Through the Darkness: Lightkeeper Series, #1

By Amy Manemann

Being a witch isn't all it's cracked up to be, especially if you're a twenty-year-old fledgling witch and Lightkeeper like me. Struggling with the super-charged magical powers I just came into on my birthday, I also have some crazy feelings for the two guys helping me get them under control.
 
Since being thrust into the world of magic, my Guardian, Braeden, has been my rock. He's taught me everything I need to know to fulfill my destiny as a chosen Lightkeeper, and I think I may be in love with the guy. I feel safe when I'm in Braeden's arms, but when I'm not…
 
Lucian is an annoying Warlock, albeit a charming one. He claims that I need to learn how to use dark magic in order to stop the High Wizard of the Underworld from growing all-powerful at the lunar eclipse, and insists he's the only one who can teach me the – ahem – finer points of evil.
 
The lunar eclipse takes place in X days, when Ronan Vale, the father who left me behind, intends to kill two Lightkeepers and take their powers. If he does, his magic will be unmatched, and not even the most powerful Lightkeeper in history – yours truly - will be able to stop him from bringing forth the darkness. 

It looks like Lucian may be right...it's time to embrace my dark side.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amy Manemann
• Release date: Oct 30, 2016
• ISBN: 9781386843276

Book preview

Chapter

1

Lightning flashed in the dark sky, illuminating the desolate wasteland around me. The wind whipped through my hair, though I paid it no notice, my attention focused on the ancient castle looming before me. The muted sound of voices drifted towards me on the wind, yet I was unable to make out any of the words .

Curious, I drew closer, my heart thundering in my chest. The front doors opened as if they had a will of their own, and I stepped inside the dimly lit room. A stone table sat at the room’s center, sunk into the floor. The table was lined by figures wearing robes of deep blood red. They were chanting ancient words I didn’t understand, yet felt a strange connection

to

them

.

Stepping further inside, the crowd parted around me. My gaze immediately fell upon the stone table now clearly within eyesight, its beautiful, intricate markings in stark contrast to the horror lying on the cold, stony surface. Addison and Riley lay motionless, having been stripped of their clothing and placed side by side. Their eyes were seemingly focused on something above them, and glancing upwards, I noted a hole in the roof of the ceiling. I could see the light of the moon as it shone down upon them. A dark foreboding washed

through

me

.

The chanting grew louder, more fierce, and my heart thumped harder in my chest as my father, Ronan Vale, approached the table. Withdrawing his hand from his robe, he produced a long handled knife, the stones set into the ivory handle glittering in the moonlight. Holding it up to the moon like an offering, he lowered the blade to Addison. As the knife pierced her skin, Addison’s head turned, her eyes connecting with mine, and her mouth opened in a soundless scream of horror….

---

…..I awoke with a gasp, swallowing against the fear and bile clogging the back of my throat as I struggled to come fully awake. It was just a dream, I told myself, willing my rapidly beating heart to slow

its

pace

.

The figure next to me stirred, and a strong arm encased my waist protectively. "Willa? What

is

it

?"

Braeden Mathieson, my boyfriend, my Guardian, and the only reason I didn’t completely lose my mind when I came into my powers in one, excruciatingly painful moment. My name is Willa Devries, and up until a week ago, I’d only been able to imagine what it would be like to come into my full powers. You see, I’m a Lightkeeper, and one of the last few remaining keepers of the light to walk the earth.

Most people would classify me as a witch. They couldn’t be further from the truth. My lineage traces back thousands of years to a sacred race of being’s who held the time honored tradition of holding the light of the world against the darkness. In other words, without my ancestors, the monsters of the underworld would have taken over a long

time

ago

.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, monsters are quite real. From Vampires to Demons, to everything else in between, they all seem to be pretty well set on the whole world domination quest my estranged father, high king of the Underworld, Ronan Vale, has himself set upon. My father’s most recent attack was on the Light Council in London where I had been receiving my light training from Braeden.

With the help of a council member, Evanore Maberly, Ronan and his Underworld cronies were able to breach the Council’s sacred walls and leave the whole place in shambles. We barely managed to escape with our lives, and were now lying low in a farm house on the outskirts of Sheffield.

Bad dream, I murmured, lying back down and snuggling into Braeden’s side. Well, as close as I could snuggle, that is. Blankets separated our bodies from actually touching, as I slept under the covers while Braeden slept on top under another blanket. It was a strange arrangement, given that we were actually dating, but it worked for us. I wasn’t ready to take our relationship past making out, and Braeden

respected

that

.

Even in the darkness I could feel Braeden’s frown. What sort of dream?

Being a Lightkeeper meant I was subject to visions or dreams that often held a semblance of truth to them, which really didn’t leave me all warm and fuzzy, considering the horrible dream I’d

just

had

.

"It was about Addison and Riley. And it

wasn’t

good

."

Addison and Riley are my Light Sisters, and the other half of the Prophecy of Light. In ancient times, the great Keeper of Light prophesized the coming of three Lightkeepers whose powers would be intertwined at a time of great darkness, when it would take the power of three to hold the light of the world against the dark Underworld.

I met Addison and Riley the first time I

meditated

to

find my inner light. Finding them while meditating had been a shock to the entire magical community, as it meant the prophecy was finally coming to pass. It also meant the dark forces in the Underworld were more powerful than expected.

Addison and Riley are currently being held hostage by Ronan in his Underworld kingdom, which is why the details of my dream were so disturbing. If there was even a tiny shred of truth to what I just witnessed, dream or not, then they were in serious trouble.

I saw them lying on a stone table, surrounded by these red robed figures who were chanting something I couldn’t understand. Then Ronan appeared with a knife and…and it looked like he was going to… I swallowed the fear that rose again, unable to complete the horrible sentence.

Braeden ran a soothing hand through my sleep disheveled hair. "Don’t focus on that right now. Can you tell me anything about the details? Did you recognize the room they

were

in

?"

I forced the gruesome image of Addison being skewered from my mind, focusing instead on what Braeden was asking. "It was an old looking castle, something from ancient times I would guess, with stone walls and a wooden door. The room was square, the table in the center sunk into the

floor

,

with

three tiered cement steps surrounding it. Like…

like

an

auditorium or something. Only everyone was

standing

up

."

Braeden was silent, digesting the information. Perhaps it’s a room in Ronan’s castle. I don’t have knowledge of your father’s kingdom to be able to say that for certain, though.

You don’t, but Lucian does. I spoke carefully, knowing he would hate

hearing

that

.

Lucian was a Warlock and a friend, of sorts. He was handsome, charming, and had an annoying habit of knowing my thoughts better than I knew them myself. That probably had more to do with the fact that he’d used his magic to connect our minds. Let me tell you, trying to keep track of my own thoughts can be a handful. It was even more complicated when you had a handsome Warlock who telepathically dropped in whenever it

amused

him

.

Braeden didn’t like or trust Lucian, and I knew suggesting we ask the Warlock for help wouldn’t sit well. Still, if Lucian could help, then it was worth

the

risk

.

You know how I feel about involving the Warlock. I don’t trust him. Lucian’s running on his own agenda, Braeden finally replied, voice tight.

With a sigh, I sat up in bed and flicked my wrist, flooding the room with light. Braeden blinked in surprise, adjusting to the sudden burst of light my powers had wrought.

"Listen, I know you don’t like Lucian, and that’s

fine

.

I

get it. But we need some help here, Braeden. Something tells me we’re running out

of

time

."

Braeden sighed, dragging a hand down his rugged face. Even aggravated, he was devastatingly handsome, and it made my heart pinch in my chest knowing he was mine. It’s been told when a Guardian is paired with a Lightkeeper who comes into their full powers that their souls will be magically connected for all eternity. I knew my intense feelings for Braeden were due in part to that powerful connection, though our feelings for one another started well before I came into my powers. It gave me a small amount of satisfaction in knowing Braeden had also cared for me before I had my powers.

I trust your instincts, but really, Willa? Lucian?

My lips twitched with a smile. I don’t see why you have such a problem with Lucian. He’s been plenty helpful in past situations.

Braeden glowered.

He more than likely had a hand in those past situations, he grumbled. "If you intend on including the Warlock we should include the others. Everyone will need to know what’s

going

on

."

I agree. Why don’t you send word around, and I’ll think back through the details to see if there’s anything I missed.

Rising up on one elbow, he hooked an arm

around

my

neck, pulling me down to him. Our lips touched, the kiss a mixture of tenderness and heat that left me breathless by the time it

was

done

.

Drawing back, he smiled, the familiar curve of his lips lighting up his golden gaze and causing my heart to stutter in my chest. "It shall

be

done

."

Playfully, I shoved his chest, smiling in return. "Keep kissing me like that and we may not leave

our

room

."

He winked. Promises, promises.

Laughing, I threw back the covers and pushed out of bed. I’m going to take a shower. Think you can scare up some breakfast?

Braeden threw back his blanket and stood as well. My eyes were immediately drawn to his bare chest, taking in the well-defined muscles and washboard abs on display. Braeden was a fine specimen of a Guardian from his sundrenched blonde hair to his chiseled features and eyes which were an unusual shade of brown with golden flecks.

Perhaps, he drawled, eyes knowing, "unless you keep staring at me like that, in which case I’ll be tempted to spend more time in bed

with

you

."

I felt my cheeks flush at what he implied, and even as I pondered the possibilities, I knew I would never follow through with any

of

them

.

Just go get us some breakfast. I shooed him away, covering my embarrassment by heading into the bathroom.

I heard him chuckle before I shut the door and knew he guessed what I was doing. Not that he would say anything. As far as Guardians went, Braeden was definitely the luck of a draw. He possessed an air of old world sophistication that spoke of a person with impeccable manners and breeding. He was a gentleman with me, first and always. What more could a girl

ask

for

?

Turning on the shower, I shed my clothes and stepped into the steamy spray. Forty five minutes later, clean and dressed, I padded down the hallway of our safe house to the kitchen, following the sounds of raucous laughter.

Braeden stood at the stove stirring something in a pan while laughing at whatever Delaney Rue, another Guardian, was saying. Delaney was as tall and broad shouldered as Braeden, with dark hair, blue eyes and an infectious dimpled grin. He was like the older brother I’d never known, welcoming me into their tight knit group as one of

their

own

.

Next to him sat Keeley Jones, the only Huntress in our party. Keeley was a spitfire with long, glossy brown hair and lilting hazel eyes that sparkled when she laughed, but she wasn’t one to be underestimated.

The five foot four warrior held her own

with

the

toughest of Guardians, and never thought twice to jump into a battle.

Across the table was Ryland Cort, similarly built like Braeden and Delaney with light brown hair and rich brown eyes that reminded me of chocolate. He had a cocky attitude that I sometimes didn’t know how to take, but he was fiercely protective of everyone in our party, so that made him alright in

my

book

.

The only person missing was Allora, our White Witch. Allora was beautiful, mysterious, and packed one heck of a punch when it came to using her magic. While I enjoyed her company, I secretly envied her long, wavy blonde hair, violet eyes and curvy figure no man in his right mind would be immune to. A gentle spirit in nature, Allora came from a long line of healers who for centuries had used their magic for the good of others.

I took my usual seat at the end of the table, sliding in next to Keeley on the long

benched

seat

.

I hear you’ve been dreaming again. Keeley halted all conversation, drawing all eyes to me. As cute as she was brass, Keeley never thought twice to say what was on her mind. Braeden said it came from having grown up surrounded by Guardians and no female influence. It was a trait I was still getting

used

to

.

I squirmed in my seat, uncomfortable with all the attention.

Perhaps we should eat breakfast before discussing Willa’s dream, Allora’s soft spoken voice spoke from the doorway, and I breathed a sigh of relief when everyone’s gazes turned away

from

me

.

As per her usual, Allora wore an iridescent gown with multiple colors that seemed to shimmer as she walked, and it was hard not to be taken in by her beauty. I could tell Ryland and Delaney thought so too, judging by the amorous looks on their faces as Allora took her seat. She paid them no mind, instead, turned to me and Keeley.

Keeley, do you ever wear anything other than Huntress gear? I would so love to see you in a dress. Allora sighed, taking in Keeley’s usual attire of black spandex pants, black tank top and weaponry attached to her legs. She also had a weapon belt that she wore when going into battle, but apparently she didn’t think that applied to the dining table.

Keeley scowled, folding her arms over her chest. And just where am I supposed to store all my weapons in a dress?

Allora laughed. You aren’t. That’s the point.

Ryland snorted, eyes full of mirth. "Keeley in a dress? That’d be

the

day

."

Keeley shot him a glare hot enough to melt a

stick

of

butter, mouth pursed in a thin line. "Even in a dress, you can bet I’d still kick your butt, Ry. Any day of

the

week

."

Delaney burst out laughing. "Now that’s a fight I’d love

to

see

."

Braeden set plates of bacon, eggs and sausage on the table, his lips set in a grin. I’d put money on Keeley.

You wound me, Brae. And here I thought it was bros for life. Ryland had a wounded look on his face, hand pressed over his heart.

Rolling my eyes, I grabbed the plate of eggs and shoveled a spoonful onto my plate before the boys could get their hands on it. I may not have grown up with brothers, but I’d seen these men eat and knew getting to the food first was always the best option. "I hate to break it to you, but I’d put money on Keeley as well. I’ve seen her in a fight. She

kicks

butt

."

Smiling in smug satisfaction, Keeley slapped Ryland’s hand when he went for the plate of sausage. Exactly. And ladies first, Neanderthal.

Ryland grinned, waving a hand to let her proceed. Setting the rest of the food on the table, Braeden slid into the empty space next to me, giving my arm a squeeze before reaching for a plate

of

food

.

Now that we’ve established Ry sucks, Braeden began, pausing to duck the piece of bacon Ryland aimed at

his

head

,

perhaps we can discuss more pressing matters.

Allora nodded, face growing solemn. Like Willa’s dream last night.

The bite of egg in my mouth suddenly tasted like sawdust, and I forced it down with a sip of juice. Having gone over every detail of the dream while in the shower until everything was ingrained in my mind, I’d finally come to two conclusions. One, finding the location of that room was going to be near impossible. And two, the moon in my dream was of significance. I couldn’t say why I felt that way, but something told me it was of importance.

What do you know about moon ceremonies?

Moon ceremonies are often performed when the moon is in a particular pattern and powers will be at their fullest. Was there a moon ceremony in your dream, Willa? Allora asked quietly.

I nodded, biting my

lower

lip

.

I think so. I bit my lower lip nervously. There was a stone table in the center of the room, directly under an opening in the ceiling that revealed a full moon. When Ronan pulled out the knife, he held it up to the moon, almost like… My voice trailed off, uncertainty clouding my thoughts as I struggled to come up with the right words to explain what

I

saw

.

Like he was making an offering? Allora asked,

understanding dawning. "What can you tell me about the moon? Was it a different color than you would

normally

see

?"

I hesitated, sifting through my thoughts to focus more on the moon. It hadn’t appeared as anything unusual, except…

"Yes,