Fire and Fantasy: A Limited Edition Collection of Urban and Epic Fantasy

by CK Dawn

  Damn. I resisted saying the word aloud. His damn mesmerizing eyes. Of course he was using some of his merman magic on me. How hadn’t I caught on to that? Suddenly, all my anger turned inward. How could I have been so stupid? Still, questions raced through my mind as pieces of the puzzle still hadn’t fallen into place.

  “Why’d you lock him up, though?” I asked. “Like, why not just send him home?”

  Carson sighed once again like I was too dumb to understand. “He came all this way. You really think he would have gone willingly? We had to keep him somewhere until we could get in contact with Tristan’s people and get them to come and take him home. Obviously, next time we need to put some more security measures in place. We’ve never needed much security for any reason.”

  “If you don’t have security cameras or guards, who was that guy who chased us out that night?” I asked curiously.

  “Michael? He happened to be in the right place at the right time. He was working late and fell asleep in his office. You two—” he gestured between Noah and me “—made enough noise that he woke and decided to investigate.”

  Silence fell over the room, and I couldn’t help but break it. “So, what happens to Tristan now?” The words didn’t feel like my own. I still couldn’t believe they’d been trying to protect me from Tristan this whole time.

  “He will answer for himself with his own people.” Carson checked his watch. “In fact, they’re scheduled to arrive within the hour.”

  “And me?” I asked, almost in desperation. Would they strip me of my magic and send me away again?

  “You’ll be able to return home later tonight, Ms. Waters. As always, we are concerned about your safety.”

  Confusion settled on my face. “So, I’m not in trouble?”

  Carson sat up even straighter in his chair. “I’ll admit you acted a bit irrationally at times, and we do not condone much of your behavior.”

  I blushed as I thought about my little breaking-and-entering adventure.

  “But…given the circumstances, we do not believe in administering any sort of punishment. I think given the same situations, many of us would have acted in a similar manner. The most I can do, Ms. Waters, is extend our greatest apologies. We handled the situation poorly and are more prepared should it occur again.”

  My jaw dropped. A beep from the phone on Carson’s desk interrupted the momentary silence.

  Carson stood and adjusted his tie. “Forgive me, but it appears that our guests have arrived. In the meantime, I suggest you get some rest.” He left me with a brief nod and then crossed the room.

  “Wait.” I shot up from my chair before Carson placed his hand on the doorknob.

  He paused and turned back to me with raised eyebrows.

  “How did you know I wouldn’t tell anyone that something was wrong, that the whole new school thing was a cover up? I told Noah as much as I could, so clearly I wasn’t completely silenced on all details.”

  Carson paused a beat before answering. “I saw the fear in your eyes, Ms. Waters. It was the same fear I felt when the merpeople threated me about telling people of their existence.” He took a step toward me, placing his hands in his pocket. “You know what I admire about you, Ms. Waters?” He didn’t even let me react to the word admire. “You didn’t let the fear stop you. In fact, you used it as a motivator. Now that you understand some of Sea Haven’s secrets, perhaps your skills would be useful in a career in politics.”

  That’s all he said before he turned and exited the room, leaving me speechless.

  Forty

  My father pulled me in to a hug as soon as Carson and Dr. Sloan exited the office.

  “I’m sorry, Dad,” I muffled into his shirt. “I should have trusted you.” The words felt so strange on my tongue, like I was admitting all of this was real. I wasn’t exactly one to let go of my anger so easily, but apologizing to my father felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

  “I know, Bree,” he said into my hair, pulling me even tighter. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”

  “Me, too.” My voice cracked, and I buried my face even deeper into his shoulder to keep the tears from falling. After everything that happened, it took all I had for my emotions to not escape into a sobbing fit. The tension in my head and pressure against my dad’s shoulder only intensified the pain on my skull, but it was a helpful distraction.

  Eventually, my dad pulled away. I placed the ice pack to the bump on my head. The pack was nearly room temperature by now, but at least it helped shield my face.

  As soon as my father stepped aside, Noah filled the space in front of me. He surprised me by pulling me in to his own hug. I drew in a shallow breath of surprise.

  “I’m glad you’re okay, too,” Noah whispered gently into my ear.

  Without consciously deciding to, I relaxed and hugged him back. “Thanks.”

  “Sorry I went to your dad. You’re so stubborn, and—”

  “It’s fine,” I interrupted him.

  Noah drew away, and his eyes shifted between mine.

  “I mean, you totally broke my trust there for a minute, but I guess I should learn to be more trusting.”

  I glanced toward where I thought my dad was standing to see if he picked up on the hint, but he’d vanished. The clicking of the door a moment later told me he’d left the room to give Noah and me some privacy. When my eyes turned back to Noah’s, the tears I’d been trying to suppress returned. I blinked them away the best I could, but it was useless.

  Noah pulled me back to his chest. “Hey, it’s going to be okay now. Even though this whole thing sucked, you got something great out of it.”

  My voice came out hoarse, and the first tear spilled over the edge of my lid. “What’s that?”

  Noah pulled away one last time to look me in the eyes. His thumb came to my cheek to wipe away the rogue tear. I stared up into his blue eyes. They were so unlike Tristan’s, but in a way, they left me in a similar trance. I knew now I’d never had a choice with Tristan. With Noah, it was different. This trance, I wanted to fall in to.

  “You got me,” he whispered.

  Noah said it like all I got out of this was a friend. Yet after everything we’d been through the past few days, there had to be something more there, right? I wasn’t sure, but I didn’t want to miss my chance at finding out.

  Between all the questions still swimming in my mind and my brain still trying to process everything I’d just learned as reality, I found a brief moment of clarity when I rose to my toes and pressed my lips to Noah’s. For the first time since all this started, I finally felt like I was where I was supposed to be.

  Epilogue

  “What are you doing?” I cried. The pillowcase—or whatever it was—over my head obstructed my view, but I would know the giggles beside me anywhere. “What are you doing? Liana? Christina?”

  The girls chuckled as they forced me out of my dorm room and down the hall. I’d just been unpacking the few belongings I had left in Sea Haven—the stuff that wasn’t in the package Sharon was shipping back to me—when Liana and Christina snuck up behind me.

  “Do you not want a clean room?” I asked Liana as if it were a threat.

  School officially started tomorrow, and Liana and I had managed to get our room assignments back in order so we’d be roommates. She’d already unpacked her side of the room. Between everything that happened, I hadn’t had much time to move into the dorms yet. I spent some time with my mom and Christina trying to explain how I “changed my mind about leaving Sea Haven.” At least everyone—especially my mom—was excited to have me back.

  “Seriously, girls.” I flailed my arms in an attempt to escape their grasp. “I can tell it’s you.”

  “Fine.” Liana’s voice came from my right.

  “Just play along, will you?” Christina giggled.

  The sun licked my arms and the gentle breeze tickled the pillowcase across my nose when we stepped out of the dorm hall. In the bright sun, I could ma
ke out the shape of my feet behind the fabric of the pillowcase. Liana forced me to duck my head into a car, and then the girls released me. I took the chance to pull the pillowcase off my head to find myself seated in the back of the car Christina’s parents bought her for graduation a few months ago. Liana took the passenger seat while Christina ran around to the driver’s side.

  “Are you going to tell me what’s going on now?”

  Liana turned in her chair. “We’re kidnapping you.”

  “For what?” I snapped.

  Christina flipped her hair over her shoulder as she put the car into reverse. “For the beach, of course.”

  I couldn’t help it when a smile crept onto my face. Normally, I’d complain longer, but for the first time since all this happened, I’d be able to swim again.

  “I don’t have my suit, though,” I pointed out.

  Liana held up a bag from the front seat. “Way ahead of you, Bree.”

  It didn’t take long before we reached the beach, which was already crawling with Sea Haven residents.

  “Here.” Liana tossed my suit and a towel at me. “Are you going to change in the bathrooms or in the car?”

  “Um…bathroom. Thanks.”

  I hopped out of the vehicle and headed straight for the public bathrooms to change. I could hardly get dressed fast enough. I couldn’t wait to get in the water again. I hurried back across the parking lot, the pavement hot on my feet since Liana hadn’t thought to bring my sandals along. I slipped my clothes back in Christina’s car and raced to the sand. I dug my toes into it to enjoy the relief from the hot parking lot.

  Taking a brief moment to inhale the scent of the ocean calmed me considerably. But when I gazed out at the horizon, nerves overtook once again. Tristan couldn’t still be waiting for me, could he?

  No, I told myself. Tristan’s people came and took him back home. Carson assured me I’d be safe now. I had nothing to worry about.

  “Hey!”

  A deep voice pulled my attention off the horizon. I turned to find a shirtless Noah headed my way.

  “I didn’t know you’d be here,” he greeted with a smile before pulling me in to a hug.

  I smiled back. “Liana and Christina forced me out of our dorm room.”

  “Good for them,” he said with a laugh. “You ready for a swim?”

  Was I ever!

  “Hey, lovebirds!” Liana called from not far down the beach. She cupped her hands over her mouth so we could hear her over the rest of the crowd. “You coming?”

  Noah grabbed my hand, and my smile grew even wider.

  “I’m ready,” I told him, and we raced toward the water together.

  The cool, refreshing sea felt fantastic on my skin. I dunked my head under water and inhaled a long, deep breath of salt water. It seemed so long since I’d felt so refreshed and free.

  My three friends circled around me, and I knew then that I was safe. It was finally all over. While I’d once wished things could go back to the way they were, I was happy that things had changed. Now I had one more person I could rely on along with all these new memories with my friends. Somehow, despite all the stress and trouble I’d gone through, I came out on the other end with more blessings than I could have ever imagined.

  * * *

  The End

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  About the Author

  Alicia Rades is a USA Today bestselling author of young adult paranormal fiction with a love for supernatural stories set in the modern world. When she’s not plotting out fiction novels, you can find her writing content for various websites or plowing her way through her never-ending reading list. Alicia holds a bachelor's degree in communications with an emphasis on professional writing.

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  Prophecy of Darkness

  Michelle Lynn and Michelle Bryan

  Prophecy of Darkness © 2017 Michelle Bryan and Michelle Lynn

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  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the authors’ imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

  Prophecy of Darkness

  Only magic can save them from what is coming, but first, it must be reclaimed.

  Twenty years ago, war devastated Dreach. Bloody and cruel, it ravaged the realm and stripped magic from Dreach-Sciene.

  Without magic, there is no hope. No life. For prince Trystan Renauld, there is no choice. As his people starve, his enemy prepares for a final showdown that will decide the fate of the realm. Without magical power, he and his people will lose everything. Even with it, they may fail.

  Against a backdrop of prophecy, curses, and forbidden love, Trystan must re-unite the legendary Tri-Gard, keepers of the magic, and find the power he’s always believed was a fairy tale: magic, the very foundation of life. With both sides preparing for battle, it’s a race against time—and against the kind of darkness that can destroy them all.

  One

  Feet pounded across the marble as the young messenger ran as fast as his legs would take him. The home of the King of Dreach-Sciene stretched out in front of him, a symbol of forgotten prosperity in a dying world. His damp boots slid to a halt with a loud screech as a young boy cut in front of him.

  “Excuse me, Your Highness,” the Messenger said, bowing as the boy nodded his head solemnly and continued on his way.

  Once the little prince was out of sight, the Messenger took off faster than before. He had an urgent need to see the King. It’d been five years since anyone had news of this magnitude and he didn’t know what it meant.

  Silk tapestries adorned the stone walls, giving the palace halls an air of importance. They were important, he supposed, for only someone with immense power could regain what the kingdom had lost. Their only hope was the King.

  The Messenger stopped outside of an ornate mahogany door. The carvings were elaborate, beautiful representations of the kingdom’s three realms – majestic trees for Aldorwood, lavish iron armor for Isenore, and a ship for the Isle of Sona - a replica of what had once been the most powerful kingdom in the southern hemisphere. He studied the images as he calmed his frantic breathing, knowing he had to control himself in the presence of the King.

  For the first time, he realized there should have been guards standing watch at the door. Turning his head left then right, he couldn’t see them. Unable to wait any longer, he grasped the metal knocker and pounded it against the door once, then twice. Nothing happened, so he did it again.

  Thinking the King was out, his shoulders sagged. What was he to do? The matter was urgent, important.

  Just as he was about to give up, the door swung open and the Messenger stood face to face with two guards in full armor. The silence stretched for what felt like an eternity.

  Finally, the Messenger cleared his throat. “I need to speak with the King.”

  The soldier on the left eyed him up and down. “The King meets with his people every day at noon.”

  He was about to slide the door shut when the Messenger stuck his foot out. “I come from the village on a matter of importance.”

  “L
et the young man in,” a voice called from inside.

  Quick to obey, the soldiers grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him in before shutting the door behind them.

  The King sat at a long, rectangular table covered with unrolled scrolls of parchment. A handful of other men surrounded him.

  King Marcus Renauld was a large man, both in stature and in personality. His gaze, though not harsh, had a way of making people squirm. He was intense, but there was not a more respected man in all the kingdom.

  “Speak your business.” The King inclined his head to the Messenger who promptly bowed.

  “Your Majesty,” he began. “I’ve come on an important matter of utmost secrecy.” He looked around at the gathered men and the King followed his gaze.

  “Leave us.” The King’s tone was not to be argued with. Chairs scraped against the floor as they were abruptly slid back and abandoned. The door shut with a definitive slam that echoed off the vaulted ceilings. Only the two guards remained. “They can be trusted.”

  The Messenger swallowed hard, giving a single nod of his head.

  “There’s a rumor among the people of something, or more like someone, I think you’d be very interested in.”

  “I’m listening.” The King leaned forward and folded his hands together on the table.

  “There’s talk of a seer in the village.”

  The King shot to his feet, his chair clattering to the ground behind him. “Are you certain?”

  “I believe it to be so, Sire. My source is one to be trusted.”

  “How is this possible?” He stepped back from the table and began to pace. “It’s been five years. The war took every last bit of magic. I was there. I saw it happen.”