Guided: The Jade Ring Trilogy, #1

By Danielle Young

Jo is a descendant from the most powerful Wiccan family the world has ever known and is destined to be more powerful than those before her.

But she doesn't even know it. As her powers awaken Jo discovers a threat to her family line.

Protected by her best friends, and GUIDED by her Angel protector, Jo must learn to harness her powers and discover her family secrets before time runs out.

More than her life hangs in the balance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Danielle Young
• Release date: Jul 14, 2014
• ISBN: 9781393327240

Book preview

Chapter 1

Ipulled my old beater into the student parking lot to see my two best friends, Jess and Mickey, already surrounded by the usual crowd of people. Part of me wished that I could be a part of that group, a very small part, but it was that part of me that twinged with jealousy as I looked at all their smiling, laughing faces.

Suck it up Jo, I said and took a deep breath. Yes, that was my idea of a pep talk. I grabbed my sketchbook and backpack off the passenger seat and made my way towards my favorite spot, the big oak tree that sat right out front of the school. A tree so tall it towered over our two story school and covered the ground in shade. My perfect solitude.

Hey, Jo, Jess called. She bounced over and grabbed me in a huge hug.

Hi, Jess.

Want to come hang out with us? She gave me her best puppy dog look. It was always the same question, and every time I had to remind her that I didn’t fit in.

I laughed. No. Nice hair by the way.

You like? She touched the tips of her neon blue hair and squealed. I’m really feeling the blue. Maybe I’ll keep it.

I shook my head and chuckled. Jess changed hair color like most people changed shoes. You said the same thing about the green last week, I reminded her.

Jess, get your cute butt back over here, Jeff, Mayfair’s star quarterback, shouted from her group of friends.

Chill Jeff, I’ll be there in a sec, Jess yelled over her shoulder. Sure you won’t join us? 

I shook my head no and she ran back to join her adoring fans, jumping back in the conversation like she never left. There was no way we should be friends. She was popular and thrived in the lime light. I thrived in the shadows and excelled at blending in.

I stepped under the canopy of my refuge and the shadows enveloped me as I took a seat against the tree. The leaves not only provided the grass with shade but it shaded me from the outside world.  Although no one noticed me, at least if I hid in the shadows I could pretend there was a reason. Hidden, I watched all the different groups at school, admiring the way they easily interacted with one another—each group lost in their own conversation and completely oblivious to the world around them.

Mayfair is pretty much your typical high school and like most schools we had cliques. My eyes moved from group to group as I made my way through the clique food chain. First, we had the popular kids, which Mickey and Jess were naturally a part of. The jocks, cheerleaders, goth kids, nerds, gamers and band kids. As I scanned, my eyes settled on someone I didn’t recognize. And if there was one thing a loner knew, it was who belonged. And that fine specimen definitely didn’t belong. He leaned against the bike post, his arms folded across his chest. I stared at the stranger, taking time to scrutinize the sculpted look of his face. I knew he wouldn’t be able to see me hiding in the shadows and I used it to my advantage. He was looking for someone, his head kept moving from group to group, never really stopping on one spot for too long. I didn’t know who he was, but I was definitely fantasizing about what it would be like to be the girl he was searching for.

I didn’t know what it was about him, but I couldn’t take my eyes off him. I was captivated. Something about him tugged at my memory. But I would remember someone like that... wouldn’t I? I grabbed my sketchbook and pencil, determined to capture him on paper, but when I looked up he was gone. I sighed in disappointment. I readied my pencil to recreate him from memory but when I closed my eyes all I saw was a clear lake with overgrown pine trees on three sides, the same picture I had drawn for the past three weeks. I looked at my sketch pad, flipping one page back to confirm that it was indeed the same lake from my other drawings. I had never been there, but the picture haunted me.

I put my head against the trunk of the tree, closed my eyes and tried to get the image of the lake out of my head, but I couldn’t shake it. At first it was just a sketch, but the longer I had my eyes closed the more real it became. Every tree, pebble and speck of sand took shape in my mind until a complete image was before me. And it was beautiful. I looked out to the lake and saw the reflection of the clouds, the water almost as blue as the sky. I smiled to myself and reluctantly opened my eyes. My eyes settled on the new guy, standing right where he was before. He was looking right at me.

I looked over my shoulder to find who he was really staring at, because there was no possible way he was staring at me, but the heat from his gaze told me otherwise and made my body quiver. It was as if his eyes could see to my soul. He dressed like a bad boy, all in black. The perfect contrast to his smooth olive skin, black spikey hair, and muscles that teased under his skin tight t-shirt. I stared at him my mouth agape, pretty sure I was drooling. He winked at me, sending a flush of heat to my face. I looked down at my sketchbook for a distraction to help calm the heat soaring to my cheeks, but my eyes couldn’t resist. But when I looked back up, he was gone.

My face fell with disappointment and I desperately scanned the crowd. I leaned around the tree, but there was no sight of him. Maybe he found who he was looking for and was never staring at me anyway. I turned back around and let out a sigh of rejection. A moment later I heard a sultry chuckle. I opened my eyes. Mystery boy was sitting next to me—and he was even more stunning up close.

Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to laugh, but you look like you just lost your puppy.

I stared at him dumbfounded, was this guy really talking to me? Oh.My.Gosh. I am totally staring. He probably thinks that I am some sort of mute. I closed my mouth.

A coy smile spread across his face, giving his gorgeous jade green eyes a mischievous look. He leaned over to look at my sketch. Wow, that’s beautiful.

Oh, thanks, I replied shyly. I normally didn’t let people look at my sketches. They were my private thoughts, but it was too late now.

Have you been there before? he asked.

No, I haven’t, but it feels... familiar, you know? Like de ja vu. I don’t know why I just said that, now he’s going to think that I am unstable or something, but I couldn’t stop myself. I felt comfortable around him, almost like I knew him. Which was weird because there was no way that I knew a guy this hot.

Well if that place is as beautiful as you drew it, I would love to go, he said sincerely, smiling at me.

Butterflies formed in my stomach as I took in his face. He had a strong jaw and smooth skin that looked like god himself carved it, and when he smiled his eyes danced like lights reflecting on the water. I felt a little awkward and had to look away from him before I totally melted.

By the way, my name’s Jasper. He grinned and extended his hand to me.

Jo, nice to meet you. I took his hand with a smile. The minute we touched, what felt like electricity traveled up my arm making my skin tingle and my head fuzzy. The sensation spread over my body until every inch of my skin felt like it was buzzing. My vision blurred. I closed my eyes and shook my head to try and clear the fog. When I opened my eyes the fuzziness was gone. 

I was no longer sitting under my favorite tree, but instead I was at a beautiful lake. The lake went on for miles, completely surrounded by hills of evergreen trees. Across the south side of the lake was a cabin tucked away in the trees. It had one square window in the front and to the right of the door and to my left was a wooden dock that stretched out into the deep end of the lake. As my eyes scanned the dock they settled on a boy, I tried to get a good look at him, but every time I tried he seemed to blur out, like bad reception on a T.V., it was like watching a movie from the inside, I moved closer to him in order to get a look at his face.

Then just as fast as it began, I was back under the tree. Only now I was lying flat on the back, looking up at Jess’s worried face.

Jo. Jo are you all right? What happened? Jess asked shaking me, fear heavy in her blue eyes.

I don’t know what happened, I moaned weakly. I tried to sit up. Bad idea. Where is he? My head hurt so bad I thought it was going to explode. I immediately fell back to the ground and grabbed my head. 

Who are you talking about Jo? Mickey asked, looking a little puzzled.

I closed my eyes, wishing I could disappear. Jasper... the guy I was just talking to.

Jo, there was no one under the tree with you. One minute you were sitting there drawing as usual and the next, you were on the ground, Mickey stated.

But I wasn’t alone. He was sitting right there. I pointed to the spot where Mickey was crouching.

Maybe we should get the nurse? Jess suggested.

I looked between Mickey and Jess, why did they look so freaked out?

No, I’m fine, I lied. I slowly got to my feet, but stumbled. Jess had to grab my elbow to help stabilize me, but you had to have seen him. I insisted, looking between Jess and Mickey. He was right there.

Jo, there was no one there. I think you must have hit your head. We are taking you to the nurse, Mickey replied. Mickey grabbed my stuff and Jess kept her hand on my elbow; I was still a little unsteady. Without Jess holding onto me I would have eaten dirt.

Everyone moved out of the way, but they murmured and stared as if I was some kind of freak. Wonderful, I was finally being noticed and for once all I wanted was to be alone, and figure out what the hell had happened. 

Halfway through the crowd, I saw him. But he wasn’t looking at me, he was looking at Mickey. I went to point him out to Jess and Mickey but stopped when I realized Mickey was already looking at him. Not only that, it looked like they were having a silent conversation. Mickey scowled and shook her head at Jasper, his face fell in disappointment. They were communicating. What the hell was going on?

Mickey, who are you looking at? I asked, putting my face directly in front of hers.

No one, she said, focusing her gray eyes on me.

I know she was lying to me, but I decided not to push the subject, for now.

We were heading to the nurses office when the bell rang.

Go ahead Mickey, I can take Jo to the nurse, Jess said. You can’t be late for Chemistry again, Mr. Salazar will kick you out. She grabbed my bag from Mickey.

I’m not going to the nurse, I said firmly, digging in my heels.

Don’t be silly, Jo. You passed out back there and you look really pale, Jess said.

Honestly Jess, I’m fine. Besides, I have a paper due in English-Lit, and Mr. Trivizo doesn’t accept any late work. My head was still killing me, but right now I just wanted to try and make sense of what happened.

Are you sure you won’t let the nurse take a look at you? Jess asked.

I promise, I’m fine. You can walk me to class, just to be sure.

Fine, but if you still look this pale after class I’m taking you straight to the nurse, Jess said firmly.

I just need to sit for a bit. I promise, if I’m not better after class I will go to the nurse myself, I said as we walked to Mr. Trivizo’s English-Lit class.

There was no way I was going to the nurse. What was I going to tell her, that I teleported to another place? Hell, I didn’t even know what happened. All I knew was that it had something to do with Jasper.

I darted into class desperate to get to my seat in the back of the room. Everyone stared and whispered as I passed, no doubt talking about me and my incident. I threw myself into my seat and put my head down, trying to block everyone out. I know I wanted to get noticed, but not for being some kind of freak, I muttered to no one.

Mr. Trivizo was rambling on and on about the usual boring stuff, so I decided to use the time to try and remember what I saw at the lake. I started by focusing on the water, a blue like no lake I had ever seen. The more I concentrated on the water the more I swore I could hear it lapping against the shore. I opened my eyes and I was there again, and this time I was determined to figure out exactly where there was. I was in the same spot as before but the boy was gone and two wooden paddle boats were tied to the dock. I looked to the south of the lake towards the cabin when I saw them—a pair of jade green eyes floating just in front of the cabin. I gasped and jumped in my chair.

Ms. Hannigan, are you all right? Mr. Trivizo asked, approaching my desk.

I’m fine Mr. Trivizo. I just fell asleep for a second. I swallowed hard.

The entire class started laughing and staring at me... again.

I’m glad to see that my class is so conducive to your sleeping habits. Now, Ms. Hannigan, if you think that you can keep yourself from sleeping for the next fifteen minutes I would like to continue my lesson, he said as he walked back to the front of the class.

I slouched down in my seat, hoping the desk would shield me from my embarrassment.

The rest of class passed without further incident and I made sure that I was the last one out. Now that everyone was noticing me, I wanted nothing more than to disappear. I walked straight to my car, where Jess and Mickey were waiting for me.

What are you guys doing here?

Let’s just say the whole school is talking, Mickey said playfully.

Oh great. I banged my head against the roof of my multi-colored, 1967 Stingray Corvette.

Why don’t you tell us what happened, Jess encouraged, giving Mickey a sideways glance.

I... I fell asleep in class. I had a nightmare where I fell off a cliff, I jolted awake and the entire class laughed.

Jess looked at Mickey and then back at me. Maybe you should go home and lie down, she suggested as she opened my car door.

Yeah, I think I will, I said, getting into my car. Thanks for not bailing on me after everything that’s happened today.

Look at the bright side, at least people are noticing you, Mickey said, trying to make me laugh.

Yeah, right, I said as I closed the door and started my car.

As soon as I got home I went straight upstairs and plopped down on my bed. This day was too much. There had to be a logical explanation for what happened today. If only I could figure it out. I lay there staring at the ceiling praying for the texture to give me answers. No answers came, but I did manage to make cute animal shapes.

What did I know about what happened today? I know... I know that was no dream. I don’t know how I knew, but my gut told me that I was somewhere else, another time and place. Maybe if I just relaxed it would come to me. With no answers coming I went to the bathroom and splashed cold water on my face. I jumped when I saw my reflection, I looked as pale as death, so I decided to take a nap.

I was in a forest walking along a dirt path, enjoying the beauty of the place, when I saw the same jade eyes appear ahead of me on the trail. I knew those eyes and who they belonged to, the same ones that appeared to me during my English-Lit class. I stopped dead in my tracks.

Show yourself, I said, glad that I sounded more confident than I felt, my heart was practically in my throat. I know it’s you.

Then right before my eyes, Jasper appeared. Nice to see you too, he said, crossing his arms.

Excuse me if I’m not exactly excited to see you. Last time I saw you I ended up passed out under a tree. I crossed my arms matching his look.

You know, you’re kind of cute when your angry... kitten like. He grinned.

Ha Ha, I want answers.

Answers to what exactly? he teased.

Where are we? Is this a dream? If it’s not a dream, then what is it? And exactly who the hell are you? I rushed everything out in one breath, afraid that he would disappear again and so would this place.

He put his hands up in surrender. Whoa, slow down. We will get to all of that.

Look, just tell me what the hell this is. I demanded. Man, he was really getting on my nerves.

A vision, he stated simply.

A vision of what? I asked.

A vision of the past, present, or future. All you have to do is figure out which this is.

And how am I supposed to do that exactly? I asked.

Walk around, look, it will come to you. Feel it—here. He placed his hand just over my heart, not quite touching me. I could feel energy radiating from him. He quickly moved his hand back to his side.

My heart skipped a beat and I felt completely calm and sure. I knew I should believe him. His eyes had me in a trance and I had to force myself to look away.

Okay, let’s say that I believe you, I said. You still haven’t told me who you are.

That doesn’t matter, right now you need to focus on the vision. I promise I will let you interrogate me later. He picked up his pace and continued to walk along the path.