Old One: Uncollected Anthology: Magical Quests

By Debbie Mumford

Adjusting to life as an Old One— a magical being of immense power— can really mess with a college girl's life! Gwen not only needs to finish her linguistics degree, now she must also study arcane lore.

 

Can anyone say "twice the work"? And her schedule was already full. Did someone mention a social life? Forget about it!

 

And on top of everything else, Gwen must discover her purpose… the special task only she can complete.

 

A vividly realized urban fantasy, "Old One" showcases a very special young woman's quest to discover her destiny.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WDM Publishing
• Release date: Dec 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215930670

Debbie Mumford

Debbie Mumford specializes in speculative fiction—fantasy, paranormal romance, and science fiction. Author of the popular Sorcha’s Children series, Debbie loves the unknown, whether it’s the lure of space or earthbound mythology. Her work has been published in multiple volumes of Fiction River, as well as in Heart’s Kiss Magazine, Spinetingler Magazine, and other popular markets. She writes about dragon-shifters, time-traveling lovers, and ghostly detectives for adults as Debbie Mumford and contemporary fantasy for tweens and young adults as Deb Logan.

Book preview

Old One

Old One

Debbie Mumford

WDM Publishing

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

UNCOLLECTED ANTHOLOGY

Also by Debbie Mumford

Preview of YOUNGEST

About Debbie Mumford

Chapter One

Abeautiful winter day in Boulder, Colorado. The foothills wore their armor of tall pines proudly, and the flatirons stood like shields, protecting the mountain god’s breast. The light dusting of snow on the evergreens emphasized their dark beauty, while the blue of the sky was so brilliant it almost hurt the eyes.

Gwen gloried in her surroundings, reverently acknowledging the power pulsing around and through her. Now that she understood that she was an Old One, a magical being of immense power, now that she was finally fully awake, it amazed her that she could have walked among the buildings of this bustling campus and been unaware of the magical energy radiating from the mountains. On a clear, cold day like this, the power was almost palpable. Now that she was aware of the magic coursing through her veins and everything around her, she understood why so many people chose to make this area their home.

Boulder sat in the shelter of a potent magical node formed by the intersection of several lines of power.

Breathtakingly beautiful though the day was, it was also bitingly cold, and Gwen was glad to reach the warmth of the linguistics building. Consciously she clamped her mind around the nervousness that was making her stomach twist in knots. There was nothing to fear here. This was her home on campus. She had spent so much of her nearly four years in this building that she knew every nook and cranny. She looked fondly at the polished wood and stone of the hallway and main staircase and was surprised to find a familiar figure striding toward her.

Good morning, Miss Vaughan, he said as he approached, if you would follow me, please.

Gwen swallowed her astonishment, arranged her face in a studious mask and fell into step beside Dylan as he marched down the corridor toward the wing which housed the professors’ offices.

What on earth was her guardian and mentor in all things magical doing on campus?

When they finally stopped, it was in front of a door she had walked past many times on her way to counseling sessions with her advisor. Now she looked at the gold letters on the frosted glass and started. Dylan Kincaid, PhD, the door proclaimed to any and all who bothered to look.

Dylan opened the door and walked in, motioning for Gwen to have a seat.

Have you always been here? Gwen asked, her voice slightly belligerent as she eyed Dylan suspiciously. Or did you charm your way onto campus recently?

He studied her as he sat behind at his desk. I’ve been here ever since you first set foot on campus. As soon as you sent in your letter of intent to enroll as a freshman, I applied to the Dean of this department for a position. He was so excited by my credentials that he hired me on the spot. He grinned at her expression of wary disbelief. Longevity and magic are an unbeatable combination when it comes to supporting yourself.

Why haven’t I seen you before? There was a definite growl to her voice as she removed her backpack, dropped it on the floor next to her chair, and unzipped her down jacket.

Oh, you probably have. Dylan waved a dismissive hand in the air. "I teach in the graduate division, so our paths