Wolf of Choice (The Shifters and Sorceresses Trilogy Book 1)

by Shay Laurent

  The smell was breathtaking. It was green, fresh and sweet. I gave a long inhale through my nose, trying to absorb the aroma before we moved past.

  My eyes flicked back in front of me and a giant castle wall loomed. The stone was plain except for the intricate floral patterns carved into a small section of them, one of roses. I briefly wondered if there was a special link between Sorceresses and roses, but then we came to a halt and the thought vanished, replaced by dread about what was to come.

  I watched the others slide down from their horses and did the same, landing firmly on my feet. I straightened up and moved over to Dom and his horse.

  I turned to the Sorceress in the white cloak expectantly. This expectation was interrupted by the opening of the stone doors. It was as if one minute they were just door-shaped carvings in the wall, and the next they became real doors that could be opened.

  In the doorway stood a Sorceress, who looked maybe five years older than me. She had cascading orange hair that came down to her waist and wore a dress of deep blue and silver. She looked like royalty.

  Her face was wise and gentle as she looked out at our group. When her eyes hit me, Alessia and Dom, they widened a little. When they reached my mum, they bulged in shock.

  She lost all decorum after that. Her shocked gasp travelled over to us and, after half a moment's hesitation, she simply ran straight to my mum. She embraced her and the strangest thing happened, it was as though my mum became enveloped in a shimmering bubble for a few seconds, then suddenly it disappeared.

  The Sorceress had tears trickling delicately down her face. ‘Margot? Is it really you? Oh, how I have missed you so.’

  ‘It is me, Isla.’ My mum looked homesick, but happy at the same time. She embraced Isla again.

  ‘I dearly wish to know what has happened, but I feel a sense of urgency from our young friends?’ Her sentence finished on a high, wondering note, clearly showing her interest.

  When her eyes met mine, I stepped forward and bowed my head. I knew Shifters had no need to bow here, but she seemed to be respected by those around her and I knew we were here to ask for help, which I was sure she could refuse.

  ‘We come to seek aid for my friend. He was hit by a Crone curse. I...’ I paused and looked up to him, still on the horse, and my throat squeezed tight. ‘I don’t know how long he has left.’

  She considered me for a moment then looked briefly to my mum again, surprise lighting her features. Her gentle face became subtly more stern. I wondered if she knew, and if she’d still help us if she did.

  ‘Please?’ I begged, dropping to my knees.

  Alessia stepped to my side, her hand tight on my shoulder. I didn’t look away from the Sorceress in front of me, but I hoped Alessia wasn’t glaring at her.

  The Sorceress’s eyes blurred for a moment, as though she was thinking about something else, and then came back into focus. She turned to the white-cloaked Sorceress and told her to bring Dom.

  I sagged to the ground, heaving a sigh of relief. After a moment Alessia bent down to help me to my feet.

  ‘Come on, Elita. Let’s stick close to Dom. Okay?’

  I nodded and pulled her into a tight hug. She froze for a moment before giving me a quick squeeze back. She clasped my hand and pulled me towards the castle doors behind Dom, who was now floating along in the air.

  The inside of the castle was opulent, there were gems layered in detailed patterns around the cavernous room and where the light hit them through an open window, coloured patterns were cast over everyone.

  When we reached a door towards the back of the large room, the Sorceress in the white cloak pulled Dom slowly upward to a standing position. I rushed forward, panicked, but she kept him balanced. When his feet were almost to the floor, I got a better look at his face.

  The black veins were reaching up and over his cheeks. I cut my gaze to the Isla and saw that her face had become worried. Her vision blurred once more for a few moments before she re-focused on us.

  ‘We need to move with haste. The infirmary, Fei. As quickly as you can with care. Everyone, follow along.’

  Fei dropped her white cloak to the ground, revealing a white gown with simple swirling patterns on it. She stepped ahead, and floated Dom behind her; it looked as though he was standing on his own, but his head drooped forward.

  She began to walk quickly through the door. The way he levitated rather than walked was surreal, and when I thought about how close he was to dying, I simply felt nauseous.

  I followed them with Alessia by my side and heard everyone else trailing along behind us. I paid little attention to which way we walked and focused, with rising dread, on the thickening of the black veins that disappeared into Dom’s hairline.

  When we reached a white door, it was opened by someone from inside. Fei led the way in. My small sliver of relief at reaching what seemed to be the infirmary was short-lived when she laid Dom on the white bedding; the black was so stark in contrast.

  It had almost reached his eyes.

  I knelt beside him and grabbed his hand. It was cold.

  My heart kicked into an erratic frenzy. I turned to the door and saw we’d been joined by two more Sorceresses. One with a black hair and a red dress that trailed along the floor behind her and one with blonde hair and worry creasing her soft features. Their regality matched that of Isla.

  The Ladies of Light.

  The recognition was reassuring. Surely they could help.

  When the blonde-haired one laid eyes on Dom she moved swiftly to the bed. The other two followed her. ‘We may be too late, but let us try, sisters,’ she whispered in a calm, rhythmic voice. ‘Step back, young one.’

  I moved away from Dom and over to Alessia’s side. My mum joined us and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.

  The Ladies of Light circled him and lifted up their hands with their palms out to each other. A bubble of white light formed around Dom, obscuring him from view.

  I tried to step forward, but my mum squeezed my shoulder, reminding me to stay back.

  Whiteness flashed in the eyes of the Ladies of Light and then through the bubble surrounding Dom.

  One flash. Two. Then a third.

  The bubble went black then disappeared.

  Dom didn’t move.

  Acknowledgements

  Thank you firstly to my parents. You have both supported me since childhood to pursue my dreams and offered me words of encouragement whenever I needed them along the way.

  To my husband, Aaron, for believing in me. Thank you also for your understanding and patience on all the nights I went to bed late and for putting the girls to bed so I could finish just one more writing sprint.

  Sam, there aren’t enough words to thank you properly for all the help you have given me on this journey. I truly appreciate all the hours you’ve put into supporting me and creating this book; encouraging me, giving your opinions, answering and asking questions, helping me to find the best solutions. Without a doubt, Wolf of Choice wouldn’t be here without you!

  Thanks to Rachel and Emma for reading my book and giving me the tools to make the story even better! Thanks also to my writing group for your thoughts and feedback on my chapters. Each and every comment is appreciated. Special thanks to Jodie for answering my late-night horse questions!

  Dionne, thank you for taking the time to answer my questions about the publishing process. Without your insights this journey wouldn’t have been so smooth!

  About the Author

  Shay Laurent has loved reading and writing since her youth. She lives with her husband and two young daughters. When she's not with her daughters playing peekaboo or reading their favourite books, she's dreaming up imaginary worlds and committing them to paper.

  Shay mostly writes tales of fantasy and has short stories published in Aquarius and Stories of Hope, anthologies by Deadset Press. She also loves to connect with readers and writers around the world. You will often find her on Twitter @slaurentauthor.

 
; To find out more about Shay, you can check out her website: www.shaylaurent.com