Chapter 32

6 Months Later

"Ican't believe they chose us," Avalon muttered from my side.

"Oh, love, you've spent the last six months tirelessly building up Isramorta. The homes, buildings, and infrastructure alone have been amazing."

"But in this outfit? I don't know why I can't wear my old armor." He pulled at his collar, then tugged at his sleeves. I thought he looked hot as hell in his black shirt and pants. His boots were polished to a bright shine and a long black cloak hung from his shoulders, held there by a thick silver chain.

"You look amazing."

"I'm the one who's supposed to be saying that to you." He pressed a light kiss to my lips. "Are you ready?"

"As I'll ever be." I straightened out my own cloak and the silver clasps that held it on my shoulders. I wore a formfitting corseted top and tight pants. My boots were still the ones that Linford had given me when I first arrived. It almost felt like they were a touch just to remind me of who I was and who I would always be.

He took my hand and together we walked down a path that'd been worn through the mountainside from the work that'd commenced. When we got to the wide-open area, all our demons stood waiting for the two of us. Varan and Rhode were in the front row waiting for us. We walked hand in hand up the steps to the foundation of what would be our sacred temple. Avalon had already gotten the stones laid for the floor, and all that was left was to build the rest of it.

When we got to the center of the structure, a bright white light appeared. When it dissipated, Abba stood before us. Her long purple hair hung down past her shoulders, and she wore that beautiful white toga-like dress. Her lavender eyes lingered over Avalon and me.

"Good to see you've taken my advice on building a temple."

I smiled. I loved having all the demons here united together and able to gather in one place. No more were they hungry or in need of shelter. They were thriving with the help of each other and the vampires. "It is a good place to start."

"No, this is." Abba opened her hands and two crowns appeared there, hovering in the air.

One, this one more delicate-looking than the other, hovered over my head. It had five thick, dark gray metal horns that curved inward. Petals covered it, as did five stones, one representing each of the elements. They were fiery red, earthy green, delicate blue, dusty brown, and glowing purple. The other more masculine one had thick points standing straight. Tiny spikes wound around each of the spikes, and he too had stones to match my own.

"It is not easy to stand in the light when one prefers the dark. It is not easy to find love where there has been loss. It is not easy to step against what is known and stand for what is right. But time allows for one to walk in the light. Time will let love grow. Time always reveals what is right. And in this age and in this hour, the demons have spoken, and you have been chosen to rule in your strength and wisdom."

She let the crowns drop down on our heads, and they all broke out into cheers and claps. I'd lost the life I thought I was meant for only to find the one I was born to live. Here with Avalon by my side and my sister just over the mountain, I found my life, my love, and my forever. A sense of completion overcame me, and peace settled deep in my soul.

"I now crown you King and Queen of Isramorta!"

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We hopeyou are loving our shared world Forgotten Kingdoms! To continue the fun check out this amazing art and first chapter for "Of Shadows Fae" by Jen L. Grey! COVER REVEAL TO COME! Keep going for a sneak peek at chapter one!

Of Shadows Fae

Chapter 1

Jen L. Grey

Despite the hot desert temperature,a chill ran down my spine. The hairs on the nape of my neck rose. It'd been that way since I left my room at the Horseshoe Las Vegas hotel. Someone in the congested crowd on Las Vegas Boulevard this Halloween night was watching me. I scanned the Strip, the bright lights damn near blinding as I searched for the culprit, the sensation reconfirming what I'd already known.

I never should've come here.

Stan, my mentor and the closest thing I'd ever had to a father, always told me to trust my instincts. That if more people did, they'd avoid a lot of the bad shit that happened to them.

I hated being around this many people. Sweat pooled in my armpits, and every fiber of my being urged me to run away. I'd much rather be alone, or wrestling with Stan, or punching a damn beanbag instead of being out here in this.

A woman stumbled into me and spilled beer on the pig onesie costume I'd selected for the party. The liquid darkened the pink belly section, drenching me down to my underwear.

Lovely. Now I was going to smell like sweat and stale yeast. This night was already a disaster, and I hadn't even made it to the hotel yet. Instead, I was caught in a cement hell, with lights that were too harsh to be comforting and people who reeked of body odor and alcohol bumping into me. My head screamed at me to get away.

Everywhere I looked, I sensed danger, an impending doom that threatened to swallow me whole. The sensation had started as an inkling, when I'd received a random golden ticket to a casino Halloween party in the mail. The invitation had been sent to me with Stan's community gym as my address, which was correct…but no one except Stan and me knew that.

To add even more pieces to the ever-growing puzzle, my friend Ember, who worked out at the gym, had received one too. She brought her best friend, Isa, along since they were inseparable. If it weren't for their harassment, I wouldn't have agreed to come. But they'd gotten Stan on me, informing him of what we'd received. He'd encouraged me to go, saying, This might be the only opportunity you have to get out of Nashville for a few days. And hell, Ivy, it's an all-expenses paid trip.

I'd caught a later flight than Ember and Isa and decided I wouldn't stay at the hotel room at the casino, expense paid or not, much to my friends' displeasure. I'd learned growing up, if something sounded too good to be true, it was. This was no exception.

Something inside me had screamed at me not to go, while another part of me couldn't wait. The couldn't-wait part scared me. Being rash and doing things out of the ordinary was how people got in trouble. And trouble was one thing I always avoided. I'd rather stay at the gym and teach kids how to defend themselves so they'd never get into trouble like I had.

The glistening gold doors of the Portal Resort and Casino caught my attention just as my phone dinged a special tone. I didn't have to look to know who it was. Hell, she was the one who'd programmed her number and selected her ringtone when she'd pushed me to come.

Ember: Ho, were r u? Isa left me alone and drink. At farty bar.

My stomach clenched. A fucking farty bar? Not only was I somewhere I didn't feel comfortable, but now I had to deal with a drunk Ember and stench. That was going to be fun.

Not bothering to answer, since she probably wouldn't be able to read the text anyway, I put the phone back in my pocket and removed my golden ticket, then forced myself to move forward. The hotel seemed almost familiar, though I couldn't have said why.

Taking a deep breath, I clutched the door handle…and that prickly sensation of being watched washed over me again. The sort of sensation I used to get when I'd lived in foster homes, right before something went horribly wrong.

My phone dinged with the same tone, and my heartbeat quickened. What if Ember was in trouble, and this was her way of calling me for help?

Exhaling, I opened the door and stepped into the lobby. And stopped in my tracks. I'd never been in a place so beautiful. The high ceiling was covered with metallic golden tiles that reflected the twinkling lights and dazzled my senses. The lobby was packed, everyone in costumes, laughing with drinks in hand.

I searched for someone to show my ticket it to, but no one was there. Everyone was laughing and having a good time, and people walked in from behind me without pause. Maybe the ticket was for the food and room here, and not the actual party? Either way, I was in, so now I needed to find Ember and Isa.

I homed in on the woman behind the hotel reception desk, trying to ignore the gorgeous stained-glass pyramid behind her that separated us from the casino. If Ember was in trouble, I needed to find her now.

As I approached, the young woman lifted a brow and smirked before hiding her reaction. She cleared her throat. "How can I help you?" There was a little bit of humor woven into her tone

If she thought I looked funny in a beer-stained pig onesie, I couldn't wait to see her reaction to my question. Lifting my chin high to at least try to appear confident, I said, "I'm looking for the farty bar." I waved my ticket in front of her face, wanting this interaction over as quickly as possible.

"Excuse me?" She blinked and coughed, trying to cover up her laughter. She hadn't even blinked at my ticket.

Clearly there was no farty bar. At least that made the chance of this night not being a complete disaster marginally better. "My friend is drunk and sent me a text." I showed her the message.

"Oh." She mashed her lips together. "She must mean the Fairy Bar. That's the closest thing to it. It's to the left, past the elevators. Go outside and follow the stone path."

"Thanks."

A few people glanced in my direction as I walked beneath an archway lined with glowing pink lights and past the elevators. A tall, stocky guy stood rigidly beside one elevator. His black suit, pressed and starched, made him look young. He was so still that I would've believed he was a wax statue if not for his warm cognac-brown eyes and thick hair the rich color of tree bark.

When our gazes locked, a frigid chill of warning ran through me, and my legs almost gave out. His stare had my heart racing and jumping against my ribs, the way a predator gleams at its pray. Something was familiar about him, but somehow, that added to the creepiness to him.

Either this place was dangerous, or I was letting my paranoia get the best of me.

Facing forward, I tried to ignore the urge to run. If I needed to protect myself, I had a knife strapped to my thigh.

To the left, past the elevators, a glass door led outside to a stone walkway, as the receptionist had promised. Lights lined the cobblestones, and plants and trees arched over the path. More lights hung from the trees, beckoning me through the darkness.

When I stepped onto the pathway, the fresh scents of dirt and trees loosened my shoulders. I was alone out here, and finally I could breathe. About ten yards away, I saw an archway of lights and headed toward it.

As I strolled under the calming lights, that damn shiver coursed through me once more. I picked up my pace and glanced over my shoulder, only to see no one behind me.

I couldn't shake the sensation of being watched. I needed to hurry and find Ember and Isa.

When I heard the thudding bass and the laughter, I knew I was close. My legs moved faster and faster until I was jogging, and then a silver glistening dome-like structure appeared. The top was all glass, so you could probably see the skyline from within, and large arched windows offered more views from each angle of the building. It was gorgeous, but what was in front had me stumbling to a halt. Numerous pink roses lined the pathway, and a pool of water glimmered right in front, splitting the path into two. This place would have brought me peace…if I didn't still feel I was in danger.

I sucked in a breath, enjoying the scent of roses, then continued down one side of the path until I stepped into the bar, the loud music blaring "Low" by Flo Rida. A group of women including Isa were dancing in the center of the massive open floor, and others sat at tables around the edges. To the right was a wooden bar that almost blended into the background. I might not have seen it if not for the long-ass line of people waiting to get drinks.

And once more, no one asked for my ticket. Strange.

I scanned the area for Ember, fighting the urge to run back outside to the roses. I found her in a dark corner with a red drink in hand, staring at two mirrors hanging on the wall. As I approached, I realized they were actually framed paintings.

Ember swirled her drink with a small, red straw and tapped her black boots against the smooth, tile floor. I beamed when I reached her side, but she was leaning toward one picture, oblivious that I'd arrived.

"Not drinking whiskey, huh?" I tilted my head, watching her face.

Her head snapped in my direction, and her eyes bulged. She bent down, no doubt going for the knife she kept in her boot, and damn near toppled over.

A rare snort escaped me as I grabbed her arm, steadying her.

"You bish," she gasped, attempting to clutch her chest but snagging her boob instead. "You scarrred me."

Yeah, she was drunk. "Well, you did tell me to come join you at the farty bar, so you know, shit happens." I was never going to let her live that one down.

"Ew." She wrinkled her nose. "No waay. I sid Fary Bar." She straightened and took a wobbly step back. "Wut's that smeel… and wut are you weawing?"

"A costume. Unlike you." I gestured to her flattering little black dress that covered just enough to make her even more mysterious and alluring.

"Don't celerberate." She shoved her glass into my hand and continued, "You know dat. I'm gonna ‘et a drunk. Be rit back."

Before I could tell her that she still had half a glass, she swayed off, bumping into people on her way to the bar.

I took a sip of the fruity drink and downed more than I intended, enjoying the sweet taste as I watched her join the long line.

She'd be there for a while, and I was in the perfect spot—a somewhat dark corner with no one close by. The only annoyance was the blaring music.

Not wanting to watch people dance, I examined the mirror paintings. There were two, side by side, both equally beautiful in different ways.

The one Ember had been staring at was an image of the night sky with glowing trees underneath. I wasn't surprised, because Ember had always had an affinity for the sky, just like I did the sun. Being in darkness never felt natural to me, unless I was trying to hide from a crowd.

When I moved to the next one, my lungs seized. The painting was exquisite. The sky was a bright blue with a few fluffy white clouds hovering over a thick field of wildflowers in an open section of the woods. I'd give almost anything to be there, lying in the flowers, glancing at the sun.

With my free hand, I reached out to touch the painting, but when my fingers should've touched the canvas, they disappeared inside the artwork.

I jerked my hand back. Damn. How strong was this drink? It hadn't tasted strong, maybe because it was full of sugar and fruit.

My body tensed just as someone ran into me, hard.

I stumbled, trying to use the wall to catch my balance, and a strong arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me against a chest that could've been a damn brick wall.

"What the fuck!" I exclaimed, trying to wriggle out of the stranger's arms, but his hold was too damn strong. When I glanced up at his face, I froze.

It was the man I'd sensed watching me as I passed him in the lobby.

This couldn't be a coincidence.

A scream lodged in my throat, but it was as if I'd forgotten how to make a noise.

The corners of his mouth tipped upward, as if he was enjoying my fear. With his other hand, he brushed my arm, and then took my drink and released me. "Careful. You're going to spill your beverage."

I didn't like anyone I didn't know and trust touching me or my drink. I reached for it, and he countered my move, waving a hand along my front and taking a sip.

I wanted to punch him, but that might have been his intention, so I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. When I opened them, he was adjusting his jacket with his free hand.

"Interesting outfit." He tilted his head, a cocky smirk locking in place. Somehow, it made him even more handsome, despite the unease slamming through me.

Placing my hands on my hips, I leaned back on the heels of my sneakers. "At least I attempted to dress up. What are you supposed to be?"

"You call that dressing up?" He grinned and took another sip. "I think we have completely different definitions of the concept."

I didn't want his germs all over my glass, so I grabbed for it once again. This time, he released it, and I clutched it to my chest.

I stepped away from him, needing distance. I'd leave, but I didn't want Ember coming back to this creep.

"Is that all you wanted?" I managed to keep my voice steady. There was something both familiar and odd about him. Like he didn't quite belong here, and that was why he was focusing on me. "To insult my pig onesie?"

His brows furrowed. "Pig? That's what it's called?"

I rolled my eyes. He was pompous and a prick. "It's a fucking onesie, made to fit an adult." I pulled up my hood, so he could see the embroidered face and pink ears, cheeks, and nose. "You can tell this way."

"Interesting." He snickered.

If he didn't walk away, I'd stab him. And then I'd get thrown in jail, and then Stan would have to drive all the way here from Nashville to bail me out. "Great conversation, but I need to find my friend who's waiting on me." Technically, it wasn't a lie, and even if it was, it didn't matter. I needed to get away from him, and the sooner the better.

He leaned forward, and the scent of fresh-cut grass swirled around me. "I'll see you soon, Alina."

"You have me mistaken for someone else." I spun around, unable to fight the urge to get away anymore.

I expected him to follow, but when I looked over my shoulder, he remained in front of the painting I'd been looking at before he ran into me. I couldn't help but wonder if it was on purpose.

I had to get Ember and Isa so I could talk them into moving to a different section of the casino, if not leaving all together.

Throat parched, I put the glass to my lips and tilted my head back, the liquid soothing my raw throat, though it tasted slightly bitter. I placed the empty glass on a vacant table and strolled toward Ember once more.

After a few steps, the world spun, and I had to slow my pace.

That drink was strong. No wonder Ember was plastered.

I reached out and ran my hand along the smooth wall, needing it for balance.

Darkness blurred my vision.

My brain fogged, but one clear thought rang in my head. I've been drugged.

I never should've come here.

As my eyes closed, strong arms circled my waist. I wanted to punch or scream, but I couldn't move or make a sound. All this time, I'd made sure that I never lost control… I always stayed aware and knew what was happening to me, unlike so many of my friends, but all that slipped away like water through fingers.

The strange man whispered in my ear, "It's time to take you home."

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