Royal by Renee Jagger & Michael Anderle

Author:Renee Jagger & Michael Anderle [Jagger, Renee & Anderle, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9798888786772
Publisher: LMBPN Publishing
Published: 2023-11-20T16:00:00+00:00

The time difference between Avalon and Earth wasn’t helping Julie’s sleep deprivation. She stifled a yawn as she piloted Genevieve through the streets of Manhattan toward the Avalon portal. Central Park was a dark mass of trees on her left, occasionally interrupted by glimpses of green lawn under golden streetlights. Genevieve only swished past the occasional car. New York City might never sleep, but at two in the morning, it did doze. Julie tried not to think of the full workday that awaited her when she returned to Avalon.

She leaned back in the bucket seat, flexing her fingers on the wheel, and braked to a gentle halt at a red light. Nothing stirred on the street except a couple of rats picking through an overturned garbage can on the corner. With a yip of sirens, an ambulance painted the night red and blue as it swished through the crossing. Then silence returned.

The headlights that shone in Julie’s rearview mirror belonged to the UMMV that contained her guard. To her eyes, it hovered above the ground, glowing blue. Humans would see it as a Humvee.

I’m already sick of this. Julie sighed. I can’t move without them being on my ass.

That’s the point of having an honor guard, Hat pointed out.

Well, it’s shitty, Julie snapped.

You’re cranky because you’re tired, Hat grumbled. You’ll feel better about it when—

Shhh! Julie raised a hand.

Genevieve’s engine produced a deep thrum through her sleek body. To paranormal ears, the UMMV emitted only a faint hum. Julie strained to listen and could hear only the usual undertones of the city—the dull roar of traffic, the thumps of music, and a yipping siren in the distance. All sounds she felt in her bones despite her years in Avalon.

What did you hear? Hat whispered.

I’m not sure I heard it. Julie swallowed as the fine hairs of her arms stood on end. I had this feeling that there was something out there.

Hat hummed. I’ve run a magical signature scan. Nothing.

Julie shook herself. This stupid honor guard is making me jumpy. I’ll be as paranoid as Mother at this rate.

The light finally turned green. Julie stomped on the gas, and with a screech of tires and the smell of burning rubber, Genevieve surged forward, leaving the UMMV’s headlights behind. Julie smirked at them in the rearview mirror.

Then they vanished.

Julie backed off the gas, and Genevieve slowed. “Where’d they go?”

In the rearview mirror, it was dark where the UMMV was supposed to be.

“Shit,” Julie growled.

It can’t be, Hat whimpered.

Can’t be what? Julie demanded.

Hat didn’t respond. His strap quivered on Julie’s shoulder.

Something black sprawled across the street behind her like smoke, but its tendrils were darker and more sluggish than natural smoke would be. It was more than a shadow. Julie had seen shadow magic before. This was darkness-given-form that had a will of its own.

Writhing darkness.

Had it swallowed the UMMV or merely shrouded it?

Princess! Torrent cried in Julie’s mind.

Julie exhaled. Torrent, are you guys okay?

She glanced in the rearview mirror and thought she saw something moving in the smoke, flickering like flames.

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