Walking the Knife's Edge (Sythe Series Book 1)

It's hard to focus on your studies when you’re from the wrong side of town, your dad’s an abusive prick and classmates are intimidated by your skills at hand to hand combat. But for Rarkin, getting into Sythe School means monsters, the chance to contain them when they stray into human occupied zones, and the opportunity for Rarkin to do something meaningful with his life. Even better; it involves an Electric Way pass out of town and rare travel opportunities within and outside the city. 

Rarkin seizes his chance at his dream job with everything he’s got, forcing down traumatic memories and tries to focus on work he knows he could love. Others see the potential of his selflessness and bravery (he can't, yet). But it's a dangerous time to hold everything in, to have little contact with friends like brothers, or to keep new friends at arm’s length.

Sythe’s nemesis, Organised Crime is embarking on bold new tactics, putting Rarkin and his classmates on the front line. Tactics which tear at the bandages of Rarkin’s unhealed wounds and his unresolved CPTSD. 

To be the hero Rarkin doesn’t believe multiple people telling him he could become, he must confront his toxic masculinity head on, and break the cycle of violence in his family. If he doesn’t make peace with his past and stop fighting EVERYTHING, he’s on the road to self destruction. In working for Sythe; Rarkin is Walking the Knife's Edge.

Character Representation
Autism, CPTSD, asexual and pan-romantic questioning.
Secondary character rep includes: sapphic, dyslexic, asexual, gay and early stages of a gender identity journey.

Content Warnings
Family violence, child abuse, family dysfunction, CPTSD and some homophobic, sexist/ misogynistic etc refs. (Healing is a BIG part of of Rarkin's character ark.)