by M. J. Bavis
“He knows my intentions and he’s behind me.” Leo shot me a firm look. “Besides, we’re in on this together. I’m afraid you’re just as much on the wanted poster as I am, and not just because you’re a way to get to me.”
I swallowed awkwardly, trying to rid the taste of blood from my mouth. The Hunter tossing me down the stairs had made me bite my tongue.
Guilt suddenly speared my chest.
“What happened with Lana?” I forced myself to face the harrowing mental image of her mangled body. Her life was on my conscience.
“Sebastian never intended on letting her go. As soon as we got up there, he stabbed Lana and threw her down.” Leo looked as responsible for Lana’s death as I felt. Her family and friends would never know the truth. They would never fully recover—and neither would Jill.
I shuddered, forcing myself to push the mourning until later.
“What’s going to happen to Tony and Jill?”
“They should be at the safe house with Jonas. Hey,” Leo brushed the side of my arm, “don’t worry, no one will get to them.”
I missed them already. It’d be a long time before I’d see them again.
“Where’re we headed, anyway?”
“Clinic and then stop for food. I’ve got essentials. We can sleep in the back of the van tonight.”
“Well prepared.” I attempted to slide down, but the seatbelt locked and held me up.
“Comes with the life.”
There was very little I knew of Leo’s past. There had always been rumours and speculation regarding the King’s son, much of which I assumed not to be the truth. I’d have to ask him one day.
I tried sliding sideways this time, needing to rest my head. I got as far as my head reaching Leo’s arm when it felt like my ribs were going to snap. I gasped in pain and immediately, Leo pushed me back upright.
The sun decided it was time to give night its reign as the sky darkened.
There was a lot to process. My kidnapping seemed weeks ago when it was merely days. Today felt a week long. But Leo was alive and safe, for now. And my friends were safe. Sebastian would be of no more trouble. Sure, there were others to worry about but that was a thought for a new day. We would run, hide, heal. Time would give us shelter. Time would help me sharpen my skills. Time would make us an invincible pair—
“Wait, what am I saying?”
“I didn’t realise you were saying anything.” Leo took an exit last minute as if he’d been distracted by his own thoughts. I groaned as my arm thumped against the door.
“Us as partners is never going to work. What are we meant to be?”
Leo slid me a look, trying to catch my train of thought.
“You’re the heir,” I clarified. “You can’t be Guard or go on missions! You don’t need a partner! Which means…was the prophecy a lie?” It felt as if the ground shook underneath me.
Leo rested his head against two fingers, searching for an answer. “Nothing’s changed but my title.”
“Everything has changed. All this started with the prophecy, but obviously, it must be flawed.” Had Kailen been wrong?
“It’s not,” Leo said with conviction, and then frowned. “When we were at the cabin, I altered some details to keep my identity a secret.” He gripped the wheel with both hands. “It’s complicated. There are things you—we, don’t need to know yet. Things are changing. There’s a day coming when it’s time for kings and heirs to join in the ranks.”
My mind cast to the only place where I’d ever felt at home. What had changed in the time I’d been gone? What was still to change?
Shivers ran up my spine. “Are we going into war because of all that’s happened?”
“It’s not out of the equation.”
Leo’s honesty startled me. The past years had changed me to almost unrecognisable. I wasn’t ready for home being different, too.
“Then…where does that leave us?”
“I’m still asking you to be my partner. Fight with me,” Leo added the last words hastily as if needing to clarify.
“The King’s son doesn’t need someone to fight with; you and the King are what we’re fighting for. Unless… I serve as one of your bodyguards?”
Leo scowled at me so unimpressed I let the idea die a prompt death. Heavy on the gas pedal, he ate up the road like it was a triple-chocolate sundae.
“Don’t over-think,” he said after a while. “Forget all the other stuff. It’s me asking if you’ll fight with me. Like Kailen wanted.”
It still hurt to hear his name out loud.
I gulped air, throat dry. “Okay.” I stared at my palms. “I won’t make the same mistakes again. As far as I’m concerned, we’re a team. And I’m going to stick by you until you say otherwise. I made that decision even before you made yourself royalty.”
“I was always royalty,” Leo countered. “You just didn’t know it.”
I whacked the air between us, lacklustre.
“You sure you’re okay with all this?”
“Of course. I came to my senses.” I was only half sarcastic.
“See.” A crooked smile spread on Leo’s face. “I always get what I want.”
Again, I slapped the air somewhere in his direction.
“Seriously, that’s pathetic. I may reconsider joining forces with you.”
I curved my mouth and blew a sigh. Something still troubled me. “I gotta ask one thing… Are you going to be happy with just this?”
“Kal, you don’t have to marry me.”
Blood rushed under the skin of my cheeks at his bluntness. “I know, I know. Forget it, it’s stupid.” I angled my head toward the side window. I’m an idiot.
“Kalika. At this stage, I don’t think it’s a secret how I feel about you, but I know you’re still in love with Kailen. I don’t expect anything. We’re pretty unconventional as it is.”
I nodded slowly, not knowing if he was watching or not. “I just don’t want you waiting for something to happen in the future.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
I couldn’t look at him, though I was dying to see his face.
Leo switched on the radio to break the awkwardness.
“Leo—”
“You can call me Elikai, you know. It’s just the two of us now. For a loooong time.” He winked in my direction.
“Elikai.” I sampled the name on my tongue. “I want you to know though that you matter to me, and not just because of who you really are. I want things to be as they were.”
He glanced back, clearly tickled by something I had said. “As they were? I drove you crazy.”
“You used to drive me crazy. Lately, you’ve been all right. You’re kind of fun—and useful to have around.”
“You don’t say.” He laughed. “As soon as you’re better, I’m going to whip you into shape. Let’s see how much fun you think I am then.”
“I’m counting on it. I want to be better, stronger.” My eyelids were starting to droop but my conscience gnawed on me. “I’m…sorry I couldn’t save you, before, when you were taken.” Other than receiving a beating, I wasn’t much use with Sebastian either.
“Don’t be daft. You’ve nothing to apologise for.”
“I do. I didn’t save you when you needed saving. I’m not the hero.”
“Kal,” a frustrated sigh passed his lips, “it’s not about who saves who. It’s the end result that matters.”
“I know, but—”
“No buts. We’re all working for the same goal. The Man of the Match might be different every day but it’s still a team effort.”
I lowered my chin. Of course, the same principle had been ingrained into us from the day I became Guard.
“You tired?” Leo’s voice took a concerned tone as I couldn’t hold off the yawn any longer.
“Very. How many more miles?”
“A few.” The car accelerated a notch. “You’ve had a rough couple of weeks. Once we get you checked out, I want you to sleep. For a wee
k.”
No argument there.
I was sure someone was physically pulling my eyelids down. I drifted…and came back to on account of Leo’s nudge.
“Don’t fall asleep. Concussion.” A finger pointed at the back of my head.
“Elikai?” I whimpered as I struggled to find a comfortable position.
“Yes, Rosebud?”
“I think I’m going to stick with Leo.” My head rested back. “It’s more... you.”
* * *
Acknowledgements
I never thought I’d get here. It’s been a long and daunting process to get my debut novel published. Any self-published authors out there—I salute you. From the first chapter to seeing my book on Amazon has a been a roller-coaster journey and this book will always be close to my heart simply because it was during writing and editing this book that I learned about writing in the first place!
There is one person who without none of this would have happened and that is my Lord Jesus. From the day I was born You have guided my life and I am so grateful that You enabled me to do this. Writing in a language that’s not my own would have been impossible had You not gifted me with the ability to do so…! For everything, to You be the glory.
The amount of people who’ve helped me along the way is vast and without their help, I would not have got here.
Thank you to my beta readers who read some of the first drafts—I’m almost sorry you had to read it but thank you for nudging me in the right direction and toughening me up. To my beta readers who read the more improved 2.0 version—thank you for your comments and encouragement that helped me further polish this. And to my latest beta readers who brought the novel to where it is now—thank you for your time, effort and kindness. I’d like to say a special thank you to Amber, Blake, Danielle, Eris, Janeal, Liz, Natasha and my very first reader, Debbie. There are too many to name all and I don’t want to forget anyone, so please, the rest of you, accept my most heartfelt thanks! Without beta readers, this book would have sucked. Honestly. Each and every one of you is awesome.
Thank you, Gail, for saying yes to a very long-winded request to proof-read some of the book! You are brilliant. P.S. Hope you still have some wine left in your cupboards.
Thank you to Tereza Ghatt at Tereza Ghatt Photography for the incredible cover photo. You were a joy to work with and the end result is amazing! Thank you also to the dazzling Marija Varzinska for being the cover model—you are truly beautiful, inside and out. And I hope you didn’t freeze.
Nathan Smith, thank you for hopping on board and creating me my first ever website! Your encouragement and tips have been much valued.
A HUGE thank you to my family for believing in me and encouraging me even though you had no idea what the book was about or if I could even form a readable sentence. I’m so blessed to have you and I love you all. Olette ihania! P.S. The laptop was a pretty essential help…! Kiitos.
Carlos, I’ll get to the ironing pile soon. Thank you for your patience, support and understanding. Love you always.
Readers… Thank you. Thank you for giving Shadow Soul a chance. Thank you for giving an unknown author a chance. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed the book! If you have any comments/questions/corrections on those wretched prepositions, or a simple hello, please do contact me on [email protected] and/or visit my website at www.mjbavis.com. Also, if you enjoyed the book, please would you be so kind to leave a review on Goodreads, Amazon or your blog. Again, thank you!
If Shadow Soul has taught me anything, it’s that one should never give up. Whatever your circumstances, whatever your dream, however high you’ve stumbled—rise and rise again. There is always light at the end of even the darkest of tunnels.
Follow the Light.
About the Author
M.J. Bavis coined her first book as a teenager and it was about horses, mean girls and a misunderstood heroine—and a worrying amount of violence. It took a move from her Finnish childhood home to the UK, a degree in Criminology and a whole lot of (she hopes) maturing to realise horses and mean girls weren't her thing. Still, she loves writing young adult novels with a bit of fantasy, mystery, big emotions and headstrong (and slightly damaged) characters. When she’s not writing she’s fangirling over superheroes, browsing for her next book to read, or mentally preparing herself for what the weather will throw at her on the next school run.
She calls many places her home, but her permanent address is in West Yorkshire, England.
To find out more information on her upcoming books, head over to: www.mjbavis.com
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[email protected]
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