Unbound Destinies

By Felicia Tatum

Olivia’s eighteenth birthday is drawing closer, and with it, the curse threatening to take her life.

Olivia is on a mission to save herself and all those she holds dear in this final installment of the White Aura series. When everyone comes unbound, Scott, Olivia, and those they love must work together to save them all from the council.

Can Olivia fulfill the requirements given to her in order to keep her growing powers? Will the curse claim Olivia’s life before they have a chance to destroy those that threaten everything they value? Will Aiden lose his soul to The Crimson Calamitous?

All of these answers are revealed as Olivia questions everything she’s known in the race to defeat two ancient and powerful sorcerers.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Felicia Tatum
• Release date: Jun 11, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310707636

Book preview

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my Nana. Thank you for reading my books and telling everyone you know about them! You are awesome and I love you.

A note from the author…

As The White Aura series came to a close, I found myself having a few very bittersweet moments. The White Aura was my first published book, my first brain baby, and ending the series was so very difficult for me. I hope you all enjoy the way everything falls together, and continue reading after The End for a special announcement about Sadie!

I want to thank every single one of you that has been a fan of the series, of the characters. It’s so wonderful to have such loving support and it truly makes my heart happy!

Dedication      5

A note from the author…      6

OLIVIA      11

SCOTT      13

OLIVIA      16

SADIE      18

SCOTT      21

KYLE      24

OLIVIA      26

SCOTT      28

SADIE      30

KYLE      32

OLIVIA      34

SCOTT      36

KYLE      39

SADIE      41

SCOTT      43

SADIE      47

OLIVIA      49

KYLE      53

SADIE      55

SCOTT      58

OLIVIA      60

KYLE      63

SCOTT      65

OLIVIA      68

SADIE      71

KYLE      74

SADIE      77

SCOTT      79

OLIVIA      82

KYLE      85

SADIE      87

MARK      90

OLIVIA      91

SCOTT      93

AIDEN      96

OLIVIA      100

SADIE      102

SCOTT      105

KYLE      108

OLIVIA      110

SCOTT      113

SADIE      116

OLIVIA      119

SADIE      122

AIDEN      125

SCOTT      128

OLIVIA      130

KYLE      132

SCOTT      135

KYLE      137

SADIE      139

SCOTT      142

OLIVIA      144

EPILOGUE      145

Olivia      145

About the Author      148

OLIVIA

The cold, wet grass tickled my bare feet, and the dew settled on my skin. The fresh air filled my lungs as I inhaled deeply; serenity quickly followed. The weather was unusually warm for the end of December, the air cool but without the biting chill that usually accompanied this time of year. Watching the sunrise was my new method of relaxing and connecting to the earth. Something about seeing the sun reveal itself each day was refreshing, as if seeing it wiped everything from the day before away, leaving a beautiful new canvas awaiting the paintbrush of life.

Things were hectic, and soon we would be leaving to fight Devlin. The thought was terrifying to say the least, but saving my family, Aiden, and myself overrode any fears trickling through my brain. I worried about Aiden every day, wondering if he was all right, if he knew what happened. When we first spoke, he had completely lost two years of his life, but since Aiden knew about the Crimson Calamitous now, would he do something else? Would he torture him?

Would he let him survive?

Then there was my mother. She was still being held by the council, but I desperately needed her. Kyle’s unbinding was unexpected. No one knew how to control him, how to help him. He gained the vampire half, while I got the sorcerer half, but it was odd I couldn’t see auras, yet he could. And I developed some of his super strength.

The unbinding process was complex, and it was uncharted territory for us all. Why didn’t it work on me? And why did my unbinding trigger my brother’s? The possibilities gave me a headache.

Try as I may to resist it, the negativity was often washed away by my love, my heart mate, my other half. I twisted the promise ring I’d received from Scott on Christmas day, allowing hopes for the future and the happiness of the day to wash over me. We’d finally made love, an amazing and pure experience I held dearly to my heart. Our bond was solidified that night, each day new developments arising from it.

We were in tune like never before, our minds and bodies working as one. I knew the instant he walked in or out of the room, the building. The electricity between us was more intense than ever. One look and I could tell you what he thought on a subject. My body physically felt his needs and wants.

I found out Scott was hungry all the time.

His ravenous appetite drove me mad. My mind couldn’t wrap around why he ate so much, where he stored it, how he didn’t gain weight.  He craved a meal more than I did. Of all the developments, this one drove me the craziest.

Anna worked endlessly trying to help us all at once, often extending herself too far and growing tired. She fed Kyle the blood mix four or five times a day. No one knew if it was normal, if she needed a stronger concoction, or if it simply didn’t work.

I desperately needed to speak with my mother.

My concern ran deepest for Sadie. She’d become a recluse since Aiden was taken from us. Scott and I often found her sitting in a room, eyes void as she stared ahead. It was puzzling, since everyone swears they weren’t heart mates, yet she felt the effects of losing one. I said it was because she’d simply fallen in love, but the explanation was quickly laughed away.

I knew she loved Aiden, even if she wouldn’t, or couldn’t, admit it to anyone. I saw it in her sad eyes, the way she wiped tears away when leaving her room. I heard her cries in the night. Her actions mirrored what I imagine would happen if I lost Scott.

Finding Aiden was the only solution. Of Scott’s family, I was closest to Sadie, and I refused to stand by and allow her to wither away from her heartache. After everything he’d been through, I owed it to Aiden to not only find him, but to get him back to his family and his girl.

I sank to the ground and felt the dew soak through my pants, but I didn’t care. I lay back, my hair flowing around me, and dug my fingers into the ground at my sides. The sun’s brightness assaulted my eyes at first, but soon they adjusted and the level of relaxation increased. Closing my eyes, I inhaled deeply, my chest puffing with air. Continuing the deep breathing, I washed all thoughts and worries from my mind, feeling an eerie calmness settle over my body.

Until Scott jarred me from my moment, that was.

Livvie, he called from the door, his voice harsh and laced with concern.

Lifting an arm, I waved it around, I’m fine. I’m here.

Livvie! he exclaimed, again, his voice demanding my attention.

I sat up, the knot in my stomach growing by the second. What’s wrong?

We have a really big problem, Livvie. You gotta come in here, now.

He reached me, offering his hand, and pulled me up. He held me close, his strong hand rubbing my arm as we dashed inside.

SCOTT

Everyone has come unbound, I told her as soon as we got back inside. The kitchen was full of my family, including Juniper and Mark. Everyone spent time at Grandma’s house now; the fear of being separated ran deep.

Who is everyone? Livvie questioned, her green eyes large and wide.

Everyone, Grandma replied. She stood, circling around the table and joined me where I stood. Every single baby that was bound before their first year of life is unbound. 

The room was quiet as her words settled. The revelation was terrifying, confusing, yet exhilarating. The council couldn’t rid a third of the supernatural world of its population. Livvie and Kyle had a pinch of hope.

What do we do? How do you know? Sadie asked, voice dull. She no longer held the excitement for life she once did. 

Grandma looked to me and I to her. This was the part we were afraid to reveal, because doing so would change things for everyone. Nothing could go back to being the same ever again. She questioned me with her eyes. I glanced around the room, seeing our loved ones, and knew we must do this. We already had a full plate, but what was another helping? I nodded when my gaze reached Grandma again.

Someone has contacted me, she started. She didn’t tell me her name, only that her daughter Elsie has come unbound, and is in the same state as Kyle right now. The woman is a vampire, so she can help him. I told her to come here immediately, because even if we can’t help, we can get help for Kyle. I know you hate seeing him locked up, Olivia, and it pains my heart as well. She reached her hand out, giving Livvie’s a gentle squeeze as she said the last sentence.

Livvie had tears in her eyes as she nodded. They quickly turned to confusion as the thoughts flowed through her mind. How can we, she said as she moved her hand in a circle around the room, help them?

Well, for one, we can show them that becoming unbound is not a tragedy. You’ve survived, thrived even since becoming unbound. Kyle is struggling, but I know once he controls his blood thirst, he’ll be fine. Once the Council discovers what’s happening, things could get bad, Grandma said. She looked around, her eyes settling over each of us, the intensity growing with each glance. There could be a war.

My mother gasped and my father placed his hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently. Livvie didn’t react; she stared straight ahead, her eyes unmoving as her chest rose and fell with each breath. Sadie was much the same, the vacant daze once again clouding her dark eyes. I stepped forward, crouching in front of my love, and staring at her until I gained her attention.

Livvie? I said her name softly, gently. Whatever was going through her mind wasn’t good. I felt the despair flow through me like liquid. The agonizing panic that took over my emotions was coming from her. I didn’t know why, but it didn’t matter. I had to calm her down.

She peered through her thick, wet lashes. Her eyes were filled with tears, a few slipping down her cheek. Scott, what happens if there’s a war? We’re down to three months. We have to find Devlin and defeat him or I’m dead. We can’t do this, she sniffled. Her small body shook as she silently sobbed.

Sadie stood, coming over to us. She gave me a classic Sadie get-away-look and pushed my shoulder.

Liv, look at me, she demanded. She sounded more like herself in those four words than she had in months.

Livvie gazed up, and I felt warmth rush over me. Sadie was calming her.

We will find Devlin. You aren’t going to die. I need you to snap out of this and help us. We have to save you and Aiden. Olivia, we can’t do this alone—we need you.

My love slowly nodded, finally gaining her composure. I no longer felt the intense swirl of emotions flowing through my body, so I knew whatever Sadie did, worked. She may not have used her power, but the power of her friendship and love instead.

Devlin is going to die, Livvie finally said. Her eyes narrowed into tiny slits and she glanced at me, then around the room. Are we going to help the unbound?

Her eyes found mine, the unspoken need to assist where we were needed evident. I barely nodded in her direction, letting her know I agreed. We may be to blame for the unbindings. Even if none were intentional, the council would put this all on Livvie’s shoulders. Even if we weren’t at fault, it wasn’t in our nature to ignore when someone needed help, but a whole community of people? There was no way we could allow them to fend for themselves. The council would destroy them all in a heartbeat.

Anna, when will the vampires be here? And what else is Elsie?

Grandma’s lips tightened as she shook her head. I’m not sure. Her mother just said her vampire side was dominant. If we’re going to help the unbound…we’re going to come across many types of mixtures. I don’t know how we’ll keep track of them all.

Santos spoke from his spot in the back of the kitchen. My little brother was wearing down from Sebastian’s betrayal, his face permanently etched in a frown. There’re plenty of us here. I’ll set up a system and we can keep records. We’ll need them for when, he paused, gulping, the council demands our reasoning.

Sadie jumped in, crossing to stand by Santos. I’ll help you get the system in order, little bro. Let’s get going.

They left in a hurry, hunched over as they talked about what they could or couldn’t do. Grandma sprang to action, mixing Kyle’s blood concoction for Livvie to get to him. I hated her doing it, being near him when he was so unstable and blinded by his bloodthirst, but she insisted. I couldn’t do anything but stand by and watch his every move, ready to immobilize him if the need arose. He was coherent these days, but more than five minutes around one of us and his eyes turned completely red, his thirst taking hold as he would roar with hunger. We kept the door closed with a magical window in place for Livvie to speak to him, to see him.

My love