by Keri Arthur
“What, today?”
“I can’t think of a better day to start. Besides, the new moon rises tonight.”
And for witches, that meant a time of new beginnings—a time when goals were renewed, desires were set, and new intentions made. It would be the perfect time for a would-be king to draw the sword.
I took a deep breath and then nodded. I might not fancy spending the night in feathered form up some tree, but if it stopped a would-be king claiming his prize and also brought him to justice, then I’d do that and a whole lot more.
I had a brother to protect and cousins to avenge.
Once I’d eaten and taken a very hot—very long—shower, we headed out. Luc had argued against our actions but, in the face of Mo’s determination, had in the end reluctantly agreed. Not that he had the power to stop either of us, and we all knew it.
Night had set in by the time we reached King’s Island. We flew along the length of the island, heading toward the knob. The stars twinkled brightly and the energy of the moon pulsed even though she wasn’t visible.
Trees gave way to rocky, barren ground and then the stone circle came into view. I followed Mo down to the ground and stepped into the stone monoliths, my gaze on the knob and the stony sheath that held the sword.
It took me a few minutes to realize what I was seeing.
Or rather, what I wasn’t seeing.
The sword was gone.
The new witch king had claimed it.
All hell was about to break loose.
About the Author
Keri Arthur, author of the New York Times bestselling Riley Jenson Guardian series, has now written more than forty-eight novels. She’s won a Romance Writers of Australia RBY Award for Speculative Fiction, and two Australian Romance Writers Awards for Scifi, Fantasy or Futuristic Romance. She was also given a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for urban fantasy. Keri’s something of a wanna-be photographer, so when she’s not at her computer writing the next book, she can be found somewhere in the Australian countryside taking random photos.
for more information:
www.keriarthur.com
[email protected]
Also by Keri Arthur
in series order
Unlit (Kingdoms of Earth & Air, 1)
Cursed (Kingdoms of Earth & Air, 2)
Burn (Kingdoms of Earth & Air, 3)
Blood Kissed (Lizzie Grace Series, 1)
Hell’s Bell (Lizzie Grace Series, 2)
Hunter Hunted (Lizzie Grace, 3)
Demon’s Dance (Lizzie Grace, 4)
Wicked Wings (Lizzie Grace, 5)
City of Light (Outcast Series, 1)
Winter Halo (Outcast Series, 2)
The Black Tide (Outcast Series, 3)
Fireborn (Souls of Fire Series, 1)
Wicked Embers (Souls of Fire Series, 2)
Flameout (Souls of Fire Series, 3)
Ashes Reborn (Souls of Fire Series, 4)
Darkness Unbound (Dark Angels Series, 1)
Darkness Rising (Dark Angels Series, 2)
Darkness Devours (Dark Angels Series, 3)
Darkness Hunts (Dark Angels Series, 4)
Darkness Unmasked (Dark Angels Series, 5)
Darkness Splintered (Dark Angels Series, 6)
Darkness Falls (Dark Angels Series, 7)
Full Moon Rising (Riley Jenson Series, 1)
Kissing Sin (Riley Jenson Series, book 2)
Tempting Evil (Riley Jenson Series, 3)
Dangerous Games (Riley Jenson Series, 4)
Embraced by Darkness (Riley Jenson Series, 5)
The Darkest Kiss (Riley Jenson Series, 6)
Deadly Desire (Riley Jenson Series, 7)
Bound to Shadows (Riley Jenson Series, 8)
Moon Sworn (Riley Jenson Series, 9)
With Friends Like These (Stand Alone Novel)
Destiny Kills (Myth & Magic Series, 1)
Mercy Burns (Myth & Magic Series, 2)
Circle of Fire (Damask Circle Series, 1)
Circle of Death (Damask Circle Series, 2)
Circle of Desire (Damask Circle Series, 3)
Beneath a Rising Moon (Ripple Creek Series, 1)
Beneath a Darkening Moon (Ripple Creek Series, 2)
Memory Zero (Spook Squad Series, 1)
Generation 18 (Spook Squad Series, 2)
Penumbra (Spook Squad Series, 3)
Dancing with the Devil (Nikki & Michael Series, 1)
Hearts in Darkness (Nikki & Michael Series, 2)
Chasing the Shadows (Nikki & Michael Series, 3)
Kiss the Night Goodbye (Nikki & Michael series, 4)
Lifemate Connections: Eryn (Novella)
