Oracle of Nightmares: Paranormal Huntress Series, #5

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 visions are becoming worse. Stronger. The world is about to change. And there's nothing I can do.

My name is Atlanta Skolar, and my journey began a year ago. I lost everything protecting my home from an evil that I did not understand, and even though we survived I have more questions than answers.

Answers I hope to find across the ocean, in a land where the old ways still rule, and the Druids reign supreme. My only family is my brother, and he's missing, racing across Europe, hiding. All I have is a message from a vision.

Find him, before it's too late.

But I'm scared of what I might find. Because even though the Old World is gone, the evil that had once consumed it still lives. The Darkness. The end of all. Trapped behind a veil.

And someone—or something—is trying to set it free.

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: Jul 16, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386936107

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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Oracle of Nightmares Blurb

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 visions are becoming worse. Stronger. The world is about to change. And there’s nothing I can do.

My name is Atlanta Skolar, and my journey began a year ago. I lost everything protecting my home from an evil that I did not understand, and even though we survived I have more questions than answers.

Answers I hope to find across the ocean, in a land where the old ways still rule, and the Druids reign supreme. My only family is my brother, and he’s missing, racing across Europe, hiding. All I have is a message from a vision.

Find him, before it’s too late.

But I’m scared of what I might find. Because even though the Old World is gone, the evil that had once consumed it still lives. The Darkness. The end of all. Trapped behind a veil.

And someone—or something—is trying to set it free.

Contents

Paranormal Huntress Series

Find W.J. May

Oracle of Nightmares 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

Epilogue

Shadows in the Night Blurb

Paranormal Huntress Series

Find W.J. May

More books by W.J. May

Prologue

Master Haman was nervous .

Despite having the keen ability to sense trouble far before it hit him, he was still on full alert. His eyes darted right and left, and every passerby was scrutinized fully and carefully. It made his head hurt, and his eyes had begun to water with the strain. The magic sensors he’d sent scouting around him were also draining his own ability, and he knew it would only be a matter of time before he’d have to pull them back and be content with just his sixth sense.

Which has never failed me before. Never failed me yet.

Sighing, he bent his head low and took a long sip of his coffee. The café was bustling with the afternoon crowd. Laughter and conversation filled the small space, and the smell of freshly baked pastries was overwhelming. Spring in Munich was definitely Haman’s favorite time of year, and he allowed himself a small smile as he reminisced over his youth, growing up in this city. He had never expected to come home as a fugitive.

The door to the café opened, and Haman’s head shot up. A couple waltzed in, the man with his arm around the woman’s waist and whispering something in her ear as she giggled. They strolled over to the cashier and placed their order, and only then did Haman begin to relax.

This is getting ridiculous.

He looked at his watch, noted that the man he was supposed to meet was fifteen minutes late, and contemplated whether he should stay or leave. Ever since their escape from the Keep two months ago, Haman had been able to keep a fairly low profile. He called upon friends, picked safe houses that had long been abandoned, and generally avoided any large crowds. He chose his routes carefully, often opting for longer treks if it meant he could avoid any chance of direct confrontation with Druid outposts.

Damian, though, did not make it easy.

Master Damian, he corrected himself.

Haman couldn’t explain it. He’d spent hours upon hours trying to come to terms with what was happening to his friend, the former druid leader. Although Damian was focused and alert most of the time, there were occasional lapses when he would go completely blank, stare off into space, and mumble incoherent words. Sometimes it seemed like Damian wasn’t himself at all, and Haman would distinctly sense that he was conversing with a completely different individual. It worried Haman, put him on edge and, quite frankly, scared him as well. The images of what Damian had done to the Cast soldiers and Master Tolken at the Keep still played vividly in Haman’s mind. Was he going mad?

Norway. We only need to make it to Norway.

The café door opened and closed again and when Haman looked up, Martin Wagner smiled at him. The tall man had not changed one bit since the last time they had met, and even though there were obvious white strands in his otherwise jet-black hair his green eyes radiated the same power and vigor they had twenty years ago. He gracefully made his way through the crowd, the people making room for him almost as if he were royalty. And, in a way, he was.

Haman stood up and grabbed the other man’s hand, and allowed himself to be pulled into a hearty bone-crunching embrace.

Haman, my old friend! Wagner chuckled. It’s been too long.

Haman smiled at the man and nodded. More than I’d like, he said. I’m glad you could make it on such short notice.

Wagner waved his comment away and slumped down in the opposite chair. "Nonsense, mein Freund, I just wish you had reached out to me sooner."

It would have been too dangerous, Haman replied quietly.

I know, Wagner said. A waitress gave him a menu, and he returned the gesture with a wide and charming smile. Danke, mein Schatz.

Haman grinned. If there was one thing Martin Wagner was good at, it was getting whatever he wanted with the least effort possible. It was what made him a formidable foe, and an even better ally. Growing up together, Haman found it almost ironic that they had wound up on opposite sides of the playing field.

So, tell me, Wagner started, already dismissing the menu. Exactly how much trouble are you in?

You heard? Haman sighed.

Everyone’s heard, Wagner grinned. It’s becoming a story of legends now, and we are already telling our children about it. We are living a historic moment, are we not? The fall of the Druids.

I wouldn’t go as far as that, Haman said, shaking his head. The Elders will definitely make sure the balance persists.

There hasn’t been balance in generations, Haman, Wagner said. There has only been the Keep, and the rules all the rest of us must abide.

It’s given us peace.

It’s bred distaste and resentment, Wagner countered. Don’t mind me, I value what the Druids of old have done for the New Races. But you once said it to me yourself: Power eventually corrupts.

Haman nodded, remembering the blood on his robes and the scores of dead bodies surrounding him. It had been twenty years since he recalled that memory, and he wished he hadn’t. It had been a different time, then, a brutal one, when the Germanic Packs had gone head to head as Chiefs waged war for power. Haman had been the Head Druid of the German Outpost then, and his ability to bring the wars to an end and put Wagner in charge of the Germanic Packs had earned Haman a place at the Elder table.

The cost had been great, though.

Tell me, Haman, Wagner said, leaning in and lowering his voice. Will the Druids suffer the same fate as the Faeries of old?

Haman couldn’t reply. With the way Master Cale was running things, the mutiny and the thirst for Faerie knowledge from the Lunar Books, there was no telling what would happen or how far the Druids would go. He still felt a massive sense of loyalty towards his kind, but that loyalty was slowly waning. It made him sick to admit it.

Wagner smiled, obviously sensing Haman’s hesitation, and leaned back in his seat. "But I assume you’re not here to discuss theories with me, mein Freund. Tell me, what can I do to help?"

Norway, Haman replied.

Wagner’s eyebrows rose and he cocked his head to one side. Why?

Have you ever seen this before? Haman asked, pushing a small sheet of paper across the table. Wagner picked it up and read the words Haman had scribbled on it earlier.

The wolf smiled and looked at Haman. The old Faerie prayer.

Haman nodded. Usually spoken before a surge of magic is used.

Or when a Faerie is about to die, Wagner added.

Yes, well, I’ve only seen the former.

Damian?

Haman nodded.

Wagner looked down at the sheet and frowned. It was the first time Haman had seen the man look worried. So it’s true, then, Wagner whispered. The rumors. Born of Druid and Witch.

He and his sister, Haman confirmed.

I’ve heard about her feats in the Americas, Wagner nodded. She is an inspiration to us all. A testament to the fact that the Druids can be beat.

Master Damian has shown signs that trouble me, Haman explained. He’s spoken these words on several occasions, and sometimes he lapses into a language I don’t understand. I think it’s Faerie tongue, but I cannot be sure. I’ll only find answers in Norway.

He’s not going mad, is he? Wagner folded the small slip of paper and pushed it back to Haman. You believe the Witches can help?

It’s the Great Coven, Haman shrugged. If anyone can help, they will.

There is no love between the Witches and Druids, Haman, Wagner warned. You know that better than most. There hasn’t been a Druid in Norway for generations. They will kill first, ask questions later.

I’m willing to take that chance, Haman said. He didn’t have a choice. They were dead if they did nothing, dead if they stayed or tried to hide. I need to make sense of what’s happening to Master Damian—if we are to restore the balance.

And what if I refuse? Wagner asked.

Why would you?

Revolution, Wagner chuckled. Why in the world would I want to help keep the Druids in power? The defeat in America, the division in your ranks, the outposts that are less well-manned than before. This is the perfect opportunity to overthrow Druid rule. Why would I do the opposite?

Haman sat back and sighed. Because I have a feeling, Wagner, that if we don’t figure out what’s happening to Master Damian we might very well end up the worse for it.

Haman met Wagner’s gaze and held it for as long as he could. He could see the dilemma in his friend’s eyes, the struggle between trusting Haman and doing what he believed was right for the New Races. Wagner had always distrusted the Druids, but there was history between the two men that could not be ignored. Haman was hoping that history would be the driving factor that would bring Wagner around to his side.

Wagner pressed his lips together in a tight line, and with a clear tone of frustration said, "Okay, mein Freund, we will do it your way. But I want something in return."

Anything.

When the time comes and the German Pack rises against the Druids, you will not be on the other side of the fight.

I can’t be on yours, either, Haman said.

I know. I ask that you stay out of the wars altogether.

My loyalty is to Damian, Haman said. As long as he’s not a part of your revolution, I will not be either.

That’s not what I was hoping you’d say, Wagner said, and shook his head. Then he smiled. But it’ll have to do. Now, where is your Master?

At the palace, Haman said, nodding towards the Nymphenburg through the café window. I thought it best he stay away from this conversation.

You left him alone?

Haman smiled. He can take care of himself. Besides, the Druids don’t know that we’re in Germany.

Wagner chuckled, gestured to the waitress, and dropped a few bills on the table for the check. Haman followed him out of the café, and they made the short trek towards Nymphenburg Palace in relative silence. Haman’s mind wandered, and he began to play out the next few days, or even weeks, in his mind. Wagner was right; the Witches obviously had no love for the Druids, and there was no telling what they would do when they realized that not only was an Elder in Norway, but the former Druid leader as well.

I have to try. It’s the only way to put my mind at ease.

"I believe you’ve made a grave mistake, mein Freund."

Haman was brought back from his thoughts and looked at Wagner in confusion. He followed the other man’s gaze and froze in place.

Damian was standing in the middle of the palace grounds, surrounded by a large group of children. All around him small rocks were twisting and turning in the air, magically suspended as they danced about to the entertainment of the spectators. A few feet away were several onlookers, their phones pointed at Damian as he performed his tricks, the children laughing and clapping wildly.

Haman cursed under his breath.

Wagner chuckled. If the Druids didn’t know you were in Germany, he said, they do now.

Chapter 1

Atlanta woke to an empty bed and groaned. Her head hurt, every muscle in her body ached, and the world around her seemed to swim out of focus. The sunlight coming in from the double doors of the balcony did little to ease the drumming in her head, and she let out a long sigh as she rolled over onto her other side and hid her head under her pillow.

Another hour. I need at least another hour. I’ll even take ten minutes.

Ever since