Kingdom of Darkness (Kingdom Journals Book 2)

by Tricia Copeland

  “I love you.” I gripped his hands.

  “Don’t get caught.” He released me, turned, and jogged away. I watched his back as his form retreated, somehow with no sound of his feet on the rock.

  Looking back into the amphitheater, I studied the backs of the witches gathered there. Miguel and Maria sat in the front row. Beside them, the man I saw made my heart freeze.

  Jude. Jude. Come back. I pushed the message to him.

  “What is it?” he whispered as he reached me.

  “Look.” I pointed to his father.

  Beside me, I felt his arm go rigid. “Well, I just have one person to free now.”

  “I’m sorry.” I clutched Jude’s arm.

  “He made his choice.” He spun and dashed away.

  Sonia seemed to be chanting something. I couldn’t hear the words and didn’t want to use my magic for fear of detection. Stepping to the table, Theron ran the sword across his forearm, creating a cut inches long. Thanatos held a bowl under the wound, catching the blood as it dropped. After a minute or so, the flow slowed, and I noticed the injury had already started healing. Sonia lifted the bowl over her head, continuing her incantation. Then she brought the vessel to her lips and titled it up, drinking the contents. Handing the dish to Thanatos, she stepped forward, ascending what I guessed to be stairs, hidden from my view.

  She sat and then lay down on the table. Lifting the sword from his side, above his head, Theron joined in the chant Sonia started, his lips repeating the same phrase. Theron moved to Sonia’s side, also taking up the words. Then the congregation began reciting the lines, and the message became clear.

  Michael, we call on thee to sustain our line. Make your servant, Sonia, as timeless as you are.

  Timeless, my mind reeled. They sought to make her an angel? No, immortal! What if they all could became immortal? Michael’s coven would be unstoppable.

  The glint of the sword brought my attention back to Theron. Quicker than lightning, the sword shot down towards Sonia, piercing the center of her chest. The witches continued their chant, the volume increasing with each repetition. I expected to see Michael himself appear from the heavens, but a light rose from the spot the blade had entered Sonia’s body. It floated up above her body rising above Theron and Thanatos. Theron withdrew the sword from Sonia’s chest, and the incantation changed.

  Ancestors, we call on you to deliver Sonia’s spirit to her body.

  Seemingly from nowhere, a host of glowing spots appeared. They encircled Sonia’s light, swirling around it, creating a whirlpool. Caught up in the flow of the swirling souls, Sonia’s light, what I assumed to be her soul, descended down the spiral and flowed back into her body. I saw her chest rise, and the host of lights disappeared.

  The room grew quiet. Sonia’s eyelids fluttered, and she laid her hands on her chest. The wound closed as she did. Thanatos helped her to her feet. She stood atop the table, and the sound of whispers from the crowd drew my attention to Miguel. My mind raced wondering why they needed me when they could make themselves immortal. I remembered the sword, and my eyes found it in Theron’s hand, still covered with Sonia’s blood. The sight of the holy blade tarnished with the evil witch’s fluids created a ball of rage in my chest.

  “Do you wish to join us, dear? Is this what you seek?” The words sounded as if the speaker stood right beside me. My eyes cut to Sonia whose gaze was fixed on me. She lifted her crown off her head and held it out towards me. Looking left then right, I realized I’d moved from my hiding place and stood in at the front of the opening, in view of all.

  “Or perhaps it is the blade.” Sonia motioned to the dagger in Theron’s grasp.

  Stupid! My brain yelled. As fast as I could, I swirled and ran through the narrow tunnels. I had no idea how to get out or if there was an exit that might lead me to Jude or safety. Thinking about the courtyard, I turned in the direction of what I thought to be the center of the building. If I could make it outside, perhaps I could transport myself beyond the compound’s gates.

  Finding a main hall, and seeing an elevator on one end, I jogged the opposite way. I heard multiple footsteps and cloaked myself to aid my escape. Speeding towards the center of the castle, guards trailed me. Then, another set appeared in front of me. Calling on the air to lift me up, I floated above the crowd coming at me. They stopped when they reached the oncoming group.

  “Fools!” Sonia yelled. She marched through the guards towards me, and I glued myself to the ceiling, praying my cloaking spell held. Stopping directly below me, she turned her face upward. “Come child, we have much to discuss.” Her hand reached up and gripped mine. A frigid shock shot through my arm to my heart. “You belong to me now.”

  THE END

  More books from Tricia

  Drops of Sunshine – A young adult paranormal novella

  “Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.”~ Buddha

  Working as lifeguard at a camp for the blind seems like the perfect escape for Nina. But a few perceptive kids can hear her thoughts. Can embracing her truth help her heal and reveal possibilities she never imagined?

  Find out at www.triciacopeland.com

  The Butterfly Box

  LOVELOCK ONES: Native One

  a Lovelock Chronicles novella

  All proceeds benefit Doctors Without Borders

  Despite unparalleled global warming and mandatory genetic typing, Jema and Troy’s high school experience in Port Orford, Oregon seems decent enough. But as a second worldwide flu epidemic threatens, their parents send them to a remote Nevada community. At Lovelock, an ancient cave transformed into a base camp, they realize Jema’s sister has contracted the virus. Jema and Troy must decide whether to risk exposing the group to save Nave. Will they jeopardize many for one? Find out at www.triciacopeland.com

  LOVELOCK ONES: Bred One

  (Coming January 2018)

  Troy doesn’t especially care for Commander Butler or Lovelock but being assigned to the supply team with Jema made it tolerable. When Jema is kidnapped during a routine pick up, she learns just how high the stakes are for Troy and herself. An elaborate plan for disseminating a cure for the deadly AALC puts them in harm’s way again. Allegiances aren’t what they appear and Jema and Troy must choose who to trust.

  Being Me Series Book 1

  Is This Me?

  Have you ever chosen a path that led you astray?

  Amanda has no trouble choosing a college or picking a major. What she does have a problem with is what she would have least expected, a guy. Smart and sexy, Doug is focused on school responsibilities and post-graduation plans. Their paths intersect and Amanda must accept his help or risk losing her scholarship. Determined to maintain appearances, Amanda begins to lie to family and friends. The ease at which she repeatedly deceives those closest becomes disturbing and leaves her questioning: “Is this me?”

  Can Amanda find her way out of her contrived world?

  Find out at www.triciacopeland.com!