Chaos: Supernatural Realms

Chaos

Supernatural Realms Series

Book One

By

Jennifer N. Adams

Copyright

© 2018 Jennifer N. Adams

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express permission of the author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or businesses, organizations, or locales, is completely coincidental.

Editing services provided by Geesey Editorial Services. Cover art illustrated by Lynn Mohney.

Published by Twisted Crow Press, LLC.

www.twistedcrowpress.com

Other Books by Jennifer N. Adams

Dana’s First Fish

Table of Contents

Title

Copyright

Other Books by the Author

Table of Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Dear Reader

About Author

Connect with the Author

Dedication

I wish to dedicate this book in memory of my grandmother. She was my motivation in seeing this book finished. She urged me to never give up, to always keep writing. Although, she read many rough drafts and knew how the story would end, she was not able to see it in its completed form as a published book.

One

Pratt, Arkansas

Okay, Bryna, I’m finished cleaning the dining area. The young blonde woman glanced out the front window and watched a car park in front of the restaurant. Will just pulled up.

Bryna observed the waitress surveying the dining room. Thank you, Michelle. She wrapped the bills with a rubber band and stuffed it into the small apron tied around her waist, intending on placing them in the safe before she left the diner. She walked around the counter and smiled at her best friend. Though Bryna was tired after working a full and chaotic shift, she knew Michelle in her condition had to be thoroughly exhausted.

You enjoy your weekend. Make sure you prop your feet up, Bryna said, placing her hand on Michelle’s pregnant belly. Give Will my best.

Bryna’s green eyes danced with delight as she examined her friend and co-worker. Michelle was glowing. It wasn’t that long ago when Bryna had her second child. She actually missed that innocent kick of her child moving inside her, the motherly, glowing feeling as her child grew more each week. Bryna moved her hand across Michelle’s belly once more, feeling a small foot kick against her palm and she smiled.

Oh, I plan to. Michelle smiled. She brushed a blonde strand of hair off her forehead, tucking it behind her ear. Five more weeks to go. She placed her hand next to Bryna’s and blew out a short breath. Have a good night.

You, too. Bryna closed the door and locked it after Michelle left, eager to finish two more chores before securing the diner for the night.

As Michelle’s car drove out of the parking lot, Bryna waved at her through the picture window next to the door. She turned around and walked toward the counter, but only got a few feet when she heard a knock at the door. Michelle must have forgotten something. Bryna turned and gasped. Instead of Michelle standing on the other side of the door, she saw an unfamiliar man.

Her heart immediately jumped to her throat. I’m sorry, we’re closed, she said nervously, putting a hand up to her chest.

I just need a quick cup of coffee. He brought a hand up casually, showing her he had a coffee mug. She focused on his dark eyes, sensing something mystical about him, but could not place it.

We’re closed, sir, she said a bit louder, hoping he’d listen to her this time and leave.

All the other places I’ve passed are too. I still have a long drive to go and I’m falling asleep at the wheel. Please, I just need a cup of coffee to go and I’ll leave.

She continued to stare at the guy as he smiled back at her. She knew he was a supernatural, like herself. Maybe he is one of the good guys, she thought. Bryna could not sense anything bad about him, but she also did not know him. She didn’t know any other supernatural in town either, other than her husband and his family, so she knew he wasn’t from around here.

I promise. Just a cup of coffee, he said, still smiling.

She tried to search his mind for anything bad; yet again she couldn’t sense anything negative. One cup of coffee won’t hurt, I guess, she thought. She could see he wasn’t going to leave, so she decided to let him in. She unlocked the door and smiled back at the guy as he walked past her.

Okay. You’ll have to give me a few minutes to make a pot, she said as she walked past him briskly, avoiding direct eye contact. We really are closed and everything has been cleaned up for the night.

I’m really sorry about this, but I’m making good time and I didn’t want to stop for the night and catch a nap.

She didn’t want to ask where he was going in hopes he wouldn’t stay and chat. It had been a long week and a very hectic day. With tomorrow being Sunday and the restaurant closed, she planned to relax with her family.

Are you the only one here?

His question startled her, making her nervous. His voice was a little deeper and quiet. Though she had her back to him, she could sense he wasn’t smiling anymore.

Yes. Her answer was short, but she tried to sound cheerful. Should she take it back and tell him that her husband was here too, along with her two young daughters?

Before Bryna could say anything, her husband stepped out from behind the kitchen door, answering the late-night customer’s question. Bryna’s heart jumped at the sound of her husband’s voice.

Hey, Bryna. He gave the guy a half-smile, but stared at him with cautious eyes. I thought we were closed?

I’m sorry, John, she said, nervously looking up at her husband. He just wants some coffee and he’ll be on his way.

She turned her focus on the stranger and watched him frown. His brows furrowed and his face turned a light shade of pink, though his eyes had turned a shade darker, matching his slick black hair and black clothes. Bryna knew he was angry; she had lied to the stranger and his sudden change of emotion was now making her feel even more uncomfortable. She didn’t want any trouble, but now she sensed something odd about the stranger, revealing his actual intentions. He had been hiding his true identity from her the entire time. How was he able to hide this earlier? There weren’t too many supes that she knew of who could mask their true identity. Some of them worked with her father and were very good at their job. How did he come through the portal? Or did he come through it before the way to Faerie was closed forever?

Bryna quickly turned around, feeling nauseated as dread and anxiety seemed to battle one another. She shut her eyes, and took a deep breath to calm herself, but the sense of fear crept in, causing her to feel vulnerable and lose her focus. She knew who the man was behind the counter. She also knew he could smell the fear pouring off of her. She took another deep breath, trying to calm herself, then quickly turned her attention back to the coffee pot, watching the brown liquid slowly stream into the pot. She stood there, unwilling to move herself, but willing the brown liquid to stream faster. She hadn’t worked magic in years, not since she left home. She was too nervous to think clearly right now. How did he find me?

She had never drawn attention to herself and she kept far away from his kind. She also stayed in a small town, blending in with other supernatural beings, though not of her own kind. She married and started a family of her own, so she didn’t understand why an assassin would be standing in front of her at this moment, asking calmly for a cup of coffee.

A few strands of her mahogany-colored hair fell down into her face. She quickly pushed them away, tucking them nervously behind her ear. She had joked with her husband about how their girls inherited their mother’s beauty, yet he joked that the brains, height, and athletic abilities would come from him. Bryna smiled secretly at that thought.

Bryna could sense the stranger’s dark eyes moved from the coffee pot, to her, then to her husband. Out of the corner of her eye she watched the stranger smile at John, but the smile didn’t reach his sinister eyes. She could sense that he had been waiting for this moment. Another minute longer and it may be too late. He slowly moved a hand behind his back and kept it there, making Bryna nervous.

The stranger’s fake smile faded. The temperature in the room suddenly dropped; though the air thickened with the amount of energy each supernatural was now putting off.

Actually, I want your money. All of it, the stranger said in a harsh tone. He brought his right hand out from behind his back, pointing the dagger in a throwing position at Bryna, not flinching once.

Bryna could glean his thoughts now. He had done this many times, though not as much on this world when compared to the number of assignments he had cleared on his home world. It was what he had been trained for; though this wasn’t like any assignment he’s ever had. This was for pleasure. This was for what he believed was right, especially for his kind. This was for power.

John slowly put his hands up. Just calm down, buddy. We’ll give you whatever you want, just don’t hurt anyone, okay?

John moved slowly toward Bryna, trying not to overcrowd her with his muscular six-foot frame. He placed a hand on her trembling shoulder. Bryna knew he could smell the fear seeping out of her pores. Inhaling a few times, he leaned in and whispered, It’ll be okay, babe, everything will be okay.

She jumped at John’s gentle touch, yet she attempted to smile. She closed her eyes and tried to pull magic up from deep within her, but she couldn’t grasp it. She couldn’t concentrate now. Not even an hour ago, their babysitter had dropped off her two little children and they were in the back office asleep, and all Bryna could think was something horrible might happen to them.

Bryna, John put his hand on her back and said quietly, give him the cash from the register.

And the safe. I want all the money from the register and from the safe, too. Come on! the stranger yelled.

Bryna whimpered. She was hoping he wouldn’t ask for the money in the safe. She tried to think of a way to keep the guy from going back there, where her two young children were. She opened her mouth to speak but no words would come out.

We don’t have a safe, John lied. The owner just left a half hour ago with today’s sales.

The stranger cocked an eyebrow. No safe, huh?

Bryna knew her husband, a half-breed shape shifter, could sense the stranger didn’t believe him. She was fearful but relieved John kept his voice calm, although she knew it didn’t sound convincing enough.

No. All we have is what’s in the register. He eyed Bryna. Darlin’, please, the money from the register.

Bryna finally moved, slowly reaching into her apron for the till she had counted earlier. She took a deep breath, and turned to hand it to the guy.

And the safe, he tried once more. He stared at Bryna intensely as he took the cash from her.

His eyes dilated as he whispered unintelligible words, too quiet for even Bryna to hear. She could feel the stranger using magic on her, trying to persuade her to do as he commanded, but it wasn’t working. She was finally able to calm herself enough to block him from using persuasion.

He doesn’t know who I am, or what I am, she thought. How can he not know? He’s very strong, but he should know that I’m stronger than he is and can’t be persuaded to do anything he says. Why is he here for me? What did I do? 

Bryna watched as John turned around quickly to confront the stranger. Her heart jumped at his movements. She knew he, too, was feeling a bit irritated, she didn’t have to sense that. This wasn’t how she foresaw her evening playing out, yet she didn’t think anyone would see their evening unfold in front of them, as it was for her and John.

John stared directly at the stranger across the counter and spoke calmly and slowly, I told you already, there isn’t a safe here, that the owner—

Yes, the stranger interrupted, curling his lip with agitation, you’ve said that already.

Bryna knew John could sense the anger emitting off the stranger like a wave of harsh radiation. John wouldn’t have time to shift completely and charge at the guy, saving her and the girls from harm.

Bryna gasped as she closed her eyes. A tear ran down her cheek as she could see what was going to happen next. Premonitions had always been a part of her gift since childhood, yet this was the first time a premonition had been about her. 

The stranger stood there, staring at Bryna and John intently for a few seconds before saying, How unfortunate for you two.

The stranger moved around the counter with such speed that both Bryna and John didn’t see him move until he was standing in front of them. With one swift movement, he flicked the dagger across Bryna’s neck, from ear to ear. For a moment, nothing happened, though Bryna knew otherwise. Everything went black and she collapsed to the floor, lifeless.

The stranger saw a huge, brown furry paw with long claws flying toward him, but wasn’t quick enough to react. He knew John didn’t have time to shift his entire body but was surprised to see he had enough time to shift a hand into a grizzly bear’s paw. But the stranger had moved, causing John to slice a claw down his cheek.

It was the stranger’s turn to catch John off guard. John’s eyes went wide for a second before narrowing into a glare when the stranger’s other hand, still wielding his dagger, came at him. The stranger struck hard and firm into John’s stomach, pulling the dagger upward. He then pulled the dagger out and with another quick flick of his wrist, wounded John again, but with the same fatal cut afflicted across Bryna’s neck.

The stranger stared at John and Bryna, lying lifeless on the floor of the diner. How very unfortunate, he said again, though this time glowering at Bryna. He was hoping she could’ve helped him, but he was wrong. He stepped closer to her and pushed her shirt collar around, wanting to see if she wore a necklace; one very much like the one he was wearing. The purplish hue of his crystal shard was almost depleted of its power telling him he was almost out of magic. The magic that the stranger had used outside of Faerie had depleted, what was left would be contained in the tiny crystal shard. Once the magic was gone, the necklace was useless unless the wearer had gone back to Faerie where the need for such magical devices wasn’t necessary. Its only purpose was served off world. Until the portal to Faerie opened, this dark stranger’s idea was to take another fae’s necklace.

The stranger let out a growl. She wasn’t wearing one, or any other necklace. Scowling, he walked over to a nearby table, pulled out several napkins, and placed them gently against the cut on his face. Why couldn’t you blend with your own kind and not with that half-breed fleabag animal? he yelled at her angrily, as if expecting a response. Look at what you made me do. I was hoping you were the answer. The key to what I was searching for, he roared, his body shaking with fury. 

He took a few deep breaths to calm himself down before grabbing more napkins to dab up the blood that had spilled from his own wound onto the counter. He put the soiled napkins in his pocket. Grabbing his empty coffee mug, not wanting to leave anything behind, he walked briskly toward the door. Grabbing the handle with his shirttail, he wiped the prints off from both sides. He knew he couldn’t be tracked, but nevertheless, he wasn’t in his realm anymore, so he’d take precautions whenever he could. He knew he wasn’t the only dark faerie who came through the portal before it was sealed off. He took one quick scan around the quiet place, then made a run for his car, parked almost a block away.

Mommy? a small voice cried out. Bryna and John’s eldest daughter, Noelle, had stood motionless behind the slightly ajar kitchen door the last few minutes. Her parents’ shouting had beckoned her curiosity to see what was going on, but when she finally stepped up to the kitchen door and pushed it slowly open, she saw something that frightened her to the point she was unable to scream out in fear. 

She pushed the kitchen door open a little wider. A tear fell from her eyes as she called out to her mom again. She stepped out from behind the door a few more paces. More tears fell, as she stared at her parents lying on the floor, unmoving, not responding to her cries. Mommy, Daddy?

A noise radiated through the place, echoing off the walls. The little girl cupped her ears, falling to the floor as it got louder and louder.

Beep, beep, beep...

Noelle rolled over and contemplated her clock as it continued to beep at her, echoing throughout the room. She turned it off and slowly got up out of bed, yawning and rubbing her eyes. She moved slowly toward her dresser, doing her best to wake up. The alarm clock illuminated the room enough for her to see. It was the third night in a row she had dreamed about what happened to her parents not too long ago. This time, more of what happened that night was revealed to her. Though it wasn’t what she remembered had happened. She never heard the conversation between her mother and Michelle, so why did it appear in her dream? It had been a long time since she actually remembered that night, but one thing about her dream was correct; the person responsible for her parents’ death could not be more vivid as from the first moment she had seen him.

Quickly she changed into a pair of jogging pants and a long-sleeved knit shirt and walked silently down the hall to the bathroom to brush her teeth. She smiled at herself in the mirror as she rinsed off her toothbrush. The sight of her healthy white smile made her happy, but after reliving that gruesome moment over again, she was everything but happy. After splashing water on her face, she dried off with a towel hanging next to the sink. She grabbed a hair tie from a dish containing several other hair ties and barrettes sitting on the back of the sink and crept down the hall, stepping quietly down the