Shadows of the Past (27 page)

Brandy L Rivers is the author of the Others of Edenton Series. She has an Others of Seattle series in the works and will likely release one and then the other once the first one is ready. As of right now, Robert’s book Falling Into Place is the next one planned.

As an avid reader, Brandy has always loved writing. She became serious about it as a stay-at-home-mother. She has a file full of manuscripts she plans to edit and put out there eventually.

She lives in Western Washington with her husband and three kids, where she is already working on the future stories in the series.

If you are interested in receiving emails about future book releases, please sign up for her email distribution list by visiting her site at:
www.brandylrivers.com

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Abyss
-
Faerie version of hell. It is a dark, desolate wasteland.

Air Faerie
– A fae descended from the Air Kingdom in Faerie. They mostly cast air or electricity based spells. Some can dematerialize, scattering their cells to travel without form. They can watch without being detected in this form, and travel great distances rapidly.

Alpha
– The leader of a werewolf pack. Usually the most dominant wolf in a group.

Awakening
- Faeries come to age after their first sexual release with another faerie. This process brings their power to the surface, it will strengthen what might have shown as a weak power, or produce new ones to the individual Fae.

Bond
- Faerie’s can form a bond with another. It is similar to werewolves mating. The two Fae’s magic mingles, strengthening each other. It is a slower process but once it forms it can’t be broken

Brownie
- Fae that takes care of a family or house. They tend to have brown hair, skin and eyes. They are typically very secretive.

Compulsion -
Sirens and nymphs can force a suggestion on someone during sexual release.

Dales
– Group of vampires and dark mages that run an illegal fighting ring for Others. The majority of the competitors are Others that have been abducted and forced to fight either through blackmail or mind control. They were a problem ten years before but disappeared until recently.

Dark Mages
– Usually rogue mages who have lost their connection to their magic and now draw power from other magical beings. Also used as a slur toward any mage that leans toward darker or misunderstood magics such as necromancy, or blood magic.

Druids
- Humans who possess mostly nature magic. They aren’t as common as mages. Most tend to stick with other druids. They cast mostly earth and air spells, though most can manipulate fire and water. Druids can shift into most animals with practice.

Earth Faerie
– A fae descended from the Earth Kingdom of Faerie. Their powers include superhuman strength and super sensitive hearing, smell and sight. Most can manipulate the earth itself, or create compounds of rock from dust or dirt. Some are able to communicate with animals.

Enthrall -
Sirens and nymphs can force a suggestion on someone during sexual release.

Fire Fae -
A fae descended from the Fire Kingdom of Faerie. Many have visions. Their magic is generally heat and fire based.

Iron
– Certain types of faerie have an aversion to iron and other metals with iron content.

Mages
– Humans who possess elemental magic. They can either sling spells like weapons or heal, though it is rare for a mage to be a healer.

Magistrate -
Somewhat like the Silver Council’s Sheriff, though their territory is larger than just one city.

Mana-blades
– Enchanted swords or daggers that are tattooed into the skin. They can be pulled like a normal weapon, but only by the one with the tattoo. Most people cover the blade with another tattoo to hide the magical weapon. The blade itself does more damage than a normal blade, and depending on the creature it cuts, can do even more specific damage.

Mate
– Werewolves, and some other creatures sometimes create a bond with their soul mate. The bond is nearly impossible to break unless one party dies. The bound couple will sometimes feel what the other is feeling, or sense the danger the other is in.

Necromancer -
A mage whose magic revolves around the dead. They are usually mediums, and often have other forms of magic.

Nymph -
There are water nymphs and wood nymphs. The water nymphs originated in Faerie near lakes, oceans and rivers. Wood nymphs originated in the oldest forests. Most of their magic is powered by love, lust and similar emotions, and enhanced through orgasm. Some nymphs have other forms as magic as well. Unlike most faerie, they have no glamour and are stuck with their unusual coloring.

Others
- Any being that isn’t quite human. Werewolves, vampires, shaman, druid, mages, witches, warlocks, fae are just some examples.

Pack
– Or werewolf pack is a group of werewolves in an area. The size of the pack determines to size of the region. Werewolves in a pack have a hierarchal structure based on the creature’s innate dominance. Usually there is an Alpha who is the leader, and several enforcers who enforce the will of the leader, and then the rest of the werewolves. Every pack is run differently.

Pack Enforcer
– Werewolves high in the pack hierarchy who carry out the alpha’s orders or discipline.

Satyr –
Fae creature with a goat’s legs and hooves. Fur covers their bodies from the hips down. They have horns upon their heads. They are known for their insatiable sexual behavior and known to be well endowed.

Silver
– Wereanimals have an aversion to silver. It burns, and wounds caused by silver weapons or bullets are much slower to heal than a normal wound.

Siren -
Sometimes called mermaids. They do change forms in water. Fine scales cover their skin, and they develop gills behind their ears. Their coloring often changes with this form. They have similar forms of magic to nymphs.

Shaman
– Humans who possess nature magic. Similar to druids, but not the same. Most shaman can shift into a specific animal.

Silver Council
– Organization of mages. They are the governing force of most Others. Not everyone recognize’s them, but they try to police all Others. The Silver Council is mostly made up of formally trained mages. They occasionally will employ other casters.

Silver Council Enforcer
– The mages who police Others.

Soul Prison
– A device or talisman that can house a being. Usually small orb or sphere, it basically transports the being to its own empty realm.

Translocation
– Some mages can vanish and reappear in another area. It is a rare talent.

Ward -
A spell that protects, sometimes keeps people from entering.

Warded tattoos
– Tattoos usually done by Druids, Shaman or sometimes Mages that have a spell imbued into the pattern. The spell is typically of a protection variety.

Warlock
– Male witches are sometimes referred to as warlocks.

Werewolves
– Specific type of wereanimal. A werewolf is created when a werewolf in either its beast form or half-man form bites and sometimes scratches a human. They are incredibly strong, and faster than a normal human. Powerful werewolves can not only shift into their wolf form but a form bigger than human, covered in fur with enormous claws and bestial head. Their sense of smell and sight are very strong, especially in their beast forms.

Witch
– A human who is highly sensitive to magic, and can cast a limited amount of magic. Abilities vary from clairvoyance, empathy, telekinesis, various other psychic abilities. Most are adept at potions that combine natural ingredients with magic.

Chapter 1

This is the current version,i
t’
s still rough and subject to change

Her eyes never left Tremaine’s hard body as he rose up on his toes to place a book on the top shelf. There was a time when Liz felt guilty for lusting after him, but as years went on her reasons for avoiding a relationship with the only man she trusted had faded away.

Sure, he was more than old enough to be her father… or even her grandfather, but mages didn’t age. Then there was the way he’d found her when she was barely twelve, but she held those memories firmly locked up in the darkest part of her mind where she never visited.

The one she couldn’t get over was the way he constantly told her to suck it up and fix things with Robert, her first love. That relationship had been shattered 21 years before and it was far too late to salvage her heart.

Tremaine had the warmest brown eyes that could burn with desire. She longed to kiss his full mouth, to run her hands down his ribbed abdomen and grasp his heavy cock. Twice in the last few years she had come home at the wrong time and found Tremaine banging some random woman.

She couldn’t remember Tremaine ever having more than a one night stand. So, she could hardly avoid voyeurism when he was giving someone else exactly what she wanted. He was just
so primal in those moments as he wrung raw pleasure from the woman.

Yup, she was jealous. They may only have had one taste, but she was still convinced she would never have that pleasure.

She sighed heavily when the bells rang, and she dragged her gaze to the young nymph with the cheeky smile and sparkling lavender eyes. Amethyst swept her purple hair behind her ears as she climbed onto a stool and waved.

“I take it Hayden just came to see you?” Liz asked with a raised brow.

Amethyst swallowed hard, a blush coloring her face as she nodded slightly. “By the way, thanks for the spell in my room. At least the sound stays in, even if we shake the walls.”

Liz shook her head, trying not to imagine Hayden taking Amethyst against the wall.

Tremaine strode to the counter with a chuckle, “Soundproofing with a spell is doable, warding walls from an Earth Fae, not so much.”

Fallon hurried inside, shaking her head. “Seriously
Ame, if you’re going to go at it like bunnies, don’t do it against the wall in the shop. I had to explain to Erik why the walls were shaking but there was no sound.”

Amethyst pouted. “It’s not like I can resist him.”

“Resist him?” Fallon balked. “You grabbed him by the belt and dragged him into your room, and I saw you slam the door shut. That was all you, sweetheart.”

She crossed her arms over her chest, and looked up at Liz with pleading eyes as she changed the subject. “Can I please have a cherry orange
smoothie.”

“Sure thing.”

“Should I make myself scarce so the ladies can have some girl talk?” Tremaine waggled his brows.

“No,” Amethyst squeaked. “I’m quite happy to change the topic.”

Liz met Tremaine’s gaze, silently begging him to stay.

He wet his lips, and there was a devilish gleam in his eyes. He asked, “You all know about Christian’s party tomorrow night?”

Amethyst perked up. “Party? Oh yeah, he’s turning twenty-one tomorrow. Right?”

Fallon nodded. “We’ll be there. Jess
wrangled me into helping decorate.” She shot a glance to Amethyst. “You too, so you better warn Hayden your naked fun time is limited tomorrow afternoon.”

Amethyst spun in her seat to glare at Fallon. “Please, it’s not like you and Brody aren’t constantly going at it. You called me over yesterday, and I walked in on him bending you over the dining room table while he gave it to you good and hard.”

“Shit, is that why you didn’t show up?”

“Uh, I um… may have watched a moment before I hustled my butt out of there and found Hayden.” Amethyst looked up at the ceiling innocently.

Fallon laughed out loud. “At least we weren’t trying to bring Inktastic down around us.”

“Yeah, I’ll just be in the back, working on inventory.” Tremaine dipped his head before walking down the hall.

Liz watched him go, wishing he wouldn’t leave her with the two happiest women she knew. Oh, she was thrilled for them, but it was depressing when she couldn’t have what she wanted.

She
went to work on making drinks.

Fallon changed the subject. “How are you holding up, Liz?”

Half a laugh escaped, but it was a bitter sound. “It’s that time of year.” She could remember the tears in Robert’s dusky blue eyes as he watched her walk away.

“Elizandra, don’t leave. I’m not afraid of you. I love you more than words can express. You’re the only one I need. I don’t care about the rest.” Robert pleaded.

“I nearly killed you.” Tears slid down her cheeks.

Robert closed the distance, his fingers threading into her hair as he brought her gaze to his. “Tell me what I have to do. I’ll do anything for you.
Anything at all.”

She shoved his shirt up and ran her fingers over the new shiny white scar over his heart. “Have Emily heal these.” Her voice broke. “I couldn’t tell you apart after James….” She couldn’t tell him all of it. She didn’t want to think about that monster and what he stole from her.

“Fuck Emily. I’m not playing games with my sister. She can hate me until the end of time. I’m done with her and her bullshit.”

Liz shook her head. Emily was the only family Robert had left. She wouldn’t take her from him, too. James, she couldn’t feel bad about killing James. But Emily loved Robert, and she couldn’t cut all of his ties to his family. She traced the scar and made her decision.

He was just worried about Liz. He wasn’t thinking this through. She needed to walk away and let him think. If he truly loved her he would come for her, no matter what she said. So she had to make it real.

“Robert,” she whispered, staring deep into his tormented eyes. “You have to let me walk away. I can’t be with you now. I….”

He pulled her tight against him, crushing his mouth over hers, but she pulled back and shook her head.

“Damn it, Robert. I can’t be enough for you. Let me go. I need to go. Don’t follow me. I’m as good as dead.” And wasn’t that the truth? She didn’t think she could live without him, but she would in order to protect him.

She tore herself away from Robert and walked out of his life. Then she faked her own death, knowing he would know she was alive, but in her case, death was the only way to leave the council.

Robert was her partner for two reasons. One, they worked well together. Two, the council assigned him to keep an eye on her, and keep her out of trouble. Liz fully believed corruption was spreading through the Council’s ranks, but Robert still believed in the archaic society.

Robert never came for her. After a week she left him a letter apologizing, even explaining. He still never came for her. It broke her. Shattered her into a million pieces she barely glued back together.

“What is it, Liz?” Amethyst asked softly, concern clearly etching her face.

“Just the past haunting me. Don’t worry about it.” She slid the smoothie to Amethyst and went to work on the rest of the drinks.

* * * *

Rough needy hands pushed their way under her nightgown. All those nights of hell came back to her. Emily bolted upright screaming as she looked around her empty room. There was no one there, and yet she was soaked in a cold sweat and shivering as she stared at the clock.

Already ten
. What happened to my alarm?

Shaking off the memories, she made her way to the bathroom and caught her reflection in the mirror. These last few months had not been kind. She’d lost weight, there were dark circles under her eyes, and she feared she was being watched.

You are,
James’ voice echoed in her head.
You’ll pay for keeping me from taking Elizandra’s power.

“She’s long since dead,” Emily whimpered as she turned on the water. Maybe it would have been better to let her twin die. At the time, she thought she could save him, even after the hell he’d put her through.

The dreams, oh God, the dreams. He hadn’t just ruined her. He’d ruined Liz as well as their brother. She remembered watching Robert fall apart after Liz drove off the cliff. There was a burnt out car, and nothing left but ashes.

She’s still alive, Emily. She didn’t die.

“She’s gone. Robert still mourns her death,” she whispered back at her twin’s voice in her head.

I promise you,
Em, she’s alive. Just wait until I break free and tear her power from her writhing body. I’ll make sure your darling Robert has front row seats as I finally ruin her for good.

If James was right, and he always was, she needed a way to warn Robert. One James couldn’t prevent.

She skipped the shower and rushed into her clothes as she grabbed her journal detailing everything she had done for her twin over the last 21 years.

She just needed to get the message to Robert first.

* * * *

Robert sat at his desk, staring at his favorite picture of
Elizandra. Her multicolored hair was fanned out over the pillow, and she stared up at him with desire drunk hazel eyes, her plump bottom lip caught between her teeth.

It was one of the very few pictures she had allowed him to take, but she was still too blissed out to move, let alone form an argument. He brushed his thumb over her cheek and sighed.

The door opened and Magister Draecyn slipped inside and took a seat across from him. Robert ran his hand over the picture, and it was replaced with a family picture just before Liz and Robert left for the Enforcer’s training program.

“I fear time is running out,”
Draecyn said. “Jarvis is plotting something, and I think your sister may be involved.”

Robert’s eyes closed as he sighed. “What is it now?
Her appearance?”

“You have seen her, haven’t you?”
Draecyn shook his head. “She’s gaunt, her normally vibrant hair is dull, her sparkling eyes look dead and there are deep bruises underneath. Emily has lost too much weight.”

These were all things Robert knew. He just didn’t know how to help since Emily wouldn’t talk about whatever was plaguing her. “Look, as much as I would love to help her, I can’t do anything if she won’t talk to me.”

“Jarvis has been visiting her. Regularly.”

“Unfortunately, I haven’t found evidence of his wrongdoing. No matter how many rumors there are, I have found no one willing to step up and testify, or any hard evidence. I’m still digging, I will find it.” Robert sat back in his seat.

“All right. I trust you will.” Draecyn stepped out of the office as Preston rushed in.

“
Draecyn,” Preston said, tipping his head as he fell into the seat the Magister had just left.

The door shut and Robert asked.
“Everything okay?”

Preston leaned forward with arched brows. “Emily was driving up your driveway this morning. I know she hates that place because she’s convinced i
t’s tainted by Liz’s presence.”

“It’s her house too.” Robert shrugged, not knowing what
else to say. Of course, it was weird. She hadn’t set foot in the house in 22 years. “Look, if you want to complain about her health, I don’t know what to tell you. She won’t talk to me.”

“I could talk to her,” Preston sneered, “even if I can’t stand her snotty attitude.”

“No. She’ll talk when she’s ready.”

Preston changed the subject.
“So, no leads?”

“Unfortunately not.
Why? You have something? I know you want Jarvis to pay.”

“I’m going to bust his ass, and I’m going to laugh when that
slimebag answers for his crimes. I may be a womanizer at times, but I respect women. I don’t abuse them.”

Robert nodded. “I know. I never said you did. I need lunch. You want to come along? I have something I want to check, but I can’t call it a lead yet.

“Yeah, let’s go.”

* * * *

Feeling had slowly trickled back into James’ withered limbs. He heard the chanting and his lids snapped open to find Jarvis standing over him.

Jarvis looked older, much older than he remembered. The bastard never did have the power most of the mages did, and yet James knew he was still climbing ranks. What he lacked in power, he made up for in persuasion and manipulation.

James sat up with a glare. “Took you long enough.”

“I assumed the great James
McCallister would wake up without any outside help. Though, I suppose 21 years in a forced coma would weaken anyone.” Jarvis shook his head, an evil smirk twisting his features. “Does that mean you’ll want help dealing with Emily?”