First Magic-A Fae Legacy Novel

By L.C Benz

The Dark Fae are gaining power by kidnapping the children of the Light Fae, a tragedy which has only recently been discovered. Bryn has been ordered to retrieve the newest foundling discovered, bringing her magic back to the clan... before she begins her metamorphosis next month.
Seren has no idea that she's different, but she's always felt it. Then Bryn arrives to teach a mythology course Seren is taking and he teaches her that different can be very good.

• Language: English
• Publisher: L.C Benz
• Release date: Apr 16, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310355141

L.C Benz

I live in Ontario with my daughter, our dog and our cat (both rescues). I love playing video games, writing and making cosplay costumes for my kiddo. (Sometimes my daughter allows me to play Halo with her, but I'm terrible at FPS games)I love to hear from my readers! Feel free to email me at [e-mail]. Please allow me some time to respond as I do work for a living ;) writing is only my part time passion!

Book preview

First Magic

~

A Fae Legacy Novel

Published by L.C. Benz at Smashwords

Copyright 2014 L.C. Benz

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher or author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. The story contained within is a work of fiction. Names and characters are the product of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

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 your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Acknowledgements

For Elliot, thanks for believing in me.

~

For my girls, Sydney, Brittney, Kari, Luisa, and Angel you’re the best support team anyone could ask for!

~

And for my wonderful daughter Cecilia, you’re always so sure that I know what I’m doing.

…Ok, you can stop reading now. In fact, you can’t read this book until you’re thirty…

~L.C.

Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Epilogue

Prologue

The sickly sweet smell of mold and damp permeated the air inside the tunnels leading to the cave, as moisture dripped down the walls to form oozing puddles on the filthy floor. Two elegantly robed and hooded figures flowed with ethereal grace through the maze of passageways, footsteps barely making a sound. Sibilant, hissing conversation echoed through the tunnels, mixing eerily with the sounds of dripping water.

The time draws near.

Yes.

The Queen grows stronger with each passing year.

Yes.

Soon our Queen shall be free of her prison to once more rule the world as she was meant to.

As she was meant to.

The figures stopped on the threshold of a cavernous room, the walls curving up towards a ceiling so far above them that it was lost from sight. A faint glow came from stone walls that were covered with tiny luminescent gems. Casting their gazes around the walls, dark spots were noticeable within the shimmering light of the gems. Protection stones, these gems kept the two figures from fully entering the room. That didn’t matter. Neither of them desired to step into the room, their presence must remain undetected.

They both looked to the middle of the room where an elevated structure sat in the exact center, equidistant from the walls. On top of the platform was an oblong box made of a translucent golden stone, interspersed with the lines of a clearer stone. Inside the box was a dark shadow which appeared to be a figure, though this was obscured by the thickness of the stone encasement.

Sun-stone for protection from evil.

And Danburite for lucid dreaming.

She has been awake these many years…

Planning…

Preparing…

Yes.

Reaching into a pocket hidden deep within the robe one figure pulled out a handful of what appeared to be dust that flickered with a subdued light. Bringing the hand to her face she loosened the fingers and gently blew the dust through the doorway.

The reaction was instantaneous. Much of the dust disappeared in small bursts of flame, but some managed to fly unhindered, floating on a non-existent breeze to the center of the room, toward the altar.

The protection spells weaken.

The protection spells have been waning for decades. The obsidian grows in strength; the time is almost at hand.

Repeating the process with the dust, they watched as more of it landed on the stone coffin in the center of the room. Watched as it settled on the shining smooth gemstone, slipping into cracks barely noticed by the eye. And listening as one of the cracks widened with a small popping sound.

Soon…

Yes…

The cloaked figures looked at each other and, turning as one, left the cavern.

1

Council of Fae

Ramsey Island

Wales

The cavernous stone room was awash with soft light from candles and lanterns. Past the high arched windows the sky was a thunderous black, lightning flashing in the distance while rivulets of rain coursed over the window panes. A massive oak door groaned on its hinges as it swung open, allowing entrance to a small dark robed figure that flowed to the front of the room.

We’ve found another one.

The hushed whispers of various conversations tapered off as the people gave their attention to the speaker.

The foundling has been discovered in the Americas, in the western area of Canada. We need to send someone to find her. She is not yet fully grown and must be found before she comes into her power.

How old is she?

She is close to the age of Awakening. I understand her to be twenty nine human years of age. As you are all aware, thirty human years are the beginning of the Awakening, however this child has been showing signs of a stronger power for the duration of her short life. The figure paced the room, collecting her thoughts, her nervous energy radiating out in waves of power from her small form.

Aura detection similar to Kirlian phenomenon and possible clairvoyance has been demonstrated. Her adoptive parents have sheltered her for most of her life, however they were, of course, unaware of what their child actually was. We must find her. Her powers seem to indicate that she is actually of a royal bloodline, or at the very least, nobility.

The hushed silence was palpable in the great stone room.

Who will we send?

The oaken door was slammed shut and booted footsteps thudded into the room. An imposing figure in a forest green cloak strode to the front of the room, long hair flowing behind him, shimmering in the light of the room. The broad shoulders were stiff, almost angry, the angle of his head proud. The mutinous look on his face clearly showed his displeasure. He stopped beside the smaller figure and crossed his arms over his muscular chest.

Bryn the dark robed figure held out a conciliatory hand toward the younger man.

I’ve come in time to hear that I’m to be uprooted and unceremoniously dumped into a city in Canada. Bryn glared down at the dark robed figure. His six-foot-four frame would make most Fae creatures feel tiny, and the dark robed figure was no exception. She felt positively diminutive next to the large irritated male.

The dark robed figure sighed. Not dumped unceremoniously, Bryn. It just so happens that there is a role that you can fill while looking for this girl and it all comes to the same thing. She is enrolled in a course at a university that you yourself will be more than capable of teaching. You will be on loan to their history department for a short while.

Bryn’s mouth flattened before asking And what is this class of children I would be teaching?

Ancient mythology, with a focus on Celtic mythology, in fact.

Bryn blew out a breath, his ire leaving him as abruptly as air from a deflated balloon. Long known as the researcher of his clan there wasn’t much that he was unaware of when it came to the history of his people. In fact, mythology in general had long been his passion. This was certainly something that he was capable of doing and the teaching of children would, hopefully, be a simple process.

And when is this to take place? I do need to prepare myself. I’m not up to date as it were. He made the air quotations wryly.

The dark robed figure ran her gaze over him and looked into his face, grey eyes sparkling with amusement. No you’re not. However rest assured you will have three days in which to prepare. Plenty of time for the avid researcher that I know you are. However, the university requests that the position of professor of mythology be filled promptly, meaning you have to be there within four days.

Three days to prepare? He rubbed a hand over his face. That’s not a lot of time. Please tell me I don’t have to live as a human for this charade?

Human? Not in the way you mean, Bryn. You’ll need your powers. But it will help matters if you pretend to be as human as you possibly can. You have been found a suitable apartment for the duration of your work there. A hand was held up, forestalling any arguments from Bryn. Suitable for a Fae, of course. In the interim, I’d suggest you get acquainted with the new world in short order. No more living in the past, Bryn. At least, not for a while.

Bryn frowned and nodded. As you wish, my Queen.

3 days later...

Bryn ran his hand through freshly cut hair and glanced ruefully down at his clothing. Jeans and boots encased his lower half, over which a buttoned up shirt was covered by a woolen sweater. This was a far cry from his usual garb, although not as uncomfortable as he’d thought. He looked around the stone room, the light from candles and lamps flickering and creating shadows that danced playfully along the carved granite walls. Shifting from foot to foot he gripped the handle of his bag tightly. His hands were beginning to sweat.

Three days had hardly been enough to prepare for immersing himself in a new culture. Briefly, he regretted not keeping up with current times, but dammit, he was an Historian. How was he to know he would be given this particular project?

He ground his teeth, berating himself, knowing that this was for the good of his clan, the future of his people. Taking a deep breath he willed his body to relax and accept his fate.

How long would this take? He wondered. How long would he be away from the hallowed halls of his family and clan? Hopefully this task would be completed in short order, he could find this child and bring her home to the council. Then he could bury himself in his books and research again. He huffed out a breath of a sigh as he waited impatiently for the rest of the council to arrive.

Bryn, we thank you for taking this responsibility upon yourself. May the stars light your path.

The dark robed figure of the queen stood beside him. He started in surprise, having been so deep in thought that he hadn’t noticed her arrive. He straightened his spine and bowed to his queen not bothering to argue that he hadn’t taken the responsibility upon himself. He was simply following the orders of the council, and as a member of the Fae tribe he would follow those orders to the best of his abilities. The oak doors grated in complaint and the council was completed as the last few members of the council hurried into the room, taking their places around Bryn.

Are you prepared? the Queen asked Bryn.

Yes. He responded simply, even if he wasn’t. There was no more time to waste.

Then let us begin.

The air inside the room thickened with power as the council focused their combined magic into the middle of the circle where Bryn and the Queen were standing. A murmur filled the room, the chant that would create a portal through time and space. A shimmering translucent oval appeared before Bryn, hovering in the air like a mirage. He took a deep breath and took one last look around the room, at his people.

Go with grace, Bryn Rhys The Queen said softly.

May I honor the clan, lady Queen. Bryn responded automatically, their words a tradition that had been repeated through the ages of their people. With another brief bow, he straightened his shoulders and touched the portal.

2

Vancouver

British Columbia

Seren’s sigh of relief came from the knowledge that the first week of school was almost over. The last class of the day would be mythology with the new professor that she’d had heard so much about. Apparently he was the only topic that all the girls (and some of the guys) could talk about. Mr. Tall dark and divine was on loan from a university in Europe for the year. She’d been hearing about him for the entire first week and wondered how these girls had even gotten into university in the first place. They were all acting like a bunch of twittery teenagers. Although, seeing as it was a second year course, most of them were, in fact, still teenagers.

Glancing at her watch, Seren was thankful that the earth sciences building wasn’t too far from where the class was being held today. Even if it wasn’t too far she still only had 15 minutes to hustle her way through the campus and then down the beach road. Shifting her weight over the handlebars of her old blue bike, Seren peddled harder and picked up the pace. Her light brown hair, bleached almost gold from the summer sun, trailed behind her, her delicate face set in a mask of concentration. Seren’s eyes sparkled with anticipation; the class email had said that the lesson was going to be held at the beach today and informed the students that this would be a common occurrence, the location changing weekly, to be discussed and agreed upon in class.

She wondered what kind of teacher arbitrarily chose to move his class to a different location without so much as a by-your-leave. But better a change in locale than canceling the class, she thought. From what she’d heard Professor Rhys was a late addition to the faculty, having only arrived several days ago from the tiny country of Wales.

Hearing a familiar squeaking behind her she glanced back to see a girl puffing along behind her. Maddy was her residence neighbor and they’d become if not friends then good acquaintances.

I thought this was going to be a nice short ride Maddy huffed, her cheeks reddened from the exercise more so than the sunny weather.

Just think of the benefits of being able to ride your bike to class. Exercise as an unintended side effect from going to class is OK with me. She grinned at Maddy before facing forwards again.

I haven’t had to ride a bike in years. I’m using muscles I didn’t even realize I’d forgotten. Came Maddy’s breathless voice.

Oh, well, me either, Seren agreed, But you know what they say…

Here we go, Maddy grumbled, although in a good-natured tone, OK I’ll bite. What do ‘they’ say?

You never forget how because it’s just riding a bike. Seren laughed when Maddy rolled her eyes.

Good one. Maddy shook her head. You know, I wouldn’t have come to this university if I’d realized how far away everything is Maddy grumbled, though her green eyes twinkled, belying her words.

Ah, but then you’d have never met me. And doesn’t that take away the sting of exercise? Seren laughed. She knew Maddy just enjoyed complaining. They’d been biking everywhere the past week and it actually felt good to get out and about. Continuing the short trip in silence, they passed beautiful trees on the verge of their autumn cycle. The refreshing briny scent of the sea became stronger as they neared the meeting spot where the class was to be held.

It’s coming up here. Maddy said. The girls slowed to a stop, locked their bikes at a rack and headed towards the group of students that were milling about by the water. Seren rummaged through her pack, wondering how it would be possible to take notes at the