by Skye Horn
Morrigan, she called out with every bit of power she had. I need you.
Thea didn’t know if it would work. In fact, she didn’t even know if the Goddess would hear her, but it was all she had left in her. She pressed her palms outward, sending a gust of wind that sent Haven, Derek and Jami flying toward Iris and Mica.
“Get them out of here!” she ordered, never letting her eyes leave Ainé’s smirking face.
But the Goddess’ confidence faltered as the wind around Thea picked up and shadows engulfed the room. The temperature dropped and Thea noticed Haven hesitate at the door out of the corner of her eye.
“GO!” Thea screamed, just as a raven swooped down from the skylight, landing on Thea’s shoulder.
She didn’t watch to see if Haven had listened. She could only hope that her Guards would extend their loyalty to her family by protecting them from what was about to come.
“Sister,” Ainé hissed, eyeing the raven. There was a moment of pain as the bird’s talons sliced through Thea’s skin, digging into the softest part of her shoulder, followed by complete bliss as the power of the Goddess flowed into her.
Thea remembered the way Morrigan had controlled Amara the day Marcus had died, but now she really understood it. This power was like nothing she’d ever felt before. Perhaps the Goddess could not be here in person, but that didn’t make her any less powerful, Thea realized.
I warned you of her lies. The connection Thea felt with Morrigan now was stronger than any she’d ever had, but she knew there was no time for debates or “I told you so” moments.
Just tell me how to save Kieran, Thea demanded.
You aren’t strong enough yet, Morrigan said. But you will be if you come to me.
She’ll stop me. Thea thought of Lord Thompson lying lifeless on the floor and Ethel’s crumpled body. All she wanted was to make the pain go away, to let it drown her as it had threatened to do so often in the past. Ainé had destroyed her, and she’d used Kieran to take away one of the most beautiful souls Thea had ever met. Thea knew giving up meant Ethel had died for nothing, but how could she win against a Goddess? She murdered people without even touching them…
I’ll keep you safe.
Thea didn’t know what to believe. She wanted to grab Kieran and run, but she knew he’d never come with her. He’d probably strike her down the minute she got close enough to touch him. Thea prayed that Haven had gotten the others to safety, but where could they go where Ainé couldn’t find them? There was nothing she could do about that now. All she could do was get herself out of here, because if she didn’t, she would be dead soon too.
“Don’t,” Ainé warned and the darkness sparked again inside Thea, bubbling up like a flame she’d never be able to extinguish if set free. She turned her attention to Kieran, who stood blank-faced as if he had no opinion on any of this. Thea saw the blood dripping from his sword and swallowed the bile that rose in her throat.
What had Ainé done to him? What monster could strike down his own family without any regret?
Her heart broke.
“I will come back for you, Kieran,” Thea said aloud, taking a step toward him just as the talons tightened on her shoulders. “I promise.”
And with that, Thea pressed off the ground, taking a leap of faith that Morrigan was right as she flew toward the skylight above.
Ainé screamed at Kieran to go after her, but Morrigan kept her word. Releasing her talons from Thea’s shoulder, the raven burst apart, becoming an enormous cloud of darkness that engulfed Thea.
Let it in, Morrigan commanded, and without hesitation, Thea inhaled the magic, feeling its icy tentacles take control of her lungs, and soared through the skylight and into the open skies outside. There was chaos in the cobblestoned streets below. She heard the screams as her dark magic exploded into the air, but all she could do was cling to the hope that those she loved had gotten to safety.
Thea fought the agony as the image of Ethel diving in front of her, taking that striking blow to save her life, played on repeat. But instead of allowing the grief to tear her apart, she let the darkness entangle her soul, drowning out the pain that would surely kill her. Thea knew if she continued to think of Ethel, she would never survive.
Let the darkness in.
Thea remembered her deal with Morrigan. She’d promised and she complied, because hate was easier than grief and she had plenty of hate right now.
I’ll come back for you all, Thea thought, listening to Ainé’s screams fading away below as she burst through the clouds and headed for Blackmire—straight to the Goddess of Death.
Did you enjoy “Wings of Deception?”
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Also by Skye Horn
Don’t miss out on more magic, myth, and legend in Book 3
Wings of Ruin
Coming soon to AMAZON
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Acknowledgments
I need to start by thanking my incredible, patient husband, Robert. From reading early drafts to listening to me rant about plot lines to making me coffee so that I could stay awake to work—I couldn’t have done it without you, babe.
Second, I’d like to thank my family and friends for their constant love and support. If I could, I’d list you all by name, but I hope that you know who you are because you’ve kept me sane during this entire process by listening to me rant and reminding me that I’m doing what I love.
Last, I’d like to thank the Self-Publishing School coaches and community. They were there for me through each and every question; through cover design; and through launching my debut novel. I honestly would have been lost without you all being there to answer my questions and support my journey. So, thank you.
About the Author
SKYE LIVES IN THE SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAINS WITH HER HUSBAND AND TWO FUR-BABIES. SHE ENJOYS THE BEAUTIFUL AND QUIET MOUNTAIN LIFE, MORNING WRITING SESSIONS WITH A CUP OF COFFEE ON HER HOME’S LARGE DECK, AND DANCING IN HER LIVING ROOM TO HELP HER CREATIVE JUICES FLOW. SHE HOPES TO INSPIRE A NEW GENERATION OF YOUNG WRITERS TO ALWAYS FOLLOW THEIR DREAMS BY TELLING THE STORIES THAT CONSTANTLY DISTRACT THEM FROM REALITY.