Emerge- The Betrayal
Page 1
Contents
PRAISE FOR THE EMERGE SERIES
A Free Offer
Also By Melissa A. Craven
Emerge Family Tree
Emerge Family Tree
Series Timeline
Note From The Author
Cast list for Emerge: The Betrayal
I. Part I: Four years ago…
Chapter 1
II. Part II: Ten Months Later
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
III. Part III: One Year Later
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
IV. Part IV: 18 Months Later
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Epilogue
A Free Offer
About the Author
Acknowledgments
PRAISE FOR THE EMERGE SERIES
2017 YA Books Central Top of Shelf Finalist | 2016 RONE Award Winner – Best Book Cover | 2016 YA Books Central Best Indie Finalist | 2015 Dante Rossetti YA Awards Finalist |2015 International Book Awards Finalist | 2015 USA Best Book Awards Finalist
"Watch out Tris and Katniss!" Amazon reviewer ★★★★★
"OMGGGGGG....WHAT DID I JUST READ?!!??!!?" Amazon reviewer ★★★★★
"I loved the fact that Emerge wasn’t the usual vampires, shape shifters and werewolves but an entirely new concept." Amazon reviewer ★★★★★
"10/10, would read Emerge again in a heartbeat!" Amazon reviewer ★★★★★
"One hellava series. And one that I hope has lots and lots of books!" Amazon reviewer ★★★★★
"Craven's series is a delight, refreshing and captivating with a uniquely lovely world!" Amazon reviewer ★★★★★
"Curl up on the couch now and take a night of adventure and action inside this book!" Amazon reviewer ★★★★★
"I adored every single character and the author's writing makes them all come to life!" Amazon reviewer ★★★★★
"Craven will take you on a journey that starts quietly with a young girl who seems a little mysterious at first, and even more so when unexpected events set you on edge by the end of the first chapter. Just when you think Allie's journey is coming to an end…Craven shows you just how wrong you were. You should NOT miss the end of this book." Amazon reviewer ★★★★★
“Young Adult Fantasy has been pumped out like never before, but Craven has skillfully developed an Urban Fantasy set in a real life, believable context. I can almost believe this ancient race of Immortals actually lives among us.” Hub Pages Reviewer ★★★★★
“Emerge: The Awakening is a story that begins as a single snowflake and ends in an avalanche. Melissa A. Craven has put together a story that unfolds and unfolds and unfolds again, revealing characters of unusual depth.” Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★
“From the first page to the last, Melissa A. Craven has a talent for keeping her reader’s attention as she reveals Allie’s story, layer by interesting layer. And when you get to the last page, you are left wanting more!” Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★
“The immortal characters in "Emerge" all have a special gift, but so does the author. Craven’s is a superpower that we can all benefit from: storytelling.” Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★
EMERGE: The Betrayal
Copyright © May 1, 2019
By: Melissa A. Craven
Midnight Hour Studio INC
Atlanta, Georgia
All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, 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.
For more information contact: Hello@Melissaacraven.com or visit the author’s website at Melissaacraven.com
Cover design by: Daqri Combs: Covers by Combs
Edited by: Rebecca Jaycox
Interior design by: Michelle Lynn
ASIN: eBook
First Edition for Print by Midnight Hour Studio: May 1, 2019
Printed in the United States of America
In The Betrayal, find out what happened during the time Allie and Aidan were apart. And then download your free copy of Emerge: The Scholar
Visit Melissa’s website to get your free copy of Emerge: The Scholar, an Emerge series companion novel with over 170 pages and full color illustrations.
Get started here: MelissaCraven.com
Also By Melissa A. Craven
Emerge Series:
Emerge: The Awakening (Book 1)
Emerge: The Edge (Book 1.5)
Emerge: The Scholar (Illustrated Character Journal)
Emerge: The Volunteer (An Emerge Short Story)
Emerge: The Judgment (Book 2)
Emerge: The Catalyst (An Emerge Short Story)
Emerge: The Captive (Book 3)
Emerge: The Assignment (An Emerge Novella)
Emerge: The Heir
Emerge: The Betrayal (Book 5)
New from Melissa’s Pen Name: Ann Maree Craven
The F Word (Redefining Me Book 1) by Ann Maree Craven & Michelle MacQueen
The N Word (Redefining Me Book 2) by Ann Maree Craven & Michelle MacQueen
The C Word (Redefining Me Book 3) by Ann Maree Craven & Michelle MacQueen
For the amazing and talented Michelle Lynn
My soon-to-be co-writer and author bestie
Your enthusiasm and support mean the world to me
Note From The Author
Emerge: The Betrayal takes place between Emerge: The Judgment (book 2) and Emerge: The Heir (Book 4) during the four years Allie and Aidan spent apart. I’ve included a timeline guide as well as a character chart for reference.
And I’m always eagerly available to answer questions in my private Facebook group, Melissa’s Underground.
–– Melissa A. Craven
Cast list for Emerge: The Betrayal
Alexis (Allie) Carmichael – Child of prophecy and adopted daughter of mortal parents, Lily and Carson Carmichael
Aidan McBrien – Adopted son of Greggory McBrien and Naeemah El Sadawii, arguably the most powerful Immortal of his generation.
Darius McBrien – Syntrophos to Allie Carmichael and brother to Aidan McBrien.
Greyson Hauser – Naomi’s father and Allie’s Art professor/boss.
Pilar – Teacher at the Milan Initiative
Kassandre – Allie’s natural mother. Syntrophos to Greggory McBrien. Also served as Chief Justice of the International Senate
Ashar/Navid – Allie’s natural father. A dream walker, also k
nown as Navid. Served as Chief Justice of the International Senate
Alísun – Allie’s ancient grandmother and last queen of Indriell. Was captive of Marcus Servius for almost two-thousand years
Alexander – Allie’s ancient grandfather. Also known as the Scholar
Marcus Servius – Also known as the ancient Lord Teigan and Senator Robert Sinclair. Livia’s “adopted” father. Leader of the Coalition and owner of Soma
Porcia – Livia’s adopted mother and wife to Marcus Servius (Porcia and Marcus have never completed the Complement bond)
Livia McBrien – Allie’s natural sister. Also known as Alivia. Former leader of Soma, “adopted” daughter of Marcus Servius and Complement to Liam McBrien.
Naomi Hauser – Friend to Aidan McBrien and daughter of Greyson Hauser, long time friend of the McBrien family
Emma Renard—Mentor to Allie Carmichael. Complement to Daniel Loukas. Mother to Quinn, Graham and Parker Loukas
Quinn Loukas – Syntrophos to Sasha El Sadawii and a dream walker
Syntrophos pairs
Alexis Carmichael and Darius McBrien
Sasha McBrien and Quinn Loukas
Greggory McBrien and the ancient, Kassandre
Aidan’s Syntrophos Army
Aidan McBrien and Naomi Hauser
Neela and Ivy
Ezra and Wes
Samantha and Bennett
Rowan and Spenser
Gemma and Ruthie
Ace and Lola
Syntrophos leaders of the Milan Initiative
Cleo and Genevieve
Dream walkers
Quinn Loukas
Navid
Brecken
Raina
Brigs
Danica
Hale
Scarlett
Silver
Dominic
Rocco
Maddox
Max
Part I: Four years ago…
Chapter One
Aidan
Rural New York, The New Moon
“She’s dead?” Aidan blinked the soot from his eyes, turning his back on the burning orchard and the site of Ming Lao, lying so still among the ashes. Chloe’s heartbreaking wails cut right through him.
“But Jin will survive.” Allie choked on the words, so certain of her visions that had brought them all this way to save his parents from a similar fate.
“He’ll wish he hadn’t,” Darius added.
The three ran along the path through the woods taking them from the apple orchard to the main gates. The battle grew distant behind them.
“What’s next?” Aidan looked to Allie for answers. She was exhausted and terrified, but she was in control and the power of her visions danced like green fire in her eyes. She knew what to do and Aidan trusted her with his life and the lives of everyone he loved.
“We have to find your mom.” Allie took off like a huntress, stalking her prey. Aidan and Darius followed close behind. The bond his brother now shared with Allie clung to them with a cloying sweet scent. A spike of fear and jealousy coursed through Aidan’s veins, distracting him from the fight. Allie had him blocked from her thoughts tonight. She wanted to protect him from her evolving visions, but it left him feeling alienated and uncertain.
When they reached the sloping green lawns, Allie stopped along the tree line where his family continued to battle their unknown enemy.
The fires burned out of control here. Churning black smoke filled the sky as the clang of weapons crashed like thunder. Allie stepped from Aidan’s side, long enough to grasp Naeemah’s wrist, wrenching her away from a blow that would have taken her out of the fight.
His mother turned, eyes widening in fear when she saw Aidan in the thick of it when he was supposed to be safe at home. Allie had insisted that he and the others needed to be here to help change the outcome of her vision and that was all the motivation he’d needed.
“What are you doing here?” Naeemah raged at them.
“Emma needs you. They have Quinn. Go now, please.” Allie sobbed, shoving his mother toward the path.
“Come with me, both of you.” Her gift commanded them to obey.
“No!” Allie’s voice boomed with a command of her own, breaking whatever influence his mother’s gift might have had over them. “We are needed here.”
With a nod, Naeemah turned and fled along the path back to the orchard, but someone followed her. Aidan glanced over his shoulder at Allie. She stood with his father, uncle and brother. She was safe for the moment.
Without another thought, Aidan charged after his mother, stalking the man who pursued her. Drawing his sword, Aidan attacked, taking the enemy by surprise. The man turned, lifting his weapon to meet Aidan’s blade. He was strong. Powerful. An evil glint lit his eyes.
“You’ll do nicely.” He took another step toward Aidan, tossing his dagger from hand to hand. “I’ll take you back to my dungeon at Soma. Your buddy Quinn’s no fun anymore.”
Aidan grinned, spreading his arms wide. “Well, come at me, Bro.” He raced back toward the gates, his assailant hot on his heels. He intended to lead the man back to where Allie and his father were just a moment ago, but his opponent was faster than Aidan anticipated. Aidan whirled around, raising his blade just in time to avoid losing his head. His attacker wielded a sword and dagger now and Aidan had to move quickly, meeting each blow with a practiced hand. He could feel it coming on. He was falling into the zone where nothing else existed but the fight. Aidan’s last clear thought was he’d done the one thing he promised Allie he wouldn’t do. He’d left her side.
“You’re strong,” the man said, sizing Aidan up. “But I’m stronger.”
Aidan paid him no mind. He moved from one sword form to the next, blocking, attacking and retreating. He was methodical. Like a machine, but he was barely holding his own against a man with centuries more experience. Time and again, the man’s sword bit into Aidan’s flesh, drawing blood and gore from his body, like a lion toying with his kill.
The blood red moon broke through the clouds, bathing the sloping lawn with light as Aidan continued fighting a losing battle. It didn’t occur to him to call for help, so entrenched in the zone he was.
An ear-splitting shriek echoed along the path to the orchard, but Aidan barely registered the sound. Something else tugged at the corners of his mind, pulling his attention away from his opponent, gradually freeing him from the dark cloud of his mind.
Rage.
White-hot rage flashed through him like a bolt of electricity, but the emotion didn’t belong to him.
Then he saw her, standing in the moonlight, as beautiful as she was terrifying in her fury. This girl who was everything to him.
The chaos of battle stilled, all sound muffled to a low hush. His attacker gone. Aidan stood in the light of the blood red moon with Allie. She was the only one who mattered. The only one who would ever matter. Unadulterated joy like he’d never before experienced erupted within his soul, casting a golden green light around them. She truly was everything. His everything. How could he have not known the moment he first laid eyes on her—this thing he knew with such certainty now? He was finally whole in the knowledge that Allie was his other half—his equal in power—his best friend and his Complement.
A sob caught in his throat. I will never lose her. The rush of clarity hit him with a force he couldn’t have imagined. Love for this beautiful, outlandish and often infuriating girl bloomed in his chest. The fear he’d carried with him every day since the moment Aidan knew he loved Allie, vanished. For so long he’d feared that one day he would lose her to some other man in some distant future. A man who was meant to be her partner. Now he knew, he was that man. They would have their time and it no longer mattered when that might be. Today. Tomorrow, or years from now, they would share lifetimes of happiness and sorrow together.
Aidan fell to his knees, overwhelmed.
“Aidan!” Her desperate scream sounded in the distance. He frowned, letting his
gaze fall from her to his father, struggling to break away from Liam’s hold.
“Aidan!” His father’s voice broke through the stillness.
Pain lanced through Aidan’s body.
A hand gripped the back of his skull as Aidan’s power surged in his chest.
“No,” he whispered. His attacker hadn’t vanished at all. Aidan gazed down at the source of his agony, frowning at the dagger buried to the hilt in his side. Pain wasn’t a new experience for Aidan. He endured the physical pain of others every day of his life. This he could overcome.
But this wasn’t just physical pain. Aidan’s power burned hot like liquid fire in his chest, just out of reach. Aidan couldn’t protect himself. His attacker had him right where he wanted him, clutching the fragile strands of Aidan’s healing gift, taking it for his own.
“No.” He couldn’t fathom a life without healing. It would ruin him. Aidan sought Allie’s face. If he lost his ability to heal—lost his ability to fight at her side as her equal, would she still love him? Could he be enough? Or would he always hold her back?