by Kailin Gow
“Prettier, perhaps.” Aunt Sophie moved around so that she was back in Briony’s eye-line. “Even those elves who aren’t ful -blooded inherit a lot of that ethereal quality they have. And your blood is different. Look closely, and you’l find that there’s a silver tinge to it.”
Briony put her hand to her stomach where Pietre had sliced it, coming away with a few dried flecks. At first glance, they seemed normal, but in the light, they gleamed ever so slightly.
“Then there are your fangs,” Aunt Sophie’s father said. “Have yours shown up yet, Princess?”
Briony could only nod.
“At first, they only appear when we are excited,” Aunt Sophie said. “Eventual y, they are present more often. And I know of course that you have started to feel an inexplicable attraction to a certain vampire.”
“Fal on.”
“Though I suppose inexplicable is a little harsh in that boy’s case.” Aunt Sophie smiled grimly. “He’s certainly an improvement on Pietre, and I married him. ”
Wel , it certainly explained a lot. Right then though, Briony suspected that they had bigger concerns.
“Aunt Sophie? What happened to the gate? We need to get back. When I left, Kevin and Jake were in trouble, and I couldn’t even see Fal on. I only came here to fetch you.”
Aunt Sophie looked suddenly uncomfortable. “Ah.”
“Ah?” Briony knew she wasn’t going to like the sound of this.
“What my daughter means,” Aunt Sophie’s father said, “is that it might not be as simple as that. From this side, the gate is… unpredictable. It opens and closes on its own schedule. Hence my being unable to get back to Sophie’s mother.”
“I can’t go back?” Briony looked around the three others. Her eyes settled on Archer. “You brought me here when I can’t go back?”
“I thought you would be happy.” Archer looked genuinely puzzled as to why she might be upset. “It’s your true world, after al .”
“And you have a kingdom waiting for you,” Aunt Sophie’s father said. “My brother wil be delighted to learn of you, Princess.”
“But I have to go back!” Briony insisted. “I never thought I’d say this about Wicked, but I have a life there now. They need me there…”
Archer touched her arm and looked earnestly at her.
“Briony, there is a reason why I came after you in Wicked. It is your time to be here. Your people need you, too. You are the Princess we have been waiting for…our champion.”
Archer looked serious now. “It is an immense honor for me to be the dragon to the princess of Palisor, who wil restore peace and balance to our land.”
Briony was about to point out that she couldn’t even restore peace and balance to her own life when Aunt Sophie doubled over in apparent pain.
“Aunt Sophie?”
“It is the transformation,” Aunt Sophie’s father said.
“It is upon her.”
“But what is the transformation?”
“Briony,” Aunt Sophie’s voice sounded pained. “I just want you to remember…”
“Yes?”
“Remember that even after this, I’m stil your great aunt, and you wil stil do as you’re told, young lady. No matter what I look like.”
“What?”
Aunt Sophie didn’t answer. Light flared around her, Aunt Sophie didn’t answer. Light flared around her, a pure and bril iant white that should have been too bright to look at, and yet somehow wasn’t. It blazed like a second sun across her skin, and drifted through Briony’s great aunt as though she was not there. Aunt Sophie fel to her knees, and the light became stil brighter, so that Briony genuinely couldn’t look at it.
Just as suddenly as it had come, the light faded.
Aunt Sophie rose to her feet… except it wasn’t Aunt Sophie as Briony remembered her. The woman who stood there was younger, far younger, looking no more than twenty or so. She was beautiful, too, with the kind of ethereal beauty that her father possessed, giving a delicate edge to her.
Only the young woman’s eyes had the same hint of steel to them. Only they were truly familiar.
“Aunt Sophie? Is that you?”
“It is.” As Aunt Sophie opened her mouth, Briony saw the fangs there. “You know. That feels so much better.”
******************
Wicked Woods continues in
Book 4 of Wicked Woods
Silence
Fal 2011
Sneak Preview of the New
Dystopian Series
DESIRE
Book 1
kailin gow
Prologue
Perfection. That was how best to described the day.
Blue skies with the hint of lilac and buttercream, fat fluffy white clouds gliding by added to the beautiful day. It was the perfect way to end a sunny school day. With my hand nestled warmly in Liam’s, I walked at his side, my face tilted up to the sun, my nostrils breathing in the fresh air that smel ed like Spring lavenders and fresh linen. The fragrant air made me think of Spring formals, garden parties, and outdoor barbeques. The day could not be more enjoyable if it’d been planned that way. If I had not grown up anywhere else besides the state of Arcadia, I would have thought this else besides the state of Arcadia, I would have thought this was the way it always was everywhere.
School had gone wel , tests and exams had been passed with flying colors and the birds seemed to be singing perfectly. Like every day in Arcadia.
As we approached Nel ie’s Diner, I caught a glimpse of myself in a store window and was pleased with the reflection I saw. My long blonde hair cascaded down my back, freshly brushed and tidy. The lustrous locks fluttered in the breeze in a way that always made Liam smile, and it al added a bounce to my step.
That morning I’d chosen to wear my pale green smock dress, the one that he always complimented me on.
“That dress sure does make those hazel eyes of yours pop,” he’d always say.
Always told I was a pretty girl, I never real y believed it until Liam and I began dating in high school. At his side I felt beautiful. Was it his striking features that enhanced my sense of beauty or was it simply the look of adoration I saw in his eyes every time he looked at me that made me feel so beautiful?
“How’d you do on your math test?” he asked.
Though I’d always managed to get good grades, I never failed to get nervous and edgy when test time came around. “I think it went wel ,” I said, smiling at him and adoring him al the more for the concern he always showed for me and my studies.
“I think I pretty much aced that History exam this morning,” he said with pride.
He was so handsome, his fair curls so angelic. It He was so handsome, his fair curls so angelic. It never failed to amaze me how sweet, kind and generous he could be. A guy as handsome as Liam could easily break a thousand hearts, yet he was thoughtful and considerate in the way he treated every woman he met, and he was particularly attentive, loving and caring with me.
“Maybe my Life’s Plan should have been to become a history professor,” he added as he opened the door to the diner, his bright blue eyes twinkling with laughter and amusement.
I shared his hope and promise, and questioned what my own Life’s Plan would be. With my eighteenth birthday quickly approaching, I would know al too soon. It was as though I had been waiting al my life to find out what my Life Plan would be. Al of us under the age of eighteen waited with anxiety and anticipation to find out what our Life’s Plan held: our profession, who we would marry, where we would live, and how many children we would have. It would al be written in our Life’s Plan.
“Kama! Liam,” Sarah cal ed from across the crowded diner. “Hey, you love birds, over here.”
I couldn’t count the number of eyes that watched us as we made our way to our table. We’d been voted the best-looking couple in school for two years, and some even said we were the most attractive couple in town. Some claimed I had pale violet highlights that shined in the bright summer sun, th
ough I can’t say I ever real y noticed them myself. Some even hinted at the added degree of elegant glamour my recently fashioned bangs gave me. Others were envious of what they cal my porcelain skin.
were envious of what they cal my porcelain skin.
It was al flattering, but it was also incredibly embarrassing. I felt scrutinized and watched al the time.
Added to this was the expectation that Liam and I would soon marry. The thought both pleased and pressured me.
I’d known Liam since I could remember, but the pressure to marry was sometimes difficult to swal ow. I wanted to do this on my own terms, not by everyone’s expectations.
“After you.” Liam gestured to the booth.
“Have you been waiting long?” I asked Sarah as I slid in.
“Just long enough to down one of these.” She held up a tal , long glass of soda then turned to Liam. “You know, I was thinking, next week we could do the party down by the lake if the weather holds up.”
“I’m famished. Have you ordered yet?”
“Two mini burgers with coleslaw and a mammoth burger with fries for Liam.”
“Thanks,” Liam said, obviously anticipating the great meal to come.
“So, what do you think? Sarah asked him.
“I had thought about that, too. Streamers on the trees, flowers everywhere, and maybe even a live band?
Or we could do something elegant and classy at my place.
The grounds are beautiful this time of year with everything in bloom.”
“I think she would real y love that.”
“I just love how you guys go about planning my birthday party as if I wasn’t even there.”
“It’s as close to a surprise party as we can get. You always guess what we’re up to anyway.” Sarah pointed her straw at me for emphasis.
“But the night of my birthday is the same as the Arcades last game of the season.”
“That’s if they make it to the finals.” Liam seemed unconcerned with the turn out of the evening.
“They always make it,” Sarah added.
“Even if they do, everybody’s going to want to come celebrate Kama’s birthday.”
It was just like Liam to be so optimistic. I suddenly thought of the secret wedding plans I’d conjured up for us.
As annoying as the pressure to marry could sometimes be, the thought that marrying Liam might not be in my Life’s Plan often scared me to death.
“That’s pushing it a bit, don’t you think?” I knew I was popular at school, but for the student body to skip the Arcades’ victory party for my eighteenth birthday wasn’t likely to happen.
“Look,” Sarah said with finality. “The game is at two, wil probably end before five, everyone wil celebrate ‘til seven and then they can al slide on over to our party for eight. Voila. It’s al settled and everyone is happy.”
I tried to concentrate on what she was saying, but I felt every sense in my body awaken to something I’d never felt before. It was electric, almost painful. Was this what closing in on my eighteenth birthday felt like?
No, it was more than just that. I stared out the window, looking for the source of my sudden distraction.
The feeling intensified until the conversation between Sarah and Liam was completely blotted out and al that existed was that odd sensation.
“Kama, did you hear what I said?”
I pul ed my gaze away with difficulty and concentrated on Sarah who wove a lilac colored sheet of paper at me
I knew what it meant and instantly felt that jolt of envy.
Having turned eighteen a few weeks back, she’d final y received her Life’s Plan.
“I final y got word from the Committee. Can you believe it? I hold in my hand my Life’s Plan.”
“And you managed to hold that bit of information back this long?” I said, teasing her.
“I love you and want this birthday to be special for you, but now that everything is practical y settled, we can talk about moi.”
“So, what does the future hold for toi?”
Before she could answer, the waitress arrived with our order.
“Everything looks delicious as usual. Thank you,”
Sarah said with a quick, polite but dismissive smile. She was eager to tel us about her Life’s Plan and it showed.
Beaming with pride, she pul ed out her electronic pad, inserted the smal chip she’d received from the Committee and turned the screen to Liam and me.
Ignoring the plate of hot food before me, I read through the introduction, though I basical y knew it al . She came from the affluent Diamond Suburbs, was the only child to Mick and Fay Murray who both happened to work on the very Committee she’d just received notice from.
“Okay, so you guys already know that part,” Sarah said as she guided the page further down. “Here’s the interesting part.”
I smiled as I envisioned the life that had been plotted out for her. She was to attend Arcadia University where she would meet her future husband in the Elite Society. Both would go on to work for the Committee and live in the Diamond Suburb.
“Oh, Sarah. I’m so excited for you.” I final y picked up my little burger and sank my teeth into it.
“I knew you’d be. This is exactly what I wanted.
Exactly what I was hoping for.”
“Do you know how lucky you are to receive a Life’s Plan that is just as you wanted it?”
“I know. I never would have thought.”
I turned to Liam who’d sat silently through the exchange, his mammoth burger almost half gone. A wistful smile warmed his face as he looked at me. That look of love that came so often stil warmed me just as much as it did on our very first date. He slid his hand around my waist and pul ed me closer and I knew where his mind had wandered to; his own Life’s Plan.
He was set to marry a girl he’d known al his life. It could hardly be anyone else but me. Everyone agreed we were the perfect match. He would someday take his dad’s place as Governor of Arcadia, but would start at the Committee. He, too, was slated to live in the luxurious suburb of Diamond.
How many times had he told me his Life’s Plan had to include me? Countless. And every time he did, my heart raced a little faster. Life would indeed be perfect; a beautiful home in an exclusive neighborhood, a loving and gorgeous husband, and my best friend living nearby. What more could I hope for?
I couldn’t resist leaning into him for a warm snuggle.
He wrapped his arms around me, kissed my forehead and chuckled in that soft way he had when he knew I was feeling amorous.
“Cool it, you guys,” Sarah snapped. “I’m stil here, in case you hadn’t noticed. Besides, this is my Life’s Plan we’re happy about, remember? You’l have your chance in a few weeks, Kama.”
Yes, I wanted to scream. And I hoped I wouldn’t have to wait long. While some people waited weeks, as Sarah had, many got their Life’s Plan within days of their eighteenth. No doubt mine would greatly resemble Sarah’s and Liam’s. We were basical y cut from the same cloth, even if our childhoods were slightly different, and our destinies were bound to include one another.
The sensation returned again, drawing my attention away from the table and pul ing me out of the diner like a magnet. I looked out the window, looking for the source of my distraction.
Across the street, simply standing there, tal , dark and strangely out of place, was a young man of such intensity, the hair on my arms rose. He was like no other man I’d ever seen, confident, sure and so attractive in his gloom. His fashion sense was from another world, or at the very least from another town.
While the occasional blue jean was seen here and there, most young men of Arcadia wore stylish and elegant slacks. But this intruder dared to wear not only jeans, but black jeans that seemed to have seen their share of battle.
Instead of a shirt, he wore a dark leather tunic that added to his mystique and aura of danger.
I was drawn to him in a way I’d never thought possible. It was ma
gnetic. I felt my heart quicken and my pulse race. He was like a warrior straight out of those romantic fantasy novels I’d heard about. Extremely handsome, a bit exotic with his tan skin and jet-black hair.
But his sapphire eyes held mine in a gaze that spoke lifetimes.
Kama, the desired one.
My fork stopped midway to my mouth. I froze as the strange and dark voice entered my mind. I glanced at Sarah. Happily chomping on her burger, she had not heard a thing.
Glancing sidelong at Liam, I could see he had not heard anything either.
I have found you, yet again…
What? Me? Who are you? What is this? Where was that voice coming from?
Him.
I forced the coleslaw into my mouth before the others noticed my sudden odd behavior, but I almost choked on it.
When I final y managed to swal ow it down, I turned to Liam.
“I think I just saw Tula across the street,” I said as I laid down my fork and prepared to rise. “I owe her two dol ars, so I’l run out to give it back to her.”
He stood, and while he looked completely perplexed by my sudden need to leave the diner, he said nothing.
I hurried out and headed in the direction of the mysterious man with raven hair. Breathless before I even began to run across the street, I felt an urgent need to meet this man. But I could see before hitting the curb that he’d already disappeared.
My disappointment surprised me, as if I’d missed something important, something that could change my life.
My heart felt heavy as I looked up and down the street.
There wasn’t even a trace of him until I arrived at the very spot I’d seen him.
A perfect deep purple orchid. It had to come from him. No orchid of such color grew in Arcadia. It was the only proof I was not completely going nuts. He had been here. I had seen him. This mysterious man with the burning blue eyes was here and knew my name. Who was he?
Chapter 1
There was something rather self-indulgent about passing out invitations to my own birthday party, so I let Sarah do most of the talking and handing out as we strol ed through the school hal s. She was great at getting people together and she had a way of making any event seem grand.
