Old Magic: Rogues of Magic Series, #4

By Tiffany Shand

Urien has been defeated… but now there is a greater threat.

Ann has barely escaped the wrath of the elders with her life and magic intact. It was all worth it. She has her brother back, but now another family member needs her help.

Her grandmother, Mercury, is missing and an old enemy has taken control of her lands.
Ann refuses to believe they're too late. When she and the other rogues go to investigate, they discover Mercury is still alive and long-dead secrets are finally coming to light. Not only can she find her grandmother, but the answers they uncover could hold the key for why the elders have hunted her for so long.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tiffany Shand
• Release date: Oct 27, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393019831

Tiffany Shand

Tiffany Shand was born in Essex, UK and started writing short stories when she was a child. She has always done writing in one form or another and started writing novels in her early teens. She writes both non-fiction and fiction, but mostly fantasy and paranormal romance. After doing a creative writing course in her early 20s she is now a freelance writer and professional proofreader. Tiffany lives in Essex with her two spoiled cats and one very nutty hamster.

Book preview

OLD MAGIC

ROGUES OF MAGIC SERIES BOOK 4

BY TIFFANY SHAND

Copyright © 2019 Tiffany Shand

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior written consent of the author, except for brief quotes in reviews.

This book is a work of fiction. People, places, events and situations are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or historical events, is purely coincidental.

Cover design by Covers by Christian

Proofreading by Megan Parker

A close up of a map Description automatically generated

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Also by Tiffany Shand

About the author

Chapter 1

ANN VALERAN SAT, TRYING to draw magic from the earth. Her own energy felt weak, sluggish. She narrowed her eyes to conjure fire. A faint flicker of orange appeared, then it fizzled out. What is wrong with me? She closed her eyes to clear her mind. Around her, the wind echoed through the vine-covered walls of the old temple. The building was round and small, with little more than an old stone altar at the far end. Its windows were like bare, lidless eyes; pale shafts of light pooling over the crumbling flagstone floor.

The breeze whipped her long blonde hair around her face. She shivered, wishing her thin white robe offered her a little more warmth. Goosebumps formed over her pale, bare arms. One way or another, she would find a way to restore her strength and her magic.

A week had passed since her battle with her elder half-brother, Urien. She had finally defeated him and bound his spirit to his body in an eternal sleep. In doing so, her younger brother, Xander, had ended up in a comatose state. His body alive, yet in some ways not. The battle had cost her more than just her brother. Since she had fled to the safety of Trewa, she left behind the other rogues who had become her constant companions and part of her family. Including Ed, her lifelong best friend and almost lover.

By removing Urien’s soul from Xander’s body, she’d put it back in Urien’s own body and bound him to it. Urien’s soul had been dying because of all the dark magic he’d been using, magic that came with a heavy price. She wouldn’t risk Urien finding a way out of death or risk the elders taking his soul, using him against her. Even death wouldn’t be strong enough to hold someone like Urien.

Since she’d stopped her brother, her magic had been weak and almost non-existent. Undoing her father’s spell had taken a lot more power than she’d imagined, but she thought her magic would have recovered by now.

Her thoughts drifted from her lack of power back to the aftermath of the battle. She and Ed reappeared inside the tomb where Ed had locked Urien’s true body away. She still felt exhausted from undoing the spell that once linked her and her siblings together, protecting them from death and also prevented them from killing each other.

Ann and Ed made their way along the passage, until they reached the chamber where Ed had laid Urien’s body to rest, bound by a spelled coffin that would hold him if her own spell ever failed and Urien woke up. Salt carried on the air from the island above them. All Archdruids were buried underneath the tor on the island of Trin. Urien was here, concealed underneath the ocean where Ann had submerged it, the only place powerful enough to hide his body. Even the elders wouldn’t be able to get him here — or she at least hoped they wouldn’t.

Urien had aligned himself with powerful beings, who portrayed themselves as gods, in his attempt to take the power of the Archdruid from Ann.

Ed opened the door to Urien’s tomb. Runes were written on the outer door in the ancient druid tongue stating the name Darius Valeran. It sickened her to think of Urien lying in the tomb meant for their father. Darius had never been laid to rest here and it seemed the ideal place to put Urien.

Is he still in there? Ann asked, blood pounded in her ears.

Despite having defeated Urien again, she knew he might not stay gone forever. She still expected to wake up and find him there, trying to kill her. She shuddered at the memory of what the elders had done to her. They clawed at her power, her very soul, in their attempt to stop her from being the Archdruid. It hadn’t worked, but the memory kept her awake at night.

Ed caught hold of the top of the sarcophagus and heaved it open. Inside lay Urien, looking just as she remembered him. Same long dark hair. Same pale handsome face. His eyes were closed, his arms and legs bound by spelled iron chains.

Ann touched his forehead. She flinched, half expecting him to wake up and lunge at her. She closed her eyes, let her mind go forth.

Is his spirit in there? Ed asked a few moments later.

Yes, it worked. She opened her eyes once more. Urien’s spirit is bound. She blew out a breath.

Ed shoved the lead back in place then wrapped his arms around her. See, we’re —

Don’t say safe, she said. The Crimson Alliance killed my family and they’re everywhere. Nowhere is safe for me.

She’d finally found the people responsible for murdering her parents and taking her father’s realm of Caselhelm. The Crimson were a group made up of elders who controlled all of their world of Erthea. Since she’d escaped from them, Ann knew they wouldn’t rest until they either killed her or possessed her and her power for themselves. Her father, the previous Archdruid, had betrayed and stolen from them. For his misdeeds, they viewed her just as guilty for daring to go against them.

You’re safe here. With me. He kissed the top of her forehead and slipped an arm around her. You know I’d never let anything happen to you.

She pulled away from him, tense. I’m taking Xander back to Trewa with me.

Ed nodded. I know. Don’t worry, we’ll find a way to bring Xander back.

She flinched at that. Why did he have to be so damn caring and supportive? That only made this even harder. I meant I’m going alone. You could have died when I unbound the spell linking me to Xander and Urien. I won’t put you at risk again. I don’t think we should see each other for a while.

Ann winced as she opened her eyes and let the memory fade. A dull ache formed in her chest just thinking of Ed. But she pushed it away. She hadn’t seen him since that day in the tomb when she had decided to end things between them.

Hey, you done meditating? Ceara appeared in the temple doorway. Her long black hair billowed around her shoulders, her pale skin gleamed like ivory and her dark eyes shimmered like obsidian.

Ann had told the others not to follow her anymore. After everything she’d been through, she didn’t want to put anyone else’s life at risk. She lost her parents and both her brothers; she wouldn’t let anyone else die because of the Valeran legacy and the danger that came with it. But Ceara and Jax had refused to leave her side no matter what she said or did, and followed her to Trewa.

Ann blew out the candles one by one. I am now. She sighed.

Good, because we’ve got company! Ceara pulled out one of her shock rods as a giant flew at her, knocking the Gliss to the ground. Gliss had empathic abilities where they could channel not only emotions but powers. Light flared between Ceara’s brows as she blasted the giant with a burst of mental energy.

The giant stumbled, but didn’t seem phased by her magic. It stood almost as high as the temple entrance, dressed in ragged clothing. Long, straggly black hair fell past his shoulders and he gripped a club in one of his beefy hands. His dark eyes narrowed, and he bellowed in frustration as he charged at Ceara once again.

Ann didn’t have time to wonder how anyone had got through the temple’s protective wards as another giant darkened the doorway. Oh, you’ve got to be joking. She raised her hand, calling her power to her. Heat flared around her fingers and smoke appeared. What the? Fire should have appeared, not smoke. Another sure sign her magic remained weak and useless.

The giant lunged at her, his fist flying toward her face. Ann ducked, grabbed her knife, and thrust it upward. The blade shattered as if the steel were little more than a wooded sword. She ducked and rolled as he made a grab for her. Where did these things come from? Trewa is a protected site. The lumbering giants should never have been able to get through the power of the standing stones that guarded the entrance to the druid settlement. She threw out her hand, willing her power to ignite. Again, nothing.

The giant punched her. Ann’s head reeled back and her vision blurred. It felt like being struck by an enormous hammer. He grabbed her by the throat, lifting her off her feet as if she weighed nothing at all.

Ann struggled, grabbed her other knife and shoved it right into his eye. The giant howled as blood spurted from his eye socket. It was enough to get him to loosen his grip.

She brought her knee up, kicking him in the groin. He screamed even louder, and then dropped to his knees.

Ann dropped too, rolled away and jumped over him and out through the entranceway.

Outside, Ceara had the other giant on his knees as she jabbed her rod against his spine, parallelising him. About time we had some action again, Ceara said in thought. I’ve been getting bored.

A third giant came at Ann, punching her so hard she crumpled to the ground, the air stolen from her lungs.

Ann pulled out the smaller knife from her boot and threw it at him. It glanced off his neck.

She turned and crawled across the ground, her fingers digging into the soft earth. She felt the power humming beneath her and within the giant standing stones a few metres away that marked the entrance to Trewa. As Archdruid, she alone had the power to use their energy. The power that came from nature itself.

Sciath agus cuir cosaint orm, she chanted words of power, waited to feel magic flow through her and from within her as she and that power became one.

Nothing happened.

The standing stones flashed, but no energy came to her.

The giant yanked her up, squeezing her throat so she couldn’t call out to Ceara for help. Her eyes bulged and blackness threatened to drag her under. Ceara? she called out in her mind instead, praying her mental powers still worked.

Okay, time to go bye-bye, big boy. Ceara jammed her rod against his back, bringing the giant to his knees.

Ann fell like a stone, hitting the ground hard. She gasped, her lungs burning from the lack of air.

The third giant came blundering out of the temple. He roared as blood seeped down his face.

Ceara grabbed a fallen battle-axe and hurled it at him. The axe buried itself in his chest. He slumped to the ground, blood gurgling from his mouth.

Ann gasped for breath. Blessed spirits, where did they come from?

What happened? Ceara knelt beside her. Since when does anyone hurt you that bad?

I’m... not... invincible, she rasped.

So I saw. So what happened? Ceara demanded. Why didn’t you fry him? Or at least try to?

Ann closed her eyes for a moment. Her ribs ached and throbbed. She suspected she’d broken or cracked at least one of them. I... I can’t, she grunted.

Ceara’s dark eyes narrowed. Why not? You came here to replenish.

I couldn’t. My magic...is gone.

Ann felt embarrassed having Ceara help her back to the village. It hurt to breathe, let alone walk. The Gliss led her pass several rows of wooden houses with whitewashed walls and wooden roofs. In the end, Ceara had half carried her and complained about it all the way back. Ann knew her friend was as anxious as she felt.

What’s wrong with your magic, lady? Ceara asked.

Ann winced as she sat down on the bed in her cottage. I told you, I don’t know what happened. Just go and get me a healer.

The feather mattress dipped underneath her weight. Books and discarded clothing covered the flagstone floor, and a small fourposter bed took up most of the room with its dark, barren walls.

Let me look. I got trained in torture, remember? I’m pretty good with injuries. Ceara felt around Ann’s abdomen.

Ann yelped as pain stabbed through her. Ow, don’t do that again, she hissed. Go and get Sage. Or better yet, my uncle. He can heal me.

Begs the same question, why aren’t you healing yourself? Or why isn’t your body healing itself? Ceara prompted.

Ann sighed; even that hurt. My magic is gone, she admitted. I can’t conjure fire. I can’t even connect to the Erthea lines. I don’t know why. Now go and get my uncle.

Ceara laid one of her rods next to her, along with a couple of Ann’s fallen knives that she’d recovered from the battle. Here. In case anything attacks you while I’m gone. She hurried off back out the front door.

Ann ignored the metal rod that caused pain to anyone who touched it from the electrical current coursing through it. She slumped back against the bed; the blue linens were rough against her skin. Her throat ached from where the giant had almost crushed her windpipe. She narrowed her eyes to ignite the candle next to her. Not because she needed light but because the fire brought her comfort, strength.

Nothing. Not so much as a spark.

Ceara stomped back in a few minutes later. Your uncle will be here soon. What’s going on with your magic? How can you not have any? She dropped down onto a wooden chair next to the bed.

I already told you, I don’t know. She gritted her teeth as more pain seared through her. It’s never happened before. I’d like to know how those giants even got through.

The temple is old, probably outside the range of the standing stone’s protective power. Ceara frowned. You’ve been strange since we left Corenth. Maybe your magic is reacting to your emotions.

Why would it?

Oh, maybe because you ended things with Wolfy and now the entire world is off-kilter. Ceara crossed her arms. You and Ed haven’t spoken since and you’ve got to admit that’s affecting you.

She winced from both a stab of pain and the mention of Ed. That’s ridiculous. We weren’t in a relationship. Not really.

Ceara snorted. Yes, you were. You and Wolfy have been dancing around each other for the past decade. You finally got all lovey-dovey and then you bolted.

Ann rolled her eyes. We didn’t get lovey anything. We never went that far, she said. And I told you, Ed and I are fine. He knows I had to come here to take care of Xander.

If things were fine, you’d be talking to each other. Maybe this is why you’re disconnected from your magic. Because you’re suppressing your emotions, she said. Why did you leave Ed? Is it because he told you he loves you?

That’s stupid, Ann scoffed. I’m not repressing anything. And no, that wasn’t the reason.

Right. Denial is your strongest power. You denied you’re in love with him all these years. Then you finally got close, now you’re denying it again.

I’m not denying anything, she snapped, running a hand through her long blonde hair. As much as she liked having Ceara around again, she wished her friend would give the subject of her and Ed a rest. I’ll figure out what’s wrong with my powers too.

You’re welcome by the way, Ceara remarked.

For what?

For me saving your arse back there.

Thanks for your help. I’m grateful, she said. Please stop talking about Ed.

No, not going happen. Ceara turned around as Blaise came in.

Blaise Valeran’s long dark blonde hair hung past his shoulders and intricate tattoos encircled his arms underneath the long sleeves of his pale blue healer’s robe. His soft blue eyes widened when he caught sight of Ann.

I need healing. Ann put a hand to her stomach.

Her uncle came over and ran his hands across her torso. What happened? His fingers radiated warm growing energy.

My magic didn’t work very well.

Ceara snorted. She’s powerless and weak.

You’re as subtle as a knife, Ann muttered and gave the Gliss a glare.

Ceara grinned. That’s why you love me.

Ann laughed, then winced as pain radiated through her ribs.

Blaise frowned. That’s not possible. Were you drugged? I thought you went to the temple to meditate and restore your energy. The spirits know you’ve run yourself ragged watching over Xander these past few days.

Ann shook her head. No, I’ve been weak ever since we left Corenth. Since I banished Urien again.

Since she left Ed, Ceara added. If you ask me, it’s an emotional problem. Maybe I can help.

Ann scowled at that idea. Right, you’re so well-versed when it comes to emotional stuff. Good thing you can’t read me.

I am an empath; I know what people are feeling. I don’t have to read you. I’ve known you a long time. Ceara leaned back in her chair.

Can you please go check on Xander for me? Ann asked.

Ceara’s smile faded. He hasn’t changed. He’s still asleep.

Just check on him. Maybe you can use your powers —

I can’t. I’ve already tried using my power to reach him. Ceara bit her lip. Nothing short of a miracle will wake him up now.

Just go. Please. I want someone to be with him at all times. He’ll be scared if he does wake up on his own.

Ceara nodded then left.

This is bad, Rhiannon. Blaise gave her a hard look. How long have you been this weak? He muttered words of power to heal her, and her pain settled to a dull ache. That giant could have killed you.

I know. I’ve been feeling weak for a while now.

Why didn’t you say anything? Blaise asked.

I thought I could handle it. I thought it’s because I used a lot of power when I banished Urien. She sat up. My only focus right now is helping Xander. She scrambled up. Have you and Sage figured out how else you can help him?

"We have been trying different healing methods, but I’ve never come across a case of someone surviving possession as long as Xander has. There might not be