by Lela Grayce
Contents
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Epilogue
A note from the Author
Areion Sneak Peek
About the Author
COPYRIGHTS
All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No parts of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the author.
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the production of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, live or dead, are purely coincidental.
For more information on reproducing sections of this book or sales of this book, go to www.lelagrayceauthor.com.
Copyright © 2018 by Lela Grayce
All rights reserved.
Edited by Bam Shephard, and Jamie Holmes from Holmes Edits.
Cover Design by Krys Janae. All rights reserved.
Interior Design and Formatting By Stephany Wallace. All Rights Reserved.
To the girl I used to be.
For the obstacles we faced.
To the man who loved a broken girl and helped her heal.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This story was my first completed manuscript and it was hard for me to write because I see a lot of myself in Elara and her struggle with her past. The past haunts like a ghost. There are good days and there are bad. It does get easier. Don’t try to forget the bad because those are the ones that make you stronger.
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I’d like to thank the loveable Tyrant in my life! Heather, you are one of the strongest women I know. Your strength and helpfulness is something that I am so grateful for. Keep being you sweet lady don’t ever change!
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To my editors Bam and Jamie, this story would not have entered the world without your help. You two are the best and I will be eternally grateful for everything you both have done for me and my stories. Thank you for everything.
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To my very own Kaelyn you are close to my heart. A friend that I can always count on to be there to listen to me about my insecurities then bash them then remind me of my worth. Everyone needs a friend like you and I am so glad that I found you.
*~ Elara ~*
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I was beginning to regret not appreciating the simplicity of high school. Back then, all I had to do was apply myself and I was accepted into a good college. Now it was so much more than that. College was demanding. I could barely keep my head above water.
“Hey El,” my best friend Kaelyn said as she sat down across from me. “What did you bring today?”
I put my notes from Calculus aside and pulled out my brown lunch bag from my oversized purse. Kaelyn watched me intently as I withdrew my food: chicken salad with Greek yogurt, almonds, and grapes, paired with pita chips and a spicy garlic hummus.
Kaelyn breathed deeply as I took the lids off the containers and a weird, rumbling groan escaped from her lips. “That smells amazing,” she said while sadly looking at her slightly wilted Caesar salad and filmy soup.
“You should pack your own lunches, since you hate the cafeteria food so much,” I replied, grabbing a pita chip and scooping up some hummus before handing it across to her.
Grinning, she took the chip and slowly ate it, savoring the flavor. I grabbed a fork and started in on my chicken salad, amused. Then, she drenched her salad in dressing and crushed a ton of crackers for her soup. I wrinkled my nose, but kept quiet. This had become our routine, and I was grateful for it.
“Are you going to the falls again today?” Kaelyn asked before shoveling more dressing-dipped leaves into her mouth.
I shrugged, but we both knew I would. The pounding of the water helped drown out the doubts that clawed at me. That little voice that repeatedly said I wasn’t good enough and likely never would be. The voice faded away when I was at the falls. It drew me in with its promise of silence. The soft trickling water soothed my soul and numbed the jagged edges of my heart.
Lost in my thoughts, I hadn’t noticed right away that Kaelyn had stiffened in her seat. When I finally did, my body went rigid as well. Adrenaline flooded my system and my heart picked up in tempo as I glanced at Kaelyn wide-eyed. She was looking behind me and I waited for some sort of indication. When she ever-so-slightly shook her head, I felt the clouds of doom roll in.
“Hey, Elara,” a deep voice boomed. At one time, that sound had the ability to make me swoon, but now it made me cringe and desperately wish to be invisible.
“Hey, Brayson,” I replied, voice devoid of emotion, much to my surprise.
Brayson Charles, the heartthrob of Kadence Falls University, maybe even the whole state. He was the star running back for the football team and positively gorgeous. His body was lean with lithe muscles. With his shaggy, brown hair and mocha-colored eyes, he was a sight to behold for the female population at school. I considered myself lucky when I started dating Brayson, but after a year of getting to know the real him, I knew that wasn’t the case. Brayson Charles wasn’t the person he showed the world.
“Is this seat taken?” he asked, not caring what the answer was. He arrogantly settled into the seat anyway. “How’ve you been? Haven’t seen you around lately.”
I tried calmly packing up the remains of my lunch, while not panicking. Stay calm, Elara. Stay calm. Desperately, I peeked at Kaelyn. She was staring daggers at Brayson. The small tick in her cheek told me she was fighting to not say something that might cause drama. Her determination gave me the strength to answer him and avoid a scene, too. “Been good, just busy with school stuff.”
“Well, I miss you,” he said as his signature give-me-what-I-want smile graced his perfect lips. That smile used to be my undoing. Now it made my skin crawl.
“Hey, ladies,” a deep masculine voice greeted us and I instantly recognized it. Jonavan Calhoun lithely slid into the seat on my other side.
Waves of anger rolled off Kaelyn. She was about to lose it. Her irritation had moved from Brayson and was now aimed, full-force on Jonavan. A sneer twisted her pretty lips, making her look dangerously fierce. Kaelyn was a world-class female fighter, from kickboxing to Krav Maga. She had too many belts to count and enough trophies to fill a small mansion. She carried herself with a lethal grace, making her as desirable and alluring as a jungle cat. Her temper was usually in check. Her self-control was phenomenal, but she was about to lose her shit.
“What are you doing here?” she snarled at Jonavan, the hatred flashing in her blue eyes even made me shiver.
Jonavan just shrugged nonchalantly, a grin playing on his lips. I couldn’t help but stare at him, because I’ve never seen a man with as big of a death wish as he apparently had. Brave, stupid idiot.
Kaelyn jumped to her feet and picked up her tray only to slam it down on the table. Her food spilled, flying all over the table and floor. She now had the attention of the whole cafeteria, exactly what she wanted. Stunned by the loud noise, Jonavan didn’t react quickly enough and it was just the opening Kaelyn needed. She reached across the table, grabbed a handful of Jonavan’s shirt, and twisted it while pulling him toward her. The other hand grabbed his hair, pulling his head back so he was forced to look at her face.
“You are a pathetic waste of space,” she seethed quietly, so only the people at our table could hear. “I don't give a shit that you’re the quarterback. I hav
e no problem beating you bloody, but I promised El that I wouldn't. Just know I really, really want to.”
“Kae, what…” he choked out before Kaelyn tightened her hold on him, making his eyes bulge.
“You don't get to talk, asshole. You. Listen.” Kaelyn spat, kicking the chair she had been sitting in. It flew backwards, tangling with the legs of a guy who was sneaking up behind her. “It's one thing to grow apart from your friends. Hell, it's expected, but to forget where you come from and who was there for you is so low that you become scum.” She readjusted her grip on his hair so that he was looking sideways at me. “El and I refuse to be friends or even associate with someone who would associate with the likes of him,” she said, jutting her chin at Brayson, who just sat there grinning, clearly enjoying himself. “When his true colors come out, we will be there to tell you we told you so. Now El, grab your stuff and let's get the hell out of here.”
Nodding, I grabbed my things while holding my head high as I stood, scooting my chair out so I could walk around the table to Kaelyn’s side. I laid my hand on her arm trying to calm her. She breathed deeply through her nose, giving them both one more look of pure loathing before flinging Jonavan away from her.
I stood there relaxed but watchful, as Kaelyn gathered her things completely ignoring the mess she had made of her lunch. After swinging her backpack on, she jerked her head at me to follow before walking away.
I turned to go with her, but was halted by a hand grabbing my wrist. Fingers dug into the junction where the tendons from my hand met my wrist. I sucked in a hissing breath. But after a year of practice, I had mastered the art of not showing that I was in pain. “It was good seeing you, Lara,” Brayson stated. To bystanders he looked like his normal gorgeous self, but I saw the gleam in his eye. The one that was excited by seeing and causing others pain. “You're throwing a fit now, but we both know you'll come crawling back. I'm the best you're ever going to get.”
I wrenched my arm from his grasp, mentally screaming as pain lanced up my arm. I felt a tiny crunch reverberate inside. “Never,” I sneered vehemently, stepping out of his reach. I stole a glance at Jonavan and noticed a look on his face that caused my heart to squeeze in my chest, but I ignored it. Instead, I spun around and hurried to catch up with Kaelyn.
After the cafeteria incident, we headed to Kaelyn’s car in silence. There really wasn’t anything to say. We had talked about what we would do if this situation ever came about. Kaelyn was supposed to cause a distraction so that I could get away. In a way she did, but I had also promised that if she ever got the chance, she could get in Jonavan’s face. Possibly an overreaction on her part, but he did have it coming.
The three of us had grown up together, and Kaelyn and Jonavan were the best of friends. They bonded over physical things. Kaelyn with her fighting and Jonavan with his sports. At times, it seemed like I was the third wheel. I was too clumsy to play sports and way too kindhearted for fighting. Kaelyn was honest and loyal to a fault, Jonavan emanated strength and determination. Then there was me, the awkward, nice person. I couldn’t be certain how it had worked all those years, but it just did. Three completely different people came together, helped each other overcome their weaknesses, and encouraged the strengths we saw in each other.
College was when things changed. During the first year, we drifted apart. Jonavan was busy with sports and keeping his grades up, Kaelyn was juggling more tournaments and demanding courses. I was adrift without them until I met Brayson at one of the many football parties I attended to support Jonavan.
Brayson was the star and he wanted no one but me, or so I had thought. I was naive thinking that his interest was in me as a person. After some time, I realized that he was only interested in my looks and making me into the “perfect” girlfriend. He controlled every aspect of my life, from what shampoo I used to what I wore, and then who I could hang out with. For months, I couldn't see what he was doing, too blinded by my love for him. I lost myself.
One night, he demanded I stop hanging out with Kaelyn, insisting she wasn't the type of girl I should be spending time with. She was a girl who fought men who were bigger and stronger than she was and won. According to him, that just wasn't how it was done. He didn't want his girlfriend to get ideas. It was a wakeup call that left me shaken but determined. When he left for the parties that night, I grabbed a few of my belongings from his apartment and called Kaelyn to meet at her place. Thankfully it was close enough to walk to. Controlling as always, Brayson had taken my car keys thinking that would stop me from leaving.
I finally told her everything. She listened quietly to my whole story, saving her questions and angry outburst until I was done. Putting words to what had been going on was a relief. It solidified my resolve to be done with him. Kaelyn was on board, even rearranging her schedule so I wasn’t left alone for long. I moved in with her after she helped me get the rest of my stuff and break up with Brayson. It wasn't easy, because he refused to talk to me. When Kaelyn and I finally tracked him down, he was at a party being comforted by several cheerleaders. The confrontation was quiet while I ended everything and he agreed.
Over the next several weeks, I was ridiculed and mocked. The rumor mill was going full-force. I was labeled a cheater. The girl who broke his heart. Classes became unbearable. I wasn't welcome anywhere and Kaelyn couldn't be with me all the time. Through it all, I held my head high, because I knew the truth. These people didn't know the real Brayson.
What hurt the worst was that Jonavan wasn't there. Kaelyn and I tried many times to get him to come and listen to my side of the story. He refused all of our attempts. Insisting he didn't want to get in the middle of our “lovers’ squabble,” because he didn't want to ruin the team’s dynamic by taking my side. Kaelyn was livid, insisting she would never forgive him.
It had been almost a semester since the breakup and with the help of Kaelyn, I was getting through it. We spent many weekends at my childhood home visiting my family. They all knew what had happened and my police officer dad was even more protective than usual. He even quietly contacted some friends he had in the Kadence Falls police force and the campus security, asking them to keep an eye on me as a favor to him.
Today was the first day we’d had any confrontation with Brayson or our estranged friend. Kaelyn had warned me that it was only a matter of time. As usual, when it came to battle strategies, she’d been right.
“Kaelyn,” I said, clearing my dry throat, “thank you for having my back through all of this.”
“Of course, El. Don't mention it,” she replied, waving my grateful thank-you away. “No one messes with my friends. I don't care who they are, I will fight them every time.”
“I really appreciate it, though,” I said with feeling.
“I know, El. I also know you would be in my corner fighting for me if the roles were reversed.” A playful grin graced her pretty features.
“Always. I'd definitely do my best to fight for you, but you know I'm not nearly as adept at it as you are.” I laughed.
“You are pretty clumsy,” she agreed, laughing with me. “Maybe I'll just send you over to my enemies and have you cause mass mayhem with your clumsiness.”
“Good plan,” I said, giggling as we pulled into our little condo complex and parked her car in our assigned spot.
“Want me to take your stuff inside so you can head to the falls?” Kaelyn asked.
“That would be awesome. You can just put it next to my door and I'll deal with it later.” She nodded, grabbed my bag, then waited for me to dig my keys out. “I won't be gone long,” I promised.
Kaelyn smiled her understanding, which was why I loved her so much. She accepted my quirks, taking them all in stride. Always thoughtful and never judging. That thought made me want to hug her tight, so I did immediately when we got out of the car.
“What was that for?” Kaelyn asked, smiling curiously.
“For being an awesome friend and being there whenever I need you,” I answered, voice t
hick with emotion.
“Right back at you, chickadee.” She winked before heading to the front door where she paused to watch me get in my car and drive out of the complex.
Chapter 2
*~ Elara ~*
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Kadence Falls was an unremarkable landmark, except for the rumors of dragons and witches, among a multitude of other supernatural stories. Those stories made the landmark an attractive location for tourists of the ‘paranormal’ type. Kaelyn thought my need to be around the falls was weird at first, but after explaining in the best way I could, she understood that this was an escape for me – a place to center myself and be alone with my thoughts. I compared it to how she gets distant before her fights and it finally clicked for her.
I exited the car and locked it with my key fob before heading to the trail marked “Crescent Trail”.
I had walked this trail many times. Normally it took me about ten minutes to walk to the picnic area and then another few minutes on an unused path to the water. I often wondered if my preferred spot was a secret. I never saw new footprints on the ground, but the trail wasn’t hard to find. My spot was only about fifty feet from the falls. Its cascading water and crystal clear pool always calmed me.
I found the path easily and reminded myself to take it slow. It had been a bit rainy lately and the dirt path would likely have some slippery mud. Me being me, I promptly ignored my inner warning. I slipped in the first patch of mud and caught myself on my already injured wrist. I had completely forgotten the throbbing pain, but as I threw my hand out to catch the nearest branch, I was starkly reminded.
