Shadows and Sorcery: A Collection of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance Novels

by Adkins, Heather Marie

  Another memory flashes. Uncle Eric is dropping me off at my first day of high school. I’d been so nervous. Over the summer, my face lost some of its childish features. My cheeks became angular, and my eyes seemed to be sucked into my skull, lined by thick lashes. Kids are mean, but teenagers are even worse. I’d been terrified I’d be teased for my strange looks.

  I’d been staring out the window, chewing my lip, wondering the best way to avoid catching any attention when I left the safety of the car when I’d heard Uncle Eric exhale.

  I turned toward him and found him staring at me with a distant look. It wasn’t the first time he’d done such a thing. I swear, sometimes Uncle Eric looks at me and I think he sees someone else.

  I’d lifted a brow. “What’s up?”

  Uncle Eric smiled, and the look vanished from his face. He’d reached out and tucked a strand of loose, dark red hair behind my ear. “Nothing. You just look so much like your mother.”

  I’m jostled when the Fae lifts a leg and steps into Bethesda Fountain. All memories disappear as my mind returns to the present.

  There’s only one reason the Fae would step into the fountain. This must be a portal to the Fae Realm. I renew my kicking but avoid thrashing to minimize damage to my arm. Again, my efforts fall flat.

  The Fae drags me to the center of the fountain where the bronze angel statue watches my plight with a blank expression, and I see one of his companions swirl a hand in the air, and the water beneath his feet begins to swirl.

  “Stop moving,” he mutters in my ear, swinging me around so I face away from the statue when I, once again, try to twist out of his arms. “I don’t wish to hurt you.”

  I stop fighting, but not because he asked. My body goes limp with shock as I see Pascale standing on the elevated terrace, illuminated in the brightest pink light I’ve ever seen.

  I open my mouth to shout for her to run, but it’s too late. A massive, netted mass of pixie magic flies across the space between us. I half-expect the Fae to leap out of the way, but he doesn’t.

  Maybe he’d been distracted by one of his companions. Or maybe Pascale’s magic acted too quickly for him to have time to respond. Either way, I’ll never know.

  Pascale’s net hits me, and I feel sharp barbs dig underneath my skin, holding tight as the cords press themselves against every inch of my body.

  I hear the Fae yelp, more from surprise than pain. I fall backwards. Then, the world goes black.

  6

  I wake up in a field of beautiful summer flowers. Daisies, marigolds, yarrows, and gaillardia surround me in a stunning arrangement I can only imagine existing in an artist’s painting. Never before have I seen such luscious, bright petals highlighted by the rising sun in real life.

  Lifting my hand, I shield my eyes and squint in the direction of the bright rays, wondering where I am.

  I stand from my bed of trampled flowers and look around me. Luscious trees border the field I’m in, and I see water shimmering in the pond off to my right. I glance down and take note of my torn clothing. The dark colors don’t seem to fit in with this heavenly scene. My fingers itch to rid myself of the offending clothes, but I resist.

  Leaves rustle. Three golden-armored men break through the brush, their swords lifted high in the air to clear branches from their path.

  “Hello?” I call out to them.

  Hard gazes land on me.

  “How did you get so far from the portal?”

  “What are you doing in the king’s private grove?” Two men speak at the same time.

  I don’t understand either question.

  “I’m sorry,” I shake my head apologetically. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Don’t lie.” The man in the back pushes past his companions. His lips curl up in a growl. “I’m done doing this the nice way. You will submit yourself to our custody now, or I will snap every bone in those delicate hands of yours.”

  I gasp and retreat, terrified of the hatred I see glowing in the man’s eyes. What have I done to warrant such a reaction?

  “Halt.” A firm hand lands on the man’s shoulder, holding him back. The restraining man meets my eyes. Whatever he sees makes his eyes soften, but his jaw remains tight. “You saw the pixie’s magic,” he speaks to his friend.

  “So?” The man barks.

  “So,” he continues slowly, like he’s talking to a simpleton. “I believe she hit the girl with amnesia magic.”

  “That’s not possible.” All three men continue to stare at me, but their stares turn contemplative.

  I cross my hands over my chest, feeling exposed and uncomfortable with their intense stares. I don’t understand what they are saying. “What are you guys talking about? Where am I?”

  No one answers.

  “What’s your name?” The restraining man asks me.

  “Sera.”

  “See? She remembers!”

  “Amnesia magic can be selective.” The levelheaded male drops his hand and slowly approaches. He holsters his sword and holds his hands in the air, showing he is unarmed.

  Still, I take another step back. I don’t know who these guys are or what they want with me, but the way the other guy acted has put me on edge. I glance around the field, looking for any signs someone else is around. I see no one.

  He stops walking. “We are Seelie Sentries. My name is Morty. This is Zander and Wyrd.” He gestures to the men in turn. Wyrd dips his head politely, while Zander continues to sneer at me.

  I try to memorize the unusual names, but his first remark distracts me. “Seelie. You’re Fae?”

  “Yes. You know about Fae?”

  “Of course.”

  “How?”

  My lips part, but no words form on my tongue. My jaw snaps closed, and I frown. How do I know about Fae? I have the feeling someone’s told me about them and all the other creatures I know of, but I cannot, for the life of me, put a face to the information. I can’t even think of a name.

  The men—Fae continue to stare at me, waiting for my answer.

  “I-I don’t know,” I admit. “I can’t remember.”

  Zander throws his hands in the air. “Well, isn’t that convenient.”

  “Quiet,” Morty snaps over his shoulder. When he turns back to me, there is no sign of irritation. “Don’t worry about him. What else do you remember?”

  I file through my memories, and panic begins to squeeze my lungs. “I-I don’t know. My name is Sera. I live in New York and go to school there… that’s it.”

  What’s happened to me?

  “Damn pixies,” Wyrd mumbles under his breath, but I hear him.

  “Pixies did this to me?”

  Morty lifts an armored shoulder. “We think so.”

  “Why?”

  “To protect your mind from us, obviously.”

  Warning bells ring in my head. I take another step back when Morty and Wyrd give their companion a silencing glare. I get the impression it’s not going to take effect.

  “Why would I need protection from you?”

  “You don’t.” Morty reaches out a hand, and I scramble away, almost falling over in my haste. I’m grateful when he doesn’t advance. “We are not going to hurt you, Sera.”

  “Not unless you put up a fight.”

  “Shut up, Zander,” Wyrd shoves the man violently. Zander tumbles to the ground. “You’re the reason we’re in this mess in the first place. You just had to get violent back at the human bar.”

  Zander is back on his feet, charging at Wyrd with an angry snarl.

  “Enough. Stop.” Morty’s commands fall on deaf ears. He injects his body into the skirmish, but Zander and Wyrd continue exchanging blows. I’m forgotten as the three Fae handle their disagreement.

  A bird chirps to my left.

  I get ahold of myself and take off for the cover of the trees.

  Ducking under branches and twisting around tree trunks, I run through the forest, jumping over gnarled roots popping out of the grou
nd. If I’m lucky, I’ll have a thirty second head start. I can only hope Zander’s temper keeps him swinging at Wyrd and distracting Morty.

  My hand trails over a branch, scratching my palm, as I use the surface to change my direction. The best thing I can do is not run in a straight line. That, and hide my footsteps, but I don’t exactly have time to do that.

  The sun is almost completely over the horizon. Light shines through an opening in the trees ahead. I catch a glimpse of what looks like a building. I head that direction. Maybe I can find someone to help me.

  I break through the forest and my legs threaten to give out when I realize the building I’ve seen is farther than expected. Without the hinderance of the trees, I can see it’s a castle. I count four cylindrical towers protruding into the early morning sky. A gray stone wall surrounds the structure.

  My head falls forward, and I release a disappointed sigh. There’s no way I will make it to the castle before my abductors find me. I need to hide.

  I turn around, prepared to dive back into the cover of trees, when a glistening gold arrowhead pushes into the center of my chest, stopping me in my tracks.

  I gasp, and my eyes fly up. The archer stares at me, holding the bowstring taunt. I don’t know if he’s too close to do damage if he releases that string, but I’m not willing to find out.

  He assesses me with the brightest green eyes I’ve ever seen. Their hue doesn’t seem natural. For a brief moment, I wonder if he wears contacts, then I remember I’m in the Fae Realm. Adrenaline pumps through my veins, and my entire body starts to tremble like a leaf on a windy day. The tip of the arrowhead presses closer to my skin.

  “Who are you?”

  I take in the archer’s tan skin, brown leather pants, and loose white tunic. A twig is stuck in his blond hair. He looks like he’s been out hunting, and I’ve had the misfortune of becoming his prey.

  “Sera.”

  “Sera, who?”

  “Roberts!” I exclaim when he pulls the bowstring a little tighter. I don’t want to die today. “My name is Sera Roberts.”

  “What are you doing in the Royal Forest, Sera Roberts?”

  “I-I don’t know. I woke up here.”

  He raises a strong brow. “You woke up here?”

  I nod. “In a field over that way.” I flick my wrist over his shoulder, but he doesn’t take his eyes off me.

  “Why were you running?”

  He saw that?

  “Three Fae are chasing me.”

  He lowers the arrow ever so slightly. “Why are they chasing you?”

  “I have no idea.” I hope he believes me. I don’t want to get into the whole “a pixie wiped some of my memories” thing. I’m lucky he hasn’t already released the arrow into my chest for trespassing. Fae are territorial creatures.

  The stranger stares at me for a long, unnerving moment. Then, he lowers the bow, plucking the arrow and tucking it into the quiver hanging on his back. “Where are the three Fae?”

  “I-I’m not sure. I’m guessing back the way I came.”

  “Hm.” He turns and stares into the silent woods around us. His head twitches to the side, and I get the feeling he is trying to listen. That’s when I notice the pointed tip at the top of his ear.

  “You’re Fae, too.” I’m not so lucky as to encounter a fellow human to help me out.

  The blond stranger stiffens, and he turns incredulous eyes on me. He is silent as he, once again, stares at me for a prolonged, awkward moment. “You do not know who I am?”

  He’s surprised. I look down at my filthy clothes, wondering if people in the Fae Realm also wear this style. Looking at the Fae in front of me, in his old-school clothes, I kind of doubt it.

  “I’m not from here,” I explain. “I’m human.”

  “Yes, I am aware of your race.” He crosses his arms, and his eyes begin their trek down the length of my body. Awareness illuminates his green eyes, and I realize he hadn’t noticed my clothing until now. “You’re from Earth.”

  “Yes.”

  “And the Fae who are chasing you… they brought you here?”

  Did they? I’m not sure. “I woke up in a field of flowers,” I repeat. “I don’t know what happened before that.”

  “Well you didn’t just fall through a portal,” he tells me. “Fae are allowed to bring humans back this year, but they cannot travel without a Fae to guide them.”

  “Fae are allowed to bring humans here?” I’ve never heard of such a thing. Then again, maybe I had, and I just don’t remember.

  He shrugs, looking almost uncomfortable. He averts his eyes. “To replenish our working force, yes, Fae can bring humans from your world to ours.”

  Working force?

  The truth hits me.

  He’s talking about forced labor.

  Fae are allowed to take us from Earth with no repercussions?

  I feel sick. Is that why I’m here? Did someone kidnap me to make me work here for the rest of my life?

  I back away until I hit a tree trunk.

  “Easy.” He leans forward as if to help me.

  I throw my hands in front of me, unable to hide how bad they’re shaking. “Stay back.”

  To my surprise, he listens.

  The Fae rolls back onto his heels and his hands fall to his sides. “I’m not going to hurt you.” Strangely enough, I believe him. Maybe not all hope is lost.

  “Please, help me. This is a mistake. I shouldn’t be here.”

  His lips press into a firm line.

  “Please.” My voice breaks, and tears burn the back of my eyes.

  “I can’t.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because once humans cross into our realm, they are forbidden to leave until given permission by the queen.”

  “The Seelie Queen?”

  “Yes.”

  Can nothing be easy?

  “Take me to her.”

  His jaw falls open for a split second. Then, he clicks his teeth together. “You really don’t know much about our world, do you?”

  “I know a little.” Enough to make me want to get the hell out of here.

  He shakes his head, and I can’t help but notice the way the light hits the blonde strands, making some appear almost white.

  “Camden.”

  I’m so busy staring at the colors in his hair, I don’t immediately hear him. “I’m sorry?”

  “My name. It’s Camden.”

  “Oh.” I chew my bottom lip. Had I asked for his name? I don’t think so. I’d been too busy freaking out about running from Fae who kidnapped me, having an arrow pressed into my chest, and realizing I was most likely abducted in order to serve Fae against my will. My manners had taken a back seat.

  “Nice to meet you?” What else am I supposed to say?

  His lips part into a grin, and I am speechless.

  Whoa. How’d I not realize how good looking this guy is?

  Get a grip, Sera. He’s not a guy. He’s a freaking Fae!

  “It’s nice to meet you, as well,” Camden returns, clicking his heels together and lowering his head in a slight bow. I mark the move as strange.

  I swallow and avert my eyes, finding the tree to my left extremely interesting.

  Golden light streaks through the brush. A pair of Fae with short-cropped hair peek through the greenery.

  I gasp. “That’s them.” I turn and prepare to run, but strong fingers curl around my wrist, holding me back.

  “What are you doing? Let me go!” Camden doesn’t have to help me escape. I don’t expect him to go against his realm’s rules for a stranger, but the least he can do is not impede me.

  Camden doesn’t reply. His grip remains. I tug and try to pry his fingers off to no avail. I release a pathetic whimper, and I’m ashamed of how weak I sound.

  “Why are you doing this?”

  Again, he doesn’t answer.

  Two of my abductors arrive, and any hope of escape vanishes like a cloud of smoke. I brace myself to be snatched and
dragged away kicking and screaming. So when the two Fae drop onto their knees, I choke on saliva.

  The Fae cross one forearm across their chests and bow their heads.

  “Your Highness.” I recognize Zander’s voice, but it’s lost the snarky tone. Morty mimics the respectful greeting.

  “Sentries,” Camden returns. His voice is flat, and his eyes are stern. “Did you bring this human into Seelie lands?”

  “Yes, Your Highness.” Zander remains kneeling. “She’s been summoned by the queen for the contest.”

  “Contest?” I thought I was forced labor?

  No one bothers to answer me. I watch Camden’s expression shift, and a hint of resignation is in his eye as he meets my gaze. “The queen specifically requested her?”

  “The orb chose her,” Morty answers almost apologetically.

  Camden holds my eyes for a moment longer. His eyes shutter closed. When they open, gone is any of the concern I thought I’d seen, and he looks away. The loss stings.

  “Take her to the barracks,” Camden says, “I’m sure they are awaiting her arrival.”

  “Yes, Your Highness.” Both Fae reply, finally rising to their feet. Morty grabs hold of my elbow. I’m glad Zander keeps his distance.

  Too stunned to consider fighting, I follow Morty’s gentle guidance as he leads me towards the castle I’d seen in the distance.

  I’m pretty sure I just met the prince of Seelie and, this might sound crazy, but I think he considered helping me out… until Zander told him I’d been selected for a contest.

  What sort of mess have I fallen into?

  More importantly, how am I going to get out of it?

  7

  “Psst. New girl. You need to get up. Training starts in fifteen minutes. And trust me, you don’t want to start your first day on an empty stomach.”

  My eyelids flutter open, and I’m immediately confused by my surroundings. I’m in a bed, but its firm surface doesn’t feel familiar. Metal springs catch my eye above me. I’m in a bunk bed.

  The mattress shifts underneath me, and I turn my head and see a girl sitting beside me. I push up onto my elbows, my forehead furrows. “Where am I?”