Hidden beneath the ember.., p.1
Hidden Beneath The Embers, page 1
Copyright © 2023 by Fay Bec All rights reserved.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
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.
Dev editor: Stevi Mager-Lightfoot
Line/copy and proofreading editors: Callista Morgen and Stevi Mager-Lightfoot
Cover Design: Emily - @quirky.circe
Unsplash images used for chapter design: Andrea Tummons, Jon Butterworth, and Jack Taylor
Third edition: published December 2023
CONTENTS
Author notes
Pronunciation guide
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
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Chapter 69
Chapter 70
Chapter 71
Chapter 72
Chapter 73
Chapter 74
Chapter 75
Chapter 76
Chapter 77
Chapter 78
Chapter 79
Next book
Bonus chapter
Glossary
About the Author
Acknowledgments
“This book includes triggers like– grief, violence, blood, torture, death, PTSD episodes, emotional and physical abuse, mentioned passing-sexual assault (no on-page details), death after childbirth but not the cause of death, profanity, and sexually explicit scenes. This book does end on a cliffhanger.
Please consider leaving a review on Amazon and Goodreads when you finish the book. This helps Indie authors like me more than you know.
There is also a bonus chapter at the end of the book. You don’t want to miss that hidden gem. Enjoy!
Last warning: You may also find yourself getting hot…like burning! Sorry, I can’t extinguish the fires that start between your legs. That’s all you!”
Davyna/Dy: Duh-veen-a/Die
Kadeyan: Kade-E-an
Alastair: Al-as-tur
Drystan: Dr-i-stin
Marta: Mar-ta
Eryx: Eric-x
Sahar: Sa-har
Levanna: Leh-vann-a
Calix: Cal-i-x
Akari: Uh-car-e
Valyiner: Val-i-ner
Armaros: Arm-a-rose
Qeles: Key-les
Lunavas: Lu-na-vas
Mal-kuya: Mal-koo-ya
Mal-afera: Mal-a-fera
Waar Sairini: War-suh-reen-e”
“To everyone still trying to find what sets your soul on fire…keep going.
And when you find it, don’t hide that blaze. Let the world see you.”
Hide-and-seek was always my favorite game. I could find anyone, with one exception, but I was still pursuing him.
Picking up the glass in front of me, I drank down the rich whiskey, feeling it slide down my throat with barely a burn. Maybe it was the cold I felt deep within, putting out any fire I challenged it with.
Or maybe it was just life freezing over my resolve and will to care about anything but the answers I wanted—no, that I needed to find. I put the empty glass back on the counter, looking down at the sleeve of my leathers and noticed a stitch coming undone. I’d have to mend that later.
Averting my gaze, I took in the aged wood beneath my feet.
The small tavern was full of character––with weathered oak wood floors and a sweet hickory aroma in the air, mixing with the fragrant liquors. The wallpaper was peeling in some areas and only a few small paintings hung. But this place was more than just a bar to me, it was a refuge when life showed me how dark a person’s soul could be. Because at least here, within these walls, I could see a light at the end of this path. A way out.
My gaze fell to two men from the Hunt, who were gathering the coats hanging over the backs of their chairs, before picking up their swords leaning against their table.
Out for patrol again.
“Miss?” The one with black hair approached me. “Do you need an escort home?”
As I looked him over, I guessed he was probably in his early forties, but my eyes locked on the three jagged scars that ran down his face, and I didn’t need to guess which creature left them there.
Looking over the man’s shoulder, I took in his partner. He looked young, maybe eighteen. His ash brown hair was falling into his eyes as he adjusted his armor and I could feel his fear radiating into the air, thick and heavy like a dense fog. He double-checked the straps, making sure the breastplate was secured, and I couldn’t help but wonder if this was his first patrol. Would he survive the month? Or would he decide to go back to working the farms or bakery with his family?
The Hunt wasn’t for the weak. The men who joined came from all over, forming an army to protect us from the Cursed, and while serving in the Hunt was voluntary, the King and Queen of Armaros offered exceptional benefits to the men and their families that many couldn’t pass up.
“Miss, do you need an escort home?” He asked again.
I felt the urge to pull my dagger out from my hip and tell him my father taught me well. That I would probably make a better partner than his companion over there.
I resisted and shook my head. “No, sir. I will manage.”
He looked me over before looking at Ms. Brooks behind the bar, who was drying the crystal glasses. He shifted his weight to stand taller before us but stopped himself before speaking again. I could feel him wanting to press the issue, but he surrendered the effort when I gave him a small smile. He nodded to us before he turned around and walked towards his partner, who was waiting for him.
The cool breeze traveled in when they opened the door, making me shudder. I hated the cold. It was always a reminder of death and how I felt like it called to me. I looked towards the window, watching the men as they faded into the night, silently hoping that tonight wouldn’t be their last day on earth.
I glanced up at Ms. Brooks, the bar owner, noticing her hair was beginning to streak with silver. She smirked at me before she turned around to the rows of clear and dark liquors lining the wall.
My gaze took in each bottle, seeing the liquids inside shimmer from the glow of the candles, creating golden shadows that danced along the countertops. She grabbed a more potent bottle from a higher shelf and whirled around on her toes to face me.
“Davyna, I will never understand how you do that.” She laughed. “You can shoot whiskey better than them and put them in their place at the same time.” She grabbed my glass and filled it once more. “Let’s see if that one does anything to you.” The corner of my lip rose in response as she went back to wiping down the bar top with a cream-colored cloth.
Moonlight shined through the window, casting a silvery light onto the floorboards, and by the looks of it, I’d say it was nearing midnight. The streets used to be filled with voices and songs, while candles burned outside establishments like Ms. Brooks’, illuminating the town. It didn’t matter if the Moon rose, demanding we rest in her presence; people still challenged her by rising as if she was the Sun. But so much changed this past year.
My eyes drifted to the door. It shouldn’t be long now. I picked up the glass, shooting it back, still not feeling any burn as it went down, but I welcomed the numbing effect beginning to take hold, calming my nerves before this meeting with him.
I refocused my thoughts on what I’d been working towards these last five years—my freedom. And to get that, I needed to know where I came from. Every lead came up empty, but I had no choice but to hold onto some shred of hope this lead w
He had to be.
The door swung open, revealing my sister. I knew she snuck out before me tonight, and we had an agreement that if it was too late to travel the roads home alone, we’d come here to stay with Ms. Brooks. At least, until the sun began to graze the horizon, then we would make our way back to the house before Hera woke.
Evren’s red hair was wrapped to the side in a messy bun, with some strands falling onto her face. Her blue eyes burned with desire as she grabbed onto the blonde male she was with.
Looking her over, I saw that her lilac gown was edged with mud and her coat was falling off her shoulders, exposing her bare skin. Giggles fell from her lips, filling the empty bar until our eyes locked. That quickly sobered her up.
“Having fun?” I asked, crossing my arms before leaning back in my chair.
Evren cleared her throat as she straightened herself. “Of course!” She burst into laughter, bringing her hand down on the man’s chest making them both sway as they tried to hold themselves upright.
Rolling my eyes, I got up and made my way to her as she stumbled into the bar. The male put his hands out, bracing himself against the wall closest to him in an attempt to stay standing. Clearly, they had been elsewhere, probably at his home, getting lost in their own drinks. I grabbed my sister, leading her to a booth.
Ms. Brooks poured a large glass of water and made her way over to us before her eyes met the man still in the doorway. “I’m closed for the night. Best you find your way home, son.”
He shook his head, trying to speak, but his words slurred at his lackluster attempt with reasoning. Ms. Brooks moved in to direct him out, but he stumbled, tripping over his boots, and landed right on his ass. I couldn’t help but let out a small laugh. Glancing at Ms. Brooks, I could see she was trying to contain her own laughter as she grabbed the door, peering outside into the night before closing it.
“So, why are you here tonight?” Evren sipped the water before meeting my gaze.
I smiled. “Meeting you…and a friend.” Her eyes shifted to the window, seeming lost in thought for a long moment. “Your mother would be furious to know you are out this late.” I took a calming breath. “After all that has happened this past year with the Cursed.”
When we were growing up, we learned what the Cursed were and exactly why we should fear them. They had been here with us since the beginning of time, having once been a part of the Old World, or so the books say.
The information was vague, but it talked about the two realms—ours and theirs—and how, after a war, some creatures were exiled to live amongst us humans. They looked like us, but some could shift, taking the form of beasts and creatures, making them harder to find. They stayed in hiding, and many thought they were gone, or that they were at least being discreet to protect themselves.
But real fear grew around this time last year when rumors spread like wildfire through the towns about bodies turning up, one by one, drained of blood. Some were torn to pieces while others washed up on shore, nothing left to them but bones. And others…bound and burned alive. The thought made my stomach turn.
Some still believed in the old gods, saying they were angry with us humans and sent their creatures of the night to teach us a lesson.
Isn’t it always to teach us a lesson?
I didn’t know if I believed in the gods, or even the one God most people followed today. I knew there was good and evil. So, maybe there was a God and a Devil out there somewhere, watching us to see if we would pick the light or the darkness.
And I wanted more than anything to stay in the light, but the Cursed held what I needed: the ability to see into the past to give me the answers I craved. And I was willing to walk that line of darkness if it meant I could be freed.
I looked back to Evren, feeling my skin rise on my arms as her grief washed over me. My gift felt like a curse at times. The ability to feel others’ emotions helped in certain situations, but sometimes, it was too much to endure.
Her hands wrapped around the glass, tracing her thumb back and forth over the moisture forming on the cup, lost in a daze. I moved closer to Evren in the booth, placing my hand on her back. “Let’s get you home.” She nodded, keeping her eyes locked on the glass in front of her as I took her by the hand and slipped my other arm around her waist.
As we walked out of the bar, my breath smoked into the air of the night sky. I looked to the left at all the closed establishments in our town square, feeling trepidation form in my core as the hair rose on my arms.
It was eerie, like a ghost town warning you to leave before the demons came out to play. No one dared stay open after the sun began its descent, and the ones who did were not always so lucky to make it back home.
A coolness pierced down my spine, forcing a pained shudder from my lips as I focused back on the carriage that was parked right outside the bar, facing the road that led into the woods and towards our estate.
My little sister stumbled a few times before I got her loaded in. “Dy…” Evren said as she got herself curled up on the cushion, keeping her eyes closed. She reminded me of a small child being woken up to go to their bed. Half out of it, and yet, in such a peaceful state.
“What is it, Ev?” I studied her resting body, ensuring she wasn’t about to be ill.
She was quiet for a long moment before she opened her eyes to look at me, allowing me to see that they were filled to the brim with tears. “I miss Dad.”
My heart ached to see her like this. “I know…so do I.” I cleared my throat, biting back the tears trying to surface. “Go home and get in bed. I’ll be there soon to check on you.” I expected her to ask me why I wasn’t coming with her, but her eyes just closed, tears rolling over her nose as they fell onto the red velvet cushion.
I closed the door softly and looked at our house servant, Terry. “Take her straight home. I have my horse and a dagger. I’ll be there shortly.”
“If you need an escort, you know the Hunt is stationed at their posts.” Terry nodded, making sure I heard him.
“I know. I’ll be fine.” He made his way to the front of the carriage and climbed up the small stairs to take the reins, before cracking them down. Slowly, the wheels began to turn, and I watched the air smoke up as the horse’s breath became heavier, moving into its run.
The wind brushed against me, pushing my dark brown hair off my shoulders as the cold caressed my face. A shiver ran down my spine as I crossed my arms over my body, gripping the leathers I wore, but I kept my feet planted. As much as I wanted to go back inside, away from the ice pricking my skin, I stood there and watched their carriage until the dark night consumed them.
I reentered the bar and moved a few heavier boxes to the storage room for Ms. Brooks before returning to my seat. She was finishing her cleaning when the door finally opened, and I didn’t need to turn to know who it was.
I could feel his emotions brush against me as I glanced down at my empty glass. “I was beginning to think you wouldn’t show,” I said, before I stared down the tall figure in the doorway. He began moving closer to me, his golden hair illuminating more with each step.
