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

by Adkins, Heather Marie

  "Apollo? Please! Don't let him suffer!" she screamed.

  Nothing. Not a flicker. Not a blink. He got up, turned away, and left the animal to suffer. A pain filled her. She headed inside, almost afraid of what she would find. Inside, Aaliyah and her husband were arguing.

  "You can do it, Aaliyah! I know you can!" Absalon was pleading with Aaliyah.

  "No. No, I can't!" Aaliyah said as she paced back and forth.

  "You have a dozen times. You still can. I have faith in you." Absalon had gotten up out of his chair and grabbed her upper arms to still her.

  "That's not enough!" she screamed as she yanked away. "I need Mom!" She ran from the room.

  "I wish she were still here. We're falling apart!" he said as he rushed after her.

  The pain only intensified. Christine went in search of Aaliyah who was sitting by the lake. A blank look was on her face. She was withdrawn and shut down. No emotion flowed from her. Usually, she was so full of some kind of emotion. Anger, love, protectiveness, joy, peace, something. Nothing came from her.

  “Christine I wish you were here. I don't know how long I can keep from hating. I feel nothing. Losing you destroyed me. I never knew that losing your sister would make you so numb. I can't function!” Aaliyah spoke.

  Suddenly, an intense pain hit Christine. She thought that she was dying. Then, a shadow moved toward her. It stood tall as she fell to the ground.

  "Your family will be mine before long, Christine, and you won't be able to stop it."

  A sinister laugh came before the image of the Devil stood before her. It was the last thing she saw and heard before she slipped into total darkness.

  * * *

  Adam spotted a small light coming from up ahead and moved in that direction. A small, dimly lit room came into focus. In the middle of it was an altar of some kind. In the middle of the altar was a medium-sized egg. It was an off-white color and had small, misshaped spots.

  He was drawn to it. As he approached, Adam noticed something wrapped around the altar. It was huge! He kept moving closer and then he realized what it was, a huge dragon skeleton, bigger than the one he and his sister had fought. This must be the mother of all dragons.

  In her prime, she must have been amazing. I wonder what her color was? he thought to himself.

  His thoughts drifted to Happy Dragon for a moment. He shook it off. He had to get the egg. He needed to see if this was the one.

  How will I know? he wondered.

  He reached for the egg and the skeleton moved. He stepped back, ready to fight and transform at a moment’s notice. He kept watching the skeletal remains as it moved and shaped itself into a protective stance before the altar. A sudden light blinded him for a moment.

  When he was able to see, a beautiful blue dragon stood before him. Her eyes were a soft caramel and her stomach a lovely shade of off-white. She was indeed gorgeous. He stared at her in awe.

  The dragon tilted her head to the side. She smelled the hybrid and was amazed to see him still standing. Most trembled in fear. He didn't. He was either brave or foolish. He gazed upon her in awe, which she found amusing.

  "Why have you come?" she asked.

  Adam focused back to the task at hand and spoke. "I'm looking for an egg. I don't know what it looks like or exactly what it does. All I'm told is that there is a legend that says something about her rising from the ashes and peace would cover the land."

  She watched as he said this and saw the pain flicker in his eyes. He'd lost someone good in his life, someone who meant so much that it hardened him to not have them around.

  "Whom did you lose, boy?"

  "Mom, he whispered.

  “Ahhh! She was the glue that held you together, the one who encouraged,” she said.

  “Yes. She held us together and then she was suddenly gone.”

  “What happened to her?” the dragon asked curiously.

  “She gave her life for us. She made herself the sacrifice that kept us safe as did Happy Dragon.”

  “Who was he?”

  “He was mine and my sister’s dragon. He sacrificed himself, too.”

  "You blame him for your momma?"

  "No! I blame Damien and all his evil! If it wasn’t for him, I'd have Happy Dragon and Momma!" he screamed.

  She watched him, then she said, "Sit, young man. You need to hear a story. If your heart is still hard at the end, you shall perish like all those before you."

  As she said this, she moved her tail to show the pile of bones. Adam nodded. He sat nearby and listened as she told the story of the egg and it's power to heal. He realized that what they were told was nothing compared to what would happen.

  When she was done, she looked at him. Really looked. She saw the goodness. He was very lost, but all he had to do was look deep within himself. She decided to to do something that she had never done for another, she was going to give him a piece of herself and the egg.

  "Adam, look up," she said.

  He looked up at her and smiled. He felt an inner calm wash over him. He felt a pressure at his back and a sting in his left arm as the tip of her tail pierced him. His eyes widened when her face moved closer to his and her mouth opened. Fire washed over him, but did not burn.

  She gave him peace, pulled him close, pierced him with her tail so that the blood would help him survive the energy exchange. She saw his eyes widen, but saw no fear and that made her glad to know she had chosen wisely. She sent fire racing over him and let her energy flow to him. With her energy, he had more speed, greater strength, and quicker reflexes. He'd also be able to tell good from evil.

  23

  When the exchange was over, she released him. He sagged against her slightly, exhausted. She placed him on the altar next to the egg and watched as the egg absorbed his blood. It healed his wound and gave off a small glow.

  "Rest, Adam, for the battle has just begun for you," she whispered as she curled up around him and the egg to protect them as they slept.

  When they woke, she would vanish for good. Her life would be left to dust. The egg would carry her essence and her power. She would live on through Adam and the egg. Her eyes closed and her spirit drifted around the room, protecting it as she released her last breath.

  Adam woke up to find ash surrounding him and the egg. She was gone. He felt it, but he saw a power wrapped around the room and smiled. It was her. He knew it without having to see her. He heard a small hum and turned toward the egg. A soft green glow came from it. It throbbed like a heartbeat.

  He hesitated for a split second, then wrapped his hands around it. A flash of an ancient time flashed through him, then the image of his mom. She was curled in a fetal position as a dark evil stood over her. Her face was streaked with tears and her heart seemed broken.

  He yanked his hands away quickly. His mother was trapped and in danger. He needed to help her. She needed this egg. He reached for it again and another image hit him. She was standing now, blood at the corner of her mouth, and her breathing ragged. Her chest heaved with each breath. She looked angry.

  The dark evil spoke. "You have to let them go. They are mine. You can't protect them anymore."

  "They will never be yours," she said fiercely.

  He laughed. "Your son left. He cares not for you. Your daughter is a mess. She has no faith in herself anymore. AaliyaH feels nothing. She's an emotionless creature now. Apollo, well, he's downright heartless. Then there is your beloved Hybrid. He's a killer. Nothing satisfies him now. He's mine."

  "No!" She screamed. "Leave my family alone!"

  Again, he laughed. She attacked with all her might. She fought with all the emotion she had. Adam was amazed. She fought like a true warrior. He saw that every blow she landed made the figure step back. She hit hard and true, never missing. She barely seemed to feel the ones he landed.

  Again, Adam let go. His heart hurt, tears streamed down his face, and pride swelled in his chest. His mom fought for them even in the world that trapped her from them.

&
nbsp; His family needed her! It was time to head home and bring Mom back and destroy the evil that kept her trapped. He grabbed the egg, hopped down from the altar, and headed for the entrance. The aura around the room led him to the exit. As he left, he heard a mighty rumble and saw the cave collapse in on itself. The dragon’s essence was gone as if it no longer existed.

  Taking a deep breath, he pulled the egg in close and raced off towards home. His speed was faster than usual and he liked it. His thoughts drifted to home. He worried for his dad who now seemed out of control, his sister who was unsure of herself, his aunt who had lost her love of life, and his nephew who was a merciless creature.

  24

  Meanwhile, Hybrid had found another person alone and attacked! He held her body and ravished the woman in his arms. Her blood was smeared all over him. It wasn’t enough! His mind kept screaming. A part of him was disgusted and another was laughing with glee.

  He couldn't control himself. He knew he was doing terrible things and couldn't stop. It was consuming him. He needed Christine! The thought of his wife tore at his heart. He released the woman, She was dead. He had killed again! Christine! His heart cried out for her. He was dying and the animal within was taking control.

  Adam came upon a group of vampires. They were laughing amongst themselves. He hid so he could hear what they were saying.

  "Yes, the great Hybrid has fallen!" One said with glee.

  "What you mean?" Asked another.

  "He's lost control. He doesn’t have that small Amazon to keep him calm. His family will be easy picking soon."

  Another laughed before saying, "I can't wait to get a crack at that daughter of his or that other Amazon."

  "Yes and this time, we will kill those brats," the first one said.

  Anger like no other filled Adam, but a voice filled his head. You must remain calm. The egg will turn bad if you're full of rage. Keep moving. Save your mom so that peace can reign.

  He calmed himself and felt the egg cool in his arms. He hadn't realized that it had heated. He raced off again toward home. He made a stop at the place where Happy Dragon died. Adam dropped to one knee and cried for the friend he lost. He hadn't done that and had held the sorrow in for way too long. With each tear shed, his heart eased and he felt lighter. When all the tears were shed and he had nothing left, he rose to his feet while cradling the egg.

  Taking a deep breath, he turned toward the volcano. He needed Mom back to set everything right. She would bring peace. He stood at the top of the volcano when the dark evil appeared next to him.

  It spoke. "No matter what you do, you won't save her. She's lost to you and yours as is your dad. You can't win. Give it up."

  "I will not give up. You will lose," Adam said.

  He laughed. "You're stupid. That egg of yours is nothing. It's empty."

  Adam smiled. "You keep believing that."

  Before he could change his mind, he leaped into the volcano with the egg held tightly to his chest. As he fell, the egg began to glow a mysterious blue. Suddenly, the light was so bright, he had to close his eyes against it.

  An itch began in the middle of his shoulder blades and then as he flexed them, dragon wings appeared. As they spread, they caught fire and jerked him toward the top of the volcano. When he cleared the top, his arms were empty.

  "No!" He cried.

  He looked frantically for the egg, for any sign of it. He was flying above the volcano. His body had changed. He was white all over, flaming blue wings extended from his back, and when he threw his head back and screamed his frustration, fire emerged. Then with tears falling, he lowered his head.

  When he opened his eyes, there she stood. His mom. She smiled brilliantly up at him before turning toward the darkness. He heard her speak to the darkness.

  "You have lost! My son has brought the egg to life! Your reign is over! Be gone from here!"

  The darkness shrieked AND then rushed at her. Adam was horrified. He was going to lose her again. He threw out a hand and a blue flame engulfed her. The darkness shrank away and vanished. The flame disappeared and his mom still stood unharmed.

  "Mom?" he whispered.

  She turned to him. "Adam, my son! I'm so proud!"

  He threw his arms around her and hugged her close. He inhaled her lavender scent and instantly became calm. He was in human form once more, hugging her.

  "I thought I’d never see you again!" He cried. Tears streamed down his face.

  Rubbing a soothing hand down his back, she whispered, "You have done well. I'm so very proud of you."

  "Mom. Mom. Mom," he kept repeating. She smiled as her heart grew a little lighter. Adam pulled away and stared at her, puzzled. "The egg. It vanished."

  "No, Adam. It bonded to you. You are the egg. You needed to find yourself and you did. The ancient female dragon prepared you to receive your gift. Once you leapt, the egg bonded with you to transcend your hybrid form. You are now half hybrid, half dragon. You were always meant for peace. You just needed to see it."

  He nodded. "What about Dad and the others?"

  "I have to do that, but I need your help."

  "Anything, Mom. Where do we start?"

  "Apollo."

  He nodded.

  They made it home and found Apollo outside again watching a deer suffer. Its scream of agony had grown weak. Christine felt its pain. She looked at Apollo and saw the blank look on his face.

  "You going to watch him suffer, or are you going to man up and release him?" she asked Apollo sharply.

  His head snapped around. He stared at her a moment before his blank stare cleared and tears filled his eyes. "Aunt Christine?"

  Holding her arms out wide, she embraced him as he ran into her arms, crying while clinging to her. She whispered to him, comforting and calming him. When he settled, she released him and he released the deer and healed it. Aaliyah and Aaliyah were next. She went into the house and found her daughter clearing the table and Aaliyah doing the dishes. When they saw her, they dropped to their knees in shock.

  “Christine?”

  “Mom!”

  "I'm home. I'm sorry I left. I had no choice. I needed Apollo to live for you, Aaliyah. Forgive me. Please. Aaliyah, you have always been strong. You lacked faith in yourself that you needed to find. I'm sorry that I couldn't help you do that beforehand. Please, my girl, forgive me," Christine said as tears pooled in her eyes.

  "Yes!" they said in unison.

  They hugged her and a surge of power pulsed through the air. Love was returning.

  "Now Hybrid." She turned toward Adam. "You must remain here. Keep everyone here."

  "But Mom, Dad's dangerous!"

  Touching his cheek, she said, “No. He's lost. Promise me you will keep everyone here no matter what you hear. Promise, Adam.”

  He nodded. "I promise, Mom."

  "Good."

  Then she was gone. She looked for him with her heart. He was holding a man when she found him. He was getting ready to feed on him.

  "Hybrid!" she screamed.

  His head whipped in her direction. His eyes were almost void of emotion, his face contorted in anger, and the animal within almost freed.

  "Release him at once!" Christine demanded.

  The creature before her smiled. "Gladly. You look like a better snack anyway."

  In a flash, he stood before her. He grabbed her, turned her around, bent her head to the side and sank his teeth in. Her blood filled his mouth. Memory after memory flooded him. The memory of her as a child, her as an amazing Amazon warrior, her changing, her love, the day his daughter was born, the birth of his son, and finally the loss of her! He jerked away.

  She stumbled but turned. Blood flowed from her neck. She was pale, but real. Hybrid couldn’t believe it. It was her! It was his love! His wife! His Christine!

  "Christine!" he cried.

  He pulled her close, licked her wound to seal it and hugged her until she laughed. He felt her arms go around him, her lips touch his temple, her body rub
his as she moved closer.

  His demons screamed because now they were shoved away and locked back up. His world was home! He was home!

  Hybrid and Christine's love was an epic saga of pain, heartbreak, and strength they shared together. Their love had finally come full circle. As they stood there embracing, a pain in Christine’s stomach hit. The baby!

  She cried out in pain. Hybrid rushed back to the cave carrying her. Christine’s cries could be heard throughout the cave and then silence filled the air. Suddenly, the sound of a crying baby was heard.

  After the Storm

  (book 6)

  25

  The cries of a newborn filled the cave. Christine cuddled the beautiful, human child. Her red hair was long and she had beautiful hazel eyes. Adam and Aaliyah looked over and smiled at their new little sister. Hybrid hovered over his new offspring. Giggles, laughs, and smiles were had by all when Aaliyah entered smiling at her sister.

  "You and Hybrid may as well just start your own little pack." She laughed. "You two have quite the family."

  Hybrid embraced his Christine close to his chest, but she pulled away from him. He looked into her eyes and saw the disappointment. She grabbed his hand and assured him that she loved him, but he smelled of innocent blood.