Shadow Stalker: Revolution Part 1 (Episode 23): Shadow Stalker Part 4, #5

By Renee Scattergood

It's the calm before the storm, and the storm is closer than Auren thinks.

Auren is successfully using her ability to control people's minds and actions to take over Nadiria and finally bring an end to the Galvadi Empire, but there is a catch. The more she uses that power, the more she loses herself to it.

If she can accomplish her mission quickly, it will reduce the chance of that happening. The allies she has found are helping her move things along, but there's a lot of work to do and horrors that Auren has not yet discovered that will make controlling herself nearly impossible.

Her friends and allies are growing concerned over her unpredictable violent actions, and Auren knows her time is running out.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Renee Scattergood
• Release date: Dec 6, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393160465

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

Sirah entered the crowded house, but she was too happy to be home to be concerned about the stuffiness and odor of stale sweat that clung to everything in the home. Familiar faces surrounded her as her friends rushed to greet her. Many of them seemed surprised to see her alive. She couldn't blame them. Most people who disappeared never returned. Now that she had spent some time in the palace and learned what little it took to receive a death sentence, she understood why.

Once everyone she knew greeted her, Aedar took her hand and introduced her to some of the new people.

These are the freedom fighters I've been accumulating, Aedar said as he led her to a more secluded part of the house.  A few people nodded, giving them knowing looks when he closed the door.

It might be moot at this point, Sirah said.

Aedar shrugged. We'll see.

Sirah took both Aedar's hands in hers. I trust her.

You trust too easily, he said, pulling her closer to him.

She pulled away slightly, folding her arms over her midsection. Not anymore.

Aedar watched her for a moment as she gazed out the window. Then he took her hand in his and caressed it softly. What happened? You know, after we were separated.

Sirah turned back to him, her lips pressed together. Then she let out a breath, blinking tears from her eyes. They forced me to remove my clothing and 'examined' me.

Aedar sucked in a breath. Sirah knew she didn't have to go into detail. Everyone knew how invasive those examinations could be. Most also knew how unnecessary they were, but there was nothing any of them could do about it until now.

Sirah rested her head on his chest as she continued her story. They told me I wasn't fit for mating, but that the emperor might be able to make use of me in the palace. I was brought straight to the emperor, and I'm sure you can imagine what happened from there.

Aedar's arms tightened around her. I'm not sure I want to. He's lucky he's already dead. I wouldn't have granted him such a quick and painless death.

"I know, but honestly, I'm just glad it's over. I thought I'd