“And that’ll still be your job, but this is good. If anything, the Institute should take a load off your mind, because as long as I’m away from the SDC, Leviathan won’t be able to pester me anymore.” I clutched her as hard as she clutched me. “And you should probably tell Dad about the brochures. He’ll want to know, and I bet you’ll be surprised by his reaction. He’ll understand, no matter what, because he’s… Dad.”
“When did you get so mature, huh?” she joked, leaning back to smooth the hair out of my face. I noticed a glimmer of something in her eyes—hesitancy, or confusion, or disbelief. It was hard to decipher, but at least she had a smile on her face.
I grinned back. “Sometime between Victoria Jules, the raiju, and the banshee.”
“The raiju?”
I cuddled back into her. “It’s a long story. I’ll tell you about it on the phone, once I’m settled into my new room.”
She stroked the back of my head and placed a soft kiss on my hair. “I’m going to miss you, Persie, but… I’m so proud of who you’ve become. Prouder than I can put into words.”
“I’m proud of you, too.” I held her tight and let all the mayhem of my life fade away, at least for as long as we were in that room. I wanted to hug my mom and enjoy this moment, because I had no idea when we would see each other again. Together, we’d pick up the twigs and the scraps of fur and the bits of string, and we’d find a way to rebuild the nest of our relationship. True, it might never be the same again, but that didn’t have to be a bad thing. And the nest would never truly be empty.
Thirty-Three
Harley
I’m not ready, I’m not ready, I’m not ready…
“Are you ready for this?” I held Persie in a firm side hug and planned to continue as long as I could. We’d returned to the Institute from Remington’s old office, our group reconvening in the grand entrance hall: Wade, Finch, Hector, and Genie. Kes had already been taken back to the SDC by Ryann, where I imagined she’d be trying to figure out a way of grounding him that wouldn’t hasten the future rebellion I sensed.
Persie peered up at me. So creative, so smart, so beautiful, and about to take her first step into the adult world. I only wished I’d had more time to prepare, which made me a hypocrite for the second time that day.
“I’m ready,” she replied. “And I promise I’ll stay in touch and tell you everything. Just… promise me we’ll be honest with each other from now on.”
I gave her a squeeze. “From now on.”
And I hope I’ll have some good news to tell you soon. Wade and I wouldn’t be defeated by the Children refusing to help. Not yet. Not before we’d well and truly exhausted every possible solution. We had some digging to do on Echidna, and Tobe had agreed to help us. It was our last remaining avenue of hope, but it didn’t need mentioning in that moment. I wouldn’t dampen my daughter’s excitement with talk of that prophecy. She’d wanted this so badly, and she’d done it all by herself. I had to let her have this, without tainting the memory with Leviathan. He’d crushed her enough.
“And you’ll send our stuff?” Persie reached for Genie’s arm, the two of them giddy as schoolgirls.
Wade scooted in to give our daughter a squeeze of his own. “I’ve got boxes at the ready. Although it won’t be easy sending them away.”
“What about O’Halloran?” Persie continued, her voice slightly pained. Wade hadn’t said much when he’d come back into Remington’s old office, except that we should get back to the Institute.
“He’s decided to hold his ‘urgent’ meeting for tomorrow morning, so I’d say that’s a promising sign that he’s sleeping on it,” Wade replied. “I’m hoping it’ll make him more amenable to letting everyone carry on as they are.”
And I won’t get a wink of sleep until he does come around. Without O’Halloran’s blessing, things could turn complicated. But the Basani Institute was notoriously protective of their trainees. And if Victoria Jules had taken a liking to my daughter, that could only help.
“Well then, I guess that’s it.” Wade pulled Persie into his chest and held her. “My little girl going off to fight monsters. Terrifying. But I’m damn proud of you, Persie. And I can’t wait to hear all about it during the million calls your mom is going to make.”
I chuckled as tears threatened. “I’ll keep it in the hundreds, I swear.”
“Be good, study hard, and… stay out of trouble.” Hector wrapped his daughter in a bittersweet embrace. They’d been through a lot, and this would be tough on her dad. He’d lived for Genie for so long that I doubted he knew what to do without her around. I knew how that could be. But we had to do this, for their sakes.
Genie laughed sadly. “That’s all you’re going to say?”
Oh, Genie… His words sounded unfeeling, but I’d heard the nuance. He adored her with every fiber of his being.
“No, but I thought I’d lead with the practical part.” Hector rested his chin on the top of her head, smiling. “I love you, Genie. I know you’re going to do tremendous things, and I know your mom would be so proud of you… just as I am. I will be thinking of you. I may not call a hundred times a day, but I’ll think of you that much or more.”
Genie looped her arms around his neck and squeezed him in a bear hug. “I love you too, Dad.”
“I promised myself I wouldn’t cry.” Finch pretended to sniffle and dab at his eyes, making everyone giggle. “I promised your mom I wouldn’t embarrass her. Our little girl, heading off to learn how to make jam out of monsters.” He sobered, a rare occurrence. “You take care of yourself, okay? And take care of each other. You were sneaky enough to get into this together—major brownie points from me, by the way—but now you need to get through this together. And I will be taking all the pictures when you graduate. I want poses, cap throwing, the whole shebang, even if they don’t do that here.”
“I’ll miss you, Uncle.” Persie walked into his open arms and gave him a farewell hug. I resented letting her go even a second before I had to, but Finch deserved a proper goodbye too.
“It’s okay, we don’t have to say it out loud—you’re going to miss me more than your mom and dad. They know. They’ve accepted that I’m the cool one. It’s an open secret.” He flashed a wink at me. “Knock ‘em dead, kid.”
Persie nodded. “I will.”
“And here’s a decent piece of advice.” Finch released her, and she came right back to me. It warmed my grieving heart. “If you come across a monster that you can’t fight, make sure you can run faster than the person next to you.”
“Finch!” I snapped.
He grinned. “Your accomplice being the only exception. Accomplices have to stick together.”
“Noted.” Genie parted from her dad for her own Finch goodbye. He did give good hugs.
Finch raised a finger to offer more of his questionable wisdom. “And make sure you’ve got a truckload of bath salts, because you’re going to hurt like nobody’s business. Training is always a bitch.” He flashed me a sheepish look. “I’m sorry, but there’s no other way to phrase it.”
Persie chuckled and laid her head against my shoulder. “I know things are going to get worse before they get better, but I’m really ready for this. I’m going to do whatever it takes to succeed, bruises and aches and all.”
“I love you.” I held onto her, feeling our farewell come to its end.
She smiled up at me. “I love you too.”
“Stay safe, okay?”
“I will.” She shuffled in for one more hug from Wade and me, the three of us gripping tight. And then, just like that, I knew we had to be the ones to step back and let her go. Kissing her forehead, I did just that. Wade followed, with Hector and Finch joining us. There we stood as Persie and Genie set off through the entrance hall to where Victoria waited at the far end beside a display case with a giant crossbow inside.
You take care of my girl, Ms. Jules, or I’ll use that bow to fire an arrow into your ass. I kept watching my daughter and her
best friend until they turned a corner with Victoria and disappeared from sight. They looked back a few times, but they were eager to go. Their future was calling, and they were answering.
But that didn’t mean they wouldn’t need us anymore. We’d always be their parents. The shoulder they’d cry on when things got tough. The people they’d call when they were in trouble. This wasn’t the end of our book, but the start of a new chapter. I’d messed up by not preparing her for the future before. I wouldn’t make that mistake again. She’d need all the help she could get, and, right now, the Institute was the best place for her to be.
Give them hell, Persie… I missed her already.
HARLEY MERLIN 19: Persie Merlin and the Door to Nowhere
Dear Reader,
Thank you for reading Persie Merlin and the Leviathan’s Gift. I hope you enjoyed it!
Continue the journey in Harley Merlin 19: Persie Merlin and the Door to Nowhere — releasing June 12th, 2020.
Whose head will we get a peek inside next? :)
Pre-order your copy now and have it delivered automagically to your device on release day:
Amazon USA: tap here.
Amazon UK: tap here.
Amazon AU: tap here.
Any other country: tap here.
I hope you love the cover!:
See you soon.
Love,
Bella x
P.S. If you enjoyed the book, I’d appreciate it if you could leave a review!
P.P.S. Sign up to my VIP email list and you’ll be the first to know when my books release: www.morebellaforrest.com
(Your email will be kept private and you can unsubscribe at any time.)
P.P.P.S. You can also follow me on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
Read more by Bella Forrest
DARKLIGHT
(NEW! Fantasy)
Darklight (Book 1)
Darkthirst (Book 2)
Darkworld (Book 3)
Darkblood (Book 4)
Darktide (Book 5)
Darkbirth (Book 6)
Darkfall (Book 7)
HARLEY MERLIN
Harley Merlin and the Secret Coven (Book 1)
Harley Merlin and the Mystery Twins (Book 2)
Harley Merlin and the Stolen Magicals (Book 3)
Harley Merlin and the First Ritual (Book 4)
Harley Merlin and the Broken Spell (Book 5)
Harley Merlin and the Cult of Eris (Book 6)
Harley Merlin and the Detector Fix (Book 7)
Harley Merlin and the Challenge of Chaos (Book 8)
Harley Merlin and the Mortal Pact (Book 9)
Finch Merlin and the Fount of Youth (Book 10)
Finch Merlin and the Lost Map (Book 11)
Finch Merlin and the Djinn’s Curse (Book 12)
Finch Merlin and the Locked Gateway (Book 13)
Finch Merlin and the Forgotten Kingdom (Book 14)
Finch Merlin and the Everlasting Vow (Book 15)
Finch Merlin and the Blood Tie (Book 16)
Finch Merlin and the Legend of the Luminary (Book 17)
Persie Merlin and Leviathan’s Gift (Book 18)
Persie Merlin and the Door to Nowhere (Book 19)
THE GENDER GAME
(Action-adventure/romance. Completed series.)
The Gender Game (Book 1)
The Gender Secret (Book 2)
The Gender Lie (Book 3)
The Gender War (Book 4)
The Gender Fall (Book 5)
The Gender Plan (Book 6)
The Gender End (Book 7)
THE GIRL WHO DARED TO THINK
(Action-adventure/romance. Completed series.)
The Girl Who Dared to Think (Book 1)
The Girl Who Dared to Stand (Book 2)
The Girl Who Dared to Descend (Book 3)
The Girl Who Dared to Rise (Book 4)
The Girl Who Dared to Lead (Book 5)
The Girl Who Dared to Endure (Book 6)
The Girl Who Dared to Fight (Book 7)
THE CHILD THIEF
(Action-adventure/romance. Completed series.)
The Child Thief (Book 1)
Deep Shadows (Book 2)
Thin Lines (Book 3)
Little Lies (Book 4)
Ghost Towns (Book 5)
Zero Hour (Book 6)
HOTBLOODS
(Supernatural adventure/romance. Completed series.)
Hotbloods (Book 1)
Coldbloods (Book 2)
Renegades (Book 3)
Venturers (Book 4)
Traitors (Book 5)
Allies (Book 6)
Invaders (Book 7)
Stargazers (Book 8)
A SHADE OF VAMPIRE SERIES
(Supernatural romance/adventure)
Series 1: Derek & Sofia’s story
A Shade of Vampire (Book 1)
A Shade of Blood (Book 2)
A Castle of Sand (Book 3)
A Shadow of Light (Book 4)
A Blaze of Sun (Book 5)
A Gate of Night (Book 6)
A Break of Day (Book 7)
Series 2: Rose & Caleb’s story
A Shade of Novak (Book 8)
A Bond of Blood (Book 9)
A Spell of Time (Book 10)
A Chase of Prey (Book 11)
A Shade of Doubt (Book 12)
A Turn of Tides (Book 13)
A Dawn of Strength (Book 14)
A Fall of Secrets (Book 15)
An End of Night (Book 16)
Series 3: The Shade continues with a new hero…
A Wind of Change (Book 17)
A Trail of Echoes (Book 18)
A Soldier of Shadows (Book 19)
A Hero of Realms (Book 20)
A Vial of Life (Book 21)
A Fork of Paths (Book 22)
A Flight of Souls (Book 23)
A Bridge of Stars (Book 24)
Series 4: A Clan of Novaks
A Clan of Novaks (Book 25)
A World of New (Book 26)
A Web of Lies (Book 27)
A Touch of Truth (Book 28)
An Hour of Need (Book 29)
A Game of Risk (Book 30)
A Twist of Fates (Book 31)
A Day of Glory (Book 32)
Series 5: A Dawn of Guardians
A Dawn of Guardians (Book 33)
A Sword of Chance (Book 34)
A Race of Trials (Book 35)
A King of Shadow (Book 36)
An Empire of Stones (Book 37)
A Power of Old (Book 38)
A Rip of Realms (Book 39)
A Throne of Fire (Book 40)
A Tide of War (Book 41)
Series 6: A Gift of Three
A Gift of Three (Book 42)
A House of Mysteries (Book 43)
A Tangle of Hearts (Book 44)
A Meet of Tribes (Book 45)
A Ride of Peril (Book 46)
A Passage of Threats (Book 47)
A Tip of Balance (Book 48)
A Shield of Glass (Book 49)
A Clash of Storms (Book 50)
Series 7: A Call of Vampires
A Call of Vampires (Book 51)
A Valley of Darkness (Book 52)
A Hunt of Fiends (Book 53)
A Den of Tricks (Book 54)
A City of Lies (Book 55)
A League of Exiles (Book 56)
A Charge of Allies (Book 57)
A Snare of Vengeance (Book 58)
A Battle of Souls (Book 59)
Series 8: A Voyage of Founders
A Voyage of Founders (Book 60)
A Land of Perfects (Book 61)
A Citadel of Captives (Book 62)
A Jungle of Rogues (Book 63)
A Camp of Savages (Book 64)
A Plague of Deceit (Book 65)
An Edge of Malice (Book 66)
A Dome of Blood (Book 67)
A Purge of Nature (Book 68)
Season 9: A Birth of Fire
A Birth of Fire (Bo
ok 69)
A Breed of Elements (Book 70)
A Sacrifice of Flames (Book 71)
A Conspiracy of Realms (Book 72)
A Search for Death (Book 73)
A Piece of Scythe (Book 74)
A Blade of Thieron (Book 75)
A Phantom of Truth (Book 76)
A Fate of Time (Book 77)
Season 10: An Origin of Vampires
An Origin of Vampires (Book 78)
A Game of Death (Book 79)
A Veil of Dark (Book 80)
A Bringer of Night (Book 81)
A Circle of Nine (Book 82)
A Bender of Spirit (Book 83)
A Memory of Time (Book 84)
A Shard of Soul (Book 85)
A Break of Seals (Book 86)
Season 11: A Shade of Mystery
A Shade of Mystery (Book 87)
An Isle of Mirrors (Book 88)
A Sanctuary of Foes (Book 89)
A SHADE OF DRAGON TRILOGY
A Shade of Dragon 1
A Shade of Dragon 2
A Shade of Dragon 3
A SHADE OF KIEV TRILOGY
A Shade of Kiev 1
A Shade of Kiev 2
A Shade of Kiev 3
A LOVE THAT ENDURES TRILOGY
(Contemporary romance)
A Love that Endures
A Love that Endures 2
A Love that Endures 3
THE SECRET OF SPELLSHADOW MANOR
(Supernatural/Magic YA. Completed series)
The Secret of Spellshadow Manor (Book 1)
The Breaker (Book 2)
The Chain (Book 3)
The Keep (Book 4)
The Test (Book 5)
The Spell (Book 6)
BEAUTIFUL MONSTER DUOLOGY
(Supernatural romance)
Beautiful Monster 1
Beautiful Monster 2
DETECTIVE ERIN BOND
(Adult thriller/mystery)
Lights, Camera, GONE
Write, Edit, KILL
For an updated list of Bella’s books, please visit her website: www.bellaforrest.net
Join Bella’s VIP email list and you’ll be the first to know when new books release. Tap here to sign up: www.morebellaforrest.com
Harley Merlin 18: Persie Merlin and Leviathan’s Gift Page 29
