Veil’s Fall: An Alice Skye novel Read online

  DISCLAIMER - Written in British English and contains graphic details.

  Copyright © 2021 by Dark Wolf Publishing

  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 written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Edited by Michael Evans

  Cover by MiblArt

  Dedication

  To everyone who applied to be killed off in the TikTok competition, all 11000+ of you, you’re weird and you get to live another fictional day!

  To Casey, the winner, I’m sorry.

  * * *

  Alice Skye Series

  Witch’s Sorrow

  Druid’s Storm

  Rogue’s Mercy

  Elemental’s Curse

  Knight’s War

  Veil’s War

  * * *

  Alice Skye World

  Witch’s Bounty

  Chasing Shadows

  * * *

  Contents

  Disclaimer

  Introduction

  Book Six

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 6.5

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 10.5

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 16.5

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 24.5

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Epilogue

  Afterword

  About the Author

  * * *

  This book is written in British English, including spelling and grammar and contains dark, graphic details.

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  Witch’s Bounty

  When the wrong man's framed, and the Metropolitan Police don't care. Paladin Agent Alice Skye takes it on herself to find the real culprit.

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  Book Six

  Prologue

  Cassiel watched those that governed the Breed with piqued interest. They looked inadequate, mortal and yet they were some of the strongest individuals that side of the world.

  The Council, as they called themselves, were a spectrum of colour to his senses, his chi searching without detection. His kind had never been involved in any politics within any realms but their own, they were the watchers and keepers of history, not politicians.

  They had no voice.

  He was there to change that.

  "So monsieur, tell me more about these seals," Valentina said, her long nails scraping delicate lines into the wooden armrests. “And the reason why you’re here.”

  Cassiel would have thought it was impatience, or even annoyance at his presence that she scored the wood. He could understand, he was a dominant outsider. But out of all the Councilmen the small vampire was the hardest to read. Everything she did seemed to be deliberate, from the sensual curve of her lip at the right point in conversations to the carefully timed breaths. He would have expected the feline to scrape a claw, but not the vampire.

  Now shifters, they were a creature he found fascinating.

  “Yes,” Xavier growled with a smile full of sharp teeth. “Tell us why you’re here.” His left eye was damaged, permanently closed with an unusual burn marking the lid. He even tilted it towards the light, purposely showing everyone the scar as if it was something of pride. Dark magic had made that mark, the edges feathered out like veins across the cat’s warm skin. It made Xavier look even more feral, made him more dangerous which was impressive for a Breed with only claws and teeth for defence.

  “The veil is the barricade that keeps all the realms separate magic exactly where they should be,” Cassiel answered, making sure he held everyone’s undying attention. “The seals were designed to mute the Elementals magic to the point they were not at risk of shattering the carefully constructed guard that separated your realms."

  Lilianna’s eyes narrowed. "Explain to us how that–”

  “–doesn't affect the balance?" Quention finished for his twin. "Magic requires balance, so how does suppressing their powers not break that law?”

  “You would know about balance, wouldn't you," Frederick huffed, rolling up his sleeves to reveal two wooden bands. "Considering it was the Fae that started all this.”

  “And it was the witches that created problems with their new gift," Lilliana snapped. "With their experimenting and –”

  “– inbreeding," Quention finished.

  "INBREEDING? HOW DARE YOU!" Frederick shot to his feet, his long velvet coat billowing around his legs. Arcane ignited up his arms, the magic a dark green with a heart of black.

  Cassiel laughed, the sound closer to a bark. "You are the highest amongst your Breeds, surely you are not ignorant enough to know that magic isn’t something that can be so easily manipulated? Magic is a force, wild as which it was named after. Agreed it has been diluted once it leaked into Earth Side, but still unpredictable. Dangerous.”

  “Earth Side wasn’t designed to hold so much wild magic,” the Archdruid Edward said with a grunt, his rune shaped tattoos glowing across his knuckles. “It strangled the native magic of my ancestors.”

  “Which was why it became diluted,” Cassiel said, stretching his copper wings so they draped over the armrests awkwardly. “Bringing natural balance to the realms. It’s why when an Elemental ascends and accepts their power it risks the integrity of the veil. And if the veil falls…”

  “Chaos,” Frederick answered for him. “All the magic will collide and create Chaos.”

  “And Chaos that cannot be contained.”

  “You mentioned the Wild Hunt,” Valentina said, her dark eyes memorising every shift of his muscle. A predator that was sizing him up. “What can you tell moi about it?”

  Lilliana flicked her long hair over her shoulder. “There have been no whispers of such an event.”

  “Not even rumours,” Quention added, mirroring the movement of his sister.

  “I have not heard of this ‘Wild Hunt,’” Edwards said, easing forward in his seat. “What has it got to do with the Elementals?”

  Cassiel shifted in the seat not designed for wings. “The Wild Hunt are those who want control, and will do anything to accomplish it. They have tried before, in Far Side…”

  “And failed,” Lilianna interrupted. “The Wild Hunt was destroyed –”

  “– centuries ago. The leaders were executed and accomplices were exiled by both courts.”

  Cassiel stared at the faerie twins, their image identical as they shared their one seat. “That doesn’t mean the ideology doesn’t live on.”

  Edwards clasped his hands. “Why would someone want the veil to fall…”

  “Domination,” Xavier interrupted, his tiger glowing across his irises. “Three realms will become one until the veil is reinstated, until then the strongest will rise and take control.”

  Quention clenched his jaw. “Aetherna isn’t connected to o
ur realms –”

  “– so why are celestrials interested in preserving the veil?”

  “We may not be directly connected to the veil, but our realm relies on it just as much as all yours…”

  “I swear if you mention ‘balance’ one more time,” Frederick muttered quietly beneath his breath.

  “Chao is the strongest amongst magic, and was what created us all,” Cassiel continued, ignoring the interruption. “Just as all creators, it has the ability to destroy everything, including my home. So it's in my interest, as well as yours to stop it before it’s too late. Now, tell me more about the woman who is to become War,” Cassiel said, sitting back into the throne he claimed as his own amongst The Council. “Tell me about Alice Draco Skye."

  Chapter 1

  Why was she nervous?

  She had beaten Daemons, a corrupt Archdruid, hellhounds and trials by The Council, and not once had she been nervous.

  Riley gripped her hand tighter, almost as if he sensed her hesitation.

  “I don’t trust you,” Alice whispered as they walked side by side, towering lights glittering around them. It was a beautiful summer night, the sun setting in the distance to give the sky a pink hue that softened the hardened city of glass and steel that she called home.

  Riley’s chuckle made her shiver, anticipation overtaking the butterflies that twisted her stomach.

  He was definitely up to something, she thought, a smile tugging her lips. It had been a while since she had seen him, her eyes taking in his profile appreciatively. The Guardians had been busier than usual, meaning their dates had consisted of hurried phone calls late at night.

  She understood, her work picking up also, keeping her just as busy. However, the fact it was the first time she had seen him physically in a couple weeks meant nothing considering her instincts were screaming that there was something he was keeping from her.

  “Seriously,” she said louder, tugging his hand for him to stop. “What is up with you?”

  “Maybe I’m just enjoying spending some time with you?” he replied, wiggling his eyebrows. “Maybe I’m just enjoying spending some time with you, alone.”

  Alice’s smile began to hurt. “We’re not exactly alone.” Someone walked past, nudging them gently before they moved to the edge of the pavement.

  It only emphasised her point.

  Alone time didn’t come easy, not when their lives were so active. With the increased Shadow-Veyn sightings and portals across the world, Alice knew they were running out of time.

  She was running out of time.

  Her hand crept up to the small seal draped around her throat, the hollow coin cold against her palm. The voices were silent, but she never knew for how long. Riley noticed her anxious move, his own coming up to wrap around hers in a comfort she welcomed.

  His fingers continued moving up to cup her jaw, his chi stretching to cause electrical sensations across her own. She sighed when his lips touched hers, the kiss deliciously slow before developing into something more. She had to concentrate to stop the moan from escaping when he moved to kiss down her neck, his teeth biting down gently on the sensitive place in the crook of her shoulder.

  “Stop it,” she growled, her voice deepening. “You’re distracting me.”

  His next kiss was rough, his hands hooking under her thighs to pull her closer to his height. “Is it working?”

  “Riley!”

  “Come on,” he laughed, setting her back down on her feet. “Let’s go grab a drink from Blood Bar, I need to finish up some paperwork anyway.”

  It was definitely a distraction, but one she would embrace until their demanding lives split them apart once again.

  The walk was only short before they were at the bar, the velvet robe outside suspiciously void of the usual crowd.

  “Do you have weapons on you?” Riley paused, watching her from the corner of his eye.

  Alice’s anxiety spiked. “Riley?” she said more sternly than before. “What have you done?”

  Riley’s eyes dropped down to her thighs, laughter dancing behind his irises as he tried to spot the hidden weapons he knew she had. “Do you trust me?” He pushed at the door.

  The nerves heightened, stomach twisting. “What have you…?”

  “SURPRISE!”

  “SURPRISE!”

  “SURPRISE!”

  It was only Riley’s hands centred on her waist that stopped her from going for the knives she had strapped to her thighs.

  “Bloody hell!” She was grateful that her control was good enough to not instinctively burn the place down.

  “Happy birthday, sweetheart,” he whispered into her ear.

  “I’m going to kill you,” she hissed back, her heart a rabbit in her chest.

  Sam grinned from the bar, his height towering over everyone as he walked the length of it, much to the annoyance of the bartender. Alistair, Brady, Michelle, Jones, Elduin and Peyton were just a few of her friends that held up their drinks. As well as her old Paladin colleagues, Rose and Bee.

  The tall tables had been placed around the dance floor with little candles on mirrored glass. The stage was empty except a single microphone, a banner stating ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY’ draped across the front.

  “A party?” She was engulfed in hugs and greetings. “You closed the bar for me?” she whispered to Riley, who smiled when she turned to face him.

  His hand squeezed hers. “I know you want privacy.”

  And they both knew privacy was something she was giving up by being with him. She wanted to stay under the radar as much as possible, especially as she was still figuring out her powers. The paparazzi had been interested enough to make her life more difficult, but It would be much easier if the newspapers and magazines weren’t watching, waiting for her to fall.

  It was the reason she no longer enjoyed reading any gossip magazine.

  “The party, however, was Sam’s idea,” he continued.

  “Of course it was!” Sam chuckled as he rushed her, crushing her into a bear hug that lifted her off the floor. “My baby girl deserves the best party considering the last year!”

  Alice waited for him to release her before stepping back into Riley’s waiting arms. “Sam, my birthday was a few weeks ago.”

  “Aye, It’s why it’s called a ‘surprise’ party,” he replied, rolling his eyes before moving back towards the bar. “Who wants shots?!”

  “Don’t worry,” Riley murmured into her hair, “he’ll be fine.”

  Maybe, she thought to herself, knowing he was still in pain from losing his friend. Sam was used to loss, but that didn’t mean it didn’t affect him in ways his flamboyant personality disguised. Ash had survived his ordeal, but their relationship hadn’t.

  So if Sam wanted to throw her a surprise birthday party several weeks late, then so be it.

  “Thank you for letting Sam have the party here,” she said, examining the tissue paper stars hanging from the ceiling. “And I’m really sorry for undoubtedly the amount of glitter he’s used.”

  A kiss to her bare shoulder. “Next year we’re going away for the weekend. Just you and me.”

  Alice turned in his embrace, noticing the liquid silver in his eyes.

  “Seriously though,” she said, placing her palm over his heart, “good luck cleaning up all the glitter.”

  “Hmmm.” A kiss to her bare palm. “Maybe we can go somewhere hot…”

  “You’ll be finding those sparkly bastards in your crevasses for weeks.”

  He brushed his thumb across her bottom lip. “I love you.”

  Three simple words tightened her chest. She initiated the kiss this time, keeping it soft as she showed him exactly what she felt.

  The microphone gave off a high-pitched whine.

  Tap. Tap. Tap.

  “If you would please excuse the disgusting public display of affection over there from the birthday girl,” Sam chuckled. “I would like to start the karaoke!”

  “Oh, us!” Michelle squeaked from h
er table, hand raised. “We’ll go first!”

  “Wait, we?” Brady grumbled, his deep tone carrying across the room with little effort.

  Sam handed over the microphone, smirking as Brady begrudgingly joined his wife on stage. From the glazed eyes she had clearly had a few drinks, and Alice didn’t blame her considering it was the first time she had seen Michelle without their gorgeous baby.

  “I need to speak to the Guardians.” Riley nodded to Xander who stood in the corner, arms crossed and pale eyes scanning the crowd. The room looked empty compared to a normal night, so he stood out in the dark shadows even more so. When Riley turned back to her, his eyes hardened.

  “Ma petite sorcière, I hope you don’t mind my intrusion,” a familiar voice said from behind.

  Alice froze, lips pursed. “D?” She hadn’t heard him sneak up on her, but then again, he was a vampire. “What are you doing here?”

  “How damaged is my door?” Riley asked, annoyance husking his tone.

  Danton looked between them, dark eyes in skin as pale as snow. He looked horrifying, his usual humanity he wore like a mask gone. “Pardon, but I need to speak to you urgently.”

  Riley kissed her palm once more, never taking his eyes off Danton. “I’ll just be over there,” he whispered, moving towards Xander who had already began in their direction.