A kingdom of sun and sha.., p.1
A Kingdom of Sun and Shadow (Twingenuity Series Book 1), page 1
A Kingdom of Sun and Shadow
Copyright © 2022 Danielle Hill
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by reviewers, who may quote brief passages in a review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
www.daniellehillwrites.ca
Possible trigger warning: Abuse, alcohol, anxiety, profanity, sexuality, violence.
Cover Design: Celingraphics
Logo Design: rebecacovers
Table of contents
PROLOGUE
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
To my own Princess Amara.
PROLOGUE
A hooded figure stood alone, blending into the darkness as fog and mist filled the room around them. An ominous voice spoke, causing the figures' head to tilt up slightly as a thick cloud of smoke swirled around them, making visibility even more impossible.
Sisters born of sun and moon incarnate,
Powers of the Goddesses they shall inherit.
A selfless sacrifice shall mark a new world of light and life,
When this power becomes too much, a new evil will rise and history rewrite.
There will come a day when the sun is again reborn.
The sun and moon shall realign.
It shall be on the day that sisters reunite,
Their forces together they shine their light.
Three moons hence their chance will come,
Prophetic lore may come undone.
“And so it begins.” The figure spoke before the smoke consumed them completely.
CHAPTER ONE
With sweat streaming down my brow, I awoke with a start. In my frantic dream my sheets had tangled around my legs. That was such a weird dream. Why did it feel so real? The thought of that shrouded figure in the dark chamber made me shiver.
I staggered over to my bathroom and splashed water on my face. My golden blonde hair, damp and stuck to my head. My deep green eyes appeared as sunken and tired as I felt and my skin much paler than usual. Who knew a dream could take so much out of you? I bitterly laughed to myself. I looked like I had spent the night fighting demons as opposed to sleeping for ten hours after bingeing Netflix.
Checking my bathroom clock, it read forty-five minutes past seven. Crap! I had to hurry if I wanted to make it to work on time. Even though I was only working as a temp for the summer before going back to college to figure out what I wanted to do with my life, I still wanted to make a good impression.
Taking the quickest shower of my life and practically applying my makeup during red lights on my drive, I zoomed in and sat at my desk with mere seconds to spare. Breathing a sigh of relief, I began sorting through the mountain of forms on my desk.
“Yoo-hoo!” Sang a sweet voice from behind my chair. I froze. I loved Lola, but I knew all too well the sound of her call for social interaction.
Spinning around in my chair, I came face to face with my closest work friend.
“Thank God it’s Friday! A bunch of us are going to check out this new club, Sirens. You in after work?” Lola flipped her platinum hair, looking effortlessly glamorous at this early hour.
Glancing down at my nails, I realized how badly they needed to be painted. “Umm, I was planning to watch this new Netflix original I had my eye on tonight.”
Lola rolled her eyes. “It’s our last day here, and who knows when we’ll get the chance to work together again!”
I laughed nervously. “But they already sent out a memo saying that there will be cake at lunch. That seems like a decent party to me.”
Lola sniffed, clearly unimpressed by my inability to gauge fun. “Avery, you never come out with us! When do you think we will get this chance again? Seriously, I don’t think you’ve seen any of us in the same room once outside of this office.”
Trying, and failing, to make my groan sound more like fun laughter, I replied, “I don’t know, you know clubs aren’t really my thing.”
Lola peered down her perfect, straight nose at me. “You are coming tonight.”
“That didn’t sound like a question.” I felt my night being taken away from me as I realized my excuses were dwindling.
“It wasn’t. I refuse to leave your desk until you agree to come out tonight. Besides, your movie will still be up on Netflix tomorrow.”
I sighed and rubbed my face in my hands, probably further smudging my rushed makeup job.
“Fine, but I can’t show up if I’m still here trying to get this work done. If you distract me for too much longer, I’ll be forced to stay late.”
Lola squealed and hugged my neck, the hug felt more like a temporary stranglehold.
“Oh my gosh you won’t regret it! Work hard and make sure you don’t turn into a pumpkin.”
Lola bounced off and I was left sitting behind my desk. I loved Lola; I really did. She was such a nice girl but sometimes she could be a little much. We’ve worked at a few places together through the temp agency. We were just two completely different personalities. She was fun and confident, in herself and her life. She was working these temp jobs to get by until she made it big as an actress, while I was doing it to try and figure out what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.
The lights in the club set the room in a kaleidoscope of vibrant colours. The flurry of faces felt more like scenes from a dream than actual people I could interact. I groaned internally as an excited shriek sounded from the bar behind me.
“O-M-G, you actually made it!”
I turned, painting on a sweet smile as my eyes met Lola’s. “I said I would, didn’t I?”
“Well, yeah. But you actually came. Usually, I beg you until you agree to come, and you cancel or find an excuse to leave almost immediately.
“Well, don’t get too excited. I’m still trying to come up with my excuse for tonight.” I tried to play it off as a joke but the frown she gave me made me glad that I wasn’t the one trying to pursue a career in acting.
But Lola was right, I don’t get out much. She’s the type of person that goes out every weekend and I’m, well, I’m not. I’m not saying that there’s anything wrong with that. It’s just not really my thing, I get pretty anxious around crowds. She’s so outgoing and I’ve always admired and respected that about her.
Feeling out of my comfort zone already I noticed Lola in her short, tight white dress. It seemed to glow against her fake tan, flawless as usual. Then I remembered I was wearing the only dress I owned, other than my old high school prom dress. The top half was black and the shirt had a nice green geometric pattern on it. I couldn't help pulling it down in fear I was showing off too much leg, even though my dress was undoubtedly longer than Lola's. She looked amazing and was definitely a lot more confident in herself than I was.
“So, what are you drinking?” Lola demanded, shocking me out of my own little world. “It’s on me as we are celebrating such a momentous occasion.”
“Uh, a root beer is fine.”
Lola huffed a laugh. “A rookie beer? I don’t think so. Seriously, what are you drinking?”
Helplessly looking to the bartender for direction, but he was too busy chatting up a busty brunette to be of any use. “I guess I’ll just have whatever you’re having.”
Lola smiled at my apparent good taste and turned to walk up towards the bartender. She flipped her hair as she stood next to the brunette and leaned over the bar counter getting closer to the bartender. His eyes went right from the brunette to Lola. He smiled at Lola as she proceeded to order.
“Here.” Lola shoved a short fat glass with dark liquid into my hands. I quickly downed it and shuttered as it burned my throat long after it went down. Watching Lola, I wished I had the same kind of confidence, even just to be able to get the bartender’s attention long enough to get that root beer.
Turning back to the bar, it became evident that the bartender was making progress with the brunette, so I gave up hope of getting another drink. With a sigh, I pulled my attention away from the bartender and back to Lola, only to find that she was gone. Already in deep conversation with a group of attractive men at a booth. Leaving me to fend for myself. “Great.” I mumbled.
Clearly abandoned by my awesome friend, I allowed myself to leave the stuffy place to get some fresh air. The club was on the bigger and busier side of town. The only part that actually had anything open past eight p.m., really.
I decided to walk back to my apartment by taking the shortcut through the park. Lola probably wouldn’t even notice my absence until the next morning anyway.
It was such a nice autumn night that I actually enjoyed the walk—it was peaceful. The bright, silver waxing moon as well as the shimmering stars framed the beautiful night sky as though it was an expensive work of art. It shone in the night sky and warmed my heart like a friend I could always rely on.
My hand reached up to caress the necklace I wore around my neck, a sparkling silver crescent moon that twinkled along with the stars above. It was the only memento I had of my birth parents.
A rustle in the bushes made me whirl around in shock and almost trip over my own feet. I scanned the area expecting a lion, or tiger, or bear to jump out in front of me. I couldn’t move, I froze waiting to see what would happen next. Nothing. After a few moments of silence, I took a deep breath and convinced myself I was alone. I turned back and continued on my way home, walking much faster than I was earlier.
I made my way through the empty park and was now walking down the long quiet street that my apartment was on. As I walked past each storefront, I couldn’t help but glance at the windows to ensure there was no reflection of someone following me. Maybe Lola’s right, I do watch too much T.V.
A low whistling noise sounded from behind me. Hoping it was only the wind I slowly turned around to see a dark figure peeking around the corner of the alley way I had just passed. They blended in with the shadows, almost as if they were translucent, except for their large glowing red eyes.
I rubbed my eyes in shock. This can’t be real. Just as I removed my hands from my eyes the figure was gone. I blinked in disbelief before I continued. Only a few blocks away I decided to run the rest of the way home. I could probably use the workout anyway, right?
I sprinted to my building door and dug around my purse for my key card to get in. Ugh, why do I always have to bring so much crap with me in my purse? I finally pulled out my card and tapped the lock. The light turned green, and I breathed a sigh of relief as I opened the door.
The building was empty and almost too quiet. I looked around the lobby as I made my way to the elevator. As I passed the front desk, I glanced behind it to see if Mr. Anderson was behind it taking a nap, he tends to do that sometimes, but even he was gone. I shrugged it off and waited for the elevator to get to the lobby floor. I’m losing it. I definitely need to watch some cartoons to get to sleep tonight.
Once inside the elevator I figured I should probably send Lola a quick text to let her know I left and that I was home safe and sound. I hit send on my phone as the elevator doors opened to floor four. I walked out and turned right to see that my apartment door was opened slightly. I slowly made my way to the door in a panic with my phone in one hand ready to call 9-1-1. Examining the door, it didn’t seem like a break in, and as I was pulling my phone up to call for help, I heard a familiar voice.
“Avery? Is that you honey?” I exhaled in relief and ran into my tiny apartment. “Mom!” You nearly scared the life out of me, what are you doing here?” As I ran in I could see her sitting in my living area with a mysterious middle-aged man. He was dressed in a professional black suit with a navy-blue tie, and he wore black, thin-framed glasses.
I watched him nervously. “Hello, Miss Avery, my name is Lawrence. I have been sent here to bring you back home.”
“Uh, I am home,” I said as I gestured around my bachelor apartment. My eyes shifted from him to my mom hoping she’d tell me that this was a prank, she did have a very weird sense of humour. Scanning my mom’s face to see if she was serious. Her usual dark brown eyes were now pink and puffy.
“Mom, what’s wrong? Have you been crying?” I couldn’t help but to narrow my eyes at this mystery man. I hated seeing my mom like this, she was the most kind-hearted, loving person I knew. “I swear if you hurt her, I will hurt you one hundred—”
My mother cut me off, “No, Avery, it’s nothing like that. Lawrence called me earlier and told me that something had been following you all night.”
“You mean after the club? Like on my way home?” I knew I wasn’t seeing things. And did she say something was following me? Suddenly I felt my mom’s arms around me as her dark brown hair was practically suffocating me. I was so lost in my own thoughts I never even noticed her get up from the couch, but for a moment I felt like I needed this.
I pulled away. “I still don’t know what’s going on.” I stared at my mom trying to get a read on her. She was even paler than usual. I watched as Lawrence stood up and walked over to us. “I was sent by my employer to watch over you and protect you but now I feel as though you are no longer safe here.”
“Employer? Watch over me? Are you the person who was following me back at the alley?” I was not scared anymore, now I was pissed. Who was this guy and why the hell was he watching me?
Lawrence’s eyes shifted from my mother then back to me before a soft smile formed on his lips, not really reaching his eyes. “Miss Bate, I had the absolute pleasure of working for your parents for most of my career. However, it is with great sadness to inform you that they passed away a few years ago.”
Is this guy for real? I thought as I pointed a thumb at my mom.
“No, Miss Bate, your birth parents.”
I felt like someone shot me in the heart. I loved my adoptive mother, so I never gave much thought to my birth parents, but it still hurt to find out that I would never get the chance to meet them.
As a tear slid down my cheek, I tried to recompose myself. “Well, they didn’t want me, so I guess it doesn’t matter.”
“That’s not the case at all. They loved you very much and had excellent reasons for sending you away. They always wanted to reunite with you, but sadly never got the chance.”
And now they never will. Confusion took over my senses.
“Please Miss Bate, I need you to trust me. We need to leave immediately; I promise I will explain everything in due time.”
“Leave? I can’t leave!”
My mom placed her hand on my shoulder. “You need to trust him, Avery. He has always been looking out for you.” I had to wipe my eyes before another tear had the chance to slide down my cheek. “You know him?” She just nodded in response. “And you trust him?”
She hugged me again and then handed me a small suitcase she must have already packed for me. “Go with him, Avery.”
CHAPTER TWO
Avery
I followed Lawrence to his car, curious as to who his current employer was, and who was following me in that alley earlier. What did they want with me?
Lawrence opened the back passenger side door to a black 1967 Chevy Impala. I took my seat admiring the black leather interior. It was giving me serious Supernatural vibes. I always hoped if I were ever to be in this car I’d be in the back seat with Jensen Ackles. The thought made a small chuckle escape my lips as Lawrence walked around the car and joined me in the backseat. I wondered who was driving since Lawrence was sitting in the back with me. I tried to peek out of the tinted windows, but all I could see was my own face reflected back at me.
Exhaustion suddenly overcame my senses and I felt myself drifting off to sleep. Lawrence took out a pillow and blanket as though he had planned for this all along. “Sleep now, Miss Avery. I know you have many questions and all shall be revealed in due time.”
My eyes became heavy and I struggled to keep them open. What the hell is going on?
I awoke to find myself still inside of the car. Ahh crap. I lifted my head slowly and was pleasantly surprised that I wasn’t dead. I took in my surroundings and noticed that Lawrence was still sitting in the back with me. My mom told me to trust him, but can I?
As I rose, Lawrence straightened and smiled softly. “Miss Avery, we have arrived. Please put on this cloak, keep your head down and do not say a word. No one should be on our path, but for your safety it is best if you were not recognized should we interact with anyone.”
I nodded, too preoccupied with the unbelievably luxurious material of my black velvet cloak and fear of who the heck I was about to meet to bring myself to speak. As the car came to a stop, Lawrence got out and opened the door for me. I looked back at the car and had to do a double take. Instead of the Impala, there was now a horse drawn carriage in its place. Was I transferred into this thing while sleeping?
