Lysterium

By Bethany Shehorn

Despite the devastating loss of her mother as a teenager, Liv Worthington has grown to become a successful newspaper editorliving a normal workaholic life in New York City. But her secure and comfortable existence changes the day she meets Wes, a handsome stranger who has been following her.

This chance meeting with Wes turns Livs life upside down and forces her grandmother to reveal a long-held family secreta secret linked to her mothers deaththat could have even more dire consequences. Liv discovers that the fairytales her grandmother spun years ago about another world called Lysterium are actually true. For more than sixty years, she has been harboring Lysteriums book of prophecy, a tome that speaks about a woman in the family who would overthrow the evil Umaro and restore peace to Lysterium.

Liv discovers that she is the woman spoken about in the bookthe key to Lysteriums salvation or demise. As her past unravels, Liv must make a difficult decision that will not only greatly affect her future, but Lysteriums as well.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Feb 3, 2011
• ISBN: 9781450283403

Bethany Shehorn

Bethany Shehorn was born and raised in Arizona. She has been writing full stories since she was a child. She published her first children's book in 2005. Her Lysterium series novels began in 2011. Bethany lives in a small Northern Arizona town with her husband, daughter, and cats. She is also a professional veterinary technician, beautician, artist, baker, and pinup model.

Book preview

Contents

Prologue

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

For my grandma Jo. Without her, this would not have been possible. I miss you.

For Weezy. I will love you my whole life.

And for my incredible husband, Matt, my anchor. Thank you for standing beside me through all the hurricanes of my life. I would not be the person I am today without you. I love you more than words can say.

Special thanks to Lea Curtis Lindstrom and my family.

And for my mother, who has never given up on me.

Prologue

It was the middle of the last day of school; Liv was six years old and felt the anticipation of spending the summer with her grandmother. For as long as she could remember, Liv and her mother had spent every summer with her grandmother. Liv never knew her father; he was gone before she was born. She was raised by her single mother with help from her grandmother. She had a close relationship with both of them. The school bell rang for recess, and Liv could hardly get out of the classroom fast enough. She ran for the place she always went at recess, the far field where the gym bars were.

Liv saw something lying on the grass near the bars. Curious, she ran over to investigate. It was a brown mouse gasping for air; blood saturated its fur around a large gash. Liv cupped the mouse in her hands. Her vivid green eyes welled with tears as she tried to comfort the dying mouse. Her tears fell onto the mouse, soaking the fur. She had her eyes squeezed tight with remorse when she felt movement in her hands. Liv quickly opened her eyes to see that the mouse was now standing, struggling to get away, and it was no longer wounded. Looking at it with amazement, she lowered the mouse to the ground, and it ran off into the grass, perfectly healthy.

Evelyn knocked on her mother’s front door and then opened it and walked in. Liv was in tow, crying. Mama, we’re here! Evelyn called out from the entryway.

Grandma! Liv ran to her grandmother’s open arms and buried her face in her stomach. The smell of lilacs and Chanel No. 5 engulfed Liv’s senses and made her feel safe and comforted.

Sugar pea, what’s wrong? her grandmother asked her before looking up at Evelyn. What happened? Did she get hurt at school?

Evelyn shrugged her shoulders, looking distressed. She wouldn’t tell me. I can’t get it out of her.

Liv looked up at her grandmother, her wavy black hair tousled from burying her face. Can … I … have … some … juice? she pleaded through dry sobs.

Her grandmother smiled and bent down so she was eye level with Liv. Of course you can, sugar pea. She wiped Liv’s tears and probed, Think ya might tell Grandma what happened later? Liv nodded her head with a pouty face. That’s my gal.

Liv’s grandmother was born and raised in Louisiana; she had a thick Southern accent and was beautiful. She’d married Liv’s grandfather when she was seventeen. It was a whirlwind romance, and in the several years before and after Evelyn was born, they traveled extensively and had many adventures as a family. Memories of those travels and their blissful life were prominent in her home. Liv’s grandfather had died the year before of cancer, leaving a void in all of them. Her grandparents had been married for fifty-eight years. Her grandfather was a wonderful man, the last man in their dwindling family tree.

Her grandmother was an animated and somewhat odd woman, but she was kind and comforting. She was always dressed to the nines, with full hair and makeup and over-the-top fashion, no matter what the occasion. She was the queen of Southern hospitality and always had a glass of scotch straight up in her hand. Her family was fabulously wealthy, coming from old Southern money. They owned a lot of property in Louisiana and a grand estate in New York. When Evelyn was a teenager, after her grandparents died, she and her mother moved to the New York home permanently. Liv was born in New York, so she didn’t have a strong accent like her grandmother and mother, only a slight one from being around her family.

The house was a large two-story Victorian that had been in her family for a century. It was old and luxurious, and in some ways, the home was like a museum for the weird and unusual. Dozens of odd maps and charts, bones, strange sculptures, and vials were scattered around the house. However, the home overall was like stepping into a magazine. Liv’s grandmother had decorated it with all the Victorian charm of grand antique furnishings. Handcrafted extravagant paneling covered all the walls, and large fireplaces with gorgeous mantels warmed all the main rooms. It had high windows draped in luxury, with twelve-foot ceilings, a huge wooden spiral staircase, chandeliers, a restaurant-quality kitchen, and all the bells and whistles of a great mansion. Throughout the house, she had placed hundreds of framed black-and-white photos, large paintings in ornate gilded frames, and treasured family heirlooms.

Liv’s favorite room in the house was the extensive library, which held floor-to-ceiling bookshelves filled with every book she could possibly imagine. A staircase led to a second-story balcony that wrapped around three of the four walls in the room. Sliding ladders leaned against the bookcases, and a beautiful guardrail stretched across the balcony. Reading chairs and tables were spread out like study areas on the balcony. The main floor had a large carved fireplace. Four gorgeous impressionist paintings flanked the mantel, and in the center, above the mantel, was a painting of Liv’s grandparents and her mother when she was a child. Two cozy chairs were situated in front of the fireplace, and under them was a large sheepskin rug. An extravagant mahogany desk was by one of the windows. It was covered in worn journals, old calligraphy pens and ink jars, an original Tiffany lamp, and her beloved grandfather’s reading glasses, to preserve his memory. To the left of the desk was a hefty wooden chest. It was hand painted with flowers and a big monogrammed M. Though Liv had begged her grandmother to open the chest and reveal what was inside, her grandmother never did, to Liv’s disappointment. Liv was plagued with curiosity about its contents, but the key to the chest was on a necklace that her grandmother never took off.

Every night, Liv’s grandmother made up a story to tell Liv before she went to sleep. The fairy tales were always about the same place, Lysterium, a magical world filled with adventures and beauty. So, sugar pea, what’s it gonna be tonight? she asked when she tucked Liv in later that night.

Liv’s eyes grew wide with excitement. I want to hear the one about the book, she said eagerly.

Her grandmother smiled. You mean the one about how I got the book of prophecy?

Liv clapped her hands together. Yeah! That one, Grandma, please!

Her grandmother laughed, her eyes kind and wrinkled when she did. Liv sat with her favorite stuffed kitty in her lap and folded her hands on top of the toy, excited for the story to start. Her grandmother sat at the foot of the bed with her ankles crossed on the floor.

All right. In Lysterium, there is a very powerful book, the book of prophecy. In this book, the past and future are revealed, but do not be deceived. This isn’t just a book; it’s also a powerful weapon. Her grandmother’s eyes were large, and she waved her finger to illustrate how serious the matter was. Liv hung on every word. Many in Lysterium have fought to get the book and use its power, but the prophets will only allow those pure of heart to keep watch over it. Now, the book had a prophecy about someone in our family. Liv’s eyes sparkled at the idea as her grandmother continued.

Do you remember Amara? She’s the queen of Cygnus, and my dear friend. Liv nodded. Good. Well, we had just arrived in Cygnus after narrowly escaping Umaro, the evil Red Queen of the Burning City, who also happens to be Amara’s sister! She paused for effect, and Liv’s eyes widened. You see, I hadn’t read the prophecy, so I couldn’t be sure what exactly it said, but someone in our family was going to have the power to defeat Umaro and end her reign of terror. I was in a lot of danger being in Lysterium. Umaro didn’t know what the prophecy said either, but she knew I had something to do with it. She wanted to harm me, but Amara kept me safe. I was fifteen at the time, and the prophets had just given us the book. Umaro was angry. We were being attacked left and right! She made fake sword slashes in the air for drama, which Liv loved. I didn’t think we would make it to Cygnus alive! However, Amara is very powerful, and she knew that once we reached Cygnus, the protective charms she had on her city would keep Umaro out. She also knew that Umaro would never stop hunting the book. So she asked me to hide the book on Earth.

Liv was gripping the stuffed animal, twisting the fabric as she listened. She had heard so many stories about Lysterium, and this particular story, many times, yet she still hung on every word.

So I brought the book back to Earth and hid it, her grandmother continued. Of course, the book would be safer in Lysterium since everyone is magical and strong. But Earth would be the last place that Umaro would think to look for it. That’s what Amara hoped anyway, and she was right; to this day, Umaro has never figured out where it is, and I have kept it hidden for all these years.

Liv jumped to her feet and commenced bouncing on the bed. But where did you hide it, Grandma? she said anxiously.

Her grandmother closed her eyes, waved her finger, and said, You know I can’t tell ya, sugar. It’s a secret. She gave Liv a sneaky look and then pulled Liv’s legs so she flopped onto the bed laughing.

Evelyn appeared in the doorway and laughed. Her smile could brighten any room. She had a mock scolding tone. Mama, you know she gets all worked up when you tell her fairy tales about Lysterium! Evelyn entered the room and tucked Liv under the covers.

Liv pretended to sword fight in the air. Mama, I’m gonna go to Lysterium and fight the evil queen!

Evelyn smiled and kissed Liv on the cheek. Time for bed. Did you brush your teeth, darlin’? Liv nodded. Good girl. I love you, angel. Sweet dreams.

Liv smiled from ear to ear. Love you, Mama. Evelyn winked and left the room. Liv’s grandmother sat next to her. Now, don’t ya have a story for me, sugar? She raised her eyebrows and waited. About why ya were so upset today?

Liv frowned. Oh. At recess, I found a mouse that was hurt really bad. I held it in my hands. I was so sad that I was crying, and then it was just better. It didn’t have any owies anymore, and it ran away. I healed it, Grandma!

Her grandmother looked at Liv with shock. You did?

Yeah, I healed it, and when I told my teacher, she said I didn’t. She said it was stunned or something, and everyone made fun of me. But I did heal it, Grandma, I did! Liv was starting to get upset again.

It’s all right, sugar pea. You get some rest, and you’ll feel better in the mornin’.

Liv sniffed and rolled on her side, facing her grandmother. She was put out. I really did, Grandma.

Her grandmother kissed her forehead and turned the light off. I love you, sugar pea. See ya in the mornin’. As she left the room, her face was filled with anxiety.

Nine years passed …

Evelyn burst through her mother’s doorway, frantic and pale.

Evelyn? What in the world! Are y’all right, darlin’?

Evelyn was out of breath and disoriented. Where’s Liv? I can’t find her; I thought maybe she came here? Her eyes were searching.

Didn’t ya drop her off at school this morning? What is going on?

Evelyn remembered it was a school day. She began to cry. She was terrified, and gripped her mother’s shoulders. Mama, I’m in trouble, she said desperately. You have to promise me …

Her mother was scared. What is it, baby? She was trying to contain her panic. Evelyn, what is goin’ on?

Evelyn looked around as if she were being followed. Promise me you will never tell Liv the truth about what we know. It’s the only way to keep her safe; as long as she is far away from all of this, she will be safe. Her mother looked at Evelyn with wide eyes and fear. Evelyn shook her shoulders. Promise me, Mama!

She nodded quickly. I promise. Tell me what’s going on.

Evelyn hugged her tightly. I love you, Mama. I have to go get Liv. Evelyn was out the door and halfway down the steps in a matter of seconds.

Evelyn, wait! her mother called out, but she was already gone.

Liv was a freshman in high school, and it was the middle of the school year. She was in fifth-period English class when she was called to the principal’s office. Her grandmother was waiting there, and she had been crying. Liv’s heart jumped into her throat when she saw her grandmother. The principal asked Liv to sit.

Grandma, what’s going on? she said nervously. Are you okay?

Her grandmother began to cry again. She took out an embroidered handkerchief and sopped up the tears. Baby, I don’t know how to tell you this …

She couldn’t seem to get the words out. Liv’s agony was intensifying.

It’s your mama, her grandmother said slowly. She was ki … killed … It was a robbery.

Liv shook her head in disbelief. Please … no. Anything but that! She’s fine … Sh-she has to be fine! Tears filled her eyes and began to flow uncontrollably as she fell to her knees. Her grandmother tried to comfort her, but there could never be comfort for either of them.

Liv’s life was changed forever that day. The devastation left an absence in her heart that would never be filled. Since her grandmother was the only family that Liv had left, she was now Liv’s legal guardian. Liv went to live with her grandmother in the grand estate, where she finished high school with prestigious tutors her grandmother provided. When she was eighteen, she moved out to go to college. Over the years, their bond became even stronger.

Thirteen years later …

Chapter One

The Strange Familiar

Today had started out like any other day for Liv. The