Glenbrook (The Ethereal Crossings, #4)

By D.L. Miles

Luke is trapped in Shadeland, and there’s supposedly no way to get him out. Everyone is keeping their mouth shut, since something’s happening within the Eidolon world that they don’t want the humans knowing about. Not only that, Yamuna has escaped her prison on Glenbrook and SILC is at a loss for what to do. Agent Eyre warns Liv to stay out of it, but the secrets coupled with Luke's vanishing act has her at her wits end.

Liv is determined to save Luke and find out what the Eidolon are hiding, even if it means going against all warnings, and travelling to Shadeland herself.

• Language: English
• Publisher: D.L. Miles
• Release date: Nov 4, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310852381

D.L. Miles

Miles is a Sun Scorpio with the heart of a Moon Pisces. She began her publishing journey in 2012, admittedly maybe a little too soon. Her eclectic taste comes through in each book she writes, ranging from soft fantasy romances to dark brooding poetry to serial killers that hold a grudge.For special offers and updates check out her Patreon! www.patreon.com/dlmilesbooks

Book preview

Prologue

Luke stood in the blurred haze of violet and pink that always came with a transition from Ellengale to Shadeland. It was hazy, and anything further than ten feet from him was a mess of shapes and colours, but that didn’t matter. What his eyes were focused on was the body at his feet.

A man no older than himself, with wide brown eye, his throat slashed, he stared at Luke with growing questions. Luke shivered in the cold of the Shade, finally able to rip his eyes from the body to peer around him. He was completely alone.

His own clothes were coated in blood but he couldn’t remember where it had come from. His frail hand touched his shirt, and came away wet and red. He tried to focus on feeling pain but he felt fine; no injuries.

He looked back at the man at his feet when he suddenly felt the weight of a dagger in his hand. He dropped it, hearing it clink against the stones at his feet as he stumbled backwards and fell to the ground.

It had always been hard for him to remember what happened during the first few minutes of his transitions, but his memories weren’t coming back anymore. He waited, heart beating hard against his ribs as he tried to crawl backwards. Head swimming, he squeezed his eyes shut to block out the blood and confusion of the Shade.

What had he done?

Chapter 1

I squeezed my eyes shut in my room, trying to focus. My thoughts were too scattered to pay attention to anything for very long, even I was amazed I’d managed to get rid of Jared and Dr. Wineman. Azazel stayed with me, curled in my lap as he pressed his head into my stomach; his attempt at comfort.

The world felt blurred, sounds muffled. I huffed, wondering if this was how it was to be human again. I couldn’t even remember anymore, not after having such advanced senses. I swallowed audibly, trying to focus my attention again. But all I could think of was how Luke was gone, and he wasn’t coming back. He was trapped in Shadeland, the place he’d been going to for weeks now, and he wasn’t coming back. Luke was never coming back.

He wasn’t coming back.

I was never going to see him again.

He wasn’t—I jumped from my bed, not caring if Azazel fell. He landed with a thud on the carpet, making a strangled grunt as he stood again. I felt like screaming and crying and laughing, and then screaming again. My breath was coming in quick gasps, the world spinning. How had I not seen this coming? I should have worked harder to get what Dr. Wineman needed for the spell; but instead I’d wasted my time dealing with psychotic faeries and werewolves. Yamuna came to mind. And witches, I silently added.

I couldn’t breathe now. What was Luke doing in Shadeland? I fell to my knees, Azazel meowing loudly. I’m not sure how quickly it had actually happened but everything felt very slow to me. Jared burst through the door and fell beside me, saying something that sounded like, Breathe. It wasn’t so simple, though.

I looked up at him, heart racing, chest tight. He told me, Look at me, just breathe. Come on, honey, just focus on me. I stared into his blue eyes; they were calm, no wider than usual. I found the flecks of black within them, and then tiny specks of gold as I looked closer. Soon my breathing evened out and I leaned back.

Luke’s gone, I said. He’s actually gone.

Jared moved beside me, his arm going over my shoulders to pull me closer. From the corner of my eye I saw Dr. Wineman in the doorway, clearly hesitant about coming in. I closed my eyes, the blame almost jumping from me to him. But it wasn’t his fault; he’d tried to help Luke, and me. Now…I didn’t even know who I was supposed to blame.

It’s going to be okay, Jared said. You really think there isn’t a way to get him back?

I froze. Why hadn’t I thought of that? Emerson had taken me into Shadeland pretty easily in the woods; maybe that was the way to get Luke out.

It doesn’t work quite like that, Dr. Wineman said. It was like he read every thought that crossed my mind as he stepped gingerly into the room. His hands clasped together in front of him, he begged, You cannot pull Luke from the Shade.

Why not? Jared questioned. The Shade seemed to be doing a fine job pulling and pushing him around.

A pureblood cannot be forced anywhere, Dr. Wineman said quietly. Only the Shade can do that.

You talk like it’s a living thing, I murmured. The Doctor said nothing, his hands gripping each other tighter. I would have bet that if he’d been holding something else it’d be broken by now, his vampire strength overwhelming.

I promise you, he said carefully, I will do all I can to ensure Luke is safe.

But you won’t bring him back? I questioned. My voice was weak, my words begging the Doctor to tell me something different. Anything to give me hope.

He was quiet a moment before he turned. As if changing his mind he looked back at me over his shoulder and repeated, I’ll do all I can.

The front door opened and shut calmly, the Doctor doing well to control his emotions. Better than I was.

Fine. I whispered.

Fine what? Jared asked.

I looked into his eyes, my heartbeat slowing to the point I thought it might stop. His brow was furrowed, maybe trying to read what I was thinking. I told him, I’m going to do everything I can, too.

Even if it meant going into Shadeland to get Luke myself.

Are you serious? Jared asked as I moved into the living room. It was still black and burned from when the Chimera had attacked; the couch was gone, the television still melted into the floor. Black scorch marks danced along with walls, reaching the ceiling as if they still burned. I grabbed my bag and headed for the door.

I am.

And where do you think you’re going? Jared grabbed my wrist and spun me back around like he so often did. His expression was hard, but I caught a hint of worry beneath his scowl. You think you’re just going to pop into Shadeland and find him?

I said nothing.

You don’t know anything about that place, he said, or how big it is. You don’t know where Luke is, or what else is in there. You’d be going in blind and unarmed.

I didn’t correct him that I was always armed since my transformation. Dragons venom ran through my blood; and after Fen had attacked I realized it was able to take over. Harmony’s spell had managed to stop it from clouding my mind, from completely engulfing everything I was...but I could let it out. I could control it, if I was careful.

I don’t care if you’re part Dragon now, Jared said, always reading my thoughts, "this isn’t some walk in the woods with werewolves we’re talking about; this is Shadeland. Where the Councilmen live, where all the strongest and baddest things in the universe live. You really think you can just get him back?"

I ground my teeth, feeling the heat from his hand seeping into my wrist. His grip was tight, unwilling to let go. I swallowed my feelings the way I used to do before I met Jared. It was almost laughable how easy it had been then. I have to try.

Then try my way first, he pled. You think Violet is going to sit back and let him stay there? We’ll find a way, I swear. We’ll get him back.

And stupidly, I believed him. But I didn’t have time to contemplate my stupidity when someone knocked on the door.

That can’t be good news, Jared said.

On the other side of the door I heard someone sigh. It’s Agent Eyre.

See? Jared looked at me. Never good news.

I pulled out of his grip and opened the door to find the SILC agent standing before me. I’d thought she left once everything with Fen was done, and I hadn’t expected to hear from her again. I blinked and rethought that; of course I would hear from her again.

May I come in? Agent Eyre asked, no hint of pleasantries in her voice. She held her hand out and Jared and I stepped back. Calmly, she walked in.

Agent Eyre didn’t look at all like she’d just been in a fight with a pack of werewolves and a witch. The thought hit me then; had Yamuna gotten out?

I hadn’t thought it was possible that Yamuna could possess someone, but apparently she could. After Fen had sold Theo’s soul to the witch, she took over his body and started killing. My chest stung at the image of Theo dying because of someone else’s actions. I blinked hard, willing those thoughts away…for now.

I figured you two would want to know about what happened, Agent Eyre said as she moved into the living room. Her eyes took in the destruction, but she didn’t comment.

Now you decide to share info? Jared questioned. Really?

I followed Eyre into the living room, and ask, What happened?

Some faeries were taken into custody, she replied. Her eyes slid towards me. I’m here to find out what exactly happened with the young werewolf; Theo.

You don’t know? Was this a trick? Was she trying to get me to admit something? I couldn’t tell. Yamuna possessed him…or something.

What? Jared breathes. That witch is out?

It would seem that way, Eyre confirmed. After the fight I thought I would go and check on her, since the conversation I heard between Liv and Theo seemed strange. She’s gone. Chances are she’s gone to find… Eyre snapped her jaw shut before continuing. She’s gone to find her mentor.

Jared smashed a fist into the wall, small pieces of white plaster falling to the ground after he pulled back. That barrier was supposed to hold!

Well it didn’t. Agent Eyre didn’t seem very concerned with anything, least of all Yamuna. And honestly I didn’t care at all about the witch, she wasn’t my top priority. Her or her mentor.

I need to find her, Jared said. And lock her back up.

But what about— I began.

Luke will have to wait. Jared’s tone was softer, but I could tell he was holding back a lot of anger. A lot of fury. I didn’t blame him for feeling anything. I’m sorry, but Yamuna can do a hell of a lot more damage in our world than Luke can in Shadeland.

Jared moved to the front door and opened it, his movements slower as if regretting it. I opened my mouth to ask him to stay, but I couldn’t seem to find the right words. Yamuna was deadly; how could I ask him not to stop her? She was after my family.

My eyes met with Jared’s, and then he left without another word. I closed my eyes, face hot with anger and possible tears. I could already feel my throat tightening.

Luke is trapped then? Eyre asked.

Yes, I breathed. There were a number or questions rolling around in my head, but I couldn’t stop from asking one. Who’s her mentor?

A very dangerous man.

I’m going to get Luke back, even if she is gone, I stated. No matter what Yamuna dredged up, I was going to focus on Luke. No matter how many questions I wanted to ask, no matter how many lives were in danger, I would focus on Luke. He deserved it; he’d been through so much already.

That isn’t possible.

Says you, came a voice. Eyre and I looked to the open door to find Joshua standing there.

I saw Agent Eyre try to hide a smirk as she approached him. When I stepped forward she waved a hand at me and simply walked past my brother as if he weren’t even there. She seemed to be doing something, but I ignored her.

What are you doing here? I asked Joshua. Is everyone—?

They’re fine, he replied before I had a chance to finish. He stepped into the apartment and shut the door behind him, far too comfortable. I need to talk to you about Luke.

I perked up. Can you see him?

Joshua shook his head. It’s not like that. He sighed his usual Joshua sigh, the one that told me he knew everything but couldn’t say it. Normally I let it slide, but today I couldn’t. My eye twitched.

Well what is it like then? I asked.

I need to tell you that Dr. Wineman and Jared won’t be able to get Luke back, he said. You have to do it.

My brow furrowed; that didn’t sound right. Why will they fail?

Joshua shrugged. I’m just saying what will happen. They won’t be able to find a way to bring him back, not permanently. You need to do that.

I glanced away and licked my lips, debating. Well how am I supposed to do that? He’s in Shadeland, Josh…what am I supposed to do?

Go there and get him.

He said it so plainly, as if it were the most obvious answer. But I knew Shadeland wasn’t a place you could just take a plane, train or automobile; it wasn’t a place you just visited. I inhaled through my nose, realizing that Luke’s permanent residence there had been coming since he first vanished. I looked at my brother. How?

Joshua shrugged again.

That’s up to you, he said. Over the past month you’ve made more friends than you think.

I haven’t made any friends.

He smirked. You never think you do. He opened the door and stepped into the incandescent light, letting his eyes go to Harker’s door for only a fraction of a second. Just think about your options for a bit, you’ll get it.

Wait, I called as he began to shut the door. Can you…can you stay?

The emotion that Joshua always hid from the world twinkled behind his eyes. He couldn’t stay, and I waited for him to say just that. But instead he surprised me and said, Just for a while.

Chapter 2

I wasn’t sure I liked Jared’s way, it felt so slow. It always felt slow. It was always talking to someone, or finding something; where was the action? Where was the movement? I thought my Dragon half might have been coming through with my worry for Luke; I’d never been this…nervous before. I just felt like I wasn’t doing enough.

My chest still felt tight, despite the confirmation that we really were going to try and find Luke. When everyone had left I wanted to jump up and start figuring out a way to get Luke back, but I didn’t know how. Where was I supposed to start? And if I actually found a way into Shadeland, what would I do when I got there? Jared was right; I didn’t know anything about the Shade.

And Dr. Wineman was being his usual button-lipped self. No matter what emergency was going on, he never said a thing about Shadeland, not really. Only pureblood’s could learn about the Shade, and the pureblood I knew was now there.

I sank on my bed, taking in deep breaths as I tried to think of the different ways to get to Shadeland. Maybe if I found a way there I would know what to do. Azazel lay beside me, making no noise as I stared at the ceiling.

There was Emerson and all her faerie buddies. They had easily taken me and a dozen humans through Shadeland, maybe they could do it again. I thought of how I had pushed her off of me, and came back to my own world, and realized it might not be a permanent solution. To have constant contact with with her would be difficult but maybe she’d be able to change it.

I looked to my door, wondering if she was in her apartment. Would Harker even let me see her? I doubted it, considering she’d almost died for me. I rolled over and patted Azazel on the head as he flopped onto his side. His collar glinted, the writing on it impossible to read.

Emerson wasn’t the only other pureblood I knew; there was one sitting right beside me. Too bad he was trapped in the body of a cat. I pursed my lips at him, his tail swatting lightly on the comforter. I clench my jaw, Azazel’s eyes meeting mine with far too much emotion.

Without explaining anything, I grabbed Azazel and made my way to the door. If nobody I knew was willing to help me, I would ask a stranger. Someone out there had to know a way to get me into Shadeland or at least get Luke out. And Azazel’s collar might just be the key.

As I walked downtown with Azazel in hand, nobody gave me a passing glance. There were a few whispers about something that had happened in the woods but nobody seemed to know any details. The humans talked about the attacks, but as soon as someone said, It’s weird, right? they almost stopped caring completely. Nobody noticed that Luke was gone.

I watched my feet as I walked, holding Azazel tight to my chest. If anyone knew Luke was trapped in the Shade, would they care? Or would they just say he was the true Nightstalker and leave him forever? Not that they could do anything.

I was careful to watch for any sign of Jared, because if he saw I was out with Azazel in hand, I was certain he would try to take me home again. But there wasn’t even a hint that he was nearby; his car was his biggest giveaway. With another glance over my shoulder I reached my destination.

The bell above the door rang as I stepped inside, the smell of incense hitting me hard. Even Azazel gave a small sneeze and pressed his nose into the sleeve of my sweater.

Hello, a deep voice said, can I help you with—oh, it’s you! Welcome back. Carson stood behind the counter and hid another book from my sight. For once my curiosity doesn’t get the better of me and I focused on the situation at hand.

Getting to Shadeland.

Carson watched me, waiting for my reply. He reminded me so much of my brother Neeson, the very same person that had warned me about Shadeland that I found it a little hard to answer. I sucked in a breath and asked, Do you know how I can get to Shadeland?

Carson’s face fell, his salesman smile gone. Are you kidding? I can’t tell if you’re kidding or not.

I need to get into the Shade, I said. It’s life or death. Probably. There was no way Luke was having a good time staying there.

Carson let out a strangled laugh. You aren’t a pureblood. He shook his head. You aren’t allowed.

I couldn’t believe how elitist the Eidolon were, even to their own kind. But I already witnessed how low they thought humans were, and if you weren’t pureblood, you were part human. I guessed that was enough for them.

I stared at Carson a moment until Azazel began to wiggle in my arms. He jumped down and then onto the counter with ease. I wondered if he was this agile in his true form, whatever that may be.

Azazel stared at Carson, his tail waving back and forth over the glass counter.

I can’t, Carson said to him, you know I can’t.

Azazel continued to stare. I was starting to think he was able to talk somehow, but I heard no words. If he could talk, he would have done so a long time ago. I hoped.

I’m only a tenth witch, Carson argued, "I can’t. Literally."

Could a full witch? I asked.

Carson’s eyes darted to me for only a second before returning to Azazel. He reached out and touched the collar, thoughtful.

I’m sorry, he said, but if you want into the Shade, you’re going to have to either get a full witch to send you, or a pureblood to take you. He gave me a tentative look. Either way there’s a good chance you won’t come back.

I understand, I told him. I knew what the consequences were, but how could I not try? I’d come this far already, the past two months changed me in ways I never thought possible. I wasn’t about to stop. Any suggestions?

Azazel gave a quick flip of his tail before returning to me. I picked him up and sensed something, he was rigid. I thought he might have been irritated that Carson wouldn’t, or more likely couldn’t, help us.

Finding a pureblood to take you would be safer, he admitted. To get a witch to send you…it comes at a price.

I knew just what that price usually was, far too well. If I found no other way, I knew where I had to go, but Jared would never forgive me if I did. I reminded myself this was for Luke, and Jared had nothing to do with it. I nodded my thanks at Carson and walked outside, determined to find a pureblood to help me over a witch.

Across the street I spotted the pet store, the place I’d nearly died at more than once, the place owned by a witch. I made a mental note, just to make sure I didn’t forget that the owner, Utah, might be able to help me.

If only Jared weren’t his sworn enemy. I ground my teeth together, Jared’s connections were getting in my way. With that in mind, I checked my phone for any messages from him, but there was nothing. Had he found a solution yet? Or was he still looking? With Yamuna out, was he even looking for ways to help Luke? I didn’t know.

I wanted to call and ask, but I had a feeling I knew what his answer would be. I’m trying, don’t get involved.

Did he actually think there was the possibility that I wouldn’t get involved?

Azazel meowed loudly, catching my attention. I’d been staring into the pet shop, lost in thought for who knew how long. His front paws stretch out, pushing himself upwards to get a better view of something. I followed the tip of his nose across the street to find Taia running at me. Her brother Sera was behind her, brow furrowed.

Hey, Liv, she called. She came to a halt in front of me, as if a soldier reporting for duty. Azazel jumped to my feet and sat down on the sidewalk. Hello…sir.

Hello, I said.

So I heard about what happened out in the woods, Taia said. Scary stuff. You okay?

Her long curls were tied back today, but still long enough to fall over her shoulder. The look of genuine concern on her face was odd; I wasn’t sure why she cared so much about me.

I shrugged. I’m trying to get into Shadeland.

She flinched. Why would you want to go there? It’s horrible. Her absolute honesty was surprising, considering nobody ever said anything like that.