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

by T. M. Franklin

  “I do.”

  “Do you? Most of my time, even when working among others, I am alone.” He gave a self-deprecating laugh. “As with all Erovians, the people of Ryca hardly notice my passing. It’s the result of my magic working to keep me centered and focused on my work. I also treasure that sense of privacy.”

  She chuckled and he drank in her laughter, released so rarely in her troubled life. “What’s so amusing?”

  “Jarrod, do you not realize you’re describing my life? I love history. I, too, always feel alone.” Except for now, with you, and Halla. “I glide around the castle as if I don’t really exist. Solitude, even when I’m with my family, clings to me like a wet gown.” I’m afraid of losing you because of my behavior. “I sometimes lash out to make people notice me. Because, for years, no one heard me cry.”

  “I hear you now.” Jarrod held out his good hand.

  At the offering of his hand, all of Tamara’s resistance crumbled. She scrambled over the tome and reverently kissed his palm. “Jarrod, do you truly believe this mind-speak is my talent?”

  The idea was a welcome and wondrous thought, but also hard to believe.

  “I can’t imagine what else it could be, my love,” he said.

  The endearment swept through her until her nerves tingled as if she’d been struck by lightning. So many thoughts whirled. She breathed deeply.

  All the blame she’d piled at the queen’s feet withered and died, blowing away like ashes in the wind. Her connection to Halla now made perfect sense. Why she could hear the green’s thoughts when Fane could not. Why only she seemed to be able to mind-speak with Jarrod.

  “Tell me what’s happened to the tome,” she said, coming back to the topic that had upset her most.

  “What do you mean?” he asked.

  “Why is the book almost blank?”

  He sat up and then cried out in pain. “All the pages?”

  “Lie back. There’s nothing you can do about it right now and I will not have you killing yourself after telling me you love me. Yes, I heard that too.”

  “Tamara, how many pages are blank?”

  “So many I lost count. Why didn’t you tell me something was wrong with the tome? You mentioned it to Skye. She told me to ask you about it.”

  “What is there to tell?” He lay back and sighed – a deep gush of air like the expulsion of all his hopes and dreams. “What does any of it matter now?” he asked in a flat voice. “I cannot control what’s happening to Falcon’s Tome.”

  Tamara’s heart shuddered for his loss. “Jarrod, you have to care. Your book is cleansing itself!”

  “Yes.”

  She picked up the tome and shook it. “But this is your life’s work!”

  “It’s my people’s life work. There’s worse news.”

  “What could be worse?”

  “Those missing historians, it was their words that first disappeared. Now, with most of the book empty, by the time we return, there may be no Erovians left on Ryca.”

  “Bevan’s not a historian.”

  “No, but he is growing up to be quite a powerful sorcerer,” Jarrod said. “He could have stumbled across what is happening to my people and been drawn in. There’s more.”

  “More?”

  “History may be re-writing itself on Ryca.”

  “How is that possible?”

  “When I mentioned to your mother about one of the missing historians, Daniel, she said she’d never heard of him.”

  About to speak, Tamara shut her mouth as she sorted through her memories. When she finally responded, her words came out in a hushed whisper. “Did I know him?”

  He gave a quick decisive nod. “For years.”

  Her heart thudded in fear. “Oh, Jarrod, you should have said something.”

  He shook his head. “I didn’t really know the extent of the damage. One or two of my people had not reported back as they should have and a page or two of the tome appeared empty. I came to ask for your sister’s help but she had gone to seek Bevan. By the time we arrived on Isa, more words had disappeared.”

  “My family…” Tamara began.

  “I’m sure are fine. They do not remember the Erovians who have been in their midst. It seems my people are being erased, like those pages, one by one. Likely because we are the caretakers of Ryca’s history. Now I think of it, my coming with all of you may have saved my life. The reason I, too, haven’t disappeared could be because I’m no longer in Ryca.

  “Thank the Light for that.” She stroked the book. “What does it all mean, Jarrod? Is it safe for you to return home?”

  “The disappearance of my people could either be the result of what’s happening to the record of Ryca’s history, or the cause behind it. I do not know which, yet.”

  “Why would someone attack Falcon’s Tome or the Erovians? Or take Bevan?”

  Jarrod shook his head. “If I knew the answer to those questions, I might be able to save my people.”

  “All of those things happenings at the same time seems suspicious.”

  “Especially since no one else from Ryca had gone missing, that I know of.” Jarrod’s fingers enclosed her trembling ones. “Thank you.”

  “For what?” Her cheeks heated in a blush at the tender look in his eyes.

  “For tidying the pages of the tome. It was you that did it, wasn’t it? Not Skye.”

  “It was a royal mess,” she said in a soft mock-cross voice. “It’s always a mess. I’ve tied it with a strong vine and you’re to keep it that way from now on.”

  He chuckled and then shut his eyes, his face going inordinately pale.

  “I’ve tired you,” she whispered with contrition. Thyel would be furious. All his good work gone to waste.”

  Jarrod didn’t respond.

  She sucked in her breath as fear settled in the pit of her stomach. The moment Skye returned, she would confess all and wake the green. It would be too dangerous to take Jarrod to Ryca, if all the historians were disappearing there. Since Anna, her wonderful healing sister, was bound for Melak in search of her son, that’s where they should head.

  Holding back tears of self-recrimination, she scrambled to her feet and hurried out to the ledge. Fear and impatience were her constant companions as she sat at the cave entrance awaiting Skye’s return.

  A brisk breeze teased the treetops, fluttering leaves and bent branches. Birds sang in sweet notes as they flew by. The peaceful sight did not register, any more than her recent startling discoveries about her ability to read thoughts. All were overshadowed by the dreaded possibility of Jarrod disappearing.

  A backward glance into the cave showed the green dragon rolling over, hind legs stretching one moment, and tucked in the next. The sight lifted Tamara’s dour spirits. Who could have kept such a powerful beast imprisoned? And why?

  She absently bit her lip and tasted blood. It must not be the first time she’d chewed on herself with worry.

  It was almost dusk. Surely Skye, Fane and Thyel would return soon.

  A shadow passed overhead. Another dragon? She lost sight of it among the surrounding shrubbery. Tamara scrambled up and ran back into the cave. Then something crashed through the surrounding trees and landed on the ledge.

  Heart thundering, she stopped as she backed into something. Halla! She’d come to a stop before the slumbering dragon, as if she intended to defend it from attack.

  Idiot.

  It was a dragon outside and Fane, Skye and Thyel were riding it! Fane was up front, looking as proud as a father holding his newborn child. Behind him Skye waved to her and Thyel nodded, appearing bemused.

  Definitely a bronze. Kneeling to discharge the riders, it gave her a keen look from one of its golden eyes. None of its thoughts jarred Tamara. This must be how the rest of her party viewed Halla. Gigantic and dangerous, but silent.

  Fane scrambled down and gently rubbed his dragon’s snout. In turn, the bronze blew a smoke ring at the young lad.

  “They’ve been enamored
with each other since the moment they met,” Thyel said in a sarcastic tone, scrambling down and coming over to stand beside Tamara.

  Skye ran over to hug her but Tamara was surprised to see her look worried. Why was Skye not thrilled? Finding this dragon meant they could leave Isa.

  “How’s our patient?” Thyel asked, distracting Tamara. “Did he awaken?”

  “He’s asleep. He is still too hot to the touch, Thyel.”

  “I’ll check on him.”

  “What’s the matter?” Tamara asked Skye.

  Fane answered. “We have disturbing news.”

  “Not now,” Skye warned.

  “Why not now?” Tamara asked.

  Fane and Skye shared a concerned look.

  “Tell me!”

  “Introductions first.” Fane pointed to the bronze. “Tamara, this is Kiron. He’s injured. He was in a fight recently.” He paused and looked at Halla. “We think it was in defense of the green.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Fairly,” Fane said. “I can easily communicate with Kiron. It’s much easier than my master said it would be. I’m pretty sure the green inside is the one Kiron was searching for yesterday. Remember, I sensed he was on the hunt for someone.”

  Tamara nodded. “If he’s injured, we’d better see to his wounds. Perhaps Thyel can assist as he has with Jarrod.”

  “No,” Fane said. “I know how to care for a dragon. It was part of my training. On the way here, we stopped to pick up the herbs I needed. First, Kiron wants to meet the dragon we found to ensure she is the one he seeks.”

  Tamara stood aside as Fane led Kiron into the cave.

  She then turned to Skye. “What did you not want him to tell me?”

  Skye looked down at her feet and shuffled in place.

  Tamara waited.

  Finally, her niece looked up. “Kiron will not leave Isa. Not when the green is in danger. He insists he must remain here to protect her.”

  Instead of being disappointed, Tamara was warmed by the bronze’s loyalty to Halla. The news wasn’t bad at all, for they could all travel off Isa together.

  “I’m sorry,” Skye said. “I know how trapped you feel on this world.”

  “It’s become easier than you realize,” she murmured, surprised at the truth behind that. “I’ve important news too.”

  A tear appeared in Skye’s eye and Tamara quickly hugged her niece. “Don’t cry. All is not lost. We will get off Isa and go in search of Bevan. I promise you.”

  “How?” Skye asked.

  “With Halla, that’s the green’s name. I can speak with her.”

  To her surprise, Skye didn’t look as shocked as she expected, as if this was something she’d suspected all along.

  Before Skye could respond, deafening wails joined in counterpoint as the green finally awoke. Kiron crooned to Halla, whose response was just as affectionate. The joy in both was unmistakable.

  Tamara was inundated with images. She saw the bronze come to the green’s rescue and the fear Halla had felt at a fight that ensued. The pictures fluttered through her mind like leaves blowing in the fall wind, a wind that picked up in speed and strength.

  She clutched at Skye, as her legs shaking.

  “Tamara, what’s the matter?”

  She shook her head. “It’s so overwhelming, this sharing of thoughts.” The fear of her mother forcing her to marry Gideon was mirrored a hundredfold in Halla’s terror of a black dragon threatening to force-mate with her.

  “Halla is a queen, imbued with the royal blood of the ruling dragons of Isa,” she said, words pouring out. “Another dragon wants to rule Isa. Tried to take her by force. When she refused, he imprisoned her. He was starving her to force her submission.”

  “Poor Halla,” Skye whispered. “No wonder she was so hungry when we found her.”

  “Explains why the bronze refuses to leave her,” Tamara said in a fierce voice. “Neither would I. Halla worries he’s not strong enough to face that black a second time.”

  “Then we must leave Isa before he finds us,” Skye said.

  Waves of Halla’s fear, both for herself and for the bronze, enveloped Tamara’s mind and Skye’s words faded.

  “Tamara, are you all right?” her niece asked.

  She sounded worried but the dragon’s terror bombarded Tamara until she gave in and gave up the battle to retain clarity. She vaguely heard Skye cry out as the world went dark. Someone shouted for help and arms supported Tamara as she slumped to the ground.

  Tamara awoke to find the cave silent.

  Light spilled in from outside suggesting another day dawned.

  Her first thoughts were about Jarrod. She went over and laid a hand on his forehead – two days on and still burning to the touch. In the dawn’s light, his injured arm looked like to had begun to fester, oozing and wetting the bandages, the puffy skin around the wound glistening.

  Thyel and Skye were missing but Fane was tending to the bronze.

  On reaching his side, she asked after Kiron.

  “His wounds look to be improving,” Fane said, sounding relieved. “I applied the same herbs to Halla’s wounds too. They seemed improved as well.”

  “Jarrod gets worse. Could your herbs help him?”

  “I’ve not much left but I know where I can find more. Take and use what remains in the bag.”

  “Thank you, Fane!” Thrilled to have something constructive to do, she ran back to clean and re-dress Jarrod’s arm.

  Thyel returned as she finished. He left Skye to put away the fruits and berries and hurried over. “What are you doing?”

  At his anxious tone, Tamara finished tying the knot on the last strip of clean cloth and turned to respond. “I’ve re-dressed his wound with Fane’s herbs.”

  He gave her a worried look and held up his medicinal pouch. “I need to add more of mine to properly dress the wound. I’ll re-bandage it.”

  “No, let’s give Fane’s herbs a chance to work first.”

  Thyel looked ready to argue but then he shrugged. “All right. I need more anyway. I’ll hunt for some now.”

  “Wait for me,” Fane called out. “I gave my last bit to Tamara and need to replenish my supplies.”

  Half unconscious, Jarrod was heavy so she called Skye over. Together they helped him sit up so he could drink. He gulped the liquid and then slumped back, asleep.

  “I’m worried about him,” Tamara said.

  “His arm isn’t as hot.” Skye stroked the back of his swollen hand. “Perhaps the medicine is finally taking effect.”

  “I hope so.”

  “Rest and time will be the best cure. Tamara, may we go outside to talk? We must decide what to do next.”

  She nodded and followed her niece to the flat landing that overlooked the lush valley below.

  “How are you feeling?” Skye asked.

  “Better. I didn’t realize I’d slept so long. I’m sorry. I’d hoped we could leave last night.”

  “You did worry me when you went unconscious. You obviously needed the rest. This is amazing news, Tamara, that you can speak with the green.”

  She gave her niece a sheepish look. “There’s more I haven’t told you yet.”

  “What else?”

  “The green isn’t the only one with whom I can mind-speak.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Let me show you.” Tamara closed her eyes. She envisioned Skye and Bevan together, as she’d seen them the last time, playfully fighting as brothers and sisters were wont to do. When she opened her eyes, Skye stared at her in shock.

  “You sent me that memory?”

  Tamara nodded. “Jarrod says it’s my talent, this ability to speak without words. It’s how his people communicate. There’s more to it than just sharing memories.”

  “What else?’

  “I’m sorry for not confessing I could talk to the green.” Then she projected, in mind-talk, I was afraid of being controlled by her.

  “Oh, sweet Light.”
Skye staggered back. “I heard that!”

  “It seems odd to me, too,” Tamara said, “to be able to speak without moving my lips. Enough of that for now. I’m more interested in discussing when we’re to leave Isa.”

  “Sooner the better. Fane says an all-out war rages among the strongest young male dragons.”

  “Why?”

  “Rivalry.”

  “Over what?”

  “The right to mate Halla.”

  Tamara’s stomach turned to lead at the thought. She glanced back toward the cave. From what she had gleaned of Halla’s character, she knew the independent and fierce Halla would never give herself up as a “prize” to any dragon.

  Her fists clenched and she found herself standing, arms raised, feet apart, in a defensive stance with her back to Halla. The posture reminded her of the many nightmares she had awakened from on Ryca and found herself in the middle of her bedroom in a fighter’s stance, fists clenched.

  Was this what her dreams had foretold? Slowly, she lowered her arms, trying to release her tension.

  “Fane says she’s the last of the reigning dragon family on Isa,” Skye said quietly, watching Tamara, curiosity clearly written on her face. “As such, mating with her would give any mature dragon the right to rule the land.”

  “What’s set off the rivalry? Why now?”

  “She reached maturity. She’d been under the council’s protection until then. Kiron began to court her once she was given more freedom. There was much dispute about his right to do so. While the dragon council argued the matter, a black named Denton lured and then trapped Halla in a hidden cave in order to force her to submit to him.”

  “She would die first,” Tamara said with certainty.

  “Kiron told Fane that.”

  “It’s how I would react.” Had reacted not so long ago. Had she really contemplated killing herself? Yes, and she might have, if Skye hadn’t caught up to her that night, and never learned how Jarrod really felt about her. Or how important her family was to her happiness. It would have been a life wasted due entirely to shortsightedness.

  She raised her head with fierce determination. Halla would not submit to anyone today. Or on any other day. Not if Tamara had anything to do about it.