Blood Bonding: Paranormal Huntress Series, #4

By W.J. May

USA Today Bestselling author, W.J. May, brings you to a new level of fantasy. Fans of Underworld and paranormal worlds will love this story!

"The wise learn many things from their enemies."    

The Druids arrived, but they're not being led by my brother. 

Six months have passed since Adelaide was killed, and my home has become a beacon for all that is wrong with the world. Calen has turned into Ground Zero for every corrupt politician wanting to make a name for him or herself. The Vampires are struggling to maintain their territory against much stronger nests. The Wolf packs are questioning Ryan's leadership. Everlore has fallen. My mother and uncle are dead. And in the middle of it all I stand, Coven Master, trying to keep the pieces together. Trying to keep the peace.

It feels nearly impossible.

A new threat is now here. The Druids arrived from the east, except my brother's not among them. They're here to disrupt what we can build and set laws that will chain us to their command. They have the Moon Books, they have the magic, and they have the advantage that we are weak and being attacked from every direction.

And through it all, I hear voices calling me and see visions of a time I do not know. The Fairy magic inside me begs for release, and without stability I fear I can't control it forever.

My name is Atlanta Skolar, and it seems my journey has only just begun.

SERIES:

Never Look Back

Coven Master

Alpha's Permission

Blood Bonding

Oracle of Nightmares

Shadows in the Night

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dark Shadow Publishing
• Release date: Jun 10, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386643722

W.J. May

About W.J. May Welcome to USA TODAY BESTSELLING author W.J. May's Page! SIGN UP for W.J. May's Newsletter to find out about new releases, updates, cover reveals and even freebies! http://eepurl.com/97aYf   Website: http://www.wjmaybooks.com Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-WJ-May-FAN-PAGE/141170442608149?ref=hl *Please feel free to connect with me and share your comments. I love connecting with my readers.* W.J. May grew up in the fruit belt of Ontario. Crazy-happy childhood, she always has had a vivid imagination and loads of energy. After her father passed away in 2008, from a six-year battle with cancer (which she still believes he won the fight against), she began to write again. A passion she'd loved for years, but realized life was too short to keep putting it off. She is a writer of Young Adult, Fantasy Fiction and where ever else her little muses take her.

Book preview

Paranormal Huntress Series

Never Look Back

Coven Master

Alpha’s Permission

Blood Bonding

Oracle of Nightmares

Shadows in the Night

Find W.J. May

Website:

http://www.wanitamay.yolasite.com

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-WJ-May-FAN-PAGE/141170442608149

Newsletter:

SIGN UP FOR W.J. May's Newsletter to find out about new releases, updates, cover reveals and FREE READS!

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Alpha’s Permission Blurb

THE DRUIDS ARRIVED, but they’re not being led by my brother. 

Six months have passed since Adelaide was killed, and my home has become a beacon for all that is wrong with the world. Calen has turned into Ground Zero for every corrupt politician wanting to make a name for him or herself. The Vampires are struggling to maintain their territory against much stronger nests. The Wolf packs are questioning Ryan’s leadership. Everlore has fallen. My mother and uncle are dead. And in the middle of it all I stand, Coven Master, trying to keep the pieces together. Trying to keep the peace.

It feels nearly impossible.

A new threat is now here. The Druids arrived from the east, except my brother’s not among them. They’re here to disrupt what we can build and set laws that will chain us to their command. They have the Moon Books, they have the magic, and they have the advantage that we are weak and being attacked from every direction.

And through it all, I hear voices calling me and see visions of a time I do not know. The Fairy magic inside me begs for release, and without stability I fear I can’t control it forever.

My name is Atlanta Skolar, and it seems my journey has only just begun.

Contents

Paranormal Huntress Series

Find W.J. May

Alpha’s Permission Blurb

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Oracle of Nightmares Blurb

Paranormal Huntress Series

Find W.J. May

More books by W.J. May

Prologue

The Keep was quiet .

Master Haman walked down the long corridors and wide chambers uninterrupted. Dim illumination from hundreds of partially-lit chandeliers cast shadows across the walls and drenched the deepest corners in complete darkness. Every now and then he would come across one of his brothers, a Druid in the middle of one task or another, and they would nod to each other. There was no time for pleasantries. So much needed to be done, and there were few Druids left to fulfill the tasks.

Master Cale had travelled to the Americas six months ago with two dozen other Druids and a small army of the Cast, leaving only Haman and Master Tolk behind to keep the peace. The turmoil across Europe was taking its toll on the Druids, and the massacre of entire packs and nests was not working in their favor as well as the Elders had believed. With the aid of added magic from the Lunar Books, at least the parts that had been deciphered, the men who had been tasked with maintaining the balance were slowly becoming the tyrants they had vowed to always destroy.

That fact alone was causing distress between the ranks of the Druids. The Elders were fighting a war outside the walls of the Keep, and another within. Haman watched all this with deep sorrow, and a heaviness that made him uneasy and brought sleepless nights.

There was a growing conviction that once Master Cale had achieved victory in the Americas, everything would fall in line again. Only, Haman had no idea what their progress was. Only Master Tolk received that information, and was always vague when Haman asked for details. Haman could sense the other Druid’s caution around him. He knew that Tolk was trusting him less and less with each passing day.

And he should, Haman thought as he quietly made his way to the deepest sections of the Keep, heading towards the entrance to the dungeons. After all, it was Haman who was whispering in the ears of those who would listen. It was Haman who was leading the unrest from within. However, the time for talking was over. Action needed to be taken.

And Haman was about to make his first move.

He rounded a corner and quickly descended the spiraling staircase into the dungeons below. The weather was colder here, damper, and the light of the torches did little to keep either at bay. Rarely had a prisoner of the Keep survived more than a few months in these circumstances, but the current prisoner, the only prisoner, was faring well.

A little too well, all things considered.

At the bottom of the staircase Haman turned into the main dungeon corridor and stopped in his tracks, surprised by the presence of the three Cast soldiers who now glared at him from their sentry points. Usually there would only be one guard down here, a Druid, and Haman knew the times of duty shifts by heart. He had planned this carefully, but had not expected this. Master Tolk had obviously changed a few things.

They’re on to me.

Haman pulled himself up straight and tried to maintain his calm. There was no need to worry, and if he played his cards right he could walk out of this situation without a problem. There were a dozen reasons for him to be in the dungeons. Besides, he was an Elder, and the Cast bowed to him as they did to the others. He was still in control.

Master Haman, one of the soldiers nodded. What brings you to the dungeons?

Duty, Haman replied with light scorn in his tone. I’ve been hearing that the guards have been quite slack down here, and came to check on them myself.

There is no need, the solider replied. Master Tolk has assigned us to keep watch. No one is allowed into the dungeons.

That’s excellent, Haman replied with a nod, keeping his brow furrowed as he glanced at the other two soldiers. They looked tense, and one of them had his hand on the hilt of his sword. And the prisoner?

Quiet, the first soldier replied. Every now and then he whispers to himself, but mostly quiet.

Haman clicked his tongue. I will speak to him, he said, making his way towards the cell.

The soldier blocked his way. I’m sorry, Master Haman, but we’ve strict orders that no one is to converse with the prisoner.

Haman felt a slight pang of worry course through him, but he quickly pushed it away, forcing himself to stand up straighter as he glared at the soldier. You dare to tell me what to do?

The soldier didn’t budge. Master Tolk informed us that even the Elders are not to be in the dungeons, he said. I apologize, Master Haman, but I must ask you to leave.

Haman glanced at the other two soldiers, both now standing behind the first, their hands on their weapons. He could sense their fear, their worry, at having to stand up to an Elder.

I will say this only once, Haman said. Move out of my way, or I’ll see the three of you executed for this.

The two Cast soldiers drew their weapons and readied themselves. The first took a tentative step back and grabbed the hilt of his own sword. Please, Master Haman, he said, his voice shaking slightly. These are our orders. You leave us no other option.

Against an Elder? Haman asked in anger. Are you three out of your minds? Do you know what can happen to you?

Absolutely nothing, came a voice from behind him.

Haman turned and his eyes widened at the sight of Master Tolk. The Elder was standing at the far end of the corridor, four Cast members at his side, each with a bow drawn and aimed at Haman. Master Tolk was smiling.

I was wondering who would be stupid enough to cause such a ruckus within the Keep, Tolk said. It was only when I had you followed that I realized how stupid I’d been not to notice it was always you, Haman.

Tolk, what’s the meaning of all this? Haman asked.

Mutiny, Tolk replied. I know of your visits to the prisoner, of your workings within the Keep to turn the weak against the Cast. You’re a smart man, Haman, but naïve.

Haman turned to the three soldiers closest to him, then back to Tolk. The only escape from the dungeons was blocked. He could easily overwhelm the soldiers but Tolk was a completely different obstacle, and Haman was reluctant to find out which of the two Druids would survive a face to face clash. If he died here, then there would be no taking back the Keep. The revolt he had planned would end before it had even started.

It’s quite appropriate that you’re here now, Haman, Tolk said. I believe the cell to your right would accommodate you quite well.

Haman closed his eyes and willed his magic forth, his hands bursting into green flames. He took a step to one side, opened his eyes, and readied himself.

Tolk only smiled. What did I say? he chuckled. Naïve.

Tolk waved his hand, and Haman felt his powers disappear. The flames went out instantly, and from within him, something cried out in agony. Haman clutched his heart, feeling as if a hand had wrapped itself around it and was squeezing, and he fell to his knees.

Throw him in the cell, Tolk ordered, his voice coming from far away as Haman fought to keep the world around him from going black.

Hands grabbed his arms, and despite his will to fight back he was easily dragged away. He could feel his head spin, his muscles cramp, and his eyes watered with the intense pain that slithered through his body. With a final attempt to do something, anything, he tried to yell out to the prisoner. But only a meek groan escaped his lips.

Under sun and moon and endless worlds.

The words echoed across the dungeon walls, and the prisoner’s voice seemed to come from some deep abyss. The Cast soldiers stopped immediately, and the invisible hand around Haman’s heart lifted immediately. He coughed and wretched as the soldiers dropped him, the sound of swords being unsheathed quickly bringing him out of his daze.

We are naught but grains of sand in an ever-changing existence.

Haman looked up towards the cell at the end of the corridor. The prisoner’s voice seemed to be coming from far away, yet so close at the same time. The cell door swung open and slammed against the stone wall, a shower of pebbles falling around it. From within a figure emerged, slowly, carefully, as if testing his surroundings before stepping into the weak light of the surrounding torches.

How’d he open the door? Tolk hissed, rushing to stand in front of the Cast soldiers, lining them up behind him and ordering them to be ready.

Haman pushed himself against the wall, his eyes wide as Master Damian stepped into full view. Despite being locked in the dungeons for over six months, he looked like he had only become stronger. His hair had streaks of silver in it, and his eyes shifted between red and green flames before mixing into a bright yellow glow.

He looked at Haman, a small smile on his face, before turning to the others. Come, Mother, for I am yours to take.

Fire! Tolk yelled.

Arrows swished through the air towards Damian at an incredible speed, and as Haman watched time seemed to slow. Damian’s eyes glowed brighter, and before the arrows could reach him they disintegrated into dust. Before the soldiers could rearm their bows Damian flicked his hands and sent them flying, each soldier slamming against the walls of the dungeon with loud grunts and falling in heaps to the floor.

The three remaining soldiers attacked, swords held high, charging with zeal. They froze mid-attack, their weapons falling from their hands, and they clutched their chests and joined the swords on the floor, screaming in agonizing pain.

Damian began to move slowly, inching his way towards Tolk as the Druid tried to bring up his magic and fight. Before Tolk’s green flames had a chance to fully ignite, he was lifted off his feet and suspended in the air. Haman could hear the Druid choking, as if an invisible hand was wrapped around his neck and blocking the air from his lungs.

The Cast has become corrupted, Damian said, his voice deep, almost menacing. You have lost your way, Master Tolk.

Tolk coughed and sputtered, and Haman could barely hear the man’s whispers for mercy.

There will be blood to pay for what you have done to the races, Damian continued. The Keep will fall, as will you all.

Haman watched in horror as Damian lifted his arm, hand outstretched, and slowly pulled his fingers into a tight fist. There was the sickening sound of bones breaking, coupled with a screeching from Tolk as blood burst from his mouth and his body spasmed. Haman pushed himself further against the wall, unable to pull his eyes away from the horror he was seeing, his body shaking uncontrollably.

Damian quickly flicked his hand and Tolk’s head was thrown back violently, his neck snapping before he was left to fall to the floor.

The dungeon fell into a dreary silence, the only sound coming from Haman’s gasps for air. Damian stood completely still in the midst of the bodies around him, gazing into the unknown, eyes burning bright.

Master Damian? Haman stuttered.

Damian turned to him, cocked his head, then pointed at him. Haman felt an immediate burning sensation race through his body, as if someone had set him on fire and the flames were eating at his very soul. He cried out in agony, his blood boiling in his veins, his head threatening to explode.

Master Damian! Haman yelled.

Then, just as suddenly as it had started, it stopped. Haman felt the fire disappear almost immediately, and his body gave up as he slid to