Embrace the Spiral (Spiral Defenders Series: Book Three)

By Erin Danzer

Eight weeks can change everything.

Ronnie has eight weeks until she becomes a legal adult on Earth and a Spiral Defender on Cira. Eight weeks until her marriage to a man she doesn’t love.

Rick has proven to be a monster. He has eight weeks to complete his father’s last request before gaining the Irradian throne, becoming more and more powerful.

When Will is attacked by an old flame during a training exercise on his home planet, it looks like things are looking up for Ronnie. But the rekindling of that love is thwarted at every turn. Ronnie has a plan that might work—if she can keep Will’s true love out of the dungeon.

Alliances shift as the Spiral falls further into the Irradians’ hands. Ronnie must embrace her destiny to help save the Spiral – even if that means leaving behind the man she loves.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Erin Danzer
• Release date: Jul 8, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311038289

Book preview

Chapter 1

How long can you stay? Andi asked as she and Ronnie headed across the backyard to the beach. Both girls carried beach towels. Ronnie, Will, and Gavin had come back to Ronnie’s parents’ house for the afternoon. It was the Fourth of July and Andi and Shawn came over to spend time with her. Ronnie hadn't seen them since Thanksgiving, when she’d appeared in Andi’s bathroom bawling her eyes out over the unfairness of her life. Now, her life was still unfair to the extreme, but she’d stopped crying over it.

The afternoon. Alina wants Will and me to do more wedding things with her before dinner, Ronnie replied, rolling her eyes. She and Andi stopped at the edge of the beach, squinting in the late morning sunlight. Ronnie shifted her weight, biting her lower lip. Andi could tell she was upset but didn’t ask about it. Ronnie’s life had become seriously complicated since she went with Gavin into the Spiral in September. Instead of speaking, Andi reached out and touched Ronnie’s bare arm. Her skin was already golden, something Andi was jealous of because she never tanned.

Aren’t you warm in all that black? Andi asked, eyeing Ronnie’s outfit. Ronnie looked down at herself, forgetting what she’d chosen to wear that morning. She wore black cargo pants, a tank top and a black vest reinforced with dragon scale. Gavin’s ring, now a heart-shaped pendant of intricate silver leaves, hung on a necklace around her neck, the pendant warm where it rested over her heart. It was one more way they were connected. Will’s ring was on her left hand, the Varitonium a pale pink that twinkled in the sunlight. Her triple spiral tattoo, the symbol of the Spiral Defenders, was just visible over the top of the back of the vest. She had wound her long black hair up into a knot on top of her head, secured by a couple chopsticks borrowed from Andi. Ronnie shrugged in response to Andi’s question. She hadn't really thought about it.

Not really, she said. I think the armor is enchanted to regulate body temperature.

Enchanted? Andi’s face lit up at the idea, making Ronnie smile. She’d grown so used to everything magical about her new homeland that she forgot what it was like for normal humans to hear about things like enchanted armor and shape shifters.

Yeah. I keep forgetting that might be weird for you. Ronnie chuckled. She looked over her shoulder towards the sliding door on the back of her parents’ house as loud, rowdy male voices were heard. Will, Gavin, and Shawn walked out the door, Gavin and Shawn with a large blue cooler between them while Will carried several blankets. Andi and Ronnie exchanged a glance; seeing Shawn and Gavin working together, even with something as minor as a cooler, was a sight they hadn't thought they would ever see. Despite the nearly ten months it had been since Ronnie left Earth to go with Gavin, Shawn still wasn’t too thrilled to have him around. The only reason he really tolerated it was because he made Ronnie happy and Andi insisted he be nice.

Everything okay, Princess? Gavin spoke up in Ronnie’s mind. Even though it had been more than seven months since they discovered their telepathic link due to the cae’shyl, it still made her all warm and fuzzy whenever he used it. Ronnie grinned at him.

Just waiting on you, she called out loud to him. Nobody seemed surprised that they had no idea what Ronnie was talking about. She giggled as she thought about it, watching Gavin and Shawn take the cooler into the shade of a large oak tree. Once it was set down, Gavin grabbed a blanket from Will and headed to where Ronnie and Andi stood. Andi wiggled her eyebrows at Ronnie and the girls giggled as Andi made her exit.

I hope I didn’t scare her off, Gavin said as Ronnie took a corner of the blanket he held and stepped away from him so they could lay it out on the sand. Ronnie grinned at him.

Nothing like that. She just knows we don’t get much time together anymore, Ronnie told him. Gavin grimaced at the reminder. Ronnie hated to bring it up; it felt like all she’d been talking about for the past six months were wedding plans. She shook her head and glanced away. Her gaze fell on Will, who stood about fifteen feet away spreading out another blanket. His broad shoulders drooped a little and a frown turned down the corners of his mouth.

We need to find him a girlfriend. He looks so lonely, she absently commented.

Do you really think that’s going to change anything? You’re getting married in less than two months. Even if Alina has to tie you up and march you down the aisle herself, I don’t think anything will stop her at this point, Gavin snapped.

Ronnie brought her gaze back to him, ignoring the bitterness in his voice. She knew how hard this was for him. It wasn’t like she wouldn’t rather marry him, but as he’d pointed out, Alina made that nearly impossible. Short of death, there was nothing they could do. Even Will said he’d rather marry someone who loved him. A vague notion nagged at the back of Ronnie’s mind. Her brown eyes lit up as she looked at Gavin, suddenly remembering. He raised his eyebrows curiously, some of the hostility leaving his face.

He used to be in love, she told him.

And now he’s in love with you. What’s your point?

Ronnie shook her head. No, that’s not it. What if we could find her? That day he kissed me in class, he seemed really conflicted about it just before it happened. I thought it was because he was afraid of you, but what if it was because he’s still in love with the girl from before?

Gavin considered this for a moment before a frown marred his features again. He shook his head.

That’s a great idea, Princess, but what if she no longer loves him? Gavin pointed out. Ronnie sensed he thought the idea was pointless, that a search for this mystery girl from Will’s past would be fruitless. It was her turn to frown at him.

You don’t know that, she declared, reading his thoughts.

I just think you’re wrong. I think you’re so desperate to get out of this marriage that you will do anything, even if it means hurting the man you’re supposed to marry.

Don’t you want that? Wouldn’t you rather find a way to stop it instead of watching me marry someone else?

His dark eyes flashed angrily. Of course that’s what I want. I want nothing more. But did you stop to think there might be a reason he hasn’t tried to find her, or that maybe she doesn’t want to be found? There has to be a reason she’s in his past. She might not want to be in his future.

Why are you being so fatalistic?

I’m not. I’m being realistic. Face the facts, Princess. You’re getting married and it’s not to me.

Ronnie stared in shocked as Gavin threw down the side of the blanket he’d still been holding and stalked up the beach back towards her parents’ house. As much as she didn’t want to feel what he was feeling at that moment, she checked their bond… and got nothing. He’d blocked her, something she was still learning to do. Tears clouded her vision and she angrily swiped them away.

Are you okay? Will asked, making Ronnie jump.

Peachy, she replied bitterly, glaring after Gavin. The man I love is pissed that I’m marrying you.

I’m not exactly thrilled about marrying you either.

Ronnie blinked and looked at him, tearing her gaze from where Gavin stood near the sliding door. I know. I’m sorry, she said, knowing it wasn’t enough but unsure of what else to say. There really wasn’t anything. Their eyes met and locked for a moment. She thought about her suggestion to Gavin about finding the girl Will used to love. Would Will go for it? There was only one way to find out.

Princess! Gavin yelled as Will opened his mouth to speak. Ronnie spun around and ducked as something large and greenish-brown came at her. The thing jumped over her, landing with a splash at the edge of the lake fifteen feet behind her. Her eyes widened as she took in the scene now in front of her. At least a dozen goblins and gremlins surrounded her and Will. Near the house, Gavin fended off another half dozen, protecting Andi and Shawn. Andi screamed as a gremlin’s stone spear came too close. Ronnie gasped. Where had they come from?

She had no time to wonder about it as the two gremlins closest to her rushed forward. The tops of their stone spears glistened in the sunlight. Ronnie jumped to the side, reached into the cargo pocket on her black pants. Her hand closed around the cool metal hilt of her sword and she pulled it from her pocket, yelling its name as she swung out a goblin. The sword came alive, the blade shining brighter than the sun. Next to her, another flash of light exploded as Will’s sword came to life. She spared him a glance. He caught her eye and nodded. Together, they turned to face the Irradians surrounding them. Ronnie pushed away thoughts of Gavin, Andi, and Shawn; she had to trust Gavin would take care of himself and her friends.

Ronnie and Will moved around each other easily, almost like they were extensions of each other, as they fought the Irradians. They spun, jabbed, jumped, and kicked like they’d been taught in class. While one distracted, the other went for the kill. This method worked well until the few goblins that were left put their glaives together, the stone tips crackling with blue electricity. Ronnie barely had time to brace herself before the blast hit her. She heard Will yell her name. Andi screamed again as something shattered. Ronnie’s entire body vibrated with the force of the energy within as it looked for a release. She raised her hands and sent the blast back at the goblins that had caused it. The blue electricity cut a path from the beach to the house, killing everything in its way. Gavin grabbed Andi and Shawn and threw them out of the way, jumping away just in time.

When the energy faded, Ronnie looked in awe at the destruction she’d just caused. Besides the two dozen bodies strewn all around the yard and beach, a black scorch mark ran like a racing stripe down the middle of the yard, still smoking. Her gaze fell on the shattered sliding door and she cringed. How would she explain that? And then, to her absolute horror, her mom, dad, and brother suddenly appeared where the door had been.

Veronica, what’s going on? What happened to my door? Her mom’s voice rose in hysteria. Ronnie sighed and started towards the house, replacing the hilt of her sword in her cargo pocket as she walked. Will fell into step next to her.

Mom, Dad, I can explain.

Chapter 2

Gavin and Ronnie sat at the kitchen table with her parents and brother. Will had taken Andi and Shawn somewhere else in the house to calm down and get cleaned up. Andi had freaked out and then lost her breakfast in the shrubs next to the house. Shawn looked pale when Will brought him and Andi inside, his eyes wide. Ronnie couldn’t help hoping both of them would be okay. She couldn’t believe this had happened. What were Irradians doing on Earth? Why were they here? She would wonder who sent them, but she had a feeling she already knew that answer.

Veronica, her mom snapped. Ronnie startled and looked at the woman.

Sorry, Mom, she mumbled and cleared her throat. Ronnie crossed her arms on top of the table, making sure to keep her left ring finger covered. The last thing they needed was for her parents to freak out about her engagement.

What are those things in our back yard and how are they all dead? What happened to the yard? Ronnie’s dad asked. Ronnie moved her gaze to him.

The things are gremlins and goblins from the planet Irradia. And before you understand that, you have to know something about me, Ronnie explained and took a deep breath. Gavin reached over and covered her hands with one of his. Calming energy surged into her, giving her confidence.

I’m not from Earth, she told her parents.

What? they asked at the same time. Ronnie almost laughed, even though this wasn’t a laughing matter. Her mind spun with how she was going to explain this in a way they would both understand.

The people you adopted me from are from the planet Cira, in the center of a network of planets called the Cira Spiral, she explained. The Spiral moves through space and time acquiring new planets. Earth became part of the Spiral back in September, when we saw all those extra planets and then I was struck by lightning.

So you’re an alien? her mom asked. Ronnie’s cheeks flushed.

I guess that’s one way to look at it, though I’m completely human. Alina and Cenric are both fully human.

Some of the color drained from her mom’s face and she reached for her husband’s hand. Some of the people aren’t fully human?

Some of them aren’t human at all and a lot are hybrids, or mixed breeds.

The rest of the color drained from her mom’s face. Ronnie shifted her attention back to her dad, who seemed to be taking this a lot better. Her mom looked ready to faint. Her dad’s gaze shifted to Gavin.

So what are you? he asked. Gavin shifted in his seat next to Ronnie.

I’m a hybrid, Gavin replied. My mom is human, from Greece. My dad is a fairy.

But you don’t have wings, her mom spoke up. Gavin shook his head.

No, I don’t. My sisters do though. And my little brother.

Ronnie flipped her left hand over and entwined her fingers with Gavin’s. She felt like they weren’t explaining anything right. Brian hadn't even said anything yet. She looked at her brother, wondering what he was thinking. His expression was thoughtful. He caught her glance and grinned at her.

Oh, I’m not going to freak out or anything. You’re still my little sister no matter what you are, Brian told her. Ronnie grinned at him, feeling a weight lift from her shoulders. Thank the gods, someone was still treating her normal. She shifted her attention back to their parents.

There’s more to what I am, she told them. Her mom’s eyebrows shot up into her golden curls.

More? her mom repeated. Ronnie bit her lower lip as she nodded.

Not only am I from another planet, I’m actually the princess of that planet and I’m going to be queen some day.

Queen?

Ronnie nodded. Her dad cleared his throat.

So why are there dead gremlins and goblins in our yard? How did they die? he asked. Ronnie and Gavin exchanged a look, both of them wondering just how much to tell her parents. Ronnie decided to keep it as simple as possible. No reason to give her parents reason to think she was more of a freak than they probably already thought she was.

Gavin, Will, and I killed them, Ronnie told them. Gavin already is and Will and I are training to be Spiral Defenders, the warriors of the Spiral.

Warriors? So you’re going to fight as well as be a princess? her dad clarified. Ronnie nodded.

That’s so cool, Brian spoke up, grinning across the table at her. Ronnie smiled at him. Her eyes shot to just over his shoulder as Will entered the room, leaning against the wall behind her brother. She raised her eyebrows at him and Will nodded. Relief washed through her; Andi and Shawn were okay.

So you killed those things? her dad asked. Ronnie nodded again. Her mom took the opportunity to notice Will.

Who are you? she asked him. Will blushed. Ronnie held tighter to Gavin’s hand. This was the one thing she’d hoped to avoid.

That’s Will, she spoke up before Will could say anything. He’s a prince from another planet.

Are you human? her dad asked immediately.

Mostly, Will replied. Her dad seemed to accept that answer.

He’s also my fiancé, Ronnie blurted out and clamped her hands over her mouth the moment the words escaped. She looked at Will with wide eyes. She hadn't meant to say that. She didn’t know why she had.

He’s your what?! her mom shrieked. Did you say ‘fiancé’?

Ronnie nodded. Color rose to her mom’s cheeks as the woman jumped to her feet, shrugging off her husband when he tried to get her to sit down again. Ronnie watched in horror as her mom marched up to Will, grabbed his shoulder and brought him down to her level.

What did you do to my daughter? her mom seethed. Ronnie jumped to her feet and rushed across the room to pry her mom off of Will, whose face was contorted in pain.

Mom. Mom, stop, you’re hurting him, Ronnie insisted. Her mom looked at her with wild eyes.

No, I will not stop. Tell me what he did to you. Are you pregnant?

No! God, Mom, no. Things are done differently where we’re from. It’s called an arranged marriage. My mother, the queen, betrothed me to Will. Neither one of us had any say in it. Now please, let him go.

Her mom looked from Ronnie to Will and back. Seemingly satisfied, she finally let go of Will’s shoulder. Will rubbed it as he straightened again. Ronnie gave him an apologetic smile. She really shouldn’t have said anything. Her dad stood up and steered his wife back to her chair. Hesitantly, Ronnie resumed her seat next to Gavin, wondering what would happen now. Her mom took several deep breaths and sipped a glass of water Brian brought to her. Brian was the first one to speak.

From everything I’ve heard, I thought it would be Gavin you’d marry, he said. Ronnie felt the color drain from her face.

That’s not a discussion I want to get into, Ronnie told him. Brian raised an eyebrow.

"Really? Even after sleeping with him?"

Ronnie’s cheeks heated. It was just sleeping, she insisted, her embarrassment intensified as the memory replayed in her mind. She’d been pulled out of her bed after a very pleasant evening spent in Gavin’s arms. Not that either of them had planned to get caught, but her parents had been out of town and wraiths had attacked Ronnie for a second time. The disaster of her parents coming home earlier than expected had escalated when they’d come downstairs to find Shawn waiting to see Ronnie. She shook her head and pushed the memory away. She glared at her brother, hating him for bringing it up—especially since he hadn't even been here when it happened. Brian chuckled.

Brian, that’s enough, their dad told him. Veronica has had a rough year. You could be nicer to your sister.

Or what? She’ll send a gaggle of goblins after me?

No, but my uncle could; he’ll be their king some day. Ronnie smirked. I could, however, send dragons, griffins, and minotaurs after you.

Brian’s mouth fell open. You’re lying. He looked at Gavin. Tell me she’s kidding.

Gavin shook his head. No lie. She could probably get a couple chimeras if they felt so inclined. He shrugged. Once she’s queen, she can do whatever she wants.

Don’t forget the shape shifters from my planet, Will added from his place against the wall. Ronnie smiled up at him before looking at her brother again.

Yeah, they can turn into anything, she told him. Brian blanched. Ronnie bit her tongue to keep from laughing out loud. For once, she had finally gotten her brother. She looked at their parents and then blushed when she found both of them staring at her like she’d grown a second head. Okay, maybe a victory over Brian wasn’t really that great.

Not that I would really do any of this stuff, she hastily added. I’m actually trying to promote peace throughout the Spiral.

Everyone at the table relaxed.

So when are you and Will getting married? her mom wondered.

The day after my eighteenth birthday, Ronnie told her.

But that’s in less than two months! That’s no time to plan a wedding, her mom exclaimed. Ronnie reached out and took her mom’s hands in hers. Will’s ring twinkled in the light coming in through the hole where the door used to be. The stone was purple now. Ronnie wondered what it meant.

Mom, it’s already being planned. In fact— she began and was cut off by a loud beeping sound coming from the pocket she kept her Communicator in. Gavin reached into the pocket and pulled out the device, grimacing as he showed Ronnie the call screen. Alina. With a sigh, Ronnie told him to answer the call. A moment later, Alina’s face appeared on the blank wall opposite what used to be the sliding door.

What the hell happened to you? Alina shrieked. And who are these people? Veronica, you and Wilhelm were supposed to be here twenty minutes ago. You have a dress fitting today.

Funny; I still need to pick out a dress, Ronnie muttered and cleared her throat. Sorry, Alina. We got sidetracked by a pack of Irradians on Earth, Ronnie told her biological mother. Alina’s dark eyes widened.

Irradians? Her hand went to her throat, which looked ridiculous because Ronnie couldn’t imagine the woman was actually worried. What were they doing on Earth? And why are you there?

We came to see my friends. We’re also training, so I guess it’s good those things showed up; made it worth the time. Ronnie scowled, wanting to tell Alina to tell her boyfriend to keep his toys to himself, but she knew