Entangled Darkness
Page 27
Robert added with a nod, “As do I, but first, I need to take care of my family.”
Emily hugged him tight before turning to give Tremaine a hug too. “Take care of her, and your little guy.”
“We will.”
* * * *
Love surrounded Liz. She felt it from all sides. Her men sandwiched her between them, holding on tight. Safe, comfortable, no more pain.
The memories baffled her. Another world. Monstrous cat. Glowing people. Old Lady Murdock’s kids, but they’d been ghosts—right?
Tremaine caressed her face, staring into her eyes. “You had us scared, Doll. Did you know what would happen?”
She shook her head. “Not until the shadows came. I knew you’d come for me. Both of you.”
Robert murmured against her ear. “Better not forget me.”
“Never could, Babe.” She turned her head to acknowledge. “You spoke in my head.”
“Mystic talent,” he whispered. “Can’t do it with everyone, but with you two, I can.”
“Hmm, that’s comforting.”
Tremaine caressed her side. “Apparently, I can now, too. Don’t have to use the stone to talk into my head. Now I can answer as well.”
“Mmm, things could get interesting with that.”
Tremaine traced her shoulder. “What happened here?”
She shuddered. “Big ugly cat made of shadows. I killed it. Turned it to ash, but it hurt.”
“Sorry we didn’t get there faster.”
“You took care of Anthony?”
Tremaine nodded. “Oh, he’s dead all right.”
“His remains are part of a giant ruby in that ghastly room where he trapped you,” Robert finished.
“Huh?”
Tremaine sighed. “He had always been able to disperse into air. I made sure he couldn’t. Iron laced ruby resolved that issue. Something that seemed fitting for the garish room.”
Liz frowned. “And what of the core?”
“We have to wait until we learn who they are. Ms. Murdock isn’t even sure.” Robert sighed. “For now, we go back to the way things were.”
“We do?” She smiled.
“Mmm, and I’m throwing us a party tomorrow. As long as you’re up for it.”
“I’m up for anything. I’m fine now. Though I need to talk to Old Lady Murdock soon.”
“After we make love,” Tremaine suggested before taking her mouth in a kiss.
Chapter 36
The next night, their home in Edenton would soon be full of friends and family. Elizandra kept thinking back to the strange events in the other realm.
Ms. Murdock swept into the room, appearing from thin air. Liz grabbed her arm, urging her into the kitchen. “I have something to tell you, but I’m not sure it will make sense.”
“You saw my children.”
“Are they ghosts?” Liz asked.
Ms. Murdock drew a slow breath, eyes focused at the ceiling. “Not precisely. Our forms were light in our own realm. Our enemies were made of shadow. Sometimes, some of our people had children of the other side.”
“Some of the light people had shadow children?”
She nodded. “That’s the thing with mystics. Our actions change our makeup. I’m afraid dark mages evolved from a taint of our darker mystics.”
“Makes sense.” Liz leaned against the counter. “They thought you believed they were on the other side.”
“I always knew they didn’t make it out.”
“They’re alive?”
She nodded. “I visit their dreams when I can. I fear my brother also visits them, feeding them nightmares, telling them I don’t trust them.”
“They seem to trust you now.”
She smiled. “You brought life back to my home world. Besides the few who never escaped, nothing lives there.”
“You don’t die?”
“Not precisely. We can fade away, but it takes thousands of years. My children were resourceful.”
“Maybe one day you’ll go back.”
“The seal is broken. I will soon, but my home is here now.”
“They can’t come with you?”
“No. I don’t believe that’s possible, especially now that you brought life back to the realm.”
“What do you mean?”
“Your magic sparked growth, something that had died long before we left. Thank you, Liz. I never imagined you would wind up there, let alone give hope to my world.”
“You’re welcome.” Her face scrunched. She hadn’t consciously done anything and might have died there.
Ms. Murdock smiled. “Don’t worry about that just now. Go back to your men.”
Liz laughed and slipped from the kitchen.
* * * *
Finally, their guests showed up. Liz entered the living room, and Tremaine took her hand. Robert motioned his partners to his side.
They exchanged smiles with a few people along the way. Robert cleared his throat, and everyone turned toward them.
Liz shifted nervously.
Tremaine’s brow arched.
Robert fiddled with his hands and smoothed his lapels, then reached into his pockets to pull out two boxes. He dropped to one knee in front of the crowd.
“I can’t imagine my life without the woman who completes me, and the man who holds us together. Will you be my husband and wife?”
Liz covered her mouth. Light danced in his eyes. Tremaine looked around, confusion banked in his eyes.
“I know it won’t be orthodox, or even recognized by the law, but I want it official. All I know is I want it public knowledge that I love you both. I’m yours.”
Liz turned to Tremaine, nodding.
He grinned. “Yes. I want the world to know we’re one.”
“Definitely,” Liz agreed.
Robert stood, opening each box. “I have one in my pocket to wear as well. I wanted them to signify something that stands for each of us.” The platinum band contained their elements etched into the metal. “They’re simple, but they fit us,” he explained.
He took Liz’s hand and placed a ring on her finger. Tremaine accepted the other box, and Liz held the last ring.
“Perfect,” she murmured, taking it out and sliding it onto Robert’s finger.
Tremaine opened the box he held and Liz removed the ring, placing it on Tremaine’s finger. Then she pulled both of her men in for an embrace.
As the silence broke into cheers and clapping, Robert blushed. Not that he minded too much. He was elated to think their only worry at the moment was about the attention. “Since I messed up a few days ago, I wanted to prove, beyond any doubt, how much I love you both. No matter what.”
“You have,” Tremaine answered, his voice breaking.
“Now it’s official, for the world to see. I don’t care how anyone else perceives our relationship. This is our family.”
“Always,” Liz whispered.
About Brandy L Rivers
Brandy L Rivers is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She is kept busy writing the Others of Seattle, Others of Edenton, Combustible, and the Pine Barrens Pack series.
An avid reader, Brandy has always loved writing. She became serious about it as a stay-at-home-mother. With every story her world of characters expands, pulling her new directions.
Living in rainy Western Washington with her husband and three kids, Brandy is already working on future stories in each of the series, and several other projects.
To keep up with upcoming releases and news visit me at my
Website – Facebook - Twitter
Or join my newsletter
Or reading group Rivers’ Shenanigans
Also by Brandy L Rivers
Box Sets
Others of Edenton – Series Volume 1
Others of Edenton – Series Volume 2
Others of Edenton – Series Volume 3
Others of Seattle – Series Volume 1
Others of Seattle – Series Volume 2
> Others of Edenton
New Beginnings
In Too Deep
Shadows Fall
Shadows of the Past
Falling Into Place
Fated Love
Breaking Free
Mending Scars
Labor of Love
Light in Darkness
Blissful Agony
Entangled Darkness
Deadly Design (Coming 10-24-16)
Untitled: Declan’s story (Coming Summer 2017)
Others of Seattle
Nights Embrace
Storm Mistress
Accepting Fate
Red Queen
Seductive Solutions
Changing Destiny
Coming Together
Storm Wrath
Twisted Bonds (Coming Spring 2017)
Nights Embrace Spin Off
Summer Rhythm
Stand Alone Contemporary Romance
Heart on Fire
Falling Star
Sweet Tooth
Backburn (Coming 1-6-17)
Pine Barrens Pack Co-Written with Rebecca Brooke
Cursed Vengeance
Vengeance Unraveled (coming 2017)
To keep up with upcoming releases and news visit me at my
Website – Facebook - Twitter
Or join my newsletter or reading group Rivers’ Shenanigans.
Reference Guide
Air Faerie – A fae descended from the Air Kingdom in Faerie. They mainly cast air or electricity based spells. Some can dematerialize, scattering their cells. They can watch without being detected in this form, and they travel great distances rapidly.
Bond – Faeries can form a bond with another. It is similar to werewolves mating. The two faeries’ magic mingles, strengthening each other. It is a slow process, but once it forms, it can’t be broken. Siren can form bonds outside the normal limitations
Clairvoyant – Psychic, whose gift is second sight, or seeing the future.
Compulsion - Sirens and nymphs can force a suggestion on someone during sexual release. Spells can be cast to have the same effect without sex.
Djinn – A rare type of Fire fae.
Dragon – Ancient creature of the elements. Most can shift forms, from a lizard-like beast to human, at will. They possess elemental types of magic.
Druids - Humans who possess primarily nature magic. They aren’t as common as mages. Tend to stick with other druids. They cast mostly earth and air spells though some can control fire and water. Druids can shift into animals with practice.
Empath – Someone who can feel other’s emotions. Sometimes, they are able to influence other’s emotions.
Faerie – Both the physical realm on the other side of the veil, and the people who come from that realm. There are many different forms of fae.
Fire Fae – A fae descended from the Fire Kingdom of Faerie. Many have visions. Their magic is generally heat and fire based.
HARP – Hunters Against Radical Paranormals. A group that hunts Others. They also test on Others, and have hidden goals.
Hybrid – Other of mixed parentage. Sometimes even children of human and Others are considered Hybrids.
Hyter Sprite – Type of air fae that can shift into birds. Rare species. Quite mischievous.
Iron – Certain types of faerie have an aversion to iron and other metals with iron content.
Mages – Humans who possess elemental magic. They can cast either sling spells like weapons or heal, although it is rare for a mage to be a healer.
Mate – Fae, and some other creatures, sometimes create a supernatural bond with their soul mate. The bond is nearly impossible to break unless one party dies. The bound couple will sometimes know what the other is feeling, or sense potential danger to the other partner.
Magistrate - Somewhat like the Silver Council’s Sheriff, though their territory is larger than just one city.
Mystic – Caster that can translocate nearly anywhere. Some can move through time. Often have psychic abilities like clairvoyance and telepathy. Some say they came from another realm.
Others – Any being that isn’t quite human. Werewolves, vampires, shaman, druid, mages, witches, warlocks, and fae are some examples.
Phoenix – A rare combination of fire and water fae. They are hard to kill. Nearly nothing will burn them.
Rift Bender – Mage/druid hybrid. They have skills of both sides of their parentage, as well as skills born of both magics. They can open rifts and portals to other dimensions.
Shaman – Humans who possess nature magic. Similar to druids but have varying abilities. Most shaman can shift into a specific animal.
Shield – A protection spell. Forms a wall of usually one or two elements.
Silver Council – Organization of mages. They are the governing force of most Others. Not everyone recognizes their authority, but they try to police all Others. The Silver Council is mostly made up of formally trained mages. This governing body occasionally employs other casters.
Silver Council Enforcer – The mages who police Others.
Siren – Sometimes called mermaids. They change forms in water. Fine scales cover their skin, and they develop gills behind their ears. Their coloring often changes with this form. Sirens also possess similar forms of magic to nymphs.
Soul Prison – A device or talisman that can house a being. Usually a small orb or sphere, it basically transports the being to its own empty realm.
Translocation – Some mages can vanish and reappear in another area. It is a rare talent.
Ward - A spell that protects, sometimes keeps people from entering.
Warded tattoos – Tattoos usually done by Druids, Shaman or sometimes Mages that have a spell imbued into the pattern. The spell is typically of a protection variety.
Unseelie Court – A specific branch of the Air fae that believe they should rule over all of Faerie.
Acknowledgments
To my mother, who begged for another story for another Fallon story. This one will have to tide you over for now. I love you, thank you for everything.
For my husband and munchkins, thank you for putting up with all my crazy, and loving me anyway.
Rebecca Brooke, thank you for always letting me bounce ideas off you. You’re a great alpha reader.
Kristen Mayer, you’ve always been so supportive. Thank you for everything.
Kym Grosso, you’ve been an amazing friend. Thank you for everything.
Magen McMinimy, keep telling your amazing stories, and thank you for beta reading this one.
Rivers Others and Rivers Shenanigans, thank you for everything you do. As always you’re fantastic.
For my beta readers, you’ll never know how much appreciate your help.
Author BFFs, you’re an amazing support group. Can’t wait to meet you all in person.
Dauntless Indies, we really do need to all meet up in person.
Kathy Lapeyre, thank you for editing, you’ve done amazing.
Preview: Deadly Design
Chapter 1
Fifty-four years ago…
The fire crackled in the fireplace as Monique absorbed everything in the stack of fashion magazines beside her. One day, she’d be a household name, the one Others turned to for enchanted clothing. Just like her father.
Her mother stopped in front of her. “Go upstairs and hide. Now!” she whispered harshly, her eyes darting to the front door.
Rolling her eyes, she gathered the magazines.
Mother hissed, “Quiet, don’t make a sound.”
“Don’t scare my angel,” Dad patted her shoulder. “Go on. In your room. Whatever you hear, don’t come down.”
“Go, right now, Monique,” Mother insisted.
Monique hurried up the stairs, listening to the conversation.
Mother quietly snapped at her father. “Don’t scare her? You realize that enforcers on our doorstep is the worst possible thing that could happen. They will take you away and we’ll never see you ag
ain.”
“That’s not true, and you know it. This is but an inconvenience. My friends will come to my aid, and I’ll be out in no time.”
“You’re such a fool. Your friends are my friends. Our neighbor being one of their enforcers does not mean they won’t haul you away. Hell, Karl is probably out there right now.”
“Karl Mortale is a friend. He’ll ensure the person who murdered those people is brought to justice and I’m freed.”
Monique slipped into her room and grabbed the blanket her father helped her enchant so she could sneak into the workshop to help him when her mother wanted her to go to bed. She wrapped the cashmere afghan blanket around her and moved back in time to watch two big men barge through the door, their hands up and glowing.
Father turned to them, raising his arms in surrender. “I don’t want a fight. This will all be sorted soon enough.”
The man in front glared at Dad. His freckles seemed to glitter. “You’re going away from murder.”
“I will cooperate, but I am not the one who murdered those people.”
“Enough. You’ll have your trial.”
Mother stood in the corner, crying as they dragged Father from the house.
As soon as the door was shut, Mother locked it.
Monique stepped back into her room and silently shut the door, tears in her eyes. She had a bad feeling about the enforcer with the strange freckles.
Mom burst through the door. “That right there is why we never trust the Council. They hate anyone who isn’t one of their own precious mages. You can’t trust the Mortales. Not even your pathetic friend, Erik. He’s not a friend. He’ll betray you the same way your father’s supposed friends just betrayed him.”