, every gear, every second of time obeys my command!"Commander Eleanor Vance and Old Man Marrow scrambled after them, dodging falling pieces of black glass as the floor began to crack open under th

The shadow hand closed tight around Maya's shoulder and yanked her backward into the dark opening of the golden door.Julian!" Maya called out, her voice cutting through the rushing wind as she disappeared into the thick smoke.Julian did not think. He did not care about the rules of time or the ancient kings who wanted him locked away. He lunged forward off the stone platform, diving straight into the dark gateway after her.A heavy wave of cold air hit his face, freezing his breath. He fell through a blinding storm of white light and floating stone blocks, reaching out blindly with his hands. His fingers brushed against leather. He grabbed hard, catching the sleeve of Maya's jacket, and pulled her toward him as they tumbled together through the endless void.They crashed onto a hard, flat surface of black glass that stretched out as far as the eye could see.Julian rolled to his feet, coughing as the heavy smoke cleared from his lungs. He looked down. Maya lay on her back on the gla

The giant golden door in the sky creaked open, spilling blinding white light across the empty dark void.Julian fell fast through the air, tumbling past spinning gears and floating clocks. Beside him, Commander Eleanor Vance and Old Man Marrow dropped like stones, shouting as the rushing wind pulled at their clothes. None of them could use their magic here. This was the raw core of the time prison, the place where reality ended and the rules of the world broke down completely.Up ahead, Maya hovered right in front of the massive open doorway.She did not look like a sweet, sick girl anymore. Her black leather jacket whipped around her shoulders in the fierce wind, and her dark hair streamed behind her. A wide, triumphant smile lit up her face as she reached out and touched the glowing frame of the golden door.Julian pushed his arms out, forcing his body to cut through the heavy wind. He had to stop her before she opened the gateway all the way. If the ancient prison broke open, the o

The heavy iron axe cut through the air, aiming straight for Julian's neck.Julian did not dodge. A bright flash of purple light burst from his hands, forming a solid shield of pure magic just in time. The heavy axe slammed into the shield with a loud crash that shook the stone walls. Sparks flew in every direction, blinding the eyes. Old Man Marrow grunted, putting all his weight behind the weapon, trying to crush Julian through the barrier.You cannot beat me, old man, Julian said. His voice was deep, cold, and heavy with power he had forgotten he possessed.With a sharp flick of his wrist, Julian pushed back hard. The magical shield exploded outward, sending Marrow flying backward. The old shopkeeper crashed heavily into the stone wall, dropping his axe and sliding down to the floor.Commander Eleanor Vance did not wait. She lunged forward, her glowing silver sword cutting a clean arc through the air toward Julian's chest.Julian twisted to the side. The sharp edge of the blade slic