Read The COMPLETE Witching Pen Series, Boxed Set Online
Authors: Dianna Hardy
Okay…
He hesitated, then raised his hands again.
I'm always here for you, you know that, right?
I know … thank you.
As he turned and walked away, fresh panic took her over. She'd never get to say it, to anyone, ever, so she said it now to his back, hands and fingers trembling as it made the shapes of the words.
I love you.
Forcing herself away from the window, she gathered her homework and stuffed it in her rucksack.
I can do this, I can do this, I can do this
… She could do this for Karl.
She couldn't give of herself – he needed to let her go. She would tell him what her mother had told her, and she would act like it was no big deal. She would spend the next three years not falling in love with her best friend, then she would go to university, and he would be free. She could do this for him.
She slung her rucksack over her shoulder, and glanced around the room to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything. The yellow of the daffodils in her window box caught her eye. The rain was falling harder now, pounding them into submission.
She straightened her back.
Flowers wilted.
She would not.
~*~
Katherine's hands shook as she placed the last of the plates in the dishwasher.
She heard Elena's footfalls on the stairs as she bounded down. Without a word, they continued on down the hall, then out the front door. The door closed with a firm bang.
Not able to hold herself up any longer, Katherine sank to the floor with a keening wail. She clasped the amulet around her neck – the one that had hidden the lie from Elena's mind – and ripped it off her. Self-loathing coursed through her, and what a wretched emotion it was. She wondered if she'd burn in hell for this… Better her than her daughter.
Taking in deep breaths, she tried to gather herself … and failed. Sod it. Five minutes … she'd allow herself five minutes…
The foreign sound of her desperate sobs filled the air.
She'd be fine in a moment. In a moment, she would stand up tall, harden her heart and carry on as normal.
“I can do this, I can do this, I can do this…” she whispered, holding onto the words like she'd hold onto a life raft. And she could – she would. She would do this for Elena… She would do anything for Elena.
Glossary of Terms
The Witching Pen
– a creation forged by angels after the fall of Atlantis, approximately 11,750 years ago (also known as the fall of Eden) under the instruction of God. It has now been destroyed by Abaddon. Its destruction triggered the apocalypse (Armageddon).
Lokoli
– an angel who was demonised and cast out of Heaven, and then became known as the most bloodthirsty demon of all. She stole the Witching Pen from Heaven and created a new dimension she could rule over, as well as seven demon tribes:
The Lagool
lived in water – oceans, rivers and swamps – and she gave them the gift of sight.
The Brujii
lived in the forests and woods, and were given the gift of magic.
The Malattal
lived under the ground, in caves, and held the gift of prophecy.
The Brokk
inhabited the cold places of the north, and were given the gift of immortality.
The Totilemi
were not limited to a region, but travelled the Earth, and were given the gift of knowledge.
The Dessec
inhabited the hot deserts, and were given the ability to bend time.
The Shanka
, a type of succubi (and the males, incubi), were given the gift of creation itself – the power of life and death. But too afraid their power would be used against her, Lokoli banished them from the earth, forcing them to live ethereally, only able to enter this dimension through shadows and dreams. The Shanka did eventually kill Lokoli, but only after she awarded them with the Witching Pen. It became rightfully theirs, until it was destroyed.
When humans grew in numbers upon the Earth, followed by the 'fallen', demons became outnumbered and shunned, and retreated into their own separate dimensions, all of which can be reached via portals, except for the Shanka's dimension which exists only in shadow.
Witches
– humans who practice the art and science of magic (or magick). Some witches are Pagans, some are Wiccans, and some follow other religions, but witchcraft itself is not a religion.
The Witch Council
– also referred to as The Council, is the governing coven of all the witches around the world. Run by many Elders and one High Priest / Priestess, they are prestigious and regard themselves as the Keepers of Magical Law.
Shapeshifters
– humans that have harnessed the ability to change form, a skill handed down through lineage from the shaman's of old. Also called 'shape changers' and informally, 'shifters'. Not the same as werewolves or werecats, whose abnormality is caused by a mutant gene.
Guises
– forms that shifters can change into. One shifter can have many guises, including that of animals and the four elements.
Fallen angels
– also referred to as ‘the fallen’. Angels that have been cast out of Heaven, or who chose to leave Heaven.
Archangel
– an angel ranked highly on the [angelic] hierarchy ladder, usually holding some sort of position of command over other angels.
Mergence
– also referred to as ‘total mergence’. A result of bonding between fallen angels, where, after the bonding, they are merged in heart, mind and soul, able to share thoughts, know each others’ pasts, and feel each others’ feelings. Because of its all-consuming nature, most fallen angels never bond.
The Old Tongue
– the original language used by angels. It is said that The Old Tongue was the language of the fay, and that they taught the angels how to speak and write it. Traces of The Old Tongue can still be found in old Irish, which is the language’s closest descendent.
The fay
– also called fairies, or the race of Faerie (coming from the land of Faerie). They don’t like anyone to know they exist, and as a rule, keep themselves well hidden. Their queen is Morgan le Fey.
Blood-drinkers
– fallen angels that have never adapted to physical like on Earth. Over thousands of years, they have become elusive, and more myth than fact. They gave rise to the ‘vampire’ that is so revered in modern day pop culture.
Teleportation
– the act of travelling through space, by dematerialising the body. All demons – save the Shanka, who travel by hiding in shadows – can teleport. Teleportation also comes naturally to shapeshifters, once they know how to harness the ability. Some witches can also teleport, but it drains their magical energy. Angels do not teleport. They either fly, or will themselves into being in a different place, which is different to teleporting, and closer to transfiguration.
Portal
– an opening or gateway that can allow one to cross dimensions. Should not be confused with a wormhole.
Wormhole
– a manifestation, natural or enforced, that allows one to travel through time. Often interchanged with the word 'portal', although the two are quite different.
Abaddon –
Satan, ruler of the Underworld, and the first angel to have ever been created.
Lucifer
– the first angel to have fallen from grace, he is considered a legend by most other angels, some even questioning if he ever existed.
Primeval Chaos
–
what was in Heaven's place before Heaven existed. Also called ‘what came before’ by the angels; they saw it as a living, breathing mass of dark matter that was dangerous and unruly. The fay called it Tír na nÓg – it was their home, until God came and moulded it into Heaven.
Dragons
– ‘the Dragon’ or ‘the Dragons’ (the capital letter denoting their position of prominence among the fay) are physical creatures on Earth, although most consider them to be a myth – no human has ever seen a dragon, and all recordings are considered fictional. (In human notations, the capitalisation of the word has been removed.) Reptilian in appearance, they can grow up to fifty foot high, with bat-like wings, and they breathe smoke and fire. On Tír na nÓg, they were guardians of balance and connected to the fay.
About The Author
International bestselling author of
The Witching Pen series
and the
Eye Of The Storm series,
Dianna Hardy combines a titillating mix of romance, urban and dark fantasy into her writing, to bring you stories that are action-packed, fast-paced and not short of heat. She writes full-length novels and short fiction in various genres. Dianna resides in Surrey, UK, with her husband and daughter.
Official site:
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/authordiannahardy
Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/thewitchingpen
Other Titles
A Silver Kiss (Vampire Poetry)
A dark and daring addition to the literary world of vampirism, this is a collection of rhyming and freestyle poetry that explores the often taboo themes of power, possession and seduction.
Emotionally charging, each poem is written from a different perspective, be it the hunter or the hunted and inspires a deeper look into the psychology of the human mind and the darker aspects of human relationships and society.
Age range: suitable for older teenagers to adults
Published by Bitten Fruit Books
All details can be found at
http://www.vampirepoetry.co.uk
Thank you for reading this eBook!
If you enjoyed it, please share the love and consider leaving a review somewhere, or telling everyone you know – word of mouth is the most valuable source of marketing an author could ask for.
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Table of Contents