The Spiral Revealed (Spiral Defenders Series: Book Two)

By Erin Danzer

What secrets will the Spiral reveal?

After Ronnie follows Gavin into the Spiral, she finds out getting the answers she is looking for isn’t as easy as she thought.

Some secrets are kept. A secret love affair comes to light. New abilities are revealed. Ronnie finds she has enemies before she makes new friends. She falls harder for Gavin, but is betrothed to another, a betrothal that will not be broken even after she and Gavin form a sacred bond.

As turmoil rises within the Spiral, Ronnie learns the truth about her enemy. She must fight to become a Spiral Defender and queen of her new home—or risk that home spiraling into nothing.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Erin Danzer
• Release date: Mar 3, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310679988

Book preview

Chapter One

Veronica Ronnie Lambert took a deep breath as the grayish inky darkness of the In Between surrounded her. She held Gavin’s hand so tight she knew it had to hurt but he didn’t complain. In her other hand, she held her sword, Lamina Lucis, its cool steel comforting against her skin as she scanned the darkness ahead of them. The last time she went in the In Between, she defeated a shadow hound. Her heart picked up speed as she remembered its matted black fur and white glowing eyes, its hissing growl as it attacked. She turned to Gavin with wide eyes.

Don’t let go, she begged, her voice a little breathless. A slow smile curved his lips and she felt her breath catch as he pulled her closer to his side.

Why would I want to? he replied, his voice low and intimate. All thoughts of shadow hounds fled her mind as warm tingles rushed through her body. She blushed and glanced away. Gavin chuckled as his shoulder bumped hers and she looked up at him. They were the same height because of the two-inch heels she wore to her going away party. His dark hair fell over his forehead in a way Ronnie found adorable. Amusement lit his dark eyes as he grinned at her.

Better now? he asked. Her cheeks burned brighter as she shyly nodded and smiled at him.

Yes, she replied tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

Good, because we have company.

Ronnie heard a familiar hissing growl behind them and spun around the same time Gavin did, their hands parting as they stood shoulder-to-shoulder with their swords poised for battle. Ronnie stifled a gasp as Gavin muttered his sword’s name and the blade shot up out of the metal hilt in a ray of white light that left Ronnie momentarily blinded. Gavin jumped forward, lunging for the shadow hound stalking towards them. Ronnie stood mesmerized as she watched him thrust his sword at the hound, his movements a blur of shadow and light. Within moments, the hound fell, giving an unearthly scream as they dissolved back into the shadows around them.

Ronnie only had a moment to watch Gavin swing at the hound with a killing blow when she heard another hissing growl behind her. She spun around and rolled away as the beast lunged at her. She cried out her sword’s name and its blade of light came to life. The sword pulsed like something alive in her hands as she rolled to her feet, wishing she would have changed into a pair of jeans as she staggered in her sandals. Her black, waist length hair tangled in front of her eyes and she wished she’d put it into a braid before their journey into the In Between, but she hadn't been thinking about her hair when they left her friends at the restaurant. She’d been wondering when she would see them again.

Veronica, Gavin yelled. It was so unusual to hear her full name on his lips that it snapped her out of her reverie. She brushed her hair aside and settled into a stance with two hands holding her sword just as the hound lunged at her again, its claws extended and its jaws wide open. Ronnie saw that the dog was going for her throat and fell onto her back, her sword held vertical above her. The bright blade sliced through the hound’s belly. It hissed and howled as its body dissipated back into the darkness. Gavin ran over to her as she rolled onto her knees, breathing hard as adrenaline continued to course through her. She looked down at her dress, what was once a pretty light blue sundress, and grimaced at all the grime on it now; there was even a tear above her knee. She was going to have to get rid of the dress once they reached the castle in Kalearnia.

Are you okay? Gavin asked as he knelt next to her. His arm came around her waist before she could think about his question and she suddenly found herself standing in front of him. His hands skimmed down her arms as though he was looking for where she might have gotten hurt. She grabbed his hands, ignoring her body’s response to having them touch her.

Gavin, I’m fine, she insisted and grimaced down at her dress. Though I can’t say the same about my dress. I’ll have to change before I meet my mother.

Her grimace deepened as she thought of the woman who had given her up seventeen years ago. Since realizing the truth yesterday, she’d wondered what she would say once they were face to face. Nervous butterflies warred with anger within her and she put a hand on her queasy stomach. She had no idea what would happen once she was in front of the queen.

She looked up when Gavin didn’t say anything. He always had something witty or flirty to say. His dark eyes were distant and his face marred with a frown, something she hardly ever saw there. She knew he was thinking about the queen and what would happen once she found out Ronnie knew the truth. Ronnie reached out to put a hand on his arm and he blinked at her, snapping out of his thoughts.

Well, if we don’t keep moving, we won’t have time for anything before she asks for an audience, he told her. She nodded.

Yes, of course, she agreed and dropped her hand from his arm. She retrieved her sword from where she’d dropped it and started walking in what she thought was the right direction. Gavin caught her hand and wheeled her around. Relief washed over her when she saw his signature smile back in place.

It’s this way, Princess, he said. The word princess sent a shock straight to her heart that she tried to ignore as she smiled. She would have enough time to worry about her new status in life once they reached the castle.

Lead the way.

They walked in silence for a while, both listening for something else about to attack. They didn’t have to wait long. It seemed like only moments passed when Ronnie heard a distinct groaning coming from further ahead—at least she hoped it was ahead; she was getting disorientated the longer they stayed in the In Between. Gavin swore as he grabbed her hand tighter and started running through the inky darkness, only to skid to a halt as a large shadowy monster appeared in front of them. Ronnie screamed. The monster had to be at least seven feet tall and was made up entirely of swirling shadows. Its form was vaguely human and where its eyes should have been, bright white lights shone out into the darkness. A long, scaly tail swished behind it as it came right for them. Gavin pushed Ronnie behind him as he readied his sword and Ronnie knew they were going to have to fight this thing together. She pushed down the panic that tried to overcome her and raised her sword as well. She wasn’t about to let Gavin face this thing alone.

Stay back, Gavin yelled when he saw her sword raised. Ronnie glared at him.

You can’t fight that thing on your own, she argued.

No, you can’t fight that thing, period. Let me take care of it.

No. She raised the sword over her head and ran towards the monster, calling out the sword’s name like a battle cry as she ran. She vaguely realized Gavin was next to her again as her sword, the blade now glowing with a bright whiteness, carved through the shadow demon’s chest. Smoke sizzled where the cut had formed and the demon screamed as it reached out for her, only to have its arm taken off by Gavin’s sword. Ronnie blinked in the brightness of her sword’s blade and felt a little guilty at the reprimanding glare Gavin spared her before he faced the demon again. He swung his sword around at its neck and shouted "Vitae Luminae!" as he dispatched its head from its shoulders. The thing reached out blindly, still trying to fight even as it dissolved in front of them. Gavin held out his arm to keep Ronnie back until it was completely gone. He rounded on her the minute it disappeared, his dark eyes blazing as he reached out and grabbed Ronnie’s sword out of her hand.

Hey, she protested indignantly. It’s not like I didn’t do any damage with that. I took care of a shadow hound all on my own.

He continued to glare at her, apparently too upset for words. Finally, he ground out, No more swords until you learn to listen.

He turned away and took a deep breath, leaving Ronnie trembling next to him while he forced himself to calm down. Now that all the excitement was over, Ronnie could see why he was so upset. He was right; it had been stupid for her to go after something when she didn’t know what it was. She already fought a shadow hound so he knew she could take care of it. But that demon—or whatever it was—she could have gotten seriously injured. Her cheeks pinked with embarrassment as she hesitantly reached out for him. Her hand landed on his forearm and he looked up at her.

I’m sorry, she apologized. He curtly nodded, his dark hair falling over his forehead, as he moved so he could take her hand and started walking through the In Between again. Ronnie walked quietly next to him, feeling like a child who would get a scolding once they got home. Pain throbbed in her right ankle as they walked and she glared down at her impractical white sandals. If she would’ve known she’d be facing monsters on her way to Kalearnia, she would’ve worn tennis shoes. She gritted her teeth against the pain and kept trekking through the inky grayish darkness.

What’s wrong? Gavin asked a minute later after seeing her expression. She shook her head.

It’s my ankle, she admitted. But it’ll be fine; I’ve healed worse.

Gavin frowned as he stopped walking. He glanced at her ankle and shook his head. Then he muttered a few words and pulled her through another portal. She stumbled into the bright sunlight of late morning in Kalearnia and gasped as Gavin caught her.

Let me see it, he said and she nodded. He lowered her onto the grass and she reveled in the feel of the warm life beneath her fingertips as his fingers gently ran over her right ankle. She hissed in a breath as a slight searing pain shot up her leg. A frown turned down her lips as Gavin helped her back to her feet, her ankle completely healed.

I could have healed it on my own, you know, she pointed out as they continued walking.

Yes, but you would’ve been limping when you met the queen and she probably would have my head for not keeping you safe, he argued. Ronnie rolled her eyes.

Whatever. If she was so worried about me, she never would have given me up. It’s not your fault if I come home a little worse for wear.

I’m not sure she would see it that way, he said, so quietly Ronnie wasn’t sure she heard him right. She looked up as a shadow fell over them and she realized they’d come up to the white castle. Purple flags flew from the towers and the large oak gate opened as they neared.

Welcome to Mariandell Castle, he said formally and took her hand as he led her through the gate.

Chapter Two

Ronnie’s mouth fell open as she walked with Gavin through the gate in the outer wall of the castle. All the white surrounding them dazzled her. The stone walls shone as brightly as the blade of her sword. She blinked and looked at Gavin as they entered the inner castle and immediately noticed a change in him. His shoulders were tense and his mouth set in a thin line. Gone was the playfulness from when he brought her into the In Between, a playfulness she’d come to rely on to keep her grounded.

Her heart fluttered and her palms began to sweat as they passed what looked like a bakery. A short old man stared at them with black, beady eyes, his large pointed ears sprouting tufts of white hair. Ronnie looked at him and immediately looked away when his eyes met hers. Across from the bakery was the blacksmith, the clanging of hammer against metal deafening. Heat billowed from the fires and Ronnie was glad when they passed. She ran a hand over her hair and tried to relax. Another glance at Gavin told her he’d only become tenser. He looked like a guy walking towards something he knew he’d regret.

Hey, you’re not the only one worried about this meeting, she reminded him. He raised an eyebrow is disbelief.

I have so much more to be worried about. You’re not even supposed to know, not until she tells you.

Anger burned within Ronnie. "That’s ridiculous. How could she think I wouldn’t know? One look at her and it was obvious! There’s no reason for her to be mad at you over something I guessed."

She might not see it that way.

Then I’ll have to make sure she does. Ronnie sighed. I don’t want you to be worried about this. Let me do the worrying. You can do the comforting.

Gavin stopped walking and studied her for a moment. Ronnie wanted to squirm under his scrutiny. Her anger gave way to anticipation when his eyes met hers. He nodded, seeming to find whatever he’d been looking for.

Okay. No more worrying from me, he agreed and draped an arm over her shoulders as they continued walking towards the castle.

They passed a group of seamstresses with beautiful iridescent wings and flowing red hair, their wings twinkling in shades of blue and pink in the sunlight. Across from there was the weaponry and a little farther down a tavern. Everywhere Ronnie looked, she saw the tribal Triskell, the mark of the Spiral Defenders, on a multitude of people and creatures.

Just before they entered the castle, they came to two large gardens being tended by centaurs. One of them had a chestnut coat, the Triskell tattooed on his right hind flank. He turned as she and Gavin neared and Ronnie gasped. It was the same centaur from the dream she had the night she got struck by lightning! He raised a muscled, tanned arm to his chest, his fist over his heart in what must be a common salute. His dark brown eyes locked with hers and Ronnie’s heart picked up speed as she gasped again. The centaur’s eyes showed surprise and he looked away, his tail twitching as his fist dropped from his chest. Ronnie looked up at Gavin to ask what just happened, but Gavin’s grim expression was on the centaur. His dark eyes cut to Ronnie and he saw her watching him.

That’s Duncan, he told her and nodded at the centaur.

I dreamed about him, she whispered, her heart pounding against her ribs. It was so weird to run into someone she dreamed about. In the dream, he’d been one of several different creatures standing over her bed. They’d sounded excited about finding her and had said something about her… something about her being the princess. She grimaced, shrugging off Gavin’s arm as it all fell into place.

Does everyone know but me? she muttered as she crossed her arms. Gavin sighed.

Not everyone, though I don’t know what’s happened since I told Alina you were coming home. For all we know, she announced your homecoming to all of Kalearnia.

His words startled Ronnie and she looked at him with wide eyes. She wouldn’t really do that, would she?

I don’t know, Gavin replied and led her through a door in the wall between the two gardens.

Ronnie stared at the flurry of action happening around her. A group of six or seven plump women with brown skin and black hair scurried around the room, the hems of their cotton dresses dragging on the stone floor as they moved pots to and from the fires or chopped vegetables on a large slab of white marble in the center of the room. None of the women stood taller than three feet. One of the women gave a slight curtsy as she passed Ronnie and Gavin, her apron full of freshly scrubbed potatoes, and Ronnie noticed that the woman’s nose was pressed flat against her face and her eyes were wide and slanted, black with no white showing. She wondered what these women were.

My lady, the woman said as she curtsied, her voice deep and throaty and her eyes looking up at Ronnie through the black hair on her head. Ronnie was so taken aback by the greeting that she didn’t know how to respond. The woman seemed to know this because she gave a tight smile, glanced at Gavin, and scurried off towards the island counter

Come on, Princess, there’s someone eager to meet you, Gavin spoke up in her ear and tugged on her arm to get her moving. Ronnie shook her head and blinked several times as she walked with him out of the kitchen. A stone staircase stood nearby and Gavin crossed to it. By the lack of decoration on the walls, Ronnie knew these were the servant stairs. Wherever Gavin was taking her, he didn’t want a lot of people to see her. Even so, as they climbed the spiral staircase, the servants they passed squeaked and their eyes widened when they fell on Ronnie. By the time they reached the top, she felt like an anomaly.

They’re all treating me like I’m some kind of freak. She scowled at Gavin.

Gavin sighed as he stopped walking and turned to face her. His mouth was still grim but his eyes were sympathetic. You’re anything but a freak, Princess, he declared, his words devoid of emotion.

No, I’m the long lost princess finally finding her way home—which she wouldn’t have to do if the queen hadn't given her up in the first place. The words spewed angrily from Ronnie’s mouth, surprising both of them with their venom. Ronnie clamped a hand over her mouth to keep more angry thoughts from escaping. She’d been upset since figuring out the truth about her heritage, but pushed aside those feelings because she couldn’t get answers until coming to Kalearnia. Now that she was here, she couldn’t meet the queen fast enough.

I just want to get this over with, she grumbled as Gavin reached for her hand again. She let him take it and he gently squeezed before entwining their fingers.

I know you do, just like I’m sure she’s anxious to see you, but being angry isn’t going to help anything. Alina had her reasons to give you up—reasons I don’t know about. Soon enough, you will get your answers, Princess. I promise.

She nodded, knowing he was right. Okay then, well, can I at least get cleaned up before I have to meet her? she asked and he visibly relaxed.

Of course. His cheeks pinked. Though I have no idea where you’ll do that here. I should have taken you to my house to clean up first.

Yeah, you could’ve shown me your room. Ronnie grinned as she teased him and a cocky grin stretched across his face. He looked so normal, Ronnie felt relieved when his eyes darkened as they met hers.

You’ll see it, he promised and stepped away as another servant neared them. Gavin turned to the young girl. Excuse me, miss, we have an audience with Queen Alina and we’d like to freshen up first, he told her. The girl’s slanted blue eyes widened as she stopped in front of them and her pointed ears twitched as she looked from Gavin to Ronnie. If possible, the girl’s eyes widened even more when they fell on Ronnie, making Ronnie wonder just how bad she looked—it must have been catastrophic with the way everyone kept staring at her.

Of course, my lord, right this way, the girl squeaked, her voice like an out of tune violin, and turned on her heel to show them to a room. Her satin slippers whispered against the stone floor, the only sound besides the click-clack of Ronnie’s heels as they walked down the large hallway. Despite being made completely of stone, the castle didn’t seem cold, almost like the stones were heated. She wondered if all magical castles were like this as the elf girl led them into a beautiful room. Pink satin decorated the walls and a large mahogany four-poster bed dominated the center of the room, a burgundy comforter expertly thrown over it. A large matching wardrobe stood prominent against the wall