The Gliss started grabbing the leaders and striking them with magic.
Ed, Ceara, Jax, stop the Gliss, Ann called. Get everyone out of here.
What about you? Ceara asked.
I’ll be fine. Go. Ann raised her hand again, blasting Urien.
Urien staggered, almost falling down the steps of the dais. “You can’t kill me, Rhiannon. You couldn’t kill me the night I killed our father, you can’t do it now,” Urien goaded. “I’m protected from death.”
An image of Darius lying on the floor bleeding out flashed through her mind. Her face dropped. Fuck banishment. It would be too good for him.
Instead, she muttered words not to banish, but to kill, just as Urien did the same.
Light exploded, hitting them both the same time. Ann doubled over as pain reverberated through every nerve ending.
Urien cried out too. “What was that?” he gasped.
“Hello, lover.” Ceara appeared and shoved a shock rod into his neck. It made him scream.
Jax shoved a knife through Urien’s chest. “Sorry, Xander, but since you can’t die, that’s for our mum.”
Ed appeared at Ann’s side. “You alright?” he asked.
She nodded.
Urien raised his hand.
“Don’t bother,” Ed growled. “You know you can’t kill each other whilst Darius’ spell remains in place.”
Ann moved over to Urien’s side and muttered the spell again. Light flashed over Xander’s body as he coughed. “Ann?” he gasped.
“Xander, is that you?” She knelt beside him.
“It’s Urien trying to trick us,” Ceara sneered.
“No, it’s him.” Ann reached out grasped his hand.
“Urien wants to gain the elders’ favour again. He killed Orla to open a portal. Blood sacrifices are the only magic strong enough to break through the mists to parts of Asral and Lulrien.”
“Do you know which elder helped him and Orla to kill our parents?”
“Urien’s forces will be here soon. You need to get out of here. All of you.”
“No.” Ann chanted the spell again.
Xander gripped her wrist. “No, Papa’s spell will protect us. Urien is using it too. My power will protect him,” he said. “The only way to banish him is to unlink us. Now go.”
Ann gripped his wrist and said the spell anyway.
Xander winced. “He’s coming back. Go!” He shoved her toward Ed. “Stab me again. If I die, you’ll slow him down for a few moments. It might buy you enough time to get away.”
Ceara drew her knife and shoved it through his chest. “Sorry,” she murmured.
Xander’s eyes became glassy as his breath left his body.
“Ann.” Ed gripped her hand. “We have to go.”
She didn’t want to go. Xander was still her little brother. She wanted to stay, to find a way to save him.
Ann pulled her hand away from Ed’s and turned back toward the dais. “Like I said, brother. Things need to change.” She raised her hand. Fire enveloped the archdruid’s throne. It froze for a moment, sparkling with light. Then it blew apart.
She flinched as pain stabbed through her chest as her connection to the throne’s power broke. The throne that had been the seat of the archdruid for over three thousand years was gone.
“Ann?” Ed said again.
She nodded and said the words for transference.
The four of them reappeared outside the palace. After making sure the leaders were alright, they left and headed through the grounds. Many people had sent curious or angry glances her way.
“Hey, doesn’t this mean you’ve been proven innocent now?” Ceara asked. “Maybe the other leaders—”
Ann sighed. “Today won’t change anything even if anyone believes I’m innocent. Most of the leaders either despised or feared my father. They won’t help me.” She caught hold of the metal structure. “Urien still has Caselhelm and he has someone else helping him. Some other more powerful force—I suspect whoever it is helped him and Orla to kill my parents.”
Ed squeezed her shoulder. “We didn’t fail. Xander helped us, and we saved all those people.”
“Urien still got what he wanted, didn’t he?”
“Maybe, but it also gives us a chance to explore beyond the mists, too. I have a feeling we’ll both find answers there.” Ann glanced back at the palace. “And maybe I’m closer to finding out who killed my father.”
Continued in Bound By Fire.
Afterword
Dear Reader,
Thank you for reading Archdruid
I hope you enjoyed this book. I’d love it if you could post a review about it on Goodreads or another book site. Getting reviews for my books gives me a big thrill and I look forward to hearing what you thought. Perhaps you can mention who your favourite character was and which parts you liked best.
For updates and news about my books signup for my author newsletter and get a free gift at tiffanyshand.com/newsletter
I look forward to hearing from you.
Tiffany Shand.
Acknowledgments
Big thanks to my editor Lauren Whale for all your hard work. And thanks to my beta readers Brandi Goss, Nichole Lovett, Jenna Addams for all your feedback.
Also by Tiffany Shand
BOUND BY BLOOD: ROGUES OF MAGIC SERIES BOOK 1
All paths lead to the throne.
Ann Valeran is the heir to the archdruid, a spiritual leader to the five lands of Almara. But her destiny is shattered when her parents are killed by her elder brother Urien and his demon mother Orla. Framed for the murder of her parents, Ann becomes a wanted fugitive with a high bounty on her head. Accompanied by her younger brother Xander and her best friend Edward Rohm, her former bodyguard, the rogue trio travel in their native land of Caselhelm.
Meanwhile, war has broken out in Caselhelm and magic has been banned by Orla, who now sits on the archdruid’s throne. Ann, Ed and Xander work with the resistance to protect magic users from Orla’s dark clutches, all while striving to clear Ann’s name. Along the way, they meet people from their past whose intentions aren’t always clear. And deciding to trust them may doom them to an even worse fate.
ARCHDRUID: ROGUES OF MAGIC SERIES BOOK 2
She's the true archdruid. He has the power to destroy the realm.
Urien’s sole will is to conquer the lands of Almara. He will do anything to reach that goal. The only thing between him and the right to rule are his half-siblings. He has already defeated one. Only one remains between him and the throne. With the help of his mother’s powerful dark magic, Urien stretches his might across the realm to force everyone to submit to his will.
Ann is the last sibling who stands in Urien’s way. If he succeeds in taking the throne, the world will burn under his reign. Her escape from Urien’s dark army brings her home. The druid refuge is her last chance to defeat her brother. Will the druids side with their leader or turn against her?
One will evolve to become more powerful. One will be erased from existence.
DENAI TOUCH: EXCALIBAR INVESTIGATIONS SERIES BOOK 1
This witch doesn’t need a broomstick.
Cate McCray is the leader of Excalibar, an elite team engaged in a fierce battle with the Covenant, an ancient organisation that seeks the enslavement of Magickind. And as the witch who’s prophesied to destroy the Covenant, Cate and her looming immortality are at risk when the Covenant races against time to kill her.
But it won’t be easy for Cate. Before she can attain unimaginable power, she must first survive the ascension. And there’s only one man who can help Cate – her elemental partner Jason Talbot. But Cate’s quest for immortality is threatened when her forbidden love for Jason could lead to their mutual destruction.
Meanwhile, as Cate leads Excalibar into infiltrating the Covenant, her mortal state puts her at grave risk. As she struggles to find a way forward, the line between eternal death and eternal life continues to blur. But when everything is at stake… she�
��ll realise that some lines are meant to be crossed.
DENAI BOUND: EXCALIBAR INVESTIGATIONS SERIES BOOK 2
Something wicked this way comes.
Cate McCray is a tough witch who thought her life was finally starting over. Newly married to her elemental husband Jason – after a courtship that risked both of their lives – she looks forward to spending her life with him.
But when they arrive in a new city, they discover that the past isn’t dead. A new case captures their attention, one with dangerous connections to their world’s most powerful elites. Working with her battle-tested team of enforcers, Cate knows she must stop this terrifying new threat and save humanity. But as the bodies threaten to pile up, alliances soon fall apart. And Cate and Jason don’t know who to trust anymore – except each other.
Denai Bound is the thrilling sequel to Denai Touch and a triumph of storytelling. Join Cate and Jason as they race to stop their biggest enemy yet, whose ancient and fearsome magic lurks in wait. But through it all, the darkest of magic is no match… for the shining light of love.
DENAI STORM: EXCALIBAR INVESTIGATIONS SERIES BOOK 3
War never ends… and love never dies.
Denai witch Cate McCray can’t catch a break. After leading her team of enforcers to victory once again, she’s devastated to find that her loving husband, Jason, has been kidnapped. And as she and her driven team venture into the country of Setara to rescue him, Cate knows that nothing is going to stand in her way.
But when she finds Jason can’t remember his imprisonment, the price may be too much to bear. Meanwhile, the dreaded Covenant is at it again, sending a dangerous new killer to roam the streets of their city. Rescuing Jason wasn’t enough, because now Cate and her team have no choice but to fight. The Covenant won’t stop in their mission against Cate and her allies, no matter the cost. But they don’t know she’s just as determined – and deadly.
Denai Storm is a heart-pounding tale of love against all odds. When the chips are down, only the strongest will survive. And for Cate McCray, this is her toughest mission yet. But when push comes to shove, this witch will fly towards the heart of battle… and her own.
SHADOW WALKER: THE SHADOW WALKER TRILOGY BOOK 1
After her enforcer teammates are killed in a bust gone wrong, Denai witch Charlie McCray struggles to carry on working the job without them. Using her gift of communicating with the dead, she's determined to get justice and find those responsible no matter what. But her only clue to go on is a mysterious orb with a deadly reputation that everyone wants to get their hands on.
The only one who may be able to help her figure out their deaths, and the connection to the orb is the dark and sexy demon from her past. Convinced she's his life mate, to her denial, Charlie isn't happy to see him again. Can they really work together as partners to track down the truth whilst ignoring the ever-growing attraction between them?
SHADOW SPY: THE SHADOW WALKER TRILOGY BOOK 2
After her partner, Drake disappears without a trace, Charlie McCray is determined to get him back with only telepathic dreams to aid her. The search leads her into the heart of Kyral, home to all Demonkind. With a gang leader determined to get a hold of the Srimtar, and enemies from Drake's own past surrounding them, Charlie is running out of time.
Struggling with her own half-demon heritage and getting control of her powers, she meets the mysterious mist walkers, leaving her with more questions than answers. Charlie must go undercover, ascend to her powers, and get back the love of her life, all before it's too late.
SHADOW SWORN: THE SHADOW WALKER TRILOGY BOOK 3
Under the guidance of her long-lost mother, Charlie McCray struggles to get a hold of her demonic powers while learning more about her heritage. Frustrated by being forced to stay away at a secret compound away from Drake, her main goal of guarding the Srimtar from her enemy's grasp seems insurmountable.
After being chased from her temporary sanctuary, her reunion with Drake offers no peace. Meeting with his brother, in the position of Akaran, leader of the demons, has brought its own troubles to their door. Can Charlie find her way through the shadows of deceit and finally bring an end to what's keeping them apart?
BETRAYED BY BLOOD: THE AMARANTHINE CHRONICLES BOOK 1
Blood flows where magic fears to tread.
For centuries, the city of Ormere has existed on a knife’s edge. A band of outlaws known as the Amaranthine has kept the peace while the Order of Sorcerers disperses their dark magic amongst the city’s people.
But Agent Kaylan Avilion won’t stand for it. Still dealing with the grief over her murdered family, it’s up to Kaylan to protect the city she loves. But when an attempted sting on a criminal sorcerer goes bad, Kaylan’s fiancé Elijah pays the tragic consequences.
Kaylan’s overwhelming sorrow is replaced by shock when she realises that Elijah isn’t really dead. He’s alive and under the spell of the Order of Sorcerers, and they won’t rest until they find a dangerous artefact that holds the key to Kaylan’s tragic past. And when her sister Freya goes missing, Kaylan pulls out all the stops to find her and Elijah. But Elijah has been keeping a secret from Kaylan, and it just may be enough to tear them apart… again.
DARK REVENGE: THE AMARANTHINE CHRONICLES BOOK 2
Evil never rests.
The city of Ormere is under siege by unnatural creatures who roam the darkened streets, as innocent people pay the price. The outlaws of the Amaranthine Order have been nearly wiped out, leaving few to brave the new terror on the streets.
Agent Kaylan Avilion is on the case, but she’s working in new and unfamiliar territory. Her once innocent sister Freya has betrayed Kaylan and is plotting a hostile takeover of the city. Freya is on the hunt for an infamous book — the Amaranthine Chronicles — linked to the murder of their family, and all the dark magic that comes with it. A book so feared the last High Lord erased its location from history… until now.
Meanwhile, Kaylan is relieved her ex-fiancé Elijah is back, but as a new shapeshifter, his inner beast does battle with his still harboured feelings for Kaylan. But now, she and Elijah must put all that aside to stop Freya from unleashing holy terror. The book Freya is after threatens everything… and there’s no telling what happens when she turns the page.
THE FINAL BATTLE THE AMARANTHINE CHRONICLES BOOK 3
Only light can come from the darkness.
The city of Ormere has become a vast wasteland, where danger lurks on every corner. Lawlessness has exploded while the government has been reduced to tatters. For Kaylan Avilion, this is a fight to the finish. After she and her ex-fiancé Elijah barely managed to stop her sister Freya from obtaining the dangerous Amaranthine Chronicles, Kaylan knows she can’t rest.
Meanwhile, Freya is undeterred and will destroy what’s left of her family so she can gain the ultimate power. Kaylan and Elijah must put their troubled past aside as their very future is on the line and on the verge of extinction. But their allies have fallen by the wayside and ruthless shapeshifters are hot on their trail as the darkness keeps up its unrelenting pace.
Kaylan is stuck between two people she loves, and her victory may come at the ultimate cost. With everything at stake, she can’t afford to miss a step. And as she pushes through the darkness, she comes to realize a horrifying truth: to save everyone and everything dear to her… she may have to make the ultimate sacrifice.
THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER: SHIFTER CLANS SERIES BOOK 1
Love is the light in the darkness.
Kidnapped as a child by a shifter clan, Christy Daine was later sent to live in the human world. But her more than ten years amongst the humans hasn’t erased her fear of those that tried to kill her. That’s where her bodyguard, Ronan, comes in. He’s everything Christy needs, so much so that their passionate relationship is worth the risk to their lives.
But when her father, the alpha of all the clans, demands she return home to marry a groom of his choosing, Christy knows what she must do. Because she’s no longer an inn
ocent little girl. Time has revealed the true depths of her strength… as well as magical abilities that she shouldn’t have.
As the stakes grow ever higher, Christy must face the danger or lose everything she holds dear. In this strange new world, trust seems to be running out… but the past is never finished.
ALPHA ASCENDING: SHIFTER CLANS SERIES BOOK 2
A family divided cannot stand.
Tragedy has struck Christy Daine after her family was slaughtered in front of her by the new chosen alpha. In desperate need of help, she turns to the only people on the island who can help her, a group considered as outsiders by the shifter clans and who were blamed for Christy’s mother’s death years ago.
But Christy doesn’t have many options. With her allies non-existent and Ronan in prison, she’s forced to trust the people she once called her enemies. And long-buried secrets among the shifter clans ensure that her whole world is about to change – once again.
It’s now or never for Christy. She truly wants a happy future with Ronan but getting there will take every ounce of strength she has. Warring clans and divided loyalties abound, and Christy must become the one true alpha to succeed… no matter the cost.
THE ALPHA’S CURSE: SHIFTER CLANS SERIES BOOK 3
The battle never stops.
Christy seems to have fulfilled all her dreams. She’s finally with the man she loves, and her bliss carries her throughout the days. But her island sanctuary is feeling more like a prison, as enemies still lurk in the shadows of this haven for the shifter clans.
When the past rears its head once again, she discovers that her brother may still be alive. Now, Christy must run headfirst into danger as she confronts the man responsible for the death of her family.
As the new alpha, she must risk everything to survive. On one side are the sworn enemies of the shifter clans, and on the other are divergent clans and outsiders that must be united for one purpose. And hanging above them all is the centuries-old Alpha’s Curse that threatens every shifter alive. Will Christy triumph… or is this the only battle she can’t win?
Archdruid Page 20