Magic and Shadows: A Collection of YA Fantasy and Paranormal Romances

by T. M. Franklin

  Kaeden jumped to his feet, a feral growl escaping his lips as he started after her.

  “No!” Madeleine shouted. “Let her go.”

  Ava smirked. “Like he could stop me,” she murmured under her breath.

  Caleb fought a laugh as they walked out of the Council chamber, the crowd parting before them as they made their way down the hall and out into the early-morning sunshine.

  Residual jolts of electricity shot through Ava’s body as they walked toward the border of the city. She was still more than a little awed at what she’d done, and oddly, instead of being tired after the massive display of power, she felt a strange euphoria settle into her bones. She walked with a spring in her step, energized, as if she could do anything.

  They’d stopped at Caleb’s house only long enough to gather their things, neither wanting to test the Council’s patience by lingering in New Elysia. Ava hefted her backpack higher onto her shoulder as she followed Caleb up the path toward the edge of the cloak.

  “I still can’t believe it,” he said, eyeing her with a slight smile. “Remind me never to make you mad.”

  Ava grinned. “You think Tiernan will ever forgive me?”

  “Oh, probably. Just give him twenty or thirty years.”

  She laughed, and right before they passed through the cloak, she turned back to gaze one more time at the city. It lay spread out below them, sparkling and miraculous, and for a moment, Ava felt a twinge of regret that she’d most likely never be able to return.

  Sure, they were a pain the neck, but they were her people, after all. The only others like herself.

  With a heavy sigh, she took Caleb’s hand as they walked through the cloak, the air shifting and shimmering as they passed through it. When they emerged on the other side, Ava glanced back once more, but thick trees and snow-covered undergrowth hid every sign of the path.

  She pondered what she’d learned about the Race, since she had time to think about how it applied to her. What it meant, knowing that she wasn’t entirely human.

  She held up her hand, examining it closely.

  “What are you doing?” Caleb asked.

  “Trying to see through the Veil,” she replied absently. “But I can’t. I just look . . . normal.” She turned to him, holding out her hands by her sides. “What do you see?”

  Caleb’s eyes trailed over her, and he flushed, dropping his gaze. “You look . . . the same.”

  “Yeah,” she said. “Weird, huh? Maybe I don’t have one.”

  “Or maybe you have a really strong one.”

  Ava hummed lightly, contemplating the idea.

  They continued down the mountain, each lost in thought. Ava stumbled once, falling into Caleb’s arms, and he steadied her with a soft smile. They came to a small outcropping and stopped, Caleb pulling a water bottle and a couple of cubes from his duffle bag. He opened the bottle and handed it to Ava as he popped a cube into his mouth.

  “You want one?” he asked, holding out a cube.

  “No, I’m good.”

  “We’ll try a shift when we get further down the mountain,” he said. “I don’t want to risk it until we’re closer to flat land, but we should put as much distance between us and the Council as soon as we can.”

  Ava took a drink of water, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand before handing it back to Caleb. She watched him as he took a drink, head thrown back and a small drop of water escaping to drip down his neck as he swallowed. She blushed, looking away, her stomach a mess of butterflies.

  She couldn’t help wondering what would happen when she got back to Allenmore. Caleb had assured her that no one should have been worried about her departure—the Council had taken care of it—and in fact, she’d only been gone a few weeks.

  Ava marveled a little at that. So much had happened. She glanced at Caleb again.

  So much.

  But she didn’t worry about school or her parents or Lucy. As difficult as it was to imagine, she knew she’d be able to slip back into her life, catch up on her schoolwork. Get back to normal.

  She just didn’t know what she’d do without Caleb. Sure, the Council wasn’t too happy with him at the moment, but she assumed he’d need to get back to work. Go back to seeking out Half-Breeds and other threats to the Race.

  She could hardly ask him to stick around and be her physics tutor.

  He handed her the water bottle, and she took another drink, not meeting his eyes.

  “So,” she said, “you must be glad this is almost all over, right? You’re probably as eager to get back to your life as I am to get to mine.” She stole a glance at him and found him watching her steadily.

  “Is that what you want?” he asked quietly.

  Ava shrugged. “I wondered if you’re going to go back to being a Protector. I mean, your mother’s back there, and it’s got to be hard.” She was unsure what she was trying to say. “But you said you weren’t sure if you still wanted to do that.”

  Caleb chewed on another cube. “I was thinking I might join up with the Guardians.”

  Ava snorted. “Your mom will love that.”

  He laughed. “Yeah.”

  The silence hung between them for a moment, then Ava cleared her throat. “So, I guess I probably won’t see you much. I mean, when we get back.”

  “Oh, I think I’ll probably be around,” he said.

  She turned to him in surprise, only to find him smirking slightly, his eyes sparkling. She tried to appear nonchalant, shrugging one shoulder. “You think?”

  Caleb paused, as if giving the matter great thought. “Well, someone’s got to keep an eye on you.”

  Ava couldn’t keep back the grin. “I think I’ve proven I can take care of myself.”

  “Yeah, well, maybe so,” he agreed. “But who knows how many Rogues are out there? And the Council won’t give up on you so easily, you know. You’ll need someone to watch your back.” He stepped toward her, hesitating a moment before sliding his hands around her waist.

  She blinked up at him in surprise before dropping the water bottle and linking her arms around his neck. “Isn’t this dangerous?”

  “You’re Race. There’s no law against it now, not that it would have mattered. Not to me.” He eyed her carefully.

  “Me neither,” she admitted, her voice trembling a little. “Still, the Council won’t be happy about it.”

  He laughed. “That’s nothing new.” His grip tightened as he drew her closer, so close his breath tickled her lips.

  Ava gasped, her heart racing and stomach flipping wildly.

  He sobered as he examined her face, gaze trailing over her cheeks, her lips, and finally back to her eyes. “I’m not going anywhere,” he said, and he bent to kiss her.

  Ava inhaled sharply, shocked at the intensity of a mere brush of lips.

  Caleb smiled against her mouth, tilting his head to deepen the kiss, and she sank into it, clinging to him in an effort to keep from falling to the ground . . . or flying away.

  Just when she thought it couldn’t get any better, any deeper, she felt the telltale tingle of her power—and another low hum filtering into her body wherever Caleb touched her. It danced within her, Caleb’s power tangling with her own in a twisting whirl, until she wasn’t sure where hers ended and his began. A warm glow encompassed them as they embraced, somehow safe and exhilarating at the same time, and when Caleb finally pulled back, Ava’s power reached for his like it was unwilling to let go. They stepped apart, and Ava’s eyes fluttered open, locking with his, her body still humming as the remnants of Caleb’s power trailed over her skin like a lover’s fingertips.

  “Wow,” she said.

  He smiled. “Yeah.” His hand slipped beneath her hair and he winced when his fingers brushed her scar. “Sorry.”

  “It doesn’t hurt.”

  “That’s not what I meant. If I’d left it alone, it would have healed on its own—without a scar.”

  Ava frowned. “You didn’t know that at the time. You were
trying to help me.” She bent to pick up the discarded water bottle and tucked it into her backpack. “Besides, I kind of like it. I’ve never had a scar before. I’m sure if anyone could see it, it would make me look tough.”

  Caleb laughed. “Definitely.” He reached out to take her hand, and they continued down the mountain in companionable silence. The sun glinted off the frozen snow, bathing everything around them in near-blinding light. Ava huddled in her coat, but her hand was warm where Caleb gripped it, strong and firm.

  She wasn’t naïve. She knew the days ahead were anything but certain. Yet, in that moment, she couldn’t help feeling hopeful for the future. Somehow, knowing Caleb would be there made her feel even stronger than she had in the Council chamber.

  When the ground leveled and she finally caught her breath, she glanced at him shyly. “I’m glad you’re going to be sticking around.”

  “Me, too,” he replied, pulling her in for a quick kiss. “After all, you know you’re going to need me.”

  “In case of Rogue attack?”

  “Well, that, too. But no.”

  “The Council?”

  “No.”

  “What then?” She stopped, turning to face him.

  He grinned widely. “Someone’s got to help you pass physics.”

  Ava laughed, and he tugged her close, wrapping his arms around her.

  “Take a deep breath and hold on tight,” he said. “This is going to be a big one.”

  Ava locked her arms around his waist, closing her eyes as the world fell away and she floated and spun, Caleb shifting her closer toward home. And for some reason it didn’t make her dizzy or nervous or even the slightest bit nauseous.

  She just laid her head on Caleb’s strong chest and held on for the ride.

  Ava’s story continues in The Guardians: Book Two in the MORE Trilogy – available at all major eBook retailers.

  About the Author

  T.M. Franklin writes stories of adventure, romance, & a little magic. A former TV news producer, she decided making stuff up was more fun than reporting the facts. Her first published novel, MORE, was born during National Novel Writing month, a challenge to write a novel in thirty days. MORE was well-received, being selected as a finalist in the 2013 Kindle Book Review Best Indie Book Awards, as well as winning the Suspense/Thriller division of the Blogger Book Fair Reader's Choice Awards. She's since written four additional novels and several best-selling short stories...and there's always more on the way.

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  Horrid

  The Seven Sisters of Silverleaf, Book 1

  L.C. Ireland

  Horrid

  The Seven Sisters of Silverleaf (Book 1)

  16-year-old Delta Delaroe’s family has been cursed by the Horrid Witch. Every night at midnight, one of her sisters vanishes without a trace ... and Delta is next. With her life and her family on the line, Delta makes a deal with the very witch who cursed her.

  To save herself from the curse, Delta must complete a single task for the witch: she must take the life of another woman. Delta is given a magically enhanced dagger and a deadline of three days. Now Delta must choose between saving her life ... and saving her soul.

  1

  My name is Delta Delaroe, and I made a deal with the Horrid Witch.

  It wasn’t a good deal, either. But I was fifteen and scared. I was desperate. And that’s when she gets you: when you have everything to lose and nothing to bargain with but your soul. With less than six hours left to live, I offered my soul to the very witch who had cursed me.

  Everyone assumed the witch had a name, but no one knew it. Since she hailed from the land of Horr, we called her the Horrid Witch. It was a suitable title, as she was the vilest being this world had ever known. The stories said the Horrid Witch was once a beautiful maiden who, spurned by her lover, turned to the dark arts to get revenge. Ever since, she has dealt in misery and hatred and the souls of the hopeless.

  Like me.

  My elder brother Elias started all of this. He was the one who angered the Horrid Witch in the first place. Elias was six years older than me. As an ambassador, he traveled the world to keep peace with other lands. At least, that’s what he was supposed to be doing. He should have been preventing war between the countries of Horr and Sydna. But instead of making peace, he caused chaos by stealing something precious from the Horrid Witch. I don’t know what it was that he stole. I probably never will. Elias disappeared with whatever he took, and the Horrid Witch retaliated by setting a curse on the rest of us.

  The witch’s curse was this: “Every midnight, a daughter of the Delaroe family will vanish by moonlight.”

  I am the fourth daughter, situated exactly in the middle of my seven sisters. By the time I made my deal with the witch, I was the eldest daughter still living. Hannah, Alacia, and Hallie had already succumbed to the curse.

  Hannah, the eldest, simply vanished as the clock struck midnight. She stood in a room full of people and faded away like smoke when the moon struck her skin. Horrified by Hannah’s disappearance, Alistair commanded Alacia to remain indoors, away from all windows and any moonlight that might steal away her life. The maids even tied her down.

  As midnight ticked closer, Alacia lost her senses. She fought her way out of her bonds and wandered outside in a trance. The clock struck midnight and she vanished. Just like Hannah the night before.

  Hallie was taken the next night, right out of my hands. Knowing that we couldn’t hide from the curse, we fled together to find the Witch. We hoped to strike a deal before it was too late.

  It was already too late for her.

  I arrived at the witch’s lair alone and frantic. Exactly how she prefers it.

  The witch’s lair was a plain cottage at the very edge of the Forsaken Woods. I was disappointed at its plainness. I thought maybe I had the wrong location. But as I turned away to leave, the door creaked open behind me.

  “Come in, Child of Silverleaf,” a voice beckoned.

  I turned, clutching my cloak tightly around me. Every instinct told me to run for my life. But what life would I have left if I did? It had taken all day to find the witch’s lair. I had only hours left to live before I met the same fate as my sisters. If I vanished, who would protect the rest of my family from the consequences of Elias’s foolishness?

  This is our best bet.

  I squared my shoulders, lifted my chin, and walked right into the clutches of my hated enemy.

  Inside, the witch’s lair looked nothing like a cottage. I could tell from the tingle on my skin and the shiver down my spine as I crossed the threshold that the cottage had been magicked into existence. I doubted I was even still in my homeland. I seemed to have stepped directly into Hell.

  Maybe this was a bad idea.

  The witch’s lair was dark and cavernous. I could barely make out the shapes of mismatched bookshelves and long tables covered with strange and unearthly objects. The sound of dripping water echoed around me, irritating my already-frayed nerves. Right in front of my nose, a torch lit.

  I gasped and stumbled backward. The witch’s laughter filled the chasmal space.

  “So you came to me. You are either foolish or very brave.”

  I clenched my hands into fists to still my trembling fingers.

  “I have come to make a deal,” I said.

  Another torch lit, further ahead. Its light illuminated a single figure, that of a bent and crooked old lady. Her thin, white hair fell in greasy locks around her hunched shoulders. She leaned all of her we
ight on a cane. I was once again disappointed. I’m not sure what I expected, but a trembling old lady felt a little anti-climactic. A good gust of wind would have blown her right over.

  “And what have you to bargain with?” The witch asked. “I already own your life.”

  On cue, I heard the sound of a ticking clock, striking away the seconds until I disappeared forever. The ticking sound had haunted me since the moment Hallie vanished.

  I swallowed the lump of fear wedged in my throat. “There must be something you want.”

  I had a ruby in my pocket, the largest gem my parents had left us. Alistair would kill me when he found out I stole it. If the Witch didn’t kill me first.

  The hag scowled at me. “I want what your brother stole from me.”

  “I don’t have—”

  “I know you don’t have it, girl. Do you think you would still be alive if you did?”

  I shook my head.

  The witch considered me with shrewd eyes. She ambled closer and circled me, muttering to herself. I stared straight ahead, trying to be brave. She whacked my leg with her cane, making me flinch. But I didn’t cry out. I couldn’t show her any weakness. The witch poked me in the side with a gnarled finger, pinched my arm, and lifted my chin with the curved handle of her cane. I was reminded uncomfortably of the way our cook inspected meat.

  “You are clever to have found me,” she said. “I will consider a deal. Fortunately, you have something I want very much indeed. A soul. That’s an awfully high price to pay.”

  So is my life. And the lives of three more sisters.

  “What is it you want from me in exchange for your soul?” The witch asked.

  As if she didn’t already know.

  I opened my mouth to speak, but she held up a finger to silence me. “Think very carefully about your request. Words are powerful. Know exactly what you are asking for.”