Tainted Magic

By Jamie Campbell

The Fae Queen must die.

Shae Howard’s time to join the Queen’s Army is up. Since she didn’t enlist, she is now one of the most wanted Fae in Oleda’s Hollow. She had her escape all planned, but her best friend decided join the army instead.

With nothing but a tag-along human named Evan to hinder her, Shae makes it her mission to save her best friend from a war he shouldn’t want to fight. But Evan isn’t what he seems, and now she can’t get rid of him. It’s possible she secretly doesn’t want to, but it’s forbidden for humans and Fae to be together.

With the mysterious Evan by her side, Shae will fight the Fae Queen for everything she believes in, including her heart.

Tainted Magic is a standalone contribution to the Charmed Legacy Dark Fae Hollows collection. Stories can be read in any order. To learn more, visit CharmedLegacy.com

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jamie Campbell
• Release date: Sep 26, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370246984

Jamie Campbell

Jamie was born into a big, crazy family of 6 children. Being the youngest, she always got away with anything and would never shut up. Constantly letting her imagination run wild, her teachers were often frustrated when her 'What I did on the weekend' stories contained bunyips and princesses.Growing up, Jamie did the sensible things and obtained a Bachelor of Business degree from Southern Cross University and worked hard to gain her membership with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia.Yet nothing compared to writing. Quiting the rat race to spend quality time with her laptop named Lily, Jamie has written several novels and screenplays. Spanning a number of genres and mediums, Jamie writes whatever inspires her from ghost stories to teenage love stories to tantalising murder mysteries. Nothing is off limits.A self-confessed television addict, dog lover, Taylor Swift fan, and ghost hunter, Jamie loves nothing more than the thrill of sharing her stories.

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TAINTED MAGIC

THE DARK FAE HOLLOWS – HOLLOW 13

JAMIE CAMPBELL

CHARMED LEGACY

Copyright © 2017 Jamie Campbell

Smashwords Edition.

Jamie Campbell asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the author.

DESCRIPTION

The Fae Queen must die.

Shae Howard’s time to join the Queen’s Army is up. Since she didn’t enlist, she is now one of the most wanted Fae in Oleda’s Hollow. She had her escape all planned, but her best friend decided join the army instead.

With nothing but a tag-along human named Evan to hinder her, Shae makes it her mission to save her best friend from a war he shouldn’t want to fight. But Evan isn’t what he seems, and now she can’t get rid of him. It’s possible she secretly doesn’t want to, but it’s forbidden for humans and Fae to be together.

With the mysterious Evan by her side, Shae will fight the Fae Queen for everything she believes in, including her heart.

Tainted Magic is a standalone contribution to the Charmed Legacy Dark Fae Hollows collection. Stories can be read in any order. To learn more, visit CharmedLegacy.com

Chapter 1

We had until midnight.

One hour and twenty-one minutes to go.

Failure to enlist in the army by then would result in immediate action. We would be considered outlaws, threats, enemies, and we would be hunted.

Perry paced the length of my small room. Just watching him was making me dizzy.

We’re doing the right thing, I reminded him. We’d made our pact. We’d discussed our options. We weren’t going to enlist.

I know. It’s just…stressful.

We’ll get through it together.

He stopped to give me a smile, one that paved a direct line to my heart. Even though he’d been my best friend since we were just two years old and I knew everything about his bad habits, I loved him.

He didn’t know that.

The time ticked down, moving unbearably slow. I wanted midnight to come so it would take away the temptation of enlisting. It was the safer option, which was ridiculous. How was joining a war safer than refusing to fight? One woman made it that way.

She was the head of the army. She was the daughter of Rasha, Queen of the Good Fae. She was also the daughter of Acura, Lord of the Dark Fae. She was dangerous and she had openly declared war, not only on the humans, but on the Fae who refused to join her army. Perry and I would soon be two of her newest enemies.

We’re bringing hell down on us. You know that, right? Perry said. It’s not going to be easy.

We’re not fighters, I replied.

His hands balled into fists as his pacing turned into stomping. I hate this. I hate that she’s making everything impossible. We shouldn’t have to fight humans if we don’t want to.

She needs the numbers. Even with all her powers, she’s not going to win against the humans without help. She started this war thinking she was invincible, and now she knows she’s not.

She’s pretty close to it.

I nodded, because he was right. Oleda was one of thirteen of the most powerful Fae in the world. They were all daughters of Rasha and Acura, and they had been scattered over the world. Oleda owned this country, named Oleda’s Hollow after her. She ruled with an iron fist and had run headlong into a war with the humans the moment she returned.

The tension in my tiny room grew as the hour drew closer. I wondered how many other citizens were awake right now, going through the same mental struggle.

Nobody wanted to be Oleda’s enemy, and we certainly didn’t want to be hunted. But she had given us no choice by forcing us to enlist. We weren’t fighters—we were Fae. Our magic was supposed to be used for good, not for killing humans.

Have you packed your bag? I asked, to make conversation more than anything. His relentless pacing was ramping up my nerves by a thousand percent. He needed to stay still or he would freak me out even more.

He stopped momentarily to kick his black duffel bag. Yeah.

Do you have everything you’ll need?

He shrugged. If he wasn’t so gorgeous it wouldn’t have looked so adorable. What are you supposed to pack when you’re going on the run?

Clothes, I guess. Some food, maybe.

I have clothes.

Good thing I’ve packed snacks, then. I flashed him a smile, hoping it would help lighten the mood. It wasn’t that I felt cheery, by any means. But that was how I dealt with stress. Perry brooded while I smiled.

Too soon, the clock ticked over to 11:55 p.m.

Five minutes and we would officially be wanted. We wouldn’t be able to stay here any longer. We’d have to leave. The group home would be the first place they would look for me. Just like they’d look for Perry at his family’s apartment. We weren’t going to be stupid enough to get caught.

At least when the cops showed up, they’d give the others at the group home something to talk about. Nobody loved gossip more than my fellow housemates. As long as it was someone else getting into trouble, they reveled in it.

Perry suddenly threw up his hands. I can’t do it, Shae. I just can’t do it. He ran to my laptop and started typing frantically on the keyboard.

I hurried over. "What are you doing? We made a deal. We talked about this."

His fingers flew over the keys, playing them like a piano. He was on the army’s website, typing in all his details to enlist in the army.

I tugged at his arm, trying to stop him.

Let me do this, Shae. I’m not as strong as you are. I can’t do it to my family. They need me.

They need you alive, which was the whole point of not enlisting.

I’ll do my time, he insisted. Then I’ll be free.

Oleda promised the enlistment would be for a period of only five years. As if five years wasn’t a long time when you’re dodging bullets and knives.

Perry, you can’t— My words died on my lips as he submitted the form. The website took only a second to confirm his enlistment and welcome him to the National Army.

He’d enlisted.

The clock ticked over to midnight.

Time had run out.

I was now truly alone.

Chapter 2

I’m sorry, Shae, Perry said.

He tried to hug me, but I shook him away. He was my enemy now, part of Oleda’s National Army that would have him fighting humans. He would be out on the battlefield in days. Maybe even hours.

I had to do it for my family, he continued. I couldn’t put them through it. They’d be shamed if I went on the run. It’s honorable doing this. Can’t you see that?

I wished I did.

But I didn’t.

Perry and I had spent countless hours talking about the enlistment. We’d spoken about the war and the dangers for weeks. Every time we’d concluded the same thing: we couldn’t do it. We wouldn’t fight a war we didn’t believe in.

A war that wasn’t fair.

Shae—

Sirens wailed in the street. They were quickly followed by the red and blue light flashes that could only belong to the police.

All the blood in my veins ran as cold as ice while my heart pounded in my ears. Surely the authorities couldn’t be that quick in tracking down the Fae who hadn’t enlisted. It had to be merely a coincidence.

Perry and I exchanged a glance that spoke of all the fear we were both feeling. Except, he didn’t have anything to worry about now. He’d enlisted. He wasn’t on any kind of radar for ignoring the queen’s direct order.

You need to run, Perry said, breaking the spell the fear had cast over me.

I grabbed my bag from underneath my bed and slung it over my shoulder. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be, I muttered under my breath.

I moved toward the door. The sirens grew louder outside.

Perry gently took my elbow as I passed him. Shae, I’m sorry. I really am. If there was anything—

Don’t. My gaze met his, steely and determined. Just don’t.

Shae.

I need to go. Good luck in the army. You’re going to need it. There were a million things I wanted to say to Perry, but I couldn’t choke them out. It was easier being angry with him than to address just how scared I was for him.

The sirens screamed, sounding like they were directly outside, before they cut out. I thrust open the door and stepped out into the corridor of the halfway house, leaving Perry and everything I had called home for the past five months.

He didn’t follow me, making the distance between us feel far bigger than it physically was. Every step away from Perry felt permanent. I wasn’t going to see him again. I was certain of that. If the war didn’t kill him as a solider, it would surely kill me as a rebel.

I took the stairs two at a time, my bag jumping at my side. The television blared in the common room. Five other residents sat on the old dirty couch watching a reality show. The flashing lights of the police car through the window caught their attention.

Hey, what’s going on? Katrina asked as she saw me pass by the room.

Just going out, I replied without slowing down.

She made to get up but stopped midway as someone pounded on the front door so hard it made the signs on the wall shake. That was my cue to get the hell out of there as fast as my feet would take me.

I ran for the back door, hoping with everything I had that the police hadn’t come around there yet. With any luck, they would still be trying to figure out a way to get through the heavy security gates at the sides of the property.

I flung open the back door just seconds before I flew through it. I was faced with complete darkness. Even the moon was afraid to come out on a night like this. It was one thing acting to my advantage. I’d left so many times this way that I didn’t need to see where I was going.

My feet moved twenty-two steps ahead before I reached the chain-link fence. My shoes were only just able to slip between the gaps as I hoisted myself up and over the fence. As I reached the top, my bag snagged. The ripping of the fabric sounded like an explosion in the otherwise quiet yard. I had to tug on it a few times to get the bag free again.

I snaked down to the ground on the other side, jumping the final few feet. The halfway house backed onto a tiny alleyway that was supposed to be only for drainage. It was mainly used as a shortcut route by the local residents.

There was no time to think about where I was going, or even which way I should go. I turned left and ran, hoping luck was with me and I would end up somewhere far away from the authorities. The queen probably had everyone out scouring the city tonight, picking up any Fae and delivering them to Her Majesty herself for punishment.

My pounding footsteps sounded too loud on the damp concrete, but I couldn’t make them any quieter. Slowing down and treading carefully would ensure I was quickly caught. It was a lose-lose situation.

The alleyway opened up to another street. I turned right and continued on. Every little movement made me jump. I suffered at least a dozen heart attacks thanks to a cat, two birds, and a number of leaves pushed around by the wind.

More and more lights started to come on in the surrounding apartment buildings. The wail of sirens sounded again, filling the city with the constant high-pitched shriek that would wake even the dead from their slumber.

My breath became ragged as I gasped it into my lungs without slowing down. I was about two miles from the halfway house when I first noticed the footsteps behind me.

They were running.

In the same direction I was.

Stealing a glance over my shoulder slowed me down for a few seconds, but it was necessary. My paranoia was correct—I was being followed.

A man dressed in full military uniform was closing the gap between us. The black uniform would have camouflaged him if it wasn’t for the fair-colored skin of his face and the queen’s insignia on his chest. He wasn’t even puffing as he tore down the street.

I needed a place to hide. Outrunning him wasn’t going to be a very good option.

Both sides of the street were lined with massive apartment buildings. All the doors would be locked, offering no chance of refuge.

Running was still the best option.

I turned the next corner and prayed for a better chance to arise. If my past had taught me anything, it was how to be resourceful. I just needed to keep my head and look for opportunities I could use to my advantage. The sirens grew quiet, now in the distance.

Another long street of apartment buildings.

He was so close now I could hear his breathing. It was steady and even, far from my erratic panting and burning lungs. It was clear who would win this horrible race.

Another corner.

More apartments.

A stitch started to plant itself in my side, making it more difficult to breathe. My entire body was screaming at me to stop while my brain pleaded for it to continue on a little bit longer.

My foot caught in an uneven crack in the sidewalk, making me stumble. It took another few precious seconds away from my lead.

You may as well stop now and save us both some time, the soldier barked out. He was closer than I thought he was. His voice sounded like he was standing right behind me.

Ignoring the barb, I summoned up more energy and spurred myself to continue on. My energy reserves were running seriously low. Ditching the bag was a real consideration. I desperately needed the few supplies I carried, but I needed to stay alive more. I clutched it tighter on my shoulder, hoping it wouldn’t come to throwing it away.

Another block was coming to an end. If I kept going right, I would eventually go in a complete square and end up back where I started. But continuing on in a straight line didn’t sound like a good way to shake the soldier either.

One more corner.

Then I’d have to think of something better.

My feet rounded the sidewalk, turning down the next street in almost darkness. My gaze frantically searched the new surroundings, always looking for opportunities.

It was a dead end.

The street ended with a fat, squat building that was just a wall from this view. On both sides were more apartments, most of the lights off.

I tried one door—which was locked—before the soldier caught up with me.

That wasn’t very smart now, was it? he sneered.

What do you want? I asked. It was probably too much to hope he was just looking for an easy target and didn’t know I was on the most-wanted list.

You’re Shae Howard. His lips twisted into a cruel grin, sending a shiver down my spine. The queen would like to speak with you.

More than anything, I wanted to deny it. I would have loved to say he had the wrong girl and all this physical exertion was for nothing. Unfortunately, Fae couldn’t lie. My species were doomed to tell the truth with every stupid thing we said.

Legends said we were cursed by a witch back in the dawn of time, and ever since then, all Fae have to be honest.

You’re a lot prettier than I thought you’d be, he continued. He took a step closer to me as I backed up against the wall of the short building. I might have to take the long route back to the base. Give us time to get…more acquainted before I hand you over.

Another step closer.

I had nowhere to go. My heart was beating like the trapped animal I was. I couldn’t let him take me in. It was a guaranteed death sentence. The queen wouldn’t force those who didn’t enlist into the army. She knew they wouldn’t fight for her. Instead, she would lock them up and use their powers to fuel her work behind the scenes.

She would drain us. Until we were empty shells.

The cold concrete against my back reminded me I was all out of options. There was no way to go through the thick walls. There were no fences I could scramble over, no tunnels in the ground that could swallow me up.

I was completely trapped.

Chapter 3

The soldier leered at me with excitement as he took another step closer to me. His arms were outstretched on either side, making him seem even bigger than he really was. He could almost reach the buildings on either side of the small street, leaving no room for me to slip by him.

My gaze flicked to the sky as I prayed for a miracle. If any of my ancestors or gods were listening to me, now would have been an excellent opportunity for them to let me know.

I sized up the soldier, wondering if there was any chance I could overpower him. The queen’s insignia shimmered on his chest. His arms and legs were like tree trunks, thick and stable. He was taller than me too. Everything about him was to his advantage.

Come on, little girl. It’s time we got this show on the road.

His hands went to reach for me.

He never got a chance.

The wall behind me suddenly disappeared. I fell backwards into complete darkness. Hands from behind me wrapped around my waist and tugged. I lost my balance and went tumbling to the floor.

The soldier disappeared as the wall closed. The last thing I saw was his confused expression that quickly turned into anger as he leaped for me. The wall stopped him.

Everything was pitch black.

I pushed up onto my heels and then stood. I could hear breathing but could see absolutely nothing. My arms flailed around me, trying to feel for anything. Even a wall would have been good.

Who are you? What are you doing? There were dozens of questions clouding my thoughts, mingling with the panic.

Silence greeted me.

I mean it. Tell me who you are right this minute or I will seriously hurt you. I had weapons in my bag. I wasn’t afraid of using them if I had to. I was terrified enough to do whatever I needed to be safe.

They could have been anything, for all I knew. Demon. Angel. Soldier. Fae. Vampire. Anything was possible in Oleda Hollow.

The breathing continued. They were really starting to tick me off. "Seriously? You’re just going to stand there and breathe? You deserve to be hurt."

Come on now, a male voice replied. He was a lot closer than I expected him to be. I just saved your life, and now you’re threatening me? Maybe you deserved to be out there.

There was a hint of amusement in his voice. He was actually teasing me.

Great.

Who are you?

The correct response would be ‘thank you.’

He did just save my life. If thanking him for that act would lead to getting some answers, then so be it. Thank you. Now tell me who you are and whether this door or wall or whatever will keep that soldier out.

Give me your hand, he demanded.

What? No!

Okay, stay. I was only going to lead you to somewhere safer. But if you want to stay and see whether that door or wall or whatever holds, please be my guest.

He couldn’t see me, but I rolled my eyes. I don’t even know where your hand is.

Warm skin suddenly brushed against my arm, making me jump. Bingo. Fingers skimmed down my skin until they found my hand and twined with my own. Now all you have to do is walk with me.

How do I know this isn’t a trap?

I guess you don’t. That was far from helpful or reassuring. But I didn’t have any real choice. I had no doubt the soldier was still just beyond the wall, searching in earnest for a way through into the building. He could be only seconds away.

Fine, I sighed.

My hand was tugged as I was pulled along. A door was opened, the squeak deafening in the quiet. I was led into another room, just as dark as the first one. It seemed like he was leading me through a maze. We passed through door after door, and then a set of stairs that went downwards.

He finally stopped. We’re here.

And where is here exactly?

A light switch was flicked, flooding the room with dim lighting. A sharp pain shot through my eyes as they fought to adjust to the sudden brightness after all the dark. I blinked for a few seconds.

We were in a small room with little