Shadow Stalker: Coup (Episode 22): Shadow Stalker Part 4, #4

By Renee Scattergood

Living under the tyranny of the Galvadi Empire is torture, but Auren is determined to end the nightmare, regardless of the cost to herself.

Auren is once again a prisoner of the Galvadi on Nadiria, or at least that she wants Emperor Zavix to believe. It's the only way to get close enough to him to kill him and then take control of the people.

To succeed in her mission, she must push her new power to the limit, but the more she uses her it, the more addictive it becomes. Unfortunately, stopping is not an option, but if she can focus on her goals, maybe she won't lose herself.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Renee Scattergood
• Release date: Nov 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393447818

Renee Scattergood

Renee Scattergood lives in Australia with her husband, Nathan, and daughter, Taiya. She has always been a fan of fantasy and was inspired to become a story-teller by George Lucas, but didn't start considering writing down her stories until she reached her late twenties. Now she enjoys writing dark fantasy. She is currently publishing her monthly Shadow Stalker serial, and she has published a prequel novella to the series called, Demon Hunt. She is also working on a new series of novels, Savior of the Serpent Isles. The first book, The Galvadi Invasion, is due to be released mid-2016. Aside from writing, she loves reading (Fantasy, of course), watching movies with her family, and doing crafts and science experiments with her daughter. Find out more about her, and sign up for her newsletter for a free copy of Shadow Stalker Part 1 (Episodes 1 – 6): http://reneescattergood.com

Book preview

Prologue

Kado carried Jaelyn , sleeping in his arms, to Cathnor's hut. She had been crying most of the night, so he tried his best not to wake her. Cathnor waited at the door when he arrived. Kado carefully shifted Jaelyn into Cathnor's arms, then he set the bag with Jaelyn's things next to the door.

You're sure you don't mind looking after her? Kado asked.

Cathnor smiled and stroked Jaelyn's cheek, Of course, not.

It shouldn't take more than a few days, he said. Kado had tried contacting both Auren and Makari through the shadow world, but he couldn't sense them. After a week, he decided it was time to go to Appolia and find out what was going on. He knew they couldn't have died. He would have felt their deaths and sensed them in the shadow world, but they may have been captured. If they were in the hands of the Galvadi, he would do everything in his power to see to rescue them. Auren had work to do.

I'm sure they're fine, Cathnor said, clapping Kado's shoulder with his free hand. It wouldn't be the first time Auren has somehow cloaked herself.

Kado frowned and nodded. The first time Auren had disappeared from him like this was in Ganida when they had visited with her uncle. Auren had met a young man and felt an intense connection with him. When they were forbidden from seeing each other, Auren somehow learned to wrap the veil, which separated the world of the living from the shadow world, around herself, essentially cloaking herself. When Kado felt their connection disappear so suddenly, he thought something terrible had happened to her.

He hoped it would be something as simple as Auren cloaking herself and Makari to shield him from something they knew he wouldn't like. It was better than the alternative. It scared him to think what the Galvadi could have devised to take down Auren. She had all but become immune to the effects of the beryllonium.

As Kado wandered back to his hut to grab his pack, he ran into his daughter, Shai.

I saw you leaving Jaelyn with Cathnor. Where are you off to? Shai asked.

Kado raised an eyebrow. Since when do you question the Foramar?

Shai shrugged. I'm not. I'm asking my father where he's going.

I have something I need to do on Appolia, Kado said and continued walking.

Shai jogged a few