Legends of the Damned: A Collection of Edgy Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance Novels

by Lindsey R. Loucks

  Coal ran towards Mahal. Before he reached the guard, Zanete pulled him away. "What are you doing with my mom? What's wrong with her?"

  Chalcedony felt sorry for the boy as he fought uselessly against the strong arms keeping him from his mother.

  Queen Galena moved her hands in Coal's direction and the light, so odd looking in such dark eyes, was suddenly extinguished.

  He stood still and motionless.

  Chalcedony rushed to her mother's side. "What are you going to do with him?" she asked hurriedly.

  "He's a human child who can see through glamour, so I'll have to kill this one."

  "Wait," Chalcedony said, grabbing her mother's hand. "Can't he come with us? I never have anyone to play with. All of the other fey are scared they'll hurt me and get in trouble." She knew asking to spare Coal's life meant it would be a long time before she would be allowed back in the human realm, but she could not sit back and let him die. He was the only person she'd ever met who didn't treat her like . . . a princess.

  "Please, Momma. Please."

  Queen Galena rolled her eyes. "Fine, bring him."

  * * *

  The End

  If you plan to continue with this series, there’s an epilogue…but I suggest you stop here if you don’t like cliffhangers and don’t plan to continue.

  Thanks for reading!

  Epilogue

  Coal held the newly forged sword at arm's length. The sentient weapon vibrated in his grasp, urging him to attack, but he tightened his sweaty hands around the leather hilt and ignored the foreign impulses. He had been forging swords and practicing with the completed weapons long enough to know when to attack and when to bide his time and let the fight come to him.

  Grigory, the master swordsmith, advanced. Coal parried, stepping aside and swinging his sword with all of the skill he'd gained from the two years of working the forge. Grigory fell to the ground, effortlessly rolling beneath the sword before bouncing back to his feet.

  "Is she overwhelming you?" Grigory asked as they faced each other. They had been dueling for the past hour. Sweat dripped from Coal's forehead, back, and arms, but just like every other time they'd dueled, the master swordsmith showed no sign of exertion.

  "She's restless." Coal wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. "But I'm in contr--"

  Grigory rushed forward with an arcing swipe. Coal raised his sword to meet the strike. For a moment, their strengths were equal. His sword vibrated with glee as Coal threatened to overcome Grigory.

  Forcing the sword's excitement to the back of his mind, Coal focused all of his strength into his upper body and pushed outward.

  Overwhelmed, Grigory leaped back.

  During the two years of forging swords and sparring with the master swordsmith, Coal had never had the strength or skill to complete such a move. For an instant, he let himself--and the sword--enjoy their accomplishment.

  He was so distracted by his small victory that he almost didn't notice when Grigory spun round, his left leg heading towards Coal's knees. Coal dove away, Grigory's boots just skimming his leg. He rolled over frantically, to find a sword pointed at his neck.

  Grigory lowered his blade. "You were distracted."

  "I almost had you," Coal said with an intense rush of pride and confidence.

  "You did not," Grigory said, scratching the eye patch over his left eye. "You've been slow and lazy all morning."

  "But I finally completed the block."

  "Not with any speed. You're gaining strength and height, but that's nothing to be proud of. What is the point of winning the bind if you are beheaded a moment?"

  Coal let Grigory's words sink in while he caught his breath. "You're right. I've been a little distracted. I'm supposed to meet Princess Chalcedony soon." He glanced at the sun, trying to gauge the time. It hung low in the morning sky, but the springtime rays were much stronger than they were when he'd arrived.

  Time for him to go.

  Grigory lifted the eyebrow above his remaining eye. The other had been gouged out 200 years ago when he served as a soldier instead of a swordsmith. "How long has it been since you've seen her?"

  Coal bit his lip while he pretended to think about the answer he already knew. "Two months."

  Grigory took the sword from Coal's hands. It would be presented to Chalcedony on her coronation as queen. Magic reinforced the silver shaft, and its black leather hilt emanated heat and welcomed touch. By far, it was the best sword they'd forged.

  "Before you go, I have something to ask you." Grigory kept his shoulder-length black hair tied in a low ponytail and his beard trimmed. Both elven and dwarf blood coursed through his veins. As the only known half-breed of his kind, he had the height of an elf and the thick, muscular build of a dwarf.

  "What is it?" Coal asked. The way Grigory spoke made Coal wonder if he'd done something wrong, besides being too distracted during the fight.

  "I'm getting older," Grigory said. "I need to choose a full-time apprentice, and it needs to be soon. Do you want the position?"

  Coal's breath caught in his throat. Had he heard right? "I thought I was just helping out until you found a full-time apprentice?"

  "Well, you've passed the two-year audition, and now I'm offering you the job."

  "But humans can't do magic." It was one of the first things Coal had learned when he'd arrived in the fey realm eleven years ago. Powerful swords were impossible to make without magic. It made the swords stronger, lighter, and prevented someone else from using it.

  "I'm half dwarf and half elf," Grigory said. "For years, my master refused to teach me because he didn't think a half-breed could make a great sword. Now, I am the best swordsmith in Everleaf. It's what's inside that makes a good swordsmith. I believe you could be one of the greats."

  Coal had been coming to the forge almost every day for two years, but he was allowed to come and go as he pleased. With a full apprenticeship, he'd eat, breathe, and sleep smithing. He'd have to move out of his home.

  "I don't know, Grigory. I need time to think about it." Coal enjoyed forging swords. He especially loved practicing with them, ensuring they would endure battle, but he didn't know if he wanted to make it his life's work.

  "Your childhood friend is soon to be queen. She will not have time, or tolerance, for a lovesick human."

  Coal was hurt, but not surprised by Grigory's words. No one said anything to his face, but he heard the servants and soldiers gossiping about him and Princess Chalcedony when they thought he wasn't listening. "You're right, but give me time. It's not easy choosing one life over another."

  Grigory's eye softened. "You and the future queen still have much growing to do. Decide soon. I won't wait long."

  Coal glanced back towards the rising sun. "It's time for me to go."

  Grigory waved his hand as if to swat a fly before he turned back to the forge.

  Coal and Chalcedony’s story continues in Coal: Book One of the Everleaf Series

  * * *

  Find out what happens to Andre, Ashley, and Shemeya in Chalcedony: Book Two of the Everleaf Series

  * * *

  Finally, all of your questions about what happened to Jade will be answered in Jade: Book Three of the Everleaf Series

  About the Author

  Constance Burris is on a journey to take over the world through fantasy, horror, and science fiction. Her mission is to spread the love of speculative fiction to the masses. She is a proud card carrying nerd, mother, and wife. When she is not writing and spending time with her family, she is working hard as an environmental engineer in Oklahoma City.

  www.twitter.com/constanceburris

  www.facebook.com/constance.burris

  www.constanceburris.com

  Unleashed

  Horseman Book One

  Debbie Cassidy

  Unleashed © Copyright 2017 Debbie Cassidy

  All Rights Reserved

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

  This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, duplicated, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior written consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

  Unleashed

  Protect the future, unleash the fury

  The only one left of his kind, or so he believes, Ryder has many sins to atone for. Hiding out in Rubble town, away from prying eyes, he lives a quiet life until a child called Midge coaxes him out of his self imposed shell. Midge, he can handle, but when her older sister storms into his life his carefully ordered existence is thrown completely off kilter.

  * * *

  Star has it all figured out. Work with the rebel group, steal settler secrets and keep her family fed and free of the invaders regime. But one fight in the Under, one chance encounter with a man called Ryder, and the memories she’s been trying to run from for years come bubbling to the surface. The only solution is to face the catalyst head on.

  * * *

  Now Star will test Ryder’s self control to the limit as he fights their undeniable attraction. Forced to work together for a common goal Ryder and Star must strive to accept the past and tame the fury.

  Then

  London 2016

  “Mum! How much longer now?” Star hopped up and down on the grass, making sure to stay in the porch light.

  Maya giggled. “Sit down! Gosh, you’re so impatient!”

  Mum laughed and Star pouted making Maya giggle harder.

  Maya was her best friend and lived right next door. Mum said they were inseparable which meant they liked to do everything together. There was no one Star would rather be with than Maya, so Star took her seat next to her bestie and slurped her cola through the wacky pink straw mum had provided.

  It was dark, late dark, and she was still up. How cool was that? Maya and her parents were over and they’d had barbecue chicken and burgers and ice-cream, but the best bit was still to come. Mum said it was a once in a life time experience. Star was going to write about it for school in her what-I-did-at-the-weekend report.

  Maya looked up at the sky and Star joined her. It was so clear, so filled with twinkles.

  “I wish I had your name,” Maya said.

  Star wrinkled her nose. “Yeah, right, so you can get teased by Clara and Eloise.”

  Maya shook her head. “They’re just jealous ‘cos they’ve got boring names.”

  Star thought about this then nodded. “‘Spose it’s okay. I might change it, though. Mum says you can when you grow up, but she said I won’t want to when I’m older.”

  “Really?” Maya sat forward across the picnic bench, her face alight with excitement. “If I could change my name I’d call myself Jewel, or Flower or Chocolate!”

  Star giggled.

  Maya’s mum joined them on the bench, sitting next to Star. Star loved Maya’s mum, she had sparkly blue eyes and really long, thick red hair. It made her want to brush it.

  “Mum, can I sleep over Star’s tonight?”

  Maya’s mum glanced over her shoulder at Star’s mum who smiled and shrugged.

  “Okay, sweetie.”

  “Yay!” The girl’s high fived each other and then stood up and did a little wiggle dance.

  Her mum laughed and turned to her dad. “I told you that last glass of cola was a bad idea.”

  “Once in a lifetime,” her dad said.

  “It’s freaky.”

  “It’s perfectly safe.”

  “Mum!” Star hopped from foot to foot.

  Mum laughed. “Go to the loo, it’ll be a while yet.”

  Dad glanced at his watch. “Ten minutes at least, pumpkin.”

  Star rushed into the house, through the kitchen, into the hallway, and locked herself in the toilet.

  She relieved herself, washed her hands, and then ran back out into the garden.

  “Is it happening?”

  The grownups didn’t speak. They were staring up at the sky which was filled with tiny specks of light. Maya turned to look at her with big, frightened eyes, her red hair a halo about her pale face.

  “Mum? Dad?”

  “Daryn?” Her mother’s voice shook and Star felt the first tremble of fear.

  Her dad turned back to the house and rushed into the living room. They all followed. He fumbled with the remote and flipped on the television.

  An angry looking man stared back at them.

  “Mum? What’s happening? Mum!”

  But her mum and dad weren’t listening to her. They were listening to the man. The man told them that they should stay indoors until further instruction, that they should not engage the visitors, and that they should, under any circumstances, attempt contact.

  Maya’s hand slipped into hers and squeezed.

  The man was telling them that the meteor shower was not a meteor shower. It was an invasion.

  Chapter One

  Rubble Town 2028

  The thud, clang, thud of hammer against metal was a soothing balm. The repetitive motion of swing and smash mimicked the beat of his heart, slow, steady and in control. Perspiration beaded his brow, hidden behind the visor that protected his face from the sparks and tiny spots of flame. It trickled between his shoulder blades and down his spine. He should stop and take a rest, even though he didn’t need it.

  He glanced at the big white clock, glass cracked and dirty.

  Pulling off his visor he stripped off his gloves and stepped outside the workroom into the main shop. Grabbing a bottle of water from the ice box on the floor, he popped the cap and headed outside into the fresh air.

  One positive thing about the settlers was their obsession with clean air. The humans had gotten pretty sick for while, their bodies not accustomed to the purified atmosphere, but they had adapted, the settlers had made sure of it. After all, they needed healthy slaves.

  Ryder leaned against the wall of his store and took a swing of water. It was good, clean stuff imported straight from the city. He could see it from his vantage point on the rise, a glittering metropolis laid out before him like an enticing feast. Just over a decade ago it had been a wreck, a ruin of unsalvageable debris, but the settlers had rebuilt it to their specifications and now it was truly theirs. The surrounding land was still mostly rubble occupied by the dregs of humanity who refused to be subjugated, who preferred to take their chances in the wastelands than live out their lives as slaves within the comfort of the city. It was the same all over this world—shining cities in the midst of wastelands. It was how the settlers had planned it. In another few decades the wastelands would also be transformed, and the settlers would own the earth, because there was no one to fight back, no weapon strong enough to bring them down.

  Ryder had made his home in an abandoned building at the farthest edge of what they called Rubble Town. The workshop had been the lure, and over the years he’d kitted it out to suit his needs; a forge, anvil, tools he’d acquired for a trade that was now essential for all outcasts. He’d made a life for himself, and it seemed that the settlers had forgotten all about him—just another link gone missing.

  He drained his bottle and turned his back on the scene, ignoring the anger that simmered in his breast just below the surface.

  Leaving the view behind, he headed back inside to his workshop.

  He needed to hit something.

  Pulling his visor and gloves back on, he picked up his hammer and set to work

  Clang, thud, clang.

  Time passed steadily and he lost himself to the rhythm of each swing.

  “Ryder! You in there, buddy?”

  Ryder dropped his arm, cocked his head and sniffed the air to make sure.


  “Be out in a minute,” he said when he was sure who it was.

  He pulled off his visor and gloves and grinned at the piece he had just finished. Curved and smooth in just the right places, the perfect hood for a very special kart. Wiping the grin off his face, he strode out into the shop.

  The human, Gary, stood waiting, fingering a twisted metal bird, one of many that hung suspended from the ceiling of the store. He inclined his head in Ryder’s direction. “Delivery out front.”

  Ryder waved his hand. “Take what you want.”

  Gary began to pick up items. A couple of rag dolls, an automobile, a couple of the birds, all Ryder’s creations. He liked to work with his hands, twisting, hammering, moulding—it kept him centred.

  Gary did runs once a month into City and back. He worked for the insiders; a rebel group who existed to infiltrate and find a way to take down the settlers. The insiders had infiltrated Salvage; a peace-loving group that negotiated with City’s black market for goods and services that could then be sold to the outsiders in the wasteland. Only a select few knew who the insider operatives were, but there had been growing unrest among the humans in City’s surrounding wastelands, fear that the settlers would learn of the existence of the group, fear that they would retaliate by purging the settlements around City. Tiny factions, hell bent on bringing down the insiders, had sprung up. It was a mess really, no commitment, no coherence.

  Ryder wasn’t on the official Salvage client list, and if they found out Gary was providing for an unlisted client then Gary’s life could be in danger. But Gary owed him one and continued to provide, and as gesture of good faith, Ryder let him have first pick of his creations.