by W. J. May
Vetitum meant ‘forbidden’ in Latin.
Lifting her eyes slowly to the computer, Rae began to type. “Here goes nothing…” she whispered, then she hit ‘Enter’.
A rush of warmth flooded through her chest, radiating through her entire body.
She stared at the screen, her eyes scanning the page, links, files faster than the human eye, courtesy of another tatù.
THIS WAS IT!
Everything she’d been looking for! Everything on the missing hybrids and the disaster that had befallen them! Everything that Mallins and the PC had tried so hard to hide!
The organization was called Vetitum as well—a secret hybrid genocide program perpetrated by select members of the Council and stretching back more than two hundred years.
Clever, Rae thought to herself as she ran her hands over the computer, the organization and the password being the same word. No way to find it unless you already know what you’re looking for.
Well, not clever enough thanks to Simon Kerrigan!
With a look of triumph Rae pushed to her feet, pulling the computer from the drawer and cradling it under one arm, ready to break out and share it with rest of the world. Once she showed those who didn’t know, they’d realize what was going on. It might take a bit of convincing, but she and her friends would be safe. Everything was going to be alright.
Then the light snapped on.
Victor Mallins stood in the doorway, looking at her with a cracked smile.
“What happened, Kerrigan? You found out the truth?”
Rae stopped dead in her tracks, clutching the computer tightly beneath her arm. Despite the fact that she’d found everything she needed to lock him away for the rest of his miserable life, Mallins didn’t look the slightest bit afraid. He didn’t even look worried about being trapped in a room with the infamous and ‘potentially dangerous’ Rae Kerrigan.
His smiled widened. It was awkward, like the man didn’t really know how to smile properly. “I so hoped you would. It’s why I dropped you hints about your house being bugged, to speed up your timetable. I even leaked false information to your friend at the Knights to make sure you would come straight here.” He folded his hands together with satisfaction. “I have to say, Miss Kerrigan, you don’t disappoint.”
Rae shook her head, trying to clear it, trying to understand. “This whole time…you wanted this to happen? This was your end game?”
“No, dear girl,” he chuckled. “I simply wanted you to go away. It’s why I kept pairing you up with Mr. Wardell. I thought that either I could expose the two of you for having an illicit relationship, or at the very least you would be so disheartened that you would quit the Council and never come back. Well, no matter,” he waved his hand and started walking slowly forward, “we’re here now. Everything’s going to end exactly the way it should. It always does.”
Rae set the computer carefully on the floor behind her, watching his approach with cautious, uncertain eyes. What the hell was this old man doing? He was a telekinetic. A cool gift, to be sure, but not exactly a threat to her. “I don’t want to hurt you…” she began slowly. Then her eyes flashed as she thought of everyone outside. “But you are going to pay for what you’ve done to my friends.”
His dry laugh crackled through the room, setting her teeth on edge. “Oh, Miss Kerrigan, I’ve no intention of letting you hurt me. In fact,” he reached out into a bookcase, pulling something out into the light, “quite the contrary.”
The rest of the room seemed to fall away as Rae’s eyes locked on his wrinkled hands.
A knife.
The exact same knife from her dream.
Moving slowly towards her.
In spite of herself, she took a step back.
This isn’t possible. This isn’t happening. Just use your powers, Rae—kick his ass!
With a look of determination, Rae slipped into the Gabriel’s magnetic tatù and swept Mallins to the side with her hand.
Only…nothing happened.
Her breath caught in her throat, and she tried again—this time, using Haley’s wind.
Nothing.
One by one, another power quickly rose to the surface, and failed her.
Levitation, flight, strength, even Molly’s electricity. Nothing had any effect on the bastard.
She was standing with her back to the wall now, and he right in front of her, with that stupid grin.
“I don’t understand…” she whispered, trembling from head to foot. “You’re telekinetic—”
“No, Miss Kerrigan,” he said softly, “That’s only one of my powers. The other is a resistance to all forms of ink. An immunity to you and your horrible family tatùs. Simon’s, Kraigan’s, even your mother’s.”
Her eyes shot up in horror as the knife flashed in the air between them. It slid into her stomach, just as someone burst through the broken office door. Probably a guard to drag her to the prison dungeon.
Millans grabbed her shoulder and jerked her forward, driving the knife in deeper. Her head sagged to the side and her eyes rolled as she tried to fight the pain. She swore she saw Devon by the door as her vision blurred with stars from the shock and pain radiating from her stomach.
“That’s right, Rae,” Mallins whispered as she slumped to the floor, “you’re not the only hybrid in the Privy Council.”
THE END
Last One Standing
Coming May 2016
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DYFPVAG
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01DYFPVAG
DESCRIPTION
Last One Standing is the 11th Book of W.J. May's bestselling series, The Chronicles of Kerrigan.
Rae Kerrigan and her friends have finally crossed the line, and this time, there’s no going back. After a violent standoff with the entire Privy Council, the gang wakes up under the protection of the last people they ever expected to see: the Xavier Knights.
Old bridges are burned. New alliances are formed. There’s a storm brewing on the horizon, and unless they unite together—it will overtake them all. What they need, is time. But an unexpected visit from an old enemy sets off a spark, and suddenly, Rae’s entire world is in flames.
Can she and her friends get the people they need together in time? Even if they can, will they ever be strong enough? More importantly, are she and Devon strong enough to survive what’s about to come?
A dangerous game has begun and the only question that remains is: who will be the last one standing?
Sneak Peek
At the Rest of the Series Covers
Note from Author
Thanks for reading (and hopefully enjoying Strength & Power). It’s hard to believe that we are coming to the final stretch, the last 2 books of the series. I love writing about Rae’s adventures, her friends and her life! I hope you guys don’t mind sticking around for a few more rounds with Rae! And then learning what happened with Simon and Beth before Rae was born!
All the best, W.J. May
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/97aYf
Website: http://www.wanitamay.yolasite.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-WJ-May-FAN-PAGE/141170442608149
The Chronicles of Kerrigan
Book I - Rae of Hope is FREE!
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B1NNFR0
Book Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gILAwXxx8MU
Book II - Dark Nebula
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B46UWNO
Book Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ca24STi_bFM
Book III - House of Cards
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LPIAFL0
Book IV - Royal Tea
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SGIN35W
Book V - Under Fire
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YVNJECW
Book VI - End in Sight
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B015HGNL0C
Book VII – Hidden Darkness
> Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B018SSJEZC
Book VIII – Twisted Together
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BPSQZFY
Book IX – Mark of Fate
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C4TYUZU
Book X – Strength & Power
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CK8MBRE
Book XI – Last One Standing
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DYFPVAG
BOOK XII – Rae of Light
PREQUEL – Christmas Before the Magic
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0195ZSB3I
CoK Prequel!
A Novella of the Chronicles of Kerrigan.
A prequel on how Simon Kerrigan met Beth!!
AVAILABLE:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0195ZSB3I
More books by W.J. May
Hidden Secrets Saga:
Download Seventh Mark part 1 For FREE
http://www.amazon.com/Seventh-Mark-Part-Hidden-Secrets-ebook/dp/B00H17FQCC
Book Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-_vVYC1gvo
Like most teenagers, Rouge is trying to figure out who she is and what she wants to be. With little knowledge about her past, she has questions but has never tried to find the answers. Everything changes when she befriends a strangely intoxicating family. Siblings Grace and Michael, appear to have secrets which seem connected to Rouge. Her hunch is confirmed when a horrible incident occurs at an outdoor party. Rouge may be the only one who can find the answer.
An ancient journal, a Sioghra necklace and a special mark force life-altering decisions for a girl who grew up unprepared to fight for her life or others.
All secrets have a cost and Rouge's determination to find the truth can only lead to trouble…or something even more sinister.
RADIUM HALOS - THE SENSELESS SERIES
Book 1 is FREE: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IFSS4ES
Book Blurb:
Everyone needs to be a hero at one point in their life.
The small town of Elliot Lake will never be the same again.
Caught in a sudden thunderstorm, Zoe, a high school senior from Elliot Lake, and five of her friends take shelter in an abandoned uranium mine. Over the next few days, Zoe's hearing sharpens drastically, beyond what any normal human being can detect. She tells her friends, only to learn that four others have an increased sense as well. Only Kieran, the new boy from Scotland, isn't affected.
Fashioning themselves into superheroes, the group tries to stop the strange occurrences happening in their little town. Muggings, break-ins, disappearances, and murder begin to hit too close to home. It leads the team to think someone knows about their secret - someone who wants them all dead.
An incredulous group of heroes. A traitor in the midst. Some dreams are written in blood.
Courage Runs Red
The Blood Red Series
Book 1 is FREE
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VC8HSFE
What if courage was your only option?
When Kallie lands a college interview with the city's new hot-shot police officer, she has no idea everything in her life is about to change. The detective is young, handsome and seems to have an unnatural ability to stop the increasing local crime rate. Detective Liam's particular interest in Kallie sends her heart and head stumbling over each other.
When a raging blood feud between vampires spills into her home, Kallie gets caught in the middle. Torn between love and family loyalty she must find the courage to fight what she fears the most and possibly risk everything, even if it means dying for those she loves.
Daughter of Darkness
Victoria
Only Death Could Stop Her Now
The Daughters of Darkness is a series of female heroines who may or may not know each other, but all have the same father, Vlad Montour.
Victoria is a Hunter Vampire
Free Books:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IELT9RM
Four and a Half Shades of Fantasy
TUDOR COMPARISON:
Aumbry House --A recess to hold sacred vessels, often found in castle chapels.
Aumbry House was considered very special to hold the female students - their sacred vessels (especially Rae Kerrigan).
Joist House -- A timber stretched from wall-to-wall to support floorboards.
Joist House was considered a building of support where the male students could support and help each other.
Oratory --A private chapel in a house.
Private education room in the school where the students were able to practice their gifting and improve their skills. Also used as a banquet - dance hall when needed.
Oriel -- A projecting window in a wall; originally a form of porch, often of wood. The original bay windows of the Tudor period. Guilder College majority of windows were oriel.
Rae often felt her life was being watching through one of these windows. Hence the constant reference to them.
Refectory -- A communal dining hall. Same termed used in Tudor times.
Scriptorium -- A Medieval writing room in which scrolls were also housed.
Used for English classes and still store some of the older books from the Tudor reign (regarding tatùs).
Privy Council -- Secret council and "arm of the government" similar to the CIA, etc… In Tudor times, the Privy Council was King Henry's board of advisors and helped run the country.