Exaltation

By Jamie Magee

Fate is a twisted b*$#@, at least his was.

Was one soul worth the lives of millions?

The quandary was one that Rydell King had no choice but to face. No matter the answer, the truth remained—innocence was created to destroy him. She was beautiful...extinguishing her to save his people seemed impossible, and maybe it was. As an immortal, his focus was to destroy the curse upon his people, as he devoured the emotion that bore him—exaltation, no matter the cost. She made him question everything.
Mercy had never been crueler...

Special note to the reader: This Novel is part of the “Web of Hearts and Souls,” a massive story where more than one series connect. The series can be read separately or together.

COMBINED WEB OF HEARTS AND SOULS READING ORDER: Insight, Embody, Image, Whispers of the Damned, Witness, Vital, Vindicate, Synergy, Enflame, Redefined, Rivulet, Imperial, Blakeshire, Derive, Emanate, Exaltation, Disavow, The Witches, Revolt, Scorched Souls.
*If you are a fan of Adult Paranormal Edge (Season 1&2) can be read with the Web of Hearts, before of after Exaltation--the stories share the same characters. Season 3 can be read after Scorched Souls

INSIGHT READING ORDER: Insight, Embody, Image, Vital, Vindicate, Enflame, Rivulet, Imperial, Blakeshire (Drake's Story), Emanate, Exaltation, Disavow.

SEE READING ORDER: Whispers of the Damned, Witness of a Broken Heart, Synergy of Souls, Redefined Love Affair, Derive (Aden's Beginning), A Lovers Revolt, Scorched Souls.

EDGE SERIES READING ORDER Alphas Rise, Dark Lure, Sacred Betrayal, Risen Lovers, Fall of Kings, Queens Rise, Stolen Son, Disloyal Souls, Aftermath.

We all fell hard for Twilight. We lost ourselves in the teen angst of Vampire Diaries, Fallen, and Hush, Hush. We found courage in the pages of Hunger Games, Divergent, and the Maze Runner. Our imagination was on fire inside of Mortal Instruments, Throne of Glass, and The Red Queen. We fell back into our childhoods with the likes of Cinder. And now we have the compelling, enigmatic, character driven thrill ride of the long reaching contemporary fantasy series INSIGHT.

Fans of contemporary and paranormal fantasy you cannot go wrong! Looking for ghosts? Angels? Demons & Devils? Witches? Gods? How about action and adventure wrapped around the romance of soul mates? Do you like to dive into the mystics? Science Fiction elements found in our own realm? Past lives or the zodiac? Ancient and modern civilizations? Spirituality? A setting that is contemporary, urban, and otherworldly? How do you feel about psychics? What about gothic elements? All of this and so much more is wrapped in this long reaching teen series. Insight is the foundation for not only its self titled series but also as a thread in the Web of Hearts and Souls Series, where several series intertwine to offer a mind-bending experience for the reader. If you're looking for originality and one hell of a deal this series is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jamie Magee
• Release date: Feb 10, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310855498

Book preview

Seventeen Years Later

Raven BellaRose

Yep. I’m in trouble. Again, Raven BellaRose thought. She was sitting between her best friends—who might as well be her sisters—the Sabien twins, River and Ashlyn (who everyone called Ash) on a bench outside of the principal’s office.

Raven and the girls were sneaking in a side hall door when they heard, Raven BellaRose and the Sabien's, please report to the office, over the loud speaker.

Even though they had never lived at any home beyond the ones they were born in, this was their third high school.

Oddly, they had a knack for getting suspended and then expelled. It was always for stupid reasons like not wearing their uniform, or arguing teaching styles, even objecting to the monocracy of cliques in general. Then again, last year the were blamed for burning down a science lab.

They'd made a pact to stay out of trouble this year. And so far, they'd made it through the first four weeks without any issues, a golden accomplishment.

It will be just a few more minutes, girls. Principal LaDay wanted to speak to your—, the secretary stopped short to answer the phone ringing on her desk.

Raven glanced at River, as Ash let out a shuddering breath. They were all thinking the same thing: who's behind that door.

Raven’s father, Jamison, had investments in most of the French Quarter. On the weekends, he usually worked late. For as long as Raven could remember, Thursday through Sunday she stayed at the Sabien’s. Miss Emery, the twins mom, is listed as her guardian and usually handled everything that had to do with school.

I need to skate so bad tonight, Raven groaned.

We’re not grounded yet, River said as she pulled at the one blonde streak in her hair. Grounded or not, we have to color before we go out.

Two schools ago a girl that wanted to ‘save’ Raven basically sent a lynch mob after her, saying she was born of evil. The girl told Raven ‘let me take you down to the river, that way you can grow up one day.’ Then taunted on that Raven must still be in diapers for the BellaRose bloodline didn’t age.

The girls were new at the school, so when the gossip made its way around the kids would say it’s the dark-haired one—with the blonde streak. Ash and River both dyed their hair the same as Raven’s, this caused the girls to look like triplets at a distance.

You have to work tonight, skating is a part of it, Ash said, displaying her constant logical reason.

Raven loved skating or rather dancing on skates. She'd been going to the rink since she was ten. Working there with the twins, along with her best friend Soren, was her heaven.

The secretary’s phone buzzed. She picked it up and listened before waving the girls to go into the office.

Go on now, she said with an impatient wave of her hand.

River reached behind her and pulled Raven to lead them. You’re the sweet one, she whispered.

Raven held her breath then opened the door. Principal LaDay was there along with Miss Emery at a conference table. Miss Emery looked defeated and confused. With questioning expressions, the girls sat opposite her, Raven in the middle.

Girls, do you have any idea why you're here? Mr. LaDay asked.

Both Ash and River elbowed Raven, telling her to speak. No sir, we don’t.

One of your teachers brought something to my attention. Of course, I insisted we investigate before I called your parents.

Investigate? What did he mean by that? Raven thought.

You recall the exams last week? After a slight nod from Raven, he went on. Well, it appears that your test scores do not match the class courses you are currently taking. The principal leaned forward. You have to understand before I accused you of fraud, I needed proof.

Fraud? Raven said a bit too loudly.

Grades are important, girls, LaDay stated in a stern tone.

Emery came to their defense. The girls have never crossed someone without reason. I want to know the reason.

LaDay glanced at her. There’s no explaining this away, Miss Sabien.

You have no black and white proof they've committed any crime. You would've already expelled them if you did.

We’re straying from the point.

No. We’re on point. You haven’t even told them what you feel they've done.

With a grunt, LaDay rose from his seat. I'll bring in their teacher.

Long moments later, the principal returned with Duncan Newberry, known as Professor Newberry to the faculty and ‘Berries’ to the kids.

The man gave Raven the creeps. She had no idea why, but every gut feeling she had told her to keep a wide berth from the man, and she had.

Raven pointed out Mr. Berries in the cafeteria on the third day of school. Ash and River glanced at each other, then Ash took Raven’s book from her bag and told Raven she would go to his class and sent Raven to her modern English class. To balance out that rotation the girls had to rotate classes out with River. They were only going to one period that was theirs. Study Hall, sixth-period.

Miss Sabien, this is Dr. Duncan Newberry.

Raven curiously watched as Emery stiffened with rage, an emotion she'd never seen her show. There was far too much recognition in Emery's eyes. Raven glanced to River, she somewhat shrugged but kept her eyes on her mother.

Mr. Berries leaned back in his seat with a satisfied grin on his face. Good to see you, Emery.

Yep. They knew each other.

Berries darkly laughed. "I must say I wasn’t surprised your children would pull a stunt like this, must be something in the genes. Poor father figure perhaps…"

On reflex, Raven reached for River’s arm to hold her still. I was a a bad idea to insulted anyone River held close, which was all of six people. Second of all, the father issue was a bit of a sore spot for River. She wasn’t sure who hers was, and that bugged the hell outta her.

Everyone in the room heard the secretary giggle outside the door just before it opened. Instantly Raven turned white as a ghost. If her father was there, too, this was serious.

The ornery mood of LaDay vanished as he stood from his seat to greet Jamison, who looked like the girls’ knight in shining armor in his gray suit that brought out the tint of his eyes.

I wasn’t aware you were coming, LaDay said to him. LaDay nodded to Duncan. This is Dr. Duncan Newberry.

Jamison's casual grin faded as he said, I can’t say I’ve heard much about you. Have you been teaching here long?

Long enough to know a fraud when I see one, Duncan said, as his beady stare raked over Jamison.

LeDay raised his hand to shush Berries when he saw a cold look hit Jamison's eyes. Jamison moved behind the girls, let his hands rest on the twins’ shoulders as he kissed the top of Raven’s head. "I must be in the wrong conference room. I thought I was here for my girls."

Duncan turned another shade of red.

Jamison walked around the table and took his seat next to Emery then extended his arm around her chair. Both River and Ash kicked Raven under the table at the same time. Welcome to the twilight zone, was the common thought running through their minds. Over the years, each of the girls had walked in on what seemed like an intimate moment, but not once had they seen public action like this.

We were just going over test scores with Miss Sabien, LaDay said.

Jamison donned a proud grin. I was impressed with how high they were.

LaDay cleared his throat. Well, of course. They were excellent, but you see—

Jamison interrupted. Geniuses. Wish I could take all the credit, he said winking at Emery.

The girls cracked an astonished smirk.

Right, of course, you see, the college credits they are earning are the reason we’re here today.

Jamison’s grin shifted to a slyer one as his fingertips slowly moved in circles on Emery’s bare shoulder. I see, you’ve discovered what the girls were regrettably telling you silently.

Silently? LaDay repeated.

Yes, of course, silently. The girls are like Emery. They crave knowledge. His eyes met hers. Can’t quite get enough of the wealth of it.

Emery’s lips parted in a timid smile.

Jamison glanced at the principal. Obviously, the girls thought six periods of superior education wasn't enough. They turned six classes into eighteen. I understand it would’ve been wiser for them to state your school was not challenging them. They tend to be shy. Thankfully, you caught it before they earned any credits this way.

LaDay hesitated before he spoke again. Four weeks is a long period. Mr. BellaRose, this is still a serious infraction.

Of course. Utilize the test you have to give the girls credit for the work they’ve done. The girls will ensure that they attend the right classes from this point forward.

Duncan leaned forward; hate dripped from his rigid expression. Raven is four weeks behind on a research paper for my course.

Jamison’s warm, blue stare turned glacial as he shifted it to Duncan. There’s research material all over my home. She’s completing the work for your class. If it would appease you, she could retake any tests you've given.

How many exams are there? LaDay asked.

None thus far, Duncan spat.

Jamison withdrew his arm from around Emery and leaned forward, folding his arms before him on the table, a stance that made him look downright lethal. Why have you have singled her out?

LaDay intervened. He has no reason to single her out. He happened to notice she wasn’t in his class.

I certainly hope that’s the only reason. Jamison glanced at the girls. Is it?

Prickles, River said as if the word had been trying to explode out of her since ‘Mr. Berries’ had walked in the room.

Jamison’s jaw clenched. The temperature dropped a degree or two in the room, a reflection of Jamison’s protective vim.

‘Prickles’ was a childhood term the twins used. It meant bad mojo. When they were scarcely walking they had no idea how to explain the sensation that would come over them—prickles came the closest.

Raven fidgeted with her hands as a sick sensation waved through her. River hadn’t told her that was why she and Ash were all for this switch up of classes.

When the girls were tiny, and the word prickles would come up, shortly after the weather was horrible, usually shifting without warning. Other things went down too, some as small as the girls having a spat with other kids. Bigger things like a car crash that nearly killed Raven. Big, small, or nothing at all, in a superstitious family you keep your guard up when there’s reason.

Excuse me? LaDay said.

Pringles. She’s hungry, Emery said quickly, as she tossed an accusing look at Duncan.

And obviously not taking this seriously, Duncan said.

Jamison’s glare landed on him. I’m not sure I like your attitude. Or that I want you teaching my daughter anything.

LaDay raised one hand to silence Duncan.Dr. Newberry is the only qualified teacher for the course. Raven needs to complete the path she’s on. At this juncture, she has no option.

Holding his glare on Duncan, Jamison said, Then this matter is closed?

No, Duncan said. I have no way of knowing if Raven has completed her work on her own or not.

My word is not good enough? Jamison asked.

It is, LaDay said. I was going to state all three of them were to attend Saturday school for at least three weeks for this indiscretion.

Fine, Ducan said. Then Miss BellaRose and I have a class to attend in fifteen minutes, Duncan said as he stood.

I’m taking Raven home. No sense in embarking on a new beginning at the end of a week. Jamison glanced at Emery in question.The twins are leaving as well, he said reading the answer in her expression.

Jamison stood, gently pulling Emery up with him. Do I need to sign them out? he asked LaDay.

No issues at all. We’ll start new Monday in the right classes.

Go get your things, Jamison said, with a nod to Raven.

Chapter Two

Raven BellaRose

No mystery boy for you this afternoon, Ash teased as she handed Raven books to shove in one of the two lockers they shared.

Raven rolled her eyes. But. On the inside, it irked her that the weirdness of her life was stifling one of the most intriguing parts of her day. It had been a long time since she had a crush. Something was drawing about this guy. Like, he was more present than they were. She never saw him with a phone or headphones in his ears. He wasn't checking out every girl that passed. There was, just, this mature vibe she got from him.

Raven thought about him when she woke up, when she picked out her outfit, when she checked her makeup before class ended, and sometimes, for no reason at all. She saw him every day before both second and sixth period. She had to pass through the old gym under the bleachers, then downstairs and through a hallway under the school. This path had her up close and personal with her crush.

She didn’t know his name yet, or what he was even into, she just knew how he made her feel. The blush of adrenaline that hit her in the chest as he came closer, the uptick of her heart as they brushed by each other, the grin he'd give her when he'd glance back. Ever. Single. Time. No boy had ever made her have such crazy feels. Raven was sure he knew exactly how he made her feel. While else would he smile like that?

River was furious Raven was giving the guy any space in her life much letting him play the dominate in their silent game. She'd told Raven. Next time he stalls against you, swoop up and kiss him. Bend his freaking mind. She grunted. Teach him that boys like him are food to girls like us.

Which was not true, but Raven liked to imagine the look on his face if she ever found the courage to be herself around him: bold and fearless, mostly.

It was tight in the hallway, they never just brushed by each other, it was more of a press of bodies, this boy and Raven both stilled almost every time like they both felt the odd shock of recognition but had no idea what to do about it.

Raven didn’t want anything heavy with a guy. For now, silently flirting with mystery boy was more than enough to complicate her life. She figured in time she'd hear some drama about him and the bubble of 'he's perfect' would pop.

All she wanted-needed was a dance partner, and at work, Soren was that guy. In front of the audience, they played a role that made them look like the perfect couple, which was a joke. He’d been in love with Ash since they were toddlers.

How grounded do you think we are? I have to skate, or I am going to lose it, Raven huffed.

Hopefully they saw how big of a creep Mr. Berries was, Ash said.

What was up with parental figures? River asked. Like they looked all...intimate.

Raven shrugged. Maybe it was just a strong family front.

Like we had to front that, River mumbled.

I wonder if this family meeting is at my house or yours, Raven said, hoping it would be a swift lecture.

Raven and the twins were not ‘officially sisters’, Jamison and Emery were not ‘officially a couple’, but the girls had never known life any other way. Jamison and Emery always treated their group of five like one family. It was oddly perfect, and impossible to explain to outsiders.

Bet it’s mine. Sure Jamison has to get back to work.

The warning bell rang, and everyone started to rush to class. Raven heard a few other girls giggling. Oh My God! Who was that? Please tell me he’s a new sub!

Raven and the twins glanced at each other then up the hall; they saw Jamison leaned against the wall that led to the one they were on. He was smiling at the students as they passed. He must have asked one of them where the girls’ lockers were because a girl giggled and pointed in their direction.

Maybe he just wanted to say goodbye, Ash said, as she loaded her bag.

I have my doubts, Raven said seeing her weekend transforming from dancing and skating to sitting next to her father. He usually, hung close after she managed to get in trouble.

Once packed they made their way to him, Girls, Emery said to tell you to take the Jeep home.

Raven went to follow them, but her dad grabbed the hook on her book bag. Not you, little one.

She glanced up at him, a pout in her eyes.

Rydell King was leaning against the lockers outside of Berries’ classroom, ready to rip his ass into shreds. Rydell was sick of the runaround this old bastard had. He glanced at the teens rushing about, this deal right here sucked.

Dagen was leaning against the locker next to him, grinning. He didn’t share Rydell’s distaste for the school. The emotion of exaltation was easy to find and the girls, well, there were a ton of them, all Dagen had to do was give a girl a wink to get a rush of vim. Eating clean is what he called it. Rydell considered this discovery of Dagen’s to be hope that there was a way to get all vim they needed and not tempt souls, but he didn't know what to do with the idea of vim and high school.

Send the millions of angels in his faction to school? Nope.

What is taking him so fucking long? Rydell asked as he cast a harsh glare at the classroom.

King, chill. Knowing Berries, he probably ran his pompous mouth, and they decided to move schools again, Dagen said, as he grinned at the cheerleaders.

"The only option they have left