Avenged by Fate: Soul Bound, #2

By Rhian Edwards

What if the Alliance was never about freedom?

 

Kayla struggles to control her magic as it gets more unpredictable by the day and the only person she trusts with this knowledge is Blake, the boy she ran away with six months ago. While Blake's wolf would happily tear apart anything that dare come near her, the thought terrifies him in more ways than one.

 

Needing magical help before Kayla loses her life trying to contain her power, and being chased by magic users who want it, the pair know their luck is running out. But by trying to save Kayla, they find themselves in the middle of a dangerous ploy for control where magic isn't the only threat.

 

When a new secret comes to light about Blake's role in the shifter world, Kayla knows her place in Blake's life will only cause heartache and threaten any sort of Alliance between their races. Fighting for the truth has led them to make a choice: their hearts or their freedom.

 

AVENGED BY FATE is the second book in the shifter romance series, SOUL BOUND.

 

***Please note, 'Avenged by Fate' was previously published as 'Deceived', book 2 in the series. While it has gone through a re-brand and has had new editing, the story itself is the same. ***

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rhian Edwards
• Release date: Dec 23, 2022
• ISBN: 9781915719027

Book preview

image-placeholder

CHAPTER ONE

Kayla

IT WAS THE PARTICULAR INCIDENT she was currently running from which irked her. She was meant to be meeting with someone who supposedly knew about the original alliance. It had taken weeks to find another lead, using underground paranormal resources that weren’t all that safe, but it had turned out to be magic hunters luring them into a trap. If she wasn’t so exhausted, she’d moan in frustration.

Her heart thundered like a drum in her chest. Only the sound of her own laboured breathing reached her ears. Her muscles screamed for a break, but that would end in her death. She had to keep going.

Somehow, she’d ended up separated from Blake as they raced through a thicket of dense trees just on the outskirts of the town they had been in to meet their contact – the one she’d discovered was fake. Why running into the wooded area was a good decision, she didn’t know. They had forced her in that direction.

The group of magic hunters had been on her and Blake’s tails for months, constantly getting in their way ever since she’d accidentally exposed her magic. They wanted her power for themselves, and she was worried about how they would take it from her. More than that, they had no desire for Blake; they wanted to kill the Alastair heir and any hope of an alliance with him. From what the two had discovered, the group had no desire for an alliance and instead wanted to eliminate all shifters. The heir to the Alastair shifter royal throne was one person they were especially eager to stop.

A familiar tingle started in her fingertips and worked its way up her arms as her magic hummed, searching for a way out.

Not now, she thought. She couldn’t let her magic alert anyone who was close enough to her position. She didn’t turn to look behind her, but she sensed the magic hunters were spread out and searching for her. She had to make it through the wooded area and to the building in the town centre where she and Blake had agreed to meet up if things went sideways. She just needed to shake the hunters off her back first.

Her elemental magic strained against the restraints she was trying to put in place. It wasn’t enough that she could abnormally use all three strains – witch, mage, and elemental – but the latter was also her strongest and had the greatest urge to be released. The natural elements surrounding Kayla called out to her magic. And her magic was answering.

The past few months had seen her magic grow exponentially. Blake was worried, which annoyed her to no end, but he had a point; her magic scared her, too. Flare-ups and uncontrollable surges occurred at random, and she couldn’t stop it when it wanted to be let out.

Like now.

Her magic pulsed and trees groaned unnaturally. The swell of energy sent her flying, then rolling, across the mossy floor. Power seeped from her hands where they braced themselves on the dirt-covered ground, calling to nature: the earth element. Roots from a gnarled old tree moaned and rattled. Her eyes widened with the understanding that they were searching for the source of power.

Her breathing came out in short, sharp pants. She knew the aura of her magic, the essence, was a beacon for the talented witch in the group chasing them. The witch could detect and follow magic, and Kayla was certain she was doing so now, tracking Kayla’s outbursts. Panicking, she reached out to try and subdue the gnarled oak hands, but her elemental power surged. Recognising nature and connecting with it, she unintentionally sent another wave into the ground. The tree shook, its branches vibrating against each other. It would have been more discreet if she had held a neon sign above her head.

A burst of manic wind circled her and spiralled up into the sky, taking with it the debris of the wooded floor: dirt, twigs, moss.

Kayla covered her face with a quiet yelp, but when she heard fast approaching footsteps, she jumped up and froze. Her eyes darted around the area, hoping to locate the direction of the footfalls. To her left, the foliage shook and trembled as someone manoeuvred through the overgrowth.

Holding out her hands, she directed her magic as it built within her body, but she couldn’t release it. Elemental magic danced along her skin. Goosebumps rose on her arms as a burst of power shot from her fingers, targeting the undergrowth. A strangled cry of surprise echoed through the air, followed by a dull thud.

Blake? she whispered, recognising his voice.

She’d only taken one step in his direction when someone raced towards her from the left. She turned and an unwelcome face appeared, thin lips tipping into a sneer. The fierce hunter knocked into her and sent her flying.

She landed awkwardly on her side, twisting her ankle in the process. The man advanced on her, and instinctively, she put her arm up to stop a blow. The hum intensified, as did the electric current racing all over her body, but she knew she had no control over it. The more she tried to reach for the reins, the further they slipped away from her.

Blake appeared and yanked the man away from her with a grunt. In his human form, Blake was physically bigger than the magic user, and with the surprise attack, Blake had the advantage. Wrapping his arm around the guy’s neck, Blake’s face strained as he struggled with the man in the crook of his arm.

A little help, Blake grunted out.

Kayla slid the short distance, dragging her leg behind her. She reached her hand over to the guy’s head and closed her eyes, desperately searching for her mage magic.

C’mon. C’mon. C’mon.

She grabbed at a thread. Sleep.

The guy immediately went limp in Blake’s arms, and Blake carefully let go of him but hovered close to make sure he was definitely out. When he was convinced that was the case, he sagged against a tree.

Let’s go, he whispered. He got to his feet but stayed low to the ground, surveying the immediate area.

My ankle, she replied, trying to kneel and wincing at the effort.

Blake leaned forward and moved her jean leg up to look, holding her foot as he gently twisted. Kayla hissed and glared daggers at him.

Sprained, I think. Common sports injury, Blake said, and Kayla believed him. She knew Blake was knowledgeable from growing up with a sports coach dad – his adopted dad.

Blake put his arm under her shoulders and bore most of her weight as he stood them up. Kayla limped heavily and leaned against him. Blake’s height hadn’t changed, but after his first shift, he’d started bulking up. Over the past six months they’d had to buy him three sets of clothes, but she was convinced he had stopped growing and was settling into his new body.

Why aren’t you in wolf form?

He darted his eyes down to her as they moved. I’ve told you. I think they track me better in wolf form like they do you when you use magic, he replied in a sharp tone.

Kayla knew there was more to it than that. They’d gone through quite a bit to get Blake to change for the first time, but ever since the night they escaped James and Oz – who had kidnapped them both and held Blake’s family prisoner – Blake had trouble connecting with his wolf. Instead of allowing the shift, he fought it.

She suspected Blake was correct in his assumptions, but that didn’t stop his wolf from being an asset. Blake had exceptional senses and was stronger and faster than the average human, but the added advantages his wolf gave him boosted those abilities. Plus, canine teeth were much more effective when they came up against human flesh.

But she knew his ability to do harm was the reason he resisted the change. After the kidnapping, Blake was forced to kill once more, and it had happened in his wolf form.

The sound of shouting behind them spurred them on. Blake pushed them down a short incline to hide.

I’ll leave a false trail. He concealed her within a patch of snarled greenery and raced up the path to cover their footsteps, leaving a few imprints going in the opposite direction. Afterwards, he circled back, sliding down beside Kayla.

His eyes grew concerned, and she suspected he could sense her magic.

You have to control it. They’re tracking you. She nodded tensely at him, breathing slow and deep, trying to push down the magic that sought release.

Her hands dug deep into the earth beside her. She pulled her knees up close to her chest and pressed her back against the mud, but she could feel the natural elements of the earth calling to her and knew her magic would respond.

She shook her head, face covered in a fine sheen of perspiration. I can’t, she whispered.

Blake pulled her in close, wrapping his arm around her shoulders to hold her against him. His familiar scent and the warmth of his skin overwhelmed her senses, and her magic responded immediately. The roaring desire for action quieted.

She tucked her hands under her chin and hoped her magic responded to the nature of the wolf rather than the elements around her. Closing her eyes, she listened to the sounds of magic hunters crashing through the forest, yelling commands to each other. They hadn’t given up.

Blake wrapped his other arm around her, sealing her against him. He slowly and comfortingly stroked her dark locks, resting his cheek on the top of her head.

The embrace calmed her, soothed her magic, settled her anxious thoughts, and alleviated the rising mountain of panic she felt helpless against as her magic tried to take over her body.

Why was she always so . . . connected with Blake? Why was it him that offered the tranquillity she craved when her magic stormed to the surface?

She huddled closer and he squeezed her tighter. Their hearts thundered and the voices of the search party grew fainter as they followed the false trail.

Blake lifted his head, scenting. All clear for now, he announced, turning his head to look at her. She lifted hers up, bringing their faces inches apart. Heavy breaths – and not from physical exertion – mingled, their lips separated by mere centimetres.

The tense moment they’d shared when locked away by Oz and James several months ago flashed into her mind. Their near kiss. They hadn’t discussed it. They’d been too busy. And she was nervous. She didn’t know what he thought, what he wanted, but it certainly couldn’t be the unnatural freak of nature she was.

Shutting her eyes, she drew away from his stormy gaze. Her nerves regarding his feelings paled in comparison to her fear of the size of her own. She buried them deep. Again.

Blake looked away, clearing his throat and pulling her to her feet. She gave him a tight smile, grimacing at the pain in her ankle. Let’s get back to the car. Your ankle needs looking at.

They made it out of the woods unscathed, and Blake led her to where he’d stashed the car behind an old, seemingly abandoned building. He opened her door and lowered her into the seat as she gingerly pulled her leg inside. He shut the door and hopped over the bonnet, sliding across the dark blue metal.

She chuckled as he opened the driver’s door. What was that for? she managed.

Blake shrugged, turning on the engine. Just fancied doing it. He sounded nonchalant, but she heard the answering smile in his voice. We need to find somewhere to stay for the night. You’ll need to elevate your leg, and this car isn’t practical.

Kayla sighed, knowing he was right. If she was being honest with herself, she craved a bed. For the past six months they’d slept in the car or in cheap hostels along the way, but whenever they napped in the vehicle, her back didn’t thank her for it.

Yeah, I agree. Just find a place along the motorway, she instructed. Blake pulled away from the town and merged onto a long stretch of road.

The car was silent as they each dealt with their own worries; she briefly wondered what he was thinking about but dismissed it. Dealing with the disappointment of the evening and an injured ankle – not to mention her uncontrollable magic – was enough for her.

image-placeholder

CHAPTER TWO

Blake

HE PULLED UP BESIDE a budget hotel and ran inside to get them a room so Kayla wouldn’t have to move about unnecessarily. At the front desk, he made sure to ask about an ice machine so he could help reduce the swelling.

He jogged back to the car and scooped her up, placing her firmly on her own feet when she started to protest.

Don’t you dare think about carrying me in, Blake! she scolded.

Wouldn’t dream of it. He smiled as she clutched at him anyway.

They took a slightly longer route around the back of the building to use an exit into the hotel and then found the lift up to their floor. The building was clean and well-kept with a busy, dull-red carpet that matched the wooden panelling and cream walls. Their room was decorated in the same shades, boasting large windows, little floor space, and two beds placed almost side by side.

Blake left Kayla in a tub chair while he went back to the car for their packs and a few necessities. They’d learned the hard way how important it was to keep water, granola bars, and basic first aid supplies on hand. He grabbed the kit, thinking there might be something of use inside.

His dad was a sports instructor, managing a gym and training clients, so Blake was familiar with injuries of that ilk. Goodness knew how many sprained ankles his sports mad family had between them. A smile ghosted his lips as he thought of his adopted family. Finding out he’d escaped an assassination as a small child and was subsequently hidden so that others wouldn’t find out his true identity as the last surviving heir to the shifter royal family, had been a shock to say the least.

He unlocked the door to their room and dumped the bags on the bed. Kayla had her arms on the side of the chair, one leg out straight before her, and she’d let her head fall back. She lifted her head to look at him as he came closer, holding up their small makeshift first aid kit.

Shall we take a look at that ankle?

She groaned. Might as well get it over and done with.

Blake sat cross-legged on the floor and gently removed her shoe, rolling up the hem of her jeans. She winced when he tried to manipulate the ankle.

Definitely sprained and swollen, but I don’t think it’s broken. That’s good news.

If you say so. What’s the prognosis?

Not that you will, but I’d recommend a couple weeks of rest. Elevate your leg where possible. Ice, too.

Her eyes bugged out at him. I’m not sitting on my butt for two weeks.

I figured. Just rest it when you can. No driving, I’ll do that part. And we need to avoid the magic hunters, so we do nothing that’s high risk for a few days. You won’t be in much of a state to run if they find us.

Sounds like fun, Kayla deadpanned.

We have a small supply of meds, you can take some to help with any pain.

To be honest, it’s not that bad right now. She sighed as she spoke, not meeting his eyes.

He kept his hands on her lower leg.

Kayla, he began.

I’m not sure I like that tone.

I think we need some help. We’re struggling here. We need more resources, more support.

"What happened tonight was because of those magic users! They lured us into thinking they had information about the original