Throne of the Council: Daughters of the Warlock, #9

By Maggie Shaw

Courtney won't let the Council take anything else from her.

 

The Council is to blame for everything bad that's ever happened in Courtney's life. They made sure her parents couldn't be together, then threatened her mother so much that she chose to protect her daughters in a private realm and die.... than face them. Ava and Bella have been almost killed multiple times, and Courtney herself has been poisoned and attacked.

 

Enough is enough.

'Charmed' meets 'Shadow Hunters' in this fast paced, exciting paranormal fantasy series that will keep you hooked to the very end.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Harley Romance Publishing
• Release date: Feb 28, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215635117

Book preview

Throne of the Council

Daughters of the Warlock, Volume 9

Maggie Shaw

Published by Harley Romance Publishing, 2023.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

THRONE OF THE COUNCIL

First edition. February 28, 2023.

Copyright © 2023 Maggie Shaw.

ISBN: 979-8215635117

Written by Maggie Shaw.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication

Throne of the Council (Daughters of the Warlock, #9)

Thank you to my amazing team!

Rebecca Frank for her incredible book cover skills.

And

Carolyn from Write Right Edits for her eagle eye.

COURTNEY

It took Dad a few days to get feel back to feeling like his normal self. I didn’t leave his side except for when he slept and went to the bathroom.

Part of me was insanely scared that I’d wake up and walk out into our living room to see him lying on his back, not breathing. Again.

I had nightmares about it every night, waking up with chills, my forehead coated in sweat, my fingers shaking and my heart racing, even though I knew it was just a dream. It always took me a moment to catch my breath and get myself under control, but that feeling of relief never lasted long. My mind was pummeled with questions. What if Tavlor and Ava hadn’t come? Would he have died? Would I have tried to bring him back and failed? What then? What would have happened?

I didn’t want to think about it.

My mind kept rehashing worst-case scenarios, and it wasn’t good. I kept trying to remind myself that he was fine, but I couldn’t stop the questions, the doubt, that cold prickle of fear, no matter how hard I tried.

Bella wanted to catch up with us today, I think, Dad said, pulling me out of my reminiscence.

I glanced up from the book I’d been trying and failing to read. The sound of his voice reminded me that he was safe, he was okay, and I felt relief swell in my chest once more. Oh, yeah? Great. Where?

Maggie’s café, in the shifter realm. Dad’s smile had more than a touch of pride in it.

You like the fact the shifters are creating their own town? I asked, putting the book on the couch next to me and rising to my feet.

My father pulled on his jacket and nodded. Yes, I do. The town is growing. Every time I visit there are more people, more houses, more shops. And the food is excellent.

I grabbed my bag and headed towards the door. Yeah, they’re thriving, thanks to you, Dad. And Bella, of course. But if you hadn’t created that realm for them, they wouldn’t be safe.

I tilted my head to the side, a strange thought occurring. Hey... what happens when you die?

His eyes widened, and I laughed. Sorry! I didn’t mean it like that, although now that I think about it, that wasn’t very tactful, was it? I’m sure there was a less morbid way to ask you that. I cleared my throat. I was just wondering though. The Council wants to get rid of you, or at least Charity does. I was wondering what would happen to the shifter realm if they succeeded? Would all of your magic be undone?

Dad frowned, bringing a finger to his chin as he pursed his lips. No, I don’t think so. The magic I used was ... He stopped talking and frowned once more.

I know you’ve worked hard to build up your magic, but isn’t your strength also part of being the High Warlock? I asked, biting my lip. I ran my fingers through my hair, ignoring the bite of pain as I tugged on an unexpected knot.

I waited because my father generally needed a few minutes to think about these things himself. Generally, I blurted the first thing that came to my head, which was usually the wrong thing to say. I blushed just thinking about it, but as much as I tried, I found I couldn’t change that habit.

He appeared to actually think through sentences first before speaking.

I’ll have to do some research, he said finally. He dropped his hand back down to his side, glancing at me again. I don’t want the shifters or Bella to be in any danger if something happens to me. And I don’t want anything to be undone if I died, either. It wouldn’t be right that their freedom was contingent on whether I was alive or not.

I grinned at him, then opened the door. We going the traditional way?

Dad laughed. We should.

Hmmph, I grunted but did as he said, jumping through one cool, shimmering portal after another.

When we finally reached the Magical realm, we stepped through the front doors of the Council building and into the sunshine.

I took a deep breath of fresh air and smiled. How are you feeling today, Dad?

He walked beside me down the steps and gestured for me to follow as we walked through the town, towards the shifter realm entrance.

I’m... better.

You still don’t remember anything about where you were, or who dressed you in that god-awful get-up?

Dad’s nostrils flared at the mention of the sex slave outfit. I still felt the burn in my eyeballs just thinking about it, and considered taking soap to the sockets to try and scrub that image from my mind. The only silver lining to come from seeing him like that was the fact that he was much more discomfited at the thought of being seen like that than I was, which meant needling him about it was hilarious.

He nodded at a woman who’d stopped to stare at him, then shook his head at me. No. There’s nothing.

I shrugged, trying to lighten the mood as we walked closer to Bella and Christian. Not surprising I guess, since you weren’t really you.

Yes, but where did I go? Dad wondered aloud.

I shrugged again. Beats me.

Walking towards us was a warlock with a purple streak in his hair. A thrum of familiarity swept over me, but I wasn’t sure if I was imagining things or not. Is that Oliver?

Dad lifted his hand, waving. Yes, I believe it is.

The gorgeous gay warlock walked straight up to us and gave my father a hug. Heard you had a bit of trouble with the Council. Glad to see you’re okay.

When Oliver pulled back and turned towards me, his eyes goggled in his head. Whoa. Courtney. Is that you?

I rolled my eyes theatrically, crossing my arms over my chest and jutting out a hip. Why do people keep saying that? I flipped my hair over my shoulder, the scent of rose shampoo filling my nose. It reminded me I needed to pick up another bottle on the way home today since I was almost out. Wasn’t I always this gorgeous?

Oliver cackled out a laugh and brushed his hair back from his eyes. Well... no, darling, you weren’t. When I met you, you were comatose, covered in olive-green bile and as pale as a water lily. Now.... He held out his hand, took mine and lifted my arm up as though he was going to spin me. You’re to die for.

Oliver suddenly dropped my hand, then scowled at the space next to him. What was that for?

I narrowed my eyes at the air in front of me, a strange ripple-type reflection making my heart leap. Harry?

Oliver gaped at me. How do you...

The shimmer increased, then shifted, Harry appearing before us once more.

He was smiling at me softly, almost as though he didn’t want to. Hello to you both, he said, turning to nod at my father.

Harry, good to see you, Dad said, shaking Harry’s hand as though they were the oldest friends.

Oliver was looking wild-eyed and as confused as I’d ever seen the warlock. Why do I feel like I missed something? he asked.

I laughed because it felt nice to be in the sunshine, feeling well, and with people whose company I enjoyed. The heat from the sun’s rays scraped my skin in the most pleasant of ways, and it helped me relax.

Or maybe that was Harry’s influence on me, not that I’d ever admit to such a thing.

Dad stepped through the circle, tapping Oliver as he went. We’re on our way to the shifter realm. Come, walk with us, and I’ll tell all.

Dad and Oliver sauntered off down the road, whispering like a couple of old ladies. Their heads were bowed towards each other, and my father gesticulated wildly with his hands. I couldn’t stop the smile from touching my face as I watched him. My heart swelled with gratitude, and I was suddenly so grateful that he was alive. That he was safe. That nothing had happened to him.

I continued to stare after them, shaking my head. They’re such an odd couple.

Harry chuckled softly, the sound almost musical. Yes, well, some friendships that are forged in childhood persist.

I snorted as we started to walk behind them at a leisurely pace. I was careful not to accidentally touch him because I didn’t trust myself if I touched him, and I didn’t want to think about why that was. I wouldn’t know. The only childhood friends I ever made were my sisters.

Harry fell silent, then finally said, I’m sorry.

Oh, hell no. Don’t be sorry, I said, elbowing him in the side. You’ve met them. They’re awesome.

You’re all close in age too, aren’t you? he asked.

I nodded. Yeah, almost exactly one year between each of us. Our birthdays are coming up, in a few weeks, actually. I’m turning twenty-one, Bella will be twenty-two and Ava is twenty-three.

He smiled. Well, happy birthday... for next week.

I side-eyed him. How old are you?

His eyebrows flicked up. Why?

Well, because I thought you were... older. But Tavlor said you’re close to my age.

I’m twenty-three, he said.

I gaped at him. No way.

He thrust his hands in his pockets and chuckled. Even he couldn’t mask the telling blush on his chiseled face, but somehow, it didn’t detract from his beauty. In fact, it only enhanced it. Why don’t you believe me?

Maybe because you seem so old and wise.

I shrugged. I don’t know. You just seem... older.

We walked the rest of the way in silence.

When we finally caught up with Dad and Oliver, they were waiting by the shifter realm door.

Are you coming with us? I asked Oliver and Harry.

They glanced at each other, then Oliver shook his head. No. We have some... things to do.

I didn’t ask what he meant,