Fallen Shroud: An Urban Fantasy Novel: (Twisted Curse Series Book 1)

by D. J. Dalton

  “No, I’ll be fine. Thank you, Mr. Kapen.”

  His wings fluttered. Then he turned back to his computer.

  Azalea continued walking to the far wall, where she paused. With a wave of her hand, the wall shimmered, being replaced with double doors. She opened the door, ushering Keren inside. While looking around, she saw rows of shelving lining the floor. Each shelf held several objects: vases, jewelry, rods, crystals, bottles, to name a few. They looked ordinary, something you’d find in your home.

  “How would you know an object was an artifact?

  While hurrying forward, Azalea spoke over her shoulder. “It’s difficult. Artifacts can go undetected for years until something triggers their magic.”

  “What would trigger their magic?”

  “A word, a touch, maybe a certain temperature. Anything really.”

  “Oh.” Keren slipped her hands into her jean’s pockets.

  “Here we are.” Azalea motioned her over. “This is the Band of Endurance.”

  To Keren, it looked like a normal bracelet. It had a red and black snake-skin pattern.

  “How does it work?”

  “The Tome of Artifacts states when this band is closed on a fae’s wrist, it will merge with the recipient, giving them a prolonged ability to survive without food.”

  Keren crossed her arms. “Why would a fae want that ability?”

  “Long ago, elves, being nomadic, traveled the world. They visited the settled fae communities, where they shared magic tales of their adventures. For efficiency, they had fairies imbue the magic of endurance to these bands.”

  Narrowing her eyes, Keren squinted at the artifact. “What do you mean by merge with the recipient?”

  “That’s what the tome states. I imagine it becomes a permanent fixture on your person. That’s only my guess.”

  “Haven’t you tested it?”

  Azalea tipped her head, frowning. “No. If we had, the artifact couldn’t be here.”

  Keren’s stomach was tied in knots. While she wanted a solution to help her hold her magic, the only thing she knew about this artifact was from an ancient tome.

  “You said some artifacts lose potency. Could that be true with this one?”

  “We don’t know. The specific potion magic used on the band has been lost.”

  Keren’s breath quickened. She felt her heartbeat thumping in her chest. “So, you really don’t know what would happen if I put the band on.”

  “I do not.” Azalea held the band out. “It’s your choice to use it or not.”

  With a shaking hand, Keren took the band. She turned it over, examining it. This might give her the ability to fight against the Dark Guild. Then again, fae used this magic, not humans.

  “You said ‘when a band is closed on a fae’s wrist,’ will it matter that I’m a human?”

  “I don’t know.” Azalea moved closer. Her eyes riveted to Keren’s. “It could provide the help you’re looking for, or it may do nothing at all. But keep in mind, there is always the risk of it causing a serious illness or even death.”

  Keren gasped and her body trembled. Was it worth risking her life to be a part of the attack against the Dark Guild? She licked her lips. Her mistake had put this nightmare into motion. Without her creatures, she didn’t think the shifters would survive. She had to be part of stopping the Dark Guild. She had to decide now.

  “What would you do?” she whispered.

  Azalea shook her head. “The choice is yours.” She stepped back, giving Keren room.

  Sweat trickled down her back as she stared at the band. She didn’t want to die. But doing nothing while the Dark Guild annihilated the shifter race, including Briggs and Nadria, was a fate worse than death. Her muscles tightened. You can do this, she thought. The twisted curse had given her the power to stop the cursed creatures. She had to accept her fate. With a flick of her hand, she clamped the band on her wrist.

  A scream burst from her throat as a searing pain shot through her arm. With a sizzle, the band melted into her skin. Her eyes bulged, watching it wrap itself in a spiral up her arm. She felt the burning stop at her shoulder.

  While staggering back, she grasped her wrist where she placed the band. All she felt was her burning skin. The red and black colors crept along the back of her hand, then between her fingers. She flipped her hand over, seeing the colors swirl into a ball on her palm.

  Azalea grabbed her other arm. “What are you feeling?” Her expression looked more inquisitive than concerned.

  “It’s burning my arm,” Keren yelled.

  “Any queasiness, lightheadedness?”

  While hissing in air through her teeth, Keren nodded her head.

  Azalea’s firm grip kept Keren on her feet. Her arm trembled from the trauma. Finally, the burning sensation subsided. After turning away from her arm, she drew in a long, ragged breath. The artifact must have ruined her arm.

  “What do you feel now?” asked Azalea.

  “My arm tingles.” Keren bit her lip while blinking tears from her eyes. “How bad is it?”

  “It’s beautiful.”

  Keren blinked, then turned to look at her arm. The red and black snake-skin pattern glistened on her skin. The detail of the lines made it look alive.

  “Wow.” While twisting her arm, she inspected the work of art. “It’s like a tattoo.”

  She had expected a burst of energy like drinking a pack of Red Bull. But she felt normal. Other than her tingling arm, she felt no different.

  “Am I supposed to have a superpower now?” She looked at Azalea.

  Azalea scowled. “I told you we don’t know how the magic will work with a human.” She turned, heading to the door. “Let’s go back to the council chambers and run some tests.”

  Keren pulled her chin back, furrowing her eyebrows. Azalea talked like she was a lab rat. Other than giving her a badass tattoo, it seemed the Band of Endurance did nothing for her. She hoped they would find the magical words to get the endurance to kick into action. With a sigh, she followed Azalea.

  Back in the council chamber hall, Keren focused on the pulse in her solar plexus. It shot up her neck, exploding to her eyes. With a smile, she looked at the council members. Madam Windsburrow beamed at her.

  Tabitha stood next to Master Rollins. She and Faraday had been there when Keren and Azalea had returned to the chamber hall. Tabitha’s mouth gaped open as she saw Keren’s skin light up with magic. After her initial shock, she gave Keren a warm smile.

  Faraday lurked behind Master Rollins, his angular jaw clenched with tension. Did that wolf ever relax?

  She focused on thoughts of One, picturing him somersaulting in the air. Within moments, he appeared before them.

  Gasps came from the group. Their wide eyes converging on One. Keren lifted her chin. Yes, she summoned One. She took a deep breath, focusing her thoughts on Two. It burst into view, its flaming ram horns swaying back and forth. Sweat trickled down her face as her legs spasmed. The endurance boost could kick in anytime now.

  In the same way, she summoned Three and Four. All four of her creatures surrounded her, flesh and blood, waiting for her instructions. With a gulp, she staggered. Her vision blurred as her legs threatened to give out. A hand grasped her newly tattooed arm.

  “Focus on the artifact. Tap into its magic,” Azalea shouted.

  Keren put her fingertips on her forehead. The world spun around her, and she felt the magic fading. Then she noticed the spiral on her palm. When she concentrated on it, she felt a tingling sensation. While closing her fist, she pressed her fingers to the spiral.

  Suddenly, her heart tried tearing itself from her chest. She gasped, throwing her head back. While her body convulsed, she felt another set of hands loop under her arms. She’d found the artifact’s magic. Bright lights flashed in her eyes. Was this what death felt like?

  “Keren.” Nadria’s voice sounded distant. “Keren, look at me.”

  She thought of each of her creatures. One, the air elemental
; Two, the fire elemental; Three, the earth elemental; and, finally, Four, the water elemental.

  Fingers grabbed her chin, turning her head in the voice's direction. She blinked her eyes. The flashing lights faded as Nadria’s worried face came into view. She blinked again, looking past Nadria. She laughed, seeing Two’s flames rising higher and burning brighter.

  Tabitha’s voice came from behind her. “Can you stand on your own?”

  With a nod, Keren said, “Yes.”

  She moved away from Tabitha, then turned. There they were, all four of her magnificent creatures, alive. No, more than alive. Their colors were sharper, and she felt them pulse with energy. Somehow, she acted like a battery, feeding them energy.

  Adrenaline raced through her veins while her heart pounded. All the aches and pains she’d gained over the last few days disappeared. She felt strong, invincible.

  She spun around to face the council. Her eyes focused on Master Rollins. “I’m ready for battle.”

  His eyebrows raised. “Are you?” After placing his hands behind his back, he paced the floor, not taking his eyes off Keren. “They look impressive, and the artifact gave you the endurance to hold your magic. But how do you control them? Are you an expert in all four elemental magics?” He stopped pacing and raised his chin as if he outsmarted her, asking a question she couldn’t answer.

  Keren crossed her arms over her chest. “I don’t use elemental magic, they do. I’m their energy source.”

  Master Rollins frowned. “Explain.”

  “I didn’t tell Four to use water jets or Three to make a lava ball out of fire. They just knew.”

  He steepled his fingers. “So, you have no control over them. How do we know they will fight for us and not against us?”

  While pursing her lips, she frowned. She hadn’t thought about that. Turning, she looked at her creatures. Their eyes focused on her. While walking over to Three, she held out her palm. Three held out its palm, too, touching Keren’s as she drew close. She wiggled her fingers under the branches to touch the soft, green fur beneath. Three tilted its head while wrinkling its nose.

  They were connected, she and her creatures. Whereever she went and whatever side she fought on, they would be right beside her. She smiled at Three, then pulled her hand away. Turning, she addressed Master Rollins.

  “They are a part of me. We fight together.”

  He squinted, giving her a skeptical look.

  “I say she goes with the warrior pack to attack the Dark Guild,” said Master Anderson.

  “I second,” said Madam Windsburrow.

  “She’s a wild card. We can’t take the risk.” Master Rollins went back to pacing. “If the Dark Guild survives our attack, they’ll continue killing innocent shifters. Are you willing to take that responsibility?”

  “If you don’t take her,” Azalea said, “and the Dark Guild survives, will you take that responsibility?”

  Tabitha approached Master Rollins. “We need every advantage. That one cursed wolf on Princeton Street tore through twelve inquisitors’ magic like paper. How many more creatures might they have?”

  Master Rollins growled. “Very well. She’s under your supervision.”

  “Yes, sir,” said Tabitha. She glanced over at Keren, giving her a wink.

  “You can’t be serious?” Faraday spat. “She’s an untrained child.”

  “Faraday.” Tabitha’s voice carried harsh authority. “The warrior pack will coordinate with Keren and Briggs’ squad. Is that understood?”

  Briggs? Keren’s heart leaped. Of course it would be Briggs and his squad. They’ve been working on Dark Guild cases since they began.

  Faraday snarled. “Yes, ma’am.” His yellow eyes locked onto Keren’s, contempt written on his face. He turned, storming out of the building.

  Master Rollins waved at the creatures. “For heaven’s sake, put those away.”

  While she looked down at her glowing arms, she realized she’s forgotten about her magic. After turning to face her creatures, she said, “Get ready. We’re kicking some arcanum butt.” All four turned to mist and dissipated into the air after she released her magic.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Quinlin

  Quinlin relaxed in an overstuffed chair, staring at Keren. She sat cross-legged on the couch, wearing a short-sleeved pajama set with llamas in various silly poses. Although he preferred her in the nightshirt she wore in Daytona, her sensual features somehow muted the childish cartoons. Since she’d gotten back from the Magic Underground, she had an air of confidence about her, intensifying his attraction to her.

  What he would have given to have been there when she had summoned all four creatures. With her by his side, they would rule the world. When she noticed him staring at her, she raised her eyebrows, taking a long moment to gaze into his eyes.

  Ordell sat next to Keren, admiring the artifact emblazoned on her arm.

  “So, this was a bracelet that burned into your skin?”

  “Yes. It’s called the Band of Endurance.” She turned her hand over, exposing her palm with the swirl. “If I press my palm, I get an energy surge.”

  “That’s cool. Do you think Ms. Oakdove would give me an artifact?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe. If you needed one.”

  That woman walked into the room. “I’m making tea. Anyone interested in a cup?”

  “Yes, please,” said Nadria. She sat on the coffee table facing Keren.

  “Can you bring the bag of pretzels I saw on the counter?” Keren asked.

  That woman rolled her eyes. “Sure, I’ll be back in a minute.” She walked back into the kitchen.

  “Mom looks so much better.” Keren smiled at Quinlin.

  He returned the smile. “She’s getting stronger every day.” Although a true statement, it didn’t provide Quinlin with the same happiness as Keren. That woman killed his father and yet here he was, sleeping under the same roof as her. It made his skin crawl. But even worse, he endured two shifters.

  “Tell me again how you found the Magic Underground.” Quinlin sat on the edge of the chair. “I found that part fascinating.”

  “Alright.” Keren bubbled with enthusiasm. “Azalea has artifacts hidden behind a mirror in her office. To get to the Magic Underground, you need to hold on to the artifact.”

  “Anyone can go through?”

  “I think so, as long as you have an artifact. There are several more on the other side for anyone who’s leaving the underground.”

  Quinlin smiled, nodding his head. With this information, he’d be able to annihilate all the shifters. None of them could hide from him in the underground.

  “These artifacts,” he gestured to her arm, “where did they come from?”

  Ordell held up his hand. “I got this.”

  While gritting his teeth, Quinlin kept his face neutral. He wanted to know the location of the other artifacts, not get a history lesson from a puca. A throbbing pain stabbed at the front of his head.

  “Elves created the artifacts, but fairies imbued them with magic. When the elves left, the fairies took possession of the artifacts.” The puca’s horse’s ears wiggled back and forth.

  That woman came out of the kitchen. She handed a cup of tea to Nadria and the bag of pretzels to Keren.

  “Thanks, Ms. Stewart.”

  “Thanks, Mom.” Keren popped a few pretzels in her mouth.

  “You’re welcome, girls.” She sat on the other side of Keren, balancing her cup of tea on her lap.

  “Are we talking five or six artifacts?” Quinlin pressed for information.

  “Azalea said over twenty-three hundred are in the vault. They’re categorized and labeled.”

  He took in a deep breath, twenty-three hundred artifacts. What an unexpected bonus. After he eliminated the shifters, he would confiscate these artifacts, claiming them for the Dark Guild.

  At that moment, Briggs walked in. He’d been outside since receiving a phone call over an hour ago.

  �
�Keren, we’re leaving at 4 am sharp tomorrow.”

  Her hands went to her cheeks. “Is this it?”

  “Yes. An arcanum broke down this evening in an interrogation. He confirmed what the woman from the motel told us.”

  “And what did the woman tell you?” Quinlin tried to sound casual, but his frustration with the recent sloppy work of the arcanum made his tone sharp. The inquisitor glared at him.

  Keren blurted out, “They’re at Madam Murray’s Wax Museum.”

  With that bomb of information, Quinlin’s heart raced. He’d been so careful. Somehow, he had to get word to the arcanum about the strike. But being cooped up here made that challenging.

  Briggs never let the car keys out of his sight, and he had the only cell phone. With a seemingly unending orange orchard surrounding the house, Quinlin had no idea how close the nearest neighbor was. Every time he went outside, he saw inquisitors patrolling the grounds.

  He could kill Briggs and kidnap Keren, holding her hostage while he escaped. Although that would work, Keren showed a fondness for the inquisitor. So, just like that woman, he tolerated Briggs’ presence for a little while longer. At least until Keren denounced her old life and took her place by his side. He needed to come up with a different plan.

  “That’s at ICON Park,” said Ordell. “I remember riding that giant ferris wheel that gave you a bird's-eye view of Orlando. I think it’s called The Wheel. There’s an aquarium and arcade there, too. I haven’t been there for years.”

  “Right,” added Nadria, “I remember a lagoon with a Bellagio-style fountain show. “

  “You’re not going,” Briggs said in a flat tone then turned to Nadria, “and neither are you.”

  They both started to object but stopped when he held up his hand.

  “Officer Jordon will be here tomorrow. He has strict instructions to keep Ms. Stewart safe and make sure all of you stay put.” His sweeping hand movement included Quinlin. By the stern look on his face, they knew not to object.

  Briggs’ phone rang. He checked the caller ID, then answered.