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

by Adkins, Heather Marie

  "He's my boyfriend, Dad, and I love him."

  "Love, child? You don't know what love is yet."

  The air around her began to move quickly as her anger grew. She looked down at her love’s face and calmed because he didn’t know this side of her.

  Christine came to the cave entrance. “Hybrid, leave those kids alone.”

  "What?" he yelled.

  "Come here, baby. I need to talk to you about something."

  He reluctantly went into the cave with Christine and Aaliyah was left alone with Absalon. She helped him up and he dusted himself off. She hugged him and apologized for her father.

  “He's okay, Aaliyah. He just wants to protect you,” Absalon explained.

  "Protect me?" She laughed. "I can protect myself."

  Absalon couldn’t resist. He pulled her in his arms and kissed her for the first time and she began to levitate. "So, looks like I may get to see my superhero girlfriend again, huh?"

  She turned bright red and they returned to the ground. Suddenly Absalon was tackled by Happy Dragon. The dragon had him pinned down with one foot, teeth bared and mouth open, prepared to char him.

  Adam appeared and said, "Down, boy! Down!" Happy Dragon ran to him, still hissing in Absalon’s direction.

  In the midst of his conversation with Christine, Hybrid smelled the air and the scent of blood was fresh. He ran to the front of the cave. Looking at his son in disbelief, he asked, "What have you done? I smell death on you."

  He smiled sinisterly and said, “Only what had to be done,” before entering the the cave.

  Hybrid followed him in. Meanwhile, Aaliyah explained to Absalon, "We aren't like everyone else. We are—" but before the words could come out, her mom came out.

  "Aww! He's so handsome. Look at those muscles. Wow, you're a strong one, huh? Who's your people? Where are you from? How old are you?"

  "Mom!" Aaliyah shouted, embarrassed.

  "Too much?" Christine asked.

  "Yes!"

  "Well, it was nice meeting you." She shook his hand and then went back inside.

  Absalon stole one more kiss from Aaliyah before he left to go back to his hut.

  8

  The cave finally calmed down and they began to talk about what Aaliyah had discovered. They agreed that they must find out where the swords were located. The swords of darkness and light were supposedly in the cave of ancients and only the handprint of the chosen could open it. If not, they would be killed. This scared Aaliyah, but made Adam smile.

  “Let's do it! Let’s go. Do you know how special we are? We are the most powerful on this planet,” he stated enthusiastically.

  "Except for Apocalypse," she replied frightfully.

  They argued back and forth for a while before Aaliyah caved. They would soon leave. Adam discovered that the cave was a day’s journey. There was no time to waste. Adam went through the old scrolls and told Aaliyah what he found. They informed their parents and gathered supplies.

  As they were doing so, an Asian from the eastern region had arrived. He asked for help. He told them that thousands had been slaughtered and their land was in ashes. Apocalypse had crippled them and they were hoping that the Keepers of the Realm could help.

  "We need help. Please help us! Please, we will pay. We will do anything for you if you would just help us."

  Christine and the Amazons tried to comfort him and Danielle offered him a place to stay. The two hybrids prepared for the great journey and were both excited and a little afraid.

  Adam grabbed Aaliyah’s hand and said, "Let's go to the cave."

  They both levitated and in a flash they were out of site. Christine and Hybrid were worried, but as Hybrid held Christine they both realized this was what they had been preparing them for their entire lives.

  They were fast and arrived at the cave in only a few hours. The cave was ancient and the symbols looked to be Roman. They stood in front and the symbols started changing so they could read it.

  It read: "To him who is not the chosen, turn away for inside lies your death. If you are the chosen, welcome home."

  Their hands lifted up to the symbols and watched as they opened the entrance of the cave. They both entered. Once inside, a loud thud closed behind them. The entrance had been closed. They were trapped.

  The cave was dark, muggy, moist and damp. There were spider webs everywhere. The place had been closed for a century or more. They walked forward. Suddenly, the cave lit up. They could see markings all over the walls. They walked what seemed like an eternity when suddenly up ahead, they saw a bright glowing light and walked until they reached a small bridge that crossed a river of lava.

  A sign on the bridge read: "Turn back if you aren't chosen, for your death awaits."

  With a laugh, Adam and Aaliyah levitated and flew over the lake of fire until a stone golem appeared before them. He stood in their way and looked them over. Adam jumped in front of his sister and spoke.

  "Stone one, we are the Keepers of the Realm. We have come for our destinies and our birthrights."

  After a few minutes, the golem stood aside. They were allowed pass.

  "This is too easy."

  Aaliyah laughed as they moved to the second stage of the cave. After entering, there was a weird sound. They were now confronted by a large lion. Adam and Aaliyah both transform into their golden forms and prepared for a battle.

  The lion looked at the two and asked, "What is your reason to fight?"

  Puzzled and confused, they looked at each other, Aaliyah answered, "To protect and bring peace."

  The lion angrily growled. “No! Two more tries."

  The next to try was Adam, who answered. "We fight for the realm."

  The lion growled again. "No! If the answer is incorrect again, you will stay here with me forever!"

  Fear gripped Aaliyah’s heart. She thought that she may never see Absalon again. She ran to the lion who raised up in anger. She laid at his feet. "It's all we know how to do!" Tears filled her eyes and a great fear consumed her.

  The lion smiled. "You may enter. Remember to follow your hearts."

  The final stage was much more sinister and dark. It was nearly black and only lit by a small light from the ceiling. As they reached the final door, they held hands and entered.

  On the door was another symbol that read: "Enter if you are chosen."

  As they entered, the entire room was engulfed with light! A giant golden dragon swooped down with two boxes, one black and the other golden.

  "You have made it, young ones," he told them. "You must save your world. The darkness is growing. The boxes will only open if you’re worthy."

  Adam reached for the black box of death. He smiled as he touched the box, but it would not open. Aaliyah tried, but failed to open the box of light.

  "What is this crap?" she screamed. "We are the chosen ones, but the boxes won't open."

  The dragon hissed and moved away from them.

  "Wait a minute, Adam! Try this box and I'll try that one."

  As he reached for the box of light, it opened. Inside was a golden sword, the handle was shaped like a dragon’s mouth. He picked it up and his body glowed as he began to transform. Aaliyah reached toward the black box and it also opened.

  Her sword, like Adam’s, was shaped like the head of a dragon, but her handle was black. The eyes on the sword were red. As she held it, she too transformed. The cave shook and shook, the dragon told them to go now to save the realm!

  As they flew, the cave began crumbling around them. They moved as fast as they could until finally, they reached the entrance, but it wouldn’t open. They cut at the opening with the swords, but nothing happened. They touched their swords together and it opened.

  They heard the dragon’s voice in the distance. "The only way to kill the beast is together."

  9

  They arrived back at their home where Aaliyah stood waiting on them. Their swords were sheathed and across their backs.

  "Here they are!" Aal
iyah gladly yelled.

  Their parents came running outside. "You made it!"

  They responded in unison. "Yes, we made it and look."

  They both unsheathed their swords and transformed instantly. Thunder rolled and the sky turned dark. Hybrid and Christine looked on at their children as their power grew. They sheathed the swords and transformed back. The sun once again shone.

  "We must teach you to use them," Aaliyah said, "and quickly because the beast has taken Danielle and Renee."

  "We must save them," Aaliyah said. Absalon came from within the caves. "What? What are you doing here?" Aaliyah asked.

  "Your parents. They told me I could wait here on you. They also told me who you are, and..."

  "And what?"

  "And I love you."

  They held hands smiling.

  Hybrid pushed Absalon away and sternly warned him. "This is not the time. We must prepare for war."

  Days passed, Aaliyah and Absalon went for what would possibly be their last walk. Along the passage, the a scent of blood filled the air. Aaliyah got excited and ran toward it, holding Absalon’s hand and pulling him along. They saw it. A deer had been shot by a hunter and lay dying.

  Aaliyah transformed and was prepared to eat it when Absalon pleaded otherwise. "Please don't."

  He then knelt near the gentle creature and placed the deer's head in his lap while rubbing its his head. The deer died and Absalon shed a tear and closed his eyes.

  Aaliyah looked on in wonder. It was the first time that she had seen anyone show such love and devotion toward the woodland creatures. Aaliyah had only seen them hunted. It made her feel a little ashamed of her behavior.

  Absalon told her, "Every creature, whether strong or weak, has a purpose and a reason to live."

  Aaliyah, now in her normal form again, held him and as they walked back to the cave, she said her goodbyes.

  The day arrived, and Aaliyah and Adam were ready. They had prepared diligently for this day. Christine and Hybrid readied themselves to leave as Aaliyah waved goodbye from the cave. Happy Dragon circled them then flew off with them for perhaps the last time.

  The scent of brimstone and ash filled the air. As they arrived at a black mountain, they saw that on the mountain top sat Apocalypse. Apocalypse began to laugh.

  "You have come like lambs to the slaughter and for this I thank you."

  Adam rushed toward him, transformed, and drew out his sword. He was followed by Aaliyah and Hybrid. Apocalypse tossed them away like they weighed nothing. Christine jumped in and was slammed hard to the ground. He then held his hand up and Happy Dragon was pinned to the ground, unable to move.

  Apocalypse slowly moved toward Adam, but he lunged and hit him with the sword. Adam was slapped down again as Apocalypse laughed. Aaliyah snuck up behind him and stabbed him in the back.

  "Ouch! Your toothpick hurt," Apocalypse said.

  He slammed her to the ground. Apocalypse then proceeded to kick Hybrid in the leg, causing him to fall, and then stomped on both of Christine’s arms in an attempt to break them. Christine managed to stand and punch him.

  The dragon shook his head in disbelief because no one had ever managed to hurt him before now. This hybrid woman had managed to find a weak spot on his chin. Hybrid jumped on his back and sank his teeth into him. Apocalypse yelled in pain. He was hurt.

  Sensing the pain he was in, the hybrid clan pounced. They hit him with everything that they had until he finally shook them off. It wasn't enough to bring Apocalypse down. Barely able to stand, Adam again took hold of his sword and attacked. His efforts had no effect.

  "Yield," he told Adam.

  Adam held his sword in the air, summoning all the power he had left. The thunder rolled and he began to glow.

  The dragon growled. "Yield."

  Aaliyah attacked again from behind, but this time he grabbed her by the throat.

  This isn't working, Adam thought. We have the swords. We stabbed him. Why isn't it working? What are we doing wrong?

  Apocalypse held Aaliyah by the throat and growled again. "Yield or your sister dies."

  Adam lowered his sword and dropped to his knees. All was lost. Apocalypse began to laugh.

  "Stop!" Rang out from the distance. It was Absalon. "Put her down," he commanded.

  "Run! Run! Baa … ba ...baby!" Aaliyah managed to say. She was being strangled to death.

  Apocalypse smiled and laughed. "So you've returned?"

  "Returned?" Adam said. "You knew? You were with him all along!"

  Adam punched Absalon with all of his might and it had no effect. His eyes were still on Apocalypse. As Apocalypse dropped Aaliyah, Absalon caught her before she hit the ground.

  How? How is he so fast? Adam thought. He's faster than me.

  Absalon held his love in his arms and whispered to her softly, "It'll be better."

  He set her down gently on the ground. Absalon wrapped his arms around himself and began to glow brightly and transformed into a white dragon. He looked just like Apocalypse but white with blue eyes and golden talons.

  Aaliyah looked at him shocked and said, "How? Why didn't you tell me?"

  "I tried so many times," he said sadly. "Apocalypse is the bringer of death. I'm the bringer of life. We are part of the same being like yin and yang. When his job is finished, I'll bring prosperity, then after prosperity he comes to destroy it all again, but it must stop!"

  Apocalypse laughed. "You could never stop me. We are the same. Hahahahaha!"

  Absalon picked up Adam's sword and told Adam to stab him because it would be the only way to the defeat Apocalypse.

  "No!" Aaliyah screamed, but it was too late.

  Adam stabbed Absalon in the head. He slumped over so did Apocalypse. Aaliyah ran to her love with tears flowing down her cheeks.

  "No no no! No, baby!" She held him in her arms as his breathing slowed to a shallow pulse.

  "It isn't over. You must stab him with your sword in the same place."

  "I can't! I just can't!" Aaliyah sobbed. "I love you! I can't. I can't lose you!"

  "This isn't about you," he said with a cough. "It's about your job as Protector of the Realm."

  "I won't live if you must die!" she screamed.

  Her mother and father stood by her side, wounded with tears in their eyes. They watched Aaliyah picked up the sword and dragged it toward the dying Apocalypse.

  "You … you can't kill me," he said. He pointed to Absalon. "If I die, then so does he."

  Swoooooop! Apocalypse’s head went flying and Absalon took his last breath.

  Aaliyah collapsed as her heart broke. Tears fell from Adam's eyes as he looked at the boy, the loner, the nobody who unknowingly would save the realm. Happy Dragon raised up finally, growling and snickering. He saw Aaliyah completely broken down and ran to her. He rubbed up against her, but couldn’t comfort her broken heart.

  He couldn’t take it and ran toward the fallen Absalon and started spraying flames into the air. They engulfed him. He cried in pain, but continued.

  "What are you doing?" Adam cried. "No! Happy Dragon!"

  Finally, he fell and his ashes scattered throughout the air.

  Adam fell to his knees. "Why? Why!"

  Holding Adam, his father tried to comfort him. Aaliyah was being held by Christine. Suddenly, they all heard a small cough, another, and another.

  "Absalon!" Aaliyah screamed.

  As he sat up in his regular form, he noticed that he was covered in ashes. He turned his face toward Aaliyah.

  "But how?" Absalon asked.

  Tears flowed as she grabbed him and they kissed. Hybrid placed his hand on Adam’s shoulder as Adam stood angrily.

  "He traded his life for yours."

  "What do you mean?" Aaliyah asked.

  "Happy Dragon saved him for you. Don’t be naive, Aaliyah."

  Aaliyah fell to her knees in disbelief. Her best friend sacrificed himself so she could be happy. They stood around the dragon’s ashes and said their goodbyes. Te
ars were shed by all.

  Meanwhile, at the cave, Aaliyah was in pain. She screamed at the top of her lungs. The sound of a baby’s cries filled the air.

  The End

  When The Dust Finally Settles

  (book 4)

  Prelude:

  A few days had passed since Aaliyah gave birth to twins: one boy with black hair and green eyes, and another boy with blue eyes and blonde hair.

  She named the blonde boy Alexander, after the great conqueror, and the black-haired one Apollo, after the God of the sun. The boys were spoiled and loved by the hybrid clan. Aaliyah enjoyed her time with the family. They discovered early on that the twins were unique and seemed to grow rapidly. Other abilities began to appear. The twins were learning their powers quite well. Apollo could hover and Alexander had super-speed. He had once run into the wall and cried for hours.

  10

  Aaliyah sat in the corner watching her boys play. Her mind recalled the time she had spent with Damien in that dungeon and the good that came from it.