Haven Awakening

By Gryffyn Phoenix

Some things are better left unseen.

The kids at Haven have been waiting. Legend foretold the veil-seer would lead them to victory over their sworn enemy, Helm. With her arrival comes the shocking realization that she is the one thing they never expected: a mortal.

Verity didn't want the cornea transplant for her sixteenth birthday. She couldn't have imagined it would make her the veil-seer, a coveted weapon in an ancient feud. Now she's stuck trying to master her new powers, make friends, and stay alive. Having been saved by Helm too many times for comfort, Verity wonders which side she should be fighting for. The problem is something evil lurks in Haven, and the only thing it wants is for the new veil-seer to die.

Haven Awakening shows that turning sixteen isn't always sweet.

Gryffyn Phoenix takes the YA scene by storm with the first book in the Haven Awakening series—a supernatural fantasy filled with life-threatening conflicts, heartbreaking betrayal, peer pressure, and the dangers of finding true love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Avalerion Books
• Release date: May 19, 2013
• ISBN: 9780983411932

Gryffyn Phoenix

I started my love affair with books at five years old. It all began when a copy of the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe hit me on the head ... climbing bookcases can hurt. We didn't own a wardrobe, so I pushed on every wall in the house, even the ones in the closet, trying to get in. An entrance to Narnia was impossible to find. Bummer. Putting my disappointment aside, I set about creating my own lands for everyone to enjoy. Look out Disney.Check me out on social media, I'm everywhere, or at least I try to be, and I love to talk to my readers. If you're interested in a dead tree version of the book please visit www.avalerionbooks.com or want more information about me, you can find it at www.gryffynphoenix.com. Cheers!

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About the Book

HAVEN AWAKENING

Some things are better left unseen.

The kids at Haven have been waiting. Legend foretold the veil-seer would lead them to victory over their sworn enemy, Helm. With her arrival comes the shocking realization that she is the one thing they never expected: a mortal.

Verity didn't want the cornea transplant for her sixteenth birthday. She couldn't have imagined it would make her the veil-seer, a coveted weapon in an ancient feud. Now she's stuck trying to master her new powers, make friends, and stay alive. Having been saved by Helm too many times for comfort, Verity wonders which side she should be fighting for. The problem is something evil lurks in Haven, and the only thing it wants is for the new veil-seer to die.

Haven Awakening shows that turning sixteen isn't always sweet.

Gryffyn Phoenix takes the YA scene by storm with the first book in the Haven Awakening series—a supernatural fantasy filled with life-threatening conflicts, heartbreaking betrayal, peer pressure, and the dangers of finding true love.

I adored this novel! Phoenix’s Haven sounds absolutely irresistible! With a perfect balance of humor and magical realism, Phoenix provides readers with a refreshing and insightful tale that everyone is bound to fall in love with! In addition, Phoenix is able to capture the teenage mind and voice. In short, you should read this. You’ll get your fill of laughs, as well as a touch of magic!

—Amy Yoelin, Huffington Post

A very different take on all things fey and some not-so-fey, seen --- for the most part --- through the eyes of a most astute first-person observer whose own circumstances incline her to a very special kind of adventure. Disturbing and revelationary, Haven will leave you thinking as well as a little sad it's over.

—Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, international bestselling author

A star is born.  Gryffyn Phoenix's Haven is absolutely fabulous. The author's voice is pitch perfect as we are  introduced to gutsy teen heroine, Verity.  Full of heart and humor, Haven is impossible to set aside, whether you normally read YA novels or not.  Phoenix has given us something fresh and new and very exciting.  I'll be first in line to read the rest of this unique and entertaining series!

—Tamara Thorne,  international bestselling author of Candle Bay, Eternity

A promising writer! One to surely watch and read. Definitely read!

—M.J. Rose, International bestselling author

Deftly weaving ancient tales into a luxurious tapestry, author Gryffyn Phoenix, has created a fresh mythology rife with peril. Blinded in an accident, Verity has adapted to a world of darkness. When surgery restores her sight she learns that she alone can see through the fragile veil that separates mortals and myth. Verity is a wonderfully clever and quirky hero in a world in which the concepts of friend, foe and family are turned upside down, often with terrifying results. Haven is a delicious roller coaster ride with plenty of surprises from the first page to the last.

—Q. L. Pearce , author of Scary Stories for SleepOvers

Haven Awakening

Copyright © 2011 Gryffyn.Phoenix

Published by Avalerion Books, Inc.

Smashwords Edition

Cover design by Dracontias

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014947082

ISBN: 978-0-9834119-3-2

All Rights Reserved

First e-book edition July 2012

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

This ebook is for your personal device only. No part may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the author.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincident.

Avalerion Books Inc., Miami, Florida

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avalerionbooks.com

My Haven dream team:

John and Sue ... you are the definition of great parents,

Johnny, the best brother in the world,

and AJ and Lindsey, never doubt how much you are loved.

Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Epilogue

Preview For Helm Abomination

Copyright

About the Author

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PROLOGUE

Aria ran into the middle of the junkyard and, horrified, skidded to a stop.

It was gone.

The gateway had disappeared.

There was no chance for her now. She stabbed her sword into the dirt and allowed her knees to fold. As she sank down, her forehead came to rest on her fisted hands against the hilt, her knuckles stood out in stark white against the burnished metal. Not once had she let go of the weapon; even in her sleep she held it close to her side. She hoped the spelled blade might increase her ability to fight.

It was her only hope.

And now hope was gone.

The door was closed. She had no escape. The enemy would come, they would fight, and she would be killed.

In this she had no doubt.

She caught sight of her reflection in a small puddle of rainwater. Her once white-blonde hair had turned brown from the months of being hunted, far from the comforts of home. Her skin was crisscrossed with dagger cuts from the last time she was taken unawares.

They wanted her eyes.

If she wouldn’t give them of her own free will, they were determined to take them from her.

Her eyes were dulled from exhaustion; the dark shadows beneath them had turned purple and black. I’m eighteen years old, she whispered, horrified at her reflection, and I look eighty.

Aria tore off an earring, crushed the golden jewel under her heel, and called upon the watcher. When she felt the presence in the darkness she faced her one-time friend with fake pride. I’m finished, she acknowledged with a wearied sigh. I won’t last much longer.

The watcher offered a single dip of the head.

Wiping at her eyes, angry at her show of weakness, Aria lifted her head. "I want—no, need—to know. Will I be remembered?"

Once more the watcher gave a nod.

She tried to gather her remaining shards of courage to ask the next question, but finding courage sparse, she gasped out the words in a single heated rush: Will I be forgiven?

No answer.

I guess I don’t deserve peace of mind.

Another nod.

How not comforting.

To think I called you friend. Her laugh was harsh from disuse. I know—she swallowed hard and began again—I know what I did was wrong. It was so easy to listen to them, to their dreams of power and glory. Hindsight doesn't help much though, does it?

The watcher gave a shake of its head. At least they were breaking up the nodding routine.

I was praying—another hoarse, bark of laughter split the air—I was praying I’d make it right. I know what I did was wrong, but maybe I could put it right … they say better late than never. My fear is I won’t have the time or the opportunity to fix it. In the name of what we once were, what I tried to be, could you please do it? Could you make sure no matter what, they go to where they were meant to be?

A shrug. Now the gestures were getting almost diverse.

They’ll fight for the powers. We have no purpose without them. I know what I ask of you is no simple matter. If you could watch over whoever gets them, I’d appreciate it.

She realized she’d been found when the watcher built the shadows around herself like a cloak. The sound of running footsteps echoed to her through the sky-high piles of cars as a song of doom; the gathering dark clouds roiled across the sky, and lightning pierced through the veil, searching the cemetery of forgotten possessions.

Looking for her.

It was time to end this nightmare.

Aria took in a deep, quavering breath as she pulled the sword from the soil. Bracing her stance she nodded goodbye to the shadow. Fare thee well. Thank you for your kindness in the past. If you could please talk about me, I did some good—once. I’d like to be remembered for something other than my crimes.

The watcher left without comment or attempt at solace. Aria knew she didn’t deserve it.

Didn’t mean she didn’t want it.

Aria shoved back her sweaty hair and rubbed some of the last handfuls of holy soil from her pouch across her cheeks. It would slow down the wounds she was about to receive. At least it would give her a chance to inflict some pain on the killer approaching her with the single-minded determination of a speeding train. She should have listened to their warnings. She should have heeded the signs. She should have done a lot of things. She let it all go by, though. She was busy doing everything but what truly counted. Paying attention in class would have been much wiser, but she’d never thought much about where she was going.

Soon, she was sure; there’d be no more time to think.

Soon, there’d be no more regrets.

Soon, there’d be no more Aria at all.

Diary of

Verity Lily Felicity Chambers

Volume One

1

I’m the most ordinary girl in the world. Argh. Even thinking that statement makes me grimace. Average in looks, body, intelligence, and talents … there really is nothing extraordinary about me. I even live in an average State. No one seems to think much about Pennsylvania; well, no one under twenty-one.

The only thing notable about me is that I’m blind. Not blind as in blind-as-a–bat-without-my-glasses but more of the can’t-see-shit variety. Car accident when I was twelve ended the existence, other than something I cover with sunglasses, of my brown peepers.

Now for the answer to the question everyone asks. No I don’t miss colors. You don’t regret something you haven’t lost. My dreams are still in color. Losing your ability to see when you’re just hitting puberty leaves you with a screwed-up look at the world—or not-look, as in my case.

My nose still works. Smell can be as useful as eyes. They tell me everything from what you had for lunch to where you’ve been lately. Between smells and hearing, I can usually figure out if you’re lying to me, what you’re planning on doing next, and what kind of mood you’re in.

So the only thing different about me … is the one thing I don’t have.

Ironic, huh?

My dreams are the one place it’s not like that. Where I’m savior of the universe. The girl everyone turns to for help. Getting answers, finding keys to untold treasures. Heroic feats are all possible as long as people put themselves into my more-than-capable hands.

Slumber is my refuge. The only time I feel like I know the way to go and what to do is when my eyes are tightly closed.

As my sixteenth birthday approached, my parents decided to give me the gift they thought would be the one thing I wanted most in the world. Not a hot car and driver to let me get around by myself and finally let me have some freedom. Not an amazing party to invite all my friends to let me show off my nonexistent bling. Not even my own credit card, though since they never let me out of their sight I’m really not clear why I wanted one in the first place. Nix on a racy dress that’s more label than fabric. Or a pair of jeans my mother swears are too low, too tight, and too expensive.

Nope. Not one of those things. Nothing I wanted.

They decided to give me eyes.

Thereby taking away the one feature that makes me stand out.

Parents. Who understands them?

After four years of waiting my healing optic nerve gave everyone a green light, but I still felt run over. They got me to an eye surgeon faster than I could say, huh? Talk of some medical breakthrough made them drool.

Ok, I couldn’t see them drool, but I could guess.

It felt bizarre pleading with them not to give me back the gift of sight. When I tried they upped my therapy appointments, so I figured it was better to keep my discomfort to myself.

Mom and Dad were confident I’d get a transplant before my birthday. While the doctors, therapist, and support group were all advising patience because it took years to qualify and find a match, my folks were discussing getting a driver’s license and a library card.

Yeah, they’re geeks, but I love them anyway. They try. At least they put the driver’s license first. Still. What were they thinking?

It took me four years to get into a comfort zone about my lack of sight. I have real skills with Braille. My memory is sharp, and I know how to get around my house without having to use a cane or a guide dog.

Something you might not know—some blind people can’t use either. I was one of those people. The cane was a crutch, so to speak, that made me uncomfortable. When I had it I wouldn’t memorize the layout of places, and that’s a dangerous trap to fall into. Or worse, I just tripped over the damn thing.

Seeing eye dogs didn’t work for two reasons. Ever see a golden retriever? Ha! Me neither. Sorry, blind girl humor. Least I don’t remember ever seeing one. Folks aren’t big on pets. My little brother and sister didn’t get that they could only play with the puppy when it was off the leash. Second reason was that my folks are allergic. We weren’t even allowed to have fish, they hated house pets so much.

 The therapist decided that while I waited for the organs needed to give me the gift of twenty/twenty, I should write this journal. I went through all the steps, even putting my name on the front. At least I didn’t have to worry about my little brother reading the diary since I decided to do the whole thing in Braille for just that reason.

So that’s how this thing started. The diary came from the stress of waiting for the transplant, and the transplant came from some odd spark of irony deep within my parents’ subconscious.

None of this was on my happy list.

I mean it’s kind of morbid when you think about it. Someone has to do something really stupid for my parents to give me this smart gift. I’m sitting around waiting for some idiot to drive his motorcycle without a helmet, or some genius to try to recreate a stunt they saw on television.

Lucky me.

So here I am, on my birthday inside a doctor’s exam room with Mom and Dad while we all wait for them to take off the final-stage bandage that will allow me to see. They’d even coordinated it so my first opportunity to use my brand new eyes would be at precisely four forty-four p.m., the same time as my birth.

That’s my folks—big on the grand gesture, small on listening to their kid.

I had a general idea what things and people looked like. So I wasn’t thinking this was going to be any kind of big surprise. On the excitement meter I was probably at a five—kind of like looking forward to watching a foreign movie without a translator and dreading having to finally see just what my hair’s like.

Look, I’m a girl, no apologies.

Bandages off, lights slowly undimmed, and I took a look for the first time.

I threw up.

Could I be blind again please?

2

I threw up all over my anxiously waiting parents, sending them scurrying from the room. Verity Lily Felicity Chambers, how could you?

I forgot to mention—my parents were apparently expecting a Regency romance book heroine when they were told they were pregnant with me.

It’s okay, Dr. Baron assured me. He must have made some kind of gesture to the nurse because the lights were taken down to dimmed mood level.

As I lifted my head from the trashcan, I tried looking at the pair of health professionals through slitted lids.

Nope, it’s still awful.

I got eyes and landed in a bad zombie movie—and I wasn’t even allowed to listen to those damned movies on the Internet.

The doc had all these … I don’t know … transparent children wrapped around his legs. They had these tortured faces, as if someone had just told them Santa wasn’t real and taken their candy away. I started to shake as the kids seemed to be trying to crawl up the doctor’s legs. No clue what their plan was, and I didn’t want to know. Can’t say the nurse was any better. She had this steaming hole in the middle of her chest with a black bubbling tar substance oozing out of the middle. I could see the stuff popping and shifting as she moved. Whatever’s going on with that poor woman, no way it’s good. This is a whole other solar system from planet okay.

Excuse me … why didn’t anyone ever tell me about these things when they were trying to remind me about colors?

Verity, just take deep breaths, Nursie soothed.

Doc chimed in. Some confusion is normal the first few moments.

Confusion. My voice is a cross between a squeak and squawk. I just need someone to explain those crazy babies crawling up your legs.

The two of them exchanged a look of what the hell’s wrong with her? Oh good. I may not have had eyes for years, but even this former blind girl can translate that expression.

Crazy babies? the doctor glanced at the nurse again.

Nurse Whatever slipped out the door. I was sure she was headed for the nearest psychiatrist. Will my new eyes still fit if someone shrinks my head?

Freaked-out kid humor, much funnier than transplant girl.

Verity, there are no ‘crazy babies.’ I think you’re just seeing some flares from the transplant.

I shook harder as Dr. Baron’s uninvited guests realized I could see them. They began to beckon at me with leering faces.

When he reached a hand out to steady me, I jumped over the exam table. Hey, who knew I could do that? Not me.

Verity, just calm down.

Calm down. I shook my head as I backed into the corner. You calm down. Just do it on the other side of the room.

Just then, a girl about my age burst in. A good head taller than I am, she was wearing an outfit I am sure I would have drooled over in some fancy magazine if I had been able to see one. The jewel tones set off her milk chocolate skin perfectly. She made her floor-length leather coat flare around her as she pirouetted into the room. It let me see the knives strapped to every part of her body, and I guessed there were a few I couldn’t see. Her fingers were covered with the silver sheathes embedded with gem stones, the kind you get if you beg your Mom when she takes you to the Renaissance Faire. Her features had the carved perfection of a cover model, and her willowy body was the type that always showed off clothing well. I really wanted to hate her for that alone. Her obsidian colored eyes flashed with absolute confidence.

Her attitude was of clear command.

I so wanted to be her right then.

Sorry I’m late, she quipped as she tossed back her waist-long braids. Each one had a shining blue bead at the end. I was held up staking a Shade down the road.

You know how you read about stuff sometimes and you think to yourself, cool, can’t wait until that happens to me? Well, this was one of those moments. I mean, I’m all freaked out over how odd everything looks, and in walks this girl with this ’tude. Her presence flipped the whole script.

I’m Cass, by the way. You are?

Verity, I supplied. How come you’re not freaking me out?

That’s a long story, she hedged. Look. I need you to deal, and do it faster than a street con running a three-card Monty scam.

Uhm, huh? I did start this with a confession that I’m average.

At that moment I realized the doctor was staring into space, as if none of this was actually happening. What’s he doing?

I paused him, my new friend, Cass, informed me.

What?

Cass shook her head, No time for that now, V. We’ve got to motor.

Why do you talk like you’ve escaped from a graphic novel?

Not possible. Her grin made shivers run up my spine. I slay way more than just vampires and aliens.

This is probably the moment I realized I was scared. I mean, seriously? After my recent reading material, I guess I had only myself to blame. No good comes from teenage girls consuming books about creatures of the night. Why did I think this psychopath was going to make me into one?

I’d never do that to you, V. Cass gave me a wink before cracking the door and looking out into the hall.

Great. A psychopath who can read minds. Merry Christmas to me.

At least you’re interesting. I left the boring ones to handle this on their own. Now … let’s go.

I’m not some dog you can order around, I informed her through clenched teeth.

Heel, V, she commanded.

How much did I hate the next moment when I found myself standing next to the side of her left shoe? To try and lessen my shame, I couldn’t help but notice, and said, Sick boots.

Thanks, I totally got them on sale. She flexed her ankle. But they pinch in the toes.

I did mention I’m a girl, and proud of it. Where do you think we’re going?

You gonna deal with your abilities on your own … no prob. I’m outie.

"What do you mean abilities?"

Tell me what you saw.

I swallowed hard three times before I could try to put my first eyeful into words. The doctor had these nasty transparent kids wrapped around him, and the nurse had something like tar oozing out of her chest.

Ick, the doctor will need to be dealt with. The nurse’s cancer is her own problem though.

People can see cancer on the outside?

You can, Cass answered with a steady voice, and an assessing expression that said quite clearly it was time for me to figure something big out. Fast.

I couldn’t before. I spoke real slowly, hoping I could buy myself some time.

And now you can, she answered.

What happens if I don’t go with you?

I’m guessing you go nuts and die.

Oh. And if I do?

You get a shot at making a difference in the world. Saving a lot of people and ensuring the future for all.

Hell. How could I turn that down?

When Cass tilted her head to the side as her eyes continued to stay riveted on me, I knew without her speaking this was going to be my one shot at making sense of all this.

So if I go with you, what do we do about my folks?

They’ve been dealt with.

You’d better not have hurt them, I hollered at her. Great, Verity. What do you think you’d do if she said she had hurt them?

They’re fine, she assured me. They think you’re being sent for special rehab.

I nodded with approval. That would work. Only way the ’rents wouldn’t pitch a fit if they thought it was a medical thing and not a fun issue.

Not a lot of fun allowed into my life.

Now here’s the sitch. Either you can put on some special glasses I have for you and not see anything while we blow this joint, or you can stay alert and cope with the sights we’re about to pass and not have to be carried around like a sack of potatoes. What’s it gonna be, V? Burden or bargain?

After four years of having to rely on other people, there wasn’t much need to ruminate. I’ll deal,