Shadowing bright an obsc.., p.1
Shadowing Bright (An Obscure Magic, #15), page 1
Table of Contents
Shadowing Bright (An Obscure Magic, #15)
Shadowing Bright | Copyright © 2025 by Viola Grace | ISBN: 978-1-997804-16-1 | ©Cover art by Angela Waters
Shadowing Bright | An Obscure Magic Book 15 | By
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Author’s Note
About the Author
Amy’s new life brings a lot of social demands. A go-kart night and dinner for a friend’s birthday is only the beginning.
Amy is learning to relax and enjoy life, and friends like Vaia make it even more fun. Not only is Vaia an amazing seamstress, but she is a lot of fun to hang around with and a startlingly good dancer. With Emmers engaged in his own plans, Amy is free to pursue her own entertainment. He’s still stuck in the friend zone, and she is really needing to cut loose.
Vaia has had it. After her birthday fun with Amy at her side, she sets things in motion to get herself free of the familiar agreement, and more importantly, she files for divorce. It is less than a day before her husband is at her door, telling her he lost track of time. Fifteen years may not mean much to a dragonborn, but it meant a lot to her.
Krys is delighted to be chosen by the mayor’s office as the new event coordinator for the Grunwald mansion. Her parents are excited, her clan leader is irritated, and the rest of the people around her are in need of guidance. She’s going to roll up her sleeves and plan a whole lot of weddings. She has a purpose, a drive, and a whole lot of crazy. Perfect for wedding season.
The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
Shadowing Bright
Copyright © 2025 by Viola Grace
ISBN: 978-1-997804-16-1
©Cover art by Angela Waters
All rights reserved. With the exception of review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the express permission of the publisher.
Published by Viola Grace
Smashwords Edition
Look for me online at violagrace.com and other e-book sellers.
Shadowing Bright
An Obscure Magic Book 15
By
Viola Grace
Chapter One
Amy stood at her seamstress’s place, Tricky Fit. “So, Vaia, were you at the wedding?”
“No, but six of my gowns were.” Vaia knelt to get the hemline of the skirt to fit Amy’s giant form.
“Well, I hope they had a nice time.”
“I am fairly sure they did. The agents who could be there know how to party.” Vaia Depford got to her feet. “Okay, you can pick this up after work. You now have a formal ball gown for the mage guild’s ball.”
Vaia unzipped the ice-blue gown shimmering with silver and blue beadwork.
“It will shift with me?”
“Of course. I just need you to be your tallest so that I can get the enchantment right.”
“I know, but part of my brain thinks that if I forget to mention it, the dress will shred if I shift. It’s a spectacular dress. It makes me look like an icicle.”
Vaia walked over to the beverage caddy and poured herself some tea. “I know. I am very proud of it. So, do you have a date for the grand event?”
Amy walked behind the divider, shrank down, and took the precious gown off. She hung it up and got dressed. “Thanks for putting a rush on this.”
“No problem. I already have mine done, so this was fine.”
Amy put her office clothing on again. “Oh, what are you wearing?”
“A dress.” Vaia laughed.
“Yeah. I guessed. Anything special?”
“Just magic and midnight.” Vaia snorted. “Third from the left on the completion rack.”
Amy walked over to the rack, where the complete gowns were hanging. The third from the left did, indeed, look like magic and moonlight. Black silk and swirls of black beading that moved across it. “This is lovely.”
“Thanks. I do good work. All those years of getting a master’s qualification, and my true skills are in embroidery.” She chuckled.
“Speaking of master. Are you still clear?”
“Still clear. He isn’t anywhere near us, or I would know. So, I am good.” Vaia smiled. “At least I don’t need to make corsets for Nylora anymore. I hear she had a boy.”
“Yup. I have seen pictures. He looks like Solor in shadow.”
“Cute. Gonna be a good-looking kid then.” Vaia smiled.
“Already is.”
Vaia cocked her head. “Are you going somewhere tonight?”
“Just out to the taco truck.”
“So, you are going to try dating one of the XIA.”
“Maybe. We are just friends so far.” Amy shrugged.
“Which one?”
“Um. The polar bear.”
“Ah. Wait. Isn’t that an issue?”
“He says it isn’t.” Amy shrugged. “Nothing gets serious until it’s safe.”
“Okay. Call me if you ever need backup. I know your people are a little touchy.”
“That is putting it mildly.” Amy smiled as she flicked through the dresses.
“Are you going to the Night Faire any time soon?”
“I went last week. Why?”
“Oh, never mind.” Vaia waved it off.
“No, if you want to go, we can totally go. It would be nice to go with folks I don’t consider targets.”
Vaia paused and laughed. “Oh. No target here. I just hate going alone, and they have asked me to dance for a birthday party they are having there, and I need a bodyguard.”
Amy grinned. “In that case. Sure.”
“Cool. There is a new outfit in it for you, and if you are willing, I will pay for tacos and go-karts before we go.”
“Wait. Whose birthday is this?”
“Mine. I dance at the faire every year on my birthday. I get a bit of a power bump for public performances, and they get a hike in operating costs. It’s a pretty popular draw.” Vaia was blushing.
“Wait. What are you wearing to the faire?” Amy smiled. “I need to know what I should be wearing.”
“Oh, if you want, I can dress you in scary-dog privilege.”
Amy grinned. “It will shift with me?”
“Of course.” Vaia grinned. “That is what I do.”
“Wait. What am I defending?”
Vaia winced, beckoned her to the back, and showed her a cascade of glittering beadwork. Amy gasped at the markings woven into the glittering costume. “Oh, that is what you do.”
“Yeah. Let something out, let something in, turn it into creative energy. You know how my family works. It’s this or having kids.”
“Oh. Right. What about your... significant other?”
“Radio silence. He agreed to stay away, so I get to do what I want—” Vaia shrugged, “—until he shows up, but I am crossing my fingers that something happens in the next few weeks. It should split us for good.”
“What?”
“It’s a mage-familiar thing.”
“Oh. Oh shit.” Amy looked at her friend and seamstress and finally understood something she hadn’t before. They had known each other for six years, and Vaia had always been the same steady, powerful artist. Knowing that she had a familiar was strange. “How long have you had a familiar?”
Vaia looked away from the dance costume. “Oh, I am the familiar. It’s been nearly ten years since he needed me at all, so I can begin severing our connection.”
“Does he know about that?”
“No, but if he hasn’t drawn on me, he won’t really miss me. I keep track of him. He’s doing fine without me.” She snorted. “Really fine.”
“How fine?”
“He’s on tour. He’s very popular.”
“Oh. He’s a performer.”
“Yeah. I don’t want to say his name, but his performing name is The Mage of Shadows.”
Amy blinked. “You are joking.”
“I am not.”
“How long have you been bound to him?”
“Since I was eighteen, so fifteen years. He needed me as a spillway for the first five years, but then he stabilized. I haven’t felt a pull since.” She grinned. “So, I think it’s time to cut some ties, but first, I am going to do my normal routine. I don’t actually need you for it, but it would be nice not to be alone for once.”
Amy paused. “I thought you had a huge family.”
“I do, but my parents sold the use of my body and magic. It makes for a difficult time at the family gatherings, so I don’t go.” She sighed. “The same thing happened to one of my aunts, so they figured it was a good way to replenish the family coffers.”
“Wait, so they sold you?”
“Yup. Contracted to another wealthy mage family. A sturdy familiar for him, and a payday for my parents.”
“Wow. It was legal?”
“Oh, sure. Mage guild regulations allow for such alliances, as long as there is a legal tie, so I have to divorce him as well. That will take longer, but his manager has power of attorney, so it should be ratified in a few months.”
“But, your
last name is Depford.”
“Oh, it’s an omission. Technically, it is Depford-Maximus, but that is a little awkward, and since my family doesn’t acknowledge me regardless, and I don’t want to be invited to the social stuff from his family, I keep it simple.”
Amy looked at her and hugged her.
“It’s the damp-kitten vibe thing, isn’t it?”
Amy laughed. “Something like that. I just want to take care of you.”
“Weird adaptation that I have. I try not to use it, but my situation does bring it to the fore.”
“Spillover.”
“Yup. I need an outlet just as much as he does, but I can get it anytime people perceive me in a public action. I let it bleed off a little.”
“So, what day do you want to use me for scary-dog privilege?”
“Thursday?”
“Is that your birthday?”
“No. Birthday is Wednesday.”
“Then, we will do it on Wednesday. How long do you have to perform at the faire?”
“Fifteen minutes.”
“So, food truck after?”
“Yes. But we start with the go-karts. I love going to the go karts, then we change into faire garb, and then I make an ass of myself.”
“For the good of the people.”
Vaia giggled. “For the good of the people.”
“Do folks ever record it?”
“Sure. They don’t remember who I am, but they do record it.”
“Do you have any footage?”
Vaia snorted and went to the laptop on a nearby desk. She tapped and turned the screen toward Amy.
“Oh. Oh wow. How do you move like that?”
“I took classes when I was younger. I still like to keep everything moving with it.”
“Okay, Wednesday night. You are bringing an outfit for me?”
“Yup. I can pick you up at six.”
“With the new outfit.”
“Yup. I have just the thing.”
“May I see?”
Vaia went to a closed wardrobe and opened the doors. “Will that do?”
Amy laughed. “I have always wanted to dress as a barbarian. Yes, it’s lovely. Why do you have it?”
“Because I always ask a likely friend to come with me. You are the only one who has said they would do it.” Vaia smiled. “I won’t be upset if something comes up.”
Amy shook her head. “Oh, I am coming. Tacos and the Night Faire and go-karting, not in that order? Sounds like a delightful way to spend a mid-week evening.”
The seamstress laughed. “I think so. You said you were talking with the jewellery smith there?”
“Yeah. May as well see if they have anything new.”
“Right. Are you sure you want to do that? Your new friend is aware of your lack of following your family courtship traditions?”
“Yes. He knows that I am starting to buy jewellery for myself. He doesn’t like it, but when he blew his stack, that ship sailed. I am no longer keeping anyone else’s opinion in my thoughts when I do things to make myself happy.”
“I am getting there as well. Okay, I will see you Wednesday night. I will drop off your gown for the guild ball. And I am going to practice my dancing. Don’t want to embarrass myself even more than the outfit already does.”
Amy smiled, and they parted ways. She left the mall and returned to her office, where more cases were shelved into cold files. She read them all, entered them in, and filed them in the secure storage.
She felt pretty proud of how much she had accomplished for a Monday.
Amhoran steered around a corner and gunned the engine. She hadn’t been on the track in years, but Vaia had a membership. Vaia was halfway around the lap, but both of them were on the adult track and grinning foolishly.
Some other patrons were racing and caught sight of her. Amy kept her hands on the controls and then found that she was pinned between two different drivers. They kept her from getting around, and she heard the masculine laughter as they called back and forth about pinning her just like this.
The roar of an engine behind her started a confused round of shouting. Amy watched Vaia drive up next to the back of the car ahead of her, and while they went around the corner, Vaia flipped the kill switch on the thug’s kart. Amy fell back and then went around him as he flapped his hands in frustration.
A quick glance back showed the attendants coming to get the dead vehicles off the track. They had just blown their own evening.
Vaia was far ahead again, and Amy sped up to try and match the quick reflexes of her friend. They went around another four times, with Amy eventually catching up, and then they were slowly pulling into the bay. The two goblins grinned as they helped the ladies out of the vehicles. One of the blonde ones said, “Did you have fun?”
“Aside from being boxed in, yeah.”
“They are banned for six months. Vaia doesn’t play.” He chuckled. “No one messes with her guests.”
“Guests? No way.” Amy looked over at Vaia, who was signing some paperwork for the other goblin.
“Way, she bought this place and got it out of bankruptcy. We get paid on time, and there is always a line of folks trying to get in.” He chuckled. “Tips are good, too.”
Amy blinked. “Oh, right.”
“No, miss, not you. Trust me, we got paid well for tonight.”
“Right.”
Vaia grinned. “So, do you want to change here and then head to the faire?”
“Sure. You own this place?”
“Yeah. I might not talk to my family, but they do have a lot of kids, and that got me thinking. So, there is profit to be had. I have started buying and investing in small businesses for the last fifteen years.”
A goblin came in with two garment bags.
“What kind of businesses?”
“Oh, this and that. Three women’s shelters that I provide clothing to. That kind of thing.”
“Do you own a wedding coordinating company?”
“Sure. Don’t you?” Vaia gave her a sidelong glance.
“No. It never occurred to me.” Amy chuckled. “Life has been such a struggle just to keep my head above water.”
“Ah. Right. I had a jump start. He didn’t want my body, but he did give me a dowry to live my life with, so I lived it. Nice and quiet, out of the public eye, except for one day a year.”
“So, you need this? Tonight, I mean?”
“Yeah, I need what I can get there, or I can only get it at a strip club. And the clubs don’t have enough people.”
“Oh, so there is a quantity involved.”
“Yup. And it has to be this one day, so this is the day I dance at the faire.”
“Nice. And you have an office here?”
“Sure.” Vaia got some keys out and opened her office. It was clean, empty, and had a bathroom to one side. “Do you want the bathroom or the office?”
“Uh, how much room do you need?”
“I am good in either space. Your barbarian outfit fits in the bathroom. Yes, it will grow with you.”
Amy laughed. “Thanks. Okay. Hand it over.”
Vaia handed the garment bag over, and Amy headed into the bathroom. She heard shivering beads and a bit of a huff, and then there was stillness.
Amy got into the buttery-soft pale gold and blue leather, and she smiled at the feeling. There was power in freedom of movement. The cloak that came with the outfit was edged with fur, and her grandmother would have loved to wear it. It was a northern masterpiece.
She came out of the bathroom with her street clothes in the garment bag. Vaia was on the phone and looking businesslike in a cloak that moved on its own.
Vaia smiled and ended the call. “Just warning them that we are coming to the staff entrance. The timeline is eight thirty for the performance.”
“Well, then, we should get going.” Amy smiled. “I must say, I am having fun.”
“Good. Well, let’s go.” As she moved, a shiver of sound followed her.
“I must confess, I am curious as to how you dance in that.”
“I am wondering if I can drive in this.” She giggled.
They got to the car and were, indeed, able to tuck themselves into the vehicle.
Amy smiled as Vaia drove them across the city. “I would have thought that you would have a driver.”
“I like driving, and hiring a driver is a waste of funds that could be used elsewhere.”
