The Descendants

by K. K. Allen

  BOOK THREE

  The Summer Solstice Series

  The Descendants

  K.K. Allen

  Books

  by K.K. Allen

  The Summer Solstice: Enchanted

  (BOOK ONE, The Summer Solstice Series)

  The Equinox

  (BOOK TWO, The Summer Solstice Series)

  The Descendants

  (BOOK THREE, The Summer Solstice Series)

  Soaring*

  (Short Story in the Echoes of Winter YA Anthology)

  Up in the Treehouse**

  (New Adult Contemporary Romance)

  *Releases November 27, 2015

  **Details Coming Soon

  Copyright

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2015 by K.K. Allen

  Cover Design: Mirella Santana

  Editing: Shauna Ward, Richard Duerden

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  For more information, please contact K.K. Allen, SayHello@KK-Allen.com

  Dedication

  This one is for you, Toots. I hope they have libraries in heaven so you can read this dedication. I love and miss you with my whole heart.

  Table Of Contents

  Prelude

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgements

  About The Author

  Giving Back

  Other Awesome Books

  Prelude

  His borrowed body stands before me, eyes wearing the evil glimmer that’s haunted my dreams for nearly two years. He knows he’s won with the only threat that could bring me to my knees. The words have been spoken, and there is no turning back. I reach for the latch of the protective pendant pressed tightly to my wrist.

  I watch Erebus, in his serpent form, slither out from the remains of the body which crumbles to the ground in a heap of skin and bones—no bloodshed. This is how the God of Darkness kills the ones he possesses: by slowly and deliberately sucking the life from them.

  He eyes me greedily, waiting, as the air around him glows a faint but unmistakable blue.

  It’s time.

  I pause for a moment, feeling the gold chain that holds my pendant safe beneath my fingertips. There’s no other way. With a final inhale, I unclasp the chain and let it fall to the ground as a single tear draws a solid wet line down my cheek.

  In a swift moment, the cold air of death embraces me. Although I don’t have the physical strength to fight it, my last vestiges of life scream, claw, and kick as the darkness engulfs me.

  Chapter One

  PRESENT DAY

  Amid a life unexpected, our virtue stands threatened by Erebus, the God of Darkness. His essence moves through our thoughts like passing clouds, hovering at a safe distance yet always present. By now we’ve become accustomed to the anticipation and fear of the squall that could rip through our community at any moment.

  I would like to say I’m prepared for what’s to come, but how does one defeat eternal life? Nevertheless, defeating him is the only way to eradicate the dark cloud that’s been suspended, unwelcome, above our community. The constant unease of what he could do to those we love takes precedence over the lives we’re meant to live. Never have I felt so weak—weak with uncertainty and loss from so much death. So many innocent lives gone, all for nothing. All for power.

  Here I am, readying myself for the winter dance like every other high school student in Apollo Beach—except I’m not like most of them. I am an Enchanter, a descendant of the Summer Solstice gods and goddesses of ancient Greece. Not only that, but I’m a direct descendant of the original Goddess of Enchantment, Astina Somer. While my bloodline may be unique, I consider myself just as ordinary as everyone else in the community, with every member serving an essential role.

  For the Elders like my grandmother, today is a sacred day. The winter solstice is not only the first day of winter, but a day when our community celebrates all that nature has afforded us. While Rose and Charlotte are at Summer Island’s community center enjoying their own festivities, I’ll be at Apollo Beach High School’s Arctic Winter Masquerade Ball.

  Arctic winter in Florida. What an exciting theme for tonight’s festivities. Winter in Apollo Beach brings a slight chill to the air, but it’s nothing like the winter wonderland I’ve always dreamt of. Tonight, though, I’ll get the next best thing.

  After one last tentative glimpse at myself in my vanity mirror, I stand, straightening my strapless silver dress. The sequins, like a disco ball, reflect light from all directions. The fabric lies just right on the curves of my hips, and my long hair falls in loose waves down my back. I take a step back and silently thank my supernatural balance for the ability to carry myself well in these ridiculous heels.

  It’s hard to envision the weak, insecure girl I was when I first came to town. A year and seven months have passed since then, and my life has taken on an entirely new meaning—one filled with responsibility that no teenage girl should be forced to manage.

  “I’m done!” A flushed Charlotte dances into my room carrying her latest fashion masterpiece. Her excitement is infectious, and when I glance down at the object in her hands, I see why.

  “Oh, Charlotte! It’s beautiful,” I breathe.

  I take the exquisite masquerade mask and examine it. What Charlotte can do goes beyond magic; she is an artist. Yes, she creates her art with magic, but her designs are one hundred percent original.

  The mask is etched with defined precision, the eye slits just narrow enough to provide some mystery. Winglike feathers decorate the gray base of the mask and flank each eyehole. Two long, curved pieces shaped like antlers fan out to form a pair of elegant eyebrows. The intricate layers of gray complement my outfit well, a subtle companion to my outrageous dress.

  “It’s a butterfly!” she says, clasping her hands.

  I giggle. “I see that. Thank you, Charlotte. I love it.”

  Charlotte places eager hands on my waist and turns me to face the mirror, slipping the mask over my eyes. She lifts the top half of my hair and pulls the thin ribbon around from each side and fastens it in place.

  She gasps and clasps a hand over her mouth. “Oh, my … ” If I’m not mistaken, her eyes are glistening. “You are exquisite.”

  No one has ever used the word exquisite to compliment me before. Her reaction creates a heaviness in my chest, and I quickly unfasten the mask.

  “Don’t, Charlotte.” I laugh through my discomfort. “I’ve applied makeup
once tonight, and I don’t want to have to do it again.”

  “You’re right. I’m sorry.” She inhales deeply before stepping away. “Come. Let’s get you downstairs. They’re waiting for you.”

  “They?” I’m confused. Are my friends here already? I didn’t hear the doorbell chime.

  “Your father stopped by hoping to see you off,” she explains. “He’s downstairs with Rose.” Worry flashes across her face as if she considers I may not be accepting. What I don’t want to admit is that I’ve dreamt of my father handing me off before the big dance. It’s pleasing to know he wants to be part of this night too.

  Without another word, I follow Charlotte downstairs and through the grand entrance into the great room. Paul and Rose stand together, speaking in low voices, but they stop immediately when they see us.

  “Dressed to impress, are we?” Rose teases.

  I return her tease with a playful smirk just as Paul reaches for my hands. He examines me from head to foot with squinty eyes and pursed lips, then twirls me around unexpectedly like I’m a little girl. I giggle.

  “Yup, you’re definitely my daughter,” he validates with mock arrogance. “You clean up nicely.”

  I smile from ear to ear. “Thanks, Dad.”

  A year and a half after meeting my father, our relationship continues to be a complicated one, full of clumsy exchanges and bashful conversations. But we’re both trying.

  Paul lives in Apollo Beach, but he has his own house down the street. Rose said it was best this way, at least for now. No one argued. He comes by every weekday for dinner and every weekend for breakfast, and we often hang out when I’m not working. I like that he doesn’t try to overcompensate for our time apart. Our time together is without stress or expectation; it’s simple.

  He loves to read as much as I do. Sometimes we camp out in the Summer library, surrounding ourselves with books, finding conversation in the most random of subjects. He has an adventurous side as well. He introduced me to deep sea diving last summer, and it quickly became an obsession. No sea sprinkle and mermaid tails—not with Paul, anyway. We go real deep sea diving, the kind with plastic fins and an oxygen tank strapped to my back.

  Some weekends we drive to the nearest springs or ride bikes across the rough terrain until our adrenaline is thoroughly exercised. Sometimes we just hike the nature trails. He’s extremely well accustomed to nature and shares his knowledge as we navigate the woodland. Turns out Paul is a huge fan of waterskiing too, so he was happy to teach me how to operate his boat. Nothing is more therapeutic than the breath of the wind and the light ocean spray on my face. With him, I’m able to do all the things I never could during the years my mom kept me to herself at our home in North Carolina.

  “Won’t you be cold?” Rose asks me, referring to my bare arms and legs.

  I tilt my head at her, amused. She knows better than anyone that Enchanters can adjust to any temperature. “Oh, stop. I’ll be fine, Rose,” I say. “The dance is inside, remember?”

  She shrugs, eyes assessing my entire outfit meaningfully. She obviously disapproves with the amount of skin I’m showing, but she’s not about to argue. Since my father’s arrival, Rose has taken a backseat in the parenting department. It was difficult for her at first, but she’s come a long way.

  “Okay,” she says.

  That was too easy. The thought puts a surprising damper on my mood, but only for a moment. After embracing Rose and landing a kiss on her cheek, my eyes return to my father, who regards me with a light smile. He looks dashing in his tux, ready to join Rose and Charlotte at the winter solstice event on Summer Island.

  Paul clears his throat, a familiar, befuddled expression on his face. I’ve never asked him why he looks at me this way, but my theory is that he sees my mom when he looks at me. Deep down I worry he’s displeased with the part of me that comes from my mother—the part that shares blood with Erebus, the God of Darkness.

  My stomach twists in discomfort. Does he think negative thoughts every time he looks at me? My mixed bloodline is not something I’m proud of, and it’s not something we talk about.

  Charlotte nudges us toward the piano to the left of the bay windows. “It’s picture time. Get together, you two.”

  We shuffle into position. My dad stands to my right, left arm around my waist while my arm slides behind his. “Oh, that’s perfect,” Charlotte gushes. She positions herself behind the camera and snaps away.

  We smile for the photos, and before he lets me go, he leans in close to my ear. “Have an enchanted evening, my beautiful girl.”

  A buzzing warmth zings through me as my heart fills with delight. We sure have come a long way since that first day he landed on the steps of Summer Estate.

  AUGUST—ONE YEAR AND FOUR MONTHS AGO

  I swing the door open this time to greet the back of a man’s head. He must hear the door because he swivels around, our eyes locking at first glance.

  For what feels like an eternity, my heart stops beating and my blood runs cold. I’ve only seen a few old photos of him, but I’d recognize him anywhere. Staring back at me are my own eyes, a very bright and solid silver. The man has long lashes like me too, and long, wavy chestnut brown hair.

  “Katrina.” It’s as if his breath has left him and a painful smile appears on his face. “I thought it was finally time we met.”

  My father.

  He stands before me, and I’m frozen in place. I don’t think to invite him in; in fact, I can’t think at all.

  “Katrina, I’m—”

  “I know …” My words falter, but my brain shakes awake at the sound of tires squealing as the Escalade pulls into the driveway. Rose practically falls out of the car, taking quick strides up the stairs with a desperation alien to her natural facade.

  “What are you doing?” Her anger is aimed toward Paul. “You told me you would meet me at the Community Center. How dare you trick me? I’m your mother!”

  Paul takes a deep breath, obviously exhausted by Rose.

  This clearly isn’t their first exchange as of late, which means Rose was keeping my father from me. How long has this been going on?

  “Can we do this later?” he sighs. “I’d like to meet my daughter now.” He turns back to me, apology evident in his eyes.

  My normal fury at Rose’s secrets escalate. This time she’s gone too far. “You knew he was in town?”

  Rose’s expression changes from anger to worry as she takes in my heated state. I don’t even want to look at her right now. I glance back at Paul, who is still staring at me with those big, silver eyes. Something in his gaze thaws my anger toward Rose, and I’m left with only my muddled thoughts.

  Rose has been acting strange lately, taking secret phone calls in the car and in her den. Not to mention her hysterical reaction to my visit to the energy plant. Has she been talking to Paul the entire time I’ve lived with her? The few times I overheard her end of the arguments, I assumed they were with Isaac Valli, descendant of Triton and leader of the West Indian sea descendants. Now, I know better.

  I’m slow to see Charlotte approach. She takes Rose by the shoulders and steers her toward the front door. “Inside, all of you,” she commands. “You’re making a scene. I’ll make some tea, and Paul can speak to his daughter without interruption.”

  “Excuse me.” Rose glares at Charlotte but allows her to push her forward.

  Paul nods his head, gesturing for me to enter Summer Estate first. I hesitate for just a moment, afraid he’ll disappear. I can’t believe he’s really here. How long will he stay?

  A short time later, my father and I take a walk on the beach to have our first quiet moment together. He explains the simmering encounter with his mother.

  “My mother’s intentions were good. You’ve been through a lot and she wasn’t sure how you would react to my presence right away. Between you and me, I think she wanted to be the one to introduce us.” His expression becomes sheepish. “I kind of messed that up today.”

  As
I watch him speak, I’m memorizing every inch of his face and the movements of his mouth, listing our similarities in my mind. He chooses his words carefully, as if validating them internally before actually speaking. He seems to be insightful and intelligent, exuding a quiet confidence.

  He goes on to tell me that his patience was already running out to meet me, but when he heard of my encounter with the Equinox, he felt he couldn’t wait any longer. He took it upon himself to visit while Charlotte and Rose would be at Summer Island, ostensibly to meet with him.

  “I have your eyes,” I say in response to this. Probably one of the most awkward sentences of all eternity, and it’s the first one I say to my father.

  He smiles, unaffected by my awkwardness. “Blue as a baby, silver as enchanted.” A wistful expression appears on his face, and it’s like a blow to my heart.

  Whoa. My mom said those same words to me once. I found it so odd, and she couldn’t explain where the saying came from. Now I know.

  “Those were the words I spoke to you the first time your eyes met mine. You were so tiny, yet your eyes, so powerful. They took my breath away. I can see they hold the same power today.”

  I look away, surprised by the impact of his words on my heart. I’m not ready for him to see how emotional this reunion is making me. What can he possibly do or say now for me to forgive his absence? Will it make any difference?

  Yes.

  I can’t ignore the part of me that’s ready to burst with love for this man—the part of me that’s already forgiven him. But the stubborn part of me plays bully to my conscience. It’s a frosty staredown between my heart and my mind, and my mind wins out for now, encasing my heart in a block of ice.

  We stare out into the horizon of the bay in silence. The water is calm, air compressed with humidity, birds rudely squawking as they pass.

  “Not much has changed in the last few years, has it?” His fingers graze the sand.