A Shadow In The Ember Book Novels & Stories

Book 2: Crown of Shadows Chapter 1: The Departure The carriage door closed with finality that echoed through her chest like a death knell. Through crystal-clear windows enhanced with court magic far beyond territorial capabilities, she watched Shadoweave's spires fade into pre-dawn mist. Each familiar landmark disappeared with the inexorable permanence of choices that couldn't be unmade.

“Do you see that?” He narrowed his eyes. “Stay behind me.” We crept toward the light. It flickered softly, like fire — but it wasn’t a normal flame. It floated in the air, a single glowing ember spinning slowly. “It’s her,” I whispered. “I can feel it.” The ember drifted closer, humming faintly, almost like it was breathing. Damon stepped in front of me, claws half out, his eyes flashing gold. “Don’t touch it,” he warned. But before he could move me back, the ember shot forward and touched my chest.

"All this assumes you even make it through the journey." I frowned at her. "What do you mean?" "The place you're going is called Ember Hallow. People have sought answers there, but only a handful have returned. Those who do are often changed, not themselves anymore. Some go mad, others are forever silent. Ember Hallow isn't for the faint of heart. The answers you find might break you, or they might make you. " She shrugged. "You can't know." "I see," I said, turning back to the men and offering them a smile. "And that's what you guys were arguing about, yes?" I asked, the smile still on my face.

he continued, pulling the chair in closer, "what is it I can do for you?" "I read in a book," she began, curiously watching him, "about a man appointed by the Council as an ambassador to Pyre. While in Pyre he endured much hardship. Still, he was faithful to his charge. I thought the book was old. I thought that it told stories of a far away time. Then, I saw something that changed my mind about it. It was a photograph taken at the dedication of a library, the same library where I met Benjamin in the ruins. In the photograph, I saw Justice, Kypher, and Blackridge standing side by side with Casper, Ramus, and Stephan. Sebastian was there, too, with his apprentice and the Ambassador beside the

Memories of her childhood flashed through Ember’s mind as she navigated through the route leading to the secluded mansion. It had always been her sanctuary, a place where she had felt safe and loved. Now, it was nothing more than a desolate reminder of what she had lost. When Ember finally arrived, she hurriedly parked her car in-between some trees, to keep it away from sight, looking around to make sure, no one was secretly watching, she ran towards the direction of the mansion

Sorry, Perc, I promise I’m trying. “Why don’t you go play with the others now. I can see Nova waving at you to come over.” I told him. “Okay.” He let his shadow swallow up the book. He liked keeping things in the shadow realm, just like me. We often hang out in there together. He likes watching others, and observing them through their shadow doors, just like I did. “They are all getting so big!” Ember’s voice snapped my attention. “They really are.” I sighed. “You okay?” She sensed my sadness.

I growled, my fists clenching at my sides. I hated the way the full moon made me feel: weak, helpless, out of control. But just as I was about to turn away from the window, something caught my eye. A figure, moving quietly—almost too quietly—near the pack gates. I squinted, my heart skipping a beat when I realized who it was. Ember. “Speak of the devil,” I mumbled under my breath. She was walking with her head down, trying to stay hidden, but there was no mistaking her. Her small body, the way her hair caught the early morning light.

I called out into the void. My voice didn’t echo, but I knew she could hear me somewhere. “It’s me. Ember. Listen to me.” I steadied myself and tried again, softer this time. “I’m not here to hurt you. Don’t shut me out. I need your help.” The shards continued to spread, curling through the void like pale smoke. “If you trust me, just for a moment—let me guide this place. Let me use my powers to cleanse this place. I promise I won’t take anything from you. I’ll clear it out and leave everything as it was.”

Amelia said. "I'm not saying....." Amelia didn't wait for me to finish before she interrupted me. "I can just book an Uber and walk outside myself if you insist," Amelia said. "You will get lost. Oh, you think I go outside and come back inside with an ordinary eye, right? This forest rotates around itself. You can take the path at the back of the house towards the tarred road and come back through the front path," I said, trying to scare her off and she fell for it immediately with the way she held my clothes.

Smirk sharp as shattered crystal. “Didn’t I give you one just as grand last week? What’s there to envy?” His fingers tightened on her waist, backing her against the wrought-iron pergola draped in jasmine. “Play your part. Don’t slip around Lena. Everything she has? You’ll have it too.” Now I remember. Five nights ago, crimson meteors streaked across New York’s southern skyline, a blood-magic spectacle. He’d texted: “Clan emergency. Working late.”