by Lizzy Ford
“Great.” Kaylee pushed herself into a sitting position. He appeared outside of her, but she still felt the connection to him, a cool stream of energy disrupting her otherwise warm insides. “We’re not independent.”
Shadowman stood and took a step – then hopped and shifted his weight off one leg. Your pain is mine. Mine is yours. He sounded more disgruntled about this than anything else he’d ever conveyed to her.
“I guess it still takes two of us to be whole,” she said. Kaylee stood, bracing herself for pain. The trees were gone, leaving her with nothing to lean on to walk. She’d never make it anywhere hopping on one foot. The wasteland around them was filled with hazards. She searched the area around her feet for any intact branch that could be used as a walking stick. Nothing larger than chips of wood the size of her finger had survived the storm.
Shadowman hissed.
Kaylee looked up.
Two-dozen members of 3G lined the side of the wasteland nearest the cottage. All were armed with their weapons pointed towards her and Shadowman.
Kaylee cursed silently. She wasn’t going to do any running this night, and neither would Shadowman. They were sitting ducks awaiting their execution.
Two shots rang out.
Kaylee experienced the same out of time moment she had twice before. The world slowed to a near stop, to the point she could see the bullets making their way towards Shadowman.
What kills him, kills me.
“No,” she whispered.
Lightning – laced with both lightness and darkness – tore through the expanse stretching between her and the bullets.
The world returned to its normal speed. The bullets were gone, and so was the lightning.
Had she done that? Used lightning to redirect bullets? Kaylee’s jaw went slack, and she blinked rapidly, uncertain she’d witnessed it.
“Cease fire!” a female voice shouted. “Weapons down!”
The guides obeyed.
Kaylee watched apprehensively, afraid of what her opponents would try next. She rested the tip of her toe on the ground to relieve some of the pressure off her good leg, which ached already from balancing her on the uneven ground.
She and Shadowman hissed at the same time. She yanked her foot up.
“We’re coming out! Unarmed!”
Lightning lit up the area briefly. Maggy and Zyra were disarming. Kaylee glanced at Shadowman, whose emotions were clear in her mind.
“Don’t do anything stupid,” she said. “I don’t want to be shot.”
The two women left the line of guides and picked their paths through the debris leftover from the storm. They stopped when Shadowman growled a warning.
“What the fuck just happened?” Maggy murmured, eyes on Shadowman.
Zyra studied the air around Kaylee. Kaylee assumed the guide was reading her aura. “I’d say a certain archangel decided to wake up and brought her archdemon pet back from the brink,” Zyra observed. “You’re still connected, and no portal to Hell was opened. Nothing’s changed.” She directed this to Kaylee.
“Pretty certain a few things have changed,” Maggy replied.
“He has no power without the gateway.”
“She does.”
Zyra’s cold gaze didn’t leave Kaylee’s face. “It’s limited. We’ll need to be more creative.”
All Kaylee could think about was the collage of videos of Nathan fucking his ex. Her features felt hot, and anger boiled anew within her. The hair on her arms and the back of her neck stood up. Light and energy sizzled around her.
Alarmed, she focused on calming down, lest she explode.
“Besides, Shadowman will agree with our plan,” Zyra added and shifted her attention to the dark form. “We want a portal open. Think you can bring your partner on board?”
Shadowman was satisfied but suspicious.
“That’s not happening,” Kaylee said. “He’s present but I’m in charge. We won’t go along with this plan.”
“We don’t need you to open it,” Zyra replied with a faint smile. “We need you to close it once we have a gatekeeper open it.”
Kaylee frowned. “Why would you want to open it at all?”
“To purge the world from evil, once and for all.”
“Sounds like a terrible idea.”
“We will open one. It’s only a matter of time,” Maggy replied. “You can come with us and make sure it closes or … walk away. Let the world burn.”
“No one else can close it,” Zyra said. “Your choice.”
Can I stop them? Kaylee asked Shadowman telepathically.
He refrained from responding, which was an answer in and of itself. Kaylee debated silently, torn between going along with their plan and not wanting to make things worse, if she and Shadowman were part of the process to open a gate. She already sensed what Shadowman wanted to do. The women in front of her were resolute. They were going to open a gateway no matter what the cost. Shadowman was eager for it, which meant their success would lead the worst possible outcome imaginable.
There was only one way Kaylee could stop anyone, and only one way to help Shanti, Amira or the third key holder, if they were captured.
“We’ll accompany you of our … my own free will,” Kaylee said finally. “No handcuffs or zip ties or anything of the sort. We’re with you voluntarily and free to leave as desired. If any of you tries to hurt either of us, I’ll test out my lightning trick.” On cue, a bolt of brilliance and shadows smashed to the ground behind the two women, and a stiff wind whipped past them.
Kaylee alone was surprised. Shadowman relished any source of destruction, while neither Zyra nor Maggy flinched.
I have to learn what I’m doing, Kaylee thought, afraid of accidentally frying someone.
“Agreed,” Zyra said. She and Maggy stepped aside for Kaylee to walk between them.
“We might need some help,” Kaylee said with a glance at Shadowman. “We’re both hurt.”
“Medic!” Maggy shouted and turned towards the line of guides watching them. Two people started towards them.
Kaylee resisted the need to relieve the stress on her uninjured leg. It was beginning to hurt, but her ankle was much worse.
Zyra’s penetrating gaze was on her.
Kaylee didn’t like the way the spirit guide regarded her with similar intensity to Eddy, who was always ready to pounce.
“I knew there was something,” Zyra said. “You’re Nathan’s soul mate.”
Maggy’s eyebrows went up. “I never thought to look for that.”
Zyra laughed. Kaylee flushed from renewed anger.
Zyra smiled, as if understanding the source – Nathan’s affair with her. “Tough luck, kid,” she said. “Nathan won’t settle down for anyone, even a soul mate.”
Kaylee didn’t realize she wanted him to until Zyra spoke. She didn’t know what she wanted when it came to Nathan, but seeing him with Zyra had torn a new hole in Kaylee’s heart.
Can’t kill a soul mate, Shadowman said, sensing her fury.
“I wasn’t going to,” she replied in irritation. “As much as I want to.”
We need him.
“Why?” she snapped.
Zyra was looking between them, unable to follow half the conversation.
We are alive temporarily. Nathan can make it permanent. Until then, use our abilities carefully.
Kaylee’s breath caught. She hadn’t stopped to think about how she was alive this time. She felt normal, aside from the battering her body absorbed during the storm. Death no longer weighed her down.
The medics reached them. One bent down to assess her ankle.
The other stood to the side of Shadowman, doubt on his face.
“He won’t bite,” Kaylee said. “Or he might. I’m not sure.”
“Just do it,” Zyra ordered the hesitant medic.
Kaylee’s mind was on Shadowman’s assertion. How long did she have before whatever happened this night wore off?
Shadowman didn’t answer this s
ilent question. If he knew, he would tell her, because it concerned both of their survivals.
“Ouch!” Kaylee cried out as the medic maneuvered her ankle. The pain drove her close to fainting. She wobbled then sat hard.
“Broken,” the medic said.
“Same here,” said the man kneeling beside Shadowman.
“Get them patched up and ready to move,” Zyra said impatiently. “Maggy, let’s talk.”
The two of them left, speaking quietly.
“This isn’t good,” Kaylee whispered.
Shadowman’s face – devoid of features – was pointed in the direction of the two women.
Kaylee tried to keep her next thoughts private while knowing it wasn’t possible when connected to the archdemon. Her mind drifted to the kisses she’d shared with Nathan recently, to how safe she felt with him and how his warm, solid body seemed to be made for her. He was strong where she was uncertain, confident where she was terrified of making a mistake. If they’d started out differently, he could’ve become her partner in ways she never imagined possible. They’d leapt into a relationship based on a connection between their souls, and it ended in disaster. But what if they had a chance to start over? To go on corny movie dates and walk the malls?
Zyra’s claim Nathan would never settle for one woman left Kaylee feeling sick to her stomach. She wasn’t lowering her guard only for him to hurt her again.
Eddy had been surprisingly supportive of the spirit guide. Nathan had done what he thought was best, including fucking his ex to ensure he was there when Kaylee needed his help. It didn’t make anything right, and nothing would ever purge the videos Eddy had shown her.
What would she have done in Nathan’s circumstances?
Whatever I had to. Her own response left her dissatisfied.
Anymore, everything hurt, down to the ankle the medic was gently splinting.
“You guys ready for a road trip?” Maggy asked, returning.
Zyra returned to the others.
“Does he eat?” Maggy asked curiously.
This is a bad idea, Kaylee thought.
Shadowman glanced towards her. We’re in this together.
It made everything so much worse.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“Arizona.”
They knew where the third gatekeeper was. But they didn’t have Amira or Shanti, which gave Kaylee a ray of hope. “We’re ready when you are,” she murmured. “I get a gun.”
“That can be arranged.”
Maggy and Zyra were far too happy to have her along and cooperating for Kaylee’s comfort. But this time, she wasn’t vulnerable, and she understood that she had power of some kind.
You better find me soon Nathan and Eddy.
Hidden Evil Trilogy
Hear No
See No
Speak No
Also By Lizzy Ford
Young Adult Fiction
Non-Series Titles
The Fall of Esme (2017) (teen paranormal)
The Door (teen sci-fi)
*
Lost Vegas Series – young adult post-apocalyptic
Aveline
Tiana
Arthur
Black Wolf
*
Guardians of the Realm – young adult romantic fantasy
Water Spell
Dragon Spell (2018)
Moon Spell (2018)
Sword Spell (2019)
*
Omega Series – teen dystopia with Greek Gods
Omega
Theta
Alpha (2017)
*
Omega Beginnings Miniseries – individual episodes
Alessandra
Mismatch
Phoibe
Lantos
Theodosia
Niko
Cleon
Herakles
Omega Beginnings Miniseries – complete set
*
Theta Beginnings Miniseries
Silent Queen
Shadow Titan
People’s Champion
Supreme Magistrate
Theta Beginnings Miniseries – complete set
*
Anshan Saga – new adult science fiction romance
Kiera’s Moon
Kiera’s Sun
*
Witchlings – young adult paranormal
Dark Summer
Autumn Storm
Winter Fire
Spring Rain
*
Broken Beauty Novellas – new adult dramatic fiction
Broken Beauty
Broken World
Broken Chains (2017)
*
Foretold Trilogy – young adult fantasy
Elle’s Journey
Shadow Rising (2017)
Journey West (2018)
*
Voodoo Nights - young adult paranormal
Cursed
Adult – erotic fiction
Non-Series Titles
Star Kissed (erotic sci-fi)
A Night Worth Dying For (short story, contemporary erotic thriller)
*
Trial Series – erotic paranormal romance
Trial by Moon
Trial by Thrall
Trial by Blood
Trial by Heart
*
Heart of Fire – sexy dragon shifter
Charred Heart
Charred Tears
Charred Hope
*
Incubatti Duet – Buffy meets 50 Shades
Zoey Rogue
Zoey Avenger
*
Writing as SE Reign, erotica writer
101 Nights Box Set (featuring all seven serials)
Adult – Sweet Romance
(no graphic sex scenes)
*
Non-Series Titles – 2014 - 2018
Black Moon Draw (fantasy romance)
White Tree Sound (2018) (fantasy romance)
Highlander Enchanted (historical romance)
*
History Interrupted – Time Travel Romantic Adventures
West
East
North
South (2018)
*
Super Villainess Chronicles – twisted superhero romance
It’s Not Easy Being Evil
It’s Not Easy Being Good
*
Starwalkers Serials (with Julia Crane) – new adult science fiction serial
Severed
Trapped
Exiled
Revealed
Escaped
Ascended
*
Sons of War – contemporary military romance
Semper Mine
Soldier Mine
SEAL Mine
*
Rhyn Trilogy – new adult paranormal with demons
Katie’s Hellion
Katie’s Hope
Rhyn’s Redemption
*
Rhyn Eternal – Death finds love
Gabriel’s Hope
Deidre’s Death
Darkyn’s Mate
The Underworld
Twisted Fate
Twisted Karma (2017)
*
War of Gods – paranormal with gods, guardians and exceptional humans
Damian’s Oracle
Damian’s Assassin
Damian’s Immortal
The Grey God
*
Damian Eternal
Xander’s Chance
The Black God
*
Hidden Evil – paranormal with angels and four horsemen
Hear No
See No
Speak No (2017)
*
Unnamed Series
Unnatural (TBD)
*
Short Stories
Santa’s Ninja Elves: Natasha
Santa’s Ninja Elves: Hunter
Snow Whisperers
*
Non-Seri
es Titles – 2011 - 2013
A Demon’s Desire (paranormal romance)
The Warlord’s Secret (fantasy romance
Maddy’s Oasis (contemporary romance)
Rebel Heart (sci-fi romance)
About the Author
I breathe stories. I dream them. If it were possible, I’d eat them, too. (I’m pretty sure they’d taste like cotton candy.) I can’t escape them - they’re everywhere! Which is why I write! I was born to bring the crazy worlds and people in my mind to life, and I love sharing them with as many people as I can.
I’m also the bestselling, award winning, internationally acclaimed author of over sixty titles and counting. I write speculative fiction in multiple subgenres of romance and fantasy, contemporary fiction, books for both teens and adults, and just about anything else I feel like writing. If I can imagine it, I can write it!
I live in the desert of southern Arizona with a pack of spoiled dogs and Tubbs, the Godfather cat who rules them all.
Connect with LIzzy
www.LizzyFord.com
[email protected]