Maybe I really can fly, I thought with wonder.
I flapped my wings again, this time on purpose. I lifted up three feet in the air and tried to hover. I dropped back to the floor almost as fast.
Okay, so this is going to take a lot of practice. I would kill for an empty field right now. Or a gymnasium with lots of mats.
The mats would be key. So would privacy. Because I had a feeling I was going to be crashing a lot.
I grabbed an old button-down flannel I’d packed for sleep and put in on backward, tying ends around my waist at the back. I didn’t need to be standing here half-naked. Just in case the bond was still working on some level.
I experimented a few more times before I noticed that with every stroke, the texture of my wings was changing. They had felt soft when they first emerged. Unfinished. Like a baby bird emerging from an egg. Now, they were sprouting bigger feathers before my eyes, white and fluffy and nearly glowing. I grabbed a compact from my purse and turned around, holding it high in the air so I could see my wings fully extended.
Nightfall, I actually am glowing. I have radioactive wings.
I lifted them up and down, tucking them against my body protectively, as I might do in battle. They felt sturdy now, not early as delicate and unformed as they had seemed at first. I practiced moving in different ways and tried to fly a bit. It was nearly impossible to do indoors without crashing into the ceiling.
That would definitely draw attention, and I wasn’t sure how long it would take to withdraw my wings once they were out if someone sent security to investigate. So yeah, the wings were still kind of a hindrance to my plan to get across to Europe without attracting notice. But I had to admit, they were pretty badass.
I opened my trunk and pulled out two of my fighting blades. I held one in each hand and grinned at the mirror. I really was an Angel, after all. I smiled and let my fangs pop. But I was an Angel with teeth.
I heard a lazy drawl in my mind, much louder than I could have imagined. Maxim. He sounded exhausted. And annoyed.
What do you mean, you’ve grown wings?
I don’t know what made me do it, but I dropped my shields. I let him see.
Don’t worry. I told you I can take care of myself.
I felt shock and awe down the bond. I could feel Dylan too. They started talking at once, demanding answers. I ignored them, throwing up my shields again. I was shocked at how effective it was. I’d thought I had outrun them, but it wasn’t that at all. It might not even be sharing my blood with Christopher. The bond was just as solid as it had been before. In fact, I thought it was more substantial now, judging from the volume I’d heard them at.
My powers were stronger. I just hadn’t noticed.
I could finally block out the bond. Really block it out. I had total control. It must have slipped in my excitement and awe over my wings. It wouldn’t happen again, though. I wouldn’t allow it. I couldn’t or the whole plan would be at risk. I swore that to myself.
I carefully folded my wings back in. It didn’t take as long as I feared. And it didn’t hurt, even with all the feathers. There was magic involved as well as mechanics, I realized. I took a quick shower. I dressed carefully, wanting to make the right impression on the ship.
I set aside a few outfits I thought would work with the wings for training, with some minor alterations. I needed a sewing kit, but that should be easy enough to find.
I also needed some rope. I would learn to fly before we reached England, I vowed. If I held onto the rope, I might be able to use the wind coming off the ocean to practice without crashing into anything. Kind of like using a harness to ride a horse. I would just be riding the wind instead.
I ran a brush through my hair and nodded at the mirror. A wealthy young woman looked back at me. Her hair might be a little wild, but other than that, she looked perfectly respectable. Unremarkable.
No one would bother me or think I was anything but an ordinary human. Just one with a fat bank account and a trust fund.
If only they knew what I was hiding under my crisp white shirt and navy cardigan. I picked up my purse and glanced at the schedule. It was nearly time for lunch.
And I was starving.
End of book three
Sneak Peek Of The Mermaid Trials
By Cameron Drake
Mermaid Trials Excerpt
Trumpets blared as the competitors swam slowly in an ever-shrinking circle until the arena was filled with a spiral of healthy young Mers. The array of costumes and armor was staggering, as were the different varieties of Mer.
Unlike our two-legged cousins, we reflected the colors of the sea. Mers came in all shapes and colors, many of them shocking pink, blue, and yellow. And that was only their hair!
I stared around in wonder, forgetting to be nervous. Forgetting for a moment that they were sizing me up just as I sized them up.
A large Mer towered over the rest, where he bobbed gracelessly in the center of the spiral. I remembered that we’d been ranked. As late-comers, Dane and I were at the absolute bottom. We hadn’t been judged on size and merit, but we were at the bottom all the same.
“I suppose there’s no place to go but up?”
I cocked a jaunty eye at Dane. He forced a smile, but I could tell he was nervous. Only a fool would not be.
And apparently, I was a fool.
All I felt was excitement. Excitement and wonder. I was eager to begin. Even with no sleep and no food in my belly, I was ready to begin the great race that traditionally started the Trials. I would have to wait until tomorrow though. I wondered if I would be able to sleep at all.
And then my stomach rumbled. Loudly.
Dane raised a brow.
“Let me guess, they forgot to feed you as well.”
I nodded with a wry smile.
“That’s okay. I know how to scavenge. If you’re hungry, you can come along.”
His face showed his surprised pleasure.
His eyes twinkled. “I would like that very much . . . Tri.”
I nodded and waited for the opening ceremony to begin.
Turn the page for an excerpt of DreamShifters Book 1:
Original Witch
Original Witch Excerpt
Dean
My eyes slipped to the side, resting on the dark, wavy hair again. The hair that was shorter than I remembered. Everything else was the same.
I sat in Freshman Lit, forcing myself to stare blankly towards the front of the lecture hall. It was the third day of classes. I’d spent every day since Freshman orientation looking for her. She hadn't appeared in the kitchen again and I hadn't seen her in the quad.
I was beginning to think I’d imagined the whole thing.
Until now.
Two rows ahead of me and a few seats to the right. A girl sat there that drew my eye repeatedly during the class. He could see her profile and the shoulder length dark hair that curled around her ear perfectly, revealing a graceful jaw and neck.
Her hand fluttered to her throat as if she felt eyes on her. My breath caught as she glanced over her shoulder as if she knew someone was watching her. I glanced away, unconcerned.
I wasn’t the only one checking her out. Krista drew male eyes like moths to a flame. It wasn’t just her beauty either. She looked fragile too, in a way that brought out my protective instincts.
The girl from my dreams was pretty much a man-magnet.
And it was her.
I was not crazy after all.
I leaned back and smiled grimly, letting my eyes rest on her again. I had to talk to her- to make her stay this time. Not run away. She had to know we were meant to be together.
Well, maybe I was a little bit crazy.
I had started to stand in the middle of class the moment I saw her face. I sat down abruptly, realizing looking like a crazy person was not going to help my cause . I had to get to her, to speak to her, not make her run away again.
It was her, but she was different.
Her hai
r was longer in the dreams, and her clothes were different. She was dressed kind of shabbily compared to the plain white nightgown I was used to seeing her in.
It was the sort of nightie that you saw in old movies. White cotton and lace. Virginal.
For some reason I had always found it incredibly arousing. In fact, just holding her hand in the dreams was more satisfying than any of the fumbling sexual encounters I’d had in high school.
I felt it now, a fission of desire that went straight to my gut. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, eager to get on with it.
I’m going to make her talk to me, one way or the other.
The bell rang and she was up like a shot. I cursed when I saw her making a beeline for the door. I couldn't let her get away again.
I stood up and chased after her, pushing people out of the way.
I shoved way through the crowd, finally catching up to her. I lifted my arm and touched her shoulder just as she stepped out of the building.
She turned and her stunning gray eyes widened. She stepped away from me, almost stumbling down the stairs. I reached out for her and steadied her.
Nice Dean, knock your dream girl down the freaking stairs why don’t you? Classy.
The next thing I knew she had darted out into the crowd of milling students on the quad. She was pretty fast for such a little thing. I followed her, unwilling to give up so easily.
"Wait- Krista- I just need to talk to you-"
Jesus Christ, the girl was motoring!
She ignored me, weaving through the crowd of students until she stopped short, blocked by a game of catch football. I grabbed her shoulder and turned her to face me. Not the smoothest move in the book, but I was desperate.
"I know you."
Her big eyes blinked up at me from her heart shaped face. I knew instantly that she was about to lie to me. Even before she opened that beautiful mouth of hers.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I've never seen you before in my life."
"Yes, you have."
I stared at her, my hands firm on her shoulders.
"It's okay. I'm freaked too. This whole thing- it's crazy."
She got perfectly still, staring at the ground as if willing me to go away. Then she shook her head, as if she was trying to clear it.
"Yeah, okay. I guess you're right."
My heart was clanging in my chest as she took a deep breath and looked up at me. Her beautiful gray eyes were lost and I had to fight the desire to pull her into my arms.
"It is crazy. I think I'm going crazy."
I smiled at her.
"Maybe we both are."
Acknowledgments
Cover: Mayhem Cover Creations
Photo: Deposit Photos
Editing: Valorie Clifton
Formatting: Pincushion Press
About the author
Cameron Drake is an avid reader of fantasy and dystopian novels. This is Cameron’s sixth book.
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Also by Cameron Drake
Vampire Princess
Vampire Princess (Book One)
Royally Cursed (Book Two)
Rogue Prince (Book Three)
The mermaid trials
The Mermaid Trials (Book One)
Dreamshifters
Original Witch (Book One)
Moonbound (Book Two)
Coming soon
Mermaid Trials Book Two
Dreamshifters Book Three
Vampire Princess Book Four
Also from Pincushion Press Young Adult
Second Sight
The Dune Walkers
Rogue Prince Page 20
