Sparked: The Silver Grove Legacy Series, #1

By Amanda Penn

In tenebris ego sum forti... In the darkness, I am brave.

After fighting off a hoard of monsters, Brianna Powers starts her new school, The Silver Grove Academy, hoping it will give her the fresh start she needs and help her banish the memory of the night she can't tell anyone about. But when a banshee attacks her, she realizes there is much more to the school and herself than she believed. A goddess of love and death, she now must face the new dangers around her with the help of her guardian, Gabriel Isolde, a boy she feels drawn to but everyone else believes harbors evil inside him.

One must stand...One must fall. With a primordial being set on killing all the gods, war is imminent. To further complicate things there is a prophecy that hints that either Gabriel or Brianna will die. With the help of their friends and the Greek Gods, can they prevent their deaths while defeating a being who intends to destroy them all?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amanda Penn
• Release date: Jul 13, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223333944

Amanda Penn

Amanda Penn was born in Tullahoma, Tennessee but now lives in Texas. She is the mother of three children, Constance, Izzie and Josh and the grandmother of Maggie and Slade. She is a multi-genre author who has been a published writer since 2012. 

Book preview

Chapter One

She sat on the top step of the porch as the chill of the concrete seeped through her clothes and into her skin, penetrating through her muddled memories. A chill slid down her spine, the coolness of the air offering some solace as she tried to understand what had happened inside the frat house.

High-pitched, hysterical voices from inside blended with the chirping of crickets, becoming a dull roar in her head. She lifted a trembling hand to brush the golden blonde hair from her sweat-drenched cheeks, then paused with her fingers spread in front of her.

Her eyes widened at the crimson stains covering the smooth skin. The metallic scent cut through the sweet aroma of honeysuckle, reminding her of what she had done. Though how she had done it remained a mystery.

Ma’am?

She blinked rapidly as the authoritative voice broke through the dull roar in her mind. She raised her head to find a police officer, his hand on his gun at his hip, his sharp gaze regarding her with suspicion.

He stood on the sidewalk a few feet from her, the light from the streetlamp above slicing through the night. He regarded her with the same caution someone would give a wild animal.

She stared at him, then his hand poised over his weapon. Did he think she was the danger?

Yes? she asked, her voice dull as she continued to regard him with shock-filled cerulean eyes.

She moved to lower her hand, but the officer stiffened, tightening his grip on the handle of his gun, the hair on her nape standing on end in warning.

Don’t move, He ordered, his stern voice causing her to pause. She nodded, swallowing, her stomach roiling as he took a wary step toward her. What’s your name? he asked, his voice both demanding and professional.

She stared at him, perplexed, taking in his words before she realized she should answer.

B-Brianna...Brianna Powers, she stammered as a shiver worked through her.

Are there others inside? he asked, his brow furrowing over his weathered features.

She straightened and glanced behind her as the door to the fraternity house swung open. Swallowing, taking in the dark shadows of the people within, she realized she never should have come. Her mother had told her not to, even when her father had encouraged her to attend. It had been too dangerous for a sixteen-year-old girl. Her mother was right.

Yes, there are others inside, she said as a tear fell from her eye and trickled down her cheek because at least one of them was dead. She tried to push away the memory of the girl lying in the middle of the floor, pale and unmoving from her mind.

The door opened wider, illuminating the porch in the pale light from inside as a girl scrambled out, surprising the policeman when she flung herself into his arms, sobbing. He held her as she cried, her body shaking. His eyes widened in bewilderment as others filed out of the house, their faces ashen from the terror that had befallen them inside.

Brianna swallowed as her memory offered the moment the frat boys grew fangs and their formerly handsome faces stretched into something terrifying. She shook her head, banishing the memory.

Can someone tell me what happened? The police officer asked, his voice edged with worry. He glanced over the girl’s head toward the group walking down the porch steps.

A blond guy with the build of a football player who Brianna vaguely recollected his name as being Brett answered, T-They tried to kill us, he said, his voice cracking. The guys who live here tried to kill us.

Brianna trembled as another memory floated to the surface of her mind unbidden. The male voice in her head, ordering her to fight, telling her exactly what to do as one of the monsters reached for her. She took a deep breath, forcing the memory away.

Am I insane? She shook her head, denying it. She tried to convince herself that the voice had come from the overwhelming fear of dying, but she knew it didn’t. The voice had come from something else.

How? The officer gestured to another girl, who walked up to him and took the sobbing girl from his arms, then stepped closer to Brianna and the guy who had spoken.

They’re monsters, Brianna said softly, her voice monotone. She squeezed her eyes shut, realizing that it sounded crazy, but it was the truth. She witnessed their faces changing. They tried to drain our blood...T-to drink it.

The officer unholstered his weapon, motioning everybody off the porch so he could see inside. Are they still in there?

He took his eyes off Brianna. Obviously, he no longer thought she was a threat.

No, Brett answered, pointing at her with a long, thick finger as his voice trembled. She f-fought them. They ran away.

The police officer took in Brianna’s blood-stained clothes, and the crimson marks splattered on her face before noticing her slight frame. She helped fight them?

Brett shook his head as he glanced between Brianna and the officer, his eyes wide. No, she fought them on her own. She saved our lives.

How? the officer asked, eyes narrowed.

She shook her head as she whispered, I don’t know.

She raised her hand to her head as the world around her grew dim. At that moment, she was sure her sanity was slipping because she heard another voice...a soft, feminine one whisper, Sleep now.

Darkness clouded her vision as Brett leaned down to catch her before she could hit her head against the hard surface of the porch as the bloody night of monsters and death became too much.

She closed her eyes and gave in to the comfort of darkness where nothing could hurt her, and she didn’t have to protect anyone else.

-THREE MONTHS LATER

Brianna opened her eyes, blinking away sleep as she found herself in a barren, white hallway. Clear plastic covered the doors, fluttering in the breeze, drifting in from the open windows.

Brows furrowed, she tip-toed forward on bare feet, crossing the cold marble floor and shivering as the wind penetrated her thin nightclothes, swirling the musty scent of disuse around her.

She crossed her arms over her chest, hugging her elbows as she took one hesitant step after another, trying to remember how she had come to be there.

Muted voices from one of the rooms at the end of the hallway beckoned her closer.

We’re going to get caught, a girl whispered, her voice quivering.

No, we won’t, a male responded. His voice rose louder than the girl’s, as if to prove his point.

Shhh...I don’t want to get kicked out, the girl pleaded, keeping her voice low. My parents would kill me. You didn’t tell your friends you were meeting me, did you?

No, I didn’t. They wouldn’t believe me. He chuckled.

I’m sorry. I just don’t want someone telling on us. I know you think it’s silly, but I don’t want to get kicked out, she said, the quiver in her voice echoing down the hall.

Even if someone found us here, I doubt they would kick you out, he laughed, as if the thought of it was ludicrous. What are you afraid of? Me?

N-No, the girl stuttered as Brianna tiptoed closer. Are you sure no one will find us?

I’m positive.

There was a beat of silence before the girl answered with a breath of relief. Okay.

That one word sent a chill down Brianna’s spine. It was the same feeling she had a moment before the fraternity guys had locked everyone in that room on the most terrifying night of her life and drained a girl who was a little older than herself of blood with fangs that were far from human. It was what had spurred her to fight them off... Well, that and a voice she couldn’t explain.

She bolted toward the door, hoping she could prevent whatever tragedy was about to take place, but before she got half-way there, she heard the boy scream.

What are you doing? His voice now held terror, far from the humor he had exuded moments before. Something crackled beyond the doorway before the hall was aglow in bright orange, the acrid scent of smoke reaching her.

Brianna reached for the plastic hanging between the room and the hallway, but it melted away as flames licked the doorframe, bubbling the paint there and turning it black. Her heart raced as she became desperate to save the two people trapped within, but then the flames faded, shrinking away from the door.

She frowned, tilting her head as she stared at the door. She had never seen flames react the way those had.

Taking a tentative step forward, she peered inside, expecting to see the boy and the girl huddled in the corner. She gasped, placing a hand over her mouth as her stomach churned, threatening to empty its contents.

In the center of the room lay the boy, his black, charred skin melting from his body, his face frozen in a scream.

Her eyes flew open as she suppressed a scream that begged to be released. Her gaze flew around the room before she let out a shaky breath, seeing she was still in her bedroom in her mother’s new house. She swiped her hand over her eyes, trying to relieve the burning of hot tears mixed with the abrasive heat left by the smoke.

Brianna, breakfast is ready! her mother called from the kitchen downstairs, her voice too cheerful for the dream Brianna just had.

Brianna glanced around the room that was hers on the weekends and holidays. She would spend every other day at the boarding school across town.

She rose from the bed as tears burned her eyes, trying to convince herself her nightmare was from the anxiety of starting a new school, nothing else. She glanced at the uniform hanging on the hook on the back of her door. The crest on the right breast was the likeness of Medusa’s head in silver with the words, In tenebris ego sum forti.

In the darkness, I am brave, she whispered, closing her eyes, hoping that the motto would give her the bravery she needed because lately, everything seemed shrouded in a thick cloud so dark she couldn’t see beyond it.

BRIANNA STARED OUT the window as they passed mansions surrounded by tall palm trees. Her eyes darted from them to her mother.

She found it hard to picture her mother there amongst the richest people of California. She had always appeared happy to live in their modest, middle-class neighborhood, but that was before her parents’ divorce.

Her heart should have been broken with the news that broke their family in two, but her father rarely noticed her presence unless he was trying to undermine her mother. Then, he used her and her sister, Sadie, to enact whatever revenge he felt his wife deserved. So, the only pain Brianna experienced during the divorce happened when he asked for Sadie to stay with him until she was sixteen and didn’t ask the same for Brianna. It made her bitter towards him because no matter how he treated her, she always hoped he loved her. That action proved otherwise.   

Until that rejection, her mother never spoke of her life before marrying her father. It wasn’t until what happened at the frat party that Brianna learned anything about her mother’s past and that was only because Brianna needed a fresh start away from everyone who knew what happened.

Mom, how did you get accepted into Silver Grove? Brianna asked, glancing at the view beyond the car.

I guess the same way you did, she said, shrugging, capturing Brianna’s attention because, for once, she seemed willing to give her information. Her blue eyes sparkled, but something in her voice made Brianna wonder if she was lying. I got a scholarship. Only very special people get them.

And you’re special? she asked, narrowing her eyes. It wasn’t in Juliette Powers’ nature to brag, but she hoped her mother would continue telling her things about her youth.

I don’t think I am, she sighed, but a small smile played across her lips. But they did, and I was happy to be there.

Why? Brianna asked, wanting to dispel the worry and nervousness that had settled in the pit of her stomach. She couldn’t get rid of the sense that Silver Grove Academy was the start of something she didn’t comprehend.

I never fit in, she said, her gaze narrowing on the road in front of her. I mean... I had friends, but I always felt... different. Everyone else always enjoyed love and light, but I loved rawer, darker things. At Silver Grove Academy, I was a puzzle piece that fit.

Brianna smiled because she understood. She always found as much solace in the dark as the light.

The tension in her shoulders relaxed when the scenery began to change, large California pines dotting the road before leading into a forest thick with them. A woodsy scent surrounded her, the aroma pleasant. It was strange to go from palm trees to evergreens.

Sighing, she glanced at her mother, her brows furrowing. Are we still in Silver Grove?

We are, but the school is on the outskirts of town. She smiled. They want to remain undisturbed by neighbors, so they have a lot of land.

Oh.

Brianna stared out the window again. The forest started to thin, ending at a gray, stone wall so tall she couldn’t view anything beyond it. A man strolled along the sidewalk beside the wall. He turned toward them as they approached. He wore a business suit that hugged his athletic frame. Ebony hair was combed away from his hard face. Though he didn’t seem angry, Brianna sensed the hate radiating from him.

Mom, do you see that man? But when she blinked, he was gone. She looked over her shoulder, her eyes moving frantically in search of him, but he was nowhere to be found.

Her mother stopped in front of a wrought-iron gate; Medusa’s head etched across the front. Brianna’s previous question went unheard.

She shook her head, trying to convince herself that the man she saw had been in her imagination. But instead of calming her, a tremble slid down her spine and her heartbeat quickened. She wondered if he was an omen to warn her of darker things.

Chapter Two

Brianna swallowed over the hard lump in her throat and shifted on her seat as they slowly drove through the gates. She had yet to decide whether they were gates into heaven or hell. After the man’s appearance, she worried they were the latter.

Her hand shook as she lifted it to play with the small golden dragon pendent her mother had given her when she was twelve, fingers sliding over the blue sapphire gem resting in the dragon’s claws, trying to push the sense of foreboding the man had elicited in her from her mind as she turned to take in the school grounds.

Her eyes widened as her mouth opened. The trees lining the drive ended to reveal a thick, green expanse of lawn rolling up to a massive, French chateau-style mansion. Brianna sucked in a breath as the scent of roses filled the car. Birds twittered happily as she studied the structure in front of her. The pictures in the brochure had not prepared her for this. If anything, they downplayed the luxury.

Is this really the school? She breathed as the nervous energy she had kept inside bubbled to the surface.

Her mother smiled, her eyes taking on a faraway look as she patted her hand. Yes, she breathed. It’s beautiful, isn’t it?

Brianna nodded. She took in the entry boasting arched passageways from the steps to the heavy wooden doors showcasing ornate carvings of Medusa’s head. Two massive wings jutted out from each side of the main entrance. Each had a railed porch where students lounged at tables or did schoolwork.

Brianna tore her eyes away from the building as her mother parked in the cobblestone, circular drive at the base of the steps next to a fountain. Statues of mermaids surrounded the center, water bursting up between them to fall into the shimmering pool beneath.

Before she could reach for her door handle, a man dressed in a tweed suit opened it. His salt and pepper hair combed away from his face and sparkling blue eyes made him quite handsome. Brianna smiled shyly at him as she stood from the car.

Hello, Samuel, her mother said affectionately as she brushed her pale blonde hair from her face.

Julie, the man said in a thick Irish accent, giving her a wistful smile that made Brianna shift uncomfortably. You are as enchanting as ever. He turned back to Brianna, offering his hand. I’m Samuel Hughes, your guidance counselor. I will be helping you through your transition into our school.

It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Hughes, she said, taking his offered hand and shaking it firmly.

Call me Sam. His eyes crinkled around the edges as he grinned. There is no need for formalities here.

Brianna’s smile widened. His obvious affection toward her mother aside. She liked him. It’s nice to meet you, Sam. I see you know my mother.

We’ve been friends since we were teenagers, her mother said quickly. Brianna narrowed her eyes, realizing that though Sam had an obvious crush on her mother, she only thought of him as a friend. Brianna winced, caught between sympathy for Sam and the discomfort of someone having a crush on her mother.

He gave a short nod, tilting his head toward a small man in a gray suit standing beside one of the front doors. Norris will get your bags. The man jumped into action at the sound of his name.

Sam swept his arm toward the door and smiled, his welcoming demeanor relaxing her. Shall we?

As she took her first