Band of Blackbirds (Book 2 in the Blackbird Trilogy)

By M.M. Gavillet

Emily Moore’s life will never be the same, especially when you have a magical amulet everyone wants, an enchanted wall to destroy, and follow messages left by her deceased mother. But Emily is far from alone. With the magic implement securing alliance known as the Blackbirds, she not only finds their help, but a connection to them she never guessed.
Now in Eutopia, Emily’s Receptor abilities strengthen as she tries to find the Black Abyss—the only place to secure her amulet. What she finds there isn’t what she expected. There’s more to the amulet than just magic and it’s up to Emily to decide what to do with it.
Separated from Gabe, Emily is drawn into Eutopia and the inhabitants there—especially an Outlander that is half beast and half human and sworn to protect Eutopia’s wall.
With the fate of many worlds in the balance, it is up to Emily to look beyond her own desires, save magic from evil, and do it before it’s too late.

• Language: English
• Publisher: M.M. Gavillet
• Release date: May 8, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301209941

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

Band of Blackbirds

Book 2

M.M. Gavillet

Also by

M.M. Gavillet

Gathering of Blackbirds

Don’t miss book three and the conclusion

Alliance of Blackbirds

October 2013

Band of Blackbirds

By M.M. Gavillet

Published by M.M. Gavillet at Smashwords

Copyright © 2013 by M.M. Gavillet

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.

For all the late bloomers who still continue to bloom.

Acknowledgments

I have to thank all of my village people—you know who you are! I also have to thank my husband who still puts up with my writing obsession and to Kyle for still making me laugh and to Ashley for still being Ashley. I would also like to thank anyone who read the first book and either out of curiosity or are just being nice enough to read the second book—just to let you know there will be a third. And I still hope my dad manages to peek down every once in a while to see I have written another book and didn’t give up.

Chapter One

Too late, we’re surrounded, said Ian with a frantic voice. The sharks, they smelled the blood.

Suddenly, the boat was hit with an enormous thud causing it to rock side to side splashing salt water onto my face.I wiped it out of my eyes as the bottom of the boat dug into my back.I closed my eyes wishing this wasn’t happening and was back with Gabe in Atlantis.

My thoughts painfully drifted to him.Gabe had brought me to Atlantis, been the lifeboat in my once chaotic life in St. F and dared me to trust him.I tried to call out his name, but knew he wasn’t with me.We were somewhere else, a different world.I remembered the bright light and breaking the surface of the water with Ian hanging onto me so I didn’t slip into the blackness of a watery grave.The portal had led us from Atlantis, and brought us here, to Eutopia.

I wanted to get up, but was too weak and could only see blue skies dotted with puffy clouds that reflected the dawn like cotton balls saturated with diluted blood.

Another thud hit the boat and more salt water splashed onto my face.I didn’t bother to wipe it away.I looked up at Ian who peered at the dark haired boy behind me.I didn’t know his name or who he was, but Ian seemed to know him.

Don’t worry, I have come prepared, the boy said.Besides, this one is just curious, playing and inquisitive.You’re lucky I was out watching them.

I could hear him begin to hum passively as Ian ran his fingers through his hair with a disturbed look on his face.What are you doing?Humming?Ian huffed.These are Alarician Sharks…they can take down a ship ten times this size!And…you’re humming.

Another thud hit the boat, and this time it was harder.I feared the sharks were done playing and wanted something more.I closed my eyes tightly as he continued to hum.The tune was slow and calming.I truly hoped it worked on the playful now turned deadly sharks.

They’re just playing, don’t fret.Besides, they like to be sung to.His voice was calm as he picked up where he left off on his tune.You know, if people would take more time understanding these creatures, they would spend less time fearing them.

I then could see the boy’s arm fling something over my head that was followed by a splash.

There, now they have something to munch on besides us, said the dark haired boy. Ian looked behind him more likely watching the sharks.

You worry too much Ian, the boy replied.

The boat didn’t get slammed into anymore. Whatever was thrown in must have worked in deterring the sharks.I felt relieved of that, but, what now?How far out at sea was we, and what will happen when or if we get to shore?I had so many questions and didn’t want to lie here looking up at the bluing sky and Ian who had fallen asleep for what seemed like hours ago since the shark attack.

I stretched my arms out and grabbed hold of the side of the boat.Ian had wrapped the piece of cloth tightly around my forearm to keep me from bleeding all over the place.My body was stiff and sore, but it felt good to sit up and look around.Water and sky were the only two things I could see.I rested my chin on my hand that clutched the side of the boat and watched the oar go in and out of the turquoise water.

Ah, our pretty little princess has awaken and in time too, we are just about home, he said as I slowly turned my head and tried to sit up a little straighter.

Emily, you shouldn’t sit up and don’t drip any blood in the water…the sharks.Ian sounded more concerned about sharks than me sitting up.I didn’t listen to him and turned to the dark haired boy.

He smiled widely at me.His long, solid looking arms moved in unison as he rowed us closer to a sliver of brown in the distance.

Where are we and why are you calling me a princess?I asked remembering him calling me highness and welcoming me to Eutopia.

Don’t all girls liked to be called princess?He only smiled and gazed at me with his icy eyes that looked unnaturally green.

No, they don’t.I lowered my chin giving him a disgusted look then gazed off in the distance.

Well, most girls I’ve known like it.He continued anyhow.It makes them feel special, even when they are just common folk.Or actually, one time, I couldn’t remember a girl’s name that I was sort-of-dating and I called her that for nearly a year before I got caught.She liked me calling her princess up until then.He shrugged his shoulders and gave me a crooked smile.I ignored him.

Where exactly are we, Ian?I turned to him.

This is the Alarician Sea and is a wonderful place to observe the water life.The dark haired boy answered quickly before Ian could even draw in a breath.He almost sounded like a tour guide.I didn’t bother to look at him.

What about Gabe and the rest of the Blackbirds…My voice trailed off and a lump formed in my throat.

The Blackbirds were a small group of the Alliances Creed—a group devoted to securing magical implements, including a very powerful and mysterious pendant that was planted on me.They kept my ability to hear silent messages secret and included me as their own—even if it meant risking their lives for me.

I could only guess if they were alive or not.I pushed my pessimistic thoughts away and hoped to see Zach’s animals, visit with Claire and see Alicia’s finished stained glass window she was working on.I was just beginning to know them, the closest thing I had to a family.

Ian sat motionless.He had his elbow on the side of the boat and supported his head with a curled fist.He looked like a stiff statue made of stone.Slowly he opened his eyes.

They are still in Atlantis and we are here, the last place I thought I would ever return.We are in Eutopia--my home.

I knew from Claire that Ian was from Eutopia and no one knew it except for the Blackbirds.

The portal brought us here even though I tried to make a path back to Kangee.It still led us here anyhow.Ian rubbed his forehead as I gazed up at him.

For a moment I could see his face curl with disgust.I felt the anger he had for himself at his own mistake and tried to push it away.I knew Ian wasn’t pleased by his expression and our obvious position, but to feel such a strong emotion radiate through me for only a split second made me wonder if my Receptor abilities to pick up on messages sent by the elements had gone askew.I’ve only recently found out about my secret message sending and receiving, but this was new.I wish I could’ve asked Karinna, she was still teaching me about being a Receptor, but she too, was back at Atlantis.I would be on my own for this.

I wanted to somehow comfort Ian and even though I didn’t have a clue on how to get to Atlantis, I wanted to tell him that we would get back, somehow.

By the way princess, my name is Caleb and it is nice to have you with us, Caleb said suddenly breaking my concern over Ian.

Stop it!I yelled still feeling the remnants of Ian’s frustration.Stop calling me princess!I smacked my hand on the side of the boat accidentally in anger causing blood to trickle down my arm.

I rewrapped the bandage as Caleb only smiled at me.

I’m not calling you that to make you feel special.I’m calling you that because that’s what you are.His smile faded as he raised his eyebrows at me.

I’m not a princess.You must have me confused with someone else.I started to feel nauseated and leaned against the side of the boat.

Caleb only smiled widely and started to laugh, which angered me.I felt I had to throw up and as much as I was glad Caleb was there to rescue us, I wish he would be quiet.

Well, actually you’re a lesser princess, I believe your mother was farther down the royalty line, Caleb said so casually as his words shot through me like an arrow on fire.

My mother…you knew her?I could hardly breathe and it took all my breath just to speak.

Not personally, most of the family was killed when the Wall was put up by the Council.The coastline behind Caleb became defined, but I didn’t care now, I wanted to know about my mother.

You mean my mother…is from here, not Earth?I asked.

Caleb looked past me to Ian.She doesn’t know?

I turned to Ian who grew pale upon my gaze.

I just found out myself.How do you know this Caleb? He crossed his arms.This isn’t some come-on-to-girls technique, is it?

I looked back at Caleb.He had a dumbfounded look on his face.It’s written in the Prophecy Book that a girl of the lesser will come to destroy the Wall and free all who are burden to its separation.I can’t believe you of all didn’t read about it.Caleb looked at Ian who only shrugged his shoulders.I read about it, studied it and then roughly calculated the timing and then, bam, there you were.Caleb looked at me.Or, I hope it’s you, because time is running out for you to destroy the Wall.

I shook my head as Caleb’s words spun in my head like a carnival ride twirling with screaming people.

How am I supposed to destroy some Wall, free people, when I never knew this place existed?I asked overwhelmed with my head aching as the boat skirted to a graceful stop along a dock.

You’re the princess, you’ll figure it out.Caleb smirked, taunting me to the point that I was exhausted of words.

The dock looked almost to be abandoned.Through the broken boards, I stepped carefully watching my watery image as I passed to the safety of the shore.

I wanted to ask Caleb the questions that piled inside of me about my mother, but he kept looking around and told Ian to hurry to not be seen.I can only wonder what we would be seen by.

Caleb and Ian pulled the boat to the sandy shore as I stood in the coarse sand thinking of Gabe and my first time at a beach.I closed my eyes for just a second trying to capture the brilliant blues of the Sanudra Ocean of Atlantis.We had walked for what seemed like miles with his hand in mine. The sand there was fine in texture and warm, but nothing now but a memory.I wondered how or even if I would get back.

We have to move quickly, or the Rangers will arrest us.Caleb looked at Ian then into the distance.

A dense tree line framed the beach.Thick, green vines curled around the tall, long needled trees and in some places, crept onto the sand in a thick, green carpet.The dead trees leaned against live ones like a drunkard to a brick wall encased in the choking vines like a death shroud.

Here, princess.Caleb knelt with his back to me and his broad shoulders resting about hip height.

What are you doing…and quit calling me princess!I felt my stomach churn as I pulled my hand through my