Spark of Shadows: The Sevens Series

By Rachel Madbury

True love never forgets.

Demons are coming for Cora Gardner. A witch like her sisters, and all the women of her line before her, her existence is threatened not only by mortals who fear what they don't understand, but by those who live in the shadows and thrive on the darkness.

But when a warrior is summoned to be her guard she'd almost prefer to meet her fate.

Liam Wolfe is not just any warrior, he's a Seven, created by the covens to protect the most powerful among them. He and his team are the hard edge that keep the violence at bay, so the witches of the world can hold the earth in her balance.

But demons aren't the only ones drawn to Cora. Despite an animosity from her he cannot comprehend, Liam finds his oath as a Seven tested in the face of temptation. And as evil approaches, secrets are revealed – a truth which threatens everything he's ever known. 

Their past holds the power to reshape his world, but only if he can protect the woman who holds the key.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rachel Madbury
• Release date: Nov 5, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393882695

Book preview

PROLOGUE

LIAM, 1879

Liam Wolfe hurried up the path from the stable, winded from making the hard ride out from London to Rayleigh. He shouldn’t have pushed his horse so hard, but he’d wanted to surprise Cora before she headed down to the bandstand to hear the brass band that was in town for the night. The sun was still on the horizon and judging by the warm light coming from her family’s stone farmhouse, he’d made it in time.

A low melodic sound drifted through the heavy wooden door of her chambers as he approached. He’d know that sweet song anywhere, the soothing cadence like his own heart beat when she was asleep in his arms. His fingers brushed over his breast pocket, the tiny round outline in the fabric quickening his pulse.

Cora Gardner was his angel, the one person in this world who cared if he lived or died. For the last two years she’d eclipsed every dark, shameful thing he’d done. She’d used her light to burn away the pain he’d been born into, pain he’d put on others when he hadn’t known how to do anything else. He needed her, like the darkness needs the stars. And he planned on making sure she was his, because the only thing that had ever brought him any comfort in this world, was being hers.

The door slid open and he was grateful for its silence, as it afforded him a chance to take her in unaware. Her thick mane of brown hair fell down her back in waves, hiding the perfection of her neck and shoulders. Lucky for him he’d committed every inch to memory, every angle and curve, every freckle that dotted her porcelain skin. She was already dressed for the night, which was a good thing, otherwise they might have ended up skipping the band altogether.

You know, Mr. Wolfe, gawking at a lady like that could get a man shot in these parts. She spoke without looking his way, her eyes still on her wrist as she adjusted her bracelet.

He laughed to himself; he should have known it was impossible to hide from his girl. I’d hardly call this gawking, he said coolly as he took slow steps to cross the room, slipping into place behind her and carefully guiding her hair to one side. He placed a feather-light kiss on the skin of her nape, inhaling lavender and mint. She’d refused the fad of bergamot and lemon that the rest of the coven wore. His little rebel smelled like no one else, and he nuzzled into her, soaking up more of her scent.

The fashion with which a man observes a woman should inform the classification, wouldn’t you say?

Her lips curled at the corners. And what fashion of observation was that then, as you snuck into my room concealing your presence?

He ran his hands across her hips and around her waist until he stood flush against her, their eyes catching in the mirror before them. Devotion, he whispered, his chest tightening as she sucked in a quick breath and a tremble worked through her. Her eyes filled with an emotion that he’d finally begun to trust, the way it stirred the same in him was something he’d had to work hard to admit.

I love you, he told her, his eyes never leaving hers.

She spun in his hold, her hands sliding up his chest until her fingers laced through his hair. And I you, Liam, with my whole heart.

She hadn’t felt the ring in his pocket, and he was glad for it. He had a better plan, for later that night…but in truth he wouldn’t have minded if she had. The sooner she was his, the better in his mind, the ceremony of the thing be damned.

You’ve come to escort me? She asked after placing a chaste kiss on his lips and spinning out of his hold. I thought you hated brass bands?

He sighed at having to let her go, and at how well she knew him. I don’t hate them, he lied.

She gave him a cutting look but didn’t press. Cecelia is going to meet me there, she had some business in town first.

Then it’s good I came. I don’t like you on the streets by yourself. He rarely spoke of his work as a soldier in the Legion army, refusing to let the ugliness of the centuries-old war between witches and demons invade her sweetness any more than it had to. But even still, she knew the risks posed by being alone at night. Demons hunted for her kind to steal their power, their energy. Her burgeoning skills as an Earth witch would be no match for them, no matter how cavalier she might be about it.

Liam, she rolled her eyes, I’m quite sure nothing would happen.

As am I, because I’ll be with you. He tugged at the sleeve of his jacket. I’m ready whenever you are.

Her gaze softened as she turned and took him in. He’d worn his best coat and boots, knowing it was unlikely he’d be able to persuade her to stay home with him. A night in town wasn’t to his liking, but it would make her happy. And he’d get what he wanted later when they returned.

She came closer, her chocolate brown eyes bright and her playful grin lopsided in the way he loved. You realize after we arrive together, we have to stay for the show.

Half the show.

A laugh peeled out of her, the lantern light flickering across her face as she threw her head back. Ha! I knew it. This is going to be torture for you.

He took her hand and kissed her palm, savoring the way her fingers brushed gently against his rough cheek as if she couldn’t stop herself from touching him. I’d bear far worse for a night with you, Cora. She stilled, the reverence in her gaze reaching deep into his chest and cinching it tight. Let’s go, he exhaled in a rush, eager to get this part of the evening over with.

Giving a nod, she slipped her fingers between his, and they headed for the main hall. As he looped a shawl around her shoulders, Cora jumped, a knock booming through the front door. Shielding her behind him, Liam opened the door, his free hand on the slim blade he kept at his belt.

Wolfe.

A young man stood on the top step, sucking at the air as if he’d just finished a race. Liam spotted the tiny feather pin at his neck, the discreet symbol of the Legion army like the one Liam wore himself.

Pushing upright, the soldier caught his breath. You’re needed back in London.

Liam’s pulse ticked up. There was a warning in his eyes. The soldier’s gaze darted over Liam’s shoulder at Cora and his expression grew tight. You’ve been ordered to return immediately.

Cora shifted, her fingers wrapping around his arm. Instinctually they both knew something was wrong, and he hated the way her fear filled the space. Turning around he tried to assure her.

I’m sure it’s nothing. I’ll ride back out tomorrow. His words did little to remove the confusion and fear from her face.

She kept her voice low. The Legion wouldn’t have sent a messenger for nothing.

She was right. But whatever the crisis, he was being called back to handle he wouldn’t leave her in a storm of worry over it. The ring in his pocket flashed to mind, his plans for the night burning in his chest just like the metal pressing against it.

I’ll be back tomorrow. Vowing in his head that when he did, nothing would keep him from asking for her hand.

Seeing him conflicted Cora’s expression softened, and she sighed. Go, she whispered, her fingers stroking gently along his jaw. Go do your duty, and then come back to me.

He leaned into her touch, soaking up as much of her goodness as he could. I’ll always come back to you.

With a kiss he turned and followed the soldier back to the stables. They rode hard to London and when they dismounted, the soldier took his horse from him with wide eyes.

Good luck. He said as Liam headed for the barracks. His tone made Liam stop short, the warning from before more like awe now. When Liam hesitated, the other man took a shaky breath. You’ve been called.

Three Days Later

Liam closed the door behind him gingerly, the infirmary filled with a solemn soundlessness that he was loath to disturb even with the clicking of the latch.

A nurse approached with a fresh bowl of water and clean rags. How’s Gorham doing?

Better, Liam muttered, keeping his voice low.

The nurse studied him, his mouth tightening into a line. He’ll be fine, soldier, you don’t have anything to fret over. Transfers are hard on everyone.

The nurse couldn’t possibly know. There were only Seven men on earth who could ever know that; the Seven warriors chosen to defend the world’s witches.

And now Liam was one of them.

To many being chosen was an honor. The Reader who’d spoken his name was tasked with a single job: search the souls of the legion army for the truest warriors to protect the most powerful, and most vulnerable, witches in the world from the demons that would see the end of their kind…And she’d picked him.

It was thought that being called as a Seven meant you had been deemed worthy by The First herself, the Goddess whose magic their witches wielded, and bestowed a gift most would never understand. In truth, many feared the Sevens outright. They alone held the power to magnify a witch’s spell, to contain within their bodies a surplus of the essence that flowed through every living creature and then send it out through a bond they’d make with one witch at a time, their charge to protect, amplifying her powers and making them stronger than the demons that hunted them.

Now that power flowed through him, and he’d never felt more alive.

But there was a cost, shared amongst this brotherhood of Seven, and Gorham had been made to pay the price the other night, lending his mind and body to initiate Liam. The effects of the ceremony were a brutal unpleasantness Liam couldn’t have anticipated. The other man would live, but he looked like he’d been worked over by a gang of thugs. Gorham had been a stranger to Liam before now, but with the spell cast by the council he’d become so much more. A connection fused the Seven men in a way Liam had never experienced before.

Be on your way, you’ve got work to do. The nurse ordered, stepping past him through the door.

Liam nodded, straightening up as he went for the exit.

Oh, and there’s someone here for you, at the front gate.

The sun had barely kissed the horizon as Liam strode out onto the top step of the main gate and looked around. He didn’t see anyone he knew and was turning back when he heard his name called in a strained whisper, and a set of arms wrapped around his neck in a rush.

God, you’re alive. Where have you been? Cecelia couldn’t find any information, no one would tell her anything—

He pulled the woman off of him so he could get a look at her face. It was Cora Gardner, sister to Cecelia Gardner, third in line of a local coven. But what cause did she have to be so worried about him?

Begging your pardon, miss, but while it’s kind of you to carry concern on my behalf, I’m unclear why you’d go to such trouble?

Her expression twisted as if he’d caused her harm.

Liam? It’s me, Cora.

He nodded, taking another step out of her grasp. "Indeed, of that I’m aware. Earth element, level two. Your family held the position of high priestess