Concealed Influence (The Magic Sanctuary Trilogy Book 3)

by V. M. Marsh

  The Elders looked like they’d been slapped as did the rest of the Circle members.

  “We can’t lose our Seer. She’s too important.” Someone cried.

  “Give him Paisley’s spot. He’s more than earned it, and we can’t afford to lose so many members at once.” Another called out.

  While there were still dissenters, it seemed most of the Circle was now in support of the change. The Elders leaned in to whisper to each other. Mage Elder popped his head up from the group. “We’re going to need a recess. Everyone take five while we discuss this.”

  Lars turned to me and took my hand in his. “I don’t know what to say. I’ve never had anyone speak up for and support me like this before. You are magnificent.”

  “It’s all true.” I said. “Besides, it’s time to take my life back. Almost losing it made me realize what is truly important: family. First and foremost, that means you. You are my immediate family now, and I will no longer allow anyone to keep us apart.”

  Embracing me, he pressed his lips to mine in a kiss so passionate, it took my breath away. And a little of my senses too. When we broke apart, I felt dazed, but happier than I’d been in a long time.

  “Attention, please.” Shifter Elder shouted. The Circle members quieted and those that had moved from their spots returned.

  “After careful deliberation,” Mage Elder announced making my stomach clench. “We have decided to go forward with the initiation ceremony of Lars Thorn.”

  As relief filled me and Lars took his place in the center of the Circle, my vision grew dark until I was enveloped in light. Then I was spit out into a new scene with the Power Thief and a huge surprise in the starring roles. I never saw that coming.

  I emerged from my vision only to realize I had missed Lars’s ceremony. It had been short, but I was disappointed not to have seen it. Damn visions coming at the most inopportune times.

  Standing beside me, Lars took his new position in the Circle. I smiled at him and then Dad and Jace. Other than missing Mom, my little corner of the world was finally as it should be. I had the man I loved and my own small band of misfit friends by my side. Life couldn’t get much sweeter.

  “I still don’t think he should be a member. He was supposed to defeat the Power Thief, but he failed. The Power Thief is still at large.” Someone shouted across the clearing. Well, it couldn’t get much sweeter if you ignored this part.

  “That he may be, but I’ve finally had a new vision. My intuition tells me we have this one last chance to stop him. If we fail this time, all will most assuredly be lost.”

  “You’ve said that before. Why should this time be any different?”

  “No one is making you trust or believe in me. Do what you want.” I replied. “As for me and mine, we’ll be preparing to protect the Sanctuary and all magic kind. The biggest battle of our lives is approaching, and I’m going to make sure we’re ready for it.”

  Acknowledgements

  A huge shout out to my personal support team available to me twenty-four/seven, except when they are sleeping: my family. Both my little Divas contributed to scenes and my husband helped me with the plot and magical elements.

  Thank you to my readers for coming on another adventure with me. A special thanks to my readers who have kept me writing at a furious pace by constantly asking when my next book would be out. It means a lot to me to have people so interested in my stories.

  I would be most grateful if you would please leave me an Amazon review. If you enjoyed my story, reviews will help me reach more readers to share it with. Please spread the love. Thank you!

  Soon, I will be asking my newsletter subscribers and my Facebook reader group for ideas to include in my books. If you would like to be a bigger part of the magic, read on to find out how to join.

  -V.M. Marsh

  To be FIRST to learn of

  new releases, promos, and giveaways,

  sign up for my newsletter

  through my website:

  https://vmmarsh.wixsite.com/author

  About the Author

  V.M. Marsh

  V.M. Marsh has led a nomadic existence for most of her adult life while she has accompanied her military husband to duty stations spanning both US coasts and Hawaii. Thanks to living in a variety of amazing places, she has an abundance of locations, cultures, and experiences to use in her writing. Before becoming an author, she held (and still holds) volunteer board positions for multiple organizations and pursued a math degree [after realizing early on that nursing wasn't for her]. Mostly, though, she has held down the fort through deployments, organized and managed multiple military moves, and been a full-time mom of two precious little Divas, er, daughters. When she isn't writing dark but quirky paranormal romances, she can be found reading, sightseeing, camping, or crafting.

  Her debut novel is CONCEALED BY MAGIC.

  Want more?

  Book ONE of The Magic Sanctuary Trilogy: CONCEALED BY MAGIC and Book 1.5 of The Magic Sanctuary Trilogy: CORRUPTED BY MAGIC are available now on Amazon.

  You can also find me on Facebook @VMMarshauthor

  Or join the conversation in my Facebook Group: The Magic Sanctuary-VM Marsh's Urban Fantasy Reader Group.

  Prefer Twitter? Follow me: @marsh_vm

  Last, you can get updates on my website and find exclusive content on my blog. https://vmmarsh.wixsite.com/author