by W. J. May
"You've returned to me."
She fought back a lump in her throat.
You sent your assassins to murder my mother, but you failed.
Her words buzzed through the space.
Hurt flashed across his face at her accusation. His eyes fluctuated again, switching between so many emotions that it confused Astrid.
"Nei love, you misunderstand."
Astrid sat upright, scooting backwards, scrambling to her feet. The man followed, slithering like an uncoiling snake. The fluidity of his movements hypnotized Astrid for a moment. She struggled to compose herself and grabbed at her side, snatching her blade. Within a heartbeat, the point of her sword rested in the hollow of the man's neck. He grinned, obliging the tip by raising his hands in the air.
Astrid's arms quaked at the sight of his surrender. Her mind flashed with the memory of his arms around her, melting into her, desiring her. She drew air through her nose, willing herself to keep steady and banish the treacherous thought.
"I am here to help, not hinder." His face flooded with compassion as he continued, "Your mother didn't understand you. She blocked you from your power. She forced you to believe the shadowwalk was wrong, when in fact, it is instinctual, as natural as life itself."
You lie! she yelled, but her statement faltered, her surety dissolving.
"Do I? You are here, aren't you?" He slunk closer, the heat of his skin palpable even with the short distance between them. His face continued to change from tender to angry to loving within a single breath.
Stand back, she warned, tightening her grip on the hilt of her sword, but she knew that was wrong; a tense hold would slow her movement. She attempted to relax. Her fingers refused, squeezing themselves around the iron even tighter.
"Was it not easy to slide into the walk? Why would a mother try to keep her daughter from using her innate talents? You know it's a gift you possess, don’t you?"
The shadowwalk is a dark and evil thing.
"Like you?"
Nei, like you.
Her voice quivered. The place she feared inside herself opened like a swelling blackness.
"I am the same as you, love."
I am nothing like you!
His insinuation caused her blood to rush, fearing he spoke the truth. In response, she swiped her blade, striking the man clean through his middle. His figure disappeared upon contact, melding within the haze.
Astrid flicked her gaze side to side, searching for the man. The landscaped rolled around her, changing as it did, causing her head to spin.
"You are exactly like me," soothed the man's voice from behind her.
She swirled around to meet him. He stood opposite to her—unscathed, fully formed, the grin still charming his face. Panic bubbled in her chest.
"I am part of you." Though his tone remained steady, his features softened again, brimming with understanding.
Astrid struggled against the desire to believe him. She heaved her sword once more and jabbed at the man. He disappeared then reappeared a few steps away. She lunged, stabbed, and thrust with her blade, but each time he evaded her blow. The muscles in her arms finally failed; she lowered her sword, gulping air.
"You cannot fight me."
The man disappeared and materialized behind her, slipping his hand over her sword arm to quell her blade. His breath warmed her neck. His hair brushed her cheek. The nearness of him flooded her insides with heat.
"For your entire life, not a soul has understood what you are."
Astrid pinched her eyes closed against his words. He pressed his body into hers.
"Even you don't understand your capabilities."
The tone of his voice rolled over her like a sweet caress. A tremor ran the full length of her spine. His arms engulfed her, wrapping around her middle, pulling her close. The hotness of him burned like fire on her skin.
"But I do, and I can show you how to unleash your power...if you let me."
For a moment, she surrendered to the connection. She craved contact, speech, and intimacy with another and this man provided what she sought.
"Your mother failed to show you because she is not like you and me."
His words pricked her senses. Astrid realized she was not the beacon of light her mother proclaimed; she possessed both dark and light powers within her. And in the shadowwalk, she could speak. And if she could speak...
You are right. I am not like my mother.
The muscles in her throat loosened. The beat of her heart blossomed, spreading throughout her limbs, filling her ears. In the distance, the thrum of the moose's life force resonated with her own, until her body flooded with rhythm. The Mother's song surged through her. A beam of light rushed forward from inside her. Astrid allowed the light to flow from her chest to her limbs. The brightness swelled, running the length of her arms, like a dam releasing. She reached up, drawing the ward with her finger. The light complied, weaving through the distance, forming the symbol that hung in midair as she sang.
Algiz!
The word sounded, its melody lilting, pulsing, and chiming. Lightness filled her being; the threat of darkness receded. She felt as if she could take flight.
Astrid squirmed out of the grip of the Shadow and faced him.
But I am not like you, either.
His smile sunk as a bubble of brightness sprung up around her. The gray landscape fluctuated as the man's body wore thin. With the grin erased from his face, his features looked harsh. His ever-changing emotions became unreadable once more.
"When everyone else has failed you...when you are alone...and you will be, because they cannot understand what you possess inside you...When they have all abandoned you, and they will... I will be here waiting, because I understand your power. I understand what you need. This is not done, love. Your darkness will always be a part of you, and you will always belong to me."
Then the Shadow winked out of existence.
***
Beams of light fought through the thick branches of spruce and pine, casting rays of warmth on Astrid's tent. The young woman's eyes blinked open. Her body thrummed with vibrations. Trees hummed, the earth whirred, the wind buzzed—and through it all, the subtle melody of the Mother weaved around her.
I hear your song.
A pang of sadness sunk into her when she realized her voice remained locked within her throat.
And yet I still cannot speak out loud.
Astrid crawled from her shelter, and stretched, refreshed from a full night's sleep. She allowed her new perception to move outward. She reveled in the songs of the Wettersea beyond the woodlands, and the tune of the vast mountain range of the Skaggs to the nordr.
Leagues in the distance, she sensed the presence of a young man, of Hallad. The awareness of him startled her. Unlike viewing him through the shadowwalk, his existence reached out to her, entwining with her own, like the other half of a missing piece. His emotions besieged her: loneliness, responsibility, and longing. His heartbeat thudded with Astrid's, creating a counterpoint rhythm. And she knew the time had come to seek the young man who held her destiny.
***
The Shadow Lord waited in the confines of the shifting landscape until a fair haired man appeared from the haze. After many years of mastering the skill, the walk always gifted its user with a subtle grace that manifested as a pliability of the person's physical stature. Lothar was a perfect example; he looked as if he could bend in all directions. His frost white hair betrayed the hallmark of those born of noble heritage in Alvenheim. His paleness further marked him as alven, but the blackness of his eyes marred the ivory of his skin. He glided toward the Shadow, and bent to one knee. His indigo sleeves billowed as he swept his arms back in reverence.
"We waited years for her to expose her whereabouts, and your assassins failed to kill the girl's guardians."
"I apologize, My Liege. We underestimated her skill. We could not have predicted two would outmatch six of my best."
"I hope you have not lost
track of her."
"My wolves stalk her as we speak. Even if they were to lose her scent, I have spies all over Scandia. We will know the instant she reaches the Guardian and exposes his identity. I have an army ready to go through the shadowwalk and take on an entire city in his defeat if need be."
"The girl cannot be harmed. I need her to come to our side."
"Ja, My Liege. The boy will be slain before they are able to complete their bond, but the girl will be left to you."
"He must be killed before they are bonded, or his death may harm the girl as well."
"It will be as you say." Lothar swept to his knee again.
The Shadow smiled down upon him.
"Your skill in the shadowwalk increases. I believe you are my most gifted disciple."
"My Liege flatters me."
"Nei, I speak truly. You will be well rewarded when the time comes."
"Anything you bestow upon me will be more than I can ever desire."
"Take your leave, then. Notify me after the deed has been done."
Lothar bowed his head and dissipated, leaving the Shadow alone in the shifting landscape.
"And in case you should fail again, you over confident gelding, I have spies of my own."
IF YOU ENJOYED THIS SHADOWLIGHT SAGA PREQUEL,
PLEASE READ ON FOR A BONUS EXCERPT OF
BONDED, BOOK ONE OF THE SHADOWLIGHT SAGA:
***
CONTINUE THE JOURNEY
SIGN UP at www.MandeMatthews.com/subscribe to receive another FREE ShadowLight Short Story! Or Buy Book One, Bonded as the ShadowLight Saga continues.
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Books by Mande Matthews
The Light Keepers – a ShadowLight Saga Prequel
Bonded – Book One of the ShadowLight Saga
Broken – Book Two of the ShadowLight Saga
Meet the Author
Hello! I'm Mande Matthews, author of the ShadowLight Saga and Queen's Honor series. I sincerely hope you've enjoyed your journey into the worlds of ShadowLight. I created the worlds nearly two decades ago when I became fascinated with two things: Norse mythology and the concept of right versus wrong (or as some would say, dark versus light).
Back when I conceptualized the story, fantasy normally involved a battle of good versus evil, but I knew in life, there was rarely such a thing as true evil and absolute goodness. Instead, I reveled in the motivations behind different viewpoints, and thus I became obsessed with the idea of showing a world where the absolute truth as society accepts it becomes twisted and turned as new information is revealed throughout the story.
The very first line of the series, "Between darkness and light, there is truth," came to me long before the story ever evolved, before characters appeared on the pages, before I even drew up the preliminary lands, social structures, and magics and just about everything within the text is a search for the proof of this simple byline.
Years later when I decided to complete and publish the story, my tastes and ability had changed, but the underlying question of right versus wrong remained, so I pursued the beast with such vigor that I completed first draft within five weeks. Also, I had grown in my desire to convey emotion and bring a reader into the pages. I can remember when writing Bonded, each and every night I'd send up a little prayer, "Please let me write a story that people would truly enjoy—that they can connect with the world, the characters, the concepts, or the events, in whatever way." I certainly hope that you, dear reader, enjoyed your journey into ShadowLight. I know all the writing gurus say, "write for yourself," and "don't worry about what readers want," but for me, the journey simply isn't complete without sharing the quest with readers.
Thank you so much for sharing your time and imagination in order to venture into the world of ShadowLight. I'd love to hear from you, either via a review or by a visit to my website at: www.mandematthews.com . And once again, if you sign up for my newsletter at my website, I'll send you a password to access my story vault where I post free short stories for both ShadowLight and Queen's Honor.
Thank you again, and have a magical day.
- Mande Matthews
Credits
––––––––
Norse Lullaby by Eugene Field (1850-1895)
––––––––
Copy Editing
Ann Mauren, AMDesign Studios
––––––––
Cover Design
AMDesign Studios
Acknowledgements
First and foremost, I'd like to thank bestselling author, Ann Mauren. Ann has come to my rescue time and time again. As my critique partner and prized copy editor, she has provided inspiration, guidance, and critical feedback. Her well-trained eye for content, story details, word usage, grammar and punctuation has been a lifesaver. I honestly don't think I'd be publishing this book without her. Thank you so much for your invaluable support and your hard work on ShadowLight's behalf, Ann. I could not have done this without you.
You can find Ann Mauren at:
The Mayne Attraction website, home of Ann's number one bestselling romantic suspense series Mayne Attraction.
AMDesign Studios, featuring Ann's editing, book formatting and synopsis writing services.
Second, I'd like to thank Kathia Donalds, my longtime friend and confidant, and fellow writer. She lent her story critique skills to a number of read-throughs of The Light Keepers.
And finally, thanks to my husband and my mom—two of my greatest supporters. I love you both always and forever.
Connect with the Author
Visit www.MandeMatthews.com
Follow www.twitter.com/MandeMatthews
Like on www.facebook.com/MandeMatthewsAuthor
Join the ShadowLight Insiders Club
PUBLISHED BY:
Guardian Tree Press
The Light Keepers: A Prequel to the ShadowLight Saga
Copyright 2012 by Mande Matthews
All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead is coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
Story 8 – The Angel She Loved by Irene Kueh
THE ANGEL SHE LOVED
~Prequel to Voices~
by
IRENE KUEH
“There’s nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline, no matter how many times it’s sent away.” – Sarah Kay
When Elrenia Kitrusen celebrates the first day of summer at the beach, she doesn’t expect her life to be changed forever. Andrew Gritt, the picture-perfect surfer, not only saves her day, but becomes her Angel.
A week later, Elrenia and Andrew meet again at a birthday party. During a Game Finale of fighting Zombies in the Forgotten Forest, a bond is formed between them. Although it’s just a game, the Voices send out warnings to Elrenia whenever danger lurks around the corner. Through the Voices, Elrenia saves Andrew multiple times. After spending the night in the attic, magic sparks fly, and they become inseparable. Yet, three years later, Elrenia moves to Chicago and receives shattering news that Andrew is marrying another.
Will Elrenia be like the persistent ocean in pursuing her Angel? Or will she give up and watch him go fr
om the shoreline?
Irene Kueh
Edited By:
David Terrace & Connie Butts
Copyright © 2014 Irene Kueh
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
♥
~ My Angel ~
I think of you Always
Every little thing reminds me of you
Every time I hear the rain, I think of you
Every time I walk in the woods, I think of you
Every time I touch a flower, I think of you
Every time I see a firefly, I think of you
You're in my heart
Locked in time
Unforgotten
♥
~Dedication~
This book is dedicated to four special Angels:
Carol Cajigas
Chrissy Peebles
June Bourgo
Patricia Puddle
&
All who believe in the existence of Angels
* * *
Chapter One
To celebrate the first day of summer, I took a stroll down the beach. A handful of white clouds floated in the sky. As I walked, the clouds appeared to follow, white and puffy. I felt they were watching, perhaps keeping me company this beautiful day. I stared up at them and smiled. A happy bark interrupted my thoughts. With its tail wagging, the white puppy chased after a little boy and a little girl. The children's laughter warmed my heart. What a beautiful sight.
I found a perfect spot under a shady tree and sat down. I didn't feel like catching a tan. As I watched the waves, a quote by Sarah Kay played in my head. "There's nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline, no matter how many times it’s sent away."