by Jaci Miller
“The ether,” she said softly, gazing at the iridescent purple substance that flickered and floated in Dane’s palm. She lifted her eyes. “Impossible. Even those of us born from the ether cannot wield its power directly. The ether is not a malleable substance and therefore cannot be manipulated or contained.” Gabby faltered. “How?”
Dane closed her hand around the ether and let her arm drop to her side.
“Something happened after I fell into the abyss with the ancient dark. As I plummeted, time and space seemed to shift around me, and the worlds collided—this one and the ancient realms. Magic flared, some I recognized, much I didn’t, elemental magic flowing through the ages and fusing to me. The further I plunged into the void the stronger the magic became, and I could sense a change in myself. Suddenly I knew I could defeat the beast. Not just entomb him back into a dark prison but destroy him forever.”
Her eyes flashed with the iridescent light of the ether.
“All the elements were at my command and I harnessed their combined power to destroy the ancient dark.”
Roused from his shock Rafe said, “You can control all the elements.”
With a nod of acknowledgment, her gaze shifted to Gabby as she spoke.
“The energy infused in your aura has long been absent from any of the Five Realms and the magic you wield is primordial, as old as the Thanissia universe itself,” Gabby said.
“Now it makes sense,” Stevie squeaked, the awe in her tone elevating its pitch.
Sebastian looked at her quizzically, “What does?”
“There was a passage in the very back of the ancient tome. It was hidden on the inside of the back cover infused into the pages by some type of magic. When I dropped the book, it fell open and the full moon’s light illuminated the ancient script that was written there.”
“What did the inscription say?” asked Sebastian as the others drew closer to Dane their astonishment at her escape from death turning to morbid curiosity.
Stevie shifted uncomfortably as she recited the words. “And from the ashes will rise the Arcana—the one who wields the magic of time, the one who controls them all.”
As Stevie’s words echoed through the early morning air, Rafe thought about what had transpired here this night. They had battled tirelessly and against all odds—witches, immortals, friends, and strangers—and sacrificed much to save the future of not just this world, but the worlds lost long-ago to time.
The crackling of the green fire rising from the crater began to diminish and the morning sky turned into a brilliant blue, shedding its kaleidoscope of dawn colors.
His eyes turned to Dane and a surge of emotion ran through him as she gazed lovingly back at him. He walked over and took her in his arms. A sense of relief flooded through him as she melted into his embrace and their hearts once again beat in unison.
Fatigued eyes stared at the others as he held her close.
She was the reason they fought and the reason they survived, and she will be the reason this world and his will thrive.
Dane was the past, the present, and the future.
She was the very essence of the ETHER.
END OF BOOK 3
Acknowledgments
It is bittersweet coming to the end of something that has delightfully consumed years of your life, but I have left a few portals open to these worlds just in case I wish to return someday. But for now, it’s time to move on and experience the joy of creating something new.
Writing might be a solitary endeavor but creating a book is not and I would like to thank all those who have been involved in bringing The Scrying Trilogy to life, from cover designers and critique partners to editors and beta readers. Without you, these books would just be words on a page.
To all those who are emotionally invested. You persevered through this journey with me and your love, support, and dedication are what gives me wings to follow my dreams.
Most of all I would like to thank the readers who have loved my characters and their stories and immersed themselves in my worlds without fail. You are the heart of what I do.
About the Author
Jaci Miller was born in Ontario, Canada and moved to the United States at thirty-four when she married her husband. She received a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Phoenix, developing her writing skills in multiple creative writing classes. During her studies The Scrying Trilogy evolved, beginning with a storyboard that claimed one of her basement walls for over a year. The Arcana is the third book in the trilogy.
When she is not playing with her imaginary friends and writing down their stories, Jaci enjoys reading, cooking, home décor and DIY projects, paddleboarding and yoga. She currently resides in Vermont with her husband and their Jack Russell Terrier, Ike (aka The Grumps).
You can find Jaci on Instagram and Facebook @jacimillerauthor
www.jacimiller.com
www.solitarypenpress.com
