Disclaimer: None of the work in Reading With Star belongs to me. The author owns all right to the book. They have given me permission to share a bit of their work with you.

KILLER FICTION by Rosemary Willhide 

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Killer Fiction: A small-town murder mystery with big secrets (A Hope Ridge Mystery Book 1)

When a phone rings in the middle of the night, it usually spells trouble.

For best-selling author, Caroline Carter this is no exception.

Before Caroline’s cell jolts her awake, her biggest issue is her current bout of writer’s block. From the second she answers the call in her California home, everything unravels.

Her half-sister, Kaitlin has been brutally murdered and the police only have one suspect, her brother, Jamie.

It forces Caroline to go back to a place she loathes, her home town, Hope Ridge.

Hope Ridge, Pennsylvania is a small town where nothing ever happens. Everyone knows your name—and your business. In Hope Ridge, everyone knows the reason why Caroline has been running away for over twenty years.

Her past is complicated. Her family is complicated . . . and her family secrets could be deadly.

Tiktok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMe6vdMt2/

Excerpt:

When I slumped back in my chair the reality of Kaitlin’s murder sunk in. I was so distraught over Jamie being arrested, I hadn’t fully absorbed that there was a killer out there and they took her life. Someone killed my sister. She was dead.

“Uh, Caroline, you okay?”

“Yeah. I think it’s all catching up with me. You know, Kaitlin. I mean we weren’t close. Which is my fault. I never made an effort and now . . . Who would want her dead? None of this makes any sense.”

“In all my years of law enforcement, I haven’t seen anything like this.”

“I can’t believe I didn’t ask you sooner. You mentioned you found the murder weapon close to Jamie’s car. What was it? A gun? Because he’s afraid of guns.”

“Nah, it was an old wrench. The preliminary report from the field says it was blunt force trauma to the back of her skull and she had a grocery bag over her head. So, they’re thinking the killer struck her and then suffocated her, but here’s the strangest part.”

As Sheriff Brady spoke my head spun. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. It was as if I knew what he was going to say before he uttered another syllable.

At the exact same time, we said, “They cut off all the fingers on her right hand.” The Sheriff leaned forward. “How did you know that?”

“I wrote that. It’s from one of my books.”

“Someone murdered my sister, and wanted my brother to take the fall. I wouldn’t rest until the real killer was behind bars.”

A small-town murder mystery with big secrets.

Note From Star:

I hope you enjoyed a glimpse of Killer Fiction. Please consider clicking the link above and grabbing a copy of this book.

Have an excerpt you want to share? Contact me at nikkiereads@starsbooksandtea.com so we can discuss it!

Disclaimer: None of the work in Reading With Star belongs to me. The author owns all right to the book. They have given me permission to share a bit of their work with you.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to circumstances, today’s author needed to be rescheduled. Not wanting anybody to miss out on something special, I decided to share something I wrote a few years ago. I was originally going to share something I wrote for NANO in 2015, but I chickened out. I still need to get back into that and polish it and see what happens. This is something I wrote shortly after I came out. I wrote it in hopes that somebody would read it and not go through the same struggles as I did through my life. People in this piece may or may not be real. Names aren’t the same for the people who are real.

On the outside, Shanna seemed like a very happy and well-balanced individual. Nobody could see the pain she faced. Nobody knew that she struggled with fears and depression every single day. Not even those close to her. Throughout the years, many people walked out of her life because they didn’t understand her. They didn’t know the real her.
When Shanna was nine, she experienced her very first crush. The realization humiliated and shamed her. Her first crush was on a girl. Her family was very religious. They practiced a very Southern Baptist faith. Knowing her family would never understand how she felt, she forced herself to pretend she didn’t feel the crush.
As time went on, she found herself crushing on many girls. She pushed the feelings back every time. She discovers that she also has crushes on boys too. So, she focuses her attention on that instead. She didn’t care if she pushed too far. It helped. At least for awhile.
When Shanna turned 14, she started high school. It had been a year since she felt a crush for any girl. She thought that maybe it was a phase in her life that she was over. She was relieved. She focused on her schoolwork and making friends. She was happy and comfortable. She discovered that she enjoyed writing poetry after learning about it in English.
Midway through the semester, there was a new girl in her science class. Her name was Grace. Shanna knew the moment that they locked eyes that this girl was special. She knew that what she had felt since she was nine years old wasn’t just a phase. Locking eyes with Grace, she knew that this would be harder to just shrug off.
Grace and Shanna spent a lot time passing notes for the remainder of the school year. They became very good friends. Shanna was sure that Grace felt the same for her that she did, but she was too afraid to ask. She wasn’t ready to cross that line still. She was still worried about what her family would think of her. Every time she and Grace touched, she felt a rush through her body that. She couldn’t describe the feeling and she did her best to fight off the urge to shiver.
At the end of the year, Grace moved away. Shanna was heartbroken. She never got the nerve to say how she really felt, but she knew that she loved Grace. She cherished every single letter she got from Grace and read them over and over. Now, she’d never see Grace again. Never get the courage to tell her how she really felt.
Years went by, Shanna constantly fought off any crushes she had on girls. She dated guys that she really cared about. She was happy, but she never really felt whole. She spent quite a few years wondering about Grace and what had happened to her. She felt restless. The happier she felt with who she was, the sadder she felt about what she wasn’t.
When she was seventeen, she finally let her guard down. She met a lovely girl named Tammy who she really liked. They got close. Tammy was her first girl kiss. Sadly, her stepmother caught the kiss and forbid Shanna ever speak to Tammy again. She was crushed. She realized she’d never be able to fully be who she felt inside she was.
Shanna decided to move forward with her life. She decided to stop pursuing any relationships and focus on her senior year. Her senior year she meets a girl named Lacey who she realizes she has strong feelings for. She also admires Lacey greatly.
Lacey was everything Shanna felt like she could never be. She was confident. She was happy. She let herself follow her urges and desires and didn’t care what anybody thought about her. Many people would consider Lacey a bad influence as well as other things. Shanna never thought that. She thought Lacey was amazing.
Shanna and Lacey became the best of friends. They spent a lot of time in between classes that year. They walked each other to classes holding hands. They became surrounded by a group of friends who they adored. It was great. Shanna felt legitimately happy for the first time in a long time. She wasn’t constantly wondering about the what ifs.
Shanna graduated and never heard from Lacey again. She lost contact with many of the friends she made through school. Feeling depressed, she wound up going to hang out places that were out of her comfort zone. She met a guy there that she thought was wonderful. She would later find out that he was far from wonderful.
After the relationship ended, she spent several years going in and out of brief relationships. She didn’t want to stay with anybody long. She was scared. She didn’t want to be hurt in the way she had. She also didn’t want to come to terms with the fact that she was really into girls. She’d let a few people know about it, but still wasn’t ready to fully come out.
When Shanna turned twenty-seven, she met a wonderful man named Zane. Somebody she didn’t think existed. Somebody who had more in common with her than she ever thought would be possible. For almost five years, they were very happy, but as time went on, she started feeling like a huge part of her was missing. Not wanting to ruin things like she always did, she suppressed these feelings.
She kept suppressing these feelings for a quite awhile until something major happened to her. Shanna decided to attend an event that she knew would be amazing and good for her. This event was way out of her comfort zone, but she was excited.
It was at this event that she realized she’d never be comfortable in her own skin unless she embraced all of her. She met a girl named Lynn. She and Lynn connected immediately. She wasn’t able to keep her mind off Lynn. Shortly after the event ended, Shanna came out as bisexual. She never felt freer.
Several months after the event, she can’t get her mind of Lynn. She had several discussions with Zane about this. She felt blessed to have him in her life. She could tell him anything and everything and he’d support her. She was free to explore women now thanks to him. They had even talked about having an open relationship to an extent.
Lynn and Shanna kept in touch. Eventually the subject of sexuality came up. It was very deep and heartfelt. Shanna realized she’d never be able to tell Lynn how she really felt. Lynn was very happy in her marriage and family life. She’d never do anything to change that for Lynn.
Lynn and Shanna remained good friends. The conversation that they had never got brought up again. Shanna struggles with herself and where to go from here. She has spent most of her life hiding who she was and now she doesn’t have to. It is a struggle she faces every day.
Shanna spends every day wondering how different her life would have been had she not been afraid to be who she was. She wonders how many people’s life she could impact and change if she tells her story, so they don’t life their life in fear like she did.
Shanna is happy. She has no regrets about how she’s living her life. She looks forward to what her future holds. While she thinks that things would have been drastically different had she been comfortable in her skin much earlier in life, she realizes that it’s not too late to change things.
Shanna’s life isn’t perfect. There are still many things that she could do to improve. She’s happy though. She’s excited about things that will happen in her future. She is confident and hopeful that things will happen her way. She’s confident that she will meet somebody that is the perfect fit for what she’s looking for.
She’s not fully comfortable with herself. She grows more comfortable in her skin every day. She also realizes that not everybody is going to fully accept her for who she is. She’s okay with that. She realized after she came out that those who are meant to be in her life will stay in her life.
One of Shanna’s biggest dreams is that she can tell her story to anybody who will listen. That she can make it known that she is there if anybody needs to reach out. Growing up, Shanna felt alone and scared. She felt she had nobody she could open up to about how she felt. She would never want that for anybody. She will try to help as many people as she can to keep her from feeling the way she did.

Have an excerpt you want to share? Contact me at nikkiereads@starsbooksandtea.com so we can discuss it!

Disclaimer: None of the work in Reading With Star belongs to me. The author owns all right to the book. They have given me permission to share a bit of their work with you.

Release Date: August 29th, 2023

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Twisted
Dark Road Series Book 5
Written by Krys Fenner
© Two Realms Publishing LLC

April 27, 2014

Heather stood there by her brother as he protectively blocked his girlfriend from the federal officers. Not that it was necessary. No, these guys were there for their parents, but she couldn’t tell her brother she knew that. Or that she’d turned them in for their crimes. It was rather satisfying to watch two staunch government officials haul her parents out of the house in handcuffs.
“I feel like I’m missing something, or I’m being punked,” her brother said.
Some small part of her felt bad for hiding this from her brother, but if he’d known what she intended to do, he might’ve tried to stop her. Their parents were horrible people, and they deserved what came to them. The only way to hide her pleased smile was to remain silent.
“I promise you, that’s not the case,” Detective Owen commented. “They have a legitimate warrant to arrest both of your parents for a slew of crimes, including money laundering and embezzlement.”
“I’m sorry, what?” David’s eyes widened.
Her gaze snapped to the detective. Money laundering? How the fuck had that popped up? She and Luis had carefully gone through every shred of evidence they’d found. Nothing amongst those files pointed to money laundering. Had they missed something? No, that couldn’t be the case.
One way to find out.
“You think you know someone.” Heather barely contained a smirk. The things her brother didn’t know about their parents was rather extensive. None of that mattered. Right now, she needed a quick escape. “Excuse me. I’m going to call our lawyer.” Stepping off to the side, she put enough distance between them that no one should be able to overhear her conversation.
It would ruin everything if the FBI discovered how a chunk of their evidence had been obtained. Though apparently, they had gotten more on their own outside of what she’d delivered to them. Glancing over her should, she ensured her privacy and dialed her co-conspirator, Luis. He answered on the second ring.
“Whatever you want, I’m not helping. We agreed to part ways after our work was done,” Luis said before she could get a word in edge wise.
“We did,” Heather whispered. “Except my parents just got arrested.”
“Newsflash. That’s what’s supposed to happen.”
“For money-laundering,” she snapped. Somehow, she got that out without tacking on ‘you, idiot.’ It wasn’t like he could’ve known. Right? She folded her arm across her chest and peered back at her brother, his girlfriend, and the detective. The three of them just stood there as more and more federal officers disappeared inside the house.
“What? That’s not possible. We didn’t find any evidence of that.”
“I know that, but I’m telling you they’ve been arrested for embezzlement and money-laundering.” Though Owen had said there were other charges. Shit. She hadn’t thought about that. What other charges? “We need to meet.”
“Fine,” Luis sighed with exasperation. “When?”
“Two hours. Valley Coffee and Beans.” It wasn’t the most secluded, but it would have to do. They were in a bit of a crunch, with no time to plan anything out. To figure out where it all went wrong, they’d have to go through everything they’d found.
“I’ll be there.”
Good. She didn’t need him to argue or fight with her about this. Yes, they’d broken up months ago and for good reason, but he’d helped her hack her parents’ records and set this up. He needed to see this shit through. “Then I’ll see you soon.” Without another word, Heather disconnected the call.
“Did you get a hold of the lawyer?”
Heather bit her tongue, barely holding her shock in place. She glanced over her shoulder at her brother. Christ, she hadn’t even heard him approach. Maybe she should put a bell around his neck. It would be harder to hide things from him in a smaller living space. Flashing a pearly white smile, she faced David. “Uh, no. It went to voicemail. Of course, it is Sunday, so that could be why.”
“Did you try his cell?”
“I don’t have that. Do you?” If so, why the fuck was she pretending to call the damn lawyer in the first place? Right. The additional charges filed against her parents. Not that it should matter. It simply meant they’d go away for a lot longer than she originally expected. That was fucking great! Unless, of course, something blew back on her and her brother. She definitely didn’t want that. Better to react now rather than later.
“Of course.” David smirked. “Don’t worry. I’ll call the lawyer.”
“Good.” Then she didn’t have to lie to the lawyer. Heather crossed the driveway over to the truck they had mostly loaded. She peered at Detective Russell. “Since you spoke with those agents, did you look at the warrant, too?”
“Yes. Everything is in order on their end. We just need to stay out of their way,” he replied.
“Right.” She eyed the time on her gold watch. Maybe she should’ve told Luis a few hours. Although, did they really have to stay? Heather pursed her lips. “I assume it only mentioned items that belonged to my parents, along with this residence.”
“That’s correct. Are you worried they might find something… illegal?”
“Of course not,” she smirked. Oh, no. She’d moved her and her brother’s electronic devices last night to their new apartment. No way had she intended for feds to get their hands on her equipment. All the stuff she’d paid for with her own money. Well, money from her parents, but they’d deposited those funds into her bank account. Their warrant shouldn’t apply to that, but she refused to take any chances. Right now, she simply needed to focus on getting them out of here.
“Thank you,” David said as he approached the group. He tucked his cell phone into his back pocket. “Alright. Our lawyer says just to hang tight. He’ll be here as quickly as possible.”
“Great,” Heather muttered. “Just great.” She folded her arms across her chest and scrutinized every person who traipsed in and out of their former-home. Someone had to watch them, ensuring they didn’t take anything they weren’t supposed to take. Too bad she hadn’t planned this all a little better. With any luck, once the lawyer got here, they could collect the rest of her brother’s belongings and leave.
Either way, time wasn’t on her side.

Note From Star:

I hope you enjoyed a glimpse of Twisted. Please consider clicking the link above and grabbing a copy of this book. I also fully encourage you to check out the first four books in the series. All of the covers are gorgeous, and the books are intense and addictive.

Have an excerpt you want to share? Contact me at nikkiereads@starsbooksandtea.com so we can discuss it!

Disclaimer: None of the work in Reading With Star belongs to me. The author owns all right to the book. They have given me permission to share a bit of their work with you.

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Static Blurb:

Dear Diary,

I’m not ready for this, not at all. Of course, it doesn’t matter what I’m ready for, life is throwing it at me anyway…literally. After dad vanished, mom moved Holly and me to a new town in Texas where everything is just a bit…more. I thought California was on the cutting edge, but we haven’t seen anything yet and this house is out to prove it to us. Maybe Angie—a Texan version of our fairy godmother—will be able to help us get settled with the Hellhound and the new magic we discover.

Please send help,

Phaedra

Excerpt

Author’s note: Phaedra is pronounced as Fay-druh.

A few days later, I head into the kitchen in the early afternoon. Holly lets out a deep breath, hopping over to the shelf, which now holds the cookbooks that we had brought down. Yes, we had found multiple kinds. Maybe the previous owner, Jacinda, had collected them. The cast on Holly’s lower left leg weighs her down, but she’s not using her crutches. She’s admitted to me she’s tired of them, and I keep catching her going without. Grabbing the shelf prevents her face-plant into the wall. “Gotcha!” 

Book in hand, she turns, facing the space between her and the table and obviously not having noticed me. “Here goes nothing,” she says, lowering into a crouch and preparing to make the first hop. 

“Don’t you dare!” I say firmly. My words make Holly shriek and begin to teeter over. She shrieks again as I leap forward and grasp her arm to stop her from falling sideways. 

“Phaedra, I was jus–”

“Just about to break your neck,” I interrupt her, supporting her as she makes the hops to the table. “Sit and tell me what you think you’ve found. Maybe we can surprise mom with something.” 

“I think this one has recipes for desserts and candies. With Halloween right around the corner, I thought I’d try my hand at one or two.” She flips the book open to peruse the choices. “Ooh, caramel. Should be easy enough.” 

“Mmhmm,” I sigh. The thought of caramel apples fills my mind, and I can practically taste one. But, I know Holly’s penchant for messing things up, and it affects my tone, making it sound like one of disbelief.

“Fae,” Holly mutters with a deadpan expression. 

“Fine, let’s do this. I’ll help you. You are in charge, however. We both know my cooking sucks.” It’s true. Holly may mess things up, but her cooking is still better than mine. I gather the ingredients as Holly reads the list aloud from the book. Once we have everything gathered, she shoves a chair in front of the stove and leans her left knee on it, prepared to start. 

“Sugar,” she says, holding her hand out. 

“Sugar,” I repeat, slapping the sugar into her hand, grinning as I picture her saying, ‘scalpel,’ like a surgeon. 

She laughs at my tone. “Scalpel,” she teases, knowing my thoughts. As we work, we discuss the upcoming Halloween party and the costume we still need for her. The black dress I found will work as the witch costume I decided to go with, but we’re still up in the air on what her costume should be. 

“I know! We can make a cardboard cutout, and I can be riding a Hellhound.” 

“Why not a werewolf or a centaur?” I grin at the gleam of amusement in her eyes. 

“Because Hellhounds are awesome!” She pauses as she reads, still stirring the mix with one hand. “Listen to this. It’s a note in the margin,” Holly starts. “When things are low, and you are in danger, just give this a stir and depend on the anger.” She looks up at me, her eyes full of confusion. “What do you think it means?”

I shrug. “It could be anything. Maybe someone just needed a piece of paper to write something down, and the book was all they had.” 

A shape catches my eye as it rises from the pan behind her. She turns her head, and we both watch as the caramel comes out of the pan as if invisible hands are shaping it. I grasp her waist and back away, tugging her with me as the blob grows in size. There is no way it would have all fit in the saucepan, but there’s no stopping it. Heatwaves come from the form as it reaches toward the ceiling then angles down toward us. By the time it’s fully settled on the floor, it has formed four legs, and a big tail sedately waves behind it. The head lifts and splits open, showing a mouthful of sharpened sugar spike teeth. Fire boils in place of the eyes, and there is no visible nose where a dog would normally have one. It reminds me so much of a giant mastiff dog. The head is wider than my hand by far, and the torso is rounded enough to appear muscled but not fat. 

“Ph-Phaedra,” Holly whines. I keep backing until I hit the table and can’t go any further without turning us away from the shape. We both shriek as it bounds forward and licks her face, the tail now wagging wildly. It’s almost as tall as she is at the top of its head. “Good doggy,” she says cautiously. 

“‘Doggy?’” I demand, then let out my own shriek as it licks me as well. I thought it would be burning hot, but it’s actually pleasantly warm and smells deliciously like the caramel it is made from. 

“Oh, come on. You can see the obvious dog shape and the wagging tail just like I can, Fae.” She grins up at me. “Told you Hellhounds are cool.” Looking back at the caramel dog just standing there as if in wait, Holly reaches out, patting the head. “Full name Caramel, but Mel for short. How does that sound?”

Mel wags her tail at Holly as if to say she agrees and gives her another lick.

“You’d think we would be sticky after that,” Holly says after giggling. 

“Yeah,” I agree. “How do you know it’s a girl?”

“I just do.” She then asks the question that is burning inside me. “What do we do with her?” 

Note From Star:

I hope you enjoyed a glimpse of Static Elecwitchery. Please consider clicking the link above and grabbing a copy of this book.

Author Links:

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Disclaimer: None of the work in Reading With Star belongs to me. The author owns all right to the book. They have given me permission to share a bit of their work with you.

Book Title: Love Hurts: Pure Sin Trilogy Book I

Release Date 8/30/20

Buy Link: https://books2read.com/LoveHurtsPureSinI

Excerpt from Love Hurts: Pure Sin Trilogy Book I by Thetta James Copyright 2020

“I didn’t know what to think when I got the call that you were taken to the hospital. My mind was racing in all kinds of directions, and it immediately went to what happened with Mike. I felt like my heart was going to explode and I was in panic mode.” 

I reach out and cup his face, encouraging him to continue. I could feel the emotions radiating from him, and I could tell he was struggling to form words.

“When I saw you in that bed, alive and okay, I knew at that moment that what I feel for you is real and I needed to tell you I love you. I love you so fucking much that it scares me. I know this seems too soon, but the thoughts that ran through my head as I was driving to the hospital scared me even more. You have brought so much joy into my life. You’ve awakened feelings I swore to never feel for someone. It’s okay if you don’t feel the same way, but I just had to tell you.” 

Placing my fingers over his lips to stop him from talking, I do my best to process what he’s saying. He’s relaying the words fast, but I hold on to those three little words I know will change the dynamic of our relationship. Three words that will shift my world and make me open myself up to everything that love brings. Ups, downs, hurt, vulnerability, so many things, but I’m so ready to feel it all.

“Shh, baby, it’s okay because I love you too. I love you so much, Jackson.”

“Oh, yeah?” He asks, smiling sheepishly.

Laughing, I say,

“Oh, yeah.” 

No other words are spoken as he captures my mouth in a gentle kiss that seals everything that we’ve promised with three words. Closing my eyes makes me dizzy, so I watch his facial expressions as he slowly kisses me. His eyes are relaxed yet filled with so much emotion.

“I need to be inside you,” he whispers.

I reach down and open my towel and lay back on the bed. Taking me by my hips, he gently brings our bodies flush and I revel in the feel of his warmth. His eyes bore deep into my soul, telling me he wants me, he needs me, he is hungry for me. He licks across the crease of my mouth, and I open to him. Biting my lip gently, he tugs it as I melt from the heat of the pain that he scores me with. He kisses down my body, raining wet kisses over my burning flesh, and spreads me wide. My core is clenching, hungry to grasp his thickness as thoughts of him being inside me take over and all I want is to feel him touching every inch of me. A nice cool breeze fills the room, helping to ease the burn, but it’s not enough. I want him inside me, and I try to be patient as his tongue takes one long stroke up my center.

His eyes never leave my face and I feel a sense of abandonment as he takes me to that height of ecstasy that I never want to come down from. I’m falling fast as my breaths come in quick succession. The desire that this man pulls from me is unmatched, and he refuses to let me come down, allowing this orgasm to ride on an endless wave of pure pleasure. He moves up my body and enters me swiftly, easily, and with reckless abandon.

He commands my body again and we fall together into that blissful oblivion that he and I create. That special place that only he and I can dwell. Caressing my face, he whispers.

“I love you Crys.”

 “I love you too, Jackson.”

Note From Star:

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Zeke knocked on the Headmistress’s office door and let himself in. He noticed the room was still empty, and frowned. It appeared the Headmistress still hadn’t returned from her impromptu meeting. Looking toward the Headmistress’s desk, Zeke considered coming back later, instead of waiting here alone. But the last thing he needed was to invoke her wrath for not heeding her summons. After several moments, Zeke finally conceded and approached the desk. 

What sort of urgent matter could have made her run off like that? he wondered as he took a seat in one of the high-backed chairs in front of her desk.  

He scanned the room. His gaze locked on a side door that was open a crack. It was the same one that descended into the dark, narrow staircase the attendant had appeared from earlier. Curious, he rubbed his chin. He’d noticed the door to that hidden room many times, but never had he’d seen it opened. What’s down there, anyway? His heart pounded. He was venturing into an area of the Headmistress’s office he had never been.  

He approached the door, slid it all the way open, and stared into the pitch-blackness to allow his wolf sight time to adjust. Once he could see the steps clearly, he noticed they spiraled down past his line of sight. He took a deep breath, filling his lungs with the cold, humid air wrought with the mixed scents of mildew and old stone. His ears perked at the echo of several mixed voices talking and chanting below him. He puffed out his chest, allowing his wolf’s courage to calm his mind, and then began his descent. 

Zeke ran his hand along the rough stone walls as he travelled deeper into the unknown depths. A shimmer of light danced across the walls. His steps turned cautious. The darkness of the stairwell eventually opened up into a blue-lighted chamber.  

He pressed his back against the wall and peered around the edge. A large room, three times the size of the Headmistress’s office, opened in front of him. A group of purple-robed men and women stood around a large table, staring at a thick, closed tome set in the middle. The Headmistress stood at the head of the table, looking intently toward the book. Zeke focused on the book—his eyes widened as he recognized the rose image on the book’s front cover. 

His breath hitched, and a shiver ran through his body when he realized it was the enchanted tome of runes—the cause of all the trouble that happened around the school several months ago. His friend and fellow student, Perle Durand, had inadvertently obtained it from an evil sorceress. With Zeke’s help, however, they were able to contain the dark magic. 

The assistants, in ritualistic sequence, cast a variety of spells on the book. The prismatic array of colors and visual effects from the attendants’ spells were strange and unfamiliar to him. He was a shifter, and therefore didn’t follow the traditional path of magic comprised of incantations and enchantments. Frozen, he remained at the base of the stairs, watching with interest, thankful that no one seemed to be aware of his presence.  

The Headmistress uttered phrases in a language that sounded like gibberish to his ears. He had a hard time understanding the nature of his own shifter powers, much less other forms of magic. 

The Headmistress extended her hand toward the book, and it slid across the table toward her as if her hand were a magnet. The book stopped in front of her. A wave of gasps and murmurs swept through the chamber from the wary assistants. 

“At last,” the Headmistress said in a relieved voice. “I think we may have finally unlocked her secret…” She slowly placed her hand on the book.  

Reflexively, as if reacting to her touch, a bright, orange-yellow glow emanated from the book. Suddenly, beams of golden light shot in all directions from the book. Everyone ducked and scrambled away from the table. The book rose on its own accord, hovering in mid-air, the beams of light continuing to shoot everywhere about the room. 

“Look out!” a male assistant shouted as he dashed under the table. 

The Headmistress rushed behind a narrow support column as a beam of light caught the hem of her dress, searing a small hole in the purple fabric. 

Zeke stiffened. She’s in trouble! His wolf instinctively wanted to protect the Headmistress, but he was also aware of the unknown danger of the hovering book.  

He crouched low and concentrated, allowing his body to expand as he shifted into his wolf form. His transformation complete, he focused on the chaos once more with his newfound senses. He tried to analyze the light beams carefully in case they moved in a specific pattern, but they were as erratic as his own nerves. With a grunt, he bolted into the room, using the incredible speed and agility his wolf form provided to dodge and duck around the incoming beams as he made his way to the column where the Headmistress was hiding. 

The Headmistress widened her eyes. “Zeke! What are you doing? Get out of here now!” 

The pang of alarm in the Headmistress’s voice gave him pause as he panted behind the column next to her. Part of him felt obliged to obey, but his wolf empowered him to remain. He shook his head slowly. 

Protect the Headmistress at all costs. 

“I said go! That is an order!” she barked. 

His heart pounded faster. The urgency and forcefulness in her voice was enough to sway his wolf. She is the Alpha.  

He launched himself away from the column toward the stairs, almost falling as his thick paws slipped on the polished stone floor. Scrambling to keep his balance, he raced back the way he came. He was almost to the staircase when a terrible shock suddenly struck him on his tail. A flash of pain seared through him hotter than fire, cutting sharper than any knife.  

He let out a painful howl and felt his legs give way. He slid across the floor and hit the bottom step with a resounding thud. He tried to stand, but his body refused to obey his commands.  

I… I can’t move! Why can’t I move?  

His eyelids drooped as he fought to stay conscious. The screams and shouts of the attendants, the crumbling sounds of the stone walls, and the thundering of panicked footsteps echoed in his frazzled mind until he succumbed to the numbness sweeping over his senses. The world around him went black and deathly silent.  

Note From Star:

I hope you enjoyed a glimpse of Perle of Love. Please consider clicking the link above and grabbing a copy of this book.