Cursed by Fate

by Renee Shearer

  She saw him pointing it to the left of her, and panic grabbed her by the throat. She didn’t dare look back to see who was there. Instead, she flung her axe at the same time she jumped. Vaguely, she heard someone yelling her name. The shot was loud, vibrating around her skull and the impact of the bullet knocked the wind out of her. She laid there gasping on the floor for a minute, clutching her chest where it had hit. I need to get up. I need to finish this. Gritting her teeth against the pain, she pushed up to her hands and knees on shaky limbs. Hands grabbed at her and she pushed them away.

  “I’m okay, check on the others,” she gasped.

  Glancing over to the wall, she saw her aim had been true. The axe was sticking out of his chest. Not willing to take another chance, she grabbed her sword and stood up, swaying lightly. Stiffening her limbs, she willed them to obey her. Swinging her arms back as far as they would go, she took the two strides to get to him and brought her sword down with all of her strength. The sword made a light whistling sound through the air and in the next moment his head was rolling across the floor.

  Ariana spit on his corpse. “Let’s see you come back from that, fucker.”

  Grayson

  As he came to, Grayson heard Ariana say, “Let’s see you come back from that, fucker.”

  His eyes took in his girl. She was alive. Standing in front of a headless corpse. Holy shit!

  Gray used the wall to help him stand, swaying just a bit. His brain felt like it was pressing up against his skull. He had a massive headache and his vision was fuzzy. Next to him, Mateo groaned as he came to. Nodding to him, Gray pushed off the wall. He needed Ariana in his arms. He only took one step before a blinding, pure white light shot out of her. Shading his face with his hands, Grayson took another step towards her.

  Panic clawed at him, his fox was thrashing against his mind as Ariana lifted into the air. Wind that had come out of nowhere was whipping her hair around as she slowly turned in a circle. Her head was tipped back, arms stretched out to the sides as the light engulfed her. He had no idea what was happening, but he didn’t like it. Gray tried to take another step, but he was pushed back by the force of the wind. It was as if a hurricane had suddenly sprung up inside the cabin.

  What little furniture there was wildly spun around the room. As he watched in terror, Mateo tried to dodge some of the debris as he made his way to Ariana, but was hit with a chair, flinging him back against the wall.

  “Dammit!” Gray shouted as he tried to get over to Ariana himself. He had just ducked to avoid a table when, as suddenly as it started, it stopped. Grayson lunged across the floor, catching Ariana in the nick of time. She was out cold. He frantically felt for a pulse and released his breath when he found one. It was strong and steady under his fingertips. The panic died down.

  “Is she?” Grayson turned to Mateo.

  “She’s fine as far as I can tell. I have no fucking clue what the hell just happened, but I say we get her home. Are the others okay?” Gray looked around as he walked to the front door.

  Aiden and Jay were limping their way up the stairs. They both had nasty gashes in their sides and other small cuts all over. Gray smiled in relief, they would heal. He hadn’t lost anyone he loved to today.

  Jay and Aiden cried out when they saw Ariana’s limp form in his arms.

  “She’s okay. Where’s East and Zoey?”

  “Here,” East called out, stepping from the forest with Zoey cradled in his arms. She was clinging to his neck for dear life.

  “Is she okay?”

  Easton nodded and kissed the top of her head. Grayson felt all the terror and adrenaline leach from his body, leaving him feeling tired and sore.

  With a heavy sigh, he caressed Ariana’s face. He glanced up at the others and said, “Let’s go home.”

  Epilogue

  Ariana

  It had been two weeks since the battle. She had been out for a week of it. Apparently, getting her powers back and gaining the new ones at the same time had wiped her out. Her body had needed to adjust to it all. Ariana could feel the Darkness now, lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect time to try and take her over. At least, that was how Roman had explained it.

  Ariana smiled at Zoey and Avery, laughing as they ran around with bubbles with Easton and Mateo chasing them. It was Zoey’s third birthday party. Balloons and streamers were tied all over the place, and the air smelled of grilled hamburgers and hotdogs. The guys had spared no expense. She shook her head even as her heart swelled with love. She understood their need to go overboard as it was their first birthday with her. Ariana had allowed them to do whatever they wanted, except for the pony Aiden wanted to get Zoey. She had explained that Zoey was too little. Ariana chuckled as she remembered the gleam in his eye when he had asked when Avery’s birthday was. She had a feeling he was going to give her a pony.

  Ariana and the guys had decided that she and the girls would move into the cabin. Zoey and Avery loved it out here, and Ariana couldn’t imagine living in the crowded city anymore. Between her recovery and then the move, none of them had had a chance to fulfill the second part of the curse. Ariana had a plan to rectify that tonight. Roman had promised her they would finish what they started. If that went well, she had plans to make all of them her mates. Soon. Very Soon.

  Hands slipped around her waist. She knew it was Aiden by his pine and sandalwood scent. “Hello, my Honey Bear.” He nuzzled her neck, making Ariana purr.

  She leaned back into his chest. “Hello yourself. Don’t ever call me Honey Bear again.” As Aiden laughed she asked, “Is everyone ready for cake and ice cream?”

  “Mmmm… Yes.” He nipped her ear, sending shockwaves of pleasure coursing through her. Ariana had thought her life was filled with happiness when it was just her and the girls. Now she knew it was.

  As he released her, Ariana was overcome by a sharp stabbing pain in her head. She gasped as her world went white. In her mind’s eye she saw Rowena. She couldn’t see where she was, but she heard a man yelling from somewhere far off. She tried to make out what he was saying. Just as fast as it left, her vision came back. She was back at the cabin and clutching the railing on the back porch for support.

  “Honey what is it? Was it your Dark magic?” Ariana shook her head. She couldn’t say anything past the bone deep crushing despair she felt. Why am I feeling this way? What is wrong?

  Roman’s shout had her head snapping up. Standing in the middle of the yard was Rowena. But how was this possible? Did she somehow summon her here?

  East and Mateo grabbed the girls and took them into the house as Gray, Roman, Aiden, and Jay stood at the stairs. Rowena started to laugh as she walked forward. Fear punched Ariana in the gut. Something wasn’t right about this.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked as the Witch came closer.

  “Why, I’m here to make sure you never fully break the curse. I told you, you would die, and I always deliver.”

  “But… you’re from the past! You’re already dead, what the fuck does it matter to you?!” Frustration swelled in her. Couldn’t they just get one break?

  “From the past you say… tsk tsk tsk. I am immortal. I assure you I am truly here.”

  She stopped a few feet from the guys. Ariana’s pulse raced out of control, her breaths were coming in pants. She didn’t know what this bitch wanted but knew it was bad. She summoned a fireball to her hands and threw it with all her strength. Ariana’s eyes went wide, and she stumbled back when it fizzled out before ever reaching Rowena.

  “Who are you?”

  “I am Fate.” Suddenly, Rowena was in front of Gray.

  He turned his head slightly and mouthed, “I love you, Angel.”

  “If you want him, come find him. If you can,” Rowena snapped.

  Ariana cried out and stumbled forward, reaching out her hands. Before any of the guys could jump into action, Rowena and Gray were gone. Pain carved her heart from her chest, and Ariana screamed.

  Setting her magic fre
e, Ariana shifted into a dragon and roared into the sky, flames jetting from her throat.

  She shrieked in her mind, I will find you Gray! before everything went black.

  The end for now…

  Acknowledgments

  First and foremost, I have to thank my wonderful husband, Joe, thank you baby for all the love, support you have given me in everything that I do. I love you always and forever.

  Harper Wylde, thank you for doing such and amazing job on the cover, and for all of your help, and listening to my millions of questions! You are one amazing lady, my friend!

  And to the Amazing Editor Extraordinaire Missy Stewart Fournier, thank you for being so awesome at what you do! Without you the book would not have been as good as it is! I am glad to call you a friend!

  Thank you so much to Brina, Kayce, Shannon, A.J, and Sosha. You are one amazing BETA team, and without you guys cheering me on, listening to me rant and rave at my characters, and just in general dealing with my craziness this book would not have made it! I am proud to call all of your friends. I love you all!

  Last but certainly not least, thank you so much to you the readers, without you the book would go no where. You are all amazing and wonderful, I can’t say enough good things about you.

  About Renee Shearer

  I live in a small little town, smack dab in the middle of Michigan, with my wonderful husband of six and a half years, two daughters (Who were endless inspiration for the book) and their two dogs who hate each other. I’m a hairdresser by day and an author by night and I’m addicted to coffee, and coffee mugs! This is my first novel and I sincerely hoped you enjoyed it and aren’t too mad at the small cliff hanger!

  If you wish to follow me, you can join me on Facebook at Renee’s Alley of Mischief, or here on Amazon, just click the link below.