The Angel

by Blaire Hammond

  Further along in the crowd, her new found family took their seats too, pride in their faces. She’d known them all of a few hours, and already she felt connected to them. She couldn’t wait to continue to learn more about them and her mother as a child.

  There was a rumble from above, and Laura glanced up to see the clouds parting. Down from the sky, a ray of gold light shone, coming to land on her. She closed her eyes, drinking in the light, feeling the warmth as it flowed through her, as something within her awoke.

  Slowly, her power began to unfurl, bursting out from where it had been hidden. It was pulsing through her body, working its way through her veins. She felt it then, the lightning’s strength. The power all Enchanted were gifted.

  There were murmurs of awe, and she opened her eyes to see she’d been in cased in a bright, yellow glow. Her skin, her cloths, they all reflected the signature colour of the Caster’s lightning.

  She took a breath, and slowly, the colour began to fade. Lifting her wrist, there against her skin, was her silver Identity Mark. A C.

  She rose her eyes to the crowd, and grinned out at them. They erupted into cheers, shouts and applause. She’d done it. Only a year and a half ago, she hadn’t even known about the Spirit World, let alone any of the people sitting before her.

  Despite that, she’d worked hard, and it had paid off. She’d made it. She was officially a Caster, an Enchanted, and a member of the Spirit World. She would never have to doubt who she was or what her place was again. She had friends, she had a family, and she felt so much love from them all.

  ~

  ‘Congratulations!’ Stella said excitedly as she rushed up to Laura.

  Laura jumped down from the platform and hugged her, and Stella’s heart exploded with love for the girl.

  ‘Thank you Stel! You know I couldn’t have done this without you.’

  ‘Oh, don’t be silly. You’re a talent all on your own,’ Stella said, drawing back to look down at her.

  Laura was beaming, and continued to do so when Leo came over and she hugged him too. She could see the happiness in his ocean blue eyes.

  ‘Seriously, you two. You have no idea what you’ve done for me. You were there for me during my darkest time, and you helped me come out the other side of it. You risked your lives for me time and time again, helping me whenever I asked. You never gave up on me.’

  Laura was tearing up, and she laughed as she wiped at her cheeks. ‘Gah, I can’t stop crying today!’

  Stella laughed too, swallowing back her own tears.

  ‘Your parents would be so proud of you Laura. And we’re so proud of you. Of everything you’ve done and everything you will continue to do.’

  Laura did start to cry then. ‘Damn it!’ She said, then drew them both into a hug.

  Stella and Leo laughed with her, tears of their own flowing down their cheeks.

  ‘I love you guys,’ Laura said. ‘You’ll always be like my second parents.’

  ‘Stop it!’ Stella said, weeping on her shoulder, and Leo and Laura laughed, patting her back.

  Stella couldn’t help it. She loved her students with all her soul, and seeing them succeed, seeing them happy and alive and well, it filled her heart with all the love and cheerfulness she could ever need.

  ‘I’m sorry Stel, but there’s one last thing I have to tell you,’ Laura said between sniffles, drawing back enough to look up at her. ‘I love my job as Chief of the Casters, and working with the Lastrala Courts helping the Diviners, but I’ve decided I want to also train in the healing field. Like you did.’

  Stella bit her trembling lip, pride welling in her heart. Laura had always been a healer, not a killer. It had never been in her blood, and Stella suspected she still had to work hard to come to terms with the things she’d done. Perhaps becoming a nurse or a healer would help that, but either way, Stella was honoured to know she had inspired Laura to take up the position.

  ‘Oh Laura. That job is perfect for you.’

  ‘It really is,’ Leo agreed.

  Laura smiled, then they were all hugging again.

  ‘Okay, hurry inside before we all become a blubbering mess. We’ll be along in a minute,’ Stella said as they pulled apart.

  Laura nodded, wiping her cheeks and hurrying to catch up with the rest of the group.

  Stella couldn’t stop the tears, though. She still thought of her past, of the things she’d experienced, of the horrors she’d endured... She was recovering still, learning to come to terms with it all, but it was all worth it. Every second if it meant she had the chance to be there for her students.

  Stella and Leo stood behind, watching as Drew put an arm around Laura, as Grace gripped Logan’s hand, as Gemma and Mitch danced about, as Caspian walked alongside Drew, all of them laughing and chatting.

  ‘We did good,’ Leo said, his voice cracking a little.

  Stella entwined her fingers with her husbands. ‘Yes we did.’

  ~

  Laura took her place at the table, Drew on one side, her Aunty on the other side. Everyone was talking and laughing, smiles on their faces as they chatted about the ceremony and their lives.

  They sat outside under the bright blue sky, the trees swaying in the breeze and the birds chirping as they flew by. It was a wonderful day; the perfect day.

  Laura glanced about at everyone, unable to quite believe that they were her family, real and chosen. She loved each and every one of them dearly, no matter how long she’d known them.

  Her Aunty spoke to her Uncle as they coaxed their two little girls into eating their vegetables, her grandparents laughing as they watched on, love evident in their faces.

  Gemma and Mitch sat across from them, trying not to be cute but totally failing as they played with their spoons, attempting to perform the trick she’d shown them long ago where they stuck them to their noses. They were a little out of practice, and the spoons continue clattering to the table, either by the other knocking it off or by them laughing so hard it simply fell off. But Laura still loved watching them try.

  Grace and Logan were off on another discussion about their wedding, looking to Caspian for his input, who seemed to have absolutely no idea what to say. Every time he agreed with Grace, Logan would argue his idea, and then when Caspian agreed with Logan, Grace would fight for her plan. It seemed the poor boy couldn’t win, and Laura had to giggle at the look of worry on his face as he contemplated escaping the conversation all together.

  Drew and herself were talking, already planning out their apartment. Drew had been staying in a small place, but the two of them planned on moving in together in a bigger building closer to the Guardian’s Guild so Drew could travel easily to his training. They’d already decided on a place with at least five bedrooms for all their friends to come and stay, as well as three bathrooms, a lounge, dining and kitchen, a library, two offices, a games room, a movie room, a laundry, the list went on. It was perhaps a little excessive and slightly unrealistic, but Laura couldn’t help herself. She loved the feeling she received when she and Drew discussed their future together. She couldn’t wait to see what it would hold.

  There was a sound of cutlery banging against the side of a glass, and everyone turned to find Stella and Leo standing at the head of the table. Laura could see so much adoration and bliss in their eyes, and it only brightened her day to watch as they smiled at one another, then turned to peer out at everyone.

  ‘First, we want to congratulate Gemma and Laura on their Ceremonies. We are both so incredibly proud of you, of how far you’ve come. You deserve such an amazing future, and we can’t wait to see what it brings for you two,’ Stella began. ‘And that goes for everyone. We didn’t get the chance to celebrate Drew, Caspian, Logan and Grace’s ceremonies, but please, I hope you all know how much we love you, and how proud we are to see you out there in the world, pursuing your careers and making a difference in people’s lives.’

  Stella paused, glancing across at her husband, and Laura felt something within he
r, much like anticipation, begin to rise.

  ‘We have something else we want to announce,’ Leo said, a grin so huge on his face it could have lit up the whole world.

  Stella beamed out at them as Leo put an arm around her.

  ‘By some miracle,’ Stella began, and Laura shifted to the edge of her seat in disbelief. Was Stella about to say what Laura thought she was? ‘Leo and I received the news this morning that we’re expecting a little baby Mayfire!’

  Screams and squeals and shouts of delight erupted around the table as everyone jumped up from their seats, running around the table to smother Stella and Leo in a hug.

  Soon it had turned into one enormous, people filled embrace, and Laura didn’t even know where it started or ended. Still, she couldn’t wipe the joy from her face as she glimpsed the excitement in everyone else’s eyes.

  They’d all been through so much; all faced many horrors; all lost a great deal. They were deserving of a little happiness. They’d stood up to darkness, and they’d fought through it. They’d entered into a war with evil, and still good had prevailed. Elixir was at peace, and so were they.

  Laura stepped back from the group, watching everyone with sheer delight as they continued to hug and spread their love and bliss at the news. She felt the sun against her back, the breeze against her skin. She could smell the nature around her, could hear and see the enthusiasm in front of her.

  Laura sucked in a deep breath, and let it out slowly. It had been a lengthy, difficult, winding road, but at last, at long last, she could finally say with absolute clarity, that she was happy.

  The End.

  Acknowledgements

  Wow. That’s it. This is the last book in the series. Laura’s story is over – well, for the most part. She will still live on in my mind and her future will surely play out in my imagination for years to come. Perhaps more stories will be written. Don’t quote me on that, though. I’m making no promises. But even so, Laura will hold a special place in my heart forever.

  I don’t even know where to start with the thank you’s! Thank you to every single person who has in some way helped me along this wonderful writing journey, whether that be through reading, buying or reviewing my books. To my friends and family who have been nothing but supportive, sharing my books and telling everyone they can about them despite my not having asked them to do so.

  Special mention to mum who again took the time to read and edit this book for me, and to she and dad who have both always been supportive of my dream. Also to my BETA readers for your incredible feedback. I would not be able to edit the story without you!

  Again, to you, yes, YOU, the reader! Without you, I would not be where I am. Thank you for reading. From the bottom of my heart.

  Lastly, thank you to the Spirit World, and to the characters of it, who appeared in my mind and grew into something more real than I could have ever thought possible. Without the Wicked Series, I would not have reached this point in my Author Career. This story and its inhabitants will remain with me forevermore.

  About The Author

  Blaire was born in a country town in Victoria, Australia. Despite having moved houses many times, she has always remained living on farms, growing up with a love of quiet country life.

  Blaire graduated High School in 2015 and has been working hard to further her career in writing since. Working at her local Library has helped to do this.

  Her passion for writing stems from her adoration of books, which has been present since as far back as she can remember.

  Her biggest inspiration comes from the books that pushed her into pursuing her passion for writing at the young age of 12, those being The Tomorrow series and The Ellie Chronicles by John Marsden. She often raves about these books, and has lost count of the number of times she has read them now. Her puppy is even named after the main character, Ellie.

  Blaire is also deeply inspired by J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books and anything Cassandra Clare.

  Blaire hopes to continue following her dreams, strengthening her career as an Author.

  Website:

  www.blairehammond.weebly.com

  Instagram:

  www.instagram.com/blairehammond

  Twitter:

  www.twitter.com/blaire_hammond

  Goodreads:

  www.goodreads.com/author/show/15244774.Blaire_Hammond

  If you loved Laura’s story, and have yet to check out The Time Before, then pick up a copy and read more about the members of the Grand Manor! Turn the page to learn what the short stories entail.

  Wicked

  • Book 0.5 •

  The Time Before

  Blaire Hammond

  Delve into three brand new short stories set before the events of The Enchantress!

  Hear about Stella and Leo's adventures before they chose to move away from Alast in order to run the Corin Manor in A Change Of Pace.

  Read Cara Harmer's diary entries during her pregnancy as she desperately tries to save her daughter in A Soul For A Soul.

  And follow along as the students of the Manor execute a mission that goes somewhat awry when they find themselves attempting to solve a series of brutal murders in A Game Of Chance.

  Plus, view a brand new, hand drawn map of Alast from the Author and read a short excerpt from The Sacrifice, Book Two in the Wicked Series!

  It is recommended that you read book one in the Wicked Series, The Enchantress, before reading this.

  Keep an eye out for Blaire’s next books! The Wicked Series may be over, but there are many more stories she’s yet to tell!

  Shadows of Nightfall

  After Dusk

  Book One

  Blaire Hammond

  It’s been five and a half years since Abril and his followers rose up against the rulers of the country of Athena. He took over the Kingdom and murdered King Marther and Queen Ember, forcing their only son into hiding.

  It’s been five years since the last of the Kings men and women who managed to escape that fateful night, came together and chose to protect Athena’s only rightful heir to the throne. Together, they have been moving across the country, keeping out of the enemy’s clutches and searching for survivors; those who have yet to yielded to Abril and still believe in the lost Prince.

  They have kept to the shadows, watching Abril, learning about him, strengthening their cause and training their followers, waiting for their moment to strike.

  That time was now coming.

  And it would be arriving soon.

  Very soon.

  THE FIGHT

  TO THE FINISH

  Always be at the top of your game.

  Only the best will win.

  B l a i r e H a m m o n d

  Always be at the top of your game. Only the best will win.

  The time has come for the 85th Annual Edenhance Race, and eighteen year old Bronte Carnett has been training to enter for the past 8 years. Her father, whom she has both relied on and admired for her whole life, has entered every year in the hopes of winning the prize money of one million dollars.

  Year after year he has trained hard, gone weeks without sleep, endured days at a time battling the elements alone, and year after year he has failed to pass even the testing rounds. Now, Bronte wants to help. She knows the money will change their whole town’s lives, and she only wants the best for her family and friends.

  But when friendly competition between father and daughter turns into a game of who's better, Bronte begins to wonder if it is all worth it. Until she makes it through the testing rounds and into the top 25 chosen for the race. Suddenly, the fate of her entire town rests on her shoulders, and she realises that she can't give up yet, no matter the consequences.

  The further she delves into the race, however, the more she begins to understand that not everything is as it seems. The race is gruelling, brutal and unforgiving, and it appears Bronte's own life might be in danger.

  e Angel