by Valia Lind
Shadow of the Fae
The Fae Chronicles #1
Valia Lind
Contents
Shadow of the Fae
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Note from the Author
Next in the Fae Chronicles series
Do you like academy adventure romance?
Want more from the Hawthorne Witches?
About the Author
Also by Valia Lind
Copyright © 2020 by Valia Lind
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
Cover by Anika at Ravenborn Designs
Shadow of the Fae
The Fae Chronicles - Book One
Valia Lind
When the night is dark,
And the pain is deep,
There's a spark inside,
That will carry you still.
When the day grows long,
And the week's a year,
You will find your home,
In the now and here.
Trusting in yourself,
Learning what is true,
Reaching for the next,
Being true to you.
Storms will come again,
Rain will fall like tears,
But the pow'r in you,
That will never fail—nor it'll disappear.
Chapter 1
"If you want to keep your tail attached to the rest of your body, I suggest you drop the necklace. Right now."
The tip of my knife is securely lodged in the indent of the troll's tail as he whimpers in fear. The jewelry he's clutching drops from his fingers while he continues to eye me.
"Push it toward me." I nod at the necklace, and the troll takes a deep breath before blowing at the metal. It slides, stopping against my foot. "Now, was that so hard?"
I smile but also don't remove my knife. Not yet.
"You tell your thieving friends if I catch them—and I will catch them if they cross me—you all will be walking around minus a tail. Capeesh?"
The troll nods. After a moment more, I let go of the tail.
"Witch," he mumbles before scurrying off into the darkness.
I squat to grab the necklace but keep my awareness locked on my surroundings. It would do me no good being jumped from behind. Once my bounty is secured, I stand. I notice the troll dropped something else on the way out. Walking over, I pick up the discarded vial, studying it in the dim light. It might be worth something on the black market. Well, the magical black market. Not a place I ever would’ve imagined going.
The last month of my life has molded me into someone I don't really recognize. But that's life. You do what you have to in order to survive.
That's all it’s been about recently.
Survival.
Survival.
Survival.
This is definitely not where I thought my life would take me.
Tucking the items away inside my inner pocket, I sheath my knife and head out of the alley. Right before I hit the main street, a prickle at the back of my neck makes me pause. Scanning the rooftops in front of me, I then turn and do a quick study of the rest of my surroundings. There's nothing. The prickle doesn't go away, but I don't sense any immediate danger. I’m not particularly sure what I sensed, but it unnerves me.
This is how my life is now. I have to be on constant guard, moving more than standing still. At least years of perfecting my research skills provided me with a nice job. I can find pretty much anything on any wish list when it comes to magical items. Not exactly the glamorous life I planned for myself, but it’s getting me through.
It takes me about a block and a half to recognize that I'm being followed. The same prickle of awareness is there, but it's been growing as I walk. It could be the troll and his friends, but I doubt it. This feels... more somehow.
More magical.
More dangerous.
More unnerving.
Keeping my pace steady, I run through my options. There's no way I'm taking whoever is following me anywhere near the market or my apartment. Which means I'll have to shake them off. Without causing a scene. Everyone is always up in arms about magical battles in public. The last thing I need is to draw attention to myself.
Turning into the next alleyway, I give it a second before I take off running. The feeling of being watched doesn't diminish, so whoever or whatever is out there must be keeping pace with me. And for me to still be able to sense them, it means they’re more powerful than the average troll. If I could, I'd throw a shield or two of protection around me, but I'm not really that skilled. I could've been if I stayed at Thunderbird Academy. But I chose staying alive over education.
Now, I'm rethinking that choice.
I’ve had magic since before I could walk, but what happened at the school—no, I can’t think of that right now. First, I have to get to safety.
The steady beat of my feet against the pavement syncs with the rhythm of my heart. I have to stay calm and in control. Wouldn't want my magic going haywire and alerting the Council. Or worse, the fae.
When I round yet another corner, I pause. Slowing my pace to match those around me, I step into the crowd. A game must've just gotten out. There are people everywhere. That awareness of being watched doesn't go away, but I still don't see any immediate danger. They won’t attack in public. It’s an unspoken, and sometimes spoken, rule of the magical community. It’ll have to do for now.
I have a meeting to keep.
It takes me twenty minutes and a ride on the light rail before I reach my desired neighborhood. The magical market is a typical hidden entity that moves its entrance when it chooses to. This week, it's across the river in Tempe. At the Tempe Mission Palms hotel to be exact. The buildings are structured in a square shape with an outside sitting area in the middle. There's also a large pool area where guests can be found on a regular basis. There are always people present since the hotel is used for conferences year-round.
This is a perfect place to hide a magical black market. No one notices a few extra people coming in and out. The sun has gone down by the time I reach the designated door, which opens up to a regular mop closet. Not very original, but I think many enjoy playing on the stereotypes.
I place my palm against the far wall and the air around me ripples. That is really all it takes. Any magical being can enter. If they know it's here, of course. The wall seems to faze in and out, and I don't hesitate to step through.
Instantly, there's noise all around me. The market is straight out of some fairytale book. We're in a forest, naturally, with stands arranged in between the trees. All kinds of magical beings fill the spa
ce, bartering for the best deal. I weave in and out of the crowd without stopping to look at the tables. I know exactly where I'm going.
A group of nymphs dance near the fountain, and a few stop to watch, mesmerized. The first time I came here, I was mesmerized as well. Nymphs have that effect on people. Most of those who come through here are witches and shifters. It takes some maneuvering to make sure I'm not seen by anyone I know. With my parents being on the Council, I've met a great number of witches growing up. That’s why I stick to bartering with the shifters and the sprites. Although, even the latter isn't what I imagined.
When I was younger, I thought sprites were tiny spirits, the size of a sunflower at most. But the woman who greets me when I reach her is nothing like that. She's a little taller than me and beautiful beyond words. Her hair is braided in places and falls way past her back. She wears a dress full of layers that makes me think of spring, with it pastel colors and flowery scent. I haven't asked her too many questions, even though I'm fascinated.
"Greetings, Avery. You have something for me?" Lucinda says when I reach her.
"Just like I promised," I reply. She motions for me to follow her into her tent. Most of those selling at the market also live here, whether it's a tent, a tree house, or simply a tree, each makes it their own.
Stepping into Lucinda's tent, I'm always fascinated by how it opens up into a much bigger area. There is even a separate room for bathing and a small kitchen.
When I first found the market, Lucinda was kind enough to show me the ropes. Well, maybe kind isn't the right word. I made a deal with her. She keeps my secret and teaches me how to survive. In turn, I become her personal errand girl. That often means I have to be an enforcer too.
Not that I told her my situation easily. She can sense a lot of what goes on inside a person’s mind, and I came to the market completely unprotected from such invasions. She zeroed in on my pain immediately. I would never confuse her for a friend.
"Let's see it." She reaches out her hand as she takes a seat at the table. I sit opposite of her before I pull out the necklace. "Was there trouble?"
"Nothing I couldn't handle." I shrug. I can never tell if she's actually concerned or if it's just a trick. I've only ever demanded one answer from her. And that was whether or not she's a fae. Since they can't lie, when she told me no, I realized I was somewhat safe. Not that I carry an illusion it will stay that way.
"What's on your mind?" Lucinda asks when I don't offer up any more information.
"I thought I was being followed. Maybe it's time for me to leave Phoenix."
It's not like I'm really asking her for advice. I've learned not to ask anyone of anything. It's safer that way. But I'm still hoping she gives me something to go off of.
"Have you been practicing your magic?" she asks instead. I sigh.
Even before I started at Thunderbird Academy, my magic has been on the fritz. But when I arrived at the school to begin my senior year, everything snowballed. My crazy magic, the magical book I found, and the fae that's been sent to retrieve me. I can still picture his blue eyes studying me from across the room. That happened right before I blasted him with my magic and jumped out a window.
"I've tried," I reply, pushing all thoughts of the tall, dark, and dangerous man out of my mind. "It's still being weird. Most of the time. It's as if it doesn't know what it's supposed to be. But also, it’s not safe for me to use it, so I’m a little stuck.”
"Sounds like growing pains to me." Lucinda shrugs, making the gesture elegant somehow. She stands, walking over to the small kitchen area and pouring out two cups of tea. Typically, I try to stay away from eating or drinking anything while I'm at the market, but I've broken my own rule at times. Right now, I just want a warm cup of tea and a nap. So, I accept the mug gratefully.
"What do you mean by growing pains?" I say, taking a small sip of the tea. Chamomile with a hint of honey and lavender. My lips curl up in a small smile. After years of study, I'm happy to know my senses are still attuned.
"It seems your magic is trying to figure itself out."
"Shouldn't it have done so when I was, I don't know, six and first coming into my powers?” Although, granted, I came into my powers before then. She doesn’t need to know that.
"Maybe. Maybe not."
I narrow my eyes at her tone, something about it almost familiar. She's not done, however.
"I don't know your story, Avery, and I don't want to. I chose this life to be away from the drama and the heartache. But I can feel the magic brewing inside of you. Something is happening, or something is coming. Either way, you're in the middle of it."
"Great. Because I need that reminder."
I down the rest of my tea and stand. I don't want to be part of this conversation anymore. I'm tired, and I want my bed. But then I remember the little vial.
“Is this of any use to you?” I ask, pulling it out. Lucinda eyes the vial, her eyes lighting up. She takes it from me, giving it a little sniff and a shake.
“Where did you get it? It looks like troll juice.”
“Okay, first of all, ew. And second of all, good nose because that’s who dropped it.”
She grins at me again, clearly very happy with this extra find. I don’t even care to ask what she’s going to use it for.
"I will take my leave now," I say without a thank you. I've learned that those two words are dangerous in these parts, and I won't utter them. "Let me know when you have another errand for me to run."
Lucinda walks back over, handing me a wad of cash. Much bigger than I was expecting. That juice must cost a pretty penny. Even though I'm curious to know where she gets the cash, I don't ask. We have an arrangement, and I need to stick with it. It's the only way I've been surviving on my own. I nod my thanks and then I'm out of there.
Today has been much like all the other days since I ran from Thunderbird Academy.
Except, that nagging feeling hasn't gone away. I must be tired. I just need rest.
Chapter 2
When I finally reach my apartment, the day has caught up with me. My limbs feel heavy and my head is pounding. I've been awake for over twenty-eight hours.
Finding the trolls who had the necklace Lucinda wanted ended up being more of a hassle than I let on. It's not like I can look up troll residences in an online search. So, after doing some research and finding out where troll activity has happened in the past, I had myself a stakeout. Then there was the matter of finding the right troll. All in all, it took a lot longer than I expected.
I lock the door behind me, switching on the light right away. My eyes instantly go to the crystals I placed above the doorframe. The three stones sit in a row, undisturbed. Black tourmaline, jet stone, and red jasper. Each is a stone that focuses on protection from negativity and unwanted energy. I may not be a witch who graduated high school, but I am a witch who studied her butt off to always be prepared.
Giving my small room a quick scan, I let out a sigh of relief when I don't sense anything off. My apartment is very basic, a studio size with a bed, dresser, and a television. All three of the items were already in here when I moved in. The small kitchen area has a refrigerator and a microwave. Which reminds me, I need to get groceries.
I head for the bathroom first, shedding my clothes and stepping under the shower. The water feels refreshing against my skin, but it also calls to my water magic. I have to keep my magic closely guarded in order to stay under radar. But when I'm in the shower, the call of the water is too loud to ignore. I let the magic come out to play. I only use it for a few seconds, just long enough to make the water droplets dance in a pattern in front of my face, before I drop them back down. The funny thing is, five months ago, I didn’t even have water magic. My element has always been fire. But here I am, in a completely different magical column. I can’t explain it. And I’ve tried.
Since I ran away from Thunderbird Academy, my magic has been slightly more stable. I can’t truly experiment with it, but it feels steadier
. More balanced between the fire and the water. One of these days, I'll get to play and then I'll know for sure. But having my magic traced would be the worst kind of happening. I do everything in my power not to let that become reality.
When I finally climb into bed, it seems like I've been awake for days. Living with this constant dread really puts extra pressure on the mind and body. I always think it'll take me forever to fall asleep, but then I'm out like a light.
Hands and claws reach for me, tearing at my clothes and skin. Blood splatters, marring the space around me. Monsters descend, hungry for my flesh. I open my mouth to scream, but no sound comes out. Just the noise of the creatures around me.
It's not like any dream I've had before.
Somehow, I know it's a dream. And yet, it feels real. The pain clouds my thoughts, tears leaking out of my eyes unbidden. I try to get away, to break free, but the creatures have their grip on me. When I finally do pull away, my arm is raw.
I stumble away, pushing through the trees that block my path. The branches are just as merciless as the creatures were. Glancing back, I worry they're behind me, but what I find freezes me in my tracks.
Everywhere my blood dripped on the ground, a bush has sprung up, blocking the creatures’ path to me. I raise my arm and watch as another drop falls. The moment it's in the dirt, it becomes a bush. Flowers begin to form at the tops, blooming immediately. I jump back as not to be scratched by its branches. Before I can think too much of it, I reach out to one of the leaves, and then, I wake up.
