Reign of Darkness: Rogues of Magic Series, #7

By Tiffany Shand

They took her throne. They stripped her of her freedom. Now she's taking them back.

Framed for the brutal murders of her father and stepmother, Ann is desperate to clear her name and reclaim what's rightfully hers.
With her husband and her fellow rogues in tow, she races to rebuild her shattered life, but her hopes are dashed when a plague sweeps through the five lands of Almara, leaving chaos in its wake.

Now it's a race against time to find the source behind the unprecedented attack and ultimately take her rightful place as the Archdruid. But the journey will not be easy. Her foes are many and one is mightier than the others combined.
Will she defeat the elders once and for all, or has her fate already been sealed?

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tiffany Shand
• Release date: Apr 28, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201411503

Tiffany Shand

Tiffany Shand was born in Essex, UK and started writing short stories when she was a child. She has always done writing in one form or another and started writing novels in her early teens. She writes both non-fiction and fiction, but mostly fantasy and paranormal romance. After doing a creative writing course in her early 20s she is now a freelance writer and professional proofreader. Tiffany lives in Essex with her two spoiled cats and one very nutty hamster.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Of all the places you could have picked a better place for us to live in, why did it have to be in a tree? Ceara Mason adjusted her stance as she gripped her sword. I’m amazed there’s any room in this place to even spar. We’d be better doing it on the ground. Her long black hair was plastered to her pale face, and her long tunic dress was wet with sweat.

Ann Valeran grinned at her. You said you’re worried about your skills with a blade getting rusty. Plus, we all need to keep our skills on top form. Ann pushed her long blonde hair off her face. She had wondered how long it would take for Ceara to complain about home. Lulrien is the perfect place for us to set up a neutral territory where refugees can come when they need somewhere to stay. Plus, we have allies here, and this is one of the most beautiful places in the five lands.

They had built a treehouse high up in the bluewood trees close to Mirkwood. The house had turned out nice.

Ann spun and parried Ceara’s next blow as they sparred together. You always said you wanted to have a real home again, Ann pointed out.

Ann’s husband, Ed, had always been good at building things. They had built a second treehouse next door where Jax and Ceara, Ed’s foster siblings, had been staying. Both houses looked like small wooden cabins with beamed roofs.

Ceara scowled. My idea of a home was somewhere nice on the ground. Preferably a place with stone walls like a castle. Not up in a bloody tree.

I placed enchantments around so birds or insects won’t bother us. We’re surrounded by nature and energy. Ann loved the new treehouse. It was the first time she had had a physical place to call home in almost six years. And she loved Lulrien most of all the five lands of Almara. Maybe even more than her homeland of Caselhelm.

Ceara leaned against her sword and Ann was glad for the moment’s respite. What about your throne, oh mighty Archdruid?

Ann flinched about. She had taken a stand against the elders after they had defeated Arwan and taken back her throne as the Archdruid. Ann even had her throne— the physical object, anyway. She faced the elders head-on, and many of the elders had died but not at her hand. Just because some of the Crimson Alliance were gone didn’t mean she could take her place as the Archdruid and rightful leader of the five lands.

You know we have to find the leader of the Crimson Alliance before I can do that. Even with our allies here, we don’t have an army strong enough to take on the Crimson’s entire forces. If we find their leader and defeat them, it will be time for me to fully take my place as Archdruid.

So far, their search had yielded no clues on the whereabouts of the Crimson Alliance’s leader. She and her fellow rogues had spent the better part of a month searching for who that person might be. No doubt the Crimson would be out for blood after what happened with her last encounter with them.

Ann turned and spun as she sensed Ceara’s next move. Ceara lunged at her, about to strike with her blade.

You could ask your mother for help. She is an elder and has connections to the Crimson, Ceara pointed out.

Ann frowned. Please don’t mention her. Could you not talk about her? I can make an order if you like.

Her friend chuckled. I never took orders from you even when I was your handmaiden; I’m not about to start doing it now. She wiped the sweat off her face. I hope they get my own house finished up soon. I am not living with Jax.

He’s your brother. I thought you’d be glad to have him with you. You were frantic when we almost lost him a few weeks ago. She parried Ceara’s next move and dodged the counterattack.

The last encounter with an elder had almost cost their fellow rogue, Jax, his life. Ann was glad they had found some rare peace here for the past month whilst they started creating the new Sanctuary. With all the chaos in the five lands after the demise of so many elders, refugees needed a safe place to go.

My lady, where do you want ze towels? Ryn asked as she came in. Ryn was a former Ursaie slave they had rescued from the elder, Arwan. Ryn had chosen to stay with them after they had left the Ashen lands. Her long chestnut coloured hair fell past her shoulders, and black horns peeked out, curling around her ears. Her eyes glittered bright gold.

Just leave them over there. Ann motioned to the table.

Ceara paused in her next move to glance over at Ryn too.

Are you going to spar with me or not? Ann kept her sword raised and waited for Ceara to stop scowling. Her blue eyes flashed with power as she raised her senses, ready for her opponent’s next move.

Ceara parried Ann’s next move. The elders aren’t going to leave us alone forever. I don’t think staying here is a good idea. It’s too dangerous, Ceara said. Especially after Nyx killed all those elders. The Crimson will be out for blood.

Ann swung at Ceara again and aimed low. The mist surrounding Lulrien makes it harder for them to trace us here. I know they’ll find us at some point, but I won’t let the threat from them rule every aspect of my life.

We still don’t know if Lulrien is safe. There is a door to the underworld here for starters. Ceara blocked and parried again.

Ryn, are you sure you don’t want to join us? Ann asked. She had gone to know the Ursaie over the past few weeks. Ryn had been on edge all the time when she had first left Gumorya, but she had slowly opened up to them.

She’s right. If you’re going to be a rogue, you need to know how to protect yourself.

Ann and the others had all offered to teach Ryn how to fight. So far, she had refused, and that worried Ann. As rogues with prices on their heads, they couldn’t afford not to know how to defend themselves. Not with the Crimson Alliance, a group of powerful elders, who portrayed themselves as false gods, were after them. The elders had killed Ann’s father, the former Archdruid after he dared to turn against them. They sought to punish Ann for his crimes after she refused to join them.

Ann yelped as Ceara struck her and knocked her to the ground. Ow! That was sneaky.

Ceara smirked. Can’t miss an opportunity to take down the mighty Archdruid.

I don’t need to fight with weapons, Ryn said.

Ann rubbed her now painful ribs. I’m not an enemy, she grumbled. And we were only sparring, not fighting for real.

Still, I can knock you on your arse and make sure you haven’t gone soft. Ceara beamed.

Ann raised her hands in surrender as she scrambled up. Ryn, you know you don’t have to keep doing all these tasks. You’re not a slave anymore.

I know, my lady.

How many times do I have to tell you to call me Ann?

Ryn bowed her head and wandered off.

Remind me again why she’s still here, Ceara hissed, leaning on her sword. She can’t stay with us. Why didn’t she stay with your cousin in the Ashen lands?

She and Jax formed a bond when he was held captive. Plus, I think she feels indebted to us for saving her life.

She is a liability and you know it. We are lucky we haven’t been attacked yet.

I know, that’s why we are creating the Sanctuary here. So, people like her have somewhere to go and start new lives.

"That’s all very well, but we are rogues, and she’s not. You’d be safer to send her elsewhere. Like Trewa maybe. The druids would welcome her. Or send her to the Misty Top Mountains—wherever the resistance is hanging out now.

She said she wants to stay with us, and you certainly make use of her.

Ceara waved her hand. Hey, I’m not built to do washing or cooking. And you set things on fire.

That was one time. My cooking is not that bad! Ann would never admit she couldn’t cook, even with her fire magic. If she did, Ceara would never let her hear the end of it.

Right, you keep telling yourself that, oh mighty Archdruid. Ceara wiped the sweat off her face. Where are Ed and Jax?

They went off to get some more wood to complete them the roof of your treehouse.

Just don’t let Marcus come here again.

Ann laughed. That’s going to be hard. He is Ed’s cousin and he lives nearby. He and Ed have been talking about building a place for him too so he can be closer to us here in the Sanctuary.

Ceara groaned and covered her eyes. No. He’s not. He doesn’t belong with us.

Ann bit back a smile. She knew Ceara and the other lykae had been getting close over recent weeks. She didn’t know why Ceara was so resistant to having a relationship with him.

The point of the Sanctuary is so everyone can leave here regardless of their race, gender or beliefs.

But Marcus is so…argh. Ceara clenched her fists.

You are only saying that because you like him.

Ceara’s scowl deepened. I do not. He likes me and he’s been following me around like a lost puppy. It’s pathetic.

A smile spread over Ann’s face. It’s sweet. You’re not the easiest person to like, she joked and ducked as Ceara threw a towel at her. You deserve some happiness after all these years.

I’m not interested in anything romantic. Just because you and Ed are lovey-dovey now doesn’t mean—

Being bonded to a lykae isn’t a bad thing. I get to be married to my best friend. There’s no better feeling than that. She rubbed the star mark underneath her tunic that was a sign of her soul bond to Ed.

You—

Orbs of light flashed as Nyx, Domnu and a blond-haired woman appeared.

I’m so happy to finally meet you. The blond woman threw her arms around Ann and drew her into an embrace. Bracelets jingled on the woman’s wrists, and her green catlike eyes sparkled. She smelled of rose petals, and the silk of her gown chafed against Ann’s neck.

Ann stared at her mother in shock. She hadn’t expected Nyx to appear again. She hadn’t wanted to see her birth mother again. Or to be reminded of the physical similarities between them. Nyx had long blond hair that trailed in a long tail down to her waist. Pointed ears peeked out through her hair depicting her fae nature, and she had crystal blue eyes. Ann’s own eyes were blue, although a darker shade.

Why couldn’t Nyx have stayed gone? She would have been happy if she never had to lay eyes on the woman again.

Kyri, stop suffocating the poor girl, Nyx snapped.

The last time they had seen each other, Ann had told her she didn’t want to see her again. Nyx, what are you doing here?

Nyx scowled. This is my sister—she wanted to meet you.

The blond woman beamed. I’m your aunt, Kyri. I’m so excited to finally meet you, Rhiannon.

Another woman hovered beside Nyx. Domnu with her long dark hair and silvery eyes. The seer looked almost bored.

It’s Ann, not Rhiannon. She pulled away and glared at Nyx. How dare she come here and intrude on her life again after everything she’d done.

Ceara glanced between the newcomers. I’m Ceara Mason. I am Ann’s sister since she is bonded to my brother.

Nyx, Kyri and I are all from the same tribe, Domnu replied.      Kyri was feeling put out since she is the only one of us who hasn’t met you yet, Rhiannon.

Domnu often popped up in their lives, usually stating some vague prophecy and pretending she was helping. Ann wondered if she had come here to do that this time or if it was just a social visit.

Oh, like me and my brothers. We aren’t related by blood, but we were raised together, Ceara said. Now you can ask your mother what she knows about the Crimson, and maybe we can finally find their leader.

I am not asking her anything. I told her to stay away and she ignored my request. Ann crossed her arms. Why are you being polite to them? They are elders, which makes them our enemy.

I’m so thrilled to finally meet Nyx’s daughter, Kyri said. I haven’t seen you since you were a baby.

Now that you have seen her, we should be going. Nyx gripped Kyri’s arm and pulled her back a step.

I’m not Nyx’s daughter, Ann said, and Kyri’s smile faded. So please don’t call me that. Why are you really here? Did the Crimson send you? She didn’t know how many of the Crimson were left after Nyx had killed half a dozen of them. All to stop them from finding out about Ann’s elder blood.

Nyx flinched at that. Of course, the Crimson didn’t send me. I’ve been doing everything in my power to keep them away from you. Most of them are dead now, but their leader is still out there gathering their forces.

You know who the leader is? Ceara’s energy rattled against Ann’s bones. As a Gliss, Ceara had empathic abilities, which meant she could read people’s emotions.

Nyx would probably sense Ceara’s power too, but Ann didn’t care. Although she did wonder if it would work. Domnu was the only elder Ceara had used her power on.

Are you getting anything from her? Ann asked Ceara in thought.

Yeah, she feels sad. My heart hurts. Maybe you should try being nicer to her. She is still your mother, whether you like it or not. I think she wants to know you, Ceara replied.

How can I be? After what she’s done?

After almost six years as a rogue, Ann had finally found the person responsible for killing her father and stepmother. She had never expected it to be the woman who had given birth to her.

I’m surprised you came here of all places. Domnu glanced around at the confines of the treehouse. Aside from Nyx’s territory, the rest of Lulrien isn’t safe.

Ann’s eyes widened. Nyx’s territory? Are you saying you live here in this Lulrien?

Nyx winced. You never asked.

Can I talk to you? Ann grabbed hold of Nyx’s arm and dragged her off into the next room before the elder had a chance to protest. What are you doing here? Ann demanded. I told you I didn’t want to see you ever again. Did you not understand that?

She and Ed have set up a small sitting room in here containing a large divan stuffed with plush cushions and a small fire pit.

Nyx crossed arms. Kyri insisted we come because she wanted to meet you. Believe me, I don’t want to be here.

Good, because you’re going to lead the elders straight to me. Ann pushed her hair off her face. Are we living in your territory?

Nyx pursed her lips. All the remaining elders have their own territories. This is close to mine, but this small area isn’t owned by me. It is neutral territory.

Why didn’t you tell me this before now?

As I recall, you never gave me a chance to tell you anything. You made your feelings clear the last time we spoke, Nyx said. I can’t control my sisters. I told them you will despise them as much as you do me. As you do all elders.

Can you blame me after everything they put me through? Her hands clenched into fists.

Not all elders are bad.

Ann rubbed her temples. How many more times were they going to have the same argument? Can you please just leave? Whenever you are around, bad things happen.

I also wanted to warn you that you shouldn’t stay here in the Lulrien.

She frowned. Why not? As long as you stay away from me, I’m sure I’ll be fine. Believe Nyx had come to warn her about something else. Where else in the five lands was remotely safe for her apart from Lulrien? Everywhere else was either controlled by elders or had leaders who would try and turn her over to them to cashing on the price still on her head.

It’s not only that. Lulrien isn’t—

A screech echoed through the house. What now?

Ann hurried back into the other room as a dark-skinned creature with bat-like wings swooped down and shot a bolt of energy toward her.

Ann dodged it. I don’t need this today.

Kyri and Domnu both ducked underneath the table. Since when did elders flee from a fight? They must be more cowardly than she thought.

More bolts of energy came at them.

Ann threw a fireball at the first creature.

Ceara raised her hand, light flaring between her brows as she attempted to channel the creature’s power. It didn’t work. She ducked as a bolt almost hit her.

Ann raised both her hands, sending out two streams of fire. Flames licked against the creature’s skin but didn’t have much effect either since neither of them burst into flame.

Typical this would happen as soon as Nyx showed up.

Ann bent and grabbed her fallen sword and swung it at one of the creatures as it came toward her. The blade sparked as it sliced through the creature’s arm. Bright blood spurted out. The creatures hissed and took off before she had a chance to strike at it again.

Ceara yelped as one of the creatures pinned her to the ground.

Now would be a good time to use your power, Aunts, Ann yelled at them.

We don’t have defensive powers, Domnu called back.

Ann grabbed hold of a rope hanging from the ceiling and swung herself toward Ceara, kicking the creature off her. The beast went plunging to the ground.

A dart hit Ann’s shoulder as she landed back on the floor of the training area.

Nyx emerged from the other room. She raised her hand and light flared between her fingers. The creature screamed, and blood gurgled from its mouth.

The other creatures shot skyward and retreated.

Ceara breathed a sigh of relief. What were those nasty buggers?

Ann yanked the dart out of her shoulder. Figures this happens when you show up. She glowered it Nyx.

They were Terilin. That’s why you shouldn’t be in the Lulrien, Nyx retorted. Kyri, stop cowering and come out to heal her. She put her hand on Ann’s shoulder.

Ann brushed Nyx away. I’m fine. Just leave.

Domnu dragged Kyri out from under the table. Something must have drawn them here, Domnu said. Your mother is right; it’s not safe here for you, Rhiannon.

She’s not my— Ann’s eyes flickered, then darkness dragged her under as she fell to the floor.

Nyx caught hold of her and called out her name before the blackness swallowed her whole.

Chapter 2

Do we need this much wood? Jax scrambled. Sweat beaded across his ebony skin and his short hair stuck to his face.

Edward Rohn glanced over at his foster brother. Yes, we do. Come on, let’s hurry. I want to get your place finished. Ed brushed his long golden-brown hair off his face as he bent to pick up more fallen branches. Leaves and dirt covered his black tunic and hose. He didn’t mind, though. He preferred being outdoors and loved being back in his homeland.

I still think Ceara and I should have separate houses. She snores for one thing. Plus, it’s embarrassing when Sam comes to visit, Jax remarked. Ceara’s around a lot, and she’s avoiding Marcus. He hardened the skin on his hands and punched through several pieces of