by Dawn Chapman
Akillia’s Reign
Puatera Online Book 4
Dawn Chapman
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Coming Soon
From the Author
Also by Dawn Chapman
Also available in Audio!
LitRPG Links
Akillia’s Reign
Copyright © 2018 by Dawn Chapman
Published by Dawn Chapman
A+ Game Engine adapted with Christopher Mayer and
© 2017 by WoodBine Street Games
Puatera Online © 2017 by Dawn Chapman
Manuscript Services Provided by
Literary Editor, Rogena Mitchell-Jones
www.rogenamitchell.com
Cover design by Sarah Anderson
Ebook Edition
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system without the prior written consent from the author, except in the instance of quotes for reviews. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded, or distributed via the internet without the permission of the author and is a violation of the International copyright law, which subjects the violator to severe fines and imprisonment.
This is a work of fiction. The names, characters, incidents, and place are products of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real except where noted, and authorised. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or actual events are entirely coincidental. Any trademarks, service marks, product names, or names featured 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.
The author and editor have taken great effort in presenting a manuscript free of errors. However, editing errors are ultimately the responsibility of the author.
This book is written in United Kingdom English and includes relative diction.
The world of Puatera has been a joy to write. And I love the characters.
Especially Maddie even though Akillia started it all…
Huge thank you to everyone who supports me.
For those who work with me, and put up with me. My Beta Readers, Cover designers and Editors. You all do amazing things and are totally awesome.
Never gonna miss these guys out. Shout out to the
LitRPG/Gamelit Society Discord Crew.
Blaise Corvin, Stephan and Sam Morse, Luke Chmilenko. And my sprint buddy, Michael Chatfield!
You Rock!
Thank you, all of you.
Dawn
Chapter 1
Friday - 18th June 2076
I glanced at the calendar atop my desk and smiled. Our fourth anniversary. It had been a whirlwind relationship, but Andy made my heart soar.
I checked the time—five minutes before I could leave. I had booked half a day to get my hair styled the way he liked it, which also gave me time to pick up my sexy black dress from the dry cleaners and to get ready for the best night of our lives.
There was only one problem—the clock ticked entirely too slow. It felt like the seconds were dragging. I wanted to get up, leave all the stress at work for the weekend, and enjoy everything I’d strived for over the last twelve months.
Beth strode over and hung off the edge of my desk. “You make sure you have a good time tonight, Emma.”
I pulled my purse from the drawer, immediately packed my phone away, and fished out my keys. “I will. I can’t wait for him to see what I bought him.”
“You’re spoiling him.” Beth grinned. “The gift cost more than a fancy engagement ring.”
I smiled, but inside, my stomach knotted. Beth was right. I’d spent more than I should have trying to get Andy the ultimate gift. Standing, I noticed the timer on her screen click to mid-day. “He’s worth it.”
I marched down the office hallway, my heels clicking on the tiles. I’d never understood why they didn’t have carpet, but then again, I knew the guys liked the clicking of my heels—and that meant they had enough time to know I was coming to turn their heads my way.
I wasn’t good looking by any means. I felt I was a bit of a plain Jane in my office get-up, but I scrubbed up well enough with some effort.
Waiting for the lift, I watched as one of the guys—John—made his way over. I didn’t want him in the lift with me, but when he stood next to me, he smiled. “Going down?”
“Yeah. I got the afternoon off.”
He raised an eyebrow as the lift door opened, and I stepped inside. “Ground level,” he said, and the lift’s A.I. system spoke back. “Ground Floor, calling at levels seven and four.”
Just what I needed. I wanted to get out so I could start my weekend.
The floors drifted by.
Twenty-six
Twenty-four
That was when John asked, “I heard you bought into Puatera Online?”
I choked out a response. “Who told you that?”
John’s face flushed. “Oh, hmm, Eddie in copyediting.”
“Well.” I paused, making sure I had everything in my bag. I would hate to have forgotten something this close to making Andy happy. “He was correct.”
“Man, that’s awesome. There were only a hundred invites for their new release. Must have cost you a fortune.”
Shocked at his forwardness, I laughed. “Yes, something like that.”
Twenty
He took a glance at me, and then looked away. Was he nervous? “Are you playing as well?”
I shook my head. “Only the one ticket.”
“That’s a shame. This is one of a kind. Going to leave players wanting more and more and the next round of applicants isn’t for six months.”
“I hope it is. For what it cost, I need it to be the best thing invented.”
Fifteen
His eyes widened. “You have no idea, do you?”
Shrugging, I let out a laugh of embarrassment. “Not really, but I know everyone was going nuts for it. I sent in a request, and I was surprised to be offered the opportunity.”
John’s head shook. “Emma Sanders, you’re one heck of a woman. I hope Andy knows it.”
I hoped so, too, but I smiled and tried to pretend something else interesting was happening on my phone.
Ten
Seven
The door opened, and a very smartly dressed woman stepped inside. A moment later, there was another stop, and two more people got in. I wanted to get out. The mounting excitement building in the pit of my stomach was too much to bear.
My phone vibrated, and I glanced at the screen as I left the lift. A message from Andy popped up. “Can’t wait for tonight.” I felt my grin spread.
The inside terminal where I’d parked smelled dank and horrid, but I would not let it ruin the day. I punched in the key code and placed my palm on the panel. With a beep, the door opened, and I slid inside, placing my phone in the main driving slot.
“Destination,” the vehicle asked me.
“Dinah’s Hair Salon, thank you,” I answered in a singsong voice.
Moving off and out of the garage system, my car made its way through the busy town towards my regular salon. It parked, and I exited into the sunshine. The day’s rays tickled my arm, and the sweet smell of the city assaulted my nostrils. Many of the locals were out with small robotic cleaners that helped sweep the streets. One sweet older lady waved at me as she did every day, and I waved back. I wondered why people enjoyed online games as much as they did when our planet was so beautiful. Of course, it had its moments over the years. Pollution from cars, holes in the ozone. Technology helped fix those issues and our planet.
I paused at the door of the salon before going in. I didn’t mind everything here—the hustle and bustle of everyone going about their business, those who were working normal day jobs and those working for ‘extra’ pleasures. Several of the prostitutes stood on the street corner as brazenly as ever. I loved how they flaunted their wares, skimpy tops, short skirts. They had licences displayed for their punters on the swinging lanyards around their necks, all prostitution now legal. Earning a living nowadays for anyone was tough. I had the intelligence and family-backing to get me where I was, and I was glad for it. Inside a reputable law firm, even as a smaller assistant to the top dog, I earned a decent amount, including a high-end health insurance policy and a company car. All because I was good with numbers and could work anything out that was put my way. At school, all my friends labelled me as a maths genius. I had an affinity with the way they clicked—no matter how complex the equations, answers just seemed to appear.
I looked away from the prostitutes and pushed the door open. The whoosh of fresh air whizzed past my head, the stink of the streets drowned out by the products from the salon.
“Hey, Emma, just in time.” Sally appeared out of nowhere and hustled my jacket and bag from my hands, placing them in a secure locker before she settled me in so her assistant could wash my hair.
The entire time, I felt looked after, pampered, and cared for. Nieve, the trainee assistant, then sprinted across the street to the dry cleaners for my dress. Sally was making sure I looked perfect for tonight, taking extra time. Both girls attended my every need, and I was thrilled with the beautiful brown curls as they fell around my shoulders.
Uttering my thanks, a good few hours later, I stepped back into my car’s soft seating. She asked for my destination.
I replied with, “Home. I have a date to get ready for.”
The A.I. didn’t respond, but I hadn’t expected her to. More just hoped. It would be great to have sentient creatures helping us in this sad world. It was my take on it, at least.
I watched the buildings fade as we made the journey to my humble abode. Moving out of the city with Andy two years ago, the house itself was on a nice piece of land and nestled into a small wooded area. I couldn’t have asked for anything better. It had been cheap because it needed renovating. Andy took it in stride wanting it to be our home, one we could shape together, his care and affection to every small detail, which made me love him even more.
The car took a left turn and moved along behind a bin wagon, I tapped my new nails on the padded doorframe as it emptied several bins up the street. We waited behind it for what seemed like forever before it reached my bin set. I’d been dreaming of what I wanted to eat tonight. After being careful for the last month, I’d not only dropped a few pounds but also built on noticeable muscle definition on top of what I already had from visiting the gym. When I’d actually made it, I’d slacked off some too. I needed a treat tonight, something sweet, and I didn’t mean Andy.
My laughter filled the cab as the bin moved away from the entrance to my drive, and there I noticed two cars in my driveway. One was Andy’s and the other I recognised as belonging to my. . . sister?
“Maybe she’s getting something sorted for me for our anniversary,” I said aloud and blushed. Talking to the A.I. again? Andy would be the one laughing now.
“Please park on the street,” I directed because she dithered waiting for instructions. I took my phone and exited, grabbing my dress from the back seat, locking the car as I headed in.
I walked up the drive noting the colour of the car in front of Andy’s car—blue, two-seater, with room in the back. Then I saw the dangling teddy and a purse on the front seat. Swallowing, I edged in closer for a better look. It was indeed my sister’s car. I knew it well.
Instinct settled in the pit of my stomach and my heart quickened. No, no way. This wasn’t happening. Has this happened before?
I moved to the door and palmed the panel for access. It slid open and our robotic cat, Mace, rushed towards me, rubbing against my legs and tripping me up. I stepped into the corridor and glanced around. Nothing was out of place, and there was no sign of anyone else. Sucking in a breath, I called out, “Andy.”
Nothing.
I moved through the hallway and into our living room, Mace hot on my heels. I slipped my shoes off and put the dress on the back of the door to keep it from creasing.
On the table in front of me was a bottle of wine and two glasses. Was this for me? But as I edged closer, the hint of lipstick on the shiny rim told me everything I needed to know. How many times?
I put my purse down and pulled out my phone, turning on the audio record. If my instincts were correct, I’d need the evidence to kick his ass out of my home, legally.
I paused before I made the turn to the stairs. They could only be in one place—our bedroom. My heart beat faster as I took the first step and then another.
Drifting down in the breeze of our air conditioning was the sounds of laughter and fumbling around. I didn’t understand why he would do this. Was it me? Had I not provided enough for him, given him enough time with his friends? I paused. No, this wasn’t down to me. This was all on him.
The moment I reached the top of the stairs, I recognised the voices in our bedroom, my sudden heartache turning to anger. Within a split second, I burst through the doorway to find my sister, Diane, frolicking in our bed. Without a thought, I rushed him and shoved him over.
“What the fuck is this?” I screamed. Then, glancing to Diane, “How could you?” I was quick, no idea how I managed it, but I dragged her off the bed and down the stairs, her kicking and screaming at me all the way. I cursed and lost control—as I think any normal person would.
No matter where my head was, I wanted her out of the house. Andy followed me, trying his best to plead with me. “It’s not what it looks like.”
I shoved Diane out the front door in all her naked glory, and I was sure there were neighbours across the street—probably calling the police right about now. I didn’t care.
I then spun on him. “Is that the best you got? You’re such a prick. She’s my sister, for fuck’s sake!”
“It meant nothing. She brought us a present and some gifts.”
That made it all the worse in my head. She’s a bitch for doing this, but she was my sister! “And you thought getting into bed with her was the answer to presents?” I sized him up and down, and his sorry state told me everything I needed to know. “Pack your shit and get out. I don’t ever want to see you again.”
“Emma,” he started, but I held up my hands, sure my phone had been dropped or knocked out of recording. I hoped there was enough evidence to kick him to the kerb. “Get out!” I screamed at him.
Within a matter of minutes, he’d packed a few things and left. I stared out the front door watching as his car drove off.
The tears came, and with my head in my hands, I cried. I don’t know how much, but it felt like I had cried a gallons worth of tears. Four years. . . Four years of my life wasted.
Just the thought of what Diane had done made me sick. I reached for the paper bin and vomited. I wiped my mouth and went in search of my phone. I texted the only person I knew I could. Beth.
Her reply: I’ll be right over.
I carried on with the bottle of wine until it was empty and then cleaned up the mess. I didn’t need her seeing the physical evidence.
Beth didn’t knock as she had access to the house via security. When I saw her, she glanced at me and frowned. “Oh, honey. Come here.”
I’d never felt so weak, humiliated, or dejected, but I went to her. She hugged me like my mum might have, many years before cancer took her. I found myself over on the couch, and Beth took care of me like a nurse. I wanted to hide away and not talk about it, but the nerves, the anger, and the inner turmoil were glad she was there to vent on.
I woke in the night and found the loo, stumbling over in the dark. I thought Beth might have taken the spare room, so I checked—she was lightly snoring.
Creeping back downstairs to pour myself something cold, I sat at the kitchen table. I stared into the darkness, finding my thoughts solidified. I picked up my phone and registered Andy’s actions, filing for a restraining order. I would show the evidence first thing Monday morning to a judge. Get his details removed from the security in the house, and then I’d pick myself up and move on. I wouldn’t let him ruin me. Four years were better than fourteen years and married with kids.