by Nicole Adamz
Mustering my strength, I grabbed the merchant’s wrist. His hand stilled, and he stared at me intently. In the shaded gloom, the globe’s light clearly revealed the merchant’s dark grey skin. His disheveled hair was secured at the nape, revealing pointed ears. Dweller. My hand convulsed, tightening in dread. Swallowing, I forced the words out.
“Please,” I croaked hoarsely, gasping for breath. By the True One. “I—don’t want—to be ash.”
The merchant stared at me, amusement flickering across his face before speaking to someone behind him, “Take her. She’s been Claimed.”
∞ ∞ ∞
Deep in the mountain I stared at the flickering image inside the amber stone, and my mouth quirked up. A triumphant laugh bounced against the stone walls.
Finally, it would begin.
∞ ∞ ∞
Thank you for reading Claimed !
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Acknowledgements
This book would not exist in its current state without the encouragement and help of many people. First, my unending praise and adoration goes to God, my Heavenly Father. Without His love and guidance, I would not be who I am or where I am.
Thanks also go to my parents. To my dad, who has a beautiful imagination and always encourages me to question and seek truth. To my mom, who has a creative streak, a love of organization, and an endless drive to move forward no matter the circumstances. I love you both so much. To my in-laws and extended Polish family, thank you so much for your support during this time even when, I’m sure, you might not exactly have understood what I was writing-or if I was ever going to get here (It’s okay. I had my own doubts.).
Endless thanks to my husband, Patrick. You never cease to amaze me with your unending positivity, patience, and perseverance. Thank you for the years you drudged through the muck and trenches of the corporate world so I could create this imaginary world unhindered. May your many sacrifices not be in vain. I also have to give a small portion of thanks to our two rambunctious kitties. They have provided respite and amusement during moments I needed to take a break.
Many thanks to my group of friends who read parts of my extremely rough first, second, third, etc. drafts and made helpful suggestions: Sarah Chapman, Brooke Chastain, and Brandon Campbell. To Amanda Ivylea, while you never actually read this book you have been the biggest emotional cheerleader a friend could ever ask for on this journey. May God bless you all!
Finally, but not unimportantly, my thanks go to YOU, dear reader. Without your support I would not be able to continue writing. If you liked what you read, please consider leaving an honest review on Amazon and/or Goodreads.
Sneak-Peek of Book 2
Coming in 2019
Envoy
(The Land of Schism Book 2)
Nicole Adamz
Prologue
THE IMAGE IN THE AMBER STONE WAVERED, and I watched Ari’s unconscious form shift. She was getting closer, but her faith in me was wavering. I could see the flickering heart in her chest; the one that used to glow steadily. Shaking my head, I decided to refrain from contacting Ari until she sought me out. Ari would need unshakable faith for the plans I had for her.
Splitting the image, I watched Maewyn’s sweat-stained form shift. She was still in Summit, but she’d never believed in me. I’d hoped that Ari’s assignment as Tyro to Maewyn would sway Maewyn’s heart in my direction. Instead, the Old Traditions I’d established had blotted her heart against me when they got in the way of her own desires. Her heart burned raggedly with bitter hate and revenge.
Tilting my head, I studied the silver-haired woman. I understood her heart more than she realized—or would currently admit. The chains in my cell clinked as I added a third image. Then a fourth. The hearts of the last two burned brightly. One with faith through suffering, and the other with more hate than Maewyn’s.
Infinite likelihoods for their entwined fates played through my mind in a mere blink. Free-will always crafted immeasurable possibilities, but I still knew them all. Splaying my fingers wide, I zoomed in on Ari’s image. She was the Envoy I’d Claimed.
Taking a breath, I blew on the image, nudging her heart to seek me.
Chapter 1
Ari
HARSH WHISPERS DELVED INTO THE DARKNESS, cleaving the void in my mind. The words were thick and snipped, addling my brain. It felt like I was on a floor.
“What have you done?” someone growled.
“I had to—” intreated another voice.
“Shouldn’t have brought her here—” said the growler.
“She needed help!” the other voice insisted.
“She could be a spy!” hissed the growler.
“She’s Fallen, and has nowhere—” exasperation marked every word.
“Maybe that’s what she wants you to think!” the growler’s voice rose.
“Luce, come on. You know me,” reasoned the second voice.
“You’re right. I do know you. This is just the type of thing—” the growler raged.
Their noise banged inside my head and I groaned. One voice starkly shushed the other. Pain throbbed everywhere, and I shifted. Agony lanced through the nerves in my right wing and I inhaled sharply.
“Get Fettie,” someone whispered gruffly.
Something popped coarsely, and I cracked my eyes open. A fireplace dominated a quarter of the opposite wall, and a log inside disintegrated, sending ash up the chimney. The room was mid-sized but gloomy. The only light was from the fire. Am I in a Ward Tower? I thought hazily.
Hope bloomed in my chest before a wrinkled hand roughly grabbed my face, peeling back an eyelid. Horrified, I stared at the shriveled, dark green woman. Large horns protruded from her forehead, curling around her face like a ram. Dweller! My heart thudded, and everything crashed into my mind while yellow eyes checked my other eye before moving away.
A faceted bowl with oozing goo and a ladle was placed beside my head. An expanding bubble inside the mass burst as the ancient woman reached toward my wings. She paused when I squeaked, smiling at me. Jagged, pointed teeth glistened between her lips.
“No!” I cried brokenly, jerking backward.
My wings seared with agony before my head smacked something unforgiving. The woman cackled before everything darkened. Terrified, I curled into a ball inside the void.
∞ ∞ ∞
If you loved this book, please write a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads. I’d like to know what you think, and so will many others.
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