Shadows and Sorcery: A Collection of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance Novels

by Adkins, Heather Marie

  She reminded me of starlight, and I followed her like the North Star wherever she led. I realize now it was her tears on that day that I've dreamt of for thousands of years.

  The bayou water that surrounds the tiny patch of spongy ground I'm standing on turns to ice as I lose control. Anger and loss swamp me, but I don't even try to gain control. Instead I let it have free rein as my face switches from one to the other in quick succession.

  The ice thickens and begins to spread as thought of losing her again causes my heart to shatter once again. The power grows as an image of Seraphina grabbing her from behind pops into my head. I didn't see if the Queen of the Fallen had noticed us or Grace under the tree. Instead I locked my gaze onto Grace's face, on her tears. Those tears brought the memories of our love crashing back. It almost brought me to my knees. There I saw a love that had been burning for a thousand years for me.

  I felt my own heart begin to pound with the love that Luc had hidden from me as he used his strength to shove me toward the vehicle, forcing me away from her.

  I don't turn around even though I know he's there.

  "Evander." I shake my head, hoping he will just shut up. I've followed him since he ripped me from the darkness but today, I can't even look at him. "My friend, I'm sorry."

  "Sorry?" I whirl on him, incredulous. "Sorry about what exactly? The unspoken lie or the shattering of what soul I had left?"

  "Everything. This whole Goddamned situation." His voice is quiet, and I hear the regret but I can't let go of my rage just yet.

  "Did you know she was here? That she has been here for years across the city from me?" He shakes his head. It should make me feel better but it doesn't.

  “Why wouldn’t you tell me? Since I awoke, I’ve told you of the dreams of the shining star. You knew it was Grace.”

  I watch as he squats at the water’s edge and touches the thick ice with his finger. In an instant, it is liquid once more. He stays where he is for a moment before pushing up. When he turns, I see the weight of his burden trying to crush him.

  “You all suffered enough. I couldn’t add to it. I wanted to spare you the loss. Especially when we didn’t know if she would survive the task Caliel put before her.” He turns to look out at the water, and I study his back and the stiffness of the muscles.

  I look at him, really look at him. He is as beautiful as they say he is. His appearance is young and light, the opposite of what humans would expect of the leader of hell, the king of sin. I clench my fists. I hate the way he has been vilified, that we all have, and that we have lost so much to save those that would destroy us if they could.

  “It’s time to act. Time to stop being one step behind. We must bring this war to them,” I say and he nods. “I know how to track them now.”

  He turns slowly, brows drawn down.

  “You should have given me my memories. I can find her anywhere. Our hearts are bound. It was a gift from Him, after he found us together.”

  She and our love had been a gift from God, literally. As long as my murder hadn’t severed the link, I would be able to find her.

  “Could it be that simple?” Luc’s voice cuts through the memories flooding my mind. “Try it now.” A command.

  I open my mind and my heart to the link and feel a tiny tendril; the magic is weak. Until death do us part. Had my death undone what God had made? Or is it because of something else?

  My hope begins to die. I see his face and know his is dying also.

  22

  Grace

  She is free, but that freedom could bring death with it.

  I finally save the tiny girl I should have saved so long ago. I just wish she was safe; instead, she is in more danger.

  I hate myself for hiding.

  Seraphina is still screaming out her anger. First, it was being found by the demon, and then she saw my brother pull Lillian across the barrier, myself hidden by the massive Oak. The others’ powers masking mine, my eyes were locked on his face. Evander. He looks the same but different, more everything. Especially more dangerous. His face flashed as he studied me in confusion.

  I stood there hiding as he was pulled away and now I am trapped here in Avalon. They will return to the Brown mansion, but we are no longer there. She moved us once more when the others returned, bringing news of the deaths. They lost four fallen to Lucifer, two his light burnt to ash and two killed by Micheangela as they turned on their comrades, their minds turned and controlled.

  It was the demon that has chosen Lillian that led them away. I smile a little at his willingness to sacrifice himself for her. Finally, she will be loved. I hope she knows a love like I once had.

  I let the memories of him soothe me. We had a love like none other, blessed by God. I let myself cry for the first time in a thousand years. He didn’t recognize me.

  “Trinity.” Seraphina’s scream rings throughout the house. Oh, shit, she’s finally realized the bitch is missing. “Trinity. Where the fuck are you?”

  I cringe in my chair and pull the collar of my turtleneck up even higher on my neck. I can still feel her claws cutting through the flesh as she tightened her hold. I grin for a split second as the image of her shocked face flashes in my mind. She couldn’t believe Lillian had killed her.

  She’s still there in the room on the floor. I look at my closed door as I hear heels clack up the stairs and past my room. It won’t be long now. A glass breaking scream fills the night. I brace for the fallout. Magic of every kind swirls through the air as Avalon tries to contain it.

  Those that created this haven had hidden themselves away. God had welcomed them to his world with but one rule -- do not interfere with the humans; let them discover things on their own at their own pace. And so they created tiny islands of magic.

  I can still see their unassuming faces as Seraphina and the other Fallen stole the secrets of some of their magic and then slaughtered them. I wonder if any still remain on this planet.

  My door flies open, and I jump, my gaze jumping to Seraphina’s and then to those that crowd behind her.

  “Your pet killed Trinity.” They watch me closely. My feigned shock must be convincing because I’m still alive. “You will find her.”

  “Lucifer has her now. How will I find her?” I ask, meaning it. I have no idea how to track The Morning Star.

  “Maybe you should contact your brother.” The silence that follows her words is deafening. I don’t move, not a single muscle. I don’t even blink. “The Prophet is your brother, isn’t he?”

  She take a step toward me, her head tilted slightly to the side as she waits for my response. Swallowing a few times, I force moisture into my mouth. How do I respond?

  “Of course the pompous asshole is my brother. He is why I left Heaven. I couldn’t take one more second with him.” I shove up and pace away a few steps before spinning back to face them. “He was threatening to write something about me. Something that would have locked me to him and only him for eternity.”

  I let tears well into my eyes and look at them all, silently pleading. Let them think the pleading is for understanding and sympathy. I focus for a moment on Eden, she is the kindest of the first Fallen. Her face softens, and I know I have her at least.

  “You know what it is like to have your life ruled by a man.”

  I lock my eyes on Seraphina, she who was by God’s side before being sent to his favorite. Down and away, she saw it as a degradation. It was that decision made by God that sowed the first kernel of anger and hate in heaven.

  They never understood his true intentions.

  Eden actually cared for Gabriel. She fell out of hurt and jealousy because of what happened with the humans. She, I understand. The others, not so much, other than those that have found a love of killing. Those I understand perfectly. They fake outrage to feed their desires.

  “Grace.” My name whispers across the room, and I jerk my eyes to Seraphina’s face. “Can you contact Caliel?”

  Shrugging before turning away to lo
ok out the window, I try to think of an answer. As I open my mouth, I notice a single snowflake tumbling through the early morning sky.

  I’m not the only one who notices it. Eden steps past me on silent bare feet and leans closer to the glass. I see her breath puff as she begins to speak.

  “It isn’t cold enough to snow.” She glances back over her shoulder. “Or it wasn’t.”

  “Someone is angry.” Seraphina’s obvious glee at the thought makes my skin crawl. “Well, Grace, any idea who that might be?”

  She thinks it’s my brother, but I know better. He wasn’t surprised to see me; only one person with the power to make it snow in New Orleans was surprised. Evander. He might not remember me but he is still the same man and would be furious that I was left behind.

  Evander has lost control.

  “Caliel disowned me the day I refused to stay by his side for eternity,” I say, my voice hard.

  It is the story we decided on long ago. The other angels had always thought Caliel was arrogant and selfish because of the role God had given him but they didn’t know him. He hated and still hates the power that was given to him. It is no gift. The responsibility weighs heavily on him; it has since the first time he was forced to write something down.

  He knew in that moment that others would hate him and his life would never truly be his own.

  The others grumble their hatred for him, and my soul wants to rage at them, force them to see him for what he truly is. I remain silent.

  “I could try to call to him but I fear he severed our link long ago,” I offer. “I would need to be beyond the barrier and have my powers freed.”

  Seraphina’s eyes narrow, and I fear I’ve pushed too hard. Micheangela leans near her and whispers low into her ear and my throat tightens. Seraphina’s small smile makes my stomach churn.

  “You’re right, you would, of course.” She looks to the corner of my room. I follow her gaze and see Hope leaning back in the shadows.

  She had been an angel of the middle triad, a virtue; she had been created to bring people hope. Now she used it as a weapon, offering false hope when there was none, then stealing it away. She plays with those she destroys like a cat does a mouse.

  She pushes off the wall, straightening to her six foot height and looks down at me, reminding me of my small size. Yeah, I get it, you all look like freaking supermodels where I look more like a … well, a human. Average.

  “Hope, you don’t mind going with Grace, do you?” The words are laced with sugary-sweet venom. “You know, to help her.”

  Right. Help.

  “I’d love to.” She glides to my side and grins at me. I don’t even try to force a return smile. She knows I hate her.

  They part like the red sea as I walk out into the hall and down the stairs. I hold my head high, ignoring the looks. I know what they think of me, what they’ve always thought of me. They don’t know about Evander or about God’s blessing, and if they did, it would be the final nail in my coffin.

  I walk straight to the front door, straight to the barrier and wait. Seraphina comes up behind me, her voice barely a whisper, the words too low for me to make out, but I feel the power of them wash over me, releasing me from my bonds.

  My power surges forward, still less but much more than it has been. I haven’t felt it this strong since I fell. I feel almost whole. Only he is missing.

  I step through and start to make my plan, walking down the street toward The Quarter. Hope whistles at my side, eyes sliding over people that we pass. It isn’t long before we come to a homeless camp under the overpass. Here she finds her first victim of the day.

  I can do nothing to stop her. I watch, wishing I could warn them away. It is in that moment that I realize they are no different than the angels they say were wrong and tempted so long ago. This place, earth, so different than heaven, heightens all our desires. The Fallen are filled with some of the darkest.

  I’ve often wondered if He knew, even before he sent Michael and the others down. Did he see the love that Evander and I felt and realize that all the emotions humans had were hidden just below our surface, just waiting to be set free?

  Maybe everything was a test. If it was, we failed it miserably.

  23

  Torryn

  She hasn’t come back to my side.

  My hands are gripped behind my back to keep from reaching for her. My back is against the wall, literally. I watch her from the shadows. She has been staring at the fire for hours, it seems. At least since Luc left to go get Evander.

  Caliel is pacing in front of the floor to almost ceiling windows. They are one of the features of this old plantation home that I’ve always loved, not doors but triple windows that you can push up to make a walk through. I’ve often found myself staring out them at the bayou, watching the slow moving water carry lazy, fat alligators down the channel.

  I feel eyes on me and turn my head slowly, giving her time to look away, but she doesn’t. Instead she watches me through her thick lashes, her hair falling over her scar. I wish I could tuck it behind her ear, show her that it makes her beautiful, but I stay still. Waiting.

  She looks away back at the fire, and I feel fear for the first time since Trinity stabbed me.

  Caliel stops pacing and toward the city. “Grace.” Her name comes out like a prayer. His eyes lock on mine.

  “I will get her for you.” I owe the woman everything, I hope.

  A gasp draws my eyes back to Lillian. Her head is shaking and her eyes are wild.

  “No.” She jumps to her feet. “No, they’ll kill you. It’s a trap.” She says more but it is so fast I can’t make it out. Only one name is clear. Seraphina.

  Crossing to her, I reach out and cup her jaw, stopping the motion of her head.

  “I’ll be careful. I promise.” I want to kiss her but know I can’t. “We have to rescue Grace.”

  “I know. I just…” Her brows draw down and her head shakes once again in her confusion.

  “I’ll bring her back to you. Both of you.” I look over at Caliel.

  “She’s reaching out through our link. It’s weak, but I know she’s in the Quarter.” He is staring in that general direction.

  “She’s smart. Lots of tourist for Mardi Gras still. I doubt they are ready to let the world in on their private war.” Hands slide around me slowly and then tighten. I hug Lillian to me, drawing the scent of her in before stepping away.

  I don’t look back as I stride away and out to my bike. The rumble of the engine calms my nerves as I race into the city. I should probably call for backup but I don’t, just in case this is a trap.

  Better they lose just me. I park and pay the attendant to watch the bike and then make my way down the street. I head to Jackson Square. I figure it usually has the most tourists during the day. If I was Grace, I’d head there.

  I’m walking along looking at every face when I realized I have no idea what Grace looks like. Pulling out my phone, I call Boss. He picks up on the first ring.

  “Yeah.” It’s barked over the line. Fuck, he is really pissed.

  “Umm, yeah, could you describe Grace?” I say it quick.

  “Why?” He is suspicious instantly.

  “I’m in the Quarter looking for her. Caliel thought he sensed her.” Muffled curses that would shock most demons even hit my ear and then silence.

  “She is the opposite of Caliel.” Luc’s voice comes over the line next. “She’s also smaller than every angel I ever knew. He’s running to you now. Hurry before he throws the entire region into an ice age.”

  The phone goes silent. Great -- short and blonde. None of those running around this city.

  I gasp and grab my head as pain lances through it. With the pain is an image of a truly breathtaking woman. Thin, ivory skin so pale you can see her veins in places and eyes that shimmer iridescent. Her lips are the palest rosy pink, and hair basically white hangs down her back.

  Opposite is putting it mildly. Okay, I should be able to pick h
er out. I walk slowly through the park around the statue, making my way toward the cathedral. There she is on the steps, the sun shining on her like God himself is marking her, showing me the way.

  Hell, maybe he is. How the fuck should I know?

  One of those Fallen bitches is standing behind her hiding in the shadows. Grace locks those unsettling eyes on me. How the hell does she know who I am? Her head moves a minuscule amount, and I stop my forward motion. She looks to her left and then back at me, using just her eyes. I lower my chin slightly and then turn the opposite way, making my way to the side entrance and all the while watching as she leads the other woman away. I follow at a distance, all the while reaching for the bitch’s mind.

  I probe it gently, finding no way in. Suddenly, her walls fall and I look up, focusing on the angel. She is looking intently at a musician playing across from her on the street. A slow smile curves her ruby lips as Grace shakes her head and pulls at her arm. Jerking away from the other woman, the predator glides closer to the man.

  Grace glances down the street at me, urgency stamped across her face.

  I’m both fascinated and horrified by what I feel coming off the Fallen. Hope. She leans close and talks to the man, and I watch as his eyes light up when she drops a wad of money in his box.

  Straightening she glances around, her evil gaze landing on a rough looking younger man. I finally understand and just as she reaches with her power, I blast into her mind. For just an instant, shock registers and then I take over.

  I fill her mind with images of the darkness, of the feeling of desperation I felt there, and I planted the idea of how she can avoid it. And then I send her on her way.

  As she takes that first step away from Grace, I begin to move in quickly. Reaching the woman in seconds, I watch as she watches the other walk away.

  “Where are you sending her?” She looks up at me.

  “Home.” I smile, and she raises her brows. “We need to go. Evander is on his way and he is very angry. We had no memories until very recently.”