The Mirage

By C. Warner-Thompson

Abbii can’t remember a time when Shadows weren’t chasing her.

Everywhere she goes they are there, hunting her down.

Since discovering the magical powers in her grasp, she has fought against members of the Forgotten—those pulled into Darkness willingly—and her friends have fallen into danger. Innocent people have lost their lives and the Shadows have spread. Abbii’s friends have fought to remain by her side, but something inside of her has changed.

She is filled with regret and pain of losing her best friend Jake, though she keeps it hidden well- not even Nate can see the damage. Her lack of emotion pushes him to leave and he is thrown into his own spiraling destiny.

Abbii has a choice- to stay by her friends’ sides and fight to protect their home, or leave the realm she knows and search for those that she has lost. Her heart is broken but her friends cannot help her. She has to choose between searching for Jake in the Dark, or whether to return to Nate’s side and keep the Light burning brightly.

The question is, will Light be able to save her from the Darkness within?

• Language: English
• Publisher: C. Warner-Thompson
• Release date: Nov 10, 2013
• ISBN: 9781311899040

C. Warner-Thompson

I started writing when I was thirteen and have never looked back. I love fantasy: magic, mythology and anything angelic. All my books are self-published, with the dream of having some of them available to buy inside a real shop one day!!I have two trilogies completed so far. My first, The Sacred Prophecies, was my first adventure. It is made up of Purest Light, Darkest Regrets and New Beginnings- all of which are in need of rewrite and re-imagination now my writing style has matured.My second trilogy known only as The Star series is also YA fantasy fiction, which I thoroughly enjoyed writing. The first book is named The Star, with its sequels being The Mirage and The Void.Since then I have worked on my newest project which has delved into the world of angels and demons. From within the Light is the truest reflection of my vision as an author, it was such an enjoyable and thrilling tale to write. So much so that I am now in the process of writing its sequel Even in the Darkest of Times.

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The Mirage

Book Two of ‘The Star’ Series

By C. Warner-Thompson

The Mirage, Book Two of ‘The Star’ Series

First edition © 2013 by Clemy Warner-Thompson

First printed in the United Kingdom 2013

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof

may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever

without the express written permission of the author.

ISBN - 9781311899040

Front cover design by Brad Covey

Original cover interpretation of ‘The Star’ by Ida Jannson

Edited by The Word Weeder, Flannery Winchester

When the path ahead is clouded

And your heart is giving way,

The sun’s light no longer matters,

Darkness draws you in.

Move on from Shadow

And find your way.

Never forget your power,

Or the faith to drive you on,

Become more than an echo,

Become the Light.

The Mirage

By C. Warner-Thompson

One

Since Maria had attacked the Everglades with hordes of Shadows, and the strong elemental Taro at her side, Abbii had struggled to keep focused. Even when she was asleep, her thoughts would become so muddled that tears would often build in the corners of her eyes, though she didn’t need to cry. It was more for the fact that she didn’t know how to show the emotions bubbling inside of her.

Nate had stayed by her side since the attack, offering his shoulder whenever it was needed, though he noticed that Abbii was still not willing to let him get close to her. She made more of an effort with him, holding his hand and embracing him, but there was still something between them, keeping them apart. He didn’t push her, choosing rather to be there for her, making up for lost time.

The nights had grown darker now that the moon was waning, and the air continued to blow its ice-cold touch. It hadn’t stopped snowing since Abbii had learnt of the future threat of the Darkfields opening. Four days had passed, and yet her senses still felt on edge, as if the attack was to come in the near future.

The truth was however, that it had come and gone, and their opponents had been defeated. Both Taro and Maria had died so there should have been no one left to fear. Even so, Abbii’s heart was filled with fear and nothing she did seemed to ease its growth. Her nightmares returned, poisoning her sleep, though her mental images of the future were dull and colourless, blurred beyond recognition. She wanted to know what it meant, but as long as his face didn’t appear every time she closed her eyes, she would be thankful.

Jake Christian.

He had met Abbii four years beforehand and they had become close friends, regularly meeting at The Everglades’ pool. They had shared so many times together that Abbii found it difficult to remember a time when Jake hadn’t been there. She had always enjoyed his company and his ability to make her laugh no matter what.

When he had been taken from her, grief and pain had consumed her whole and had affected everything in her life, even her powers. Several times she had wished for Jake to return, and now after so long her wish had come true, but in the one way that she had never expected.

When the Shadows—vile creatures with slanting eyes and jagged teeth—had attacked Jake, piercing his chest with a sharpened edge, Abbii had run as fast as she could into the College. She had raced into Daniel’s office, hiding in the corner, hoping that it would all just fade away. The Shadows had only left when Jake was in their possession, but not all was as Abbii thought it was.

Jake had died that day, but his body had been consumed by Darkness and pulled into the Darkfields. The powers within his body—revealed only to Abbii when his mother had explained—had revived him, and he had existed within the Dark since his death. Abbii had only come to realise the truth when her powers had reached their limit, revealing the truth about what had happened that night. She had watched how Jake’s body disappeared and how a second had materialised in his place.

Nate Edwards.

When he had started studying at the Everglades, no one had suspected anything suspicious about him, though Abbii knew he was special somehow. She had been drawn to him, watching the way his muscles adjusted when he moved—the way his hazel eyes always glistened whenever he looked at her—but the truth was that Nate was in fact part of Jake, part of his soul. At least Abbii would always have a part of Jake with her, as long as Nate stayed by her side.

She lay in her bed, staring at the ceiling. A sliver of light beamed across the room, creeping in through the gap at the side of her door. It had been blown from its hinges in the attack, and she and Max had done the best they could with the repair. As long as it opened and closed, it didn’t really matter.

Moving to the edge of her bed, Abbii could hear banging echoing through the corridor. She sensed some of the students outside moving large pieces of debris from the floor. The College repairs had begun almost immediately, though after the four days that had already passed, not much had changed. Those with magic had helped by using their abilities whenever they could, and those without worked just as hard.

Abbii moved from the bed and pulled her hoodie on, zipping it up to her chest. She pushed her feet into the pair of old grey boots on the floor, and then looked in the mirror. Her room was still dark due to the fact that her blind remained closed, but she could still see the brightness of her hair. Magic allowed her eyesight to pierce even the darkest of spaces, and she could see everything perfectly; even how pale her skin looked. She grasped the scarlet mass of her hair and tied it into a messy bun, glancing briefly over her reflection.

She was wearing a pair of dark skinny jeans—they were her favourite, even with the large tear over her knee—and a plain t-shirt with a wide neck. Her angel pendant drew her attention briefly, though she didn’t focus on it too long, fearing that her emotions may show. Dark circles surrounding her eyes, and several small cuts bordered her cheek and neckline.

Her skin hadn’t sustained many injuries during the events that had passed, and even those that had drawn blood had nearly faded. Her magic even affected the rate in which her body healed. Some of them would scar because she had used her powers at the time of her skin being cut, but others were simply taking their time in fading. She rolled her shoulders slightly, feeling the scarred tissue across her back move awkwardly.

The claw marks that had cut through her shoulder blade, when entering the abandoned factory on the outskirts of Pennyworth, had healed. Black shapes had been left in their place though, and Abbii doubted whether even her powers would be able to wipe them clean from her skin. She believed that she would soon be a walking Shadow. Her wrist and her shoulder were now permanently marked by her enemies. She wondered how many more scars would stain her skin, and what chaos would follow in the days to come. She hoped with all of her being that nothing else would happen, and the Darkness would just fade away.

An unlikely thought in the end.

At least I’m still here.

No matter what had happened, Abbii was glad to be back at The Everglades. She had missed it and all of the other students there. The thought made her smile. She used to hate the College, its grounds and her small dark room inside of it, but now that everything around her had seemed to turn upside down, she was thankful that she had a place to stay; a place she could call her own.

She pulled open the door, hearing it moan in protest, and then made her way into the corridor, acknowledging the students outside with a nod. She smiled, more out of courtesy than a friendly gesture, though she tried to push her fearful thoughts aside to smile with meaning. It was the least she could do after everything that had happened to her fellow students.

Allowing her feet to take her with little thought, she soon reached the doors to the old hall. They had been closed and access had been prohibited, due to the damage that the space had sustained. Char marks stained the floor as well as several of the wooden panes. Abbii pushed on the door, expecting for a brief moment to be met by a blast of Taro’s magic.

The room was empty: cold, but empty.

Noticeable char marks were burnt along areas of the walls and fallen debris. She stepped inside, taking in the details of how their magical confrontations had ripped up several layers of the wood, though parts of the glass roof remained intact. Bars of coloured light beamed across the floor, forced into segments by the glass above.

Abbii moved under the one closest to her, feeling the way the light reacted to her skin. Her powers formed, causing her body to glow like a fallen star. She closed her eyes, glad that she had a moment of silence, but a hand slipped into her own, causing warmth to fill her. She opened her eyes and turned to meet Nate’s gaze.

He smiled as his eyes glistened. Aren’t you cold? he mused.

She shook her head, looking down at her hand. Her fingers were entwined with Nate’s, and he was stroking her knuckle with his thumb. It felt strange, almost foreign, but she loved the feel of Nate’s skin against her own.

Did you sleep?

Abbii looked up as her cheeks reddened. A bit. It would take her a while to get used to the fact that someone cared about her. Did you?

He smiled. Yeah. My powers seem to block everything out when I want them to. There’s no sound, no movement, nothing. Nate watched Abbii stare at him, realising that she longed for such a night. I’m sorry, he whispered.

She focused on the large hole that dominated the far wall. The trees outside were moving with the wind, their roots covered by a thick blanket of snow. Maybe you can show me one day? The words left her lips before she could contain them.

An awkward smile spread across her face. He returned the gesture and then wrapped his arms around her tightly, laying his head against her shoulder. Abbii, feeling his heartbeat against her back, loved the way that he embraced her from behind. She didn’t know how long it would take her to let Nate get close to her, only time would tell how things would go. All she knew was that Jake still meant a lot to her, but in what way she didn’t know.

I’ll leave you to it.

Nate’s warm breath stroked against her neck and collarbone. It sent waves of electric through her, warming her cheeks. She wanted to turn and kiss him, but something inside stopped her. As he moved back, she turned.

I won’t be long, she said quietly.

Stroking her cheek with his palm, he smiled again. There’s no rush. Take as long as you need. He moved towards the hall exit, pushing the door open to step into the corridor.

Abbii watched how the muscles in his back contracted as he moved, causing his t-shirt to pull taut against his skin. His hair moved in the gentle breeze, brushing against the soft skin on the back of his neck. She wanted to feel his hair brush against her fingertips. Her lips wanted to kiss his skin. Her ear wanted to lie against his chest, feeling his heartbeat.

A strange gathering of snow pulled her from her thoughts.

The truth was that they had a limited amount of time. Abbii could feel it. Something was going to happen, something in connection to the Darkfields. They would have to spend many hours of researching to find out as much as they could about the Darkfields, as well as Jake’s method for opening it. Abbii also believed that her friends, as well as the others who had discovered the existence of magic, would need training.

There was too much for her to think about, and she doubted that she would be allowed to fight by herself if it ever came to that. Nate would never allow it, and Daniel would argue against even a mention of the idea. She smiled, realising that she had made several friends that had started to mean something to her. She wished that she had known them longer so they could have developed their powers together.

There was no real difference between her and her friends, not now that Abbii had come to realise that she had used her ability of resurrection. The only difference was that she and Nate had control over all types of magic—elemental, teleportation, empathic, those of a Warrior and a Mystic, and the ability of seeing the past and future as a Seer. Her friends had one set of abilities each.

Max was a Warrior. He was capable of learning a style of fighting from simply witnessing it or seeing pictures of its techniques. Abbii didn’t know if he was capable of learning different magical skills by the same way, or whether that was beyond his magical strength. Nevertheless, Max would love the opportunity of waging into battle to save everyone around him. He was a typical ‘save the world’ kind of hero.

Alice, on the other hand, was much more reserved. She was quiet and kept to herself, though her magical strength was beyond comparison. She was a teleporter, able to disappear and reform her body wherever she desired. It was a useful skill that Abbii had witnessed, as it saved large amounts of time when it wasn’t something that they necessarily had.

In all the art classes that Abbii had attended, not once had she ever thought of Alice having powers, but then again, Abbii hadn’t imagined herself having such abilities either.

She inhaled a breath, walking across the hall. The wind moved the hair from her shoulders, causing it to dance in spirals. She had the strange feeling that someone was watching her, but when she turned and glanced back briefly, she saw nothing. An image of Jake formed in her head. She tried not to focus onto it, steadying her breathing instead.

Once she had reached the doors to the corridor, she could hear movement from within the canteen. She edged towards it and peered in, to see Sythe lifting something above his head. It was apparent that he and several students were moving the canteen tables back into their rightful positions. Abbii liked the idea of having normality within her surroundings—she couldn’t wait to be able to sit down, looking out of the window towards the large masses of trees in the distance. Every morning she had loved to watch the sun rise in the sky, and she hoped she could do it again.

How ’bout a little help? Sythe stopped in his place, shooting her a playful look.

She smiled, trying not to laugh. I think you’re doing pretty well by yourself.

Sythe went to reply, but was interrupted by some of the students who were helping him. He’s barely doing anything, they chimed. We’re the ones moving everything.

Meeting Sythe’s gaze, Abbii raised her brow as if to question him. He blushed and then turned away, continuing on with his work. All of the students laughed. Abbii was glad to see that Sythe was happy. She had sensed so much pain inside of him that it was good to see him smile, though there was still the task of freeing his sister.

Abbii remembered that Sythe’s sister was captured somewhere, but she didn’t know where, and she had never asked him. She knew that Sythe would broach the subject when he felt ready, and she was careful not to welcome herself into his thoughts telepathically. He deserved just as much time as everyone else to adjust. Moving on, Abbii let the students carry on with their work.

Several others were clearing debris further down the corridor. They all smiled as Abbii passed, some of them asking how she was and what would happen now. It was a new experience for her, as whenever she had passed through the College before, everyone had ignored her. Some had even shouted abuse, though she didn’t think it had been because of the way that they were, but rather what had been expected of them in the ‘student’ code. There always had to be lions and lambs among the students.

Turning left to enter into another corridor, Abbii hesitated in her place, seeing someone that she hadn’t expected up ahead. Colleen Middleton and her friends, Susan and May, were moving pieces of lockers and discarded paper from the floor. They were tidying up—something that Abbii had never seen before.

Hi, Abbii! Susan caught sight of her and smiled, waving enthusiastically.

Abbii raised her hand awkwardly. She moved through the corridor towards them, meeting Colleen’s gaze. Immediately feeling flushed, she stopped in her place and fidgeted with her feet.

Susan moved to her side, allowing a large grin to spread across her face. I never knew this place was a college for magic!

She was glad that Susan was the energetic type, as she doubted whether either her or Colleen would appreciate any awkward silences.

Did Daniel and Sophie tell you? Abbii asked.

Nodding in response, May straightened her back, exaggerating a yawn. Abbii presumed that she was trying to show that she had been hard at work with the others. So how come not everyone here has magic? May’s question was unexpected.

Well… Abbii took a moment to think, realising that she didn’t really know the answer. This place isn’t just to teach us how to use magic… I think it’s to protect people until their powers develop.

May inhaled a breath. So, do you think—?

Colleen shuffled in her place before May could finish her sentence. So…do I have magic?

Abbii, feeling uneasy talking to Colleen, swallowed a lump that started to build in the back of her throat. They had spent so many years arguing and trying to beat each other. Times had certainly changed. She hoped that they could both push their differences aside and help each other out.

She’s trying…

Hearing Susan’s voice enter into her thoughts, Abbii looked at her, seeing that bright light had spread across her irises.

Give her a chance.

It was strange hearing others in her thoughts. Abbii had only ever heard Nate’s and Tricia’s voices in her mind. She looked at Colleen. When you reach eighteen, we’ll find out.

Colleen looked almost frightened. What about the creatures? The ones I keep seeing…will they come back?

Without a doubt, Abbii knew Colleen was referring to the Shadows. She realised that her fellow student must have been haunted by Shadows as well. Perhaps that was why she had acted so tough for the years that Abbii had known her. Abbii may have acted differently back then if only she had known.

You’ll be safe here.

The three girls looked at her as if they waited for some type of reassurance. It was strange—Abbii had barely spoken to them over the years, but now she was explaining magic and all things linked.

The students are all back from the B&B, May explained quietly.

Abbii nodded. We’ll be fine. As long as we stick together, we’ll be fine, okay?

Susan smiled, pleased at the amount of effort that Abbii was using. She entered into her thoughts again. Are you on your way to see Daniel?

Holding Colleen’s gaze for a moment, Abbii watched her turn and leave, May following her closely. It would take time for her to change her ways, but Abbii was pleased that she was willing to try.

She looked at Susan. Yeah. Where are Max and Alice? She didn’t have the concentration to communicate telepathically. She had too many things on her mind.

Nate went with them to the infirmary. Daniel’s resting.

Okay. Keep up the good work. Abbii smiled and continued down the hallway, leaving Susan to continue with her tidying.

It had only been four days since Abbii had returned to the College overrun with Darkness, but already things were starting to change. The students were all helping each other out, whether they had magic or not. She wondered how the College would progress. She