Devoted: Book Five of the Avery Tywella Series

By S. L. Gavyn

She’s not going to take it.
First, Hell.
Now, the Kingdom.
Avery Tywella has spent too long being forced to do things against her will, and she will be damned if she is going to allow Jared do it. She has one purpose in her life. Kill Abaddon, the king of Hell. That is her one driving force, and she is Devoted to it.
Life has a way of sneaking up on you though, and Avery soon finds herself wanting more. Demon are descending on Atlanta taking innocents in an attempt to draw Avery out. Abaddon has declared war on the entire city and its inhabitants.

She will need the help of all her friends and even some enemies to end this once and for all. But more than anyone else, she will need Jared. With him, she will learn what being Devoted really is.
This is the fifth and final book of the Avery Tywella Series. Book one, Darkened, is currently free.

• Language: English
• Publisher: S. L. Gavyn
• Release date: Jan 20, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310886270

S. L. Gavyn

S.L. Gavyn lives in Mobile, Alabama with her husband, three children, two dogs, two betta fish, one guinea pig, and a tree frog that hangs out in her bathroom shower. She tries to write fantasy novels that are funny, interesting and adventurous with just the right amount of romance worked in. You can find her blogging about her books and various other things at slgavyn.wordpress.com.

Book preview

To my Readers

Oh my gosh! What a journey it’s been. For those of you reading this book. Thank you. Thank you for sticking with Avery in all her times of total oblivion. And staying with Jared even though he had his own issues. Their story has been building in my brain for a very long time, and I have to say, it is bittersweet to see it come to an end. I have never felt more indecisive in my life. One minute I’m like ‘Yay! The final book is finished.’ And the next, ‘No, it can’t be the end.’ To say I’m on the fence about it is an understatement. But you are here with me and that makes me feel so much better. So again, thank you.

Much Love,

Sara

Chapter One

Oh no, no, no. I am getting sick and tired of being pulled through portals against my will. You will return me to the Human realm right now.

The First Lord smiled at me like I was being an errant child. He was a huge man, probably close to seven feet with broad shoulders. His salt-and-pepper hair was at least shoulder length but was tied back. I wasn’t entirely sure if it was his size or the magic radiating off of him that made him seem so powerful. It was no wonder he was both feared and revered.

Why would I possibly want to do that? Do you wish that Demon to recapture you?

My eyes narrowed at him. I would have killed him. I could have killed him.

His smiled remained the same. We both know you are not ready for that.

Screw this. I’m done playing everybody’s game. I closed my eyes and envisioned a portal back to the Human realm but nothing happened.

I looked at the First Lord once more. You blocked me from opening portals?

Oh, yes. You will not be able to leave this plane until I deem you ready.

I shot him the nastiest look in my arsenal, then I turned that same look on the one who was really to blame here—Jared. It was his fault. He was the one who dragged me here to begin with. At least he had the decency to look ashamed. Contrite didn’t really suit him, though. imperative

"Don’t be upset with Jared. He only did as I asked.

I glanced at the First Lord before turning back to Jared. He asked you to bring me to the Kingdom, and you just obeyed? When did you two become so close? After you were screwing his daughter? What are you now? Future son-in-law and minion?

It isn’t like that. It was never like that. That wasn’t why I came back here to begin with, Jared began.

He came here to ask forgiveness, not for himself but for another. He did not think you should have to suffer for your father’s mistakes, the First Lord said.

My father made no mistakes other than falling in love. Why should he have to pay for eternity for that?

He should not. That is why he has long been forgiven. That is also why I advised Jared to bring you here when he asked me for assistance in protecting you.

What about Gabriella?

The First Lord seemed surprised I would ask about her. My daughter is safe in the Human realm.

Why did you banish her to the Human realm? It isn’t her fault she was in love with Jared.

I couldn’t believe I just said that, but I know the pull Jared has on the opposite sex. Given my own attraction to him, how could I fault her for the same thing? Of course, the more sadistic part of my brain said it didn’t matter. She touched what was ours and deserved to suffer. Okay, this day has gotten me seriously confused.

You will not question my motives, child, the First Lord said in his superior tone.

You think you can just force everyone to do what you want. Well, might doesn’t make right, buddy.

He looked as though he was trying not to smile. Apparently, he found me entertaining. I wonder if he would be as entertained with my sword poking out of him.

He raised a single brow. I would suggest not trying it. As you have just said, might doesn’t make right.

My eyes narrowed. A mind reader, great. So, what am I supposed to do here exactly? Hang out with the Angels singing Kumbaya?

I’m unfamiliar with that song, but you are free to sing whatever you wish while you are here.

For how long? To what means? I want to know what I’m supposed to accomplish here.

You know what you need to do. You will be free to leave once you are amply protected from the Demon named Abaddon.

What is that supposed to mean? Wait. You want me to bond with Jared?

He said nothing in return.

You have got to be kidding me. I’m not bonding with anyone, and holding me against my will is not going to ease my mind into a state of wanting to complete the bond.

You are welcome to stay for as long as you would like. Jared too has fulfilled his duty to me and is now welcome in his homeland once more.

I narrowed my eyes at Jared. So that’s what this really boils down to. You wanted back in the Kingdom, so you agreed to hand me over in exchange for your place among your peers.

He looked sad. That you think I would do that saddens me, Caru.

Screw you, Jared.

I took a step away from both of them and had my first real look of the room. A dais was in the middle with a single throne on it. A small table with two chairs sat off to one side. Other than that, there wasn’t any furniture, but a huge mural was on the ceiling that depicted Humans doing basic tasks like hanging out clothes or chopping wood. Judging by their dress, I’d say they were portrayed to be from the early ages.

There were several large windows in the room, so I walked over to one and looked out of it. It wasn’t really a window per se. Could it be called a window if there was no glass? It was just a large opening in the wall of the room. I suppose that would make it easier to fly out of. I could too. I could fly out of the window and travel through the Kingdom. Then what? I didn’t know anyone in the Kingdom. I didn’t really even know anything about the Kingdom.

Where would I stay until the First Lord releases me? How am I going to get released without bonding with Jared? Because I have to say, I wasn’t going to just agree to bond with him. There was too much anger and hatred directed at that man to just forget everything and merge my soul with his. That is something one should be absolutely sure about, and I didn’t think I could be more unsure of Jared. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any options other than to stay here. Hopefully, my father or Daniel will help stage another rescue. I laughed. The damsel again. Just great.

I jumped out of the opening, leaving both men behind and freefell for a few dozen feet before opening my wings and lifting myself high into the sky. I looked back at the onyx colored castle that rose high into the sky and saw Jared standing in the window I had left.

When I looked out at the land before me, I about fell into another freefall. It was beautiful. No, that word didn’t do it justice. It was so overwhelmingly spectacular that I felt all the dirtier just for being in it. I was unworthy of this amazing land, and yet, here I was, flying above the trees like any other Angel. But I’m not an Angel, not really. I’m the daughter of a God and a White Witch, and I couldn’t help feeling as though I didn’t belong.

Come to think of it, there wasn’t anywhere I felt I did belong. I’m not the same HR agent from Atlanta, and I certainly don’t belong in Hell. As much as I love my parents, I would probably have to blow my brains out if I had to spend the rest of my life in that gods forsaken red plane. The Kingdom however, almost looked too good to be true. It was probably silly, but I could almost imagine the locals forming the raiding party to kick the monster out of town. I chuckled to myself. The thought of a band of Angels with pitchforks and torches seemed funny somehow.

You seem to be enjoying yourself.

I looked over my shoulder and saw Jared flying beside me. His dark wings seemed even darker when compared to our surroundings. With his dark hair and eyes he seemed as out of place here as me. I refused to allow myself to think about how much of a turn on the whole dark Angel thing was.

Just thinking about how I’ll be welcomed among the other Angels.

Ah. Don’t worry, they only burn Witches at the stake these days.

I looked back and found him smiling. Oh, he thought it was funny, did he?

Wait until I tell all of them the outcast is the one that brought me to town.

He pretended to wince, but then smiled softly. Don’t worry, Caru. All will love you. Just as they did your father.

I raised a brow. They’ve been fighting my father’s creations for millennium. I’m pretty sure there’s no love there.

True. He has earned somewhat of a reputation, but you are innocent and a female. They would never mistreat either.

I scoffed. I couldn’t really deny the female comment but… I think ‘innocent’ is a bit of an exaggeration. If you knew they wouldn’t mistreat me because of my father, then why did you ask the First Lord to forgive me?

That wasn’t what I asked him for.

What then?

I asked for his protection, and he gave it.

Oh joy. The gods save me from the First Lord’s protection.

You would think you might be a bit more appreciative. If it wasn’t for my Lord and myself, you would be returned to Hell by now.

I narrowed my eyes at him. You would do well to shut up now.

He shrugged, but didn’t say anything else.

I continued through the countryside, absorbing everything in sight. I remember Jared once telling me the main thing he had a problem with when he was banished to the Human realm was the lack of color. Now, I know what he was talking about. I could easily compare the view in front of me to one I might see in some wilderness area back in the Human realm. There was a similar looking sun, green grass, loads of trees and flowers, even the dirt looked close to being the same. The difference was that this plane was livelier, for a lack of better words. The sun shone brighter but not hotter, the birds in the trees chirped happier, it was almost like a freakin’ Disney movie only without the annoying talking animals. Or, at least I really hope not.

There were more trees than I thought there would be. Don’t get me wrong. It wasn’t as if I thought I would find some major metropolis or anything. I just didn’t expect to find nothing but woods with the occasional meadow. Thinking about my expectations of the Kingdom brought up a question I’ve been wanting to know since first arriving in Hell.

Where are the souls?

I’m sorry?

You know, when Humans die their souls are supposed to go to either the Kingdom or Hell dimensions. I only saw some damned Humans in Hell, not nearly as many as you would think there would be.

He looked sad for just a second, and I realized it was because I was talking about my time in Hell.

The souls are reincarnated. Only the purest are reborn as Angels while the rest are returned to the Human realm. Those that are to be punished are done so there.

Wait. How are they punished in the Human realm?

He smiled evilly. Did you know the average life cycle of a fruit fly is only twenty-four hours, give or take? Imagine being forced to live and die over and over every day for the rest of time.

So you’re saying everyone is reincarnated and the baddies are turned into fruit flies?

Not only fruit flies. I just used that as an example.

But I saw damned in Hell. Some of the Demon kept them to torture.

He looked disgusted. Those are the exception. On occasion, there is a soul that is too corrupt for reincarnation. I have heard Abaddon hand picks those souls and gives them to his minions as gifts.

I huffed. He doesn’t. There is only one thing Abaddon hates as much as the Angels. I looked over at him. Demon. He doesn’t give them anything, certainly not gifts.

He seemed to think about what I said. After a minute, he shrugged. I don’t believe it really matters how the souls get there. I only know that if they have ended up in the Hell dimension, they belong there.

My look was deadpanned.

You are not a Human, Caru.

I’m not your Caru either, but you still call me it.

I would never tell him how close his words echoed my own dark thoughts on occasion. I have often wondered if I didn’t deserve my fate when I was trapped in Hell with Abaddon. Although for the life of me I couldn’t think of anything I have done in my life that was so awful to deserve such a fate, I’m sure all the other damned thought the exact same thing.

Come, Caru. I will bring you to my home. You can stay there while you plot your way out of this situation.

Ah. You know me so well.

He didn’t bother responding. Instead, he adjusted his course to the left and began flying at a faster pace.

Chapter Two

As we flew, I watched the landscape turn from undeveloped forests and meadows to fields interspersed with the occasional farmhouse and out buildings. I felt like I was thrown back into the middle ages, only it was wrong somehow. Although it was apparent the buildings weren’t constructed with modern day technologies, they were very different than any images I have seen of housing done pre-industrial revolution.

They were made from what I assume were natural materials found in this plane, but it