Forsaking the Immortals: The Crown in the Dusk

By K.A. Shirley

Fay's journal,
Fourteen years have passed since that jerk of a male kicked me out of my home and threatened those that I loved. During that time, I have learned how to survive in a world that I don't belong in. I am an Elf that is plain to see, but even amongst my own people I don't fit in. I stand five feet two inches tall, that is short for an elf, I have jet black hair that stops at my hips and the strangest mix of sky blue and silver eyes. Most call me a defect and laugh at me, while others say that I'm exotic. So, I guess I am an exotic, defect?
During my first years on the streets I struggled just to survive. Then I met two males, Jake and Mac, they showed me that just because I'm small it doesn't mean that I'm weak. I learned to fight, to truly survive from them. They taught me how to be seen but stay hidden at the same time. They taught me how to work the shadows. During this time, I fell in love with the one that went by Mac. As I got older, we became closer and he gave me the most wonderful thing of all, our son Jacob. Then I lost both of them just as I have everyone else in my life. And I had to go through the pregnancy alone except for my friend Lea, and then I had to send my son to a safe house
Now, my sweet young are locked away at a safe house, while I live in a shitty apartment with a female that reminds me so much of my best friends Kayla that I'm starting to wonder if she is Kayla in disguise. I wouldn't put it past Kayla to pull something like that. So here I am once again struggling to survive and all I can think about is the family, the friends that I left behind, my son and the two wonderful males that I lost to the streets and the crime lords that we always end up working for. I can't help but wonder if my family even knows that I'm alive? Do they know that I'm just two blocks away thinking of them? What would they think of me as a shadow runner? Would my Uncle Callen approve of me and what I do? Would my parents even care?
Then there are the memories of my brother Jonnin. I knew him simply as Jon. We had a close relationship. He was always there when I needed him. It didn’t matter if it was a bad dream or I just couldn’t sleep, he would be at my bedside in a moment’s notice. He would play with me in the yard, at the park. No matter what I did or what kind of mess I made he never got mad or upset with me. We had this thing where I would climb up him and say I got you big brother. He would pause, smile and say no I got you little... sister. Well no one has me now. Now, I am on my own in this god’s forsaken world, and I hate it. I miss my big brother and I wonder if things would be different if he were alive. But even he left me. I think that’s why being so close to my friends and the only family that I have hurts so much. This time it was me that left them, even though I didn’t have a choice.

• Language: English
• Publisher: K.A. Shirley
• Release date: Nov 3, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463466827

K.A. Shirley

I am a 37 year old woman who has a love of writing. i have completed two of the novels in the Forsaking the Immortals series and am working on the third and fourth book along with others. I write for the joy of it, but i also write to get my stories out there, to get my voice heard.I hope that you come to love these characters as much as I have, and that you enjoy there Journey in this adventurous series.

Book preview

Forsaking the Immortals: The Crown in the Dusk

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank my sweet little ones for being my inspiration for all of my characters. My husband for not letting me give up and pushing me to keep writing. Then there are so many others that have given me reason not to give up on my dream. Those that barely knew me but showed me that I can do this. To my readers and future fans seeing how this is my first novel, I hope that my characters and their stories give you as much joy as they have given me

Prologue

Fay's journal,

Fourteen years have passed since that jerk of a male kicked me out of my home and threatened those that I loved. During that time, I have learned how to survive in a world that I don't belong in. I am an Elf that is plain to see, but even amongst my own people I don't fit in. I stand five feet two inches tall, that is short for an elf, I have jet black hair that stops at my hips and the strangest mix of sky blue and silver eyes. Most call me a defect and laugh at me, while others say that I'm exotic. So, I guess I am an exotic, defect?

During my first years on the streets I struggled just to survive. Then I met two males, Jake and Mac, they showed me that just because I'm small it doesn't mean that I'm weak. I learned to fight, to truly survive from them. They taught me how to be seen but stay hidden at the same time. They taught me how to work the shadows. During this time, I fell in love with the one that went by Mac. As I got older, we became closer and he gave me the most wonderful thing of all, our son Jacob. Then I lost both of them just as I have everyone else in my life. And I had to go through the pregnancy alone except for my friend Lea, and then I had to send my son to a safe house

Now, my sweet young are locked away at a safe house, while I live in a shitty apartment with a female that reminds me so much of my best friends Kayla that I'm starting to wonder if she is Kayla in disguise. I wouldn't put it past Kayla to pull something like that. So here I am once again struggling to survive and all I can think about is the family, the friends that I left behind, my son and the two wonderful males that I lost to the streets and the crime lords that we always end up working for. I can't help but wonder if my family even knows that I'm alive? Do they know that I'm just two blocks away thinking of them? What would they think of me as a shadow runner? Would my Uncle Callen approve of me and what I do? Would my parents even care?

Then there are the memories of my brother Jonnin. I knew him simply as Jon. We had a close relationship. He was always there when I needed him. It didn’t matter if it was a bad dream or I just couldn’t sleep, he would be at my bedside in a moment’s notice. He would play with me in the yard, at the park. No matter what I did or what kind of mess I made he never got mad or upset with me. We had this thing where I would climb up him and say I got you big brother. He would pause, smile and say no I got you little… sister. Well no one has me now. Now, I am on my own in this god’s forsaken world, and I hate it. I miss my big brother and I wonder if things would be different if he were alive. But even he left me. I think that’s why being so close to my friends and the only family that I have hurts so much. This time it was me that left them, even though I didn’t have a choice.

Chapter 1

Fay Stood at her kitchen window staring out at her childhood home, Calvin's School for troubled Young. When her new friend and partner walked into their apartment. Fay, I found the perfect Job for us. One that will get us out of this hellhole for good.

Fay and her partner did odd jobs for different crime lords. Neither of them liked it but this was how their world worked. If you were anything other than human it was almost impossible to get anywhere in the world, unless you were committing crimes for those that had been around long enough to make a name for themselves.

Fay's partner reminded her of her childhood friend, Kayla so much that she had to wonder if it was Kayla in disguise. That was also a part of their world; Magic and disguises, you never really knew who someone was unless they decided to tell you. Fay smiled, What’s the job? Who is it for?

She gave Fay a crooked smile as she tightened her ponytail. The two of us will be acting as students and one of the Elvin boarding schools here in town. Two of Callen Micollie’s charges, have disappeared from the school and he wants to know what happened to them. One is believed to be dead and the other is a runaway.

Fay closed her eyes, Jaylynn, do you realize who Callen Micollie is?

Jaylynn shrugged, The one that's going to get us out of this shitty place!

Fay shook her head. No, he is the most dangerous male of the Elvin species, next to the King himself. If you betray him or back out of a job before it's done, you disappear and once we work for him, we don't work for anyone else. You're wanting us to take a job for the High Prince of Elves!

Jaylynn licked her lips, No I'm taking a job that will get us out of these shitty apartments and will get us somewhere in this miserable world. She held her hands out, It's one job and a nice place to stay. Our tuition will be paid at this school, all the way through college. We will be able to come and go as we please, as long as we get the information on his charges. And so, what if we end up only working for him, at least it will get us somewhere. I mean have you ever heard of one of his people living in a place like this.

Fay knew that this was a bad Idea, but she needed a change and she was desperate for the money. Besides Kayla was right, Callen Micollie always took good care of the people that worked for him. She also desperately wanted to go home, and this could be her way to do that. She took a deep breath, Where is the meet and greet at?

Jaylin gave Fay a wicked smile, as she pointed out the Kitchen window, straight at Calvin's school. We are supposed to meet Mr. Micollie and the assistant Dean, Christian Silvonie at Calvin's School for troubled Young.

Fay sat Down heavily, How many have come up missing from the school?

Jaylynn frowned, Technically just the one, the other one is a runaway. This is her third time taking off without a word. She has been gone the longest this time. They keep catching her and she just leaves again. Mr. Micollie wants to know what happened in the days before the first one left. He wants to know why she left. At the same time, he wants to know why the second one keeps running away.

Fay looked up at Jaylynn from where she sat, What is the runaways name?

She bit her lip, We will find that information out, at the meeting tonight.

Fay closed her eyes as she remembered those last days at the Boarding School. Her friend's laughter, the excitement of leaving the school on their own for the first time. Calvin's warnings of watching their backs, and Vanes threats. If Fay didn't disappear Vane would have her parents killed, turn Calvin over to the governments and then there were his threats against her friends. He would make her watch as the twins were executed for simply existing and he would keep Kayla for himself. She couldn't let any of that happen. So, she did what he said and disappeared. She had been running ever since, she was barely fourteen years old at the time and terrified for her friends and family. She closed her eyes, What time do we need to be there?

Jaylynn smiled, Seven thirty tonight. Oh, and Fay, we can’t be late. Mr. Micollie, can’t stand tardiness.

Fay couldn't help but smile, So you have heard of him?

Jaylynn gave her a goofy grin, You can say that. I think I've met him twice, but I'm not completely sure that it was him. I think I met him the first time I ran away from home. I took a job hacking someone and I ended up getting hired by the male that I hacked. Then someone that I hired to help me with the job, looked into my background and figured out that I was a runaway. When the Male that I was working for took me back home, I overheard someone call him Callen. The second time was just a few days before I left again. He took over the school that I was at, and I knew that it was my chance to get out again. But I never actually heard anyone say his name. She took a deep breath, Which happens to be the same school that we were hired to investigate.

Fay didn't know what to say at first. Then she shook her head, As far as I know and from what you just told me, only one student besides you ran away from that place. The student that went missing, ran from the mall when Calvin Michaels let her, and her friends go without him being there to watch over them. If she was your friend that means you are one of three people. Kayla, Malay, or Felisha! Now knowing that I have two questions for you, one which one are you, and two if you ran from the school then why did you take the job?

What better place to hide than right under his nose? Besides I need to know what happened to my friend. Why did she leave without a single word? No note, nothing to give any of us a clue as to what was going through her head. I ran because things aren’t that great at the school, some of the guards try to corner us females every chance they get when Christian or Calvin aren’t looking. We don’t have any real proof, but we think that one of the guards is the reason our friend ran. And as for who I am, it doesn’t matter. Wait, how did you know that I had to me either one of the twins or Kayla.

She seemed to be reliving her friend's disappearance, her disappearance. Fay sighed, Everyone knows that Feonna Michaels is the one that went missing. Every crew on the street was looking for her just so that they could get the reward money. She walked over to the window and looked out at the school, Jaylynn I will help you in any way that I can, but there are reasons to why I don't go near that school. When we do this, we have to be very careful that no one finds out that I am there. If I'm caught at that school, my family, my friends are dead. Fay wasn’t ready to trust her with who she really was just yet. You have to promise me, that they won’t take my disguise down or try to figure out who I am. She looked over her shoulder at who she now truly believed was Kayla, "And we do our own investigation into the guards. You need to make a list of the ones that you know can be trusted, so that we can see if they will help us catch the others in the act. We need away of catching them on camera, even if we have to carry our own with us at all times. And why don’t you just tell them why you keep running, it would make things so much easier on you and the others.

Jaylynn nodded, I have tried that, and no one would listen, not even Beth. They won’t listen to what I have to say unless I have visible proof. She sighed, No one will know that your there, not until its time, I promise. Just if you have an idea of how we can prove that some of the guards are filthy perves, let me know.

Fay and Jaylynn talked for a few more minutes then went and packed their bags in the hopes that they wouldn't be coming back to the apartment ever again. After an hour passed there was a knock on the front door. Fay turned to Jaylynn, Are you expecting anyone?

No, I'm not. She cocked her nine-millimeter and went and stood on the other side of the door. Fay looked through the peephole and saw two males that she recognized but had never thought she would see again. It took everything that she had in her to not Jump up and down in excitement or start shaking in fear. She trusted the two males, but after what Kayla had just told her she wasn’t so sure anymore. Fay pointed at the door then switched places with Jaylynn. Jaylynn looked through the peephole and started cussing, Well this job just went to hell. That's Dain and Torrin Micaster. I've never been able to get a disguise past Dain. That fool is a pain in my ass! Fay frowned as Kayla shook her head, But they aren’t amongst the guards that was harassing us and worse. Those two we can definitely trust. I just can’t trust them to not turn my ass in, again!

Fay closed her eyes, Step into another room. I'll deal with them. These two were trouble and she had to get rid of them and fast. They knocked again and this time she answered, Can I help you?

Dain smiled while Torrin stood there acting like a tough ass as usual, We're here to escort Jaylynn and her partner to the school.

She tilted her head back so that she could look six foot seven inches tall Torrin in the eyes, Wait here and I’ll go get Jaylynn. Just make yourself comfortable.

Kayla was pacing in her already, to small, room when Fay walked in, Dain will know who I am the minute I walk out of this room. I've never been able to get past him. I'm sorry Fay but I have to back out. I can’t do this.

Fay grabbed her by the shoulders, Oh no you don't. Let yourself get caught, I'll take the job and find out what happened to your friend. Let's get out of this place and get you back where you belong. Don’t worry about the other guards, if I see that they are harassing you or your friends I will get all of you out of there. As matter of fact, we agree here and now to meet at the Kitchen window if anything goes wrong. If not there, then the one that originally went missing we meet in her room.

She smiled at Fay, Now, how would you know that the kitchen window doesn’t lock unless you have been there.

Fay shook her fist at Kayla, That is for me to know and you, well you might find out.

After Kayla pulled herself together, they walked out of the bedroom, and to where Dain and Torrin were waiting, Jaylynn smiled at Dain, Well, let's get going. We don't want to keep Mr. Micollie waiting.

The males walked out of the apartment without saying a word. Fay shrugged, I guess we're supposed to follow them?

Kayla clapped her hands and gave a sarcastic, Yay us!

Chapter 2

Once they were in Torrin's Dodge Charger Dain turned around in his seat, I hope that the two of you can do some acting.

Fay cocked her head to the side, What's that supposed to mean?

Torrin frowned, It means that blondie, will be playing the part of the runaway being drug home once again and you, shorty, will be the friend come back from the dead. We're hoping that this will draw out whoever wished to harm the females and to see if their friends know more than what they are saying.

Fay chewed on her bottom lip, What names will we be going by?

Dain gave Jaylynn a strange look, Blondie will be acting as Kayla the annoying pain in my ass. And you will be acting as Feonna the pain in my brother's ass.

Torrin shook his head, Feonna wasn't that bad, trouble just seemed to find her wherever she went. Especially if Kayla, the twins, and Missy was with her. Those five together were trouble and impossible to keep safe.

Fay hid a smile. That was probably the nicest thing that Torrin had ever said to her, well about her, So we're supposed to act like these females. To the point of even fooling their friends. And we're supposed to act up?

Dain took a deep breath, Gods help us, but yes you are. Every time we’ve drug Kayla back, she has kicked our ass's, hell she even tried to kick Callen Micollie’s ass.

Kayla frowned as she looked out the window and Fay laughed, Oh, really. That is good to know.

Kayla gave Dain a wicked grin, This just might be fun. I mean who has ever been given permission to wale on Calvin Michaels or Callen Micollie’s guards and get away with it.

Dain groaned as Torrin laughed, Just remember that we can and will wale back. He handed them disguise chips, Put these on and remember to stay in character until we tell you otherwise. We need the staff and students to see us bring you in.

Fay smiled at who she knew was her friend, Kayla, That shouldn't be a problem. Just one more question. How would Feonna react to Kayla getting her caught?

Torrin turned to Fay with sad eyes. That was something that she hadn't expected, She would have tried to help Kayla until she realized she couldn't stop us from hauling her ass back to the school then she would have turned on Kayla.

Who she knew to be Kayla smiled at her sheepishly, as she groaned, Let's get this over with.

They started fighting and screaming the minute Torrin and Dain opened the car doors. Before Dain knew