Vampire Magics

By RaShelle Workman

Three wishes. A world in peril. And one chance to save the man I love.

A few months ago, I made three wishes and brought dire consequences to all realms. Understandably, I’m nervous about using the elven crown and my own original vampire magic for fear I’ll make matters worse.

Determined to help me see the truth, Professor Pops sends me to the dragon realm called the Hollow. Filled with ferocious dragons, the Hollow is the perfect practice arena. A place I can hone the power of the crown as well as my own. But the threat of death is around every corner.

On the run for my life, with each battle I gain control, but will it be enough to save my parents, Troy, and finally destroy Sharra?

__________

Jasmine's story:
Vampire Lies
Vampire Secrets
Vampires & Gargoyles
Vampires & Dragons
Vampire Magics

• Language: English
• Publisher: Booklover Legion
• Release date: Feb 15, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005788001

RaShelle Workman

Booklover Legion brings together authors and readers who love: ya fairytale reimaginings, supernatural suspense, paranormal cozy mysteries, steamy contemporary romance, heartfelt romantic suspense, sweet romance, sexy ya science fiction, and paranormal romance.Authors include:RaShelle Workman ~ YA Fairytale ReimaginingsRachel James ~ Supernatural SuspenseBess Morgan ~ Paranormal Cozy MysteriesRuby Carr ~ Steamy Contemporary RomanceLayla Jones ~ Heartfelt Romantic SuspenseAnn Hardy ~ Sweet RomanceShelly Saber ~ Sexy YA Science FictionCaroline Asher ~ Paranormal RomanceBooklover Legion is a subsidiary of Polished Pen Press, LLC.

Book preview

1

Athwana Meyana

Sometimes the biggest villains we fight are the ones we create within ourselves.

Not saying that was always true.

Sharra was the big bad for sure but I was suffering from a serious lack of confidence.

Maybe it was because of all I'd done. Making a wish to take away my wings as well as other things. There were consequences for my choices. Big ones. Including the darkness swallowing realms and the akuma.

Could I defeat Sharra and save everyone?

The question was on a continuous loop in my mind. It had been weeks since I met Laeddin and made my first wish. Days since Laeddin left and I fell in love with a half dragon. Troy. It seemed like a lifetime ago since he proposed and I accepted. Part of me didn't believe that moment was real, but a figment of my imagination.

Only a few hours ago, I left Pops and Joanna in the fifteenth century. There I got to know Joanna and my grandfather a little more. There I also drained the vampire Arthur before Christopher took him and imprisoned him in the Athwana Meyana - the supernatural prison in the realm of Sharra.

It was a lot and I still had so much to do.

I forced my thoughts back to the present as my former nursemaid Ciana and I used our vampire speed to rush from my family's castle in the realm of Sharra to the base of Athwana Meyana. Arthur was no longer inside the prison. Sharra had wakened him after she took my wings.

The grand mountainous tomb stood majestically in the distance. Covered in trees, shrubs, and plants in every shade of green, Athwana Meyana gave off a deceptively welcoming vibe. The closer I got, the more tangled the greenery until Ciana slid to a stop at an unassuming wooden door nestled in the mountain's base.

I thought again of Arthur, out in the world, ready and eager to do something horrible, if he wasn't already.

As Ciana faced me, I debated what to do with her. Obviously, she was helping me find the final piece of the elven crown because Sharra told her to. But once I found it, what then?

The last fragment is inside. Good luck, young one, Ciana said and moved to run away.

You're just going to leave? I was irritated with the vampire, but grateful too. She didn't intend to try to force me to go to Sharra. I guess she figured she didn't have to. I would go to the original vampire when I had the entire crown because she had my parents and Troy.

Still, now that I knew what Ciana had done, her treachery, pain lanced my heart. Ciana had been my nanny for years, and was practically family. I can't believe you betrayed me for her, I added in a whisper. Sharra had been around for thousands of years. If anything, her evil had grown over time. The original vampire was awful and deserved to be extinguished. For good. It made no sense to me that anyone chose to follow her, especially not Ciana. When I was young, she had been kind and fun and such a good caregiver.

I loved you, Jasmine, Ciana said quietly. You were like my own child, but I made my choice a long time ago and can't go back on it. Her shoulders slumped before she ran off with a whoosh.

Wind brushed against the wispy hairs clinging to my face and I sighed, rolling back my shoulders. It hurt watching her go, but I couldn't focus on that. There was work to do. Determined, I stepped to the door. The gems embedded in my forehead warmed, causing some pain. At least Ciana told the truth about the location. With little effort, I pushed aside the vines covering the door and turned the handle. Before I was able to pull it open, a rustling sounded from the direction where Ciana had gone. Hope filled my chest. Had Ciana changed her mind?

It wasn't my nanny, but an enormous female troll. Her nose flared and she lumbered toward me like a charging bull. She was infected by the akuma pestilence. Her eyes were empty. She bared her teeth, sending spittle out of her mouth.

I dodged at the last moment, using my speed. Stopped and whipped around. I didn't want to kill her, but I would knock her out.

No more death, I thought darkly.

But before my thought had time to filter, a blade sliced through the troll's neck, severing her head from her body. She teetered for a moment then dropped to her knees, her head rolling down her chest before hitting the ground and progressing forward.

Shocked, I covered my mouth and looked up to see who had slain the troll. The culprit was dressed in a brown tunic and trousers. Her flaming red hair blew out around her like a raging fire while vivid blue eyes sparkled against her freckled face.

Joanna? I said her name, but thought I must be imagining things. Is that you? I clutched at my chest.

Bonjour, Jasmine. It's been a long time. She gave a small curtsy as she wiped the troll's icky blood off her sword and onto one pantleg before sheathing the blade.

I was in shock, to say the least. I knew how history recorded Joan of Arc's death. Burned to death by fire. Not once, but three times, just to make sure she was dead-dead. I thought you were - I didn't finish but continued to stare. How can this be? I finally tried again, the need to retrieve the final section of crown momentarily forgotten.

She came around the fallen troll and pulled me into a hug. As I'm sure you read, the Cardinal of Winchester ordered me to be burned at the stake. She squeezed me tightly. But as you know, I was a revenant and could not easily die. She pushed me away, kissing each of my cheeks before hugging me again. After I lived through the fires not once but twice, I escaped. To save face, the Cardinal burned a wild cat and revealed the ash to his people, telling them it was me. She released me and shook her head as long ago memories surfaced before she steeled her face. But that is no matter. She smiled. It is so good to see you again. Five hundred years is too long to go without talking to you. Her smile grew.

My mouth opened and closed as I tried to think of what to say. For me, it didn't feel like five centuries. I'd only just left her. I - But Pops, I mean Adam Henry, does he know you're still alive? Joanna was the love of his life. To my knowledge, he'd never loved anyone since.

Her features dimmed. Non, it was better that he believe me dead.

I wanted to ask, better for whom, but simply nodded. Why reveal yourself now? I hoped that didn't sound rude, but I was curious. She had to know I would tell Pops when I got the chance.

Joanna clucked her tongue and glanced back toward the trees. I am here to help you, Jasmine. This darkness is affecting everyone. Once we knew - she paused, as though debating how to finish.

Something was different about Joanna. I wasn't sure what, but I felt the need to be on my guard around her.

Joanna indicated the door at the base of the mountain. The final piece of the elven crown is inside, I gather? Her gaze traveled up the wall as far as one could see before she returned her focus to me.

I didn't ask how she knew about the crown. Having been around more than half a millennium, she probably knew a lot. That's right. I must find it and then find Sharra and hopefully restore light to the world. Just another crazy day, I thought darkly.

Joanna clasped my hand between both of hers and her face softened. This is your destiny, Jasmine. From the moment I met you, I knew our paths were intertwined and that we would meet again one day. Much has changed since our last encounter. A shadow crossed her features before it vanished and she placed a fisted hand over her heart. I am here to assist you in any way.

I was glad to see her, but I didn't know what help she could be. It might be dangerous, was all I said. Last I knew, Joanna was a revenant because she refused to drink from her true love. Unless - I studied her more intently and drew in a breath. Her scent revealed the truth. She'd become a full-fledged vampire. Joanna? What had she done? The person I'd watched defy Sharra to her face was no more, replaced by the woman in front of me. Somehow I knew she was a vampire, but she was also more than that. What, I didn't know, but she was filled with something like light.

She waved her hand, dismissive, and glanced over her shoulder. Obviously, she knew that I knew what she was, but she didn't want to discuss it. I've waited for this moment for hundreds of years. If I die, then I die. I'm ready. But not until you have succeeded in defeating Sharra. Understand? While she spoke, others dropped from trees and came out from behind enormous boulders until there were a dozen people spread out behind her, all of them carrying multiple weapons. None of them looked friendly.

They were the reason Joanna was being vague.

Immediately on high alert, I bared my fangs.

It's okay, Jasmine, she said. These are my warriors. We call ourselves the League of Huntsmen.

I'd heard that name once before and recently. In the dream with Laeddin where the Unknowns spoke about me. The Unknowns made it seem like the League of Huntsmen would work against me. And if the League was real, then it stood to reason the Unknowns really were holding Laeddin captive. I swallowed down my anxieties. Hello, I said, my voice hoarse, and clenched my hands into fists. The Unknowns loved to lie and to play tricks. Creatures of Earth, specifically supernatural creatures, were just playthings to the strange beings. Regardless, I would be on my guard with these warriors.

You needn't fear them, Joanna added. They are here to help, same as me, and I trust them with my life. She grasped the forearm of the lead warrior then turned. This is Elkin. He is my second.

Elkin put out his arm and I grabbed hold the way Joanna had done. Good to meet you, I said. His scent revealed he wasn't a vampire, but a chayot. How odd that he would team up with a vampire.

Chayot were created solely to defend humans.

That meant they mostly dwelled in the human realm.

Except for one, the chayot I met didn't like other supernaturals, especially vampires.

A quick glance at the other warriors verified they were a mix of vampires and chayot.

Such an unlikely combination.

And you, Elkin replied, glancing at Joanna. Joan has told us stories of your visit to France and your friendship with the great dragon, Abernathy.

That was quite the experience. I thought of Joanna watching as I drained Arthur and cleared my throat. Thank you for coming, but this next part I must do alone. My gaze flicked to each of them, curious about whether I could escape so many if they weren't on my side.

The answer was no. Still, I forced down my worries and went over to the door, yanking it open with all my strength. Do not follow, I said, hoping I sounded confident enough.

Joanna put a hand on my shoulder. Whatever your apprehension toward us, you needn't fear. We will remain outside until you return. Our task is to guard the door until you finish.

I appreciate that, I said, lifting my chin and going inside.

2

Hot And Cold

The door clicked shut behind me and I sighed. Hot air filtered along my skin and brought with it the stench of decay. The gems on my forehead burned hotter, giving the room an eerie glow. All around me were thousands of honeycomb shaped coffins, home to supernatural prisoners required to serve out their eternal existence within.

I walked across the room, my boots striking the dirt floor with a rhythmic dull thud. Once I reached the other side, I noticed my head hurt less. For the next several minutes, I played a not very fun game of Hot and Cold, except my version was more like Pain and Less Pain.

If the final piece of the crown was buried with one of the undead, it could take me months or years to find it. An overwhelming sense of foreboding filled my chest as I thought about Sharra and Arthur and -

Arthur. I searched the cavern for his crypt. Is it possible? My voice echoed around the room, but I didn't pay it any attention.

Was that another reason Abernathy sent me back in time? Not only to meet Arthur, but also as