Attainment (Between Two Realms Book 3)

by Amber Flora

  Between Two

  Realms

  ____________

  Attainment

  Contents

  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

  Epilogue

  @AmberFlora1

  Authoraflora.com

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Publishers Note

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Chapter 1

  Fate and destiny are bound together. Destiny can be formed, controlled, but not fate. No matter how many times you alter your destiny, the path will always lead you to your predetermined end.

  I slowly got out of the car using my cellphone as a light in the dark. I couldn’t understand why the damn security light wasn’t coming on. Cody swore he replaced it a few weeks ago. What kind of man leaves a woman to walk around in the dark knowing a crazed half-blood is out to get her? I closed the car door and stood there for a moment, listening to the sounds of the farm. I heard crickets chirping and frogs croaking but no psycho hiding in the bushes. Satisfied that tonight was not the night I would have to fight for my life, I made my way to the porch. As the cottage door creaked open I heard a faint noise coming from the living room. In the past I would have reached for my pepper spray. Instead I allowed my emotions to rise to the surface, causing my palms to glow red from the fire I had ignited. Whispering sounds directed my attention toward the kitchen. I was about to shoot a fireball at the dining table when the lights flipped on. There stood all my friends with huge grins on their faces.

  “Happy Birthday!” they shouted in unison. I breathed a sigh of relief and allowed the flames to dwindle.

  “Did we surprise you?” Lori asked, wrapping me in a hug.

  “Um, yeah. Another second and we would have had roasted dreamwalkers.”

  Lori laughed, slapping Mac on the back. “I told you we could pull it off.”

  “Aye, ya did, Freckles, though was it necessary to make the lass walk to her door in the dark?”

  I was still adjusting to my new life, even three months since returning home from my imprisonment with Damon. One thing I had a difficult time grasping was the comradery between Mac and Lori. They were like Bonnie and Clyde and both constantly checked up on me like it was my first time living on my own. Being in the same room with them was nearly unbearable. If they weren’t picking on one another like two kids in a school yard they were playing ridiculous pranks on one another.

  “It set the mood,” Lori pouted, looking to me for confirmation.

  “Was the mood a scary movie? Because you nailed it.”

  “Oh, lighten up, Ashtyn, it’s your birthday. Gloria and I baked your favorite cake.”

  Lori motioned toward the counter, where a slightly deformed chocolate cake sat.

  “You baked? What has gotten into you? Have you ever even seen an oven until today?” I laughed as I looked at Gloria. Ben wrapped his arm around her and kissed her cheek.

  “She’s been practicing for weeks. None of us have ever been to a birthday party; she wanted it to be perfect.”

  I saw Gloria blush as Ben spoke as though he were the luckiest man alive. It took me a while to get use to the two of them together but I had to admit they really were great together. Ben pulled Gloria out of her shell and opened her mind to things other than books and she somehow managed to get him to loosen up and smile occasionally. It frightened me the first time I saw him grin. Aside from our strange and uncomfortable past with one another, Ben really was a decent guy and if he made Gloria happy that was enough for me.

  My father walked up. Algon handed me a square-shaped present wrapped in princess wrapping paper and shyly smiled.

  “It was this or Care Bears. I figured since you're my princess it was appropriate,” he said with a shrug.

  “I don’t think I have ever seen such a beautiful wrapping job,” I joked, tearing into the deformed paper. Underneath was a beautiful wooden box with intricate designs woven into the cherrywood. On the front of the box, below the clasp, was a quote: “Dream beyond the borders of your mind to reveal the depth of your soul.” I ran my hand across the lovely patterns.

  “It was your mother's jewelry box. I kept it, hoping to give it to you someday.”

  A tear fell down my cheek as I realized my mother once held the lovely gift that was in my hands.

  “It’s beautiful, thank you. I love it.”

  “Now ya done it. How are we supposed to top that?” Mac griped in the corner.

  “Ignore him, Ashtyn, he forgot to take his pill today,” Cody said, giving Mac a “shut up” stare.

  “My turn!” Katrina squeaked, hopping up from the bar stool.

  Kat and Gloria bought me a gift certificate to a spa in town. I didn’t have the heart to tell them I would probably never use it. Instead I graciously accepted and appreciated all the hard work they did in planning my twenty-ninth birthday. Cody bought me a painting that was done by one of my favorite local artists and Lori gave me the same thing she did every year: a stack of books and a pint of rocky road. I was so thankful to have such an amazing group of people in my life. Even Brian, Mac’s father, showed up to celebrate. He and Mac had been spending a decent amount of time together over the last few months. I knew Mac hadn’t completely forgiven his father for the way he was treated in the past but even he could see that Brian had changed and really was trying to be a better person and involve himself in his son’s life. Things had been pretty good since my return home. Cody and Mac were still searching for Damon but so far they had no luck. I knew it would be too good to be true that I had managed to kill him the night he took Lori and I set him ablaze. No, he was still out there somewhere, healing and plotting his next move. I could feel it. Every time I closed my eyes I feared he would be there — waiting for me — to finish what he started.

  Lori was teaching Gloria and Kat the birthday song while the men were perched in the living room discussing business. I took the opportunity to slip out unnoticed for some fresh air. We hadn’t all been gathered together in this house since my grandmother’s funeral. It was a little overwhelming remembering the day and the events that led to her death. Another powerful reason Damon had to be stopped: I couldn’t lose another loved one to his madness.

  I sat on the porch swing looking around the farm I knew so well. It was hard to imagine growing up anywhere except here. Six months ago, my Uncle Ken was the only family I had ever known. It wasn’t until meeting Cody and Mac that I learned where I really came from. I thought about how different things would have been if the Credo had never attacked Avonya, home of the dreamwalkers. Would I have grown up beside my mother, the high priestess of dream realm? Or perhaps in Cardician with my wizard father? So many unknowns. I loved the farm. I had so many good memories on this land but I still couldn’t help but wonder what might h
ave been. Even though my mother had managed to leave me some memories before she passed away, they didn’t make up for the hole in my life from never knowing her. I could hear Ben and Cody arguing over something inside the house and I laughed as I thought about my dysfunctional family. They may not be blood but they were as close to family as anyone could get. When Damon had kidnapped me in his crazed attempt to force me into having his child so he could end the world with our unique bloodline, I feared I would never see them again. Truth be told, if it weren’t for meeting Herrick I probably wouldn’t have. Somehow the emotionless assassin found it in his heart to help me escape. I would never admit to the group how much I missed him. It was more than the night we shared together after our escape. Herrick had changed me. Not only had he helped me discover the truth about the different realms and my heritage, he also made me a better person. After just a few weeks in his presence he made me stronger, more confident and, strangely enough, he made me feel safe. The night Herrick left hurt me more than I cared to admit. The only thing that made his absence bearable was the thought that wherever he was, he was finding the happiness he deserved.

  “Aside from horrendous decorations — which I didn’t pick out by the way — this is shaping up to be a pretty decent hooley,” Mac said, sitting next to me on the porch swing.

  “A what?”

  “Party. Honestly, Macree, I thought ya cared enough to learn a little of my native tongue.”

  I quirked a brow in an effort to hide my smile. “I think I at least earned a B in the anatomy of Mac.”

  “Aye, but it’s been so long who can remember? Perhaps you should brush up on your knowledge. Ya know what they say: If ya don’t use it ya lose it,” he said with a wink.

  I had thought many times about Mac’s mouth and some of his other body parts over the last few months. I still cared for the man deeply and I couldn’t deny that he stirred feelings inside of me but no matter how many opportunities I had to act on my desires I couldn’t. My mind kept drifting back to Herrick and the night we shared together in his cabin. I couldn’t understand why I was so stuck on it. Herrick could never feel anything for me. It wasn’t in his nature — not to mention he skipped town the first chance he got — yet I continued to push Mac away for a man I could never have.

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” I laughed, nudging his shoulder.

  “What’s got ya down, lass? Yer a baby in dream realm time, ya know. Twenty-nine is like the blink of an eye for immortals.”

  “Yeah but I’m not an immortal, am I?” I pointed out.

  “Nah but ya can be. All ya have to do is come home.”

  I looked around the farm that held so many memories. I knew my uncle would have forgiven me if I chose to leave but I wasn’t sure I could forgive myself.

  “I am home, Mac. I don’t expect you to understand but I can’t just leave everything I have ever known behind. Victoria told me I could control my fate. I know my mother had other plans for me but people seem to forget that I’m not her. I have to live my own life, regardless of what fate has in store for me.”

  “I respect the hell out of ya, lass. It’s a whole lot easier to follow the path laid before ya than it is to make your own. Yer wrong about one thing though: I do understand. Brian may be my blood but I think of Cody and the lot of ya as my home. Wherever you all are is where I want to be.”

  “I didn’t mean you don’t understand the meaning of home,” I said. I felt like a complete ass for hurting him.

  “Aye, I know what ya meant. We only want ya to be happy. If this is the place that makes that happen then I’ll stand by your decision. I would like to suggest some remodeling though. The wallpaper is out of season, lass.”

  “If there is anyone I would take decorating tips from it would definitely be you, Fintan Mac Donagh.”

  “Now why ya gotta go and ruin a good time by saying my full name? I swear, Macree, it’s like ya make a living out of pushing my buttons,” he said, shaking his head.

  I smiled innocently as if I had no idea what he was referring to.

  Mac sighed and pulled something out of his jacket pocket, handing it to me.

  “I didn’t want to give ya your gift in front of everybody.”

  I looked at the picture in my hands, confused by the image.

  “It’s a picture of a horse,” I said, looking at him for an explanation.

  “It’s your horse, Macree. I remembered how comfortable and at peace you were when you dreamt of riding your childhood horse, so I got ya a new one. Before ya go objecting, I have taken care of everything. You won't have to spend a dime and I hired a stable hand to look after her. Cody and I fixed up the barn for ya. She will be delivered next week.”

  My mouth fell open as I processed his words. “You bought me a horse?”

  “If ya don’t want it I’ll find another buyer.”

  “You bought me a horse,” I repeated, laughing.

  “Um, lass, this is new territory for me. Do ya like it or don’t ya?”

  I jumped up, pulling him with me. Wrapping my arms around his waist, I placed my head on his shoulder and hugged him tightly.

  “I am in awe. Don’t you dare get rid of her. Thank you, I love it.”

  Mac kissed the top of my forehead and sighed.

  “There is nothing I wouldn’t do to see you smile, Macree.”

  “Mac, I … we need to … ”

  “Ashtyn Lane!” Lori called my name from the house and I reluctantly let go.

  “Better get in there before she throws a tantrum. Ya know how she gets when things don’t go her way,” he said, winking before turning and heading back inside, not giving me the chance to finish my sentence.

  “So you’re supposed to blow out the candles and make a wish?” Kat asked, looking to Lori for confirmation.

  “Yep.”

  “Does the wish come true?” Kat’s eyes were lit up with wonder at the simple human tradition.

  “As long as you don’t say it out loud,” Lori replied, winking at me.

  I watched the flames dancing on the blue and white candles. What would I wish for? I couldn’t imagine topping this day, surrounded by the people I loved in the home I grew up in. I didn’t want to waste my wish on Damon. This was happy day, a joyous occasion. I wasn’t about to let it be tainted by thoughts of the devil. There was one thing I wanted, one piece of the puzzle that was missing. I closed my eyes and blew out the candles, hoping and dreading that my wish would come true.

  Chapter 2

  I sat in the living room looking over one of the books from the archives that Gloria graciously let me borrow. Lori had offered to spend the night after the party but I was worn out from the day's events. I just wanted to do a little reading and go to bed. I flipped through the pages in a feeble attempt to locate anything that pertained to my mother and Damon. The last memory she had given me was of her looking through an old book in my grandmother's magic shop. She was accompanied by a shadowed man that bore a striking resemblance to Damon. While my mother appeared saddened she didn’t seem afraid of the man that stood before her. That just raised even more questions. Who was he and what was he doing with my mother? While I was Damon’s unwilling guest, he had told me that my mother wanted me to join him, that she had abandoned the dreamwalkers because she knew Damon would one day find me. I didn’t believe him, of course, but I still couldn’t find a good explanation as to why he was potentially in a memory of my mother’s. I had gone to Victoria’s magic shop in Cardician shortly after the flashback but I wasn’t able to locate the antique book I saw in Deandra’s image.

  I heard a faint whooshing sound to my left and quickly turned my head to look but nothing was there. Looking back to my right, I froze when I saw a tall black-haired man sitting in my recliner as if he owned the place.

  “Hello, love.”

  “Wha … what are you doing here?” I sputtered, shocked to find Herrick sitting in my living room at two in the morning.

  “Did you honestly think I woul
d forget your birthday? I’m hurt, Ashtyn, honestly.”

  Okay, was he possessed or something? The Herrick I knew wouldn’t give a rat’s ass about my birthday and he certainly wouldn’t use the word hurt.

  “Either I am going to have to perform an exorcism on my birthday or you have an ulterior motive.”

  Herrick grinned his typical bad-boy grin and placed his arms on both sides of the recliner.

  “First off, it’s not your birthday, Cinderella. It’s past midnight and you're no longer the center of attention. Secondly, you caught me. I honestly had no clue it was your birthday until I saw the banner hanging in the kitchen; nonetheless, I do have impeccable timing.”

  “There’s the heartless vibrant we all know and dislike. Care to explain what has you breaking into my home in the middle of the night?”

  He rose and came over to take a seat beside me. His brilliant gray eyes shined in the lamp’s light and my heart skipped a beat at the proximity of his lips from mine.

  “I truly am sorry, love, if I had known it was your birthday I would have brought something other than my sparkling personality.”

  I was somewhat in shock. I had been blowing out birthday candles for twenty-nine years and never once had my wish come true until now. Sure enough I had wished to see Herrick one last time, to find closure in the feelings that swirled inside of me whenever he crossed my mind, and now here he was in the flesh and I was utterly speechless.

  “It’s not a big deal. I’m a little too old for parties at this point in my life. It was mostly for Lori, she loves a big bash. I wouldn’t want to deprive her of such a simple joy.”

  I was rambling. Oh God, I’m acting like a complete nut job. “Shut up, Ashtyn!” I screamed at myself, trying to regain my composure.

  “I’m actually surprised to find you here. I would have thought you would be living out your days in dream realm by now. The longer you stay here the less time you have as an immortal.” He spoke as if that thought had never dawned on me. Why was everyone so concerned with me fighting mortality?