The Institute: Earth Angel, #15

By B.C. Burgess

In a fiery tale filled with villains and heroes, this installment of the Earth Angel series takes readers on a magical journey rich with emotion, intrigue, and danger. Fans of Twilight, The Red Queen, The Selection, and Harry Potter will devour this breathless fantasy set in a modern mystical world.

With her heart whole once more, Layla yearns for some peace and quiet at home with her family, but the wounded Dark Guild refuses to accept defeat. They've contracted Vortigern, a wicked soothsayer who owns an institute of mind-meddlers, to hunt down and destroy the angel, by whatever means possible.

Will Layla recognize the threat in time to stop it? Or will the mysterious mind-meddlers leave her coven drowning in a wave of blood?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bandit Publishing
• Release date: Mar 9, 2018
• ISBN: 9781946793935

Book preview

Chapter One

He’s here, Aradia gasped, jerking her head up.

For the past hour, she’d been sitting in the middle of the lawn with her eyes closed, expanding her mind until it reached the community’s boundaries and merged with her spells, so when the barriers were attacked over a mile away, it knocked the breath from her lungs.

Where? Caitrin demanded, jolting from his chair.

Layla and Quin jumped to their feet, but they stayed on the blanket they were sharing with the kids. The triplets were napping in a cozy pile; and Benzio and Alana had been playing a magical version of jacks, but now they nervously eyed the adults, so Layla knelt and rubbed their backs.

Aradia looked to the east, answering Caitrin’s question, and he and several others shot from the ground.

Aradia stood, her eyes wide and her fists clenched. Then she filled her lungs and shouted. Don’t kill him! Please! But no one seemed to hear her, so she took off after them. You have to stay inside the barriers! If you leave the property, they’ll manipulate you!

Aradia, Layla called, and the babies jolted awake, but she kept shouting. Stay here! You shouldn’t—

Aradia was gone, soaring through the timber with the rest of them, and Layla helplessly looked at Quin, whose gentle hands comforted the triplets despite his anxiety. There’s nothing we can do, Layla. We can’t leave them.

Of course we can’t, but she’s going to get herself killed. All of them are flying into danger, and there’s nothing we can do to help.

Our family knows how to take care of themselves, and they’ll do their best to take care of Aradia.

If she sees Alec, she’ll put herself in harm’s way with no sense of consequence.

You’re not her mother, Layla. It’s not your job to protect her. And I don’t think she’d want you to.

I know, Layla whispered, soothing Benzio and Alana. Then she helped Quin with the triplets while watching the eastern tree line.

Aradia raced to catch up with the coven members and was able to pass some of them, but she couldn’t catch those in the forefront. She squinted, trying to keep track of their auras. Then she started gaining ground as Serafin’s voice echoed through the forest. Show yourselves!

The coven members had halted, and one of them cast an illumination spell near the property line, bathing the dark forest in an eerie glow. Aradia searched for shimmers as she drew nearer. Then a vibrating shadow appeared, reaching for the barriers with a bloody palm.

Alec, no!

The shadow halted, and another body appeared, its colorful aura filtering through the black energy.

Aradia soared past several coven members before an arm caught her waist, and she jerked to a halt, flailing as she found her brother’s blue eyes glaring from the shadow of a psyche specter.

Aradia? His eyes narrowed on the wizard holding her. Let her go! How dare you use my sister against me?

Aradia came to us, Serafin revealed.

Alec’s nostrils flared. You lie!

Ask her.

Tell me he lies, Alec demanded. Tell me he lies, and I’ll kill them all.

Aradia stopped flailing, and the fiery ache in her heart intensified. No, Alec. You can’t kill them. You have to leave and never come back.

He tilted his head in confusion. Then his aura swelled as the specter shifted forward, its back vibrating along Alec’s chest. They’ve brainwashed you. You’re out of your mind.

No, Aradia cried. You are. You’re here to kill babies, Alec. Innocent babies. I can’t let you do that. I came here to stop you.

Alec blinked as the truth settled over him. Then his eyes flashed neon-green as his chest heaved. You… you left me. His aura picked up speed, and the menacing shadow crept forward. You abandoned me for strangers.

Aradia choked his name and shook her head. I want to save you.

No! His face flexed as tears poured from his raging eyes. "You want to save them. To hell with me."

I can’t let you kill babies, Alec. It’s not right.

Everyone needs to calm down, Serafin cut in. We don’t want to hurt you, Alec, but if that shadow comes any closer we will retaliate. These shields aren’t set to stop us, and we have several skilled magicians ready to burst through them.

Please, Alec, Aradia pleaded. Don’t you see how wrong it is? Don’t you realize what will become of you if you kill babies? It will destroy you. It will make you like him. You’ll be just like the monster you call master.

That was the wrong thing to say, and Alec’s ingrained need to defend Vortigern smothered his grief. You ungrateful brat.

Aradia flinched, and one of the coven members growled. That’s enough.

Yes, Alec agreed, glaring at his sister, I’ve seen enough.

Aradia screamed as the shadow rushed forward, and everyone around her shifted, ready to defend and attack, but when the specter made contact with her protection spells, it exploded. A horrifying screech followed a loud bang, and the shadow surged, throwing Alec at least fifteen feet through the air.

Aradia shouted for her brother while struggling against the arm holding her, but everyone else stayed quiet, gawking at the charred circle marring the barriers – a smudged black hole floating amidst moist greenery.

The rest of the subjugators appeared on the other side, and the coven members alertly scanned the young team, but the subjugators weren’t attacking. One of them was unconscious and propped up by another, five of them were cautiously watching the blackened barrier, and the other two were hoisting Alec’s body off the ground.

Is he alive? Aradia pleaded. Is he breathing?

The subjugators remained silent while backing up, but as they turned to take flight, one of them shot a glance at Aradia. No thanks to you. Then they soared away, their auras quickly disappearing behind the trees.

Aradia wailed Alec’s name while giving one last tug on the arm restraining her. Then she went limp and started bawling.

Chapter Two

Layla held her breath while watching her family emerge from the trees behind Lann’s house. All four of her grandparents. Quin’s parents. So far so good, and their auras weren’t drowning in despair. But then Layla spotted an aura that was drowning. The haze was dark and desperate, and it sluggishly swirled around Aradia’s balled up form. Too distraught to walk, she was cradled in Banning’s arms, and his colors flowed nearly as slowly as hers.

Everyone who left had returned, physically unharmed, so Layla let herself breathe while laying Kaedan on the blanket. What happened?

Aradia lifted her head, and when she saw who held her, she couldn’t scramble away fast enough. Banning tried to catch her as she squeaked and flipped out of his arms, but she was quicker than him. She tumbled to the ground, catching herself on her hands and feet like a feline, and after throwing a sorrowful glance at Banning, she dropped to her knees and sobbed into her palms.

Banning’s aura darkened as his chest deflated. Then he ran a hand down his face and walked away.

Layla watched his back for a moment. Then she scanned her family while moving to Aradia. What happened?

Alec tried to send a psyche specter through the barriers, Serafin answered.

Layla knelt and laid a hand on Aradia’s back. It didn’t get through?

No. It blew up in his face.

I almost killed him, Aradia cried. I almost killed my brother.

Layla glanced at her then returned her gaze to Serafin. He’s alive?

He was when his team carried him away.

They retreated?

They didn’t have a choice. Alec and another man were unconscious, and they couldn’t get through the barriers.

Do you think they’ll return tonight?

It’s doubtful. They’d be weaker than they were this time around, so it would be pointless. They’ll need to rest and heal before attacking again.

Then I’m going to take Aradia inside.

Layla hoisted the expurgator off the ground, and Quin moved forward to assist. Do you want some help?

We’ll make it, she assured, halting for his kiss.

He nuzzled through her hair and whispered in her ear. Mind search me if you need me.

She immediately took him up on the offer. ‘Banning looked really blue. Tell me he’ll be all right.’

Quin smiled while giving her another kiss. ‘He’ll be all right.’

‘Thank you. Will you double-check the property line with your dad? Can you reinforce the barriers without Aradia?’

‘Reinforce them, yes. Set them, probably not.’

‘Then just check if there’s anything that needs to be done, because she’s in no position to protect anyone right now.’

‘I’ll grab Caitrin and my dad and see what we can do.’

‘Thank you.’

She steered Aradia across the lawn and into the house. Then she sat her on the couch and plopped down beside her. Do you want some coffee? Or some water for your tea?

Aradia sniffled and wiped her face, but when she tried to talk, she started crying again. Water, she managed, fumbling in her bag.

Layla summoned a mug of water and handed it over. Then she stayed quiet while Aradia fixed her tea.

After taking a sip, Aradia propped an elbow on her knee and laid her cheek in her palm. He hates me. My own brother hates me.

I’m sorry, Layla whispered. He shouldn’t.

Aradia squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head. I almost killed him.

No. His own spell did that.

Aradia dried her cheeks while looking away. I don’t know what to do, Layla. He means everything to me, but I can’t love him like I want to if he insists on hurting innocent people. But I can’t change him, you know? I can’t get him to see like me when he’s so determined to see like Vortigern.

You’re in a really tough spot. I can’t imagine what it would be like to love someone so much while hating what they do. But you know—she moved closer and laid a hand on Aradia’s back—you don’t have to stick around to watch it.

Aradia stopped crying and looked over. What do you mean?

Well, I want you to stay with us. Not only because you can save our lives, but because I really like you. I want my home to be the home you’ve never had. But I see how much it’s hurting you to watch your kind actions be Alec’s downfall. You don’t have to do that. You don’t have to stick around to see how it ends for him. You could go and make a new life for yourself somewhere far away from him. You can hate the things he’s doing without watching him do them. You can know how wrong it is without interfering. You can love Alec without watching his decisions destroy him.

You’re suggesting I leave him to it? How could I live with myself if I did that?

Layla sadly shook her head. I don’t know, but if Alec doesn’t back off, my family will retaliate. As difficult as it would be for you to walk away, I’m afraid it will make you feel much worse to take part in the defense that ends up killing your brother. Which would be harder to live with – leaving Alec to his ways and never seeing him again, or believing you’re the reason he’s dead?

Aradia sobbed and buried her face in her hands. They’re both horrible, but it’s not all about him. It’s about those babies out there. It’s about you and Quin and your beautiful family. It’s about the difference between right and wrong. If I were to kill Alec, I would be broken forever, but if I were to let him kill your babies, I would beg him to kill me next, because I’d never be able to look at him again. I’d never be able to think about him without thinking about what an awful person he is. All my memories of him, even the best ones, the ones that make me smile when I’m sad, would turn ugly and cause me nothing but pain. If I kill him, the evil is on me, not the man I love more than anything else in the world. He’s the only person on earth who brings me peace, but if he kills your babies, that peace will shatter and never come back.

Layla shouldn’t have been surprised by Aradia’s claims, but she was. As good as Layla thought Aradia was, she’d just gotten better.

Listen, Layla whispered, I don’t have any good advice. I can’t imagine the dilemma you’re facing, and I don’t have the knowledge to fix it, but I will tell you this – you have new people in your life who are more than willing to offer you love, peace and pleasant memories. Alec’s not your only friend anymore. You never have to be alone again. You have this entire coven to turn to for the rest of your life.

I can’t imagine it, Aradia breathed, being a part of all this, having that many people who care.

You don’t have to imagine it. You’re living it. Like it or not, this coven already cares about you. If they previously had doubts about your heart, tonight wiped them away. Now they’re free to love you like they want to.

I don’t know what to do with that, Layla. The whole idea is foreign to me.

"Now that I can relate to. When Quin first told me I had over twenty people waiting to love me and make me a part of their family, I felt flustered and insecure, but it was much easier than I thought it would be. Loving them is a piece of cake, and letting them love me back is the icing on top. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of this family? They’re beautiful and warm in a world that can be ugly and cold."

They are beautiful and warm.

And they would be delighted to share their home with you. Whatever you decide to do, this coven will be here for you when you’re done.

A small smile curved Aradia’s lips as her chest expanded. It eases the heart to hear such things.

Yes, it does.

Aradia sighed and rolled her eyes. I screwed up with Banning again. How many times can I make a fool of myself in one day with the same person?

Banning did his own screwing up today, so don’t worry about it. But I wish you weren’t so scared of him. He would never intentionally hurt you. I understand your reactions given your past, but I hate seeing that hurt puppy look on him.

Hurt puppy? He looked like that?

Kind of, and I’m not used to seeing that expression on him. Like I pointed out earlier, he’s a happy wizard. The only time I’ve seen him go an entire day without smiling was right after his parents died.

When did that happen?

In our battle with Agro. They died in an avalanche; sacrificed themselves to save him and Brietta.

Whoa, Aradia breathed. They both seem so happy and carefree. I would have never guessed their parents died less than a year ago.

I know. Bann and Bri are like breaths of fresh air. They’re so cheerful and playful, but they were both a mess right after the battle, and there are things about them that have changed and will never be the same again. Believe it or not, Bann’s quite a bit more serious now than he was when I met him.

I think he kept me from leaving the property earlier. I’m not sure, but I think it was him who kept me from going to Alec.

Does that upset you?

A little. Maybe Alec would have listened better if I’d been able to get closer.

Maybe, Layla conceded, though she wasn’t the least bit convinced. But I imagine Banning was scared Alec would hurt you instead of listen to you.

Banning doesn’t even know me, Layla. Why would he care about my safety?

I just told you. All of them already care about you. You’re one of the good guys, so we’ll do our best to keep you safe. Plus Banning likes you.

He needs to stop liking me. I’m not liking material.

Layla smirked. I don’t think that’s for you to decide. If someone likes you, there’s not much you can do about it.

I’ll tell him to stop. I’ll tell him I can’t be liked.

Okay. If that’s what you want to do, but it kind of seems like a lie, because not only are you likable, you like him back.

But I can’t, Layla. I already told you why.

You told me why you’re scared to like him, not why you can’t. Besides, like you, he’s a likable person, so good luck not liking each other.

You’re making fun of me.

Layla stifled a laugh. I’m not. I’m just pointing out the obvious. You’re so scared of the mere idea of a relationship with him you’re putting undue tension on your interactions. Just relax around him the best you can, and see where it goes. Don’t put pressure on yourself to make it right or platonic or intimate or nonexistent. Just be yourself and let him be himself, and I’m sure you guys will become great friends.

You don’t think he’ll put pressure on me?

Layla thought for a moment before confidently answering. I think he’ll be the best gentleman he knows how to be, but there’s a chance he’ll accidentally say or do something that might make you uncomfortable. Not because he’s insensitive, but because he’s used to women who are used to men. If that happens, just tell him how you feel, and he’ll know better next time.

You make it sound easy.

It should be.

I really didn’t mean to jump away from him like that. I was just surprised and sad and… scared.

I know.

He doesn’t.

I think he’s figuring it out. I’m sure he’s put a lot of thought into it.

Aradia blushed. You think he thinks about me?

You like the idea, Layla laughed.

Aradia looked at her knees. It makes my stomach feel weird.

"That’s not necessarily a bad thing.