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

by Adkins, Heather Marie

  Hybrid walked back home with his heart aching. He felt like he was walking on it with every step. He didn't know what he would do without his Christine. He could have sworn that he saw her on the other side of the volcano through the smoke, but he wasn't sure. He just knew that he had a hole in his heart the size of his fist. It was missing. His heart was missing!

  Tears slid down his cheeks, burned his eyes, and made being home depressing. He missed his heart, his best friend, his love, his wife, his Christine!

  The ache was deep. He didn't know how he was managing to stay standing. When they talked about the war, he was sure that she had found a way to change the outcome. She seemed so encouraging and sure when she said that she'd find another way if possible.

  He watched as Adam went to his room and shut the door. Hybrid wondered if he should go talk to him, but felt that he needed to give him time. He looked over to see Aaliyah and the boys curled up on their bed, saw their shoulders shake and heard Aaliyah’s deep shudder as she tried to keep the sounds from escaping. Aaliyah and her husband sat at the table holding one another, crying together.

  Hybrid went to his room, crawled into bed, grabbed Christine’s pillow, and buried his face it. Finally, he cried. The tears came from the depths of his soul. He thought that he'd perish from the anguish of the loss. His body hurt, his heart hurt, his eyes hurt, and the loneliness hurt! His Christine! Gone!

  18

  Adam heard his dad's muffled cries of anguish. He sat on the edge of his own bed with his head hung down and tears falling freely now. Mom! his mind screamed. Tears came harder and harder. The pain intensified to the point where he felt that he'd be ripped in half any minute. It matched his dad's heartbreak!

  Mom! Mom! Mom! he kept screaming to himself.

  The tears felt like fire as they chased one another down Adam’s cheeks. Finally, there was nothing left. He fell back on his bed and fell into a slumber. He felt covers being placed over him and a light kiss on his forehead.

  He smiled and whispered, "Mom."

  Sleep overtook him again. He slept for what seemed like an eternity.

  * * *

  She looked around at the family she left behind and felt their pain. She watched as they each exhausted themselves of tears and drifted off to sleep, moving from room to room. She heard her son’s anguished cries and moved to him. She stood watching as flaming tears fell from his eyes and scorched his cheeks. When he fell back on the bed, she moved toward it to cover him and kiss his head.

  She whispered, "I love you, Adam. I am so proud of the young man you have become and will soon be. Go. Find your way, my son. I will be watching and protecting you as always."

  As if he heard her, he smiled and fell into a peaceful sleep. She turned and went to her Hybrid. She found him curled up in a ball with her pillow. She smiled sadly. Tears of sadness came off him in waves, and an expression of utter loneliness covered his face.

  Her heart ached. No, it hurt beyond measure. She moved closer to the bed, touched his cheek, and whispered, "I'm here, my love."

  His head snapped around and his eyes locked with hers. He whispered, "Christine."

  "Yes, love. It is me," she said as tears filled her eyes.

  "But how?" he whispered as he sat up.

  "I don't know. I'm trapped between worlds. I'm sorry. I never meant for it to happen like this."

  "I know, babe. What do we do?"

  "I don't know. I think you’re the only one that can see me for now."

  He smiled. "It does my heart good to see you. I wish I could hold you close again."

  "Someday soon. I don't know how I know that, but I do."

  He nodded. "Then seeing you will be enough for now."

  She nodded and sat beside him on the bed. They talk for hours. Finally, Hybrid drifted to sleep. Christine left and headed towards Aaliyah when Apollo caught her eye.

  19

  When she looked in Apollo's direction, she noticed that he was levitating while sitting with his knees to his chest. His head was turned slightly and he was mumbling. She moved closer and heard him speak.

  "Christine, I know you’re here somewhere. I want you to know that I love you. I'm sorry that you had to leave because of me. I wasn't myself and you knew that. You loved me anyway. My momma misses you so much. I know you were her truest friend. I'm sorry that she is hurting. I don't know what to do. I only know that you’re gone because of me." He sighed heavily and his voice cracked as he continued. "Maybe you should have killed me. Maybe I'm evil. She wouldn't be hurting this much if it was me instead of you."

  Tears fell like rain down her face as she said, "Oh, Apollo! Your momma would hurt so much more if it were one of you instead. You’re her whole world. You’re all she ever wanted and more."

  Alexander raised his head and said, "Apollo, I think Aunt Christine is nearby."

  "Really? Can you feel her? See her? Hear her?" he asked excitedly.

  Alexander shook his head. Apollo sank to the floor and cried harder.

  "I know she's here, Apollo."

  "How? How if you can't see, feel, or hear her? How, Alex?"

  "I don't know. I just know she's trapped somewhere. We need to help her. I don't know how I know that either, but I do," Alexander insisted.

  Apollo nodded. "Yes. She saved us. We can save her."

  "We mustn't tell anyone. They won't let us figure out how to save her. They won't believe us."

  "Agreed."

  She looked on them with a smile full of love. She felt it heat her skin and course through her rapidly. She felt almost alive.

  "Did you see that?" Alexander asked.

  Apollo looked around. "See what?"

  "I thought I saw Aunt Christine for a brief moment."

  "Maybe you did. Our powers are still devel … devel … what's that word?"

  "Developing," Alexander said with a kind smile to his brother.

  "Yes! That's it! Developing."

  They shared a smile and then got quiet. Christine looked at them, smiled, and moved away. Again, she headed towards Aaliyah. A movement in the shadows caused Christine to pause and search the darkness. At first, she saw nothing then suddenly, she saw the shadow move. Fear gripped her. Her stomach knotted. Her throat closed briefly. How could they fight what they couldn’t see?

  20

  Adam woke with a start and the word “mom” slipped off his tongue. He closed his eyes briefly, took a deep breath, and sat up. That's when he noticed the covers. It wasn't a dream! He remembered her smell, the feel of her lips on his forehead, and her voice whispering about watching and protecting him always.

  He felt rested, energized yet hollow. He missed her so much. He never realized how much she truly meant to him until now. Sighing heavily, he got up and headed to check on his dad. He knew his dad loved her very much. They were like kindred spirits. That made him smile. He knocked on his parent’s door.

  "Come in, Adam," his dad stated.

  "How'd you know it was me?"

  "I figured you would come see me soon. How you dealing?"

  "Honestly? I miss Mom so much that I can still hear her, smell her, and feel her. I know that's weird, but I don't know how else to explain it."

  "That's all right. I understand what you’re saying."

  They were silent for awhile. Adam leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed over chest, and a far away look on his face. Hybrid sat watching his son and knew that he would leave soon. He had the signs. He needed to find himself and his place in this world.

  "Adam? Are you all right?"

  "Yes and no, Dad. I'm thinking of traveling for awhile. I feel like now that Mom's gone, I don't know who I am anymore. I need to know who I am and where my place truly is."

  Hybrid nodded.

  "I think I'm going to leave tomorrow. I don't know how long I will be gone, but..."

  Hybrid held up a hand. "That's all right, son. You don't need to explain yourself to me. Just know that you can always come home. This will always b
e home for you."

  "Thanks, Dad."

  * * *

  Alexander woke up to Apollo whimpering and thrashing about. He watched his brother for a moment then crawled to him. He wanted to comfort his twin, but didn't know if he could.

  "Apollo?" Alexander said.

  Apollo woke with a start. His skin was damp, his cheeks wet with tears, and his body was shaking. Fear, anguish, loss, and guilt collided within him. He was at war with himself. He heard his brother. He turned his head in his direction, but saw nothing because he was within himself. He had to focus on Alex to bring himself back.

  "Yeah?" he croaked out.

  "Are you okay?"

  "No! I will never be okay again!"

  Oh no! Alex thought.

  "It's my fault! My fault!" he began to yell.

  Aaliyah woke to Apollo yelling. She ran out of her room and found him in his dishevelled state. "What's wrong, Apollo?" she asked in a soothing way.

  "It’s my fault! My fault that your sister, your best friend, is gone! My fault that Aaliyah and Adam don't have a momma anymore! My fault that Uncle is all alone! Mine! Why didn't she just let me die? Why could it not have been me? Why her? Why my aunt?" The tears streamed quickly. "Why did I have to be the key that brought back Satan? Why? Why?"

  She tried to comfort him, but he wouldn't allow her to.

  "How can you still love me? I am the reason for her death!" he sobbed.

  Adam grabbed him suddenly. "Apollo!" He looked at Adam, tears streamed down his cheeks. His face contorted with anguish and guilt. "Stop! Your aunt, my mom, loved you! She wouldn't want you to feel this way!"

  "I can't stop! It's the truth! I killed your momma!"

  Uncontrollable sobs wracked his body. Tears fell like ice down his face.

  "You can't keep blaming yourself." Adam whispered as he pulled a reluctant Apollo into his arms. He held on as he fought, screamed, cried, and finally accepted what was done. Adam kissed his forehead as he felt Apollo calm down. "You know my mom used to do this to us. She always said..."

  "That the power of love had a strength all its own." Aaliyah finished.

  Adam exchanged a smile and nod with Aaliyah.

  "How? How can you love me after what I have done?" Apollo asked weakly.

  "Because love is the ultimate way of showing forgiveness," said Aaliyah from the doorway. Everyone looked up to see her standing in the doorway. "She always thought positive or tried to."

  Adam nodded. "Yes, she did. She loved you as much as she loved us."

  "It's not fair!" Apollo screamed before lying his head on Adam’s chest.

  "You know, my mom used to say that life isn't fair, but it is what you do with the unfairness of it that determines who we are. Good or bad. Dark or light. Now you have to choose, Apollo. What path are you going to take? Are you going to let guilt eat you up or are you going to accept that it happened and find good in it?" Adam asked.

  "I don't know yet."

  "That's all right. You still have time."

  Aaliyah touched Alexander and Apollo's shoulders. Her eyes became unfocused and a distant look came across her face. Then she heard Christine's voice. "Tell them about the egg. She will arise from the ashes and peace shall reign. It is Adam’s story now. He must find the egg. It will be his legacy to carry on."

  The voice went away and Aaliyah was shaken. She had forgotten the legend. She sat down heavy-hearted and looked at her boys. "Did you hear that?" she asked them.

  They shook their heads.

  "What? What did you hear, Aaliyah?" Hybrid asked as he entered.

  "Christine. I heard Christine," she whispered.

  "What? How?" Adam asked.

  "I don't know, but she reminded me of an old legend and said," she paused and looked at Adam "that you have to complete it. It will be your legacy."

  "What will?" he asked.

  Aaliyah took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "You need to find yourself. There is a legend about an egg. It supposedly has power to bring back someone from the middle world. It says she will arise from the ashes and peace will reign. I'm not sure what it means, but your mom told me to tell you. It is your story. You must write it."

  There was a long pause and everyone seemed to be digesting this. "I need to tell you something else." Aaliyah said as she shifted in her seat, nervously. "Christine was pregnant. This baby was unique. She was to be human."

  "Human? But how?" asked Aaliyah. "Mom was a hybrid."

  "No. She was half human."

  "How is that possible?" Hybrid asked.

  "When Aaliyah healed her, the vampire part of her became human, remember? That's why it took her so long to heal."

  "How do you know?" Aaliyah questioned.

  "She told me." She turned back to Adam. "Another part of that legend is that only a hybrid can find the egg and bring it safely back. You are a hybrid, Adam."

  21

  Adam looked stunned as he felt his soul stir. He knew he was different, but now he knew why. He was confused. He looked up when his dad touched his shoulder.

  "Your mom was a wonderfully strong woman. You should be proud to have some of her finer qualities. She was truly extraordinary. "

  "I'm not ashamed, Dad. I'm awed that she was able to birth me in her human form and love me beyond measure."

  There was a moment of silence. Hybrid tried to digest this all and kept wondering why she never told him. She didn't keep secrets. She was an open book.

  If she knew she was pregnant, why would she sacrifice herself so selfishly? Did she know? How come he didn’t sense the baby?

  "Dad?" Adam called his name. Adam saw his confusion and knew he was doubting Christine. Adam couldn't have that. "Dad, you know if she knew, she would have never done that. You know that, right Dad?"

  Hybrid looked at Adam. His heart soared with the love he had for his son and to know that he would get to have his own story made him so very proud. He wouldn't question himself anymore and have his faith in himself. Adam needed this so he'd support it.

  "I don't think she would have son," Hybrid agreed.

  Adam shook his head and smiled.

  "When do we leave to find this egg?" Aaliyah asked.

  "You don't, Aaliyah." Aaliyah said.

  "But..."

  "It's for Adam. You have fulfilled your destiny. It is time for Adam to fulfill his," said Hybrid.

  The following day, Adam left. He headed east, not knowing where he was going or exactly why, but he knew he had a mission. He left his sword with his dad for safekeeping even though Aaliyah insisted that he take it. He knew he had to do this alone.

  He said a little prayer before leaving and asked his mom to guide and protect him, to give him wisdom, lend him strength when necessary, and to always love him.

  The days were long and the nights seemed to fly by. Winter turned to spring. He climbed a nearby hill and stood still. The view before him took his breath away. He had never seen anything like it. The land was green and lush. Everything seemed so vibrant. The greens were darker, the purples brighter, and the sky a lot bluer. The smell of lavender filled the air. A light drizzle began and sent a small chill in the air. It cooled his body.

  He closed his eyes, tilted his head back, and took a deep breath before releasing it slowly, letting his shoulders droop a little. The smell reminded him of home. He smiled when he thought of home. Mom used to smell of lavender late at night. She said it helped her sleep and it seemed to calm Dad. His smile grew when he remembered how they were together.

  He continued walking as images of his mom and dad flashed through his mind. Dad always seemed to make Mom laugh or smile. She always seemed to keep Dad calm and level. They were the perfect yin and yang to each other. Sometimes, they'd have funny little arguments, but then one of them would make a face at the other or just give the other something to laugh about. It was so nice to have a family like his.

  Adam wasn't watching where he was going. He didn't see the ground dip until it was too late. He w
asn't prepared was unable to levitate until the end. His feet barely touched the ground and he fought to control his breathing, his heart rate, and his body. He had half-transformed, his heart pounded against his chest, and his breathing felt as if he'd run for miles at top speed.

  Once he normalized, he lowered himself to the floor of the hole he had fallen in. He looked around. It was an empty cave. Adam decided to explore it and see where it led.

  Meanwhile, Hybrid paced back and forth in the cave. The cave was getting small. He needed to run! He left without a word to anyone. Once outside, he transformed and ran like the hounds of Hell were at his heels. The wind through his hair eased the beast a little, but not enough. He needed more!

  Faster and faster he ran, until his lungs ached, until his stomach growled, and a hunger like no other consumed him. He came upon a couple. The hunger was too strong, he couldn't hold back. He attacked them. He practically ripped their throats out.

  It isn’t enough! his mind screamed.

  22

  He needed more. He didn't know what, but he needed something. He felt himself snap. He knew he was lost and couldn't fight himself to get who he once was back. He stood on a hillside and shouted and howled with all his might. He screamed for the one thing that he'd lost, his wife.

  "TWIIIIILIIIIIIGHTTTTT!"

  With that, Hybrid was lost. Christine watched as the pain took her under. Their connection was broken. He was gone! With tears pouring down her cheeks, she walked home. Her heart was heavy with her loss. She hoped to find some love at home.

  As she neared the house, she saw Apollo outside. He was watching as an animal struggled to escape from a trap. He’d usually ran to it and released it. Now, he just sat there. There was no mercy, no tenderness, no tears in his eyes. He was empty.