When Darkness Fell: An Elemental Enchanters Story Read online

  When Darkness Fell

  An Elemental Enchanters Story

  Carrigan Richards

  COPYRIGHT

  Text copyright © 2014 Carrigan Richards

  ASIN #B00O3PP9FY

  All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages for review purposes. If you are reading this book and you have not purchased it or won it in an author/publisher contest, this book has been pirated. Please delete and support the author by purchasing the ebook from one of its many distributors.

  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to any person, living or dead, any place, events or occurrences, is purely coincidental. The characters and story lines are created from the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  Cover design by N.L. Hoffmann

  To learn more about author Carrigan Richards, please visit her website at www.carriganrichards.com.

  DEDICATION

  To Jennifer, for being my friend and for forcing me to not be lazy.

  When darkness fell, everything was lost.

  It is with hope that we see an end to chaos.

  The candle’s wick burns lower as I sit here lost in my own thoughts. Daybreak is approaching and I must rest, but my mind is clouded with horrific images of the battle a few hours ago. Bodies lay scattered across the ground. Some dead, some unconscious. Some are missing. My heart aches for those who perished, including my brother. No more will I see his warm smile or feel his arms around me. All I wanted to do was save him, but I failed. I failed everyone.

  I have hidden myself in my private room, for I cannot face anyone yet. I am not strong enough and the tears will not stop. Everyone else’s pain weighs on me and it saddens me more. My sweet Aaron checks on me every hour, but I don’t say much to him. I would love to have him comfort and hold me, but the others need him more than me. He is their leader now.

  I thought I was doing the right thing by leaving to find a cure for Colden. I was desperate to save him. But it didn’t matter. Corbin’s soul had manifested inside Colden’s body, killing Colden. My dear Ava blames herself. True, she did see a Necromancer to find answers regarding her mother. Answers I was too stubborn to give because I thought I was protecting her. When she went to the Necromancer, the Cimmerians ambushed her. They possessed her body, forcing her to release Corbin.

  Corbin Havok, the man I called father because he was the only one I had ever known, has been Colden’s enemy and mine for centuries. We thought we killed him, but we didn’t. We failed. Corbin was never evil until something happened with his family. What made him turn from a caring man to a crazed monster intent on genocide?

  Now that he has risen again, I’m not sure the dangers we are to face. We must go to Caprington and save our kidnapped members. But our coven is powerless because of Sorcha who placed a sleep spell on them all and I wasn’t here to protect them. I know our Paramortal, Peter and our other Protector, Katarina blame themselves for not preventing the deaths and kidnappings, but it was my fault.

  Maybe I missed something when Corbin turned evil. Something that could give us answers. I looked up and saw my ancient journal on my bookshelf. I reached for it, pulled it from the shelf, and then retreated to my chair. I ran my hand over the old weathered book. I wrote Colden’s story and mine in it when I feared Corbin would come after us. I wanted others to know what we experienced and what started the war. I opened the book and read the words of a scared young woman.

  Colden and I have found a cave to hide in. It is cold, and even though I have the ability to change my body temperature, I do not. My mind is wild and I cannot concentrate. We are far enough away that we cannot hear the screams and torturous cries. But when I close my eyes, all I see is death and burning, and things I have never seen before. I am in disbelief at what has happened and what I have done. I am not sure I can ever forgive myself for the crimes I committed. But I had no choice.

  I am not sure how we will survive this, but we are strong. Perhaps we will find others like us. Not like the evil ones, we saw tonight. Corbin’s army.

  I will become stronger and learn as many abilities as I can so I can defeat Corbin. He has killed too many, and I will put an end to him. This could take years but I am prepared to endure whatever I must.

  In case I do not survive, I am writing the story of our history so everyone will learn the truth. But I am afraid I do not know all of it. I can only tell what I know.

  My name is Savina Geddes and this is my story.

  I was born in Birsemore Village, Scotland, in 1643. My parents, Anne and Edward, were Enchanters. My father was a Tracker with heightened senses and could tell when danger neared. My mother was a great potions maven, though to others she was a doctor of sorts. She could heal with her potions. The village respected her, and she became close to the royal family because of my father’s high ranks in the army. We all pretended to be Ephemerals because in those times no one advertised their witchery. I never had any worries about them coming after us, because they trusted us and we were good people.

  My father went to war and died in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms when I was three, so I only know what my mother told me of him. A year after he died, she met a man named Corbin Havok. Corbin came from a long line of Enchanters who were unwilling to live among non-Enchanters with us. The Havoks live in Caprington, a village hidden miles away that is said to only house Enchanters and is unseen by Ephemerals. They disdain anyone who is not an Enchanter.

  Corbin broke away from his family. He never wanted to live with such hatred as his family had for centuries and did not communicate with them much. He never spoke about them either. He had the ability to spread disease, but never harmed a soul. Corbin and my mother married and a year later had a son, Colden. My mother unfortunately perished in childbirth.

  Once my mother died, I grew closer to Corbin and helped raised Colden. Corbin always treated me as his own child, but as Colden aged, he treated Colden as the elder because he was a male. Even though I was 5 years his senior, we were close. During this time, things seemed normal as I followed my mother’s footsteps in healing those who were sick. My mother did good deeds, so I wanted to be like her.

  Over the years, I realized even though Colden was an Enchanter, he did not have the one power that makes us unique and was not as strong as Corbin and me. At first, Corbin was not happy, but he loved his son all the same.

  Colden and I were always together, except when I went to see patients. He worked as a blacksmith, but knew his father was not as proud of that as he would have been if Colden had a power.

  Life went on as we lived like normal beings. I knew almost everyone in town. They knew me and seemed to respect me since I acted as both a wise woman and a doctor even at my young age. They often told me I reminded them of my mother. I was proud to be her daughter.

  I can heal with just one touch, but when caring for patients, I have to make it look as though I give medicine and take my time. I also take care to make sure the patient is out of harm’s way.

  I had been caring for a young woman who was sick with a fever and had been at her house for days. Her brother, George, was the same age as me and I had always known him but I had gotten to know him better as I spent more and more time with his family. I began to like him.

  After three weeks of looking after Margaret, I cleared her of the illness. Her parents praised and thanked me profusely. As I left, George walked with me to the end of their gate, as he did every day.

  “I am in your debt forever, Savina,” he told me. His
flat brown hair came just above his thin eyebrows. His pale blue eyes seemed nervous, but I did not know why, although my heart pounded whenever I was near him.

  “Don’t be ridiculous.” I smiled. “You owe nothing.”

  “I have gotten to know you quite well over the last weeks. I must say, I await your visits daily. And now that you have cured my sister, you have no reason to stop by.” He frowned.

  “I continue checking on my patients from time to time. Why do you seem saddened by this fact?”

  “It is my hope that we,” he paused. “That we could spend the day together.”

  My heart fluttered. I wanted nothing more than to spend time with George alone. “I have other patients. But perhaps you could come along if you desire.”

  “If it does not impede with your work.”

  “Not at all.” At least, I would try not to let it impede.

  “Wonderful.” He smiled. It was genuine and kind. “Let me prepare a basket for us.” He turned and half-jogged inside his home. I did not wait long and he carried the basket and my medical bag that contained various healing potions. To everyone else they were medicines. George was patient as I saw after my last three patients for the day.

  Once finished, we meandered along the river and found a spot in the tall grass. It was rather secluded, but I did not mind. George opened the basket and pulled out fresh bread that was wrapped in a cloth, some cheese, a couple of apples, and water.

  “You didn’t have to go through all this trouble,” I said.

  George shook his head. “It was no trouble at all.” He handed me a piece of bread with cheese and then poured water into a cup.

  As I ate, I could feel his eyes on me. I looked up and my heart faltered from his heavy gaze. “Have you finished reading your sonnets?” I asked.

  “Not yet. I brought them along in case you would like to read some.”

  “Perhaps you could read them to me.” I loved his calm and soothing voice. The way he spoke made me feel warm and comfortable.

  “Of course.”

  We were quiet as we ate. The slight breeze rustling through the tall grass and trees and the sound of the river creeping by were the only noises. It was a warm and beautiful day with the deep blue sky and bright sun above us.

  “You are so beautiful, Savina.”

  I felt my cheeks redden and his eyes held mine. “George.”

  “I am serious. And your dedication to everyone amazes me. You care so deeply, and I admire that. Just today, I saw you with those patients. They love you. One of them told me they didn’t know what they would do without you.”

  I smiled. “Of course I care. This is my home and they are my friends.”

  “You have a heart of gold. The way you cared for my sister and no matter what, you were always there for her. I see you sometimes out late caring for other patients.”

  “I love helping others. It is my passion, and I hope to become as respected as my mother.”

  His hand brushed against mine, and I longed for him to take it in his. “You are. You are so much more and forgive me, but I find myself wanting to spend every waking second with you.”

  My pulse quickened. I could not believe what he was saying, for I felt it, too.

  When I returned home that evening, I stewed some meat like always and Colden, Corbin, and I sat by the fire and spoke of our days. I, of course, told them about my patients and George.

  “George Mayberry?” Corbin asked, and wiped his mouth. His long raven hair had been pulled back, just like Colden had his. His eyes were dark, but kind and his skin pale. I had come to love Corbin as my own father. He raised me, taught me right from wrong, and had always given me encouragement and love.

  “Yes.”

  “Hmm. Good family. You will do well marrying him.”

  I could feel my cheeks turn red and Colden playfully nudged me with his shoulder.

  “If only there were someone for you, my dear son,” he said. “Are there no young ladies that pique your interest?”

  “A few, but they don’t want to waste their time with me.”

  Corbin’s face grew dark. “Why do you always say such things, son? I have raised you to think better of yourself. Have you told them what you are?”

  “No, of course not Father. I am an outcast.”

  “That is ridiculous, Colden,” I said. “Have you never heard what the girls say about you? You are not an outcast, I assure you.”

  “You should do well and ask one of these pretty lasses before they are taken.” Corbin gave a half-smile.

  Over the next few weeks, George and I saw each other every day. I found myself falling in love with him. My heart almost exploded whenever I saw him.

  He invited me to have dinner with his family one night, and I accepted, hesitantly. I had never had dinner with his family, and certainly not as George’s significant other.

  The dinner was decadent and George’s family adored me. I noticed every time I looked up to see George, his deep gaze was always on me. He walked me home that evening, but I could sense his nervousness.

  “Did you enjoy the dinner?” he asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Oh, good.”

  There was a silence. The night was charming with its glowing full moon and stars surrounding us. A slight breeze blew through, rustling the trees. And the sound of our feet on the gravel and dirt road filled our ears.

  “Mother loves preparing that meal.”

  “Oh, it was delicious. I should learn how to make it.”

  “Yes. I will ask her for the recipe.”

  We had never had such an awkward conversation. I did not know what to do or say. When we reached the gate to my home, George tenderly took my hand in his. I turned and looked up into his blue eyes. He moved closer and pressed his lips against mine. They were warm and unwavering. My heart skipped a beat and I caved into the passion. Excitement whirred inside of me as I received my first kiss. Nothing like that had ever happened to me, but the way he held me so close, I knew he felt the same as I did for him. I had never been so happy in my life.

  I smiled the whole way to my door. But once I entered our home, everything changed.

  Veronica Havok stood in front of the fireplace, wringing her hands, with a tear stained face. Messy hairs streaked from her normally perfect bun.

  Colden leaned against the window, dazed, his body shaking.

  “What has happened?” I asked, removing my bonnet.

  Corbin entered the room with a warm cup of tea. “Edward died.”

  I gasped. I had never met Edward, but he and Veronica married a few years ago and had a daughter, Mary. Edward was an Ephemeral, and Veronica was cast from the family. “Oh, Veronica, I am so sorry to hear this.” I rushed up to her and hugged her. I had not had many interactions with Veronica, and she was the only one I had ever met from Corbin’s family. “How did this happen?” I held her at arm’s length.

  She sniffed and dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief. “I killed him.”

  My blood ran cold and I shivered. I released her and took a step back. “What?”

  “There are things you are not aware of, Savina,” Corbin said. “He deserved to die.”

  I had never heard him speak in such a manner about anyone. “Did he attack you? Did he try to hurt Mary?”

  “He hunted Enchanters, Savina.” She wiped a falling tear.

  “Hunted? Why would they hunt Enchanters? We are not evil.”

  “Ephemerals believe we are.”

  “Certainly, they do not,” Colden said. “No one in this village believes we are malicious.”

  “That is because they know not what you are.”

  My head was still trying to wrap around Edward being a Hunter. I never knew they existed. Why would they hunt Enchanters? “I do not understand. Do they seek us out? For what purpose?”

  “To kill us,” Veronica said.

  “That cannot be.”

  “Edward said he only killed Enchanters to keep up appearances
so the Ephemerals would not come after us. I wanted to trust him, I did. But when he started acting funny, always sneaking around and telling me stories that were not matching up. I could not take it anymore. I had to know the truth. I sought our uncle, Roland to help me regain my powers. After much convincing, he finally agreed, but swore he would not tell anyone. He taught me to read minds and become more powerful than ever.” Her eyes grew with eagerness, as if she loved being powerful. “I read Edward’s mind and knew he had been lying to me for years. I had to kill him before he and his army of Hunters came after us all.”

  “Why would Edward want to kill you all? He married you.”

  Veronica’s chin trembled. “He lied,” she snapped. “He lied about keeping us safe. He only married me so he could get closer to my family. But he had not expected them to banish me. He had hoped we would get back in their good graces so he could ambush us.”

  “We have to return to Caprington,” Corbin said, but I could see the reluctance in his eyes.

  Veronica shook her head. “Will Mother and Father forgive me? I married an Ephemeral whose intentions were the same ones they warned me about.”

  “Of course, Sister. And I will be there to protect you.” He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. My heart ached for her pain and betrayal. I could not believe such a thing would happen. What if George betrayed me?

  “Do the Ephemerals know you killed Edward?” Colden asked. “What if they come for you?”

  Corbin shook his head. “They will not come for her. We will handle the situation.”

  “I cannot believe he would betray you, Veronica.”

  Corbin tipped my chin up. “There is much to learn, Savina. We will need to return to Caprington for a few days. Perhaps next time you and Colden can accompany us.”

  The next day, Colden and I sent Corbin and Veronica on their way to Caprington. I worried for them since they had not seen their family in years. Would all be forgiven? Would they be safe?