Exigency

By Marnie Cate

Mara Stone's world was shaken, but she's a fighter. As she rebuilds her life, the web of her family's secrets continues to unravel. Facing new adversaries while having to confront her fear of losing everything she holds dear, Mara learns what it truly means to Protect the Magic.

Trapped in the cold world of Snowstrum, Mara and Cole are faced with a choice. Will they choose to be true to their promises, or fall prey to their greed and follow their own desires instead? Will magic be enough to free them from the icy fortress imprisoning them?

The second book in the Protectors of the Elemental Magic series, Exigency, is a compelling tale of fantasy, magic and coming of age.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Next Chapter
• Release date: Aug 4, 2023

Book preview

Chapter

One

Light from the candles flickered and bounced off the walls, creating eerie shadows in the dimly lit room. In the center of the chamber, a man paced, back and forth, in front of a woman that appeared to be in a deep sleep. She rested on a table covered with a black cloth. Her dark red hair covered her shoulders, almost hiding the straps of her long, black nightgown. The satin material covered her body all the way to her bare feet. The man stopped, sat down, and took the woman's hand, holding it tightly.

As he stroked her hair, he whispered, You need to come back to me. It's not your time. It's not over for us. He laid his head on her chest and cried. I need you to come back to me. I'm nothing without you…

The man's whispers were interrupted by the echoing click of high heels on the marble floor. Cedric, you need to pull yourself together, a sharp voice demanded. You've spent enough time in this icy tomb, mourning, and I would like my library back.

The tall woman loomed over the man with a scowl etched into her beautiful face. He stared into her dark eyes, but he didn’t respond to her commands.

There's nothing in this world that will bring her back. I need you here, with me. Now, stop sniveling. She would be disgusted if she could see what a mess you have become. Be respectful of the dead and let her go, said the woman.

We can bring her back. I know we can, Mother! You're Blanche Drygen, the most powerful woman in Starten. You have magic. We just have to figure out how to do it, Cedric begged.

Suddenly, he jumped out of his seat and shook his mother violently. Your magic can save her. Bring her back – now! All you have to do is…

Placing her pointer finger against his mouth, Blanche silenced him. "My magic isn't strong enough to bring her back from the dead and I won't ask her. Eliza's gone. You need to accept this loss and move on. We've bigger issues to worry about than a dead woman."

She's not a dead woman! Cedric screamed. She is my love, my life. I can't go on without her. There's no point to a life without her in it.

Enough! Blanche shouted. Her face twisted in anger. Almost immediately her cold demeanor returned. She smoothed her short silver hair, confirming that not one piece had dared to move out of place by Cedric's outburst.

With a look of love, she cupped Cedric's bearded face between her hands, and her tone softened. You're a Drygen. Letting you be with her has made you weak. Consider it a blessing that you're finally free of that curse. Now, you can be the strong man I raised. If we are going to get my grandson back from those people, you will need to pull yourself together.

Cedric slumped in defeat.

Pressing her hand on his chest, Blanche pursed her lips, and said in a low growl, "He can't live with them. He is a Drygen, and he won't be raised in that house…by those people."

When he didn't respond, she poked him. "He is our hope for a future legacy. Our family line depends on him. The Drygens will not end because of that family."

Cedric lifted his head. He now wore a faraway look on his face. There has to be a way to bring her back. Eliza will return, and then all will be right, again. I'll ask her …

The sound of her slapping him across the face filled the room. Blanche narrowed her violet eyes. "Don't you think that the girl would have brought back Mae Veracor if there was a way? Her magic is strong, but she cannot do that. And you will never mention asking her again. You need to be realistic, Cedric. Do not make me give up on you, also."

I just miss her so much, Mother. Cedric lowered his head onto his mother’s shoulder and fell into her arms like a small child would.

Blanche held him close and stroked his cheek. Her demeanor became softer until the tender moment was encroached upon by a rattling sound in the doorway. She released Cedric and turned to face the disturbance.

What do you need, Hazel? Blanche snapped. I said no interruptions. What is so important that you needed to intrude?

A maid stood holding out a tray of tea and small sandwiches. Bowing her head, she apologized, I'm sorry, Mrs. Drygen. I just thought Mr. Cedric might like something to eat. He hasn't eaten in several days.

Eyeing the woman, Blanche finally nodded. Fine. Set it down and go. Go straight to Steven. Tell him to plan for a burial and tell him I want it done today.

Yes, ma'am. Hazel fidgeted, and then she smoothed a strand of her salt-and-pepper hair. It had fallen loose from the tight bun knotted at the top of her head. I'll tell him right away.

As Blanche watched the maid leave the room, her eyes darkened, and she turned her attention back to her son. Say your last goodbye to Eliza, Cedric. She'll be buried today, and we'll begin our plans to return my grandson to where he belongs — with me.

Chapter

Two

S he didn't make it the right way, the hiss of my little sister's voice filled my ears.

I closed my eyes and focused on the fact that Meg was only ten years old. Our family had been through so much recently. She was forced to deal with a pain that no child should be expected to handle. Just over a month ago, we buried my grandmother, Mae Veracor, and each of us was trying to find a way to fill the hole in our hearts that her passing had left.

Cole’s gruff whisper responded, No, Meg, it was not exactly like Gram's soup, but it still was really good. And the grilled cheese sandwiches were almost exactly like Gram's. Mara even cut it into the little diamond shapes you like.

It's not like Gram's, Meg pouted.

Cole was normally able to laugh off my little sister's attitude, but even he was losing patience. Trying a softer approach, he said, Meg, we aren't going to talk like this. How do you think Mara will feel if she hears you?

She'd be sad, she murmured.

You're right. She would be really sad. Don't you think we've enough sadness right now? What would Gram say? I bet she'd say that Mara's soup was better than hers.

Meg was right. The soup is nothing like Gram's. How am I going to do this? I can't do any of this without Gram, I thought.

My internal dialogue was interrupted by warm breath on the back of my neck and strong arms wrapping around me. Here, let me take care of this for you. Cole took the ladle out of my hand. You have more soup on the counter than in the jar, Mar.

Staring down at the surface splattered with the tomato soup, I sighed. She's right. The soup didn't turn out. It wasn't Gram's tomato soup – not even close. How are we going to do this, Cole?

The soup was different, but it was still good. He lifted my chin and looked into my eyes. Mar, no matter how you make the soup, Gram isn't coming back. It won't bring her back. Things are going to be different. We all miss her. We just have to get used to her not—

I understand she’s gone, and we'll never see her again in this world. I do, but of all of the people we've lost, I never thought Gram would…I never thought she'd die. I'm not ready to be without her.

Cole twisted me around and wiped the tears flowing down my cheeks. "We will get through this, together, Mar. None of us were ready for her to go, but she wouldn't want you to fall apart over her death. Remember the life she brought to this world."

As my fiancé hugged me tightly, I fought the urge to sob. I whispered almost inaudibly, I'm trying, Cole, but I'll try harder.

I held him, not wanting to leave the comfort of his warm embrace. When I reluctantly released him, Cole kissed me on the forehead.

Go connect with the elements.

I smiled at him. How did I deserve this man? He understands me even more than I seem to understand myself.

Go on, Mar. Cole gently nudged with a mischievous grin. I'll tell Blaze you have been neglecting your training.

You would. I laughed.

Calling after me, he said in a dramatically high-pitched voice, Come home to me, soon, Mara. I miss you already.

When I passed through the patio to leave the house, I saw the lavender bag lying on the table. The tag, labeled For Mara, brought tears to my eyes. The soft fabric held my wedding dress…my grandmother's dress. She had given it to me with her blessing to marry Cole.

Before Gram died, we had agreed to have the ceremony on the day after my birthday. Doubts about having a wedding so soon after a funeral overwhelmed me. Cole disagreed and had eagerly started planning the event. I should have been excited. Instead, I was riddled with guilt. It wasn't because I didn't love Cole, but because there had been too many changes, too quickly. I was scared.

Get yourself together. You're marrying, Cole. You love him. Now, no more wedding thoughts, I scolded myself.

I listened to my own advice, and I walked towards the forest. Each night, I tried to spend time outside. It was here that Gram's presence felt the strongest. The whisper of the wind through the trees calmed me. However, this time, it wasn't working. My mind was full of questions. The hardest part was trying to wrap my head around the gift and how it had impacted my family.

My grandmother, Mae Veracor, was the daughter of Genevieve Silver. Genevieve, my great-grandmother, was one of the original protectors of the elemental magic. For a reason that was still unclear to me, the goddess, Danu, had gifted four girls with the knowledge of elemental magic. The teens — Genevieve Silver, Camille Black, Michelle Elliott, and Sarah Andrews — had each taken an oath to protect the magic, and for many years, they kept their promise.

Then, Camille, the redhead with a personality as fiery as her hair, married Brandon Drygen. His family had always been the richest, most influential family in Starten. Most people, who worked outside of their own properties, found themselves working at one of their businesses. However, that wasn’t enough for them, and Camille began to misuse her gift to further their success.

Having vowed never to use the magic for selfish gains, the other three women came up with a plan to stop their wayward friend. They decided to bind Camille's magic. The spell cast was so strong that it bound all her gift. The Drygen family didn’t need the elementals since they had an abundance of money and power. Still, Camille never forgave the women for what they did, and the betrayal she felt fueled her anger. In retaliation, she focused her rage towards the one who had been her closest friend, Michelle.

Out of fear, Michelle and her family left town. Little did I know how deeply connected I was to these girls. Michelle Elliott turned out to be none other than the grandmother of my father, Elliott Stone.

After many years of exile from their home, my father had been sent back to Starten. As a young man, he met and fell in love with my mother, Eliza. Their fate was tragic, and, eventually, my mother forced my father to fake his death and leave us. The whole time, she was in a secret relationship with a man, named Cedric, who happened to be the grandson of Camille, and son of Blanche Drygen.

When Gram found out about the affair and how Eliza had been misusing her magic to help the Drygen family, she became infuriated. Just as before, she cast a spell to bind all the magic my mother had. Cursing my grandmother, Eliza left our home, abandoning my little sister and me along with it.

Almost six years after her unexplained disappearance, my mother returned. Acting as though nothing had happened, she demanded Meg and I leave with her immediately. Due to this, my grandmother was forced to reveal the secret of the Silver family. In order to do so, I was given a potion to restore my memories and magic.

It wasn't enough to find out that Genevieve and Michelle were my great-grandmothers. That revelation was quickly followed by the shock of discovering I had a half-brother, whose father was a Drygen. I, also, found out my fiancé, Cole, was the great-grandson of Lucy Andrews.

How did all of these people end up connecting? Was it the plan of the goddess? I wondered. Maybe it was fate that I fell in love with Cole. Had it been fate that pulled my father to Eliza while she longed to be with Cedric? I felt my anxiety rise. Will the children pay for the mistakes of their parents?

As I walked further into the woods, the wind picked up. The cool breeze whipped my hair around, blocking my view as the dark shadows of the forest surrounded me. I didn’t feel afraid. I could still hear the rustling the trees, sounds of birds chirping, and the clicking of the silver moss beetles.

As I continued walking, the air died down and the trees thickened. I quickly found myself encompassed by a dense fog. My hair was no longer blinding me, but I could barely see my hand in front of my face. A soft, internal voice told me to just keep going, and I listened until I stepped into cold water.

Damn it, I cried out before stepping backward. Unsure which way to move, I called, Air, please, blow away this fog and let me see where I am.

I waited while the moist vapor drifted away, showing me that I was on the rocky shore of Sparrow Lake. Frustrated, I sat down and wrapped my arms around my legs. I rocked myself gently, back and forth.

How did I get so far from home? I felt as if I was losing a connection with reality. I kept telling myself that, if I just listened to my heart, everything would be fine. Things would go as planned. Staring at the water, I questioned my recent behavior.

Crackle. I whipped my head around to see what was approaching. A shadow quickly darted through the tree line.

Stop! Who are you? Why are you following me? I stood, prepared to face the unknown.

The cold breeze off the lake picked up and covered my arms with goosebumps. Rubbing my arms frantically to warm up, I called out again, Whoever is out there, show yourself.

With all the magic you hold, you could easily climb up the mountain and give them what they deserve, said the bewitching voice of a woman. You could start a little fire. One little ball of your magic could ignite the forest surrounding them. It would grow and grow until it burned their mansion down. Or, better yet, call a great wind and bring everything, and everyone, down into a crumbling ruin.

With more anger, the voice said, And, there's always my favorite. Call the rain and demand it to pour down buckets of water until you finally wash everything off the mountainside. Mudslides happen all the time. Or, be lazy, and ask the ground to shake, and shake, and shake until you have created dust out of them all.

The voice taunted, Wouldn't it be so easy? Don't you think they deserve to be punished for what they did to your grandmother?

Fighting my thoughts of agreement, I called out, No. I won't do any of that. Destroying them will not bring my grandmother back. Nothing will bring her back! I clenched my fists and screamed, Who are you? Show yourself!

Mara, you know as well as I do that you want to avenge your beloved Gram. You want to make them pay, she crooned in a dark, silky tone.

I have no plans to do any of such thing. Go away or show yourself.

Show myself? Laughing, the voice said, I'm right here.

A small splash came from the lake, but only my reflection shimmering in the water. The ripples stopped, and I could see an image of myself. No. This mirage was not me. The girl I saw had cold, dark eyes. She looked lost…sad…broken.

You're not me, I said to the reflection. You won't trick me into hurting anyone. So, show your real self.

Why are you fighting who you really are so fervently? You know you want to pay them back. Go on. Cast a few little balls of magic or send forth a tiny bit of the elemental power inside you. No one will know it was you, but everything will be as it should be. The Drygens will be gone. The Silver line will continue. Your future children will be safe, she stated reassuringly. Don't you want your family to be protected? After all, your family wants it, too.

An image appeared on the black water of my younger siblings. They were in the backyard of our property under the tree where I had held my elemental tea parties.

Meg put her hands on her hips and loomed over our little brother. They're not going to take you away from us, Miles. Mara will keep us safe. Now, practice and it will grow stronger.

Hearing the confidence she had in me, my heart sunk. How am I going to shelter them from the darkness around us?

The water rippled, again. This time, Cole and my father appeared. They were sitting at our kitchen table. Both men looked tired and worn as they frantically wrote on the papers they had laid out before them.

We can bring them down, Cole said. His normally bright blue eyes were dark. If we just eliminate them now, we won't have to deal with any repercussions for taking Miles. They deserve whatever we send at them.

My father nodded in agreement and continued his writings. Under his breath, he responded, Yes, we'll remove this threat, soon.

The dark image of the girl in the water returned. Don't you see that they need you? You need to save them from the Drygens. It's up to you, Mara, to save them all. They will perish if they try to take on Cedric.

Stop trying to fill my head with your nonsense. Hurting them will not help my family. You're not real. Go away! I screamed, sending out the magic I had inside me. Fire, Water, and Air swirled around me as the ground below me shook.

Laughing, the voice said, Exactly what I wanted to see. Now, take all that emotion and go up the mountain. Rain down your anger on the Drygens. But, this time, put a little force behind it.

Lashing out at the reflection, I screamed, Go away! Go away! Go away!

Covering my ears with my hands, I closed my eyes tightly and rocked myself as I pleaded for the voice to leave me. It should have been you not, Gram. The ball of magic was meant for you, not her.

Strong hands gripped my shoulders. I struggled to pull myself away from the danger. When I finally broke away, I landed with a splash in Sparrow Lake.

Chapter

Three

The icy water shocked me, and I found it hard to catch my breath. I scrambled to the shore with thoughts of running back into the forest to hide, but I wasn't fast enough. A hand roughly caught my wrist. My instinct to flee instantly changed to self-preservation. My heart beat so hard I thought it would fly out of my chest.

My mind screamed, Fight! Fight! Save yourself! I turned to confront the aggressor only to find myself face-to-face with Cole.

Mar, calm down. It's me. Who were you shouting at? There's no one here. Cole wrapped his arms around me and held me tightly.

He'll try to kill them, with or without you, and he'll fail, the voice whispered in my ear.

I jerked away from Cole and returned to the position he’d first found me in. I held my hands over my ears to block out the hiss of the voice.

Cole smoothed my hair, and I could hear his faint voice. It's OK, Mar. I'm here. You're not alone.

His touch calmed the screaming inside me. I lowered my defenses and uncovered my ears. Realizing the voice was gone, relief flooded me. I threw myself into Cole's tall, muscular body and wrapped my arms tightly around his neck.

Don't let me…don't let me become that person, I choked out through my tears. "I'm not — I won’t. Oh, Cole, don't let them turn you into a person like them, either. We can't —"

Mar, what are you talking about? He cupped my face between his hands. His eyes burned with concern. Oh, Mara, you're just tired. You need to relax and rest. Gram's not here, but that doesn't mean you can fall apart. Who are you afraid we’re going to turn into? Last time I checked, we were just Cole and Mara.

Taking a lighter tone, he continued, Why, we've got a wedding to plan. Our future together is just beginning, and it includes your sister, your father, and your little brother. Don't give up on yourself and lose them. Together, we'll face anything.

Cole held me for a few minutes before he kissed my cheek and released me. Are you calm enough to tell me what happened?

The things she said were so horrible, I whispered. She said —

Something rustled behind us, interrupting me. A wicked laughter rang through the forest.

What is that? Cole's jaw clenched. Is that what you're afraid of?

I barely nodded.

With a flash of intensity, he turned towards the laughter and yelled, Come out to face us, coward.

The laughter stopped, and a frigid wind blew crystals of ice at us. The frozen water clung to my skin before it slowly melted. Through the frigid air, a woman wearing a seductive black dress appeared. She walked towards us with long, slow strides. My breath caught as I saw her more clearly.

Her snow-white skin shimmered as if she had been dusted with frost. She was clad in a long and flowing gown with a plunging crystal-beaded neckline that fell below her belly button. The delicate crystals were faintly glowing. Long lashes surrounded the greyish-blue color of her almond-shaped eyes. When she finally reached us, she stopped in front of Cole, disregarding me.

Well, we finally meet in person. The woman smoothed her long, black hair out of her face with lengthy silver nails. Stroking Cole's face with her fingertips, she purred, What a pretty fiancé you have, Marina. You'll have such beautiful children. She lifted her hand from his face, and I could see faint red streaks where she had touched him.

Cole stared at the woman as if he was under a spell.

"She said you would be a challenge to my children. Oh, I thought I'd made the right choice when I selected Eliza. If only Mae hadn't interfered. The woman let out a long sigh before composing herself. But, enough of those sad thoughts. I think the two of you will be perfect replacements."

Replacements? I shivered, unclear if it was from the chilly air or the menacing words.

Aren't you tired of all the trials and tribulations that my…Danu has put you through? Wouldn't you like to be powerful and free of your silly promise? She circled us, slowly running her fingers along my bare skin.

I flinched at her burning touch.

"All of this protect the magic. Protect the magic, she said in a mocking tone. Who wants to protect it when they can use it?"

Stopping in front of me, she held out her hand, displaying a ring. It was a perfect diamond, surrounded by sapphires.

If jewelry isn't something you like, what about this? She held out her hand, again, only now it was full of golden coins. Anything you want can be yours. All you have to do is take it.

The coins faded, and she gripped my hands. The cold sting of her magic coursed through me. I wanted to pull away from her, but I was frozen in place.

You can have everything you always wanted, Marina. The woman swept back loose strands of my hair from my face. The burn of her touch woke something primal inside me.

Wanting to assault her, I ripped my hands from her and snarled. You don't know anything about me or my family. We want nothing to do with what you're offering.

The stranger gave me a patronizing smile. Oh, Marina, I do know you. I know you better than you know yourself. She swept her hand in front of me, and a sheet of ice appeared.

When my image appeared on the frosty barrier, I covered my mouth to hold back a gasp. The persona before me was in the elemental circle where my grandmother had sacrificed herself for me. I had gone to the place of her death, hoping to find peace. Instead, I found more sadness and guilt.

Sitting in the center of the circle, I had cried out to the goddess, asking her to bring back my grandmother. Tears streamed down my face. When I found no response, the vision replayed my curse on Danu for taking her from me and my vowed to destroy the Drygens with every ounce of magic I had inside me. Then, the memory ended.

Unfortunately, she hadn't shown the entire event. She’d stopped before I composed myself and acknowledged that my words had been spoken in anger. She didn't show how I, once again, vowed to protect the magic, knowing there would be sacrifice.

You're not showing everything, I said. I was angry, but I realized it was my sorrow speaking.

I rushed to Cole and tugged him away from her. We're done with you… Unsure what to call her, I paused for a moment. Whoever you are – whatever you want – my family will not be following the path of my mother. We aren’t going to trust you.

Laughing at my words, she called after me, Oh, we'll see each other again, sweet Marina.

I trembled violently as I led Cole away from the dangerous woman. He and I walked in silence until we reached the tree line outside of our property. Guiding my still dazed fiancé to sit, I wrapped my arms around him and kissed the red marks still streaked across his face. The anger I had felt returned.

Are you OK? I questioned. Are you hurt?

Cole blinked rapidly before slowly shaking his head. A single tear fell from his eye. I was going to follow her, Mara. I was going to break the promise I made and follow her to everything she tempted me with.

Stop! I demanded. She put a spell on you, which is why you didn't move after she touched you. You would have never followed anyone for jewelry or money if you weren't under some sort of influence.

Wait, what do you mean jewelry and money? Cole frowned. His voice sounded puzzled.

She held out a diamond and coins to us, I answered.

She didn't try to give me jewels. Cole shifted away from me. "I saw us in a large mansion with children. The children kept calling us mommy and daddy. A small boy ran into the room we were in and told us how Uncle Miles had taught him a magic trick. It felt so real."

But it wasn't real, Cole. I kissed his cheek, again, and wrapped my arms around him tighter. We don't need a mansion and we'll have children of our own, one day. Why would you have to follow her for that?

Cole jerked away from me. His eyes flashed with pain. She said you wouldn't marry me unless I did.

That's crazy. I moved closer towards Cole and took his face between my hands. Why wouldn't I marry you?

Kai, he said in a low growl. She said you were going to leave me for him.

No, Cole. I dropped my hands from his face. I was never going to be with Kai. He was just a guide in the elemental world.

Cole narrowed his eyes at me. Why didn't you mention him before?

There was no need to tell you about him. He just helped me find my way back to you. Anger rushed through me. How dare he not trust me. We've always trusted each other. This isn't a time to let someone plant a seed of doubt in your mind.

You're right. He relented with less conviction than I hoped. I trust you. I do.

He said the words, but I didn't feel like he genuinely believed what he was saying. There was no way I could convince him that I did love him; not at this moment. Feeling defeated, I said, Let's go home.

We walked through the backyard, lost in our own thoughts. The night sky was filled with twinkling stars, but I was disappointed that I couldn’t see the moon. I need to find out more about the ice witch and why she wants our loyalty, I thought with frustration.

When we entered the house, sounds of playing cards being shuffled filled the room. The warm draw of delighted giggles drew us towards the kitchen. We found Meg and Miles seated at the table with our father.

Come play, Mara, Miles said excitedly. Meg and I have the best game ever. Can we show you?

"We made