Better Nature

By Donna Dull

No matter how she tries to deny it, Amelia Hoffman has a destiny. An evil plot threatens to destroy humanity and the future lies in her hands. To make things even more difficult, she is distracted by college, family squabbles and trying to decide between two men she loves.

But destiny won’t be ignored for long.

When an explosion tears through the Library that houses the entire history of the Otherworld, Amelia is thrust into action. She has to fight through the tension tearing the Otherworld apart to rally an army. As the danger grows, Amelia must rise to fulfill the prophecy.

Or the whole world could fall.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Donna Dull
• Release date: Aug 12, 2011
• ISBN: 9781386903550

Book preview

By

Donna Dull

Table of Contents

Title Page

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Three

Chapter Thirty-Four

Epilogue

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Other Books by Donna

Better Nature

Copyright © 2013 by Donna Dull

Editted by Red Road Editing

Cover and formatting by Sharp Cover Designs

Cover Photography: K Keeton Desings

Cover Model: Bailey Jennings

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To my sister Theresa, for sharing your love of reading with me, as well as all the children who don’t realize they’re lucky to have you as their teacher.

I

shoved the scattered books and papers from the table into my backpack as everyone stampeded for the exits. School had only been back in session for a few weeks, but the other students seemed to be sick of it already. As I swung the bag on one shoulder and stood, a voice made me stop. I turned to find the teaching assistant beckoning me from the front.

I didn’t know too much about her. Her name was Molly Flannigan, and she was one of the poorly named fringe elements, a class of Otherworlders that lived and worked on the fringes of human society. I couldn’t be more specific because I didn’t want to get close enough. If I could sense her, she could sense me as well. My life had taught me the importance of caution. Some very powerful people had spent a lot of time and energy trying to kill me.

With a sigh I walked to the front of the room, trying not to show the reluctance I felt. I tucked a strand of copper hair that had escaped my ponytail behind my ear and bit my lip as I came to stop in front of her.

I wanted to talk to you about your paper, Miss Hoffman. She studied me with her strangely vibrant aqua eyes. I was starting to wonder if all Otherworlders had strange eyes, or just the ones in my life.

Was there something wrong with it? I included a thorough bibliography.

She shook her head, holding up a hand to stop the tumble of words escaping me. That’s not it at all, Miss Hoffman. I’m intrigued by your topic.

Witchcraft through the ages? What’s wrong with that? This is religious history.

Again, no. You just seem to know an awful lot about the subject. I wondered if you were a practitioner?

I glanced around the room, but the only people I saw were two girls giggling over a flyer on the bulletin board at the back of the room. I lowered my voice anyway. Look, Molly, let’s be honest here. You know the truth about witches as well as I do. Do you have any idea how impossible it is to sort out the facts from the stories humans believe? I am simultaneously studying human history and Otherworld history. If I crossed my facts, please correct me, but I feel certain everything in my paper is backed up with regular books from regular libraries.

Otherworld? I have no idea what you’re talking about, Miss Hoffman.

I did a double take, convinced the girl was messing with me, but all I saw on her face was confusion and a little worry, probably because now she thought she was alone with a mad woman. Had I been wrong? I concentrated on her, but only confirmed what I already knew, adding a bit to it. She was a banshee, but she had no idea about herself, it seemed.

Do you… know you’re different? I asked her hesitantly.

Everyone’s different. She waved her hand dismissively.

Not like that. Do you know what you can do?

Molly glanced around nervously and lowered her voice so I had to strain to hear it. You mean the shadows, and the screaming?

I closed my eyes, relieved she had an idea that something about her was different. I suddenly appreciated the difficulty of explaining this crazy world hidden in myths and legends.

I don’t know how to break it to you gently, Molly, but you’re a banshee.

A banshee? I think you must be mistaken, Miss Hoffman.

Lia.

Lia. I am a normal girl from the sticks, trying to get my degree so I can go on a dig in Ireland this summer. I am most definitely not a banshee.

Oh, really? So you don’t get an unexplainably sad feeling when you see a person with a dark shadow? Sadness doesn’t build inside you until you can no longer fight the urge to scream? And when you do, the world gets hazy, with the colors all washed out, with one vibrant light, so bright you can’t even look at it. Sound about right?

Molly nodded, her eyes wide and her jaw hanging open. I could tell she had no words, so I continued. You obviously don’t know, though how you went this long without knowing is a little remarkable. But you are a banshee, Molly. And if you want to know more… I pulled a pen out of my backpack and wrote on her hand. … Call me. I can help.

She nodded and watched my every move as I backed away a couple of steps before turning and heading out to the door. I had met a few Otherworlders who had grown up without knowing what they were, but I’d never met one who stayed in the dark about it as long as Molly had. Most of us came into our powers during puberty.  I couldn’t imagine struggling with something that long without any idea what was happening. And I thought I’d had it rough with my family’s protective silence.

I made my way to the cafeteria, where I found Nate sitting at a table near the windows. His empty bowl sat forgotten beside him, and his chin rested in his hand as he morosely watched the cold February wind beating at students as they hurried across the quad. Even though he’d changed drastically from the boy who had run out on me, I hadn’t gotten over the pain he’d caused. And until I did there was no chance of me being able to move past it. In the meantime, he was wallowing in his own misery and giving me puppy dog looks when he thought I wasn’t looking. It wasn’t like I wanted to string him along, but some hurts can’t be fixed with just an I’m sorry.

I pulled out the chair across from him and dropped into it. Letting my bag slide off my shoulder to the floor, I fished out the twin to his bowl, filled with Sariah’s homemade grilled chicken salad. I had never fully appreciated the ability to eat the greasy junk that passed for food in cafeterias across the country. Now if I tried to eat the mystery meat, my stomach cramped and I felt ill for hours. And that didn’t take into account that it tasted even worse to me now than it ever had before. I maintained an extensive garden and got fresh meat from a friend in Vermont when I needed it, since even organic food isn’t always all natural. Being a nature spirit sucked sometimes. Making plants grow and healing were all well and good. But how was it fair for our race, descended from the earth goddess Gaia who lent us her name, couldn’t eat fast food now and again. Spearing a piece a chicken, I nibbled on it as Nate finally noticed me and smiled.

How goes the college experience?

I shrugged. Overrated. Do you have any idea how difficult even the simplest history assignment becomes, knowing what we do?

Nate gave me the lopsided grin that still made my heart speed up a bit. Try biology sometime. He barked a laugh.

So what do you have left for the day? Nate and I carpooled to school each day since he didn’t have a car. My family and I were more than willing to buy him one, but he insisted on paying for everything himself. While my parents had squirreled away enough money so my siblings and I could live a lavish life without ever having to work, Nate’s parents hadn’t left him anything. Since we technically didn’t even have a full high school education, finding a decent paying job was next to impossible. And that’s not mentioning all the times we had to leave abruptly to deal with Otherworld matters.

I have psych and sociology. You?

I grimaced. I’m done for the day as far as class goes, but I need to go to the library and research a Western Civilization paper.

Nate frowned. Everyone around me was over protective, despite the fact that I had never actually gotten into any trouble while on my own. It was so bad when I had first started college that I caught my brother sitting in the back of one of my classes a few times and ran into my sister in the bookstore. There had been quite a few arguments between us, but when Nate enrolled this semester, things had calmed down. How his presence made a difference, I don’t know. I’d never been captured and tortured. I suppose we were stronger when we were together.

You can’t be going off on your own, Lia.

Why not? I’m not leaving campus, and I’ll be sitting in the library looking at books. I shrugged. I can’t imagine what kind of trouble I can get into there. I’ll let you walk me there and I’ll stay until you come get me.

I don’t think you should go off on your own, he repeated. I glared at him. He raised a brow and met my eyes, leaning back in his chair with a lazy shrug. Xander made me promise not to let you wander off on your own. I’m lucky he didn’t make me enroll in all your classes.

I threw my hands up with an exasperated huff. When would my family learn to trust me on my own? I gave Nate a long look before I grimaced and slid my phone out. If Nate wanted to be stubborn, I could play this game too. Before I could even put my phone back in my pocket, I noticed Dylan striding confidently into the cafeteria. I gave Nate a smug look.

Now I won’t be alone.

Nate groaned as his eyes landed on the angel. Tell me you were at least smart enough to make sure you weren’t seen.

I’m not an idiot. I traveled to the bathroom that’s out of order. He pointed over his shoulder, and I flashed Nate a saccharin smile. Okay, maybe I was being petty, but I was capable of taking care of myself, despite what my entire family seemed to think.

Nate grumbled something as Dylan sat. The grumpy gaia gathered his dishes and shoved them in his bag before giving me a long look. I fought the urge to squirm in guilt before he stood and turned to Dylan.

Make sure she doesn’t do anything stupid.

As my brows shot up in indignation, he gave me one last firm look before walking out. I wasn’t sure the satisfied feeling I’d gotten when he saw Dylan was worth it anymore.

I

found it impossible to research with Dylan staring at me. Whether it was boredom or admiration, his intensity was unnerving. Giving up, I checked out the books I needed and shoved them in my bag. After shooting a quick text to Nate telling him to drive the car back, I let Dylan tug me out of the library. I couldn’t help but grin at his boyish enthusiasm, despite the voice nagging at me for shirking my responsibilities.

We found a quiet corner where Dylan could transport us to Vermont. I hadn’t seen Aunt May in a couple months, so as soon as we materialized in the familiar mountain meadow, I rushed to her house with Dylan on my heels. May was the closest thing to family Dylan had. Though she was an Oracle, a type of angel able to see the future, she had guided him through the difficult transition into his abilities as a teenager. I remained unconvinced she didn’t have any gaia in her, considering she had more fresh organic food in her house than I did.

As I dashed up the stairs, I could smell chicken cooking. May was expecting us. Never try to sneak up on an Oracle. Though she wasn’t able to see Dylan in her visions—something that had never happened and frustrated her to no end—she usually knew in advance when I was coming.

I expected you fifteen minutes ago, Lia. May enveloped me in a firm hug as I walked into the kitchen. Who all do you have with you today?

May knew everything I was going through with Nate and Dylan. She never judged or pushed me for what was going on. I had asked her once if she could give me any insight—whether by using her mojo or her centuries of experience in life—and she smiled, patted my knee, and disappeared into the kitchen. It was May’s way of telling me no one could help me make this decision. Just Dylan. Nate’s in class and Xander doesn’t know we’re here.

May placed her hands on her hips and gave me a stern look. I won’t tolerate that djinn making a scene because you disappeared again. Either you text him right now, or there won’t be any chicken for you, young lady.

Those were fighting words. I gave her a lopsided grin and tried to look appropriately chastised as I texted my brother. Xander didn’t have a problem with me visiting May, since it was one of the safest places we all knew. He just objected to me disappearing for hours at a time. I suppose that was fair enough.

Sliding my phone back into my pocket, I sat at the table as May released Dylan from a bear hug. His hair was ruffled, and the boyish grin he often had while we were here made the decades fall away from him. I could imagine him as a boy, kicking feet that didn’t touch the ground as he colored until dinner was ready. The smile I flashed him was tinged with sadness, knowing there hadn’t been many domestic moments for the angel. I couldn’t imagine growing up in foster care, with no one in this world who felt like family.

How’s school going? Learn anything wrong? May asked with a wink, sitting across from me with her chin in her hand.

I told her about my classes; stuff that would have bored most people seemed to fascinate May. She got a waxy look when I talked about the paper on William Shakespeare I was doing for my literature class.

Ah, Will. Now there was a man who knew pretty things to say to a girl! Charmed more than one Otherworlder, let me tell you. Not too shabby looking either. And don’t let anyone tell you differently, he was real. Probably the only muse to ever be famous—usually they stay in the shadows while their protégées shine.

Shakespeare was a muse? Are they a kind of angel, too?

May nodded. Angel is sort of a bulk category for any creature that manipulates light to aid humanity. I use light to see the future, Dylan uses it… May pursed her lips. Well, that remains to be seen. Dylan frowned at her, and I wondered if he knew what May meant.

A timer went off and Aunt May sprang to her feet, bustling about the kitchen until the table was piled high with chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, steamed spinach and corn on the cob. She set a glass of milk in front of each of us with a flourish. Enjoy!

Only if you join us. I cut my gaze to the empty chair across from me.

Oh don’t be silly. You two eat while I do a few chores. You’re a growing girl and need all you can get.

I raised my eyebrows and set the fork I’d picked up back on the table. The only way I’m liable to grow is sideways, and if that happens I believe your cooking will top the suspect list. Sit and eat. I’ll help you with the chores after.

Aunt May sat with a good-natured laugh. You better watch what you say. I’ll take you up on it.

We ate until we were all stuffed, then Dylan went to sit on the porch while I insisted on helping Aunt May clean up. I had just finished putting the glass casserole dish with the leftover chicken in the fridge when May grabbed my arm in an iron grip and pulled me into the pantry.

I need you to promise me you’ll take care of him, Amelia. He won’t take what is going to happen well. I don’t need my visions to know that.

I shook my head at her, confused. Her blue eyes were watery with unshed tears. Aunt May, what is it? What have you seen?

She gave me a sad smile, then glanced toward the wall that was right behind Dylan. I won’t live to see the spring, Amelia. I’ve been trying to find a way to tell you for a while now. I’ve seen my end.

How? When? How can we stop it?

You can’t stop what is meant to be. My death must happen to prepare you all for what is to come. The darkness is getting stronger, and you and your friends are the only ones who can keep it from swallowing the world whole. There is so much I wish I could tell you, Lia, but there just isn’t time. May enveloped my hand in both of hers, her eyes begging me to understand. "I keep a journal, hidden under my mattress. After I’m gone, you have to promise to take it. You can read it if you want, but when everything is over and the dust settles, you should