Fractured Darkness: A YA Fantasy Adventure (The Age of Alandria Book 3)

  Contents

  Title ebook

  Copyright ebook

  Dedication

  Book List

  Thank You

  Map of Alandria*

  Prologue

  - Chapter One

  - Chapter Two

  - Chapter Three

  - Chapter Four

  - Chapter Five

  - Chapter Six

  - Chapter Seven

  - Chapter Eight

  - Chapter Nine

  - Chapter Ten

  - Chapter Eleven

  - Chapter Twelve

  - Chapter Thirteen

  - Chapter Fourteen

  - Chapter Fifteen

  - Chapter Sixteen

  - Chapter Seventeen

  - Chapter Eighteen

  - Chapter Nineteen

  - Chapter Twenty

  - Chapter Twenty-One

  - Chapter Twenty-Two

  - Chapter Twenty-Three

  - Chapter Twenty-Four

  - Chapter Twenty-Five

  - Chapter Twenty-Six

  - Chapter Twenty-Seven

  - Chapter Twenty-Eight

  - Chapter Twenty-Nine

  - Chapter Thirty

  - Chapter Thirty-One

  - Chapter Thirty-Two

  - Chapter Thirty-Three

  - Chapter Thirty-Four

  - Chapter Thirty-Five

  - Chapter Thirty-Six

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Glossary

  A Special Treat

  Descent Excerpt

  Myst Excerpt

  Stay Tuned

  Fractured Darkness

  The Age of Alandria Book Three

  By

  Morgan Wylie

  Fractured Darkness

  Published by Red Cabin Publishing

  Spokane, WA

  Copyright © 2015 Morgan Wylie

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.

  This novel is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events; to real people, living or dead; or to real locales are intended only to give the fiction a sense of reality and authenticity. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and their resemblance, if any, to real-life counterparts is entirely coincidental.

  E-book edition 2015

  Fractured Darkness edited by Christine LePorte

  Cover Art and Typography by Phatpuppy Art and The Bookish Brunette

  This is an Advanced Review Copy. Sections of this project are still in final rounds of edits. There will be mistakes that hopefully will be remedied for the final version at publication.

  To my husband, you’re my lobster and I’m in love with you more each day.

  To my daughter, dream big because you will make it happen.

  To the readers, you give my words flight.

  The Age of Alandria series:

  Silent Orchids (The Age of Alandria: Book One)

  Veiled Shadows (The Age of Alandria: Book Two)

  Daegan (The Age of Alandria: Companion Novella 2.5)

  Fractured Darkness (The Age of Alandria: Book Three)

  The Rise of the Paladin (A Short Story Prequel)~FREE with newsletter signup!

  The Age of Alandria: Book Four- 2017

  Don’t miss out! Join the Journey with Morgan today!

  Newsletter of Enchanted Journeys

  Also By Morgan Wylie:

  RYLEN (The Tangled Web Book 1)

  MATHER (The Tangled Web Book 2) 2016

  Supernatural Chronicles: The Necromancers

  (A New Orleans Collection Novella)

  Thank You...

  Thank You, to YOU, the reader!!

  My husband, Steven, once again this story wouldn’t be all that it has become without your creative insight and genius, your long hours of revisions and discussions, and your perspective. You inspire me, challenge me, and encourage me to be the best version of me I can be even when I struggle to remember who that is. You are my hero and my partner. You are your own badass and you are mine. Thank you. And to my daughter, you are too young to understand all this now, but know that I continue pursuing my dreams so that you know you can pursue yours. My family, you have been an incredible support and encouragement. I love you all.

  To my critique partners and friends, Gaby and Kallie, your critiques, insights, challenges, and encouragements have been invaluable and I am a better writer and person because of it. #LoveWriteCreate all the way baby!

  And my mom, for believing in me and actually enjoying my books, lol. It means more to me than you know. I also appreciate the text comments as you read and the typo updates ;)

  Also, my writing friends: you are my inspirations and my heroes. Thank you for your encouragement and support: Chelsea Fine, Quinn Loftis, Lizzy Ford, Julia Crane, Samantha Young, S.M. Boyce, Teal Haviland, Jamie Magee, Heather Hildenbrand, and so many others!

  To my beta readers: Tina, Barb, Tiff, Jackie, Jessica, and Maria, thank you for your thoughts, opinions, excitement, and all the spreading the love that you do! You are my rock stars!

  Once again, the creative geniuses behind the face of this book: Claudia at PhatpuppyArt for her cover art, and Ashley at The Bookish Brunette for her beautiful fonts and layout. Thank you both! You are AMAZING!

  Also, to Eden Crane Design for all her work creating symbols to define each race (coming to my website: morganwylie.net).

  And to my editor, Christine LePorte, thank you once again for catching all my mistakes and making my words flow.

  To Bill Morgan, thank you for bringing Alandria visually to life. Your map is gorgeous! But what else could I expect with such a great name ;)

  Writing can be a solitary and lonely endeavor at times, but it doesn’t have to be. I am extremely grateful to have a team and community of people that can inspire me to be the best version of me as I continue on my journey, and that can help me make my book and my story the best it can be. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.

  PROLOGUE

  Exhile

  The Land of the Unforgiven Dead

  “Maleina has failed me.”

  The woman residing inside the mountain—the one known to those who know of her only as She—turned from her scrying pool nestled in a cradle of rock. Hundreds of lit torches floating all around the cave reflected dancing flames in her eyes. It was striking against the creamy, smooth complexion of her face, both pure beauty and pure evil. Her jet black hair, long and flowy and half pulled back draped down her backside, swished as she slowly turned and gazed fondly at something up in the corner of her craggy residence. Red eyes appeared out of the dark, where there was not more than a crevice in the rock.

  “Not yet, my pet. Our timing must be precise,” she crooned, responding to a silent plea. Drumming her long, graceful fingers tipped with the colors of fire and blood on her nails against her chin, She was deep in thought. “The warrior being freed will only be a minor diversion from the plan. The girl gaining access to the core of her power—that could pose a problem. The girl is all that matters. We must get her here, out of Alandria.” A devious smirk began to cool the fires of her eyes, returning them to the solid black of their unnatural state. An altered plan was taking shape in her mind.

  �
��Perhaps your time will come sooner than I had planned, my pet. All I ask is a little more patience from your kind.” The creature that was of the Droch-Shúil slithered like a ghostly snake from one corner of the cave to another, slowly making its way closer to its master. She patiently waited until her “pet” was close enough that she could almost touch it. Extending her hand, palm out, She allowed it to come to her, displaying its loyalty.

  The Droch-Shúil approached her like a shy puppy, then nuzzled her hand while wrapping the rest of its darkness seductively around her. The woman closed her eyes, allowing the cool shadows of darkness to rub against her, to seep into her very being, and fuel the fire already burning deep within her. She took as it gave, leeching the power of its darkness to feed her magic. Taking a deep breath, inhaling through her nose, She absorbed all she could. Her eyelids fluttered with euphoria before opening once again revealing eyes now two glowing orbs of power. Eerily, she looked to the creature made of shadow and darkness. Bending toward it, She coaxed it closer to her face.

  “It is time to visit our guests. The Orchids have been busy in my absence. They need a reminder of who is Queen in this land.” The Droch-Shúil untangled itself from around the woman, floating to one of the walls of the cavernous room used for her rituals, then dissipated into it, becoming one with it.

  She sashayed toward the opening in the cave. The walls of the interior were smooth, but the edges in the doorway were rough, sharp, and jagged. Placing her hand on one wall, She infused a measure of her most recent accrual of power into the rock itself. Her magic allowed her to mix the dark energies of the Droch-Shúil with the essence of not only the mountain, but the land in Exhile as well, strengthening her bond with it.

  Satisfied that it had been done, the mistress of darkness stood straight, basking in the heady remainder of the magical energies swirling about her. She smoothed her hands down the front of her stomach to her thighs, habitually removing nonexistent wrinkles. It was a memory lost to time, but the actions remained. Her long black dress clung tightly against the shape of her body. She was an attractive woman, appearing in her forties by mortal years, but the obsidian depths of her eyes spoke of agelessness... and darkness; the two seemed at odds on her. There was a part of her that clung to a memory of blue skies, wheat fields as far as the eye could see, and the warm smell of baked apple pie. She did not always know if it was a real memory or something she had seen through a soul that had slipped through with the transference of dark magic between her and the Droch-Shúil. Something warmed her chest when She thought on it, but quickly squelched the feeling... because those kinds of feelings only brought pain, pain she didn’t have time for. The intense darkness of the cave enveloped her as she disappeared through the tunnel in the mountain. She had Orchids to deal with.

  CHAPTER ONE

  “It’s open!” Finn shouted as the shimmering veil in front of the cave wall stretched and pulled into a shape large enough for a person to step through.

  Chel sighed with frustration. “Let’s get going. Who knows how long it will be open and I, for one, do not want to have to live in here until I die, which let’s face it might not be that long because I might shift and take one of you poor souls out and then you’d have to kill me.”

  “Chel, stop rambling and help Kaeleigh get up,” Finn instructed as he examined the opening.

  “I’m fine,” Kaeleigh said breathlessly as she sat up, attempting to get up on her own. She swatted Chel’s hand away trying to prove a point, which earned her a glare from her best friend. Softening her countenance, she was about to allow Chel to help when a strong hand reached under one of her elbows and pulled her swiftly to her feet without giving her the chance. As he held her arm steady, she gained her balance and turned to see Daegan’s impassive face. It was as if he was not even truly seeing her, but instead he—once again—wore a mask of undeterred guardianship. Kaeleigh’s heart sunk. She thought they were past that.

  Looking unfazed into his eyes, she said the thing that weighed on her most heavily. “He’s dead.” A tear built up in the corner of her eye. Spilling over, it trailed down her cheek. “Hunter... he’s dead. I saw it. In there, in the light, I saw it.” Her voice wavered as a sob threatened to choke her. Daegan’s face fell and his eyes softened. Regret passed over his gaze.

  “I am sorry, Kaeleighnna,” Daegan whispered, wiping away her tear before it fell from her jaw. Kaeleigh’s lower lip quivered, threatening to break her. But not here. They needed to get to somewhere safe.

  “We must go now,” Finn demanded roughly, not sure what to do with the emotion of the situation.

  Chel flipped Finn off, lovingly of course, then wrapped Kaeleigh in a tight embrace, whispering words of love and strength. Kaeleigh took a deep breath and hugged Chel tightly in response. “We have each other,” Chel uttered into Kaeleigh’s hair.

  They moved to follow Daegan as he stood at the veil they hoped to be their exit out of the dark and damp cave that had not only been their prison, but their shelter.

  “Have we been granted permission to freely leave, Kaeleigh?” Aidón spoke from the shadow of the far cave wall. He had been so quiet, simply watching.

  Kaeleigh turned to him and looked into his eyes, really looking unabashedly like she was searching for something. “Yes, I will explain, but we are free to leave. Sacrifices have been made and more will be required, whatever that means, but for now we are free.”

  He reached out to gently place his hand on her forearm. “It is regrettable about your grandfather. I am sorry for your loss.” His voice caught with emotion as he turned and walked straight through the veil without hesitance.

  Watching the entire interaction, the others looked at each other and then back to Kaeleigh.

  “Well, let’s get out of here.” Kaeleigh pulled herself together and gestured for someone to lead the way. Daegan went first.

  Finn turned to her. “You all right, Kae?”

  She looked to him thoughtfully and nodded. “I will be. You knew him as well, probably more than anyone here, right? I’m sorry, Finn.” She reached for his hand and gave it a squeeze.

  “Maybe.” Finn frowned. “Will you tell us how it happened?”

  “Let’s get out of here first. We can talk later.”

  ✧✧✧

  They walked in silence for quite a ways, stepping lightly and moving like shadows between the side of the mountain and the shelter of the trees. Constantly aware of any and every movement around them, they were almost afraid to breathe lest they draw the attention of those who sought them.

  Daegan, in the lead, paused with his hand held behind him, halting everyone following. Chel grabbed Kaeleigh’s hand. Kaeleigh took in everyone around her: Daegan at the front, Aidón in front of her, Chel by her side, and Finn trailing behind them, constantly turning to ensure no one followed.

  Taking a step forward to whisper something, Kaeleigh stepped on a twig that she didn’t see and snap. Daegan shot fierce, reprimanding eyes on her carelessness. Kaeleigh flinched. No one moved for several seconds, waiting for anything to move that should not be there. When there was nothing, Daegan signaled to move forward.

  The silence was maddening. Kaeleigh looked to Chel with crazed eyes like she might explode, then signaled toward Daegan and made choking gestures with her hands. Chel couldn’t help but to stifle a giggle. Kaeleigh smiled at her friend’s momentary relief. No one else could hear it, but when Kaeleigh heard Finn silently snort she turned back towards him with a smirk. He simply lifted the side of his mouth in a hint of amusement before he turned back around to survey the forest behind them. There was nothing in sight but trees and more trees: big ones, thin ones, young ones, old ones.

  Kaeleigh took deep breaths to calm her anxious energy. Thinking on everything that had occurred, she got lost in her mind. So much had happened. She didn’t even know how much time had passed since they had been in that cave but it didn’t seem like it could have been more than a day. The light of day was now fading into twilig
ht and it was easier to blend into the surroundings of the forest, but it also meant more shadows, natural or otherwise, and they still gave Kaeleigh chills. She reflected on how Daegan had risked everything to free them from their prison within the rock. She knew he could never go home and it was because of her. Seeing him tortured internally, struggling on the ground after they were freed, tore something deep inside her. Feeling his pain as her magic infiltrated him had broken her heart. She had been given a glimpse into his soul. She felt closer and more tied to him somehow. Too bad he didn’t seem to feel it as well.

  For a brief moment, Daegan looked back, his deep brown eyes finding hers. They were not questioning, but openly aware as if he sensed where her thoughts had been. Perhaps he had. Or perhaps he could sense the pain and anger, along with sympathy and discouragement, surging within her, stirring her energy both magical and emotional. Unable to talk, he turned back around, leaving her to her own thoughts.

  Kaeleigh watched from behind as he took in everything around him in a very precise and cautious manner. The tense lines of his shoulders, the rounded curves of the strong muscles in his shoulders and biceps, the flex of his fist as one hand gripped his knife, the defined lines in his back that couldn’t help but be followed lower—every move and decision he made was that of a practiced warrior. It was natural. She envied his strength and confidence. Her fingers itched to run up the back of his neck strained with tension and into the blue-black waves that were now starting to grow out from his head longer than when she first met him.

  Whoa, Kaeleigh, rein it in! Kind of have a focused situation going on here. Yes, he is a dream, but why can’t I think about this at a more appropriate time? She talked mentally to herself often at the most inappropriate times. If only we could talk, my mind wouldn’t wander so much. I want to believe that what I see in his eyes is because he cares.