Chalice: Part Two

By Eris Kelli

Picking up right where Chalice: Part One left off, Raylea Scott is in a whole mess of trouble in police custody. Wanted for a murder she didn’t commit and trying to control new found powers of shapeshifting isn’t easy.

Dangerous people with powers of their own are still hot on her trail. Vince, is determined to be the man that stands between Raylea and those who want to harm her. He’ll have to find her first.

In a battle where friends turn to enemies and enemies become friends, there’s no telling who will be left standing in the end.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Eris Kelli
• Release date: Dec 9, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370784196

Eris Kelli

Eris Kelli grew up in the pacific northwest as the youngest of eight children. Her writing is fueled by her love of adventure, learning and her drive to explore an idea. She now resides in Midwest America, with her husband, two beautiful children, (who keep her running,) and two happy puppies.Currently she is fast at work on the fifth book in the Piper LeVine Series and several other projects are in the works as well including her Witch Hunter Series!Make sure to connect with Eris on Facebook! And don't forget to review!

Book preview

Chalice

The Legendary Series

Part Two

By

Eris Kelli

Copyright © Eris Kelli 2016

Published by Smashwords

ISBN: 9781370784196

Characters and situations are products of the author’s imagination, or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.

All rights reseved. No part of this book may be repoduced or transmitted in any form or by any means whatsoever, including photocopyingrecording or by aninformation storage and retrieval system, without written pemission from the publisher/author. Printed in the U.S.A.

Books By Eris Kelli

Piper LeVine, A Gypsy’s Truth book 1

Piper LeVine, The Path of Betrayal book 2

Piper LeVine, Follow the Leader book 3

Piper LeVine, They Call me Assassin book 4

Piper LeVine, Destiny’s Scribe book 5

Witch Hunter book 1

Chalice Part One (The Legendary Series)

Chalice Part Two (The Legendary Series)

Novellas

Lost: Richard Becomes Baobhan

Short Stories

Carry Me Home

Author Contact

Website: authoreriskelli.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ErisKelliFansPage/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/eris_kelli

A Note to My Readers:

Thank you so much for reading!

I hope you truly love the scecond book in the Legendary Series, Chalice: Part Two. If you haven’t read the first book in this series, Chalice: Part One, you need to click on your ebookstore and grab a copy because this book picks up where the last one left off.

Please remember if you love this book to review, it means so much to me and it’s the lifes blood of authors today. I read all of your reviews and it helps get great books in more hands when you review. Thank you!

Love, Eris

PS. Don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter to hear about new releases and giveaways!

Dedication: This one is for my mother. You always loved this one and I hope you still do. I’ve loved you from the beginning, I love you now, and I always will.

PART TWO

Raylea

Raylea Scott sat in a coffee cream colored room with a heavy brown wood table in front of her. The interrogation room was hot, or maybe the jaguar wanting to burst free from within her was making her sweat.

There weren’t any mirrors in the room, like there were in the movies but there was a camera in the upper corner of the wall near the door. The last thing she needed was her cat shifting ways to be captured on camera.

Raylea leaned back sighing in the chair. She wondered if she’d ever get any sleep again. The image of Vince’s angry expression surfaced, and she folded her arms. He’d been tired she could see it in his eyes, but that was no excuse for him to be so cruel.

She couldn’t help wondering how far they’d gone. Were they still alive? Her stomach clenched in fear, and she felt nauseous.

I’m being interrogated because they think I killed my friend, and I’m worried about the guy who dumped me on the side of the road?

A loud groan from the door opening interrupted her thoughts. The same officer that held two questioning sessions with her already, returned with a new female officer.

Obviously they didn’t believe her story.

So why don’t you tell me what happened?

Raylea glanced at the other officer who looked just as tired as she felt. There was no point in her saying that she’d already told him what happened. They all knew it. I came to get some clothes and didn’t want to wake up Kammy, so I…

What time was that? The lady officer interrupted.

I couldn’t say for sure, but I’m guessing around eleven. Raylea waited while the officer wrote that down. I gathered some stuff up, and then I noticed Kammy was in my bed.

The lady officer nodded. Why didn’t you turn on the light?

Because I didn’t want to wake Kammy.

Why were you gathering up your things?

Raylea kept eye contact with the officer hoping she’d recognize the truth. Because I was leaving to go to my parent’s cabin.

With finals this week? That doesn’t seem like you. I have here that you’ve been on the dean’s list every semester you’ve attended. The female officer with short brown hair was alert and smelled of coffee.

I got engaged. Love makes you do stupid things, Raylea said.

Where is your fiancé now? Vincent McAllister, he’s a football star isn’t he? I wonder why the policeman found you stranded without him.

Raylea was still adjusting to that fact herself. Our engagement was one that was very short lived.

I’m sorry to hear that. She turned a few pages and then looked at Raylea again. We have his fingerprints in your room too.

He came looking for me. We both were freaked out and did the wrong thing. We ran because we were afraid. We should have called you guys.

The officers both looked annoyed with her.

Raylea was pretty sure she wore the same expression they did. This was very tedious. They were trying to make her slip, and she was trying not to admit that there were supernatural beings running around loose.

She was tired, and they knew it.

It’s been over twenty-four hours since you discovered Kammy. Why didn’t you come to the police? It couldn’t have taken you this long to overcome the shock.

The sigh that drained out of her made the policewoman look hopeful again. Raylea wanted to cry. The policewoman pulled out photos. Raylea couldn’t keep control of her emotions. She sobbed, and they watched her with knowing looks.

They were right. She was guilty but not for what they believed. She wished she could have protected Kammy, saved her. Whoever killed her had been looking for her not Kammy.

Blood.

Wait a second.

Raylea straightened in her chair and looked at the photo nearest her again. Blood was everywhere in there. All over the bed and on the floor. A vampire wouldn’t have been able to leave so much blood. Not even Valdega.

One of the deaths maybe?

Are you ready to tell us what really happened? the male officer asked.

I have, Raylea answered.

Really? Why don’t we give you some time to think about that? Life in prison is a very long time, especially for someone as young as you are. Maybe you should consider what Vincent will tell us when we catch up with him.

If he’s still alive.

He’ll tell you the truth. Just as I did.

The policewoman left with the other officer. Raylea rose and went to the door. She concentrated on the mumble of voices outside the door until they were clear.

She did it all right. This Vincent guy only left one fingerprint, and it was in the hallway. We’re not even sure he went into the room, but her fingerprints are all over the body.

Raylea held her breath to keep from protesting her innocence.

We have enough to hold her. We should book her.

Enough to hold her? We’ve got enough to convict. The weapon was hers too. Don’t forget that.

Convict?

Raylea moved beneath the camera and then sprang into the air and ripped the camera off its mount. She wouldn’t have much time now.

She went over to the wall that had the vent. Using the same move, Raylea ripped the vent cover from the wall. She leapt up again and hung from the small opening. She waited as her hands turned into tiny white paws. Raylea pulled her body into the small space.

She padded along the small tunnel and tried to figure out its maze. One of the paths led outside didn’t it? They always did in the movies.

Her alibi for the time of death is flimsy too. Of course her fiancé would cover for her. She wasn’t with Vince McAllister and you know it. Raylea heard the female officer voice from the next vent she passed.

Raylea kept going. She knew better and yet she couldn’t seem to stop herself. She was never supposed to run from the police, they would think she was guilty.

They already do.

Raylea couldn’t escape their condemning voices. They kept echoing up into the ventilation system. She then heard a voice she recognized.

I’ve come with her attorney.

It’s Jeremy.

She raced back through the maze and dropped back into the room. She’d just gotten her shoes back on when the door opened.

What happened to the camera? the one officer asked.

I was standing under it, and it almost hit me. It just fell.

The officer tilted his head with a scowl on his face. It just fell? What about that vent?

I thought you guys were trying to spook me. Raylea scratched the back of her neck and realized she’d put her shirt on inside out when she found the tag on the outside.

Your attorney is here. The officer held the door open wider and Jeremy moved through it followed by a shorter man in an expensive dark suit.

Jeremy waited until the door closed and then he turned to Raylea. That would have been really stupid, Raylea. Everything you’ve been doing lately has been stupid. Hasn’t it?

Raylea folded her arms and sighed. Here came another one of Jeremy’s lectures.

I wish you’d stop and think sometimes. If you would just look back on your life and remember who is the one who has carried you through. Who, Raylea? He didn’t look sincere. He looked angry.

Raylea leaned back in her seat.

Jeremy continued. I have. Me. No one else. You’d be nothing without me. Do you think you would have gotten into the university without me? Jeremy asked, smacking the tabletop with the flat of his hand.

What? Raylea’s hands fell to her sides.

That’s right I made sure you got in. I make sure everything goes well for you but you never notice or appreciate what I go through for you.

Raylea swallowed. I would have never wanted you to…

No? So you would have wanted Logan to go to jail for shoplifting? You don’t even know about that little indiscretion do you? I saved you from Turkiss too. I paid that girl to come on to him, and he fell didn’t he? Just like I told you he would.

Raylea drew her eyebrows together. You set him up?

Don’t give me that look. I didn’t make him do anything he wouldn’t have done anyway, Jeremy spoke as if the lawyer wasn’t in the room, as if they were alone.

Is that what you always did, Jeremy? Raylea remembered the boys in school she’d been mildly interested in turned out to either be jerks or womanizers after she’d confessed her crushes to Jeremy.

He couldn’t have done all that, he would have to be obsessed.

Yes, I always protected you. Always. Then you just drop me like trash because you think someone better has come along? Raylea glanced at the suit sitting at the table while Jeremy continued to rant and noticed that he wasn’t looking at them. He was red faced and pretending to read a file.

If you’d just listen to me, everything would be better than this.

She didn’t like what she was hearing and when she got out of all of this, she was going to insist that he get therapy. Jeremy, there have been many times in my life where I should have listened to you. At this moment, I don’t really agree with you about my current choices.

That’s because you’re much less intelligent than I’ve given you credit for. Jeremy sneered.

Watch it, Jeremy, I won’t be talked to like that. Raylea glared at him.

No? What are you going to do? Not accept my help? Your picture has been on the TV for the last four hours. Do you know what they are saying? They’ve got the killer in custody. Kammy’s family wants you to get the death penalty.

Why is he smiling?

It’s come down to this, Raylea. You need me. You literally cannot live without me. So you know what? He grabbed her arm and squeezed. His face was only an inch from hers. I’ll talk to you however I want.

Who is this man who’s hurting and threatening me? This isn’t the Jeremy I know.

I don’t need you… Her face jerked to the right with the impact of the blow he delivered. Jeremy grabbed her chin to make her face him again.

You’d better watch your mouth because it’s either me or a life on the run. I wonder how Mommy and Daddy would feel about that. What about Logan? Doesn’t she look up to you?

Raylea let her anger manifest into a low rumble that vibrated through her and into him. He grinned, surprising her.

Why isn’t he afraid of what I could do to him?

His long fanged smile answered her question. You’ve always belonged to me, Raylea. You just never realized it.

***

Jody

No matter how hard Jody pulled, Cameron wouldn’t budge. It was like he’d turned to stone. Everything had happened so fast. Cameron ripped her from the seat and when she’d regained her footing in the hallway, she saw a wolf growing into a larger werewolf, one that stood on two legs instead of four.

Now here she was on the floor next to Cameron trying not to see the insane size teeth on the werewolf. Cameron was frozen with fear staring at him. I’m scared, Cameron. Her words seemed to pull Cameron from his shock.

He pulled the door shut and shoved her toward the living room. Run, Jody. I’ll hold him off.

With what? Jody asked.

The door to the office exploded in a blast of broken boards and nails. The beast had to duck to come into the hallway. He fell onto his clawed hands, and his head was level with Camerons.

Jody ran into the kitchen and grabbed a butcher knife. Her hands were shaking. She couldn’t seem to hold it steady. Jody used both her hands and swore at herself for taking so long. When she slid back into the hallway, the werewolf had Cameron pinned against the wall. Cameron’s left arm hung limp. The werewolf had pulled it out of its socket.

Cameron’s face was white and covered with sweat.

Where is the she-cat? The voice coming out of the werewolf was deep and gravelly. The question ended with snarling.

Cameron had his eyes closed and seemed to be holding his breath.

I will rip it off completely. The werewolf held onto Cameron’s wrist like it was a toothpick.

Jody moved in closer. Her only hope of freeing Cameron was a surprise attack, so she didn’t allow herself to react when Cameron yelled in pain. Just a little closer and she could shove the knife into the wolf’s back leg.

Her phone started ringing calling the attention of the monster. Jody dove and tried to stab the knife through his foot and possibly pin it to the floor.

The knife bent and broke.

Cameron fell to the floor. Jody chanced looking at him and was grateful when she saw he still had both arms. We don’t know where she is, Jody said raising up to glare at the monster. She hoped her fear wouldn’t show.

Rome? The man from the parking lot back at the university stood in the hallway. They are mere mortals.

Jody crawled to Cameron’s side while the deaths held each other’s attention.

If they answer they will not be harmed. The werewolf called Rome shrank but not much.

The man that stood before them now was tall and lean with muscle. His blue eyes seemed to see into her soul. She averted her gaze.

That was when she felt it.

It was much less obvious than Valdega but because she’d had him in her head, she recognized this man, Rome in hers. Jody narrowed her eyes to slits aimed at the werewolf.

She concentrated on what she’d heard Raylea tell Bailey when they’d put her on speaker phone. They hadn’t known the rules of the Chalice and wanted to make peace with them. But the death was not looking for this and tried to shove these thoughts aside.

When she kept pulling them into the forefront, his eyes focused harder on hers. Rome was surprised that she knew what he was trying to do. Jody knew by the look on his face.

For a moment, the piercing blue eyes of Rome seemed to soften. He reached for her. Cameron kicked his arm away.

This one has been touched by another betrayer of the Chalice. Rome looked angrily at the other death. One who is well aware of his powers.

Valdega is his name and you should go after him and leave Raylea alone, Jody said.

I thought you were after Trace anyway, Cameron added. You should leave him alone too. They never did anything to you.

The deaths ignored them for a moment and then Cameron’s phone started ringing. Cameron took his phone out of his pocket and then slammed his foot down on it, shattering pieces of its plastic all over the floor. That was our only link to them. Now it’s gone. Cameron looked defiantly at Rome.

Rome watched him for a moment and then cocked his head to the side like he heard something. He turned his face toward the hallway,