by T. S. Snow
“Andres,” I commanded, not needing to say anything else.
“On it.”
I felt the brush of his magic against me as his illusion took hold, and I knew that even as she sped through the lot, Gran was also being cloaked in illusion.
“We need to go after her. The further she is from me, the harder it’ll be to mask her aura. I actually have no idea if I’m even succeeding in masking her aura in the first place, but I followed her instructions so it should be fine.”
We got out of the car and rushed after Gran. Andres hadn’t changed her appearance much, just enough to make sure her clothes looked more normal and grandmotherly, and her face was a little more generic. Hopefully, this would be enough that people would think she was just an old lady going to visit some family member, and not Alma Siela-Tumba, former fiancée of Lawrence Soulbinder.
This whole situation was giving me an ulcer.
Gran didn’t bother stopping at the reception desk, walking straight to the elevators, as if she knew where she was going.
Knowing her, she probably did.
We followed her all the way to Theodore’s room, where we found Char’s ex lying in bed, fully clothed and packed, scrolling through his phone.
When he saw us coming in, his eyes widened, and he frowned. Probably due to the fact Gran didn’t even bother knocking.
“Can I help you?” he asked politely, putting his phone down and looking at us.
Like the no-nonsense woman that she was, Gran walked right up to him, putting her hand on his arm, and hummed.
Theodore’s whole body froze. His eyes flickered from her to me, and then narrowed on Andres, who hadn’t bothered cloaking himself.
“Illudere, what the fuck is this?” he asked Andres, his green eyes full of suspicion.
Gran’s humming stopped, and then she dropped his arm as if nothing had happened.
“What a mess,” she said, staring down at Theodore with pity. “She’s bound you to seek your soulmate, but also to keep away from Charisma? Just how fucking stupid is your grandmother?” There was no small amount of disgust in her tone.
“What the hell are you talking about?” Theo exploded. “Who are you?” He stared at all of us as if he’d never seen us before.
Which, thanks to Andres’s illusion, he hadn’t.
“Manners, boy,” Gran chided, as if she was talking to a misbehaving five year old. “I could’ve been your grandmother, too. Show some respect.” I wanted to groan. Did she listen to nothing I told her before we came here?
“You’ve been soul-bound. Ironic, isn’t it, considering your name? Now hold still. I’m going to fix the mess Esme made, and then you’re going to help me teach your grandmother she cannot simply fuck with people the way she has been. She’s not a damn puppeteer.”
Well, I had not seen that coming. And based on Theodore’s face, neither had he.
Mind. Blown.
Afterword
Dun dun duuunn!! Just kidding! Please don’t kill me with the pitchforks. I swear I did my very best to make this ending way less cliffy than the other ones…and I was feeling pretty confident about it until my betas started yelling at me (rude).
Anyway, I know some of you expected Char’s story to end in this book, because it’s kind of what I had planned. However ,while I was writing it, I felt like the ending and the relationship progression would be too rushed if this was the last book, so you guys are getting one more book. That being said, when you close this and go back to Amazon, you’ll see I actually have two books up for preorder. Deadly Illusions, which will be Blair’s story, and Charismatic (book 6 in the Arcane Mage series). In the timeline, Blair’s book takes place midway through this one, when she goes off to find Ricardo, and her book will be released before Char’s final book because of that. If you don’t like Blair, or don’t really care much about her story arc and her harem, you can just skip Deadly Illusions and go straight to Charismatic. There will be a little recap on it during the story. HOWEVER. I do not recommend reading Charismatic and then going to read Deadly Illusions because if you do that you’ll definitely get spoilers. Unless you don’t mind spoilers, in which case, have fun and happy reading ;).
Also, please keep in mind that the current preorder dates are mostly placeholders. I’ll try my best to release the book early, and I’ll be sure to let you guys know if I can do that. I’m trying to give myself enough time to make sure Char’s story has the best possible ending, and that I’ll give her the HEA she deserves. So please hang in there. <3 And thank you for the patience.
That’s about it. I think.
If you liked the book, please consider leaving a review. Authors love reviews, it gives them something nice to read when we’re being swallowed by self-doubt and struggling with a story. Plus, it’s a great way for new readers to find new books to love.
You guys are amazing, thanks for sticking with Char this far.
Acknowledgments
First of all I want to thank each and every one of you. Thank you for reading, recommending, yelling about it and even throwing this book at your significant others and family. When I started the journey I never had expected to make a career out of writing, and that so many people would love my crazy, clumsy, hyper distracted character, but I’m so glad you guys love Char as much as I do. She’s a delight to write because she always makes me laugh, and I’m glad that during this tough times this little mailbox opossum can give you lot a little something to smile about.
I’d also like to thank Candice, Stacey, Marie, and R.L. for all the sprinting sessions. Seriously, this book would not have been completed on time if you guys hadn’t beaten my ass in the sprint room day after day.
Colette, for always being willing to help me when I need to plot or just talk a scene out so I can make it work.
Ann, for being the best mentor ever.
Rachel, Lysanne, Kelly, Isabelle, Janet, Danielle, and Cindy, thank you for being such amazing betas and catching whatever mistakes slipped through.
Mom, if you’ve made it this far in the series (Please do not tell me. Ever) I hope you know I super appreciate your support but you should really stop reading my books. Just saying. This is your final warning.
Gatti, for helping me out with all the engineering stuff and for making sure Charisma actually knows what the hell she’s talking about. And also for constantly suggestion I kill off more people and complaining I’m too nice an author. I love your face.
I’m probably forgetting a million names, but I’ll pull a page out of Char’s book and just play possum.
So just…Thank you lots!
Also by T.S. Snow
The Arcane Mage Series
Chaotic
Hectic
Erratic
Frenetic
Ecstatic
Charismatic
Arcane Mage World Spinoffs
Deadly Illusions (Blair’s book)
Darker Shade Series
Rise of Shadows
Shared World Standalone
Stolen Hearts, Book 9 of the Mischief Matchmakers Series
About the Author
A scientist at heart, T.S. Snow lives in a land far far away, secluded from most authors and readers (rumor has it that if you open your wardrobe you can find her hiding in there trying to take a nap). T.S. has a thirst for learning new languages, even if she is mostly worried about finding out new curse words in them. She has an amazing support system that include a loving boyfriend, her family, friends and her loyal–if completely lazy–dog. When she’s not writing, T.S. can often be found causing complete chaos with her friends on social media, inhaling unhealthy amounts of coffee, or napping. Mostly napping.
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