Tempest

by Karen Ann Hopkins

  TEMPEST

  KAREN ANN HOPKINS

  Copyright © 2016 Karen Ann Hopkins

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN: 1522869573

  ISBN 13: 9781522869573

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2015921253

  CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

  North Charleston, South Carolina

  Praise for Embers and Gaia

  “An impending apocalypse provides a compelling backdrop for romance in this page-turning first installment of a new YA series. Hopkins (Lamb to the Slaughter, 2014, etc.) expertly weaves her plotlines together in this compulsively readable teen romance story…Hopkins delivers many successful elements of young-adult romance—appealing lead characters, high-voltage chemistry, repressed sexuality—which will win her ardent followers. A paranormal YA tale that’s highly recommended for fans of the Twilight series; move over, Bella and Edward, there’s a new set of kids on the block.” Kirkus Reviews

  “Embers is the start of an action-packed paranormal YA series.” InD’Tale Magazine

  “Embers’ storyline is carefully crafted and blended together to form a story that is engaging and eventful. Embers is the other side of the story. The untold story of who is out there in the world. Who is watching. Who is waiting, to make their move.” A Leisure Moment

  “Embers is an incredibly unique paranormal book!” Loose Time Reading

  “Embers is an amazing paranormal, action, romance book!” Bookalicious

  “Loved this book! Embers gives you an amazing account of the children that descended from the angels. I loved how the author gave the reader a scripture passage before each chapter. I was guessing until the end on who was evil and who was good! Great climax during battle…the ending leaves you wanting more! I give this book 5 stars!” Curling Up With a Good Book

  “If you are a fan of paranormal or angel stories, I advise you to read Embers. You will love this story and will want more when the book ends.” Gen Gen’s Book Reviews

  “This was a very entertaining and compelling read. I could not put it down or get enough and the world building is phenomenal.” Bookish Escape

  “Embers is without a doubt one of the most exquisite, breathtaking and romantic novels I have ever read. Totally epic! A must read! 5 stars!” Bittersweet Enchantment

  “Embers is an amazing story that I highly recommend to those paranormal, angel book lovers. I was glued to the very end. 5 stars!” Sassy Book Lovers

  “Embers was a brilliant Young Adult paranormal novel based on angels. I thoroughly enjoyed how fast paced and detailed it was.” Nay’s Pink Bookshelf

  “Hopkins’ refreshingly original idea is what makes this read truly worthwhile. Her world building is dark, bold and interesting and her characters are far from being black and white… Don’t make the mistake of dismissing Embers as just another angel book when it’s, in fact, much, much more than that.” The Nocturnal Library

  “Finally, a supernatural story to immerse myself into and thoroughly enjoy! Karen Ann Hopkins has come up with some very unique characters – angels and demons, like no other! The world building and character growth is compelling, unique and mesmerizing. Embers sets us up for what is going to be a captivating and thrilling series.” Bumbles & Fairy-Tales

  “I would definitely recommend Embers to paranormal/supernatural romance fans.” Books in the Spotlight

  “This is a sexy and action packed paranormal that everybody is looking for, with supernatural characters that are completely unique and distinct. I absolutely recommend this to everyone!” Her Book Thoughts

  “Gaia was an explosive read full of action and suspense.” A Bookish Escape

  “Embers and Gaia’s stories match the true beauty of their covers and I absolutely cannot wait for more of this epic series.” Such a Novel Idea

  “This series is on my favorite angel-themed series of all time. This world is phenomenal. OMG. OMG. OMG. Loved it!” Pause Time Book Blog

  “The plot was unique and riveting…I was hooked from the first few words of the books and didn’t stop reading until I had finished the entire novel.” A Dream Within a Dream

  “Hopkins has written another brilliant page turner, with twists and turns, vivid details and captivating characters.” Sassy Book Lovers

  “Gaia is an explosion!” Her Book Thoughts

  “This series by Karen Ann Hopkins is truly amazing!” So Bookalicious

  “The Wings of War series is quickly becoming one of my favorite series!” Don’t Fold the Page

  Books by Karen Ann Hopkins

  Serenity’s Plain Secrets

  in reading order

  LAMB TO THE SLAUGHTER

  WHISPERS FROM THE DEAD

  SECRETS IN THE GRAVE

  HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT (2016)

  Wings of War

  in reading order

  EMBERS

  GAIA

  TEMPEST

  ETERNITY (2016)

  The Temptation Novels

  in reading order

  TEMPTATION

  BELONGING

  FOREVER

  RACHEL’S DEPCEPTION

  SUMMER’S SONG (2017)

  For my Kids; Luke, Cole, Lily, Owen and Cora. You keep me young.

  For Jay. You make me happy.

  And for Cricket. You’re the best horse I’ll ever have.

  Acknowledgments

  Many thanks to Grace Bell, my editor and friend; Jenny Zemanek of Seedlings Design Studio, my amazing cover designer; and Amanda Shofner and Heather Miller for their proofreading skills. The Wings of War is a success because of all of you!

  Encouragement from family and friends keeps me writing and I’m always grateful for their love and support on the home front.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  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

  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 1

  And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon.

  Revelation 9:11

  My head rested on Sawyer’s muscled arm and his body curved around me protectively. The occasional chirping of a whip-poor-will outside the cabin intermingled with the hushed voices of Sir Austin, Youmi and Horas in the other room. I knew Insepth was already asleep on the couch. I’d tried to reach him in my mind earlier, but had been greeted with his rumbling snore.

  My Watcher sense drifted out the bedroom window into the crisp autumn darkness. I found Ivan stalking the woods behind the cabin in wolf form. Lutz was with him. The bear’s heavy steps on dry leaves crunched loudly and I smiled into the pillow. It was difficult to imagine the giant bear sneaking up on anyone successfully.

  I stopped when I found Eae. He was still s
itting on the ground at the edge of Ila’s garden. A shard of moonlight sliced through the night down on him. His head was bowed, his eyes tightly shut. Was he praying? I wasn’t sure, but it bothered me that he had been rooted in the same place for hours.

  I contemplated disengaging from Sawyer’s gloriously warm body to talk with the Angel again. When I’d visited him before, he’d sat as stoically as he was now, listening to my bombardment of questions, but answering none of them. He had replied, “I’m sorry. I will explain these things to you in time. I’m severed from my homeland. I do not feel God’s touch anymore.” I had reached out to touch his shoulder, but he’d flinched away.

  I held my breath as Sawyer stirred against me. When he didn’t wake, I exhaled slowly. Eae had refused my offer to help, preferring to suffer his wounds while they went through the natural and gradual process of healing. It was some sort of penance, I was sure. I was at least thankful he’d allowed Ivan to rub some of Ila’s herbal salve over the wounds, even though it bothered me that the Angel trusted a Growler more than the person he guarded.

  I could hardly blame him for his feelings after what the Watchers had done to him, but I wasn’t Insepth, Sir Austin or Youmi. I was different from them. It would take time to prove to Eae that we were on the same side, though. Which side was that? I shook my head in the darkness. I still didn’t know, and the obsessive questioning of myself was one of the things keeping me awake. The other was Piper. I kept seeing her round, laughing face every time I closed my eyes.

  I sniffed, pushing the memories of my friend away and scanning the meadow with my inner sight until I found Cricket. She lifted her head from the dew-soaked grass and nickered. The nearest goats scattered when the black horse stomped her hoof. She was displeased. Cricket didn’t like when my mind dipped into hers. I never doubted her affection for me, but she was fiercely independent and didn’t bother to hide her resentment when I spied on her. My previous glimpses into her mind told me that she thought horses were superior to humans.

  Cricket snorted into the cold air and a jet of mist shot from her nostrils. It was her way of telling me to go to sleep.

  The mare trotted after the goats and something wet touched my hand. I opened my eyes to find Angus staring at me. I sank my fingers into the German Shepherd’s fur and he thumped his tail on the floor. With my hand still resting on his head, he sank down beside the bed. Sleep, Angus said. Perhaps it was just my crazy imagination creating the communication in my mind, but it might have been real. I could no longer deny the possibility of such a thing in this world of magic, monsters, Angels, and Demons I’d come to know. Anything and everything was possible.

  I closed my eyes, forcing deeper breaths into my lungs, until I slipped into the muddled, dark place of almost sleep. I embraced the wobbly feeling. The Watchers and Growlers were keeping sentry. I was safe to go to that place of nothingness for a little while at least.

  But when the cool dreamland breeze brushed my skin and I saw wide-trunked trees rising up into the starless sky, I realized with a pounding heart that I wasn’t safe at all.

  Then I saw the glowing red eyes. How stupid of me, I thought, as my bare feet dug into the slippery, decaying leaves and I broke into a run.

  I knew this place. Burned and broken boards jutted angrily from the scorched ground, and nothing stirred beneath the bare branches.

  The wooden wall of the compound no longer stood, but I was still trapped.

  “Ember?”

  My name was only a whisper on the wind, but I slowed. Holding my breath, I tilted my head to listen.

  “Ember.”

  When I heard it again, louder this time and with a firm female voice, I stopped in my tracks and looked around.

  The glowing eyes were gone and the forest was quiet. The tree trunks were larger than they were a moment ago—enormous in girth. My eyes widened as I craned my neck to look up at their towering forms in the starry sky. There are no trees in Tennessee this big—perhaps in the world. A chill raced up my spine and I took a sharp breath to slow my racing pulse. Dropping my gaze, I searched the shadows again.

  Below the massive trees, the ground was covered with thick moss. The heady scent of an old forest filled my nostrils and at the edge of my vision, thick mist rose, obscuring what lay only a hundred yards away. This was no ordinary place and no ordinary dream.

  My mouth was dry. “Who’s there?”

  A loud chuckle snapped the ethereal feeling right out of the dream. “You need to ask?” The voice was solid and slightly accented.

  “Ila?” I gasped.

  “Yes, dear. It’s me.” Blonde hair and a flurry of flowing white material flashed in the corner of my eye. I whirled to catch a glimpse of a glowing form darting back and forth between the trees at blurring speed before it came to rest a few feet away.

  Without any thought, I rushed forward and Ila’s hands shot up. I tried to stop, but couldn’t in time. I tripped straight through her. The icy touch of her spirit chilled me, causing my skin to breakout in goose bumps.

  “This isn’t a place for warm reunions, I’m afraid.” Ila’s face was as youthful as it had been the day she floated down the hillside, creating a tornado and earthquake that destroyed the Demons and their compound. Her smile was sad. “You already know you’re in the dream world. I have no substance here—or anywhere else for that matter.”

  It was difficult to catch my breath. “Is this real?”

  Ila nodded firmly. “Oh yes, Ember. You are speaking to my essence—” her brows furrowed for a second “—ghost is the most appropriate description, I suppose.”

  I licked my lips and nodded in return, trying to remain calm. I had so much to tell Ila that I didn’t even know where to begin.

  She read my conflict as aptly as ever and silenced me with a hissing, “Shhh.”

  “You’re using an incredible amount of energy to be here and you don’t even realize it.” The corner of her mouth lifted slightly and she tucked a long, golden curl behind her ear. She was more beautiful than I remembered.

  Her brows arched. “I wasn’t sure if our ancestral connection was strong enough for you to hear my call. When I felt your presence in this world, I reached out to you.”

  “Where is here?” I asked, scanning the forest.

  “You’ve stumbled into the deepest region of the dream world—the place separating Heaven and Hell—the In Between.”

  I froze when Ila’s form lost its sharpness, becoming a wispy apparition.

  “I thought—” I paused, searching for the right words “—earth was that place.”

  She shook her head. I could clearly see the bark of a tree through her fading body.

  “I haven’t much time.” Fear lit her face. “You’re a smart girl and a lucky one. You’ll understand when you need to. That’s all I can hope for. But I will not ignore the opportunity your journey this night has offered up.” Her lips thinned and she frowned. In that instant, I saw the wise old mentor that I loved. “You must listen carefully—and you must trust me. I know you’ve faced events of late that have made you wary of Watchers and Angels. Your apprehension is a good thing. It will keep you alive in the dark days to come.” She grunted, clutching her throat. When she looked up, her green eyes looked like pools of murky water. “Use your powers to change Cricket into a human. Do whatever it takes to achieve this task. It must be done to further your cause.”

  My jaw dropped. I began to protest, but Ila swatted her spectral hand at me. “Not now. There isn’t time. Trust me.”

  I snapped my mouth shut, biting my lip. For a second, surprise lit her eyes. I hadn’t been the most obedient student, but after she’d died, I would have done anything to hear her voice again and take her advice without question.

  “Insepth can help you do it.” I wondered how she could be up-to-date on my life, but let the thought go when the tone of her voice increased in int
ensity. “Keep the animals close—all of them.” She sighed and the muscles of her cheek twitched. “The impossible is attainable. There’s still hope. Remember, the line between good and evil is very fine sometimes. Always trust your gut—and follow your heart.”

  Fog spread between the trees, encircling Ila with a strong wind that blew my hair back, pelting my skin. I reached out and my hand slipped through her. “Wait, don’t go!”

  Ila offered a small smile. “I’m sorry, my dear. It’s a miracle we met at all. We mustn’t challenge the Fates or their leader. Let’s be thankful for this fleeting moment.”

  Tentacles of fog laced through her until she disappeared, becoming the mist.

  I blinked many times, and tears began to leak from my eyes.

  Her fading voice whispered on the wind. “Sawyer must not travel here. Not him.”

  The edges of the dream folded in and I got one last glimpse of the place Ila called the In Between.

  The trees disappeared beneath a canopy of dark foliage, and beyond the island of wooded giants was a ring of fire that must have been a mile wide. The flames licking into the air were bluish-red, and just as the vision blinked out, I was assaulted with a puff of air hotter than any fire I had ever created.

  Chapter 2

  “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.”

  Isaiah 14:12-14

  I lurched out of Sawyer’s arms as a blast of heat rolled through the room. The pain made me cry out, but it only lasted an instant, then it was gone. The curtains settled back into place and I hugged my sweat-soaked belly.

  The door flung open. “What in blazes is going on?” Insepth shouted. His brow rose when he saw me quivering against Sawyer’s chest. Every hair raised along Angus’ back. The dog’s low growl was the only sound in the room.