by Tish Thawer
as you join me in the world of Ovialell––
where Goddess Diana and the Witches reign.
Excerpt from Aradia Awakens
PROLOGUE
Flaky, buttery crust, the rich taste of chocolate, the feel of smooth crème against her tongue. Mmm … delicious.
These were the thoughts currently plaguing Aryiah’s mind. Pie was her escape. It was her go-to dessert for bad days, break-ups, and fights with her best friend. But instead of being able to indulge in her favorite feel-good dessert, she was currently sitting in the Goddess’s upper throne room, holding the book that announced to all of Ovialell who she truly was.
As she gazed at the hordes of unfamiliar faces, her stomach tightened and her entire body started to shake. Maybe she wasn’t ready to ‘take her rightful place,’ as everyone kept putting it. The desire to run away from this entire scene threatened to overwhelm her, but just then, a strong hand settled on her shoulder.
My mate, she thought. His touch alone was enough to calm her nerves. The only problem was, his nearness also stirred the wolf she was now able to become.
“My love, I am barely in control right now.”
He chuckled quietly, then sent his thoughts into her mind. “I’m sorry to have rustled your wolf, but listening to your musings about chocolate crème pie and the thought of you licking it from my chest has left me ravenous. I think I’ll be reminding you of the idea later.”
A smile spread across Aryiah’s face. With this sexy man beside her, she knew she could face anything … even her destiny.
Aryiah stood and lifted the now glowing book above her head and the crowd went wild.
CHAPTER ONE
Aryiah shoved her cell phone back into her purse as she and Devin climbed the stairs of her favorite library in her hometown of Colorado Springs, Colorado.
“Who was that?” Devin asked.
“Who do you think?” Aryiah cast a speculative look at her best friend. “My mother, of course. Telling me how fabulous her latest trip to Spain was going.”
Devin laughed. “Why don’t you ever go with her? She’s filthy rich and travels the world, while all you ever do is travel from your apartment to work. Why not live a little and join her for once?”
Aryiah passed through the rotating doors of the library then paused and looked back at Devin. “You know me better than that.” Her lips barely twitched, unable to produce a real smile.
After her dad’s death, Aryiah’s mother traipsed around the world on the money she’d inherited, while Aryiah’s childhood consisted of major amounts of time spent with tutors and maids throughout the years. As a teenager, Aryiah had spent hours in this very library researching how to communicate with the dead, desperately hoping to reconnect with the ghost of her father.
Shaking her head, she tried to escape the thoughts of her past as she climbed the main stairs. At the top, Aryiah turned left and came to a stop in front of the massive wooden arch that led into the occult section of the library. The archway was finely crafted, displaying detailed carvings of metaphysical symbols. She entered the room and was flooded with a rush of memories from the time she spent here as a teenager. It smelled the same; a light, musty aroma drifted from the old manuscripts, and a fine layer of dust shimmered in the rays of light that filtered in through the high windows.
“So, what exactly are we looking for?” Devin asked, pulling Aryiah from her thoughts.
It’d been second nature to invite Devin on this little research trip. After meeting in college, the two of them were joined at the hip. Devin had always been the smartass, wild child of the pair with her flaming red hair, killer body, and great sense of humor, while Aryiah remained the grounded, down-to-earth one. They’d been through so much together, including two weddings. Aryiah was Devin’s maid-of-honor, and Devin hers when each of them had gotten married. Now, two divorces later, they were a couple of single women in their early thirties currently standing in the occult section of the library about to research the Wiccan religion.
“Well, I don’t know exactly, but recently I had a really strange dream, and when I woke up, the only thing I could remember was the word Wicca.” Aryiah looked over her shoulder. “You know I researched this stuff in my past, and with the weird things that have happened to me over the years … I don’t know, I just feel like it’s time that I dove back into it.”
With a raised eyebrow and a hint of skepticism in her voice Devin said, “Okay, so do you just want me to start reading and tell you stuff I find interesting, or should I look up the word superpowers?” Devin giggled at her own remark.
Aryiah’s lashes brushed her cheeks and she purposely held her blink for a few extra seconds. While she loved her best friend dearly, Devin’s smartass comments were not what she needed right now. Aryiah’s dream truly had felt like a wakeup call—one that left her wanting to pick up where she’d left off in her Wiccan studies all those years ago. So, as much as she wanted to include Devin in this, she knew those who didn’t understand the supernatural would have a hard time relating to how serious this subject was to her. Aryiah smiled, then shook her head and pointed toward the exit. “Never mind. Why don’t you go browse for something you’d enjoy reading instead? I’m sure they have a few Kama Sutra books in the sex section you can use to bone up for your date tonight.”
Devin stuck out her tongue and flipped her hair off her shoulders as she followed Aryiah between the tall bookcases. “Maybe I’ll just write my own damn book. With my experience, you know it’d be a bestseller.” Devin wiggled her brows.
Aryiah laughed and rolled her eyes. “Yes, of course, oh Master of the Ménage.”
They both laughed as they wove their way deeper into the back corner of the section. Suddenly, Aryiah stopped and looked over her shoulder with a quick snap of her head. “Hey, did you see that?”
“See what?” Devin asked, gawking around from left to right.
“I thought I just saw a woman walking down that aisle.”
“Oh shit, are you seeing ghosts again?” Devin’s teasing tone came through loud and clear, but Aryiah wasn’t kidding. The section had been empty when they came in, but now with the appearance of this woman, her senses were on high alert. Turning down the aisle she quickly realized no one was there.
Huh, maybe I am losing it, she thought, but after a few more steps into the aisle, Aryiah came to a stop in front of a shelf and tilted her head. There were six books lying on their sides as if they’d been laid out on purpose, effectively separating them from the upright ones. She inspected their spines and immediately felt drawn to the texts. Not wanting to give Devin a chance to razz her about her selections, she quickly stuffed the books in her bag.
“Okay. These should do it,” she said to Devin, then turned and headed to the checkout counter.
“Hey, are you okay?” Devin asked.
“Yes, I’m fine,” Aryiah replied as she picked up her pace. Once they reached the counter, Aryiah set her books out for the attendant to scan, then noticed that Devin was squinting at her with an ‘I don’t believe you’ expression. Aryiah quickly averted her eyes, then turned to thank the attendant and gasped as she caught the gaze of the beautiful librarian who’d just helped her.
The woman was definitely older than her, but model gorgeous. She was taller than average, maybe 5’9”. Her long, dark hair shimmered like silk and waved and curled in just the right places. Her sapphire eyes sparkled against the silver silk blouse she had tucked into slate grey pants. Her silver chain belt caught Aryiah’s eye; a cluster of small charms—a moon, a star, and a pentacle—each hung from a small clasp. Aryiah felt as though time had stopped as her head began to spin.
“Holy shit,” Devin blurted. “You guys could be twins. Wow! You’re certainly not what I expected a librarian to look like. You’re more like the sexy ones you see in the movies with their hair up and glasses on before they whip them off and … never mind.”
The lady ignored Devin and spoke directly to Aryiah, “
Whoa, honey, are you okay? You’re looking a little woozy.”
Aryiah shook her head and focused her attention on the woman. “I’m fine, thank you. You just caught me off guard. I know they say everyone has a twin, but … Um, I’m fine. Thank you again.”
“My pleasure. And, Aryiah, I have another book I think you might enjoy.”
Aryiah froze. She wasn’t fine. First of all, this woman made her feel as if she was staring into her own future, and now she was calling her by name and showing an interest in her reading material. No, she wasn’t fine at all, she was completely weirded out.
“Um, h-how do you kn-know my n-name?” Aryiah stammered.
The librarian smiled and held up something in her hand. “Your library card, of course.”
“Ah, of course.” Aryiah nodded in acceptance of the woman’s response. “As for the extra book, thank you, but I think I have plenty to get me started.”
The woman said nothing but stared deep into her eyes and Aryiah’s dizziness returned as a faint whisper drifted to her ears. “You are mine, we have little time, come to me, when you’re ready to see.”
The last thing Aryiah saw was the floor rising up to meet her as she fainted.
Aradia Awakens
(Book 1 in the Ovialell series)
Also by Tish Thawer
The Women of Purgatory
Raven’s Breath - Book 1
Dark Abigail - Book 2
Holli’s Hellfire – Book 3
The Women of Purgatory: The Complete Series bundle
The TS901 Chronicles
TS901:Anomaly - Book 1
TS901:Dominion – Book 2
Havenwood Falls Shared World
Lost in Time – (A Legends of Havenwood Falls novella,
and a Witches of BlackBrook side-story)
Sun & Moon Academy – Book 1: Fall Semester (A HWF Anthology)
Sun & Moon Academy – Book 2: Spring Semester (A HWF Anthology)
The Rose Trilogy
Scent of a White Rose - Book 1
Roses & Thorns - Book 1.5
Blood of a Red Rose - Book 2
Death of a Black Rose - Book 3
The Ovialell Series
Aradia Awakens - Book 1
Dark Seeds - Novella (Book 1.5)
Prophecy's Child - Companion
The Rise of Rae - Companion
Shay and the Box of Nye - Companion
Behind the Veil - Omnibus
The Witches of BlackBrook
The Witches of BlackBrook - Book 1
The Daughters of Maine - Book 2
The Sisters of Salem – Book 3
Lost in Time – (A Legends of Havenwood Falls novella,
and a Witches of BlackBrook side-story)
Stand-Alones
Handler
Dance With Me
Magical Journal & Planner
Anthologies
The Monster Ball: Year 3
Fairy Tale Confessions
Losing It: A Collection of V-Cards
Christmas Lites II
About the Author
#1 Bestseller in Historical Fiction
Top 100 Bestselling in Paid Kindle Store
Best Cover Award Winner
Readers’ Choice Award Winner
Best Sci-fi Fantasy Novel Winner
Author Tish Thawer writes paranormal romances for all ages. From her first paranormal cartoon, Isis, to the Twilight phenomenon, myth, magic, and superpowers have always held a special place in her heart. Best known for her Witches of BlackBrook series, Tish’s detailed world-building and magic-laced stories have been compared to Nora Roberts, Sam Cheever, and Charlaine Harris. Tish’s books have been featured in British Glamour and Elle magazines. Tish has worked as a computer consultant, photographer, and graphic designer, and has bylines as a columnist for Gliterary Girl media, RT Magazine, and Literary Lunes Magazine. She currently resides in Missouri with her husband and three wonderful children, and operates Amber Leaf Designs, an online custom swag retail store. She is represented by Sarah Hershman of Hershman Rights Management.
A common FAQ: “How do you pronounce her last name?”
Answer: Think “Bower” or “Thow-er.” It’s Persian!
You can find out more about Tish and all her titles by visiting: www.tishthawer.com
Connect with Tish Thawer Online:
Instagram: @tishthawer
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorTishThawer
Twitter: @tishthawer
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/tishthawer
Ready for another adventure?
Turn the page for an excerpt from
TS901: Anomaly
Book 1 in The TS901 Chronicles
Excerpt from TS901:Anomaly
CHAPTER ONE
Stabbing pain woke Thia Kelly from a restless sleep. Grinding her teeth to squelch a yelp, she swung her legs over the side of her hammock bed. While clenching the faded, tattered fabric in a white-knuckled grip, she blinked into the darkness, impatiently waiting for the throbbing nerves to lessen enough for her to move.
Daybreak began to beam through the string of multi-colored wine bottles hung at the top of the one window not completely blacked out by heavy fabric. They added a needed burst of color to her drab, underground existence. A few bare light bulbs swung overhead, their exposed cords running to two old car batteries in the corner. They were there for emergency use only, when the electrical systems of the old, abandoned subway system that housed her and her kind faltered. It hadn’t been easy to make a subway car homey, but Thia did her best. Removing all the seats gave her a blank slate to work with. From there she draped as many blankets as she could spare from the walls. Maybe she was biased, it being her first true home, but the eclectic look of the mismatched patterns and fabrics added an element of quirky charm.
Breathing through the prickling torment radiating from her shoulder blades, Thia’s bare feet sank into her woven rug, kicking up dust particles that danced in the beams of light filtering in. With each step, dull daggers stabbed into her spine, sawing through her muscles with an agony that radiated to her bones. She shuffled to the stack of shipping crates that doubled as her makeshift dresser. Her trembling hand grabbed a rolled towel from the top shelf, and dropped it on the surface where it unfurled on its own. Relief laid in the center of that bundle. Arms shaking, Thia fumbled to remove the cap from the pill bottle and shook two small little wonders into her palm. Not bothering with water, she slammed them back and swallowed hard.
Tipping her chin up, she stared at her reflection in the cracked and smudged mirror before her. “Mornin’, sunshine,” she grunted to the disheveled mess staring back at her with dark circles under her hazel eyes and pale lips.
Step two in her pain management routine was sparked a moment later. A flick of orange, a wisp of smoke, and Thia dragged deep on her momentary reprieve until the pills could work their magic. It was skunk weed, that’s all she had access to in the compound, but it did the job. As its pungent odor filled her glorified tin-cup oasis, Thia breathed deep and arched her back as the ache gradually eased.
A second drag.
Then another.
Raking her fingers through her long, chestnut hair, Thia reveled in the fleeting peace that often eluded her.
Walking with far less difficulty, she strode to her makeshift couch—comprised of the backseat of a van, and a few throw pillows—and gave it a firm kick. “Corbin, unless you want Jules to know you slept off yet another bender here, you need to get up and head back to your car.”
He rose in a series of grunts, stumbling out the door without a glance back, leaving only the pungent stench of cheap bourbon and vomit in his wake. Silence descended in the absence of his rhythmic snoring. The only sounds to be heard were the rustles and muted chattering of the compound outside her tin walls raising its head for a fresh day.
Clicking her tablet to life for a bit of background noise provided by the morning newscast, Thia set her wash basi
n onto the rickety table she purchased off a scavenger for a stack of linens and some extra antibiotics. After snagging a gallon of water from her dwindling supply, she filled the basin. Twisting her hair into a knot on the back of her head, Thia splashed water on her face and under her arms. She was scrubbing away the last traces of sleep when a name snuck from a breaking news report, chilling her in a way the tepid water never could. As she patted her face dry, her full attention was diverted to the pixelated picture on the dated tablet.
“Evan Daniels, known by many as Patient One of the TS901 strain, is wanted for questioning by authorities in the death of two Russian dignitaries. Viewers will recall the TS901 chemical was to be a supplement of biological vitamins intended to enhance strength and health when it was released into the public water supply. It was soon found that elements within the cocktail attacked the DNA of certain individuals, causing an outbreak of mutations.” Eyes flicking effortlessly over the teleprompter, the reporter pressed on without a hint of emotion. “Upon infection, Daniels, the son of a decorated Marine, developed superhuman strength and speed. He was then enlisted to an elite task force with the military, and became the public face of the TS901 cause. While once considered a hero, officials now warn that Evan Daniels should be considered armed and extremely dangerous. Anyone that encounters him is advised to call 9-1-1 immediately. Do not approach him. A ten-thousand-dollar reward is being offered to anyone who can provide information that will help lead to his capture.”
