by Julia Crane
I’m signing off for now. Alaric is downstairs calling for me—he’s planned a special date night to celebrate the year we’ve spent together in the real world. It’s almost Christmas, which we didn’t really get to celebrate last year, so I’m wondering what he got me! Mom’s been really teary lately and she keeps looking at him like he’s a knight in shining armor.
Who knows? Maybe he is. I’ve got a lifetime to figure it out.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to our wonderful editor, Claire Teter, for polishing our gem and telling us when a character would NOT use the word “stoked”…
Big thanks to Erin and Mayme, who have proven time and again to be invaluable as plot-hole beta readers for our books. Guatemala is most definitely in CENTRAL America, and there is certainly an “E” at the end of JCPenney. You are machines, ladies.
Hugs to our other beta, Katy, who catches all those frisky little last minute typos. Blessed be, sister.
And finally, we are incredibly lucky to have families who are so supportive of our books. Thank you for letting us ignore you for days on end.
About Julia Crane
Julia Crane is the author of the Keegan’s Chronicles series. She has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Julia has believed in magical creatures since the day her grandmother first told her an Irish tale. Growing up her mother greatly encouraged reading and using your imagination. Although she’s spent most of her life on the US east coast, she currently lives in Dubai with her husband and three children.
Find Julia online at juliacraneauthor.com
Julia’s other books include:
Keegan’s Chronicles
Coexist
Conflicted
Consumed
Anna (Coming Soon!)
Also by Julia Crane
Mesmerized
Co-written with author Talia Jager
Seventeen-year-old succubus Lily Anderson can’t have a normal life: She isn’t allowed a boyfriend, she has no friends, and school is just one mess-up after another.
Lily’s parents send her away to the prestigious Emerson Academy. It doesn’t appear to be any different from the others. That is, until she meets her roommate, Hannah, and a blue-eyed boy named Jake.
Lily makes an almost deadly mistake, and Jake has a mysterious past that has come back to haunt him. Together, they must go on the run from things neither of them understand in order to save the people they love—and each other. But, Jake’s foe is more dangerous than they realized, and it will take the help of friends and family to save the man Lily loves.
She must learn to use her powers for good before it’s too late.
WARNING: This is a mature YA. Due to sexual content and some language it is not recommended for younger teens.
Approximately 44,000 words
Available Now!
Amazon US
Amazon UK
About Nolia McCarty
Nolia McCarty is American by birth but Irish by heritage and heart. Her dream is to live on a small cottage in Ireland where she can watch the sheep outside her window and write all day. “Heaven Below” is her debut young adult novel. Nolia has several releases planned for 2012 including “Wiccan Wars” and “Barefoot Blue Jean Nights”. She is also co-writing a novel with YA author Julia Crane, entitled “Eternal Youth”, set for release in Feb 2012. Visit her blog for more information about her upcoming books!
In her real incarnation, Nolia is author Heather Marie Adkins. Under this (real) name, she has written several novels, including paranormal romances “The Temple” and “Abigail”. Find more information on her at her website
She loves to hear from readers! Visit her blog and leave a comment or email her at [email protected]
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Interested in receiving updates on Heather’s books? Visit her website and subscribe to her newsletter!
Nolia’s other books include:
Heaven Below
Wiccan Wars (Coming Soon!)
An Excerpt
Prologue
It was a vengeful and terrible fire.
The white marble buildings that had characterized the once-grand city were stained black with soot. Where they weren’t stained, they were essentially gone — destroyed by a blood-red core that left behind miles of unnecessary death. The smoke carried the harsh smell of human suffering and loss.
He ran with the others, though much faster and with a stronger fury. Immortal didn’t mean invincible. He knew that firsthand. Fire was the enemy and death was an unwelcome guest, so he ran.
His senses were on overload, hyperactive with fear-driven adrenaline. He was all too aware of the pounding of his feet on the ground, the pain of his ragged breath in his throat, and the hot, hot air burning his back and his neck.
Fear was in the air, as pungent as the smoke that filled his lungs. It left a bad taste in his mouth.
The chaos would have been comical if his own life wasn’t being threatened. People were dragging each other down in their haste, dodging trees, rocks, fallen comrades…it was a ballet in slow motion. The fire was coming faster than many could get away…he tried not to think of the death toll and of those yet to succumb to the danger.
The mortals he passed were crying; a mournful, collective wail that appeared as if it would shatter the sky. He could sense that the people were worried about whether or not their loved ones had made it out safe. It wasn’t hard for him to imagine what else was going through their feeble minds. They were losing everything they had worked so hard to gain and maintain—especially the city, built from love and run on faith, hope, and happiness. They had known no crime…
Until now.
Many fools had taken paths through the Dark Forest and in theory, they would never emerge. Legend spoke of a curse on the trees, of all sorts of evil monsters.
Of course, he was one of the monsters.
An explosion rocked the earth. He didn’t bother looking over his shoulder. One more disaster for a nation on the brink of its demise. There was nothing to do. The fire was rapidly spreading. It wouldn’t be long before the island was consumed.
A single dirt road led through the edgy wilderness to the tip of the island, where the Port awaited. It was the only safe place to travel out of the city, guarded as it was by Her magic.
At the thought of Her, he closed his eyes and said a quick prayer.
He could picture the Port where boats were waiting to carry them all away to safer ground. Most crafts were piling above maximum capacity in order to save as many lives as possible. He could see the bend in the road up ahead; beyond that were the gates to the city, and beyond those…salvation.
In his excitement, he edged too close to the tree line, and a sharp branch swiped across his face. It slowed his momentum slightly, just enough to keep him from sprawling to the ground as he tripped over a rock.
No, not a rock.
A man.
The man was dead. Most likely fallen during the rush, and quite literally trampled to death. He could smell the body’s blood, still fresh, and his mouth watered… Keep going. Get out. Scrambling backwards on his knees, he managed to make it to his feet and turned to run.
Only to find himself gazing into the eyes of an astonishing woman.
He shook his head, blinking hard. She stood facing the onslaught of panicked runners. Anyone else would have been knocked to the ground, but it seemed as if the crowd parted seamlessly to go around her. She was thin, almost frail, but stood nearly a foot taller than him in her bare feet. Dust swirled around her ankles like mist.
Her pale gray eyes—almost white—glowed from within.
Strong muscles rippled under her creamy satin toga as she grabbed his face between her hands. Her own face became placid.
The surrounding madness froze. People fleeing stopped in mid-stride and the noise ceased, ending in an audible thwoosh. Above them, dark clouds began to gather, seeping from her very skin. Her icy gray eyes took
on a faraway gaze, looking through his dark eyes into unknown dimensions, as if she were seeing him from the inside out. The wind raged, tearing into him and whipping her long brown hair into his face. Electricity hung above his skin.
After a moment, she brought her face to his, noses not quite touching. Her body began to shiver, her grip on his face becoming increasingly tighter. Ten tiny pinpricks of pain from her claw-like fingernails left blood trickling down his face.
“She should have lived,” the woman said, her voice low and menacing. It echoed off the clouds and in his head. His body chilled deep to his bones and his breath became visible as the air grew cold. He couldn’t tear his eyes from her face. “The world hangs in a delicate balance and you have caused a grave disruption. The city is dead by your irresponsibility.”
He tried to pull from her grasp but was unsuccessful. She was inhumanly strong; so powerful he couldn’t free himself, even with his immortal strength. Fear mounted in him with no mercy. It stuck in his throat, choking him. She shook him hard, a jolt that would have killed a human. He felt something crack in his neck, and bit down on the pain.
“Listen to me, you bloodthirsty filth. She will die at your hand. For 10,000 years, you will find her and you will kill her.” She shook him at every word, enunciating through gritted teeth. “Unwanted and unbidden, she will come to you. You must atone for your wrongdoing.”
She paused, her grip losing some of its worth. “There is more.” He watched the life enter her eyes, which automatically focused on his and softened. She wiped blood from his face very gently with her fingertips. Her touch was cool and unearthly soft, leaving trails of feather lightness across his face. “Nothing is ever as it seems. People may not be who you think they are and you will not know. Things may seem grim and you will be confused, but do not push. It will come around in time.
“The crisis at hand is part of an involved and predetermined destiny. It was planned in detail. The future is as well.” At this she smiled, beautifully white, making her look even more astounding. “It is said that felines possess nine lives and no matter how many times they seem to die, they will bounce back.”
He was puzzled but also intrigued. It was a riddle; he could do riddles.
She stroked the skin at his neck, tracing her fingers to his cheek. He laid his face in her hand. It was warm. The wind whipped her hair into a cocoon around their bodies. He felt her lips on his forehead, and they slid softly to his nose. He gave in to her magic as it weaved around him, his body going numb. “All will be well, dear boy. Remember to stay true to your heart and it will lead you to where you need to be.” She placed her lips to his ear, “You are a true member of the Order.
“As I say it, so shall it be.”
She let go, pulling roughly away from him, her face lifting to the sky. He was caught off balance and sprawled to the ground ungracefully. He grimaced, looking up to her as pain shot through his arms.
She reached for the clouds, the wind battling as lightning leapt from her fingertips. She let out a scream that ripped through him. Her body melted into the sky like smoke, starting from her fingers and moving to her feet until there was nothing left.
The clouds dissipated as quickly as they had come, following the hasty retreat of their master. The wind died down and the noise and bustle of the world came back to him.
Strong hands grasped him firmly under the arms, yanking him to his feet before he could be trampled. His faceless rescuer gave him a push in the right direction and they took off towards the water.
The sight of the pier brought new hope to his suddenly glum heart. It was always non-stop business, shoulder-to-shoulder with merchants and travelers, but today it was for a very different reason. The closest boat had just cast out to sea, its anchor still cranking. It was a long jump, but not impossible.
He leapt, soaring through the air with his arm outstretched. His fingers caught hold of the anchor rope. He hit the side of the boat hard and groaned, waiting to stop bouncing before he climbed hand over hand to the top.
His brother waited patiently above. Hands gripped him and pulled him aboard. They embraced.
“I must say, your timing is extremely impeccable,” his twin said wryly.
He fell to his knees, exhausted.
His brother lowered himself to the deck, leaning back against the wall. “Do you know who that was?”
He was still trying to catch his breath. “I do not know for sure, but I have a crazy idea that it was Eva.”
His brother looked grave, and avoided his gaze, choosing instead to look back at the burning city. He just nodded.
“The Prophet came to me.” He rubbed the dried blood on his cheeks, remembering her grip. “She’s strong. No one has seen her since before we were born.”
They sat in silence for a moment.
“Is she ever wrong?” he murmured.
His twin cringed. “No. She isn’t.”
Chapter 1
She ran.
The streets beneath her flat-soled shoes were cobblestone; twice, she had stumbled, nearly wrenching her ankle into immobility. She tugged her cloak tighter, clutching at both sides until her knuckles hurt. The snow was falling steadily now: a blanket of white that whipped at her face as she struggled to keep up the pace. The cold air burned as it pushed in and out of her lungs, but she couldn’t stop.
If she stopped…she was dead.
Glancing over her shoulder, she could make out his dark form in the night. He was getting closer. Why was he chasing her? She stumbled and fell—hard.
There was no time to recover from the jarring hit; she bounced to her feet and rushed forward. She could hear his breath in the night.
She dodged into an alley; the kind of place she’d always been told to never venture.
Her father wasn’t alive to help her now.
She rounded another corner and found a wall instead of another alley. The wet, gray stones sailed high above her head, blocking any means of escape.
She turned to face her fate…
Kelliantra McNeil jerked awake, teetered on the edge of her bed, and fell to the floor with a loud thump.
“Oww,” she groaned. She pushed up to her elbows and shook her head, as if she could shake away the dream. Really, I should be used to them by now.
Kelli stood and shoved her blankets back onto the bed, then stretched her arms to the ceiling with a grunt. She had never been a morning person, especially on Sunday mornings when—per Mom’s orders—Kelli was to finish any and all homework that she didn’t do (and never did) earlier in the weekend.
She took a quick shower and tried not to think about the dream. It was the one she hated the most; it gave her the creeps. But, without fail, she had it at least once a week…
After her shower, Kelli ran a brush through her wet hair and then sat down at her desk. She pulled out her algebra book and opened it.
Of all the subjects she had to take in school, Kelli hated algebra.
If someone had shown up at the front door and offered to do all of her algebra homework for the low-low price of her eternal soul, she would have signed the contract without hesitation. She would even have dotted the “i” with a heart for good measure.
But, that was an unlikely chain of events. Instead, she sat at her desk staring out into the rosy morning and tapping her eraser on her algebra book—alternately ignoring and glaring at her homework.
She opened the window, telling herself it was because sometimes her room got too hot since heat rises and she lived in the attic. It was such a nice morning with the temperature significantly lower than it had been in previous weeks. Autumn was starting right on time and the refreshing wind it brought ruffled her white-blonde hair.
Really, though, she had the window open because her neighbor was out mowing his front lawn.
Gabriel Halogeras.
Even from her bedroom at the top of the house, she could see his shirtless torso gleaming with sweat. He had the kind of body that deserved to be ogled:
strong shoulders, a thick neck, muscular biceps. His rounded butt looked fantastic in those low-slung, faded blue jeans. Kelli liked the way his shoulder-length black hair looked pulled up in a ponytail, and the way his back rippled as he walked.
She shivered. It probably wasn’t the breeze.
Kelli looked back at her notebook, determined to at least finish one problem before she drifted again. The equation swirled together on her worksheet: a spiral of nonsensical numbers in stark black on white.
Glancing back out the window, she found Gabriel on his front porch. He was kicked back with his legs on the white wooden railing, drinking from a soda can.
He was the ultimate mystery.
One Tuesday morning a month after the school year began, he was sitting in Kelli’s social studies class as if he belonged there. His cocky smile had sent the girls into palpitations and their excited whispers had overwhelmed the room. Everyone sent furtive glances his way, speculating and gossiping…especially Kelli. She remembered he had worn leather pants, a feat not many guys could pull off. It gave him a primeval look, like a wild cat.
He was unreal.
No one knew his story. It wasn’t like he was a loner; he spoke to people and made friends right away. He flirted with girls from day one, and he even tried out for track on day four. He loved attention and got into the habit of strolling into class a few minutes late. Teachers couldn’t control him, but for some reason only had respect for him. He never talked of his family or where he came from.
Kelli had seen an older man come and go from the house across the street. She didn’t know if it was Gabriel’s dad or what. But she sure did like the way Gabriel cut his grass.
“Staring at the Grecian God again?” Aries’ voice startled Kelli out of her thoughts.
She dropped her pencil, whipping around quickly in her chair. “You scared me.”
