Marked Chaos

by Niki Livingston

  “Where did you go?” she asked, weeping into my hair.

  I squeezed her back, then leaned away to see her face. “We are not entirely sure, but we ended up exactly where Malcolm told us it had to start.”

  Dad leaned in and hugged me. “I always knew you had it in you. Just did not think it would require you to light up like a torch and disappear right before my eyes.”

  “Is that what happened?” I asked, glancing at Kia Lynn and Zoe Dawn. They were listening intently.

  A few others pushed through the crowd and I grinned when I saw Uncle Henry and Eshah break through.

  “You continue to keep us on our toes,” Uncle Henry blurted, giving me a hug then ruffling up my hair. “We have got to stop meeting like this.”

  I glanced over at Eshah. “It is great to see you are well, friend.”

  She brought her hands to her lips and smiled. “You as well, my dear friend.”

  “Kia Lynn!” a man shouted from the crowd, waving his hand as he pushed his way through.

  I glanced her way, watching as a wide grin broke out on her face and she bounced on her toes, just before throwing her arms around the neck of this man.

  “Alarix, how did you know I was here?”

  “Are you kidding me?” he asked, leaning back and planting a kiss on her forehead. “Ever since the mating ceremony, I have been searching high and low for you. They said they were taking you back to your village, but when I was finally granted permission to enter, Rafael said you went looking for Zoe Dawn.” He reached over and squeezed Zoe Dawn’s forearm. “I have not stopped until I found you.”

  Malcolm stepped into the midst of our circle and looked at all three of us. “Thank you.” His palms came together at his chest, and he bowed slightly. “My family has guarded this sanctuary for centuries, and now our Mother Gaia has been returned to her majestic beauty. As the inhabitants of her lands, we are obligated to protect, nurture, and sustain Her and Her creations. That includes you three as the elemental connections to earth.” He lifted his gaze to meet ours. “I bow to each one of you, promising to continue to serve our Mother and be your guiding light until the end of my days.”

  My fingers pressed against my lips, suppressing a laugh as my eyes turned toward Kia Lynn and Zoe Dawn.

  “Beautiful, Malcolm,” Zoe Dawn replied, blinking away tears. Then unable to hold it back any longer, she burst into laughter.

  Malcolm stood up straight, confusion clouding his expression.

  I reached over and squeezed his arm. “Thank you, Malcolm, but it is okay to lighten up. After all, it is Her will and wish that we live a happy life.” I winked as I grabbed Dad’s and Mom’s hands and pulled them back into the crowd. “We really should celebrate.”

  “Be with your friends,” Mom said, pushing me toward the butterflies. “Go see what your magic has done for our world.”

  I grinned again and skipped after the others, who were gathering near the tunnel that was now filled in again.

  Dax was speaking as I drew near. “When the light surrounded you, your feet seemed to mold into one and root into the dirt like those of trees.” He pushed his fingers toward the ground as if to show what had happened. “Then a fire whirlwind surrounded you, and the ground swallowed you whole. Afterward the earth shook and rolled. We barely made it out of the tunnel before it collapsed behind us.” He jabbed his thumb over his shoulder.

  “What happened to Tatum and Beatle?” I asked. My fingers intertwined and I wrung my hands.

  Dax twisted to look at me. “Tatum attempted to pull Kia Lynn from your circle, but he must have been zapped with something.” He shrugged his shoulders. “He dragged Beatle back through the tunnel. I doubt they made it to the other side before it collapsed.”

  My heart ached for Beatle. She was innocent in all of this, but Tatum’s death was a relief.

  My gaze drifted over the sanctuary. The vibrancy of the vegetation was breathtaking. I had been in such a hurry to see my family, I hadn’t even paid attention to the scene unfolding before us. The blossoms had unfurled in every direction, overtaking the green foliage and creating a wonderland of beauty. Our own Garden of Eden was emerging.

  Dax reached out his hand to me. “Beatle and Tatum won’t be able to hurt you again.”

  I took his hand, and he pulled me in close.

  “All that matters is that you three made it happen. My phantom sorceress and her magical sidekicks.”

  I laughed, and Zoe Dawn reached over and flicked him in the cheek.

  “Is that so?” Zoe Dawn’s arms folded over her chest. “Someone will be kicking, and I doubt it will feel magical.”

  “Dax is as sweet as a newborn puppy dog,” Covyn said, sliding up next to Zoe Dawn.

  Zoe Dawn linked arms with Covyn. “Sounds about right.” She winked and pulled Covyn down next to Kia Lynn, Alarix, and Anna Rain.

  Dax wrapped me in his arms, and his lips grazed over my cheek. “You will always be my phantom sorceress.”

  I snuggled in, and we walked toward the butterflies. I held out my arm, and several of the insects landed on my exposed skin, lighting up my anaman markings when they touched them.

  “See,” Dax said, pointing at the enchanting sight. “There is so much more to learn about you. I think you will have me on my toes for a very long time.”

  “Count on it.” I nudged him in the side with my other elbow.

  “Might as well eat out here,” Aly hollered at the vast group, which was scattered in every direction. She set a basket of fruit down by Zoe Dawn. “I will bring out more. Enjoy.”

  “Good, I’m starving.” Dax’s arms fell to his side as he turned toward the food.

  “Alex, can we talk first?” Dad called, waving me over to the top of the staircase.

  I glanced back at my new circle of friends. Zoe Dawn and Kia Lynn both perked up with smiles. We were bonded for life, and as strange as that sounded, I was excited to see where this connection would take us. I held up a finger at them as Dax patted my shoulder and strolled their way. I hurried toward Dad.

  I sank onto a large tree stump in front of him. “What is it?”

  “We were hoping this subject would never arise again.” Dad glanced at Mom, and she reached out and touched his hand. Now I was worried. His gaze returned to mine, but now a look of despair was melting down his face. “It is possible Tallisa has found a way to this dimension.”

  My heart dropped into my stomach. “How?” I asked, my thoughts tumbling back to the table she had strapped me to. The burning. The cutting. The stabbing. It was as if I had never left that room.

  “Henry is working on it right now. We will find out if she is really here,” Mom replied, her arms wrapping around me protectively. “But there is more.”

  “More?” My voice was barely a whisper. How could one woman send me spiraling back to being a scared little girl?

  Mom and Dad were quiet. I lifted my gaze and stared at Dad’s grief-stricken face.

  “What is it?” I asked, my tone rising an octave. I twisted out of Mom’s embrace and stared at her. “Tell me, please.”

  Mom pressed her lips together, then leaned in and grabbed both my hands. “Kia Lynn is her daughter.”

  Every muscle in my body tensed as sorrow wrenched at my heart, shattering my new, wonderful world right before my eyes. My gaze floated between my parents, then slowly I turned to look at my friends. Kia Lynn was giggling as Alarix pulled her down onto his lap. The entire community was celebrating our win. We had given Mother Gaia her sparkle back.

  The excitement that had surrounded me just moments before, crumbled away as one woman’s existence once again threatened to rip my entire life away from me.

  Are you ready for the next

  Chaos Awakened

  adventure?

  Buy Expanded Chaos HERE

  Releasing November 10, 2020

  EARTH'S TRANSFORMATION swept like wildfire across the globe, but now threats of extinction hover in the heavens as well as o
n sturdy ground.

  Whispers of her mother returning consume Kia Lynn’s every thought, but she quickly realizes the intentions of her mother might not have always been pure. An unbroken bond between them lingers, convincing her she can still save the woman she loves most in the world.

  Zoe Dawn's confidence has soared because of her elemental connection to Mother Gaia. Revealing her true nature is now more important than ever, but a secret exchange between the Doyen and a stranger could dim her fire and have her questioning her place among her people.

  Alex's hidden past is being unraveled through spiteful actions of her aunt, who also threatens Alex's very existence. An uncle who risked his life to protect her and the time machine that gave her a new beginning, have been ripped away to ensure her past escape will become her eternal grave.

  The three elementals believed their obligation was fulfilled, but as the world awakens, new foes and challenges arise intent on destroying all they have created.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  THIS YEAR HAS BEEN far from ordinary. It started out with a roar, but has faded into a sigh. As I write this, I am grateful to be right here, experiencing, witnessing, and evolving with humankind. I hope at the end of this year, pandemic, trauma, etc. we are all more compassionate, kind, and united because as cliché as this has become, we really are in this together.

  I first outlined this book back in 2017, while I was finishing my Theia’s Moons series. It started with just Zoe Dawn and Kia Lynn, then in 2019 I added Alex. I needed the third elemental and she fit snug and tight into the story. Writing their journey during the Covid-19 pandemic seemed fitting, since I felt like I was living in a dystopian world. Now it is complete and I am thrilled to share it with my readers. Thank you for showing up and diving into this story with me!

  My family has been a solid rock for me. Between my surgery in January and then holding space for me while I recovered and wrote this story, was a gift. They are my lifeline and I am grateful that I have such an amazing support system.

  Thank you to my editor, Angie Wade from Novel Nurse Editing. I love your saucy humor that makes me laugh while working through your constructive feedback! I appreciate all the work you put into my manuscripts. Once again, you have helped me sculpt a story I am proud to call my art.

  I want to give Niki Ellis Designs a big round of applause. Thank you for seeing my vision and creating a fantastic book cover for this mystical dystopian world I created. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with you!

  Finally, to my fans, readers, followers, and all who have supported me on this road. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! I would not be here if it weren’t for you. Cheers to many more years of entertaining you with my imagination!

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING Author Niki Livingston writes tales of epic and dystopian fantasy worlds filled with magic, mysticism, and mystery.

  When she's not busy writing enchanting stories of diverse women rising in their power and strength, she spends her time walking her rescue puppy, quieting her mind with meditation and yoga, diving into the newest books of Veronica Roth and Anne Bishop, and binge-watching Game of Thrones, The Mandalorian, and The 100.

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  www.NikiLivingston.com