Gathering of Blackbirds

By M.M. Gavillet

When fifteen-year- old Emily Moore buys a necklace at a thrift shop, she didn’t expect that purchase would land her in the middle of an ancient struggle between powers of lost civilizations.
It isn’t until she saves Gabe, a fellow classmate and a boy she hardly knows, from two strangers that drifted into the small Midwest town of St. Francis, does she realizes the danger she had fallen into. This is Emily’s first encounter with the Alliances Creed, a group devoted to securing magical implements.
Now, caught red-handed with a magical pendant, Emily must prove her innocence or suffer consequences of the laws of Atlantis.
With Atlantis and many hidden worlds at risk, it is up to the Blackbirds-a small group of the Alliances Creed, to save magic from evil. Gabe, leader of the Blackbirds, protects Emily, who can suddenly hear silent messages sent centuries ago, only strengthens her ties to Atlantis. But how can a human girl do this? That is what the Blackbirds would like to know...

• Language: English
• Publisher: M.M. Gavillet
• Release date: Dec 13, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301144396

M.M. Gavillet

My name is M.M. Gavillet and I'm an independent author of young adult urban fantasy novels. I'm a lover of antiques because of the stories they could tell,avid collector of old gaudy jewelry and consumer of frozen yogurt. I'm a child at heart and still find enchantment even in the most mundane things. Writing is my outlet and sometimes I wish I could escape to the worlds I build. I can watch movies over and over just as much a reading a good novel over and over.

Book preview

Gathering of Blackbirds

Copyright © 2012 by M.M. Gavillet

All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of the book can be reproduced without permission of the author. This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons living or deceased, places, incidences and names are purely a coincidence and are the product of the author’s imagination.

ISBN 9781301144396

Smashwords Edition

Acknowledgments

I never thought it would take a village to write a book! I first have to thank my husband who puts up with my writing obsession daily, to Kyle for making me laugh and to Ashley for being Ashley. I would also like to thank Elizabeth and Anna for reading anything I threw at them, you are my favorite critics! A big thanks to Gaby, the best librarian ever and to Karen, who is a true wizard of words and helped me with her magic along the way! Another big thanks to Katie. And to my mom who actually said she would buy a copy of this book. Also to my dad who hopefully took a break from dusting the stars to look down to see I finally wrote a book.

Chapter One

The hot summer sun was relentless and made the freckles on my shoulders appear by the dozens. It was only the end of June, and already the town of St. Francis felt like it was in the dead of August. This is when I wished our little trailer had air conditioning.

Dressed in my frayed cut-off shorts and a black tank top, the only clean one I had, amplified the intense heat. I am glad though, because I am going to work at the Wooden Nickel Bar and Grill at the edge of St. Francis where the air conditioning makes it cool as December.

The dusty road was so parched that I could almost hear it cry out for rain. A truck flew by with kids from my class going to the pool in nearby Thornbrooke. Dressed in vivid bikinis and doting plush towels waiting to soak up the over chlorinated water, I hesitated and watch them pause at a stop sign. They didn’t see me, as if my black tank top blended in with the scorched ground.

They looked both ways, turned right and out of town for a carefree afternoon, while I turned left where at least I could escape the heat.

The Wooden Nickel sat on a half gravel half dust filled parking lot with one large oak tree to the west side of the building. Even in its monstrous size, it looked slightly withered by the dry conditions. An array of green, brown and clear colored broken pieces of glass nearly outnumber the gravel as I opened the door to winter.

Inside was dark and smoky with the left over smell of old grease from lunch. I can only wonder if anyone got food poisoning today.

Hey Em, Jimmy called from behind the bar. Came in early? He smiled at me with his chipped tooth grin.

I just couldn’t wait to get here and enjoy the ambiance. I smiled back as he cleaned the heavily varnished wood bar.

I told you I had an air conditioner for you. I can even help you put it in, he said with raised eyebrows.

That would be nice if the window wouldn’t fall out from under its weight. I continued to smile as I went behind the bar to put my apron on. Jimmy only shook his head. But, thanks anyway.

I marked my time card as two o‘clock, even though it was only one. I put on my tan colored apron and tied back my long hair that I believed to have every shade of blonde in it. It looked like I always had highlights in it, and I guess if one thing ever went right for me, was my hair. At least I didn’t have to pay for highlights I couldn’t afford anyhow.

No one was in the bar, so I cleaned the tables and chairs, fill salt and pepper shakers and most important fill the ketchup bottles. There is nothing more aggravating than expecting to cover your French Fries in ketchup only to find an empty bottle, and you are left to ask the extremely busy waitress for another one. I stop when I have the dining room the way I want it and ready for Wednesday night fried chicken patrons.

It is about four thirty, and the first ones to enter are the early birds, mostly elderly people that religiously come to chicken night at the Wooden Nickel like they were going to church. I visit with most of them and enjoy their company, and they tip me very well. The next wave to hit us are the people getting off of work, some with families of screaming kids, they make the worst mess and then you have the local drunks after that.

Most of them are already liquored up before they even step foot in. Jimmy lets me serve them alcohol, even though I am only fifteen. Most people can’t wait to leave work and go home, I am the opposite. I wish I could sometimes live at the Wooden Nickel and have my friendly customers as my family.

…Hot one today, and no rain in sight. St. F hasn’t seen this dry of weather in long time. Most locals call St. Francis St. F for short.

What are you the weather man now? - Got a fancy computer and that makes you what… the smartest damn person in St. F.

Jimmy stepped from behind the bar with his steady eyes. He isn’t very tall, but strong for his size. He kind of reminds me of a garden gnome on steroids.

I am not going to have a repeat of last week. Jimmy’s voice is stern, his dark eyes dart between the two men. Jake, John do you understand?

Calm down, there is gonna be no repeatn’. John stood beside his twin brother Jake. I believed they even fought with one another before they were ever born.

I have witnessed the two brothers fight like they were going to kill each other, then turn around and defend one another. Last week, I thought we almost had to call the cops to break up a fight in the parking lot. A stranger had come in, made a few comments that only ignited their tempers, and out to the parking they went. Jimmy almost banned them from coming in, but his threat was only as long as my little finger.

Hey, Em go play a song. Jake flips me a dollar.

I went to the jukebox, and played something by Garth Brooks. I hate Garth Brooks, and country music altogether, but I knew Jake liked him. Laughter, smoke, a few drunks mistaking twenties for ten dollar bills and the music of my least favorite musician, filled the Wooden Nickel until midnight, when Jimmy kindly encouraged his patrons to go home.

The bar was still, with only me and Jimmy to clean up. It was one in the morning before we finish.

Let me give you a ride home Em, Jimmy said as he locked the door behind him.

I looked up at the full moon and listened to the rustle of the wind through the corn field.

No thanks, I really just want to walk home. I like the peace and quiet. I tried to reassure him.

Jimmy only gave me a concerned look. You know, he paused running his hand through his greying hair. You can stay at my house with Alice and I…you know if you ever felt like you really need to go somewhere.

I looked at him. I couldn’t hide the situation I had with my dad. Jimmy was sincere even though his words seemed rehearsed, I knew he meant it.

Maybe, I replied as a car rumbled down the road. Besides, David is here.

I wasn’t sure if I was happy or not that my sort- of- boyfriend was here. The look on Jimmy’s face deepened with concern. I waved goodbye and got into David’s prized 1987 Mustang.

I didn’t think you were coming, I said as David drove down the road past the trailer court where my home was and into the country.

David looked at me with his nearly black eyes.

Why? Do you have something better to do? His voice bordered on interrogating.

I looked at him. No.

David carefully maneuvered his car over and around potholes on the dirt road that ended right before Horton Creek. Trees lined the creek that bordered many miles of wheat, corn and bean fields as well as pasture grounds. An abandoned barn sat on a sliver of ground between the creek and a growing corn field that will soon hide it from the road.

I got out of David’s car, careful to not slam the door shut. There was one other vehicle there, a truck that belonged to Gabe.

David grabbed hold of my arm tightly, and pulled me close to him. His eyes were dark and felt like beams that pierced through me. His dark hair of soft waves brushed against his sharp cheekbones that made hollow shadows in the dim light from the moon. The cool air would normally be saturated with dew, but with the harsh heat wave, it never did.

Well, where is it? David asked as if I was hiding something.

Where’s what? My mind frantically raced with worry as to what I had forgotten.

The booze… He leaned closer to me. You were supposed to take some tonight when you got off. His ran his fingers through his hair.

Look, I can’t steal from… Suddenly, David’s hand hit my cheek making my ears ring. I stood dumbfounded and held my cheek, but didn’t cry.

Stupid bitch, he said in a low voice. I told you to get some for tonight. You work at a bar. David’s voice implied I didn’t put working in a bar and stealing liquor together.

I stood there like I always did, and took whatever David dished out to me. Why did I though? That question echoed in my head as it had before, this time I listened to it. Why did I put up with David? He didn’t care for me. I just wanted someone to be with, and he was there, to everyone else I am invisible.

I looked at him. He paced around trying to get a grip on his usual volcanic emotions.

Look, sorry. His words were forced.

I stood with crossed arms. No, you’re not.

He glared at me, deep shadows filled around his eyes and through his cheeks. I shivered slightly in the heat at his almost alien-like appearance.

What is the matter with you? He spat.

I looked at him. Anger flowed from him strong enough that it could had incinerated the dry air. I didn’t even like David anymore. Who would? He was upset with me all the time about everything I did wrong or how I embarrassed him in front of everyone. I had enough.

I don’t want to be with you anymore, if you’re going to treat me this way. I simply stated with a trembled voice. I held my breath in disbelief as to what came out of my mouth.

David grabbed my arm and jerked me around so my back was against a tree and he was only breaths away from my face. My heart began to race.

You’re not going anywhere. David’s voice was low and surprisingly calm.

I didn’t reply, only stood there. I wanted to sever our relationship that felt more like a loaded gun that had to go off to end it, and I hoped I wasn’t at the barrels end.

Hey…what’s going on out here? Gabe asked as he stood with a small flashlight in his hand. His voice was like a life boat in a sea of fire.

Gabe was tall with broad shoulders tanned from working in the sun. His hair was nearly bleached out and looked like spun gold. There was always a gentleness to him that every time I saw him, made me smile.

Nothing, David said as he turned from me and went into the barn.

Gabe watched David go into the barn and rummaged the cooler for a beer, then turned to me with questioning eyes. Gabe was nothing like David. I don’t think he had a mean bone in his body.

So, you want to tell me what happened? Gabe stepped forward and gently touched the red spot on my cheek.

Nothing happened. Embarrassed, I flinched away as I pulled my hair to one side.

His steady, grey eyes looked at me with concern as he let out a sigh. He knew how David was with me, even though it was unspoken and many times I thought him as my rescuer, a buffer between David and me.

I’m going home, it’s late. I took a few steps backward letting Gabe’s eyes intertwine with mine.

I should give you a ride, he said reaching into his pocket for his keys.

No! I nearly yelled out. It will just make David mad, I said walking as quickly as I could into the darkness.

When I got home I didn’t even shower. In our little paper thin trailer, I could hear all of the insects and two tree frogs that lived under one of the shutters beside the window sing all night long.

I closed my eyes and thought of Gabe. He was a true gentleman and David’s best friend. Both of them moved to St. F at the same time which was about a year ago. I never did hear where they were from, and when I tried to get David to tell me, he was either vague or in one of his moods. I guess it didn’t matter; I had a boyfriend, someone to save me from the black oblivion called St. F. At least that is what I thought at first, now I wasn’t so sure.

I rolled on my side causing my cheek to hurt, so I rolled the other way and fell asleep.

The next day was bright, really too bright. I got up, took