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Waken (The Woods of Everod Book 1)

Page 25

by Angela Fristoe


  When the service finished, the four of us walked to Tristan’s car. Silence filled the vehicle and carried over to the dinner table. I didn’t know what else to say to Tim. I knew that anything I said would only hurt him more, and I had done that enough. He needed time to heal. He loved Elin. He never saw the abuse I suffered, never knew the hate she spewed. Even after I told him about my life with her, he had loved her. No, it was better to keep the truth about Elin to myself this time.

  After dinner, Tim headed to bed claiming exhaustion, while Tristan and I curled up on the couch watching Dracula. Justin went to check his email, leaving us alone.

  I laid my head on his chest relishing the constant thump of his heart. I turned to look at him, tracing his brows with my fingers tips. My life had changed so much since meeting him. I’d confronted what I’d feared the most: rejection, pain, sorrow, and love.

  Tristan shifted to reach into his pocket and pulled out a silver charm. Holding it by the small loop at the top, he let it dangle in front of me. It was the Wolf charm Elin had left with me years ago.

  “Where did you find that?” I asked.

  “It was under your bed. How did you get it?”

  “Elin gave it to me. It belonged to Lukas.” My hand trembled as I reached out, hesitating to touch it. I cupped my palm and Tristan dropped the charm into my hand. Clenching it in my fist, I took it into the kitchen and dropped it in the trash.

  “Want to talk about it?” Tristan asked, when I returned.

  “There’s nothing to say.”

  “Do you want to open your birthday present?” he asked softly. Before I could answer, he pulled a small intricately etched silver box from his other pocket. I slowly opened it, savoring the surprise. When I opened the box, I found a silver necklace with a lovely butterfly pendant. I lifted it from its nest by the chain and held it to the light. A butterfly hung from the chain followed by another smaller one and then a third very smaller butterfly. Each of the butterflies was exquisitely detailed.

  “It’s beautiful,” I whispered.

  “My grandfather was a silversmith. He drew the design for my grandmother, but died before he was able to make it. My mom found the drawing a few weeks ago and gave it to me. I had it done by a jeweler in Telluride.”

  “I love it.” I twisted around so that he could fasten it for me. “I didn’t have a chance to get you a gift.”

  “You’ve already given me my gift, another chance at a life with you.” He kissed me and everything else faded away. I lost any sense of time.

  So many questions about who and what I was had been answered, yet more had been raised. I was infected, but to what extent I didn’t know. Ericka claimed that my powers would be greater than any of them had even seen, but the still left the question of how much greater.

  Tristan’s parents were sure Kas would use Elin’s death to gather the others to come after us. Until Ericka could locate him, there was nothing she could do to protect me against him, or take vengeance for his part in Kyle’s death.

  I gently fingered the pendant, nervously contemplating the possible outcomes of my life. Tristan stroked his hand along my arm to meet mine at my neck. “What are you thinking about?”

  “Just how much life has changed; how much I’ve changed.” I turned my hand under his and threaded my fingers through his. “And I wonder if I’ll ever know exactly what I am, where I fit in.”

  He smiled and pressed the back of my hand to his lips. “You’re unique Janie. We don’t know what you’re capable of but it was enough to bring me back to life. As for where you fit in, it’s here - in Everod with me.”

  My skin tingled and I knew that was what I wanted above all else; to live life and to savor everything that comes with it. I relaxed against him, completely drained from the events of the day.

  Gradually my eyes drifted shut and I slept, falling into a deep nothingness that my body had craved for weeks. I gave into the loss of reality became a swirl of darkness. Then color seeped in, brightening until I was blinded.

  Sparkling droplets hang in the air and the thunder of the waterfall quiets as the falling water stills. I stand at the edge of the tree line. Elin is in the water. I watch her struggle with something under the water, until she looks up at me confused. A red dot appears on her shoulder and she falls forward into the pool.

  Red ripples float along the otherwise calm surface, until a mass of black rose from the depths. A wolf breaks through, clawing its way from the water. It shakes its body, sending water droplets scattering through the air. It stands before the spot where Elin had disappeared. The wolf gazes at me, a low rumbling building within its chest. Then the black wolf turns to the opposite end of the water where a girl emerges from the trees.

  She walks toward me, stepping over the water where it narrows to a small stream, her straight black hair a mirror of my own. The face though is unfamiliar. Reaching me, she lifts her hand and cups my face.

  “It’s not over,” she says.

  “What do you mean? Who are you?” I ask.

  “We’re coming, my sister.” Her nails bite into my cheek-

  I sat up abruptly, struggling against the tight hold that kept me from escape.

  “Hey, hey, it’s okay,” Tristan said, loosening his arms around me.

  My struggles ended as I realized I was safe.

  For now.

  ***

  Thank you for reading Waken by Angela Fristoe.

  If you enjoyed reading Waken, I would appreciate it if you helped others discover this book, too.

  Lend: This e-book is lending-enabled, so please, share with a friend.

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  About the Author

  Angela Fristoe grew up in Alberta, Canada. She dreamed of becoming the next Dian Fossey or Jane Goodall, until she realized she wasn’t all that keen on the outdoors or animals. Instead, she went into education and focused on elementary education and helping struggling readers. Her passion for writing grew gradually after being ignited with The Hunger Game and Twilight crazes. Angela lives in Washington with her husband and daughter, where she is pursuing her Masters degree while continuing to write and serve as an instructional coach.

  Connect with Angela

  Website

  Blog

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  Sign up for Angela’s Newsletter

  Other Books by Angela

  Songbird

  Lie to Me (A Touched Trilogy, #1)

  Heal Me (A Touched Trilogy, #2)

  Acknowledgements

  There are so many people that I have to thank for making this book possible. First and foremost is my family. My mum, dad, and sister, Penny, gave me constant encouragement to keep going. My husband, Brandon, pushed me to set goals for myself.

  I also want to thank a wonderful group of writers who have been with me for years, helping me grow and pressing me to get it done: Apryl Baker, DelSheree Gladden, Susan Stec, Linda Ulliseit, Terri Wood, Magie Banks, Rhonda Sherman, and Rachel Hamm. Extra thanks to Apryl for her help with revisions and to Linda for her amazing editing skills.

  Over the years there have been dozens of writers from TheNextBigWriter website that have helped me revise, editing, and recreate this story.

  Table of 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

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bsp; Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  About the Author

  Acknowledgements

 

 

 


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