Haunted by Shadows: Magic Wars: Demons of New Chicago Book Two

by Carpenter, Kel

  On her knees, she shuffled behind him. Her hand whipping the blade around so fast, I found myself transfixed by the movements. Her voice washed over me, and it was only Ronan’s claws pinching into my hand that kept me from being carried away to wherever in her mind she’d gone.

  Thunder boomed overhead.

  Lightning struck in quick succession just outside the window, the light casting the three of us in a horrific picture painted by our blood.

  I sensed that the spell was near its end. My wounds were almost healed, and our magic began swirling around us.

  Like the beat of my heart, it went faster. Faster. Faster.

  Lightning continued to strike.

  Thunder clapped, one boom after the other, without any break. If I looked out the windows, I would have expected to see rain.

  But all I could focus on as everything in me pulled tight was the near-serene expression on Ronan’s face as Nathalie twisted the knife with one last stroke.

  Time collapsed in on itself instantly.

  Our magic clashed, folding and merging as one before exploding outward.

  I’d been to two summonings in my life, and I could say with certainty that they were nothing like this.

  Those covens had harnessed only a drop of power compared to the veritable black hole that formed before me.

  Wind blew outward from its center, carrying the scents of a faraway land. I couldn’t see anything, but I could feel it. The call.

  Ronan gripped my hand tighter.

  I couldn’t tear my eyes away from it, even to watch as Nathalie sliced her own hand and then yanked a clump of hair from my sister’s hairbrush.

  Her voice echoed with immeasurable power as she whispered a single word.

  A name.

  “Bree.”

  True silence expanded outward of that raging hole that led straight to Hell. I couldn’t hear my heart, or the storm, or Nathalie’s voice—if she was even speaking.

  It was silence. Utter silence.

  We waited.

  I waited.

  But the corridor churned, and no Bree appeared.

  I inched forward. Desperation starting to eat at me.

  What if we’d failed?

  What if this didn’t work?

  What if—

  My hand reached for the inky strands of magic. My fingertips just barely brushed them when Ronan grabbed me by the waist and pulled me to him.

  I strained.

  This was my chance. My one chance. I couldn’t leave her there. I couldn’t stop. We had to—

  Everything in me froze when the warbled whisper of a girl echoed from across the corridor.

  “Piper?”

  It was her. It was—

  “BREE!” I screamed at the top of my lungs.

  I lurched forward, and the silence ended. Time caught up. One moment I was reaching, tumbling, falling toward that voice, and the next, the corridor collapsed.

  The magic fizzled, breaking apart.

  It was only when it settled, and I was left standing there turning in circles, that I realized our magic hadn’t run out. The corridor hadn’t simply closed.

  “Where did it go?” I demanded, my voice hoarse.

  “You were going to cross—” Nat started.

  “Where. Did. It. Go?” I repeated.

  “Piper, I couldn’t let you run into Hell. We’ll try again if we have to. We’ll find another way—”

  “There isn’t one,” I said, voice breaking. “Don’t you know that? I’ve looked. For a decade, I’ve hunted every witch and warlock I could get my hands on to find a way. This was it.” I took a sharp breath, trying to calm the rising rage that threatened to do something I would regret.

  “Piper,” Ronan urged.

  “No!” I snapped. White sparks danced over my clenched fists. Nathalie took a step back, and for the first time since the night we met, she looked scared of me.

  I looked down at the bolts of power that zapped harmlessly off my skin.

  It wasn’t fire this time, but lightning.

  I took a deep breath, calming myself and my agitated magic. There was no telling what I could do now, and as angry as I was—I didn’t truly want to hurt her.

  “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” a voice behind me said.

  Everything in me jumped to alertness. My magic cut out. I turned around.

  On the couch, pressing a hand to her head, was Bree.

  With one major distinction.

  Her waist-length brown hair was now as white as fresh snow.

  “Bree,” I breathed her name in relief. I fell to my knees at her side, wrapping my arms around her.

  It took a moment for me to see past my joy and realize that she hadn’t moved. She wasn’t hugging me back.

  I pulled away a fraction. The lack of happiness on her face was a knife to my stomach.

  “Where am I? Where is Lorcan?”

  Her eyes were hard as they darted around, taking in each corner of the room. It was like she knew but didn’t want to admit it.

  “You’re on Earth,” I said in a whisper. “I brought you home.”

  At that moment, her eyes stopped searching for a way out. They closed, and she took one deep breath before releasing it back out. When she opened her eyes again, that knife to the stomach twisted.

  “I know it’s been a long time, and I look different than I used to, but it’s me. Your sister. Piper.” I motioned to myself, my voice thick with unspoken fear. Not fear of my sister, but fear of what I sensed coming.

  “I know who you are,” Bree said. “What I want to know is what did you do?”

  The same blue eyes as mine stared back . . . except there was an emotion I didn’t recall ever seeing on her face before.

  Hate.

  To be continued . . .

  Piper’s story continues in:

  Blood be Damned

  Magic Wars: Demons of New Chicago Book Three

  Preorder Book Three Here

  Author’s Note and Acknowledgements

  I know if you’re here after that ending, it’s likely to find out more . . . probably regarding why the next book isn’t here until May.

  This series started as a passion project for me. As a writer, I don’t give myself many of those—but this one was—and in my determination to keep it that way, I swore I wouldn’t overextend myself in writing it. I’ve done that with several past series where I never wanted to look at them again, and that’s such a hard feeling to experience as an author. I want to love all my work, but I’m also not superwoman. Writing, editing, and marketing are a full-time job—and the faster I go, the less authentic my work tends to be.

  All of that said, with 2020 and the challenges it has brought to me, my work pace has taken a hit. So I’m scaling down a tiny bit so I can breathe. Haunted by Shadows took me four months to complete. This is probably the longest a book has taken me since Scion of Midnight. While I loved the journey Piper went on, and I’m happy I gave myself the space to find it, I also recognized that mentally I need more time to work on Piper’s third book, because man—there’s a lot to be told.

  I do want to take the time to thank my editor, Analisa Denny, for not only holding my hand through this book, but making sure all the necessary changes were done in time, even when I couldn’t do it myself. You’re a total rock star, and I’m in awe of your ability to make it happen.

  I’d also like to send a thank you out to my lovely PA, Maegan Kelish. She’s the reason I have the time to write and focus on my books. The work she does behind the scenes often isn’t “seen”, but it’s so crucial to my process, and I’m utterly thankful to have her on my team.

  People behind the scenes tend to get overlooked, but they are just as valuable. They help me as a friend, and as a writer. Courtney Lummus, Amanda Pillar, Graceley Knox, Kayla Perkins, Heather Renee, Amber Lynn Natusch, and Coralee June are just a few of the people that deserve thanks for checking in on me and being there when I needed them.

&n
bsp; That said I don’t think anyone has done quite as much as my husband and best friend, Matt. He has been my rock through this crazy shit storm we’ve all faced, and I don’t know what I would do without him.

  Last, but not least, I’d like to give you—the reader—my greatest thanks. You guys made this series an instant international bestseller. You preordered and talked about it with your friends and family—and really made it possible for me to spend more time in this world. That’s right, the Magic Wars universe will have more series to come, and that is truly all in thanks to you guys for showing me the love you have for these characters. I am so incredibly thankful to have you as a reader. Every single one of you is a ripple that became a tidal wave to help this series grow, and I am humbled by that.

  Until we’re back in New Chicago together,

  Kel

  Also by Kel Carpenter

  Ongoing Series:

  —Adult Urban Fantasy—

  Demons of New Chicago:

  Touched by Fire (Book One)

  Haunted by Shadows (Book Two)

  Blood be Damned (Book Three)

  —Adult Reverse Harem Paranormal Romance—

  A Demon’s Guide to the Afterlife:

  Dark Horse (Book One)

  * * *

  Completed Series:

  —Young Adult +/New Adult Urban Fantasy—

  The Daizlei Academy Series:

  Completed Series Boxset

  —Adult Reverse Harem Urban Fantasy—

  Queen of the Damned Series:

  Complete Series Boxset

  —New Adult Urban Fantasy—

  The Grimm Brotherhood Series:

  Complete Series Boxset

  —Adult Dark Fantasy—

  The Dark Maji Series:

  Fortune Favors the Cruel (Book One)

  Blessed be the Wicked (Book Two)

  Twisted is the Crown (Book Three)

  For King and Corruption (Book Four)

  Long Live the Soulless (Book Five)

  About the Author

  Kel Carpenter is a master of werdz. When she’s not reading or writing, she’s traveling the world, lovingly pestering her editor, and spending time with her husband and fur-babies. She is always on the search for good tacos and the best pizza. She resides in Bethesda, MD and desperately tries to avoid the traffic.

  Facebook Group

  Newsletter