Laura DeLuca
Gabriella is a witch. The problem is, she doesn't remember.
She repressed the memories of her powers years ago when her mother was
murdered. Now, the warlock who was responsible for her mother's death has set
his sights on Gabriella. He is determined to use her fear to turn her to the
dark side of magick…even if it kills her. Her mother's spirit is reaching out
to warn her, but even that she pushes away. Desperate to save her daughter, the
spirit finds a male witch–one that just happens to be in love with Gabriella.
Darron is more than willing to help but the two young witches will have way
more to battle than just an evil warlock. There are overbearing jocks and petty
rich girls who get tempers flaring and often set Gabriella and Darron at odds.
There is more to the story than Gabriella and Darron could even
imagine. There are terrible secrets to be revealed, battles to be waged, and
lives will be lost. Only after Gabriella and Darron both come to terms with who
they really are, and open themselves up to the true meaning of magick, can they
have any hope of fulfilling their destiny.
Destiny Unveiled
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.
About the Author:
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. Visit her on her websites
at http://authorlauradeluca.blogspot.com or
http://newagemama.blogspot.com .
Destiny Excerpt:
Her eyes scanned the room, from the pale blue sofa to the
bloody dent in the wall. But she didn’t need her eyes to know Darron was there.
Her heart sensed his presence before her eyes saw him lying in a heap on the
ground. His body shuttered with occasional spasms, and even though he wasn’t
fully conscious, his lips were twisted in a grimace of pain.
Uttering a gasp of surprise, Gabriella flew to his side. She
knelt beside him, and choked back a sob as she took his hand in her own. She
saw his chest rise and fall and was glad to know was alive, but she felt
helpless as she watched his face contort in pain. She noticed something wet and
sticky on her fingertips. She gently titled his head and saw a large gash that
looked like it needed medical attention.
The skin around the gash was so deeply bruised it looked almost black.
“Darron, what
happened to you?”
He didn’t move or reply. Gabriella moved her hand from the
cut on his forehead, and her fingers dripped with blood. She bit her lower lip
with fear. She knew enough about head injuries to know that the wound could be
serious. She grabbed a few tissues from a box on the coffee table, and tried to
apply pressure to the wound, but it was useless. The tissues were soaked
through in seconds.
“Darron?” She
squeezed his hand, and fought back tears of fear and frustration. “Darron, please open your eyes. Please be all
right!”
He squirmed and groaned a little in response. Looking at his
contorted features, Gabriella felt incompetent and useless. She didn’t know
what to do to help him. The cut must need stitches. The blood was gushing
through her fingertips, and she was sure his life was slipping away just as
quickly.
More than anything, Gabriella wanted to help Darron, to end
his suffering. Her thoughts, her desperation, caused something deep inside of
her to stir. Something that had long been napping was awoken. The power she had
fought so hard to deny was forcing its way to the surface. This time she didn’t
struggle against that power. Her instinct to hide from it was finally overcome
by the thought of losing someone else she cared about.
Gabriella was pulling strength and warmth from the earth, as
though her legs were tree roots taking nourishment from the element. A tingling
sensation began in the tips of her toes and spread slowly though her body as
she breathed in the essence of the element of air. Her blood flowed and grew warm, the element
of water, bringing the power to the surface. She was overcome by a vigorous
strength as she envisioned her spirit encircled by the element of fire. She
felt so powerful that she thought she could stop the world from churning if
that was what she wished. Gabriella focused the power, remembering for a moment
her mother’s lessons. She looked down at her battered friend. She willed him to
open his eyes and look at her. She demanded it of him.
Gabriella would have thought it was impossible, but she felt
herself grow warmer. Her face dripped with perspiration. The power within her
reached a climax. Then finally, when she thought she might burst, she felt the
energy release. It seeped through her fingers, and shined with an illumination
that only she could see. She heard herself chanting unfamiliar words, and
scarcely recognized her own voice.
“By the power of earth, water, fire and air,
Heal this man who’s in my care.
Goddess, hear your daughter’s plea.
As I will it, so mote it be!”
Gabriella repeated the words three times. Three was the
number of power. Then she watched as the wound on Darron’s forehead healed
before her eyes, becoming smaller and smaller, until finally it was gone. The
blood was still warm and sticky, but beneath the blood, the skin was smooth and
unmarred. Even the horrible bruise had vanished. Gabriella stared in open
astonishment, marveling at the work she had done.
Destiny Unveiled Excerpt:
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."
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