by Alicia Fabel
Tempest Song
Unraveled World - Book 2
Alicia Fabel
Alicia Fabel
Tempest Song
Unraveled World Series
Copyright © 2018 by Alicia Fabel
All rights reserved
First published in 2018
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.
This is a work of fiction. All characters are fictitious, and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Created with Vellum
Contents
Stay in Touch
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Also by Alicia
Acknowledgments
Author Notes
Oracle’s Luck
Stay in Touch
Facebook - AliciaFabel.Author
Instagram - @AliciaFabel
Website - www.AliciaFabel.com
For my children: Haley, Justis, Emmyline, and Aerabelle. The coolest kids in all the realms.
1
“You like him,” Mimi singsonged across the dorm room Vera shared with her.
“You’re crazy.” Vera pulled a gray stocking cap over her messy bun and checked the mirror to be sure all of her hair was tucked underneath. She scowled at her flaming cheeks.
“Only as crazy as that man is adorable.” Mimi threw herself across her unmade bed with an exaggerated sigh.
“Who’s adorable?” Addamas asked, stepping out of a path from his room on the men’s floor.
“No one,” Vera answered at the same time as Mimi said, “The new librarian intern on campus.”
“That’s why you’ve been spending so much time at the library.” Addamas plopped down beside Mimi. “You’ve got the hots for a nerd, girly?”
“No.” Vera winced at the spike of pain through her temples. Her truth-telling superpower had raised the stakes since Summartir last year. What she wouldn’t give to have her plain-old bells back. The world-thread curled up in Vera’s gut shifted. She held it down until it settled.
“Hold up. I have a picture of him.” Mimi leaped from the bed to retrieve her tablet.
“You took a picture of him?” Vera spun around to gape at her friend, but Mimi ignored her. “Do we need to discuss how humans feel about stalkers?”
Addamas whistled appreciatively when Mimi turned the screen toward him. “Good work, Vera.”
“I’ve never even met him,” Vera protested. “Neither has Miss Paparazzi over there.”
“Oh, but that’ll change tonight,” Mimi assured. “Noah’s scheduled to work when our psych group’s meeting. And I have a plan.”
“How do you know his name?” Vera asked with increasing alarm. “And how do you know his schedule?”
Mimi shrugged with an impish gleam in her eyes. “I may have taken a peek at some files while you were hunting down another book on mythical creatures yesterday.”
“You told me you had to pee.”
“I pee fast.”
Vera smacked a hand to her face, covering one eye. “We’re going to end up with a restraining order, aren’t we?”
“Pshh.” Addamas waved a dismissive hand. “One minute with you and Noah’s the one who’ll need restraining.”
Dear Lady, help me. Addamas and Mimi were teaming up against her. The only time those two were ever on the same page was when they were trying to hook Vera up with a guy. With their meddling powers combined, they were unstoppable.
“Can we just go already?” Vera asked—begged. “I’m hungry.”
“For something other than book-boy?” teased Addamas, making no move to open a path to the meadow for their mid-week check-in. A.K.A. family dinner. A.K.A. a condition of Vera being allowed to attend college while a Siphon Master still roamed Earth.
“We’re supposed to be there in two minutes,” Vera pointed out. “Think Kale’s on his way yet?”
Last time they were late, Kale had stormed the campus. They’d had to hide the Guardian in the closet while security went door to door looking for a madman with a sword. Later that night, Kale had insisted Mimi and Addamas join Vera’s training session. He wanted to be sure they could protect his charge if some baddie had found her. The only reason he’d even agreed to let Vera enroll full-time last semester was because Addamas and Mimi had volunteered to enroll with her. How could the Guardian say no when she had a satyr bounty hunter and a morph queen for bodyguards? Truthfully, Addamas and Mimi were thrilled to be living a human-college-kid life. To make sure Kale didn’t pull the plug on their fun, they followed his rules to the T when it came to Vera’s protection. Even if that meant sparring with the thousand-plus-years-old Guardian to prove they were capable. They’d passed that night, but none of them walked straight for days. They were never late again.
Addamas stood and grumbled, “Gotta suck the fun out of everything, don’t you?”
“Oh, yes. Because this has been so much fun,” Vera said with more irritation than she’d intended.
“You okay?” Mimi frowned. “You seem like something’s bothering you.”
“I’m fine,” Vera apologized. “It’s just been a long day.”
“I’m sorry for giving you a hard time about Noah.” Mimi’s shoulders slumped.
Dang it. Now I’ve made Mimi feel bad. Vera had been determined to get through the day without making anyone else miserable. Way to fail.
“It’s not you. I’m just tired. Spring break needs to hurry up and get here.” Vera did her best impression of a smile.
Mimi nodded in understanding but still seemed deflated.
“You really think Noah will like me?” Vera asked.
That perked the girl up. “I’m totally sure.”
“If not, you’re taking me out for frozen custard after the library,” Vera said.
“Hun, I’m taking you for frozen custard either way, but you’ll be glowing not moping.”
Addamas winked at Vera when Mimi wasn’t looking. A path appeared in the middle of the room, looking like a portal into the woods. The boundary forest to be exact, where the gates to all the realms of the world were tethered. All those gates circled the meadow where Kale lived, and unlike Earth, the meadow was saturated with magic. Addamas gestured for the girls to proceed.
Vera wrapped her fingers around the two charms hanging from her neck. The small white disk with an acorn etched in it was a piece of Summartir eggshell. A symbol of good luck, she’d been told. While she didn’t believe in good-luck charms, she wore it to remind herself of the sacrifices made to protect the world from humans. And that’s where the black teardrop-shaped charm came in. It was a cloaking charm, which hid her powers and muzzled her siphon. With it, Vera couldn’t accidentally suck up the magic around her and become a magic-addicted, world-destroying monster like humanity’s ancestors. That’s what got them all banished to Earth in t
he first place. Heading into the meadow was like heading into a crack den for her siphon. A scary prospect even with her cloak.
“You’ll be fine,” Mimi said, obviously sensing Vera’s reluctance. “We’ll make sure of it.”
“Sometimes I wish I could just go back to being human.”
“I know.” Mimi squeezed Vera’s hand.
“That’s pretty selfish, huh? When the magic inside me keeps everyone here safe.” The world-thread stitched Earth to the rest of the world. Without it, the seams would unravel, and Earth would fall away. In a spectacular display of fiery-death and destruction for all her kind.
“Not selfish.” Mimi shook her head. “That thread also keeps the siphon inside you awake and hungry. It’s never selfish to wish for peace inside your own skin.”
“Since none of us wants you to destroy Earth to get that peace, let’s get to the meadow and work on waking up the good power inside you,” piped Addamas. “Those siphon urges won’t stand a chance against your unicorn, girly.”
“At this point, I wouldn’t even complain about a horn sprouting from my forehead if I could just get a leash on my monster,” said Vera.
Mimi raised a doubtful brow at that. “Mm-hmm.”
“Fine, I’d complain,” Vera admitted. “Just like you’d complain if your paws turned to hooves like Addamas’s.”
“Gods.” Mimi shivered dramatically. “Don’t say stuff like that.”
“Woman,” Addamas said to Mimi. “You only wish you could morph into a sexy-ass satyr instead of a flea-bitten cat.”
The corners of Vera’s mouth tipped up. Their bickering was soothing in its normalcy. It was just a normal day. “All right. Let’s do this,” she said.
Kale picked at his thumbnail. He’d barely been able to eat the lasagna he’d summoned for dinner—Vera’s favorite. Vera hadn’t eaten more than a couple of bites either, which worried him. He wondered if he should let his plan go. Maybe she did just want to forget.
Goddess save me from your incessant worrying. Were you like this before we were bound together? asked Ferrox.
What if she cries or something? Kale scrutinized Vera. She smiled at Mimi, but it was shaky.
Balls, she looks like she’s two seconds from a breakdown already, Ferrox observed through Kale’s eyes. Best of luck with that, old man. I’m headed out.
And you call me a coward.
If she loses it, the last thing you want is for her siphon to latch onto the demon in the meadow. That would be bad news for all of you.
She’s wearing a cloak, Kale reminded.
Yeah, and magicked items have never been known to fail. Ferrox moved into the borderlands.
So, you’re leaving for our protection? That’s the story you’re sticking with?
Just like you’re sticking with the story that you’re only worried about the girl’s feelings right now.
What else would I be worried about? asked Kale.
Oh, I don’t know. Why don’t you man-up and give her your gift? See if you figure it out yourself.
You’re a bastard.
Like all my brothers. Ferrox slipped through a gate and their link severed. Kale caught the scent of sandalwood and smoke in the air. The demon horse had decided to spend the night prowling around his home realm.
“Anyone want dessert?” Kale headed for the cupboard before he could talk himself out of it.
“Uh, you’ve got to ask?” Addamas asked around a mouthful of food and pushed his plate aside. “Bring it on.”
“Nice.” Mimi glowered at Addamas.
Addamas blew a kiss and her nose flared.
As always, the cupboard conjured precisely what Kale wanted. Right down to the twenty flickering candles. Vera’s eyes weren’t the only ones to widen when he set the cake on the table in front of her.
“Happy birthday, Vera,” he said. Stars blast me if this goes badly.
Vera froze. “How’d you know?”
“You mentioned it once.” Kale lifted one shoulder slightly. “The cake is only your first gift.”
“Wait.” Mimi finally found her tongue. “Today’s Vera’s birthday? And you didn’t tell me?”
“That was your second gift,” Kale told Vera.
There were definitely tears in her eyes, but Vera blew out her candles before saying, “It’s exactly what I wanted.”
“What?” Mimi’s voice rose. “How could you not want me to know it’s your birthday?”
“I don’t love my birthday.” Vera’s sad smile made Kale’s chest heavy. “Suzie died three days before I turned eighteen. She went to pick out a birthday gift for me and never made it home.”
Mimi let out a breath. “Oh, honey.”
A single tear spilled down Vera’s cheek. She swiped it away quickly. “You know, I didn’t think I’d ever want another birthday gift after that. Then, last year you gave me the best gift I could’ve asked for,” Vera said to Mimi with a dry laugh. “You shoved me out of that tree and knocked me unconscious. I got to sleep through my birthday.” She turned to Kale. “And this year, I get to spend it with you guys. Which is actually kind of all right.”
Kale tipped his head. “I have one more gift, but maybe you won’t like it so well.”
“I’m sure I’ll love it.”
“It’s outside.”
Vera stilled. “If it’s my own demon horse, I take it back. I don’t want it.”
“It’s not a demon or a horse,” Kale assured. “Or a lizard or snake or spider either.”
“You know me so well.”
“I hope so.”
Kale led them all out the front door, down the porch steps, and around the cabin. Beneath Vera’s window, he’d planted lilac bushes. He’d been babying them for weeks so they didn’t die.
“Suzie’s favorite.” Vera knelt to take in the spicy scent of the tiny lavender blooms just beginning to open.
“Those aren’t just her favorite,” Kale said. “Those are her bushes. I transplanted them from your old apartment building.”
“You dug them out of the planters?” Shock colored Vera’s words.
That’s exactly what he’d done.
Vera stroked one of the blooms. “Each time she planted lilacs, the landlord ripped them out because he didn’t want water wasted on ‘useless weeds.’ And every time he did, Suzie planted new ones. She said those planters were meant to hold beauty, and they should get to fulfill their purpose. Eventually, the landlord gave up and let her keep them.”
“I thought Suzie would want you to have them,” Kale said simply. “I put roses in their place. If he wants to take those out, he’ll have to get bloodied for his efforts.”
Vera choked and covered her mouth with a hand. Infernals take me. I shouldn’t have told her that. Jumping up, Vera swung around and threw her arms around his ribs. She buried her face in his chest and squeezed.
“Thank you, Kale.”
Kale swallowed hard. She hadn’t touched him, other than for training, in almost a year. As quickly as she’d wrapped her arms around him, she pulled away.
With a brave smile, she said, “Can we eat cake now?”
Kale didn’t miss how she wouldn’t meet his gaze. And he didn’t miss the lock of hair trailing down the back of her neck, glowing red. Glowing hair wasn’t a unicorn trait. It wasn’t something Vera siphoned either. No creature in the world had that ability for her to siphon. He figured it had to be a quirk of her mixed-magical heritage, but the phenomena seemed to upset her. She’d started wearing stocking caps during her visits, even though the meadow was perpetually warm. So far, the meadow was the only common factor in the sporadic glowing. It had happened a handful of times when they sparred, a few times when she sat eating dinner, and once last fall during finals week, when she’d fallen asleep on the couch after dinner. Sometimes it wouldn’t glow for weeks. As Vera wiped tears from her cheeks and walked arm-in-arm with Mimi back inside, Kale had a new hypothesis. Next time they trained, he was going to test it out. Vera was not goin
g to like it.
Vera took another bite of cherry cake. She never would’ve guessed that Kale had remembered her tale of birthday woes from their escape through the Velvet Woods.
“Any special plans for spring break?” Kale asked the group.
“I’m headed home to make sure my brothers aren’t terrorizing anyone,” Mimi answered. “Thank the gods it’s only one week. Summer break will be murder.”
“Three words,” said Addamas. “Florida, girls, and booze.”
“Pig,” Mimi mumbled.
“You’re welcome to join,” Addamas informed her. “The less you wear, the better.”
“How have I never seen a video of a satyr crashing spring break?” Vera asked. “I’d think with that many people, you’d be all over the news.”
“Because I’m a complete gentleman. Strictly look, don’t touch.” Addamas stretched both tattooed arms up to rest behind his head. “And I keep my pants on.”
Vera gave him a look. “I find that hard to believe.”
“Oh, I believe it,” said Mimi. “Humans start passing around pictures of a moron satyr, and Kale will hunt Addamas down and kick his fluffy tail. While I cheer him on.”
“My tail is not fluffy,” Addamas objected.
“Oh. That makes sense,” Vera said to Mimi.
“My tail is not fluffy!” Addamas stood when no one acknowledged his proclamation and put his hands on the button of his pants. “Want me to show you?”
“Oh, good gods, no!” Mimi said with horror.
