Forged In Death, Book 1 of The Death Wizard Chronicles
Page 30
Laylah could stand it no more. But at least she now had full use of her body. She ran . . . fast and far.
“Laylah! Come back. I love you.” Her brother’s voice shook the valley. “Laylah, do you lovvvvvveeeeeee me?”
She reached the Ogha River. The roar of its swirling waters drowned out her sobs. She felt her brother approaching from behind. She would rather die than have him touch her again.
Laylah cast herself into the Ogha. She could swim well, but she was used to the still water of lakes and ponds, not the nasty swells of the mightiest river in the world. The tumult swept her along, helpless as a leaf. Despite the dangers, she felt peaceful. Death by drowning was a small price to pay to escape such a monster.
But Laylah’s life would not end on this day. Something grasped her thin arm. She glided along the surface of the river on her back and was dragged onto the steep bank on the far side.
She could still hear Invictus’ desperate cries.
“Laylah, come back. I love you. Do you love me?”
Powerful arms lifted her and pressed her against wet skin that smelled like a wild animal. She screamed, struggling to free herself. Then a large hand clamped over her mouth, her nose, and everything went dark.
About the Author
Jim Melvin was born in New York but spent most of his life in Florida. He now lives in the magical foothills of the Appalachians, where he wrote The Death Wizard Chronicles. Jim has one other published novel to his credit titled Dream House: A Ghost Story. He currently is working on Book 1 of a young adult fantasy series. Jim graduated from the University of South Florida in Tampa in 1978 and went on to become an award-winning journalist. He occasionally plays golf, but has never won any awards for that.