Kendra Blake doesn’t much feel like celebrating these days. Her eighteenth birthday should be a happy time, but all she can think about is her brother, Harris, and how he disappeared five years ago. And he wasn’t the only one—across the world, there’s been an alarming rise in disappearances of eighteen-year-olds. When Kendra goes back to school, approached by Richmond Gideon, billionaire owner of the space company Minerva, she figures out why.

To combat climate change and overpopulation, all eighteen-year-olds must pass a series of coming-of-age tests on a desert planet called Astrid to prove they’re worthy to live on Earth. Those who fail the ritual are abandoned on the planet while those who pass return home to have their memories erased. And Kendra’s brother, Harris, was one of them—and now, she will be, too.

With no other choice, Kendra goes with Gideon to Astrid where she encounters human-like aliens, some with a grudge for invading their planet. With the help of local native, Kai, who she eventually develops feelings for, she just might have a chance of surviving and getting home—but the test isn’t as easy as she thinks. With a brother to find, tests to pass, and a rebellion to lead, Kendra must fight for a better future for Earth and Astrid—before it’s taken forever.

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Available: July 28, 2025
Teen

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Excerpt

Chapter One:
Only The Worthy

My brother vanished five years ago, but I find him every night.

He’s always in my dreams, just out of reach. Like a ghost I can’t catch. I chase after him, my arm outstretched to grab him as his eyes bore into mine. Begging me to find him. To save him.

But then he fades again, making me wake up with a wet pillowcase and no real answers.

Groaning, I sat up and turned off my alarm clock while rubbing my eyes. I glanced at the calendar date on the wall. April 19th, 2100.

My eighteenth birthday.

I used to love birthdays—a long time ago. Mainly when my brother was still around. He always made it fun, making sure I had a present and a good time. He was the kind of happy person you’d want at every party. Now I hated it—it was just a reminder of everything I’d lost. So, I told my family not to celebrate or even mention it.

When the clock flashed 7:00 a.m., I quickly dressed and prepared for school before trudging down the staircase, my eyes still heavy with sleep. The house was eerily quiet for an early Monday morning, all the lights turned off.

I just knew something was going on.

“Happy birthday!”

The shouts startled me. There they were—my mother, Laura, my father, Malcolm, and my best friend, Hayden Peterson, all grinning. I shook my head at their antics, wondering how they could be so perky that early in the morning. Mom thrust a birthday cake in my face, holding eighteen lit candles.

“Make a wish, sweetie,” Mom said.

“And don’t tell us what it is, or it won’t come true,” Dad added.

I crossed my arms. “I told you I didn’t want to celebrate my birthday anymore. For obvious reasons. I thought you understood. We barely celebrated last year, remember?”

Mom and Dad glanced at each other, saying nothing. My brother was a hard subject to talk about.

Hayden sighed. “Come on, Ken. You’re only gonna turn eighteen once. Can’t you just make a wish?”

Hayden knew I could never resist my best friend. To make him happy, I thought for a moment before leaning forward and blowing out the candles. They clapped as the smell of smoke invaded my nostrils.

“There, you did it! You’re an official adult now, Kendra,” Hayden began, patting my shoulder. “You’re getting old.”

I laughed. “I’m getting old? Your birthday’s in two months.”

He smiled. “Still older than me.”

Mom sighed and placed the cake down on the nearby kitchen counter, gazing at the picture in the frame. A family picture with my brother grinning at the camera. The room grew quiet as we took a moment of silence.

“I just wish your brother could be here with us,” Mom said, caressing his photograph. “I miss him so much.”

“I know he’s still here,” I replied, my throat dry. “He’s always watching over us.”

“That he is. And we’ll celebrate properly later,” Dad said, changing the uncomfortable subject. “But now, it’s off to school for both of you. And I have a big day ahead of me at Minerva.”

Minerva was a science and space exploration company my dad worked for, owned by the tech billionaire Richmond Gideon. It was always exciting when Dad talked about his projects.

“Really? What are you working on now?” I asked, pulling on my jacket.

“Some cool new science tech, I hope,” Hayden said, his eyes wide with excitement. “Where’s my flying car?”

Dad laughed, pulling on his white laboratory coat. “We still have a long way to go before that kind of invention. What I’m working on is far more important—space travel. I’m one of the lead engineers on Project Erebus.”

“Project...what?” I asked, wrinkling my eyebrows in confusion. Mom was still staring at the photograph over my shoulder.

“Erebus. We’re designing a spacecraft. Minerva hopes to explore beyond our solar system soon—see what’s out there.”

“How cool would that be? Traveling the universe, exploring planets?” Hayden asked. “Meeting alien life?”

Dad laughed. “I guess you’re an alien believer, then?”

“Of course, I am. I mean, come on—billions of planets in the universe, and Earth is the only one to support life?” Hayden cried. “That’s just impossible! Aliens have to exist…”

While they continued to argue about space travel and green aliens, the television caught my attention. A news reporter sat behind a desk, reading off a long list of names. Photographs of young people I didn’t recognize flashed across the screen.

“Authorities say the disappearances continue to climb,” the reporter said. “Anyone with information is encouraged to contact law enforcement...”

Mom shook her head, tearing her gaze away from the photograph to stare at the television. “More disappearances? How terrible.”

“I hope someone finds all those missing people,” I said, my eyes on the television. “Maybe one of them would know where Harris is.”

It still hurt to think about how we lost him. Without a trace like so many other people. After all this time, we still didn’t have any answers.

“They’re calling it the Eighteen Club,” Hayden said, crossing his arms as he stared at the television. “All those missing people just turned eighteen before they disappeared. That can’t be a coincidence, right?”

Mom sighed. “Good point. I worry about you two. Promise me you’ll be extra careful out there? Both of you?”

“We’ll be fine,” I replied, glancing at her. “Nothing’s going to happen to us.”

Dad cleared his throat and nodded at the clock on the wall. “If we don’t leave now, we’ll be late for work. We’ll drop you off at school since we’re heading that way.”

“Okay. But school on my birthday should be a crime,” I replied, slinging my backpack over my shoulder.

 

* * *

 

The drive to school was quiet. I stared out the window, counting the cars as they passed. There was nothing but green grass, windmills, and skyscrapers.

“So, grad’s coming up soon,” Hayden said to my right, breaking the silence. “Have any idea what you want to do once it’s over?”

I shrugged. “Maybe something in science? I’m still not sure.”

“I feel you. Hey, maybe we’ll know when the time comes?”

“Maybe.”

The car came to a halt with a screech as we pulled into the crowded parking lot. My parents smiled at us as we grabbed our school supplies, closing the car door behind us.

“Have a good day at school, kids,” Dad said, leaning back to glance at us.

“And we’ll celebrate your birthday properly later. Before you argue, it’ll be fun,” Mom replied with a wink. “See you then, dear!”

After we said our goodbyes and approached the school’s front doors, I shook my head. “They just couldn’t listen to me. Did we really have to celebrate my birthday?”

Hayden shrugged. “They’re your parents—of course they did. And without your brother around, you’re all they have now, so...”

When he noticed the sad look on my face, Hayden stopped talking. He was right—I was Mom and Dad’s only child now. Maybe I was being selfish for not wanting to celebrate my birthday. But part of me didn’t care.

Before I could respond, I noticed a handful of men in white and blue suits entering the principal’s office. Their clothing had the logo of Minerva Enterprises—which looked like a small, yellow planet. I found it strange that they would be here of all places, but other than that, nothing was out of the ordinary. Hayden must not have noticed as he continued to ramble on about something.

“So…” Hayden began, “prom’s coming up. Have a date yet? I don’t and I was just wondering if—”

Principal Gloria Whittaker walked over to us, blocking our entrance into the school. She looked somber and stiff. Her dreadlocks fell to her shoulders, her golden-brown eyes sparkling in the light.

“Sorry to bother you, Ms. Blake,” Principal Whittaker began, her eyes on me, “but I need to speak to you privately in my office. Please, come with me.”

As she sauntered off down the hallway, Hayden glanced over at me with a look of confusion. “What’s going on? You in trouble?”

“I don’t think so. But who knows?” As the bell rang above us, I started to walk toward the principal’s office. “Don’t worry. I’ll tell you everything later.”

“Okay, good luck.”

After Hayden rushed off to class, I finally made it to the office which was deserted. Principal Whittaker waited by the office door with her arms folded. She motioned for me to enter through the glass doors.

“Head on in, Ms. Blake,” she began. “Someone wishes to speak with you.”

I gulped and pushed the door open, my heartbeat quickening with fear. I had never gotten called down to the principal’s office before. I wondered if I had done something wrong, failed some test. I was even more confused when I noticed a familiar-looking man sitting in the principal’s chair.

He looked to be in his late sixties with a white beard and a matching trench coat. A streak of black in the shape of a lightning bolt spread across his ivory-colored hair, sitting with his hands clasped. All around him stood the burly security guards I had seen earlier, and one of them closed the door behind me. The man rose to his feet and smoothed down his coat.

“Good morning, Ms. Blake,” he said, extending his hand. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

I shook his hand, and mine was trembling. “Don’t I know you from somewhere? Wait…you’re Richmond Gideon, right? The owner and head scientist of Minerva Enterprises?”

He smiled, and I saw my wide-eyed expression reflect in his pearly-white teeth. “Glad you’ve heard of me. As I understand it, your father’s the lead engineer on one of our spacefaring projects. Project Erebus, I believe. He’s made some great strides.”

Panic spread across my face. “Is this about my dad? Is he okay?”

“Don’t worry, Ms. Blake. Your family’s safe. It’s you I wanted to discuss.”

I furrowed my brow. “Me? Why?”

A nearby Minerva guard leaned over and handed me a sealed document. I accepted it and looked at Richmond, curiously.

“Go ahead, Ms. Blake. You can open it. Without a doubt, you’ll have many questions.”

I opened the envelope, tearing off the seal, and noticed a small, lamented piece of paper inside. In strange letters, the words at the top of the letter read, “quod solum digni”.

“Do you understand what that means?” he asked.

“It’s Latin,” I replied. “It’s our school motto. I think it means ‘Only the Worthy’.”

He looked impressed. “Very good, Ms. Blake. But I wouldn’t expect anything less from an honor roll student. Please, finish reading it.”

I turned the letter over and scanned through the instructions. It mentioned something about eight crystals, a coming-of-age ritual, and an unfamiliar map of a desert. It was all too cryptic to understand.

“What is all of this?” I asked, glancing up at him. “Why did you give this to me?”

Richmond turned his back to me and gazed out the window. “It’s time for your Coming of Age.”

“My…Coming of Age?” I asked, growing angry. “What the hell is going on here?”

“At the age of eighteen, everyone is forced to undergo a coming-of-age ceremony before adulthood,” he replied. “You will be sent to Astrid, a planet not too far from Earth. There, you must pass several trials to prove that you’re worthy to exist on our planet.”

I froze, flabbergasted. “Worthy to exist? What are you talking about? How come I’ve never heard about this?”

He turned around. “It’s a secret, Ms. Blake. The project was developed in the mid twenty-first century and the world governments gave me complete control to handle this ritual as I see fit. I appreciate their support. Now, if you return—and there’s no guarantee you’ll survive—we’ll wipe your memory clean just as we’ve done to everyone else. Including your parents, who passed the test when they were your age.”

“So, no one else knows about this? People whose memories you haven’t erased, I mean?”

He shook his head. “That isn’t true. The leaders of our society do—Presidents, CEOs, and trusted allies. They’ve agreed to keep it all quiet.”

“Why am I supposed to do this? I don’t get it.”

He sighed. “It’s not complicated, Ms. Blake. Take a look at Marvel City. Tell me what you see.”

He motioned toward the window, and I stepped forward and peeked outside. The sun was shining, flowers were glistening with morning dew, and people walked by, enamored with their smartphones and other gadgets. People were hardly sick anymore, and the streets were spacious and clean.

“Marvel City is beautiful,” I said. “It’s like a city of the future.”

“Exactly. We live in an age of science and technology. If we want to evolve further, we need only the best in our society. If you can’t prove yourself, then you don’t deserve to live on Earth. Life on this wonderful planet is not a privilege, it’s a luxury. We have neither the time nor the space for weaklings holding us back.”

It suddenly hit me. Harris.

“My brother...” I trailed off. “He was eighteen when he disappeared. You took him, didn’t you? You’re responsible for all those mass disappearances.”

He said nothing. But I wasn’t finished.

“Harris is stuck on that planet you mentioned. You stole my brother from me,” I continued, my voice hoarse. “All because you don’t think some people are good enough for Earth!”

I lunged forward, but the Minerva guards held me back. I finally understood why he needed so many. Had others tried to fight back when he told them about the test? About the true reason why so many people had vanished and never returned? Bested by some made-up test?

“Now, now, Ms. Blake,” Richmond scolded, “there’s no need for violence. You must save your energy for your coming of age.”

“What’s to stop me from telling everyone?”

He crept closer to me. “Breaking the oath of silence is a criminal offense, Ms. Blake. I wouldn’t want your family—or your friend, Hayden Peterson—to suffer for your mistakes.”

That was it, then. I couldn’t warn the world and risk my family. It was bad enough I had lost Harris.

I scoffed. “When do I leave?”

“Two weeks,” Richmond replied. “You’ll have to lie to your family about where you’re going. Make it convincing. You’ll spend two weeks on the planet of Astrid, and that’s more than enough time. There will be a series of tests you must pass if you want to return to Earth. You need to prove you’re not another fool eating up our planet’s precious resources.”

“And if I haven’t passed your tests, what happens after two weeks?”

“You won’t be allowed to return to Earth, ever. The new planet will become your home—if you can survive there.”

“Come on, you can’t just throw me away on a planet without any help!” I cried. “All of this is so sudden, so unfamiliar. Like a death sentence. It isn’t fair!”

He tsked. “Did you really think that I wouldn’t offer you anything? After school today, I want you to meet with Alfred Barclay, one of our Proctors. He’s trained many young pupils for their Coming of Age. You’ll have two weeks to digest as much information as possible. His address is written on the back of your letter.”

“How about go to hell?”

He smiled. “You’re an intelligent young woman, Ms. Blake. Feisty, too. I hope you succeed. If you do, you’ll have no memory of this conversation and you’ll be an asset to our society. One of the chosen making our world a better place. If you don’t...well, let’s not think of such unpleasant things.”

The Minerva guards released me as I scoffed. “I plan on passing your test. And telling everyone what you’re doing.”

He just smirked. “Have a good day at school, Ms. Blake.”

The next thing I knew, I was being pushed out the door and falling on the ground with a thud.

 

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