Daring Hearts: Fearless Fourteen Boxed Set

by Box Set

  The dirt was still fresh, the mounds an open wound on the face of the land. None of the graves held Otec’s loved ones; the right of burying them had been stolen from him too. Over time, grass and flowers would grow over them. The dirt would compact. But the graves would never completely fade.

  As his eyes strayed to Shyle Pass, he thought of his sisters. Storm’s baby would be crawling soon. He wondered if it was a boy or a girl. If his sisters had survived. If Holla’s spirit had been broken. How he could possibly be happy when they were slaves.

  Otec tried to push such dark thoughts away, but it was not easy. So he did what he always did when the darkness threatened to cripple him—he went looking for Matka.

  He found her in the barn, covered in hay and blood. She was smiling as she cleared the birth sack from the lamb’s face. “She came out backwards, but I managed to save her.”

  Through the darkness that haunted him, Matka had become his light. When the night came and neither of them could sleep, they held each other, the child growing in her belly a wonderful, terrifying lump between them.

  She went to the bucket of rainwater and washed her arms, chatting about the ewes and the new lambs—gifts from the other clans. She sobered when she told Otec that Dobber was so deep in the drink he had accidentally gone to the Bends’ home last night instead of his own. They couldn’t wake him to get him out, so he’d ended up sleeping on their floor.

  As Matka chattered on, Otec felt a swelling within him, a lightness that threatened to burst. And then she suddenly went silent, her hands going to her enormous belly. He stepped toward her, arms out to catch her if she fell. “Matka?”

  She grimaced and tried to cover it up with a smile. But her face was dark red, and she was holding her breath. She gripped his hand and hunched over.

  “Has your time come?” When she still didn’t answer, he wrapped an arm around her and helped her to the clan house. “How long have the pains been coming?” Otec knew more than most men about birth—after all, his mother and sisters had brought most of the Shyle’s babies into the world.

  Matka let out a long breath. “All morning. I thought they might go away like the others.”

  He set her down in the kitchen and hurried up the ladder to fetch blankets and pillows. “I’m getting Enrid.”

  “No, I—” Matka’s voice cut off. She pinched her eyes shut and nodded.

  Otec sprinted through the village and shoved open the door to Enrid’s house. She took one look at him and simply grabbed her bag.

  Not waiting for her, he ran back to the clan house. Matka had squatted in front of the empty hearth, both hands resting on the rock fireplace. He crouched beside her. “What do you want me to do?”

  Enrid stepped through the doorway. “Get outside with you. This is woman’s work.” Otec looked at Matka, his eyes begging her to let him stay. Enrid rolled her eyes. “You won’t want him here, Matka.”

  Matka nodded for him to go.

  Jaw clenched, he paced outside the kitchen door, wearing a pathway through the weeds. When his wife let out her first moan, he stopped and dropped down by the door. For the first time in a long time, he wanted to carve something, take all his nervous energy and create something beautiful with it.

  While Matka moaned and panted, Otec went in search of a piece of wood. His knife sawed through the rough exterior, cutting away until he reached bright, virgin wood. He sliced away one layer at a time, leaving beautiful whorls that piled up around him. Once he had the basic shape, he added details—the legs, the ears, the tail—until he had a magnificent stallion, ears perked, face proud. He wished he had the paint to make it black, with a star on his forehead, for that’s what he envisioned.

  A wail rose up from inside the house—an infant’s cry. Otec’s eyes welled with tears at such a familiar sound, one that had been severely lacking from a home that used to echo with the cries of children.

  He stepped inside to see Matka holding their child and staring at a scrunched-up red face below a tuft of wild blond hair. Tears streamed down Matka’s cheeks as she smiled brightly up at Otec.

  Enrid stepped past him. “I’ll be back in a moment.”

  Barely hearing her depart, he dropped to his knees and unwrapped the blanket a little. A grin broke across his face. He wrapped the child again and touched his forehead to Matka’s. “You see. I told you they could not control us.”

  She chuckled, opening her mouth to respond, when a flurry of wings made Otec’s head jerk up. The owl fairy flew into the room in her human-like form, gazing at his child. Otec put himself between them—he didn’t even want the creature to look upon his baby.

  “I see you have your son,” the fairy said smoothly.

  He took his carving knife in hand, wishing it was his axe. “Yes, a son. Not a daughter.”

  She tipped her head. “Foolish human. I do not set the board, only the players. Your son is important to the game—just not as important as his sister will be.”

  Otec launched the knife, but the fairy spun, wings whirling. She landed in a crouch on the kitchen table, her eyes glittering with rage.

  He pointed to the door. “Get out and never come back. Or I will kill him myself and destroy your games once and for all.”

  She bared her teeth at him. “Liar.”

  Otec turned and took hold of his son. Matka held on, her expression fierce. He met her gaze, his eyes asking her to trust him.

  She reluctantly released their baby. Otec took his son, love swelling within him as the boy blinked up at him. Otec held him over a bowl of water, hoping his face didn’t betray the lie. “I’ll drown him.”

  The fairy stepped back, her talons scraping against the table. “Enjoy your happiness, little human. Enjoy it while it lasts.”

  She flared her wings, shot through the open door, and disappeared from view. Otec sagged, holding his son to his chest. Matka sobbed behind him.

  He crouched next to her and deposited his son in his wife’s arms. “Only an infant, and he freed us from her presence.”

  “But what she said . . .”

  Otec kissed her forehead. “She said we would have a daughter, and we had a son. She can’t know the future—no one can.”

  Enrid barreled into the room. “Was that an owl?”

  Otec ignored the midwife. “What will we call him?”

  “Bratton,” Matka said at once.

  Otec pushed back her shoulder-length hair. “Why Bratton?”

  She shrugged. “Because I like the way it sounds.”

  Otec had wanted to name him Hargar, after his father. But Matka’s eyes were haunted, the bright joy of before overcome with shadows. He could give her this. “I like it,” he said.

  She took his hand. “Do you really think we can beat them?”

  He rested his hand on his son’s forehead. “We already have.”

  About Amber Argyle

  Amber Argyle is the number-one bestselling author of the Witch Song Series and the Fairy Queen Series. Her books have been nominated for and won awards in addition to being translated into French and Indonesian.

  Amber graduated cum laude from Utah State University with a degree in English and physical education, a husband, and a two-year old. Since then, she and her husband have added two more children, which they are actively trying to transform from crazy small people into less crazy larger people.

  To receive Amber Argyle’s starter library for free, join her spam-free newsletter by clicking HERE.

  * * *

  Other Titles by Amber Argyle

  * * *

  Witch Song Series

  * * *

  Witch Song

  Witch Born

  Witch Rising

  Witch Fall

  * * *

  Fairy Queens Series

  * * *

  Of Ice and Snow

  Winter Queen

  Of Fire and Ash

  Summer Queen

  Daughter of Winter

  The Soul’s Agent


  by

  Wendy Knight

  Copyright

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, and events are fictitious in every regard. Any similarities to actual events and persons, living or dead, are purely coincidental. Any trademarks, service marks, product names, or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners, and are used only for reference. There is no implied endorsement if any of these terms are used. Except for review purposes, the reproduction of this book in whole or part, electronically or mechanically, constitutes a copyright violation.

  * * *

  The Soul’s Agent

  Copyright © 2015 Wendy Knight

  ISBN:

  Cover Art by P.S. Cover Design

  Chapter 1

  Navi

  No ghosts. No attacks. Nothing at all. So what was up with my heart?

  "Bad heart." I blotted my sweaty hands on my jeans. "Don’t explode out of my chest and I’ll buy you Cheerios for lunch. Deal?"

  This was a regular thing—having conversations with my heart.

  Did that make me crazy?

  Probably.

  But it was necessary. For one thing, I have important work to do, work that requires a strong heart, so I have to tell it to keep beating and keep fighting because I kind of need it. For another, I'm still in love with a guy that I haven't seen or talked to in years. I spend half my time telling my heart to forget about him, and the other half trying to convince my heart that we are in love with whatever guy we're dating at the time.

  My heart doesn't listen. If it pounded any harder, it would break a rib. That would be hard to explain.

  It had been four years. Four years since we broke up. "Seriously, heart? Pounding just because his truck is in the parking lot across from ours is ridiculous. I would like it to stop. Yes. He’s close." I pressed a hand to my chest. "Now quit, already!"

  Realizing my potentially fatal mistake, I quickly corrected myself. "Calm down. Please don’t quit." Good grief, that was a close one.

  I sat in the parking lot of the veterinary office, waiting for my roommate to get off work so we could go home. I could just see Alec's truck parked in front of the electrical company he'd worked for since we'd been together. Right there. So close, yet unreachable. "Why oh why did you have to work in the same business center as he does, Konstanz?"

  She tapped on my window just then and I jumped guiltily, almost throwing myself through the roof. "Hey Navi." I could see the smirk she tried to hide, but she politely refrained from commenting. Instead she slid into the car. "Did you have to wait long?"

  "Nope. Just a minute or so. How was work?" I turned the car on, backed up, and drove slowly through the parking lot, trying really hard not to look toward the electrical company’s building.

  I should have tried really hard to watch who I was about to cut off.

  I saw the big truck out of my peripheral vision and slammed on my brakes, squealing nearly as loud as my tires. "Sorry! Sorry!" I squeaked, waving my hands around like that would convey my message better.

  "Um, Navi?" Konstanz asked quietly.

  I blinked at her and looked at the truck. Alec's truck. He stared at me with his mouth hanging open, probably wondering how the girl he'd taught to drive had nearly killed him in a parking lot. Karma, buddy.

  Ever so grateful that he couldn't see my fierce blush through the glare of the windshield, I forced a cheerful wave and slammed my foot down on the gas pedal. My jeep rocketed forward and we escaped onto the road.

  "Well. That was awkward," Konstanz said with no trace of hysterical laughter at all. I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye. Clearly, it was a fight for her to keep that solemn look on her face.

  Konstanz and I shared a room in our two-bedroom apartment. There were two other girls who shared with us, which seemed to be the life of a college student. I hadn't been there long, since I'd only returned to Oregon a few months ago.

  Her phone buzzed, and already frazzled I nearly drove us off the road. This time she lost her battle and started giggling. I glanced in the rearview mirror, wondering if whoever was behind me might report me for drunk driving.

  Alec's truck followed several car lengths behind. "Holy Hannah. Could this get any less fun?" I moaned as Konstanz answered her phone.

  "Reese wants to know if we want to go to open mic night tonight. You up to singing?"

  Why was he following me? What if he followed me home? What would I say? We hadn't parted on the best of terms. In fact, we had been bitter enemies for the rest of high school. Ironic, wasn't it, that I was still in love with him?

  Yes. Yes it was.

  It took me several seconds to realize she was talking, and several more to figure out what she was saying. "Umm. Yeah." I shook my head, trying to get Alec out of it. "Yeah, I can sing. I have homework but I'll work really hard so I can go." I flashed her an apologetic smile, because she'd known me long enough to know why she only had half my attention. And she loved me anyway.

  I turned at the light, flying through the yellow when I realized that he would pull right up next to me in the outside lane if I didn't. Crisis averted.

  "You should just talk to him. Realize he isn't the Greek god you remember him to be and he'll be out of your system." Konstanz watched him in her side mirror as I sped away.

  "I don't want to talk to him. Or see him every time I turn around, or anything. I just want to forget him completely. Why don't they make a potion for that?"

  "Did you think about him when you were in Alaska or is it just because he's so close now?"

  Every day. "Sometimes," I lied.

  Chapter 2

  "Okay ladies! Let's see what you're wearing. If you're gonna dress like grandmas, you don't get to go," Reese yelled from the living room, clapping her hands like some twisted, diabolical gym coach.

  "Your grandma dresses better than I do," I muttered, twisting my scarf around my neck. I grabbed my stiletto boots – five inch heels and all black, and scuttled out to the living room, plopping myself on the couch to tug my boots over my jeans.

  "Navi passes, no surprise there. You gonna pull that long hair of yours up or leave it down?"

  I had planned on leaving my dark hair down, so I could hide behind it if I did something embarrassing—which was entirely possible. Apparently, though, that wasn't what Reese had in mind. With a sigh, I pulled it up into a ponytail.

  "Konstanz! Where are you?" One day, Reese would be the highly successful CEO of a huge company, of that I was sure. Right now, she put her organizational skills to use keeping us in line. "Terrie! Konstanz! You girls in or out?" Reese bellowed like an infuriated gorilla.

  Konstanz brushed by her. "Seriously Reese, we're two steps away. Could you not scream like a banshee?"

  Reese opened and closed her mouth but no matter how long she'd known Konstanz, she never got used to the back talk. It was an endless source of entertainment for me.

  Terrie didn’t even make it all the way into the living room before Reese caught her. "No, Terrie. Go change." Reese spun away from Konstanz, facing the hall, and pointed sternly. I tried not to giggle, zipping up my boots. To be fair, getting four girls ready to go in a reasonable amount of time was a daunting task for anyone. Reese had my respect.

  Terrie came in, glaring at Reese. "Will this do, your highness?"

  Reese eyed her outfit, all bright colors and clashing prints. "At least it leaves something to the imagination." She whirled on the rest of us. "Let's move it."

  We obediently filed out. Terrie had the big SUV, but Reese drove it. Konstanz and I piled in the back. "How come you got to leave your hair down?" I whispered.

  Her brown waves fell around her face, and her light brown eyes crinkled when she winked at me. "Reese has given up telling me what to do." With a grin, she reached up and pulled my elastic out, fluffing my dark hair around my face. "That's better."

  I quirked an eyebrow at her but said nothing.

  The karaoke club was on the c
oast, about ten minutes from home. By the time we got there, Konstanz was bouncing nervously in her seat, and I was grateful the seat belt kept her securely fastened or there was a chance she'd bounce herself right out the window. I'd grown up on stages, singing since I was little. This was no big deal to me, but Konstanz had stage fright big time. Which explained why she was so determined to do it every chance she got. My best friend was big on facing her fears.

  "We'll be fine, girl. Don't stress," I murmured as we climbed out of the back seat. I didn't want the others to hear. Terrie would make fun of her, because Terrie fed off other people's fears, and Reese would just order her to get over it and that would be that.

  "I'm not feeling particularly brave tonight. Maybe you guys should go on without me." Konstanz's face was pale except for the two bright pink spots on her cheeks.

  I put my arm around her shoulder and led her inside. "You got this. Ain't no thing!"

  She rolled her eyes but couldn't help but chuckle. I'm adorable that way. "Tell you what. I'll make you a deal."

  I paused, frowning suspiciously. "What is this deal you speak of?"

  Sliding out from under my arm so I wasn't as aware of her shaking like a small dog in a hurricane, she said, "I'll go on stage tonight with the rest of you, if––"

  "If. There's always an if with you," I muttered, crossing my arms over my chest and waiting. I thought about tapping my foot but it's hard to do in stilettos.

  A wicked smile broke across her pretty features. "If you give your number to at least three guys tonight."

  I heaved a monumental sigh. "Seriously, K? Haven't we realized how bad guys are for me? I don't get over them, remember?"