Gaia giggled, “Someone seems to agree with me.” She looked at Shaye, adding, “If I were you, I’d run.” And with that, she closed her cloak around her and was gone before Shaye had a chance to spit back a retort.
Before Shaye or Sorin could react, the source of the screech was upon them. Shaye felt it before she saw it. It was like a void in the air. It was what she imagined death would feel like... Nothingness. Her mind told her to run, but her body would not respond. Sorin’s breath quickened beside her, and she wanted to reach for him, but her hand would not cooperate.
The monster appeared from thin air, as if conjured from the darkness itself. Now, standing between them and their guide, was a ghost-like creature. Her face was withered, revealing skeletal bone, and her hair flowed around her in ash-gray whisps. When she tried to speak, her jaw clicked.
It was the only sound that came, but Nevia seemed to understand. “I seek passage with the Curse Breakers.”
Shaye’s chest tightened. Curse Breakers?
The spirit clicked her jaw again and released a high-pitched whine from her throat. Nevia shook her head, and responded in a language Shaye did not understand. She’d had enough of this. Nevia seemed content to leave them in the dark, but she wasn’t about to step another foot further on this path without answers.
Shaye advanced on Nevia, ignoring Sorin’s heated whispers for her to stop. She addressed both Nevia and the spirit: “I think it’s about time you tell us what’s going on.”
Nevia held a finger up to Shaye and turned to the spirit again, speaking slowly, “I will say it one more time. Step aside or face their wrath.”
The spirit looked both Shaye and Sorin up and down with a scrutinizing glare. Apparently somewhat satisfied with whatever it saw, it turned and flowed back into the trees. With it went the sense of dread that had overwhelmed Shaye moments ago.
Nevia rounded on her. “You nitwit. Do you have any idea the sort of peril you were in? Had it not been for me—”
Shaye cut her off. “Peril happens to be our specialty—isn’t that right, Sorin?”
“I’ll admit, we have some experience in it.” He shrugged casually, as if they had not been on the brink of death.
Nevia pressed her lips into a thin, white slash before speaking, “You have no idea what is at stake here.”
Shaye wanted to shout at her, to tell her that their entire world was at stake, but the Kelpie did not give her the chance. She quickened her pace, leading them onward until they saw a clearing in the trees. Shaye and Sorin followed obediently, ready to face whatever came next.
But nothing could have prepared them for the horror that awaited them beyond the Darkening.
Acknowledgments
I’m still in awe at the fact that I have not one, but two books out in the wild. When I began this journey, I never anticipated finding such a welcoming community of authors and readers who wanted to lose themselves the stories that have been running amuck inside my head. I am deeply humbled by all the love and support from my readers, friends, and family.
First, to my husband, Zach, who has supported all my whims. You are the most patient and supportive man I have ever met, and I could not have done this without you. From entertaining the kids so I could write uninterrupted, to waiting up for me on late editing nights, and letting me vent when the imposter syndrome kicked in. Thank you, honey, for helping to make a lifelong goal of mine possible.
To my kids. Thank you for bringing me out of my daydreams, for reminding me to enjoy playtime and sunshine. I love you both more than the Northern Lights of Asterion!
To my mom. You have shown me what a strong, female character should look like. You have taught me to grow from the trials in life, and how to persevere. Thank you, for encouraging me to fuel my imagination and for telling me anything is possible.
To my best friend, Catherine... The Brina to my Shaye, who was the first to talk about my story with me like we were in a book club! Thank you for inspiring me to write about fierce friendships. (And for letting me use your dad as inspiration for Rolland and his cooking!)
To my family: my dad, stepmom, and grandparents. Thank you for supporting me through all the twists and turns, and for never skipping a beat in supporting me when I announced I wanted to become an author.
To my mapmaker, Melissa Nash. Thank you for bringing the world of Asterion, Sagon, and Skag to life. You took my messy sketch and turned it into something tangible. Without you, my readers would still be trying to figure out where Shaye and Sorin were going.
To my betas: Ardena, Catherine, Diana, Lisa, and Stephanie. You were the first people that I entrusted my characters and world to. Thank you for being the first steppingstone in this process, and for making me smile at your reaction notes as you read!
To my final editor, Aunt Suzie and her bundle of red pens. Thank you for the corrections, and for the late-night pep talks. Without you, my stories would never be ready to set free into the world.
To all of the writers who have come before me. Thank you for shaping my world with your stories and inspiring me to create worlds of my own.
To my readers and fans. Thank you for your support and encouragement through your sweet messages, posts, and reviews. I am immensely thankful for each, and every one of you. It is because of you, that I have the drive to continue sharing these stories with the world. Truly, thank you.
Lastly, to our Father in Heaven, who has blessed me with an imagination filled with endless possibilities. Thank you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
J.M. Wallace is a proud military wife. She has spent much of her adult life moving from place to place with her husband and their two children, making stories of their own. As a young girl, J.M. was fascinated with stories that she read and that she dreamed up on her own. Even when she was horseback riding, she was never in her own yard; instead, she was in an enchanted forest or riding into battle alongside brave knights. Today, she puts those stories to paper, to share with the world. She does this in the little pockets of her day between giving her kids snacks, naps, baths, and putting them to bed. A Legacy of Darkness is her first series.
Follow J.M. Wallace’s writing adventures on:
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Also by J.M. Wallace
A Legacy of Darkness
A Legacy of Darkness
A Legacy of Nightmares (Coming Soon)
A Legacy of Nightmares Page 21