Twisted by Time, page 1
CONTENTS
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Also by R.L. Perez
TWISTED BY TIME
Copyright © 2020 R.L. Perez
All rights reserved.
Published by Willow Haven Press 2020
United States of America
No parts of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.
This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser. Under no circumstances may any part of this book be photocopied for resale.
This is a work of fiction. Any similarity between the characters and situations within its pages and places or persons, living or dead, is unintentional and co-incidental.
Cover Art by Blue Raven Book Covers
ISBN: 978-1-955035-29-3
www.rlperez.com
For Alex, the Cuban who stole my heart.
CHAPTER 1
The chill of nightfall tickled my arms as I ran my fingers through José’s shoulder-length, black hair. His eyes closed, and he smiled with lazy contentment.
“How do you keep it so smooth?” I asked.
“Ancient Cuban secret.”
I snorted.
“He means ‘ancient Cuban shampoo,’” Mia drawled from beside me, taking another swig of the liquor we’d passed around. She squinted at José. “It doesn’t look that smooth to me.” Her speech was slurred, and she swayed into Cameron, who sat next to her.
I eyed her and pressed my lips together. She’s had too much to drink. I forced a laugh. “You’re clearly too drunk to see properly.” I tried to take the bottle from her hand, but she waved it away from me.
“Yeah, Mia, ease up. Don’t overdo it.” Cameron snatched the bottle and took a sip. He offered it to me, but I shook my head, wrinkling my nose.
“Oh, please,” Mia said a little too loudly. “With my powers, I’m unstoppable.” She burped, and a sharp, musty stench assaulted my nostrils.
My arms and legs itched to move and stretch. I dropped my hand from José’s head and slid off the park bench, bending at the waist and touching my toes.
“Uh-oh, she’s doing yoga again,” José said with a chuckle.
Cameron set the bottle of liquor on the concrete and ruffled his long, blond curls. “Relax, Desi. Mia’s the only one wasted. We can protect her if we need to.”
“I am relaxed. I feel nothing but Zen right now.” I gripped the ends of my flats and glanced along the sidewalk. As dusk fell, the surrounding neighbors disappeared into their homes, and an eerie silence settled around the park. The swings nearby creaked ominously with the brisk spring wind. The small city of North Grove, Wisconsin didn’t see warm weather until almost summer.
I suppressed a shiver. We should really get home soon. “I may turn in early. All that Chinese food is making me feel bloated.”
José groaned loudly. “Desi, you are such a drag.”
“Maybe we should go,” Cameron said, his brown eyes widening as he glanced around the empty park. “There have been a lot of demon attacks lately.”
José waved a hand. “The four of us are the most powerful witches and warlocks around. Nobody will mess with us.”
Irritation prickled through me. I stretched to downward-facing dog, and the pull of my muscles soothed my agitated nerves. Deep breaths washed over me, bringing the sense of peace and tranquility that I longed for.
“Tell that to Levarret,” Cameron said. Levarret was the strongest known demon lord, and the flux of magical violence in the area was largely due to his growth of power. Oh, and he also killed my parents. Needless to say, I wasn’t fond of him, even if I didn’t care enough to try and stop him.
“Not this again,” José said in a sleepy voice. “Levarret only targets powerful Hunters. We’re nobodies. Why would he send his minions after us? We’re no threats to him.”
“So first we’re the most powerful witches and warlocks around, and now we’re nobodies who aren’t threats?” Cameron snapped.
“He might be a little wasted, too,” I said in a stage whisper, straightening to smirk at them.
Mia cackled, and José uttered an incoherent noise of protest.
I spun on my toe in a pirouette, transitioning effortlessly into my ballet routine. Though the absence of music made it more difficult to lose myself in the dance, it still soothed me like a massage. My torso twisted, my legs kicked, and I spun and floated like a leaf in the wind. The jeers of my friends floated away into nothingness. It was just me and the dance.
Desiree Campbell, you’d better have an excellent reason for being out this late, a voice chastised in my head, bringing my blissful dance to a grinding halt.
“Frack,” I muttered.
Feathers ruffled, and a black raven appeared on the sidewalk in front of us. It cocked its head accusingly at me. My Familiar, Kismet.
“I’m leaving now, Kismet,” I assured her.
Your friends should leave too, Kismet said. It isn’t safe.
“Guys, let’s go,” I said unenthusiastically. “Kiz is here.”
The group groaned collectively and shuffled to their feet. Mia stumbled, but Cameron caught her by the shoulders.
Where are their Familiars? Kismet demanded.
“How should I know?” I said, tucking my brown flyaway curls back behind my ears. Another gust of wind whipped at my face, tousling them wildly again. I dropped my hand, giving up. My unruly curls refused to be tamed. On a good day, they looked perfect and styled with no effort involved. But add wind or humidity, and I was a hot mess.
Kismet tilted her head toward Mia. What’s wrong with her?
“Nothing,” I said quickly.
Kismet hopped up and down more urgently. She’s drunk! Have you been drinking? Are you insane?
“I haven’t been drinking!” I shouted.
“Be quiet!” José complained. Cameron shoved his shoulder.
Your parents would be ashamed of you, Kismet said.
“You can lecture me at home, Kiz,” I said, tightening my jacket around my chest.
“Shut up!” José hissed. Something was odd about his voice. It was shrill. Serious. Frightened.
My head snapped up in alarm as a low growl reached my ears. My heart stopped.
A large, dark shape approached from the shadows. It crept forward on giant paws, its claws glistening with blood. A long snout came into view, followed by the keen eyes of a predator.
A werewolf.
It rose on its haunches, back arched and fur standing on end. Its long, sharp fangs were bared and covered in blood. Its eager eyes drifted over each of us as if assessing who would taste better.
My breath caught in my throat. Kismet nervously hopped from one foot to the next. Cameron gasped audibly, but Mia stumbled forward. The idiot.
“Come get me, wolf!” she jeered.
“Mia, don’t!” I shouted, my voice shaking.
“I can handle it!” Mia’s red cheeks pinched with her cocky grin.
The wolf’s large black eyes fixed hungrily on Mia. It bounded forward.
“No!” I screamed.
I raised my hands and Pushed. My magic slammed into the wolf, and it soared backward several feet. With a yelp, it rolled down the sidewalk.
“Get Mia out of here!” I yelled at José.
José wrapped his arm around Mia’s waist and spun in place. He and Mia spiraled until they became a blur. Then with a tiny pop they disappeared completely.
I glanced at Cameron. He looked at me with wide eyes, his arms trembling at his side.
Something lodged itself in my throat, like cold fingers gripping and clawing at me from within. I swallowed and held up my hands as the wolf approached, its eyes bloodthirsty and manic.
It leaped toward me, and I Pushed again. It ducked its head and rolled sideways to avoid my magic. I swung my arms around, trying to catch the wolf in my force, but it was smart. It evaded my movements until it stood a few feet away from me. Its foul breath blew in my face, and its fangs glinted in the moonlight.
“Why?” I growled at it. “It’s not a full moon. You can’t Turn me.”
The wolf’s mouth stretched wide, as if grinning at me. Terror coursed through me, and my blood ran cold. It didn’t care. It wasn’t here to Turn anyone—just to feast.
“Run,” Cameron urged.
We sprinted down the sidewalk, away from the danger. Kismet flew above us, her wings flapping wildly. The cold air bit against my lungs as I gasped for breath and pushed my legs farther and faster.
A huge, black shape appeared in front of us. I screamed, and we jerked to a stop in front of the wolf. Smoke rose from its charred wound, and it licked its teeth maliciously.
My blood turned to ice in my veins. How did it get there so quickly?
The wolf barreled forward and swiped a paw. His claws tore through Cameron’s arm. Cameron screamed and fell to the sidewalk.
With a roar of fury I Pushed the wolf into the trunk of a tree. Again. And again. And again. It howled and whimpered until it fell silent.
I dropped my shaking hands, staring at the form of the limp wolf until I was certain it wouldn’t rise. Then I rushed to Cameron’s side. Blood soaked his shirt, and his eyes rolled back.
“Kismet,” I said urgently.
Kismet appeared beside me and glowed blue. The blue light intensified until the raven disappeared. A tall, blond woman in jeans and a T-shirt appeared in its place. She approached Cameron and covered his wound with her hands. Her eyes closed, and she muttered an incantation that was unfamiliar to me.
A growl echoed behind me. I stiffened, my heart racing in terror. Puffs of cold air blew out of my mouth.
The wolf stumbled forward. Mud, dirt, and blood caked its fur, but here it was. Ready for more.
“Just die!” I shrieked. I threw my arms forward, but it leaped to avoid the assault. It tackled me to the sidewalk. Claws and teeth ripped through my clothes and skin. A deep agony pierced my side, and I screamed.
A blast of blue magic surrounded me, encasing me in a warm glow. The pain in my side throbbed and festered. Kismet’s magic lifted the wolf into the air. Her face distorted with rage, and she twisted her fingers until the wolf spun sickeningly in the air. Then she clenched her fingers into tight fists. With a large boom, the wolf vanished. An ethereal wind rippled through me, and the stench of burning flesh tickled my nostrils.
Silence fell.
Nervous, I glanced around for the wolf, but it was gone.
Pain engulfed me. I swayed as the wound in my side throbbed.
“Kiz . . .” I muttered, dazed.
Then I collapsed.
A sharp aroma stung my nose until I jerked upright. I winced as my head prickled with pain, but my side felt fine. I glanced down at my bloodied shirt and peeled it off my waist to reveal a smooth stretch of skin. Kismet must’ve healed me.
Someone cleared their throat loudly behind me.
I glanced around and realized I was sitting on the couch in my living room. Kismet—in human form—stood by the couch, holding a jar of angelica, which was undoubtedly used to heal me. She set down the jar and crossed her arms over her chest, her blue eyes flashing with fury.
“You’re still in human form?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. My eyes darted to the clock and then back to her. “You have, what, ten minutes left?”
“It’s worth it,” she hissed. “This is important.” She dropped her arms. “What were you thinking?”
“Okay, first of all,” I interrupted, “I wasn’t drinking. And second, I was trying to go home! It wasn’t my fault a werewolf showed up.”
“You and your friends could have died because you were so careless.”
“You’re right,” I said, stretching my hands palms out as I tried to appease her. “But we didn’t.”
“Desi, you didn’t even know how to banish the wolf! You would’ve played your little game of tag until it ripped you to shreds. Cameron would’ve bled out and died.”
“I know!” I said, my voice rising. “We would’ve died without your help. I get it.” I sighed and rubbed my forehead. My throat burned. She was right—I royally screwed up. “But why didn’t you just banish the wolf the minute it got there?”
“My job is to teach you, Desi. I thought you could handle it. I was wrong.”
I groaned. “Well, we can’t all be you, Kiz. All hail the glorified criminal in raven form.” I bit my lip. I shouldn’t have said that.
Kismet’s eyes darkened. “Don’t you dare. I’m serving my time. I’ve been with you for seventeen years. I practically raised you.”
“It’s kind of hard to raise a kid when you’re a raven twenty-three hours a day.”
“That’s not the point, Desi! The point is, you need to trust me and take these magical threats seriously! What would your parents think? I doubt they’d be beaming with pride at the thought of their daughter out drinking when she should be learning to protect herself.”
“Oh yeah, like they did?” I laughed without humor. “A lot of good that did them in the end.”
Kismet sighed and placed her fingers over her temples. “I’m not saying you have to train to hunt demons like they did, Desi. But you should at least show up for your studies. That’s why I’m here, and once you turn eighteen, you’ll have no one else to train you. You haven’t even mastered Pulling objects with your magic yet. Let me help you.”
I rubbed my arms. “What’s the point of studying magic if I plan to pursue ballet?”
“We’ve been over this. You need to strengthen your abilities first. If ballet is that important to you, you can pursue it later in life, but now is the time to harness your powers because—”
“Because in two months, you’ll be gone,” I said in a monotone, rolling my eyes. “Well, I’ve been on my own for five years now, so what else is new?”
Kismet dropped her arms against her legs in exasperation. “I’ve been here your whole life, Desi! You have never been alone.”
Something snapped within me, and my nostrils flared. “You’ve been here out of obligation, Kismet. Not by choice. The only people here by choice were my parents, and they’re gone. Soon, you will be, too.”
Kismet’s angry expression softened, but I tore my gaze away from her. I didn’t want to see the pity in her eyes. I saw it constantly from everyone who found out my parents were dead. Everyone except Cameron, Mia, and José. They didn’t care. They didn’t treat me like a sob story who needed comfort. They were real around me, even if they were slackers who liked too much alcohol.
“Just . . . avoid drinking, okay?” Kismet said softly. “Never put yourself in a position—”
“—where you aren’t in control of your powers,” I finished with a nod. Dad had said that all the time. “I know.”
Kismet sighed and stepped closer to me. Her warm hand found mine, and she offered a tentative smile. “I may have been sentenced to be your Familiar, but it’s impossible to be around you for so many years and not love you, Desi.”
I nodded again. A dam burst in my chest, and I couldn’t breathe. I sniffed and cleared my throat. “I’ll be more careful next time,” I promised. I slipped away and darted into my room before my emotions drowned me.
Hovering near the door, I heard Kismet groan softly. Then a blue glow emanated from the living room, and a flutter of feathers indicated her hour was up.
I leaned my head against the door. Though I could still talk to her, I couldn’t bear to tell her the truth: that I planned to run away from the magical world forever.
CHAPTER 2
A burst of blue light. Mom sobbing. Kismet uttering an incantation.
“Desi, wake up! You’re okay. You’re okay. Just wake up!” Mom begged.
My eyelids slid open. Pain flared in my head. I looked from my mom’s tear-stained face to Kismet’s panicked expression and blinked, confused. I shifted and realized I was lying on concrete. A streetlamp glowed against the midnight sky, illuminating our street with an ominous mustard-colored tint.
