Beastly Enchantments

By Mae Powers

Trapped in an alternate reality, a mixed-up realm called the Lost Labyrinth, Karalen is afraid she’ll lose more than her heart and soul to the one known as Beest. She is torn between finding her way home or staying to help fix the fractured fairy tales she finds herself involved in. Karalen wonders if her sanity or heart will survive the turmoil. A fairy tale fantasy romance novella, approx. 27,000 words.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Silver Heart Books
• Release date: Aug 17, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476487045

Mae Powers

Mae Powers writes mixed genres of romance, sci-fi, fantasy, and futuristic, but she loves to also write paranormal, straight sci-fi, fantasy, paranormal, and horror, plus other different things. She loves to read, write, play games, and create book covers and plans on expanding into mini graphic novels in the near future. You can visit her at www.maepowers.com for a complete list of her works and see what she's contriving to do lately. Email her at [e-mail]. Constructive feedback and a friendly hello are always welcome.

Book preview

Beastly Enchantments

Mae Powers

Trapped in an alternate reality, a mixed-up realm called the Lost Labyrinth, Karalen is afraid she’ll lose more than her heart and soul to the one known as Beest. She is torn between finding her way home or staying to help fix the fractured fairy tales she finds herself involved in. Karalen wonders if her sanity or heart will survive the turmoil.

A fairy tale fantasy romance novella, approx. 27,000 words or 90 pages.

Beastly Enchantments was previously published. This edition has been revised with new material.

Email Mae at [e-mail].

For more of her works, visit her site http://www.maepowers.com.

Published by Silver Heart Books

http://www.silverheartbooks.com

http://silverheartbooks.wordpress.com

Smashwords Edition 1.0

Copyright 2012 Mae Powers

Cover copyright 2012 A. Bratt

This book contains adult content and is meant for adults 18 and over. This is a work of fiction and the characters and situations are a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual situations or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

About the Author

Chapter One

Lightning split the sky and thunder rolled across the heavens like a war raging in the cosmos. Along with the weather’s eerie vibrations, Karalen felt the sensations caused from one of the car’s tires running over a large rock in the road.

Great, she said aloud, hitting the steering wheel with her left hand. With the way my luck’s been running lately, I’m sure to get a flat.

A few seconds later, she heard a loud thump-thump, and the car’s right front tilted. She slowed the car’s speed, swerving to the side of the road. When the lightning brightened the sky once more, she peered through the windshield and caught of a small but imposing building off to one side of the road.

I knew I shouldn’t have veered off the main highway. Well, an abandoned old house is better than no shelter at all.

Karalen gathered her backpack and large overnight bag, turned up the collar of her jacket, opened the door, and made a dash up a beaten driveway to the house. She glanced around, noting the wide porch, shuttered windows, and the huge brass lion-head knocker on the thick oak door. Every inch of the place looked like an old country hotel.

She lifted the knocker and slapped it down with force. Karalen waited a few moments, but there was no answer. She knocked again. Still no answer. She peered through the window nearest her, barely making out soft illumination within. The thunder cracked, the lightning flashed angrily, and the winds whisked fiercely, nearly knocking her off her feet.

Just as she was going to knock a third time, she heard the door creak open. Her hand stayed frozen in the air as the door opened and a small, timid face peered around it.

The face was angular and weathered. Wide, piercing gray eyes behind wire-framed glasses on a beak-like nose peered at her in fright. You’re not going to hit me, are you?

Karalen cocked her head in confusion. No. She began to feel the freezing cold nipping her. My car broke down. I only need a place to stay until the weather clears up.

More of the old woman came out from behind the door. She wasn’t any higher than Karalen’s shoulders, and she was dressed in the most peculiar outfit Karalen had ever seen. Yellowish lace welled up around the woman’s thin throat. Tarnished brass buttons adorned her navy-colored woolen jacket. Dull, black boots peered out from under the dark blue, full-length skirt.

The old woman cracked a wan smile, patting the tight gray bun on her head. Oh, dear, do forgive my lack of manners. You must be chilled in those damp clothes, odd that they are. Come in.

Karalen shook her head. This certainly was the most eccentric host she’d ever had. She followed the old woman into the house, not stopping until they entered a kitchen unlike any Karalen had ever seen except in Victorian picture books and historical movies.

It’s warmest here in the kitchen. Sit yourself down and I’ll make you some hot tea.

Karalen pulled out a chair from a small round table situated in the center of the room. She shrugged out of her red nylon jacket, watching the woman bustle about the old-fashioned kitchen with speed and grace. After sitting down, Karalen slipped out of her mud-soaked Nikes. At last, the old woman proffered a tray of tea and scones then took a seat opposite Karalen.

My name’s Myrtle. All the guests I ever have call me Aunt Myrtle.

Karalen accepted a cup of tea and a scone. Thank you for taking me in. My name is Karalen Morgan. Have you other guests here? I didn’t see any other cars about, not that I could see much, as dark as it was.

Heavens no, Myrtle said. It’s been ages since I’ve had company.

Karalen quirked up an eyebrow. Are you alone then?

Myrtle nodded. Have been for years.

Are you not afraid of being alone?

Her gray eyes were blank in confusion for a moment. Heavens, why? Nothing around for miles. Who’d want to hurt me? Besides, this house protects me.

Karalen thought the woman sounded more bizarre by the minute, but didn’t say so.

What brings you out on a night like this? Myrtle poured them both another cup of steaming liquid.

I was on my way into the city. I’ve a new job waiting for me there.

Myrtle sipped her tea slowly. Won’t your family be worried about you?

I have no one to worry about me. My folks died several years ago and I have no other relatives, Karalen admitted.

What about your friends?

’Fraid I don’t always make lasting friendships. Been a loner most of my life, Karalen said, wondering at how easy it was to talk to this kindly woman. What about you, Myrtle? Where’s your family?

Myrtle looked at her speculatively. They’ve been gone for ages. I would like to visit my old friends, but I’m too old to make the journey by myself.

Karalen didn’t think the sprightly woman was a day over sixty. Where are they? I could take you into the city with me if you’d like.

I’m afraid they’re farther away than that. However, I would have loved the company. Do you like to travel, Karalen?

Karalen shrugged her shoulders, setting down her cup. I’ve done a lot of it, but never gave it much thought. I suppose it would be nice to travel as a tourist instead of on business.

What if your trip was fraught with adventure?

Karalen folded her hands in her lap and scrutinized Myrtle’s face. There was a strange gleam in the woman’s gray eyes she hadn’t noticed before. What sort of adventure, Myrtle?

Myrtle stared at her in the oddest way. Oh, things you do and don’t read about in books.

Karalen wasn’t sure what made her ask the next question. What books?

Oh, you know, fairy tales and myths, those sorts of books.

Karalen started getting caught up in the woman’s unusual conversation. You mean like going on an adventure to find out what really happened in some of those stories?

Or what wasn’t told, Myrtle offered.

It’s only for one night, Karalen thought, I can humor her. Oh, I suppose so. As a child, I used to wonder if those fairy tales and myths had any truth to them. Do you think truth is stranger than fiction, Myrtle?

Myrtle’s grin became quite disarming now. "It’s