Title: Destiny Unveiled
Genre:
YA Paranormal
Author:
Laura Deluca
Synopsis:
Gabriella
and Darron thought their magickal battle was over when they defeated the evil
warlock, Richard. When her Aunt Donna seeks Gabriella's help in rescuing her
catatonic daughter from the Dark Coven, Gabriella discovers that her cousin
holds a power within her that would be catastrophic in the hands of the evil
witches. Gabriella's coven sets out on a journey that may be their last. Along
the way, they meet new allies, face devastating treachery, and battle not only
the Dark Coven, but the darkness within themselves. When Gabriella finally
comes face to face with the cousin she never knew existed, her true destiny is
unveiled, and the fate of the mortal world is in her hands.
Darron was on the
roof of a large building, elevated dizzyingly high over the road
below. Other skyscrapers bordered it, but it was by far the largest
building in the general area, standing several stories higher than
it's neighbors. The few cars that dotted the street below looked like
insects.
Above him, the moon shone full, round, and red in the night sky. It was an autumn moon, a blood moon. By the light of that moon, Darron was able to see the practiced movements of six black-cloaked figures, who swayed to the steady beat of an invisible drum. Their shapes were obscure in the pale light, and it was impossible to determine if they were men or women because the dark, hooded robes they wore hid their features from view.
Above him, the moon shone full, round, and red in the night sky. It was an autumn moon, a blood moon. By the light of that moon, Darron was able to see the practiced movements of six black-cloaked figures, who swayed to the steady beat of an invisible drum. Their shapes were obscure in the pale light, and it was impossible to determine if they were men or women because the dark, hooded robes they wore hid their features from view.
There was an altar erected in the
center of a circle that was outlined in black charcoal. On that altar
sat the normal tools of ritual: a black tipped dagger, a silver
chalice, an incense burner, and multiple black candles. Darron owned
similar items. They weren't frightening in themselves. But the altar,
like the people who lingered around it, was outlined by a shimmering
black aura. The vibrations they relayed were no less than evil. Their
presence made Darron shudder. He watched in horror, as a silent and
unwelcome spectator to the forbidden rights.
Four of the cloaked figures took up the
elemental corners, preparing to call the Guardians. The Guardians
answered their call, unable to ignore the summons because magick
can't be divided into good and evil. It's both because nature is
both, harsh and devastating yet beautiful and gentle as the need
arises. It was just as easy for the dark witches to harness the
destructive forces of nature as it was for Darron and his coven to
call upon its life giving magick. Good or evil was in the heart of
its master, not in the magick that was wielded.
A fifth cloaked figure, the apparent
leader of the group, stood in the center of the circle with the
dagger raised high above his head. The sixth and final coven member
groveled at the feet of the leader, his head lowered in acquiescence.
The hood of his cloak hid his face though he was no more than a few
feet away from Darron.
"Brother and sisters," the
leader proclaimed, his accented voice heavy with his foreboding
presence. "Tonight in the wake of the blood moon, we come
together to bring a new brother into our fold. He has completed the
required tasks and proven himself worthy to join us in our work."
"So mote it be!"
The four other cloaked figures cried
out in perfect unison. Their hands were raised to the sky in honor of
the blood moon.
The leader picked up the chalice from
the altar. He followed the path of the circle to all of the elemental
corners, stopping at each of the robed coven members in turn. Each
offered their willing hands to their leader, palm outward. Each
welcomed the point of the black edged dagger as it dug into their
open palms without so much as a gasp of pain. The high priest cut a
clean line down the centers of the palms of his disciples, and they
all squeezed their fingers against the open wound to allow the blood
to drip into the waiting chalice.
After collecting the offering from his
followers, the leader returned to the center of the circle and the
waiting initiate. With one quick motion, he sliced open his own palm.
He held his hand over the cup, letting his blood drip slowly into the
chalice, until the wound miraculously healed before Darron's startled
eyes. When the chalice was full, he carried it to the eager initiate
who took the cup firmly into his hands and tilted it towards his
lips.
"As this blood makes you one with
our flesh, so your soul follows to become one with the darkness,"
the English voice intoned.
As the initiate drained the last of the
liquid in the chalice, his hood fell away, revealing a blonde
ponytail pulled back over a pale white face, made even paler by the
outline of bright red blood around his lips. Darron watched in
stunned, horrified silence as his own face turned to meet his gaze.
Eyes turned as black as coals stared back at Darron with a grim smile
of satisfaction.
"Rise Darron," the leader
commanded. And as he spoke, he lifted the hood from his head. Rise
brother of the Dark Coven."
Laura “Luna” DeLuca lives at
the beautiful Jersey shore with her husband and four children. She loves
writing in the young adult genre because it keeps her young at heart. In
addition to writing fiction, Laura is also the sole author of a popular review
blog called New Age Mama. She is an active member of her local pagan community,
and has been studying Wicca for close to eight years.
Contact
Links
to Buy:
I'm definitely going to have to buy Destiny Unveiled if I don't win. It sounds soooooo good! x
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway! tasnim-sheikh AT hotmail DOT com
ReplyDeleteI love how simple the covers of Destiny and Destiny Unveiled are. So simple, yet so pretty.
ReplyDeletei hope i win this book...thx 4 the giveaway :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the opportunity to win! Looks great!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win..
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI remember loving Destiny but it's been a while since I read it so I need a refresher. Will need to reread soon!
ReplyDeleteI would love to read this installment. Thank you so much for sharing and for the awesome giveaway opportunity.
ReplyDeletesounds like a fun one thanks for the giveaway! - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com
ReplyDelete