Magic and Time: Fated Magic Series, #1

By Ally Summers

Just because the world is ending, doesn't mean I have to let him back in.

That's the problem with exes. They think a crisis means someone needs to be rescued.

But I'm not that kind of magix. I have my own power and strength.

Enough to save my family, town and the people closest to me.

Keeping my magical secret has become harder than ever and the enemy threatens everyone I love. The only one who can help is the man who destroyed my world. My very hot, magical, shifter ex.

I know better than to trust him a second time, but the clock is working against me.

Time is running out, and I refuse to let evil win.

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 first in the complete six-book series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Head Over Heels Press
• Release date: Jul 17, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393569664

Book preview

Chapter 1

The mixture of cool rain and warm blood washed down my cheekbone. It was pointless, but I wiped the stream from my eyes and massaged my throbbing temple. Keep going, Ivy; keep going .

As I hurdled each step, the pace of the footsteps tracking me seemed to cut the distance between us. My chest hurt as I tried to catch each breath and push myself into a faster pace. He was close and I didn’t know if I could make it to the seam before he stopped me. A quick diversion might help, but that was how I got into this mess. I had to do something. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t make it back, and this was not the place I wanted to get stuck.

The sidewalks and brownstone steps blurred past as I searched for a place to hide. I felt my body lunge forward and shudder with a thud. I hit the pavement, and my already scraped face smacked into the stones. My lungs froze from the impact. My throat clamped shut. I tried to pry myself up, clawing at the cracks in the sidewalk. The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth.

In that moment, I realized I could be caught. How could I have been so careless to jeopardize everything?

I jumped forward in the bed, clutching the sheet to my chest. A dream. It was a dream.

Illuminate, I whispered, holding my hand forward.

The soft orb formed above my palm. It’s light bounced around the hotel room. I steadied my breath. It was only a dream. But it wasn’t the first time it had awakened me. I looked at the clock. It was nearly three.

Extinguish, I called to the light, watching it fade to remnants of glitter. I sank into the pillow, pulling the sheet to my chin.

I didn’t know what the dream meant. I didn’t know what triggered it or why I kept having it. I turned on my side, curling my knees upward.

The room was cold, but the chill shaking me had rooted under my skin. Something or someone had been chasing me. I shuddered, knowing it would be nearly impossible to fall asleep after a nightmare.

I tried to focus on tomorrow. I needed a distraction from the feel of rain on my face and the taste of blood on my lips. I reminded myself I was here for a story. I needed a glitzy set of Vegas characters I could take back for my next book.

I walked through how I would travel, keeping my mind pointed on performing the spell I would need. How I would time spell. I pictured the Starlight Casino and Resort.

The casino was a labyrinth, but I discovered a service corridor that didn’t have cameras. I would be able to start the spell and travel from there.

My body began to feel heavy again. The shaking had stopped. I pictured the blackjack tables and the doorway where I would make the seam. My eyes relaxed.

There was a reason I had chosen the Starlight. It was part of old Vegas. I would find my story here. I had to. My fingers let go of the sheet as sleep fell over me. Tomorrow I would find my story. Tonight I would forget the dream.

Chapter 2

Two Years Later, Sullen’s Grove

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Igripped my coffee mug between my palms, pulling my knees to my chest. Cooper was curled in a ball of massive yellow fur under my desk. I stared at the blank screen on my laptop. Nothing was happening. Nothing. I couldn’t think of a single word.

It had been six weeks since the Vegas Star premier. Six full weeks. I sighed.

The high of writing the screenplay and spending time in New York to promote the film had finally faded. I was left with a crumpled ball gown in my closet and writer’s block. Ugh.

Cooper whimpered and laid his head in my lap. Oh, those sad, brown doggy eyes got me every time.

You know, you’re right, Coop. We need to get out of here and go for a walk.

I grabbed his leash and we hit the sidewalk in front of my bungalow. His nose had picked up the trail of something highly potent in his world, probably a cat. I began to jog after him.

I waved at one of my neighbors and smiled. Things seemed different since the movie premiere. People who never talked to me before, were suddenly eager to strike up a conversation. I didn’t expect the level of attention I received. My first book didn’t have this kind of effect.

My phone rang a few times before I glanced down to see Jack’s name on the screen. I inhaled, tried to calm the quick rush of adrenaline, and answered as sweetly as possible.

Hey, Jack, I’m out with Cooper. Can I give you a call back later?

Despite how disastrous it would be to be involved with my editor, I had fought a crush on Jack Coleman for two years. He was the one person I had completely surrendered to creatively, and I was in deeper than I wanted to admit. It was inconvenient and hopeless.

The only thing saving me from ruining the best thing that had happened to my writing, was Jack’s complete lack of interest in me.

The last time I asked him to meet me for coffee to talk about new storylines, he barked at me and told me to talk to his assistant about scheduling an office meeting instead.

I couldn’t conjure up a more perfect image of Mr. Tall Dark and Ruggedly Handsome if such a spell existed. Jack easily stood over six feet tall, had a square jawline, with the slightest dimple in his chin, dark brown eyes, and sun-tinted brown hair that sometimes was overdue for a haircut. He wore his five o’clock shadow well and looked edible in every button-up shirt he wore to the office.

He sometimes gave me this look when he read something of mine. It was the kind of look that spoke volumes. The kind that said he got my writing.

If it wasn’t for the fact that revealing my identity was completely out of the question, I might have tried using a little magic. But I couldn’t take the chance.

I wasn’t expecting the reaction I got on the other end of the call. His response jolted me.

It’s important. Can you meet me in fifteen minutes, sooner if you can? It can’t wait. I heard him exhale.

Sure, sure. I’ll be at the office in fifteen. I hoped that was quick enough for him. He seemed serious.

I frowned at Cooper, knowing it would be awhile before we’d reschedule our walk. Cooper’s nose was still on the trail and was not ready to be dissuaded from his pursuit of that cat.

I don’t want to meet at the office. Can you come to my place? It’s on the corner of Market and Corinth Avenue. It’s a brick ranch—one story, 1207 Cor—

I interrupted, Oh yeah, I know where it is.

I smacked my forehead, cringing at how I had let that slip.

Um. An awkward silence followed. Just get over here and I’ll explain or I’m at least hoping you will. He hung up and I looked down at the dark screen in my hand.

The entire call was weird. He always wanted to meet in the office and usually scheduled our meetings with extensive advanced planning. For a moment, I let myself think that maybe this wasn’t a meeting about publishing dates or about pressure from the board for new material. Maybe it was more personal.

Although as quickly as it skipped in, I pushed the idea right back out. This was Jack, and he barely smiled at me—of course it was business-related.

I looked at my running shoes, and decided it wasn’t a