I think he was more frazzled than hurt, but it still gave me the chance to get up and run to the big barn doors. He followed me, like I knew he would, but I just needed to get far enough ahead of him for my magic to work. It was the only logical explanation, and if I was wrong, I was dead anyway.
I didn’t feel anything when I crossed the threshold, but I turned to face Donovan with my hands on the moonstone necklace. I closed my eyes and channeled everything I had into blasting him into oblivion. I felt like my soul was drained into the magic and fell to my knees, too scared to open my eyes.
I took a deep breath and found the spot where I last saw Donovan, half-expecting him to give me one last menacing smile before carting me off to Henry, but he was gone. In his place, there was nothing but a pile of ash.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“Lucy!” I heard my name, but it sounded so far away. I was cold and damp, which didn’t make any sense, until I opened my eyes and saw that I was lying in the dew-covered grass in front of the barn. It was early morning, though I don’t think I was out longer than a few minutes. I still felt so tired.
I saw Embry and tried to stand, to run to him, but everything around me started spinning. I would have fallen back onto the grass if Gabriel hadn’t appeared out of nowhere and caught me.
“You’re friends again?” I verified, judging by the fact that he wasn’t trying to kill me.
“You did it, Lucy. Donovan can’t hurt you anymore,” Gabriel gave me a smile, looking at me with…not quite incredulity, but definitely amazement and respect.
“The ashes…” I turned, pointing to the pile of what used to be Donovan.
“We’ll take care of them,” Embry assured me. “You’re safe.”
“We need to get out of here,” I argued, walking towards the villa. Henry might not sit back and wait for us to find him if he knew exactly where we were. “We are nowhere near safe.”
“No, we’re not,” he agreed. “But you accomplished something huge, and we need to—”
“We need more magic,” I cut him off. “If Henry is more powerful than Donovan, we don’t stand a chance. We can’t let him complete the ritual. There would be no stopping him.” Part of me always thought they were exaggerating, but the four of us barely managed to defeat Donovan, and that was without an army of supernatural minions to contend with.
“We can look into it and figure something out,” Embry gave me an encouraging smile.
“Those books in the bunker that you didn’t want to fall into the wrong hands…” I pried.
“They might be worth a look,” Gabriel agreed.
“Will Ingrid be okay?” I asked once I got to her, kneeling down to bring her head into my lap. With her illusions gone, she looked like a sleeping child.
“She should wake up in a few hours,” Embry assured me. “We can bring her to Charlie’s so he can keep an eye on her.”
“And Richard?” I used the name Donovan gave us, trying to stay composed.
“The child was returned to his mother and Richard spent the night in a very special mausoleum. He’ll be back with his family and able to destroy us in no time,” Gabriel didn’t look happy about it, but I believed him.
“We should leave before that happens,” Embry suggested.
The guys went to burn Donovan’s ashes while I carried Ingrid onto a couch in Charlie’s living room. I stayed by her side and held her hand, knowing there was no way I could ever repay what she’d done for me. Or get over the sight of her lying lifeless on the grass.
“Charlie’s back. It’s time to go,” Gabriel came to warn me as I was running my fingers through Ingrid’s hair like I used to do for Clara.
“I’ll be right there,” I assured him, waiting until he was gone to place a kiss on her forehead.
I ran into Mr. Fraser on my way out and hesitated, not sure if she would want him to see her like that, but someone must have called him.
“I’ve got her,” he promised me, fighting to keep it together.
“Tell her,” I paused, trying to find the words to convey my love and admiration for her. “Tell her it has been an honour learning and fighting alongside her.”
He nodded, clearing his throat, then went to Ingrid’s side. I watched as he tenderly brushed the hair from her forehead before going over to the villa.
The car was mostly packed, so the guys put their weapons in the trunk, and I took Ingrid’s potions. The villa had come to be home over the past couple of months, but we wouldn’t stand a chance against Henry if he came after us now. I put everyone here in danger long enough.
“I told you I would see you in the morning.” Relief was etched all over Charlie’s face as he left Embry to come and take me in for a hug.
“Thank you for the help,” I told him, trying not to cry, but something about him was making me tear up.
“I’m always here. Always willing to lend a hand,” he assured me as Embry got into the driver’s seat, letting me know it was time to go. “This isn’t how I would have wanted you to find out, but I know you have to leave, and I don’t want to be another person keeping things from you.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked him before remembering last night’s conversation. It felt like lifetimes ago.
“This is all I know about it. But sometimes it’s better to leave good enough alone.” He put an envelope in my hand, then covered it with both of his. “You take care now.”
“You too.” I took him in for a hug, then took my place in the back seat.
I waved to Charlie as we pulled out of the driveway, looking back until I couldn’t see him or the property anymore. Our general direction was home, but the home from my memories was gone. Nothing in my life would ever be anything like it was before. But in spite of our crushing near-defeat, I felt hope. Yes, it took everything from us to defeat Donovan and we barely made it out alive, but Gifteds weren’t invincible and hopefully, neither was Henry.
Coming Soon!
The Owens Chronicles Book Three
While you wait for Book Three to come out, you can read
its First Chapter here!
Author’s Note
I finished this book during a pandemic, which was quite an experience. On some days the writing came easy, and on others I kept the document open without writing a word. So I want to thank the people who called, who wrote, who cared. The ones who created content or ran around in a penguin costume to lift people’s spirits. Who shared baby pictures when we needed a smile. Who took my mind off things with zoom calls, trivia nights and wii golf. Who just sat with me and escaped through movies. You provided me with a happy place in scary times and I am grateful.
Acknowledgments
To my mom, who from Day One has been my biggest fan and supporter. She helps me with revision after revision and lets me bounce all of my ideas off her. I literally couldn’t do it without you. I love you so much. Thank you.
To my grandmother, who can’t read my books because they put her to sleep, but loves me unconditionally. She feeds my soul with love and laughter, and my stomach with her delicious baking. You are the glue that holds this family together and I owe you so much of my happiness. xo
To Liz, who offered to Beta read and became a pseudo-editor. Thank you so much for all of your guidance and advice. I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart and definitely owe you one. Or many.
To Rikki, who took the time to give me her feedback in an honest and supportive way. It means the world to have someone care so fiercely about my characters.
To everyone who helped make this book a reality, THANK YOU!
About the Author
Amanda Lynn Petrin grew up on the South Shore of Montreal with a big and supportive family. She studied Psychology and History at McGill University, then went into acting once she graduated.
In 2017 she moved to Toronto, Ontario, in the hopes of finding more opportunities. Instead, she discovered that you need to create your own. She has written, produced and starred in
multiple short films, including Get-Together, All the Things, and Touched. Being an author was a dream she thought would never come true until she started doing the things that scared her. Her debut novel, Shards of Glass, was released in August 2019, and she is just getting started.
Find her at: https://www.amandalynnpetrin.com
Also by Amanda Lynn Petrin
Shards of Glass
Prophecy (The Owens Chronicles Book One)
Destiny (The Owens Chronicles Book Two)
Legacy (The Owens Chronicles Book Three) *~* Coming this Fall
Destiny Page 21
