Magic and Shadows: Fated Magic Series, #2

By Ally Summers

They want to steal my magic?

As long as I'm breathing, that will never happen.

I don't want to rely on Finn to protect my family in Sullen's Grove, but with evil breathing down my neck, the choices aren't as easy.

What do I do, but take my hot human boss with me to Vegas to track down the source of the magical power grab. Letting Jack in might be the only way to win this fight, no matter how terrified I am to open my heart. Even if it's only a little.

Welcome to Sullen's Grove and the world of Ivy Grace, where time travel, magic, shifters, love and heartbreak run rampant. Ivy is a bad-ass heroine, ready to fight for what matters most. This is the second in the complete six-book series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Head Over Heels Press
• Release date: Jul 16, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393942344

Book preview

Chapter 1

It felt a lot like Groundhog Day. I pulled up behind Jack’s Jeep and parked in the gravel drive. The little ranch looked like it did when I drove up yesterday afternoon. The street was quiet except for a few early morning commuters on their way into work. I waved at one of Jack’s neighbors as I pulled my suitcase from the trunk of my car.

I tapped a few times on the front door and waited for him to let me in. Nothing. I knocked again, this time with a little more force.

What if something had happened to him? I tried the handle, but it was locked.

Jack?

Yep, I’m here. Hold on, I heard him call through the door.

He cracked the door and peeked to see me standing with one hand on my suitcase, and the other clutching the leather bag dangling from my shoulder. He looked surprised and relieved to find me on his porch. I guess a part of him didn’t trust I would return. After everything he learned last night, I couldn’t blame him.

Good morning. I smiled.

Hi. He rubbed the scruff on his chiseled jaw.

Did you sleep? You look terrible. I pushed past him into the foyer and dropped both bags. I should have called ahead to see if you had coffee.

The study was bright with morning sunlight. The embers in the fire had faded, and from the looks of the couch, Jack had probably spent the night there after I left. There were more charts drawn on the legal pad, and the letter rested on the coffee table. It made me nauseated just being in the same room with it.

Sleep, me? No, not much. Coffee’s in here. I followed him to the kitchen and watched as he poured two cups of coffee. What about you, did you sleep?

I took a sip and sat at the kitchen table. I hadn’t closed my eyes once last night. Finn had stolen all my time.

No, I didn’t even try to sleep. But I have good news. The protection spell for your sister is completed. She’ll be ok for a few days. No one can touch her.

You did that?

No, but I called in a favor. I didn’t want to think about what it might have cost me.

What happens after a few days? Jack sat across from me and placed the pot of coffee between us.

After that, the spell wears off, and it has to be recast or hopefully, she can go on living like normal. I reached for some sugar and stirred a swirl in my mug. I wanted everything to go back to normal. You don’t have to worry about anything happening to her. I smiled.

If you can or someone else can create a protection spell, why don’t you just protect people all of the time?

Jack’s question reminded me why non-magicals weren’t supposed to know about magic. They would always try to apply logic and reason to something that was mystical and not of this world. More than anything I could tell he wanted to make sure Emily was safe, but he was curious about the magic.

I needed to avoid discussing Finn’s gift. I was glad his range of powers was in our arsenal against the Proxy, but I couldn’t think about him right now or the way I could still taste his kiss. His secrets weren’t mine to tell.

"It’s a little complicated, but only chosen magix can perform certain spells. There are some we all share. There are some we can teach each other, and then there are some that are so unique that only a few magix can do them. The guardian spell is a gift spell. It can’t be taught. We can’t spell everyone into safety all the time. Besides, we have to let people live their lives. I believe in free will, don’t you?"

Jack nodded over his mug. Of course I do.

I do have some more updates for you. I have an idea who might have sent the letter.

He set the mug down. You do? Who is it?

It’s only a theory. This is complicated, but I’ll try to explain the best way I can.

I took a deep breath and looked into Jack’s eyes, knowing he couldn’t understand this level of darkness.

I think it’s a Proxy.

A Proxy? Is that a magix? he asked.

I knew Jack would have plenty of questions and I had prepared myself with the Cliff’s Notes version of Magic 101 before coming over. I also had to decide what I could safely tell him without creating more problems.

No, not a magix. It’s a person, or really, a being, who can sense magic. They can sometimes even see it, but they don’t have any of their own.

Ok, keep going. Jack looked determined to understand.

Proxies do have the ability to become magical, to use magic, but only if they steal it. If they use their senses to track someone like me. They can take the magic. I waited to see if Jack would register the enormity of what I told him. And then use it to be their true selves.

What does that mean?

They are shifters. Proxies want magic so they can transform.

Wait. What? Shifters?

The lid was officially off Pandora’s box.

Yes, they aren’t human. They aren’t magix. They aren’t anything really until they absorb magic.

You said ‘shifter.’ Like a werewolf?

They preferred to be called shifters, but yes that’s one kind.

I thought about Finn. He would kill me if he knew I was telling Jack what I knew about the shifter world.

Shifters take many shapes.

He took another sip of coffee and leaned in his chair.

So, that’s what this is really about? A Proxy out there wants your power. Someone wants to steal your magic? He paused. But if he or she takes that from you, will you still be you? Can you survive?

I don’t know, sometimes yes, sometimes no. The stories I always heard were that Proxies would take more than the magic. They would take the actual life force from a person, but I don’t know if it’s all true.

Jack stared at his knuckles while strumming his fingers on the table.

I continued, But the good news here is, I think we finally know what we’re dealing with and that’s a big advantage.

Advantage, huh? Do you know who the Proxy is?

I’m pretty sure it was Helen.

Jack looked puzzled.

How is that possible? You said she died.

True, but I think she saw me in 1968 and told someone before she died. I should have figured this out sooner when she looked right at me, and she was so darn catlike.

Again, I was losing Jack.

I tried to think of how to explain the magical elements that separated Proxies from magix and shifters.

They are quite feline, think Siamese cats—they are sneaky and quiet. Really, what better way to creep up on people and steal magic than to be like the stealthiest creatures on the planet?

I had always heard that cattiness of Proxies was their deadliest trait.

Let me guess. They shift into cats? His eyebrows rose.

I nodded. Yes. Tigers, lions, even panthers. They have domination on the cat shifter family. But not all cat shifters were Proxies. There’s a difference.

Wow.

I chewed lightly on my lip. How about we just stick to the Proxy information for now?

Ok. Keep going, he urged.

"My guess is that, before the plane crash, Helen told another Proxy about me and that person was involved in Holden’s murder. And that’s why they don’t want any Vegas Star book or movie sequels surfacing. They also probably think I know more about the VonRue diamonds than I actually do."

But why did they include me in this master plan? Couldn’t they have as easily sent you the letter and let you take care of this yourself?

Yes, but they needed insurance that I would follow through. They’ve made me vulnerable now. They knew if they exposed me to you, I would have to share my secret. Plus, if something does happen to me now, the one person who is in charge of my creative work knows what’s at stake, so there can’t possibly be any sequel work. They don’t know what I’ve told you or how much I’ve written of the next book. They’re scared. I think you are an extra insurance policy.

He leaned in closer to the table. Wait, how are you vulnerable now?

I took a deep breath. As if last night wasn’t emotionally exhausting enough, the layers of secrets kept being peeled back, leaving me more exposed for Jack to see. I choose my words carefully.

"When I showed you the orb, I broke a bond. I’m not as strong as I was. I can’t tune in to some of my family’s gifts. My magic is a little on the weak side. I sighed. I think that’s enough for you to know right now. I could see the concern in his eyes. I’m ok, Jack. I’m fine. It’s temporary."

He looked shaken by my confession. I didn’t know.

It was the only way. Otherwise I might be drinking coffee in a jail cell this morning. I tried to laugh.

I didn’t want him to feel responsible for my choices. He had been right, the Proxy had targeted him, and we couldn’t work together if he didn’t know the truth.

What happened after you left here? he asked.

I froze and my stomach churned. Were my cheeks turning crimson? I—uh—

Did you get another clue or something? How did you figure this out?

Actually, it was pretty major. But don’t worry. I’m fine.

Ivy, what happened? His voice was stern.

Someone sort of broke into my house.

What? His eyes fired as he looked at me. Are you ok? Was Cooper ok?

I don’t