“How can you say that after what happened? I’m out of my mind with worry for Stephen, heaven knows what has befallen him. The boys could be next. They need to be prepared.”
“It is precisely because of what happened that I base my decision. The boys are better protected now than they have ever been. I have taken every precaution, used every ward and spell at my disposal. The truth will help no one.”
“Wards? We need the police—no, the Stewards! They’ll put a stop to—”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Eliza. This is a family affair. You know as well as I do that the wizard conglomerate would not lift a finger to help us. There is no proof.”
“But—”
“Not another word about it. I was appointed guardian and my decision is final. You should not even be here, it is too dangerous. Besides, Stephen would want you somewhere safe. Go back to England. No wizard is foolish enough to tangle with the Dee family.”
I had a hard time following the conversation. Why did my head hurt so much? I tried to raise my hand, but felt resistance as if it was attached to something. Confused, I opened my eyes and turned my head, but gasped as blinding pain shot through the base of my skull like a hundred stabbing needles. I lay there, jaw clenched, trying to ride it out and remember what had happened to put me in this state. But thinking hurt. Everything hurt.
(Don’t want to stop reading? You can continue the story HERE)
Afterword
Thanks so much for reading Lily and Sebastian’s continuing adventures! Don’t miss future books in the Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus universe by signing up to my mailing list at www.lydiasherrer.com/subscribe for new release alerts, behind-the-scene sneak peeks, book giveaways, and chances to help me out in the story-making process.
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You can also discover more backstory by checking out the Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus Universe Glossary here on my website.
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Still hungry for more books? Did you know that Sir Kipling stars in his very own adventure in Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus: Cat Magic? Read about how he teams up with an ancient German wizard to save McCain Library from snooping witches—and manages to be snarkier than ever while he does it! Check it out here!
Also by Lydia Sherrer:
Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus Universe
The Lily Singer Adventures:
Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus Book 1: Beginnings
Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus Book 2: Revelations
Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus Book 3: Allies
Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus Book 4: Legends
Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus Book 5: Betrayal
(Book 6 coming in 2020!)
The Lily Singer Adventures Novellas:
Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus: A Study In Mischief
Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus: Cat Magic
Dark Roads Trilogy (Sebastian’s Origin)
Book 1: Accidental Witch
Other Works:
Hope: A Short Story
Acknowledgments
With each book I write, I feel like the list of people I’m indebted to grows longer! If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a legion to publish a book. This installment of Lily, Sebastian, and Sir Kipling's adventures was particularly challenging, especially because I wrote and edited it while being pregnant with, giving birth to, and raising my newborn son. He won’t read this for many years, but I want to thank him for being such a (relatively) good little newborn, otherwise I never would have finished this book! Just as important was my wonderful mother and many friends and family who put hours into babysitting so I had space to edit (mostly) undisturbed. Even more vital was my husband, who once again provided essential feedback throughout the writing and editing process, not to mention stepping up and being the most awesome dad on the planet so I had time to work (at least until there was a poopy diaper to change, anyway). Much thanks to my sister, who keeps letting me rope her into illustrating my books. And, as always, I’m indebted to my editor, who keeps my spirits up with scathingly sarcastic jokes, and my cover artist, who once again produced a brilliant cover.
I am absolutely indebted to my amazing beta readers, who reached new heights in their feedback and helped me turn a mediocre first draft into a gripping final product. They are too many to name, but they know who they are. Just as amazing have been my many fans and ARC readers who have waited (more or less) patiently for this next installment, sending encouragements my way and keeping the fire lit under my posterior.
Lastly, I want to thank my wonderful Patreon members who have generously and faithfully partnered with me, making all that you see possible! They are: Kayla Hughes, Tony Thompson, Jessica Mcinteer, Gloria Minnick, Jeannie Bevins, Brent Williams, Thomas Lee Allen Kuchenbrod, Ted Thomas, Rebecca Smith, Lori Cambareri Pruyne, Kathryn Tarsha, Daniel, Maria Bowden, and Dragana Munitic. You all have such a special place in my heart—thank you for your support!
About the Author
Award-winning and USA Today-bestselling author of snark-filled urban fantasy, Lydia Sherrer thrives on creating characters and worlds you love to love, and hate to leave. She subsists on liberal amounts of dark chocolate and tea, and hates sleep because it keeps her from writing. Though she graduated with a dual BA in Chinese and Arabic, after traveling the world she came home to Louisville, KY and decided to stay there. Due to the tireless efforts of her fire-spinning gamer husband and her two overlords, er cats, she remains sane and even occasionally remembers to leave the house.
LOVE, LIES, AND HOCUS POCUS
The Lily Singer Adventures Book 5: Betrayal
Copyright © 2019 by Lydia Sherrer
All rights reserved.
ISBN 13: 978-1-950267-00-2 (paperback)
ISBN: 978-1-950267-01-9 (ebook)
Published by Chenoweth Press 2019
Louisville, KY, USA
No parts of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.
This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser. Under no circumstances may any part of this book be photocopied for resale.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarity between the characters and situations within its pages and places or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Cover art by Molly Phipps www.wegotyoucoveredbookdesign.com
Chapter illustrations by Serena Thomas
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