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

by Adkins, Heather Marie

  Elora said, as she dressed the wounds properly. Ren had fallen on the ground, collapsed out of sheer exhaustion and pain.

  “Wow,” Chaiya said as she inspected the fused skin. “You stopped the bleeding so fast.”

  “It is a way used for survival in my world. It hurts, but it is a way,” Elora said, as she wrapped the girl’s toe and pinkie with bandages. “Can you have her taken to my tent so I can observe her? And heal her more?”

  “Sure,” Chaiya nodded and called for two men to pick Ren up and take her towards the tents. Meanwhile, Elora’s attention turned towards the man. She quickly walked over to him and sat down in front of him. Kieran moved back as he allowed Elora to run her own magic on him.

  “What is your name?” Elora asked, her tone soft and sweet. The man looked at her, and saw only an angel that had come to protect him, and made his heart lighten up.

  “Moberon.” The man introduced himself, his voice still hollow. Elora smiled wider.

  “Good to meet you too, Moberon. I am Elora,” Elora said, as she started to look over his own wounds, and wondered who would have done this. Then she noticed him cry and she gasped. She didn’t want him to cry out and be like this, so she did the only thing. She hugged him tight to herself, and told him to cry all out on her shoulder, and Moberon did. He held Elora close as he cried out, and watching them hold each other made Kieran upset, and Jealous.

  What is wrong with me? Kieran thought as he looked over, frowning at the state of which Elora was holding Moberon. He couldn’t see this sight, not like this. So he simply shook his head and turned around, walking away from the sight. “I am going to get some more water.”

  And gather my thoughts, was left unsaid. But Elora didn’t care. She had a patient to heal and to treat, and she would do so.

  “Sh... it’s alright, you’re okay now,” Elora said as they parted. Moberon had cried all of his tears out and Elora’s upper-wear was no wet, completely with his tears, but he ignored it. “What happened to you and Ren, Moberon? Why are you like this? Who did this to you?”

  “P-Prince Italus,” Moberon quivered and shook at the very name. He could remember the vile man, his eyes, and all that he had done to him. “H-He raped me and in front of my eyes tortured my sister, to tell us where you all were hiding. I told them you were in the valley of the groves, and he let us go. He wanted to tell us all that no matter where we went, news of what he did to us would prove to everyone that he was coming, and the rebels couldn’t remain hidden, for he would eventually find us.”

  He looked at Elora, his eyes wide and filled with rage, and agony. Rage at what was being done and agony to what every single one of his friends and kin had suffered through.

  “That man is a fiend. He is torturing and raping all of our men in the kingdom of Claw Worth, and most of the people are unable to leave. He has a lot of men, ready to fight a war against the Rebels.” Unknown to her, Chaiya had come in to listen to all that Italus had done to her. Elora noticed Chaiya, and turned to look at her. Chaiya had her face down, and her eyes were on the ground, and it seemed that perhaps there was something more that Italus had done to Chaiya then just play with her feelings.

  “You should take my tent,” Elora said softly, as she looked at two men and tilted her head towards her own tent. The men nodded and helped Moberon up, so she could go to Emily.

  Emily readily agreed for her to share the tent for a while, and Elora quickly got all of her stuff back from the tent that Ren and Moberon were inhabiting for a while. She knew that things were changing and needed to be changed, and she knew that the only way that this could be possible was through going to Nokidora, and finding out Sanatori, and asking him more about her return to her world. Her presence here was a danger, and so was her life. And she also had to know about her destiny. That night, when everyone was asleep, except for her and Emily, she brought out her water-bowl and tried to contact Bram and Marine. It didn’t work. At all.

  ‘What sort of a monster is this prince?’ Elora thought as she tried again and again to activate the bowl. Why does he enjoy torturing people so much? And why is he like this? Something had to be done about him, something just had to be done. But...I can’t stay here. I need to get home, as fast as I can. No, I can’t stay here at all.

  “Emily.” Elora stood up, grabbing her bag. “I need to check on Ren and Moberon, and will be late. You should go to sleep.”

  “Yeah, I am tired as well.” Emily took a big yawn and collapsed on her bed. Elora watched Emily sleep, and grabbed her bag with all of the provisions that she thought she might need.

  She knew that she had to go, where she had found Sinara before. She had to go to that place and to the entrance of Nokidora. And that was where she would finally find some answers about how to get back home. But there was only one thing that was in her mind.

  W-What did Lady Sinara mean by ‘eaten alive’? Elora thought, as she looked at the giant doors that had blocked Nokidora from everyone. W-why do I have such a bad feeling about this place? What should I do?

  Either way, all of her answers only would be gotten two miles through the village behind the doors, and she wasn’t going to stop now.

  9

  The road was right in front of Elora, as she stood right there, holding her key in her hands. She was just looking at the doors, and was wondering if what she was doing was the right thing or not.

  It isn’t as if I can fight in a war, an actual, full blown war. It is not for me, I haven’t even used a sword in my entire life, Elora thought. Her guilt of abandoning the others and not telling them where she was going was eating her, but she knew that if she asked them to help her anymore, she could cause them strife and pain. Chaiya, Kieran, Ren and Moberon had suffered so much because of Italus, she couldn’t ask them more, and she also had to prove to herself she truly wanted to go home. Alright, I guess there is nothing that is going to stop me now.

  Looking around to make sure that the coast was clear, she walked through the road and on the other side of the gates, through the unknown to her, invisible wards, not aware of the powerful spell that kept whatever evil lurked in the darkness in Nokidora Village to be inside of the village, which eventually would lead to the abandoned kingdom in the north.

  The village was dark, very, very dark, and had a strange chill about it. She could feel the utter power of evil and death surrounding Nokidora, and could also see what had conspired there. Everything was in a state of decay, from plants and trees to even huts and buildings. She saw that the huts that still stood were abandoned, no one being inside of them. Broken wagon and barrels were laid all over around the road, and her eyes eventually found a decaying, rotten body of a human off to the side. It took all of her power to not to scream, but she didn’t. She had a goal, and no matter how bad she felt, she had to reach the mage who lived in the middle of this strange, abandoned village.

  The only path that lead on ahead was to the abandoned castle in the distance, and she didn’t want to go in there.

  What if I don’t return, what if I can’t go back? Elora thought, shuddering as more strange chills passed her. What if...what if I am all alone in the world? Stuck here, without anyone?

  She knew that she had been brought here for a reason, but she wasn’t strong enough. There was no way, she, Elora James, was strong and powerful enough to actually go up against all of the wars that were in this world. Tariforma was beautiful, but all answers to every single problem was through war and bloodshed, through utter dominance and power that she wasn’t used to. And she couldn’t bear that. She couldn’t bear to see Chaiya die because of her, in a war that wasn’t even needed for her to participate in. She didn’t need to see Kieran die. The thought of Kieran brought a small smile to her face, as she continued to walk down the small, dark road.

  I wonder...what would he think of me right now, if he saw me walking like this? W-would he be mad? Would he be sad and disappointed? As much of a big jerk Kieran was, he had still grown up on her, and she li
ked him. He was cool and funny, and did only what he thought and knew was right, and that is what made him good. I know I am selfish, but I need to do this. I just need to.

  Her eyes snapped off to the side where she heard a branch breaking, and she felt that as if someone was watching her. She quickened her pace, going through the middle of the village in the middle of the night until she saw this one house which had a proper gate, didn’t look abandoned, and had green grass all around it. And she had no choice, at all. She knew that it was the best bet for her to live in and stay, and the best bet as to where she could find some answers for her dilemma. So she walked up to the door, and knocked it.

  “Enter.” An elderly voice surprised her. Was this really the mage’s home? She opened the door and walked inside, surprised to see that the house looked so modern. The purple velvet couch in the living room with oriental inspired Coffee tables and seats also helped bring out a nice touch of the home that she had walked inside. There was a vase with pink orchids on one of the tables and a gray carpet on the ground, along with lot of photographs with beautiful sceneries all around. This place felt like a home.

  And then the Mage appeared before her. He was short, 5’1 inches only, and shorter than her, with grey hair peppered with white. His hair was receding, showing his bald-spot and had glasses on him. He looked like the typical, elderly, adorable man, except for the fact that he was a mage, and the wisest one it seemed.

  “Y- You’re the mage Sanatori?” Elora asked, surprised. To her this looked like just a normal old man. Again that was only her interpretation, it didn’t mean he was normal.

  “Yes, indeed I am Sanatori, the mage. And you would be Elora, right?” Elora was surprised the man knew who he was, and he laughed. “Oh come on now, don’t be surprised, I am a mage, after all, I am supposed to know everything. Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me, not many come into the village of the dying in the valley of the dead, and neither have you for just a house call.”

  Elora was once again doubting herself, if she could actually do this or not. She didn’t want to abandon anyone, but she was now remembering that she had outsmarted gargoyles, and had an enchanted armor in her key pendant. Anything was possible, if she tried.

  “I am wanting to know, wise mage, how do I go back to my home, to earth?” Elora began, her voice holding all hope and plead in the world. “Where I am from.”

  Sanotori looked at her, curious, and yet interested. He motioned for her to sit down, and Elora felt no reason not to. This home felt safe, a lot safe then outside. And as they sat down together, Sanotori started his explanation.

  “It is very difficult to do so. Not many had ever done this before, but it is possible. There are two steps that you must do, but the two main things are: One, find the missing piece of the tapestry and where the temple is. Or two, which I find to be the simpler one: find out the reason you were chosen and what you must do. Those are the only two ways. Once you complete your task, you shall go back to earth,” Sanotori said, rubbing his chin. “Though I must warn you, world travelling is a very, very obscure art and not many have done it before. The only time when...Actually, it will be better if I don’t say that.”

  Elora stood up, she couldn’t believe what she was hearing, but she had an answer. She nodded at Sanotori, and he nodded back. He didn’t even stop her from leaving, he knew that the girl had a lot to think about as she had to go home. And Elora couldn’t do anything but walk. She knew that there was nothing that would stop her. She stopped in the front of the door, not leaving the house, thinking of all that Sanotori had said. She had to go home, she didn’t want to fall deeper and deeper for Kieran, and she didn’t want to get entangled in this mess of a war. She knew that she would always be a loner, as she never, never was a sociable person, as sociable as the rest of her friends were. She studied too much and missed out on everything else, and she found solace in her antiques and in history. But she had no plans of becoming history.

  “Thank you,” Elora said, her voice breaking. “And goodbye.”

  “It is alright.” Sanotori said, his face grave. “It is a difficult task for someone so young, but you will succeed, I know it. For now, it is time for you to leave. Go back the same way you came from, and do hurry.”

  Elora nodded and walked down the path, wondering where the missing piece of the tapestry would be. Compared to the massiveness of this world, she was a mere speck in the desert. She had no idea where to even start searching for it, and it could be anywhere, in the deepest of all the trenches or the most guarded of all the vaults. So the other option was what seemed to be the best at the moment, to embrace her destiny instead of avoiding it, and find out her purpose to solve her task in this world. And then finally she would go back home. Her musings were taking her so many places that she forgot where she was. And then she was reminded of the noise, and she stopped and turned around, looking for where it was from.

  Maybe I can think of this once I am out of this infernal place, Elora thought, looking for the source of the noise. She found nothing, so she briskly started to walk back down the path she had come from. And then she heard the much clearer shriek. It was so dreadful that it send down a chill down her very soul, her very heart. It was so deathly and so brutal it sounded like a hundred dying kittens amplified by the devil’s voice screaming out its hate for the humans. And as she heard this, she decided to run, that was the best she could do.

  As she ran, she heard the noises and the ruffling of the trees that were around her. She knew that there was something behind her and she had to see it. Turning around was a mistake as she suddenly collided against a strong and sturdy figure, knocking her to the damp dirt of the ground. She looked up to see what was in front of her, and saw a disfigured demon of a human man standing in front of her. His skin had gone black, his eyes were pure yellow and red veins were running across his eyes, going in every single direction. He was foaming at the mouth, and his fingernails were long, sharp, not cut and dripping with blood. Some of his flesh was dried and he walked with a limp. His hair wasn’t kept, messy and disgusting like a mop on his head. He looked as if he was a rabid animal, and was hungry, his eyes set on Elora. She tried to get up, but she found out that she had sprained her ankle. She wasn’t going anywhere.

  The man now resembled a strange creature, gave a loud screech. The screech also made Elora scream in pure fear, as her ears were now paining with the sound he let out, and starting to bleed. It was maddening and Elora didn’t know what to do. This creature was getting ready to attack her and she was defenseless against it, not able to protect herself, and soon enough, she would be dead. He lunged at her, his teeth wide and full of decay, sharp and deadly, ready to tear through her body. And Elora knew that this was just like in the movies, for if she knew what this was, she was dead the instant he bit her, or even touched her with those teeth.

  He was on top of her, trying to bite her, but Elora was trying her best to survive. She was pushing him hard with her legs, trying to get him off her, but his weight and pressure had cracked her ankle instantly.

  Elora screamed in heightened pain as her ankle broke, and the creature raised his head, looking ready to bite her. But instead his mouth opened up and spit out a shower of blood. Elora was quick to cover her mouth and face from the shower and roll off to the side, having the spout miss her. He attempted to bite her again, but she managed to dodge and hold him up, the entire process repeating several times until Elora felt her hand itch again. She noticed the line which now resembled a flame. She looked back at the man chopping his teeth, a sign of him wanting to bite her.

  “Stop this! You don’t have to do this!” Elora tried desperately. The man just kept chopping his teeth so she could shout at him more. “Don’t do this! Don’t let this creature control you! You are not yourself! SNAP OUT OF IT!!!”

  However, it didn’t work. But the creature made a strange face, and was flung into the air and into a tree. Now where the creature once was, stood a tall man wearing th
e clothing of a monk. He had a nice face and a sturdy body, and looked really, really handsome. ‘Snap out of it Elora! You almost got eaten! Now is not the time to think about this!’

  The man looked at her now, his eyes soft.

  “Are you alright?” He asked, his voice soft and musical.

  “I...I am. But I broke my ankle,” Elora said, looking at her swollen ankle. “I can’t walk...”

  “Don’t worry Elora, I will make sure we get out of here, you’ll be fine. I will have to deal with this one, and then we’ll get out of here before the others arrive.” The monk said, turning around. As he did, she suddenly realized about the ‘others’. She had left them, only so she could complete her selfish need to go back home. Her eyes teared up and she started to cry, she knew that this all was her fault, who else could it be? She had messed it all up, and now all of the others were going to be so mad at her. Her desperation to go home was making her go mad, and she didn’t want to do this. She really didn’t.

  The monk stood his ground against the creature, a Zombie, who charged at the monk. The Monk had a beaded necklace in his hand which he raised up and changed something. His finger lifted from his other hand, and pointed it at the creature. The creature was tossed into another tree, this time harshly, and very fast. It wasn’t getting up.

  “W-Who are you?” Elora stuttered as she looked at the creature, and then back at the monk. The Monk smirked.

  “I am Jeremy Windgate. I am a mage, and have been following you around for a while, because you were nice enough for me.” At Elora’s look, he continued. “A While back I turned myself into a flying squirrel, and you took care of me. So, I am returning the favor.”

  Elora’s eyes widened as she looked at Jeremy as if he had a second head. ‘D Did he say into a flying squirrel...as in W-wizard?! O Oh my god, he saw me change! He saw me naked! Oh my god I kissed him! Oh my god!’