Body Tempering

# HELLSPAWN HUNTER ## Synopsis **When the gates of Hell crack open over his hometown, seventeen-year-old Kael Draven should have died with everyone else. Instead, he made a deal with a dying demon—and became something the supernatural world has never seen before.** Kael's father was a legendary Hunter who died keeping secrets. His demonic bond makes him an abomination in the eyes of his father's former allies. And Vex'thul, the ancient demon sharing his headspace, won't shut up long enough to let him figure out which side he's supposed to be on. **Vex'thul the Unbound has survived three millennia by being paranoid, ruthless, and absolutely insufferable. Now he's stuck in the body of an idealistic teenager who thinks "heroism" is a viable career path.** Together, they're humanity's most dysfunctional defense against the supernatural apocalypse. Kael wants to save everyone. Vex wants to survive everything. Neither is getting what they want. The Hunter Academy doesn't train half-demons. Vampire covens don't trust monsters with consciences. Exorcist orders shoot first and ask questions later. And somewhere in the shadows, the conspiracy that killed Kael's father is pulling strings that could unravel reality itself. **Armed with unstable demonic powers, a demon who treats life-or-death situations like a running commentary track, and a stubborn refusal to accept that some people can't be saved, Kael is about to learn that the hardest part of hunting monsters isn't the fighting—it's deciding which monsters deserve to live.** In a world where humanity's protectors might be the real villains, Kael Draven will discover that sometimes the only way to save the world is to embrace the darkness within. *Because when Hell comes calling, sometimes you need a monster to answer.*

What would you do if you woke up and decided to look out at the dawning morning only to see yourself still lying in bed? What would you do if your 21st birthday was the last time you would ever age? What would you do if you were being chased by the NSA? How would you feel if you were hunted by a creature that could take any form it wished? That is Michael’s life. From the time he was fifteen he knew he was much different from everyone else. He had his own successful technology company and was at school at MIT. This is as far back as he can remember any true memory. He had always known things, whether it was about people or just events, and went with his feelings about whatever split in the road was set in front of him. Staring out the window of his bedroom, he turned around to find he was still in bed. Was it a dream? Before figuring out what was going on, the government was trying to catch him. Running from the NSA and trying to figure out how to control his new powers, he runs into something very evil that wants nothing less than to kill him. His new enemy can take on any form he wants at any time. Using his power to split himself in two, he spends his time trying to find out one other mystery. How did the government know about him before he did? Learning to split his body, trying to find his purpose in life, searching for the woman he lost and trying not to get killed, Michael comes to find out one truth to his reality. The only thing he has to fear in this word is himself.

"Mr. Verus,” she said, “the surgery has already been paid for.” Cassius blinked, stunned. “What? By who?” Before the nurse could respond, a tall, imposing figure appeared. The man was impeccably dressed, his presence commanding attention. “I paid for it,” the man said, his deep voice resonating in the sterile corridor. Cassius stood, his body tense. “Who are you?” The man smiled faintly, extending a hand. “Augustus Verus,” he said. “Your father.” Shock coursed through Cassius. “My father?” he echoed, incredulous. “That’s impossible.” “It’s the truth,” Augustus said, pulling out a neatly folded envelope. Inside were photographs, documents—proof of their connection. “I’ve been watching from a distance, waiting for the right moment to step in. And now, it’s time.” Cassius stared at the evidence, his emotions a whirlwind of disbelief, anger, and curiosity. “Why now? Why not before?” Augustus met his gaze steadily. “Because you had to face life’s hardships to grow. But now, you’ve earned the right to know the truth—and the power to change your fate.” He handed Cassius a sleek black card. “This is yours. It grants you access to my wealth. Use it wisely.” Cassius hesitated before taking the card, his fingers trembling. The weight of everything that had happened—his humiliation, his sister’s injury, and now this revelation—threatened to overwhelm him. But as he looked at Augustus, determination flickered in his eyes. “I’ll use this,” he said quietly, “to protect Vinna—and to repay everyone who looked down on me.” Augustus nodded, a faint smile on his lips. “Then I trust you won’t disappoint me, son.” Cassius watched as Augustus walked away, leaving him standing in the sterile hallway, a man reborn."