Hearken (Daughters of the Sea #4): Daughters of the Sea, #4

By Kristen Day

When the evil you fear is born from within, who will save us…from ourselves?

Sometimes our souls hear what our minds and hearts refuse to accept. It will whisper its continuous cadence until we're strong enough to glimpse the truth. But when the soul's whispers morph into screams, we're forced to gaze into the mirrors of time and see ourselves for who we really are.

Grappling with her newfound leadership position, Stasia begins to experience a recurring nightmare of murder, as well as curious reveries about a violet-eyed girl who can control the moon. When tragedy grips the Tydes and several important relics are stolen from the Sons of Daimon, Stasia’s Council leaves for the forgotten island of Atlantis. Unfortunately Atlantis harbors its own secrets, and they are all calling to Stasia. As her nightmares become worse and she begins to lose control of her mind, those around her must find a way to reach her…and fast.

Olivia Campbell is used to getting what she wants, when she wants it. But destiny never asked Olivia what she wanted. Being Chosen to be a Paladin at birth had not been something she wanted, and she definitely hadn’t wanted her charge to be Anastasia. Unfortunately their irritatingly persistent Atlantean guide, Sebastian, seems to know all about her and the secrets she’s been hiding. As she fights to protect Stasia from an unknown force, Olivia’s own courage and loyalty will be tested in ways she never imagined. Will she be able to tell Stasia the truth before it’s too late for them both?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kristen Day
• Release date: Jan 21, 2015
• ISBN: 9780615915692

Book preview

Prologue

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Crystalline beams of light streamed down from the ominous full moon above; illuminating the tense battle of wills unfolding far below. The rolling waves stilled their relentless cadence as the warm wind stalled over the sand dunes. A blanket of apprehension settled upon the landscape while every starfish, horseshoe crab and seagull held their collective breaths. Among the people gathered, one figure in particular commanded the attention of the lustrous moon rays more than any other. Beneath her steely exterior, a sinister inferno began to coil and writhe; fueling the powerful essence she harbored within. The bitter taste of hatred pooled in her mouth at the sight of her own flesh and blood defending the abomination of nature he had christened Anastasia. Her rapid heartbeat pulsed with the promise of ridding the world of such a traitor. As the cool waves of essence slithered toward her tingling fingers, she looked on as Keto commanded his attention.

You will not take her! Peleus roared. His fragile body shuddered with labored breathing as he attempted to shield his daughter from Keto’s building wrath. 

Fool! Keto cackled at him with dark amusement. Her emerald eyes flashed beneath dark brown hair overflowing with green highlights, and the sand beneath her feet shifted and boiled as it struggled to absorb the amplified presence she radiated. With an insidious glance, Keto swiftly conveyed a silent message to her ally. The corners of Selene’s mouth twitched in anticipation and she acknowledged Keto’s unwavering loyalty with a slight nod. It had been decided many moons ago that Selene would possess sole jurisdiction over her son’s damned soul. She slowly trained her cunning, silver eyes onto the rotten fruit of her loins. 

His muted gray eyes had once shone silver to reflect his proud Aura ancestry. Now they softened momentarily before seizing up with defiance once his thoughts registered her deadly intention. She had witnessed this reaction more times than she could count, and for good reason. As her direct descendant, Peleus knew all too well the consequences of challenging his mother. His first punishment had been swift and severe, followed by absolute banishment. However, the iron grasp that Thetis had on his every waking thought refused to relent. Selene could only stand and watch as Peleus continued down his path of betrayal, eventually marrying his meddling sea witch and sealing his doomed fate.

Seventeen years ago, she sensed the exact moment when he committed the highest form of betrayal. Just as the first time, she felt a portion of her being as it soundlessly withered and disintegrated into the recesses of her soul. She felt the purity of her brethren shrivel as the unborn fetus was formed; a mutt of a creature harboring her precious Aura essence. An essence forever compromised by the flaccid and decrepit lineage of the Daughters of the Sea. The moon Goddess had fought long and hard to protect the very essence he continued to foolishly abandon. Vehemence continued to simmer within, and she resolved to rectify the situation as quickly as possible. Creating an alliance with Keto proved to be much easier than expected. Her long buried resentment fumed just below the surface, and she was all too willing to strike out at her former leader and sister, the beloved Thetis.

Unfortunately, the death of Thetis at the hands of Keto only succeeded in fueling Selene’s contempt. The overwhelming regret at affording the sea Goddess’s demise to someone else consumed her mind. Once she had Peleus within her grasp once more, she had every intention of killing him...but chose imprisonment instead.  Astonishing to even her, an inner struggle commenced within while she spent year after year paralyzed by indecision. No matter the intensity of her hatred and desire for revenge, she was unable to take the life of her only son. Recently, that inner turmoil was abruptly overshadowed by the knowledge that the prophesized Anastasia had indeed returned.

Forcing her thoughts back to the present, her callous gaze focused in on her wretched son and the granddaughter now standing before her. Her previous indecision dissolved into a boiling black cloud of hatred, and any remaining hesitation was pushed aside when she lifted her arm.

No! Anastasia screamed in disbelief as a thin line of silver energy fueled by the moon above exploded from Selene’s fingertips; piercing the chest of Peleus. When the last evidence of life faded from his crippled form, Selene sighed deeply and let her head fall back. She stared at the bright orb hanging above her with apathy. Such a pity. At one time she had grand aspirations for her son.

As a boy he showed incessant determination, continuous strength, and the leadership skills expected of a direct descendant of the moon Goddess. The Auras idolized him and showered him with unabated worship. She bestowed power, prestige and most importantly, her essence upon her only son. In return she was gifted abandonment, cunning deceit and an unending supply of betrayal.

Dad, no! Anastasia collapsed on top of her father and visibly shook with grief. Selene rolled her eyes at the sickening farewell scene before her. The wretched mutt should be thanking her for affording her even a couple of days with Peleus! How could she be capable of even an ounce of grief? She knew nothing of true loss.

Before Selene could take Anastasia’s life out of sheer annoyance, Keto stepped over the unmoving form of Peleus and rested her hands on her hips; a finger tapping impatiently. But as Anastasia’s tear-stained face hardened and she began to speak, Keto’s terse expression froze as if she had been turned to stone. As the color drained from her face, Selene tasted the uncertainty and confusion flowing from her as the girl spoke with a wisdom beyond her years.

...and power must be used to protect and nurture those who depend on you. Those are the qualities our Order covets in a leader.

As her words hung precariously in the cool, night air, a paralyzed Keto was unable to speak. She simply stared numbly into Anastasia’s turquoise eyes; brimming with conviction. Chagrin washed over the moon Goddess when Keto actually allowed the mutt to stand.

Finish her off! Nadia screeched and stomped the sand impatiently.

Thetis...? Keto whispered in disbelief. With her gaze still fixed on Anastasia, she was oblivious to Nadia’s growing hysteria. Selene rolled her eyes once more at Keto’s infinite ignorance. It was simply more evidence that proved the Goddesses of the sea were irrevocably flawed by weakness. She resolved herself to the fact that if she wanted something done, she’d have to do it herself.

What are you waiting for? Nadia growled. With madness blazing in her golden eyes, she appeared behind Anastasia and drove a dagger into her back. Keto stumbled backwards and continued to gawk with disbelieving eyes at the limp body now lying before her in the sand.

You’re welcome, Nadia hissed at Keto. Selene turned as three figures emerged from the sand dunes several yards away. The first two she recognized as descendants of Hecate — true witches of the Underworld. The third’s appearance was indistinct as it blurred and shifted. The rich auburn hair blowing across her shoulders shivered and blinked into a blonde so pale, it blended with the moon rays shining on it from above. Blazing blue eyes caught Selene’s and recognition hit like a tidal wave.

Amphitrite. An Amphitrite currently shrouded in secrecy. Unfortunately for her, Selene was able to see straight through her well-built illusion. What reason could she possibly have to shroud her appearance? Curiosity and mistrust twisted Selene’s features as she observed Amphitrite unleash a stream of blue energy at Keto, who immediately woke from her bewildered trance. A slow, menacing smile lifted the corners of Keto’s glowing eyes and she winked at her ex-sister.  Also not fooled by the loosely worn veil, she effortlessly deflected the attack with a flick of her wrist.

At that moment, three young Tydes followed their elders onto the beach. Their determined expressions gave way to alarm when they surveyed the chaos unfolding before them. With the expertise only a centuries-old Goddess could have, Selene turned her attention to the Warriors of Luna — her ten protectors obediently awaiting her command. Her gaze met those of Thalia and Bronson, her two strongest warriors, and she swiftly planted her orders into their thoughts. As they walked up the beach toward the three Tydes, she commanded the others to descend upon the two witches who were already struggling against the much more powerful Keto and Nadia.

A blinding flash of light out of the corner of her eye gave Selene pause, and she swung around ready to fight. Her thoughts stilled and her blood cooled when she heard her own moon essence speak to her from across the beach. Once she identified the source, her entire world narrowed and pulsed with renewed rage. She watched with casual indifference as her warriors were easily thrown to the sand like rag dolls, and she gave no thought to the fate of her warriors while she considered the drastic turn of events currently glaring back at her. With her Tyde friends safely reunited on the dunes, a very much alive Anastasia slowly twisted around.

Her pivotal transformation became exceedingly obvious as her now silver-blue eyes stalled on Selene before finding their final destination in Keto. An undeniable presence, suffocating as an avalanche, traveled across the sand and slammed into the moon Goddess. A streak of panic climbed up her spine once she glimpsed the necklace dangling from the girl’s neck. A necklace she believed had been destroyed...the orb that once belonged to Peleus. As it rested against Anastasia’s now-shimmering skin, the evidence was mounting:  the unthinkable had indeed occurred. 

Selene faintly registered the sound of someone shrieking at her, but nothing could steal her attention from the blasphemy striding towards them with a knowing, confident smile. With each step Anastasia took, the remaining protectors, along with Keto’s Sirens, were rendered helpless by a cloud of bright blue energy.

Looks like this won’t be as easy as you thought, Keto. Anastasia’s even tone and strong stance was further proof that she was no longer a meager descendant.

Nice work, Pasha. Selene’s attention slid to the Prime of the Sons as he took his place next to Anastasia, greatly favoring his left leg. With a snap of his fingers, the beach erupted into violence, followed quickly by inevitable carnage. 

Rage and anger solidified into something infinitely darker as Selene veiled herself and crept back into the shadows. Her eyes flitted upwards to the beacon of light hanging in the sky, now mocking her with its disloyalty and power. She didn’t expect this! She didn’t prepare for the events that transpired mere moments ago. For the first time in history, the heavy hand of fate had gifted a Chosen one her destiny months before the age of reckoning. Selene knew this could only mean one thing. She would need a much larger force to counter fate’s transgressions. And if fate wanted a war...a war Selene would deliver. 

Chapter One

Red. Blood red. My retinas quivered as a white hot burning sensation sizzled through them; lighting my world ablaze with pain. Averting my eyes elsewhere did nothing to diminish the searing agony that now crawled down my spine. The silken sand beneath me quivered with trepidation as the entire world became muted by the guise of evil. What had traditionally been a mesmerizing dance of joy performed by the incoming tide, suddenly shifted into a mass of boiling water; climbing and clawing its way onshore towards my unmoving body. The typically cool night air morphed into a hot, sticky wind lined with angry bursts of hot steam. As it raced over the beach and out towards the sea, a low moaning waned across the landscape; settling into the pit of my stomach and raising my pulse with each passing moment.

Something was wrong. Something was very wrong. But no amount of effort could convince my traitorous body to move even an inch. My arms, legs and hands were all paralyzed from an unknown force I couldn’t overcome. Deciding to start with small, deliberate movements, I concentrated all of my energy on my left pointer finger. After what seemed like an eternity, I managed to bend it ever so slightly. It was barely enough to displace the sand beneath, but still enough to give me hope. When I turned my attention to the next finger, a tightly wound thread within my spine began to loosen and unravel. My muscles relaxed on their own, and the burning in my eyes magically subsided. Without the scorching pain, I stopped fighting the overwhelming urge to stare unblinking at what loomed above.

Without warning, a rancid wave of sweltering heat washed over my mind and imprisoned my every thought, dream, emotion, memory and belief. It happened so fast that I had no chance to defend myself. All thoughts were wiped completely clean, and every ounce of fear and apprehension was replaced by an embrace so holistic, so encompassing I could only hope to revel in its presence. I registered my eyes growing larger as the bloodshot sphere above actually moved closer. It finally dawned on me what the glowing, red ball of light was. The moon. A blood moon. Its deep crimson hue warmed my blood and sent spikes of power through my heart, while my soul disappeared into a valley teeming with surrender. It was only a matter of time now. A sinister laugh escaped my lips and I suddenly became aware of an insatiable need for the power emanating from its watchful moon rays. The small orb that hung from my neck mirrored its deep red glow as its heat spread tantalizingly across my skin.

I didn’t remember making the decision to sit up, but my body was doing just that of its own accord. It folded unto itself mechanically and my eyes shifted to the ocean laid out before me that was currently tinged with shades of red and orange. Once my vision cleared, I met the gaze of a beautiful woman kneeling before me. With a smile overflowing with venom, she handed me a dagger encrusted with luminescent white stones, flanked by darker red ones I couldn’t identify. With the razor sharp blade aimed downward, I twisted to the side and trained my eyes on the fragile-looking body lying next to me.

Her flowing blonde hair framed an ashen, lifeless face that I knew was capable of beaming with unconditional friendship. Her shining, blue eyes that always danced with happiness were now hidden behind closed eyelids. The white skin of her bare chest appeared out of place among the glowing red hues streaming down from above. With a building excitement I couldn’t understand, I readied the dagger directly above her heart and glanced up at the woman in front of me for the final cue. She smiled with pride and nodded her head in silent approval.

Welcome, Granddaughter, to your destiny, she affirmed royally. I smiled at her with wicked anticipation and felt a surge of power flow through my veins. Without further hesitation, I swung the dagger downward and into Willow’s heart with all of my strength.

Gasping for air, I lurched forward onto the sand as nausea took hold of me and the contents of my stomach were emptied again and again. Thankfully I was close enough to the surf that it gently erased any signs of the violent reaction my dream elicited. I collapsed back onto the sand and rolled over to my side; pulling my knees protectively against my chest and squeezing my eyes shut.

It had been like that for an entire month, and each time the dream began the same way. I consistently awoke on the very same stretch of sand on the very same beach, and each time I became sick immediately after. The only difference was the person I killed in the end. Carmen. Kira.  Phoebe. Natasha. Ricker. Amphitrite. Even Finn’s life had not been spared. As my most recent victim, Willow’s delicate, innocent face flashed before my eyes and a flood of tears spilled down my sandy cheeks. A warm, gentle energy sizzled up from the sand just as a cool wave of water enveloped my legs. The despair wracking my body slowly drained into the sand below, replaced by unconditional love and ever present support. A final slice of panic cut through me, and I clumsily grasped the orb around my neck. Instead of the sinister red of my dream, it emitted its usual cool, silver light and I was able to breathe somewhat easier.

As the moon arched across the sky above, I waited for the sand to replenish my wavering strength. I held onto a thin shred of sanity while the sea healed the mental scars that had once again been carved deep by my hauntingly real life nightmare. I spent countless waking hours mulling over each and every detail of the recurring dream, and I refused to believe it was simply a creation of my subconscious. If I’d learned one important thing over the past year of my new life, it was that nothing was ever what it seemed. 

Unfortunately, this recent stint of torture failed to fit neatly into any of my known abilities. I continually ticked off the possibilities. It didn’t meet any of the criteria for Foresight, because the visions associated with my Foresight ability historically appeared to me once and only once. Reveries consisted of the present, so unless a second blood red moon was hiding on the other side of the Earth, that wasn’t viable either. I was also consistently a simple bystander in my reveries. Finn and my father had proved to be the only ones capable of seeing me in reveries, and even then I wasn’t a part of the script; I was an onlooker. Antiquity was quickly marked off the list, since it was the ability to see the past through another’s eyes. The only other explanation was the very one I refused to accept. A dream. However, I couldn’t deny the solemn fact that none of my known abilities aligned with what was happening to me. Convincing myself that it was merely a simple dream was the only way to keep my already shaky grasp on reality, but I remained ever skeptical. It always felt too real.

I should have known... someone muttered with disdain from the dunes. I felt the vibrations of running feet as they quickly made their way to where I lay on the sand. I painstakingly lifted my head and inspected the figure descending upon me. Her unruly dark hair blew across her face in the early morning breeze, and she pushed it behind her ears as she came crashing down to her knees next to me. Her hand brushed the hair from my face and gently turned me over onto my back.

Stasia? Are you okay?

Yeah, I’m fine, I huffed incoherently. Olivia’s dark chestnut eyes rolled at me with contempt as she quickly secured her hair into a loose bun on top of her head.

Sure, because people who are fine waste a perfectly good bed by sleeping on nasty, wet sand.

Leave me alone, I moaned unconvincingly, and then made a futile effort to return to my fetal position. She truly had impeccable timing. It was as if she waited for the most inopportune moment to show up, and then proceeded to blaze a trail of sarcasm and bitterness as she went. 

Like hell! she challenged with a sinful chuckle. You look like you’ve been pulled backwards through a knothole.

I opened my eyes just enough to narrow them again with indignation. She was the last person I wanted to deal with right now. What does that even mean?

Her beautifully mysterious features twisted into a sly smile and a manicured finger tapped her chin. Rode hard and put up wet?  Two degrees short of a hot mess?  Any of these ringing a bell?

Now that you’ve sufficiently insulted me, I began; resting my head back down on the cool sand, why don’t you go play in traffic or something?

Mmm... She contemplated my suggestion with one perfectly sculpted, raised eyebrow. That’s actually on the schedule for later today. Lucky for you, my morning is wide open.

Grand. I scowled and then decided to try a new tactic. I dangled my arm to the side and pointed loosely in her direction. As the Leader of the Tydes, I order you to leave me alone or I’ll banish you to the Underworld for all of eternity.  You pick.

Well aren’t we just a bowl of sunshine this morning? She sniffed the air dramatically. I thought I smelled scrambled arrogance with a side of blackmail biscuits...

Unless you plan on carrying me back to the cottage, I suggest you leave me exactly where I’m at.  It’s actually pretty comfortable once you get used to it.

Suit yourself, she resolved dryly with a shrug. The decidedness in her tone took me off guard, just before I felt one arm slide under my back and another beneath my knees. It was then that I realized she fully intended to take me up on my offer. I wiggled out of her grasp and curled into an even tighter ball. Why was it so difficult for her to understand that I just wanted to lay there on my bed of wet sand? The world wasn’t going to end if I stayed there for another hour or seven! Any sunbathers would gladly step right over me with a knowing smile, assuming erroneously that I’d partied a little too hard the night before. The sun had just peeked over the shimmering horizon, which gave me at the very least one more hour of glorious sleep. Most of the students at the House of Lorelei would sleep for as long as possible. Speaking of which...

How did you know I was down here? I interrogated her from the crook of my arm.

I just did, she countered nonchalantly. Now scrape yourself off the sand and try to make yourself look presentable, she instructed with a sharp tug of my arm.

You didn’t answer my question! I pressed further.

You’re right, I didn’t, she retaliated icily. At the moment, you have other things you should be worried about.  One of which is the fact that you’re lying on a beach in front of three dorms...with no pants on.

Damn. She had a point. I really needed to invest in some pajama pants. I moaned inwardly, reluctantly stood and fought the urge to smile as she unfolded an oversized beach towel and wrapped it securely around my shoulders with unrestrained annoyance.

Thanks Mom, I joked.  She shot me a scolding look that only enhanced my comparison.

Next time I find you sprawled out half naked on the beach, I’m gonna kick your ass into next Thursday, she warned me coolly.  She cleared her throat and raised her chin in defiance, as the corners of her mouth betrayed her by pulling up into an amused grin. For each hole that appeared in her tough exterior, I was rewarded with a taste of who Olivia Campbell really was. She had been vital in the trip to the Fortunate Isle, as well as helping me practice my abilities before becoming a Goddess. For someone who tried so hard to hate me, she continued to prove her loyalty time and time again.

Amphitrite might take issue with that, I said with a scowl as I followed her grumpily up the beach. 

I have a feeling she’d have my back, she snorted. I ran right into her as she stopped mid-stride and twisted around to face me with off-putting enthusiasm. Wait! The Declaration of Council is tomorrow, isn’t it?

How could I forget? I groaned. Her sentiment had been echoed across the entire population of descendants, sea Goddesses and the like; their excitement building as selection day drew ever closer. The selection of an entirely new Council hadn’t taken place for centuries, and likely wouldn’t happen again until I stepped down, was forced down, or was simply murdered. In my opinion, the latter of the three possibilities seemed the most probable. 

Every Leader of the Tydes led with the support of her Council. Although it is an immense honor to be chosen for the Council, it is also a weighty responsibility. My mother chose those closest to her, as well as several others who had expertise in areas she did not. As time passed and individual Council members perished or stepped down, new members were named — but it was void of the pomp and circumstance surrounding my current situation. All eyes would be on me in anticipation of my first major decision as the new Leader of the Tydes, and the pressure was excruciating. Needless to say, I’d been dreading tomorrow ever since Amphitrite informed me of the first responsibility in my new position.

During the Declaration of Council you must decide who you’d like to appoint as your Council members, she instructed. As the former Queen on your mother’s Council, I will act as witness.

How many members have to be chosen? I asked behind the fingernails I had begun to bite.

A Council traditionally consists of six specific roles: a Queen to execute your decisions, a Chamberlain to oversee the finances, a Warrior for protection, a Sage to provide wisdom and guidance, an Apothecary to watch over your physical state, and lastly, a Page to arrange all ceremonies and make civic appearances on your behalf.

Should I choose from only Nereids, or should I include Tydes as well? My feeble attempt to drag her into my decision didn’t seem to faze her in the least.

Whomever you see fit. She covered my shaking hand with her steady one. When the time comes...you will know.

Well the time had almost come, and I was still wavering back and forth on who to choose for each role. My forthcoming decision had become a hot topic of debate across the world, with people placing bets on who I would choose or not choose. Talk about pressure! I’d even heard whisperings of planned selection parties to be held at different schools that night in anticipation of the declaration. It was decreed that the appointed members would be posted in a formal manner for every school housing Tydes, as well as on the new website created specifically for me. The anxiety that had simmered in my stomach for several months was beginning to rise to a boil. It should be no surprise that I was having murderous nightmares followed by bouts of sickness.

It’ll be fine, Olivia continued offhandedly as we crested the dunes. She paused long enough to flash a toothy smile in my direction. Just don’t screw up and choose wrong.

Great advice, I retorted sarcastically, and sent a silent order to the sea grass surrounding us. She never even saw it coming. A knee length patch of green blades wrapped around her legs and yanked her down on top of the soft sand of the dune in under a second.

Watch out for that sea grass, I teased her. She dusted the sand from her shorts. It has a mind of its own.

Consider yourself marked, she cautioned. Goddess or not, you’ll be begging for mercy by the time I get done with you. The sparkle in her deep brown eyes confessed to me she was joking, but the trace of an electric, sardonic energy pulsating from her skin stopped me from pressing my luck. 

We ambled down the backside of the dunes and I glanced back up at the fading gleam of the moon, as the Earth continued rotating towards the scorching light of the sun. The emptiness I felt at its absence was quickly replaced by the joy of an awakening ocean. I rendered them both a silent farewell and continued down the path to my cottage.

Chapter Two

We traversed the picturesque boardwalk leading up towards the quaint cottage I still called home, and the house Amphitrite had occupied for months now loomed on our left. She decided to stay until I chose my Council, for which I was extremely grateful. Not knowing anything about my newly appointed position, the knowledge that she was so close was comforting. 

Darkness still shrouded the house with the long veil of night, but the crisp morning light was slowly making its way across its exquisite exterior. One lone window on the second floor flickered with the soft yellow glow of a candle. 

So tell me again why you stuck with the cottage when you could’ve had the mansion right next door? Olivia quizzed me with heavy cynicism.

It just feels like home, I divulged blissfully. I had only lived there four months, but it already held a lifetime of memories. 

I could definitely see an indoor swimming pool, six walk-in closets and ten crystal chandeliers feeling like home to me, she gushed. I raised a suspicious eyebrow while she inspected its multiple levels greedily. I didn’t know who the previous owners were, however the ornate French doors, intricate picture windows and lavish interior fit Amphitrite perfectly.

Do I need to stage an intervention for stalking? I taunted her with a dubious grin.

So I’m observant. Sue me. She brushed my comment off with a flip of her wrist. I happen to appreciate the finer things in life. Speaking of which, I bet you’re worth a pretty penny these days, huh?

I haven’t really kept up, but at the moment it’s... I fished out the spare change from my imaginary shorts pocket, one dollar and thirty-seven cents.

Well if you need someone to take a couple million off your hands, you know where to find me. She wiggled her eyebrows at me and smiled sweetly.

I’ll keep that in mind when I’m swimming laps in my vault of gold coins. I laughed and rolled my eyes. Once I opened the rustic front door of the cottage, the heady smell of lavender wafted out from its interior. I didn’t remember leaving a candle burning...of course, I also didn’t remember walking out the door before killing one of my best friends in a dream.

Why don’t you come in and... I twisted to face Olivia, who was already busy in the kitchen, make yourself at home, I finished meekly.

Please tell me you have a coffeemaker, she threw over her shoulder at me. She commenced to rummage through each and every drawer, nook and cabinet of the kitchen.

Pantry. Second shelf.  K-cups are in the third drawer to the left.

I absently picked up the burning purple candle sitting on the coffee table while she blatantly made herself at home. I also didn’t remember carrying this candle from my bedroom to the living room.

Out for an early morning stroll?

The still burning lavender candle was thrown to the floor as I clamped a hand over my mouth in surprise. A bewildered Olivia swung around at my outburst and looked on while I stomped out the remaining flame. 

What happened? she demanded; concern masking her dark features. She literally hurdled over the counter and was by my side in less than an instant. The entire bar stood at four feet high and four feet deep, but she cleared the entire thing in one bound. You would have thought I screamed I was having a heart attack by her reaction. I stared at her with amazement before remembering she asked me a question.

Just a voice in my head, I murmured. I placed my hands on my hips and surveyed the room expectantly. 

I’m not sure what to do with that. Olivia’s deadpan tone hinted to me that she was in the process of deciding which mental hospital to admit me to.

Very funny, I announced to the cottage as I spun

Reviews for Hearken (Daughters of the Sea #4)

[stressedrach · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked up Forsaken to read. I hadn’t read the synopsis so went into it completely blind. Hannah had a life that wasn’t all that great to be honest. She was left abandoned by her parents and a very young age and ended up in the foster care system until she was eventually adopted at the age of 14 to a well off family.Three years later Hannah started to have odd dreams and fainted a lot and was taken to a special doctor, who then sent her to live at The House of Lorelei a special school for special people Hannah thought this was going to be some kind of asylum especially since there was no way off the Island apart from boat. How wrong Hannah was, changing her name and learning a great deal about how special she was the book got more and more interesting the further I read.Forsaken is a brilliant and capturing book. I was completely hooked. The love story with Finn was so cute, learning about the powers Hannah/Stacia has and all of her other friends. Saving her friends life. The story was never dull.I read this really quickly, the anticipation was just too much I just couldn’t put the book down!My daughter is now reading this and she is loving it just as much as I did. I cannot wait to read the second book, Awaken.