A Destiny: Book 3

By Sharuthie Ramesh

Over the last two years, Kyra Rumblen Count has been faced with making life-altering choices for the greater good of her people and for her own happiness. She has experienced both betrayal and love, balancing life as a maturing adult and matriarch of two countries. Now tension brews in the dark corners of their world, and as Siddiqis prepares to declare war against the entire continent, Kyra must finally fulfill the prophecy that challenges her future. With the help of her friends, the young princess will need to gather her allies—all while preparing for her future as a mother.
In this last installment of the Chosen Hybrid Series, the final battle is upon us. Alliances will be forged, boundaries will be crossed, and something dark threatens to snuff out the light for good.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 8, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664139176

Sharuthie Ramesh

Sharuthie Ramesh is a young adult writer who aspires to break societal norms wherever life leads her. At age thirteen, she published her first book, A Choice: Book One, marking her as one of the youngest novelists under Author Solutions with her series, The Chosen Hybrid. Sharuthie is a globally renowned artist; having received multiple awards, she is also a lyricist and rapper under the alias Shaya of WYNN Entertainment Co. Ltd, and she is an activist for equal rights of Tamils. Sharuthie lives in Toronto, Ontario, with her parents, and she is studying at the University of Toronto in hopes of pursuing a career in law.

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Copyright © 2020 by Sharuthie Ramesh.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 11/04/2020

Xlibris

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Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1     The Little Starburn

Chapter 2     Plans

Chapter 3     Visitors

Chapter 4     Reunions

Chapter 5     Road Trip

Chapter 6     Servic

Chapter 7     Family Ties

Chapter 8     Long Time No See

Chapter 9     Hairick

Chapter 10   Family Reunion

Chapter 11   Thoughts and Dreams

Chapter 12   Invasion

Chapter 13   The Collapse

Chapter 14   Boarding School

Chapter 15   Into the Fire

Chapter 16   The Final Goodbye

Chapter 17   A Choice

Chapter 18   Welcome Home

Epilogue

Acknowledgments

For my parents—the two people whom I love most in this entire

galaxy. I would give anything to keep making you both proud.

For my family and friends—the individuals who

have watched me grow into the woman I am now

and still support me without a doubt.

For the readers—the twinkling stars in my night sky. Never

lose sight of your dreams; keep going and stay pure, lovelies.

PROLOGUE

All Is Fair in Love and War

S IDDIQIS STARBURN KNEW only one thing: he would go to extreme lengths to make Kyra Rumblen Deatheye pay for taking his child. He reminded himself that what he was doing, what he was agreeing to by sitting in the parlor of the esteemed Demon King, would be worth the consequences. He refused to let himself recall how it felt to hold the infant he sired, how it felt to understand the impact of bringing a child into this harsh world. Now that child meant even more to him than before. Now that child would be his weapon.

It was a struggle for him to sit still—not because of the migraine he seemed to suffer from periodically but because of how long it was taking the king to arrive. He refused to lower the cold amusement from his face, refused to even show a fraction of the exhaustion that held him. Not with the twin stone wolf statues on either side of the double doors staring at him with gray blinking eyes. He fought a shiver; why was it so damn cold in this continent? Did demons really need it to be past the point of freezing?

Siddiqis was contemplating whether or not to use magic to warm himself when the doors to the parlor boomed open, and he rose from his seat to look at the figure that had finally emerged.

They stood staring at each other, the Demon King’s gaze lingering on the shadows of Siddiqis’s face before narrowing at the red eyes he bore, so unlike the uncanny magenta they had once been. I wasn’t expecting a visit from you any time soon.

Siddiqis fought against the lull of the king’s voice; he had studied demonology alongside Rumblen during their time at MP Academy and knew that the Demon King’s voice wouldn’t be raspy like his civilians. Rather, it was a purr, the caress of fingers down the spine in such an intimate way that he gripped his hands together behind his back, as if the gesture would clear his mind. Desperate times call for desperate measures, no?

Once again eyeing him, the king was silent before softly drawling out, Take a seat. He motioned a broad hand with long fingers toward the couch behind Siddiqis and took a seat on the adjacent couch, draping a muscled arm across the back.

Siddiqis sat, shoulders straight, and focused his gaze on the violet eyes of the Demon King. I’ll get right to business, then. I’m in need of an alliance.

The king raised an eyebrow. "You want an alliance with me?"

Even he couldn’t believe what he was saying, but the young Starburn continued, trying to sustain that cool calm he once possessed before it all went to hell. You’re the incomparable Demon King, ruler of this entire continent. I’d rather work with you than submit to those weakhearted fools on my side of our world.

The king crossed one powerful leg over the other, fingers lined with various silver rings drumming away against the couch. I have no use of rifling up the forces on your side of this world. After all, I’ve managed to keep order for quite a long while.

Siddiqis fought to leash his frustration and tried to speak with reason. It would be beneficial for you as well if we together were to conquer those lands—

I am not in the mood to put myself in a war between two young and reckless hybrids, he crooned, tilting his head to the side in such a way that Siddiqis couldn’t help but compare the Demon king to a feline—an old but lethal feline. Are you really that furious to wage war against the Chosen Hybrid?

She stole my child from me. If anything, that is a declaration of war.

My shadows tell me that you see that child as just a weapon to point at your former lover. I don’t see it in my best intentions to get in between your lovers’ spat.

Siddiqis clenched his jaw, and it was now that he played the card he was hoping to save for a worse situation. But this was worth it, wasn’t it? He needed this alliance now more than ever. There’re also rumors that her power fades despite the breaking of our bond.

Ah, yes, I’ve been made aware of such. He waved a hand through the air, dismissing the topic.

But Siddiqis wasn’t finished. What if I were to tell you that I know why the Chosen Hybrid is weakened?

You bore me with your attempt at sustaining suspense.

Really? Siddiqis leaned forward, bracing his elbows on his knees, hoping the dark gods that watched him would forgive his treachery. She is with child. In her womb sleeps the Dark Beauty, she who possesses powers greater than imagination.

At this, the Demon King stilled, watching the man in front of him. Then he uncrossed his legs, gripping the arms of his chair. His knuckles were clenched white, but his voice remained quiet and composed. If you speak lies, I will end you for trying to deceive me.

The hybrid shook his head, a slightly maniacal gleam in his eyes. I speak the truth. Kyra Rumblen Deatheye carries your prophesized foe within her.

When Siddiqis and his father had once shared familial moments, they’d spend time in the study where Lucas Starburn would recall his fear as the previous Demon King: his fear of being uprooted by the Dark Beauty—the prophesized young girl who was destined to be the demise of the Demon King’s sovereignty and begin her reign over the Demon Realms. After centuries of Demon Kings, there would be a Demon Queen. Siddiqis was certain that Rumblen and her friends were aware of this but wouldn’t think too much of the unborn child’s fate; he hadn’t realized the importance of it until two weeks of vengeful thoughts passed and led him to portalling to the edge of the Demon Realms.

Now he let himself push aside that tiny curl of guilt and embraced the pride of seeing the Demon King in front of him look surprised. That very surprise then turned into an icy, lethal calm. What are your terms?

Siddiqis kept eye contact with the king, not daring to look away. Portal your troops to the location of my choice and fight in this war with me. Be my ally. And in exchange, I will give you the corpse of the Dark Beauty.

And in doing so, kill the Chosen Hybrid, the king pointed out. He gave Siddiqis an assessing look before standing. He extended his hand out to him. I, the Demon King, will side with you in exchange for the Dark Beauty. Should a better proposition be proposed, then I may forfeit my efforts as your ally.

Siddiqis controlled his excitement, rising from his seat to clasp the king’s hand. It was ice-cold, and he fought a flinch in favor of keeping his expression neutral. It’s a deal.

As magic bonded the deal, Siddiqis stared at the face that looked much like his before he nodded. We will be in touch via astral projection, then.

The Demon King grinned. Just as your father once did to see how I was running his former realm. How is the old fool, by the way? I assume he’s still on the throne.

Siddiqis turned toward the door, walking toward the future he had so meticulously planned. He looked back, his face once again a portrait of that cold amusement. Not for long if we have anything to do about it, Uncle.

Lazarus Starburn’s grin widened to show those slightly pointed teeth, hellfire dancing in his violet eyes. I’m listening, the Demon King purred, motioning for his nephew to take a seat once more.

CHAPTER 1

The Little Starburn

T HE WAILING OF the young Starburn infant rang throughout the whole Xercus castle yet again, and everyone let out a collective groan. My husband, Gustav Deatheye, groaned, Kyra—

I know. I’ll take care of it. I sighed, climbing out of our bed for the sixth time that night. What in the world is this kid’s problem? I thought grumpily as I trudged out of the bedroom and into our sitting room where we had placed a cradle inside for the infant.

Approaching the crib, I peered inside to see Denis wailing, his small face puckered up with distress. Oh, what is it now, little flower? I sighed, picking him up into my arms. I paced the room, trying to soothe him, but he seemed adamant to not stop crying.

It had been like this for a month; every night, Denis would start crying for no reason and would only stop once he passed out of exhaustion. The infant was growing, and I knew that sooner than later, he would outgrow his crib and we’d have to get him a real bed.

Being a new breed of a vampire and a hybrid, he would grow faster, and he would soon discover his hybrid’s mark. Taking care of Denis had given me an idea of how it might be like raising my own child. He was such a handful; Laylita’s newborn girl was less trouble even if she was a biter—and a screamer. This child was definitely a Starburn; they were stubborn and caused a sufficient amount of trouble—save the deceased Razeil Starburn. I thanked the gods for letting Ares be called away to a meeting in Jesarala so he wouldn’t be tempted to hurt him.

Finally, Denis settled down and stared up at me, his eyes