Beneath An Ivy Moon (Legacy Of Magick Series, Book 4)
Read Beneath An Ivy Moon (Legacy Of Magick Series, Book 4) Online
Authors: Ellen Dugan
Table of Contents
Copyright
Copyright © Ellen Dugan 2016
Edited by Katherine Pace
Cover art designed by Kyle Hallemeier
Cover image: fotolia
"Legacy of Magick" logo designed by Kyle Hallemeier
Copy Editing and Formatting by Libris in CAPS
All rights reserved to the Author
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events 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.
Excerpt of: Under The Holly Moon
Copyright © Ellen Dugan 2016
Edited by Katherine Pace
Copy Editing and Formatting by Libris in CAPS
Beneath An Ivy Moon
By
Ellen Dugan
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thanks to the friends, family, and fans who have enthusiastically supported me, and this series.
A few words of appreciation to my lovely research assistant, Janet.
A very special thank you to my Beta Readers: Shawna and Erin.
To my editor Katherine, who is always a pleasure to work with; and to Kyle for such gorgeous cover art for the novels.
Creeping where no life is seen,
A rare old plant is the ivy green.
-Charles Dickens
CHAPTER ONE
I was minding my own business in the University library when I got my first inkling that something was wrong. As a rush of sensation rolled over me, my belly tightened. I sat up straight in my chair, all my spidey senses on alert. It was nothing I could physically see, hear, or touch with my own two hands... but I
felt
it in my gut, nonetheless. A foreboding feeling that pushed me to move. To do something, to scan my own surroundings for danger, and to check on my family and friends... Something was coming, and everything would change.
As the premonition rolled over me I shivered, tugging my short, black jacket closer around me. Waiting to see if I got a ‘hit’ in my solar plexus, I silently ran down a mental list of the names of my nearest and dearest:
Great Aunt Faye, Bran, Lexie, Morgan, Autumn, Rene, Marie, Cypress, Holly...
I was searching for a sort of ‘energetic tweak’ as my cousin Autumn called it, something that would let me know where to pinpoint my focus.
And there it was—
Holly.
I got the energetic hit on my absent twin sister. I sighed, pushed my laptop away from me, and sat back to think. Things had been pretty quiet (magickally speaking) in William’s Ford... ever since the big magickal showdown between the Drake family and mine.
The crazy, evil practitioner who had caused so many problems was dead and buried, and the Blood Moon Grimoire was safely under the protection of the Proctor family— Lexie’s family. I was starting my Junior year at University, and Cypress Rousseau and I were still roommates and still witchy BFFs.
So my life as a college student was pretty good, but I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a big emotional vacancy in my world. And her name was Holly. My twin sister Holly had moved away, choosing to go to a college clear across the state. Besides the occasional text, email or phone call— that I always instigated— I rarely heard from her.
Losing our mother during the quest for the Grimoire had been horrible. I missed her actively every day. For a long time I didn’t think anything would ever be worse than losing my Mom. But circumstances had proven me wrong, because having my sister,
my twin
shut me out, made me feel like a part of me was physically missing. Holly had been my other magickal half. We had practiced together since we were little, our spells working together in a sort of two part harmony— I suppose. Having that part of my life taken away left me floundering. Not that she cared.
I will never understand Holly’s choice to turn away from the Craft. And I couldn’t even imagine how she made it through every day without the support of the family. I hoped she was happy in her new life, pretending to be a mundane, while she studied Art History at her college in Kansas City while I struggled to go forward on my own. Magick aside, I honestly missed seeing and talking to her every day, however there were
other
ways,
magickal ways
, of keeping in touch with my fraternal twin. And as of yet, she hadn’t been able to block me out.
I checked around, making sure that I was unobserved in the little glass-walled study room I had rented. All I saw was my own reflection against the glass walls. I lifted a hand to my shorter hair.
Yeah, the cut had been a good choice.
The subtle touch of a few caramel highlights stood out against my brown hair and it drew attention to my new stacked bob. It was a fun and kicky haircut— just brushing my shoulders, and I was happy with it.
Sometimes I missed the crazy purple and blue I used to dye my hair back in the day, but I did not miss the fried, damaged ends. Now my hair was healthy and shiny, and the natural brown suited me better. Plus it, helped to make my green eyes more noticeable.
I dropped my hand, smirking at myself for primping. I checked again to see if anyone was paying attention to me. No one was, and the coast was clear. I propped my feet up on the desk, smoothing my short black dress with white skulls all over it, down over my thighs.
Don’t want to accidentally flash the campus boys, Ivy.
I reminded myself.
I tipped back in my chair, shut my eyes and reached out energetically to my twin. I found the psychic bond we still shared, and visualized that unbreakable energetic silver cord that connected me to her. I gave it a good hard yank on the astral plane. Ha! That would get her attention.
Holly, what’s up, sis?
I called out to her on the astral.
I felt an answering tug at my solar plexus.
I’m studying Ivy. I’m fine.
Came Holly’s annoyed reply.
Mentally I rolled my eyes, and I let my sister ‘feel’ that.
Why... do I not believe you?
Because you like to create drama where there is none.
Hey,
I sent back, a little hurt at the dismissive comment.
I had a premonition and it felt like something was wrong. I was worried about you.
Don’t be. I’m happy here.
How would I know?
I asked.
I didn’t even see you this summer. What with you staying with Dad... and what the hell did you do on a farm in Iowa all summer? Gather eggs? Sew a quilt?
I did gather some eggs, now that you mention it...
It seemed that Holly was chuckling.
But I do have to get back to my studies. Gotta go now.
I felt the link lessening between the two of us as Holly tried to dissolve our psychic communication.
Before I lost her I sent out:
I miss you. Love you Holly.
Her response came back.
Love you too Ivy, stay out of trouble.
After a moment’s pause she added.
Be safe.
Then, there was nothing else.
Our psychic communication over, I opened my eyes and dropped my booted feet to the floor, setting the chair back on all four legs. Taking in a deep steadying breath, I held it for a four count, blew it out slowly and reconnected my energy to the earth. I’d expected to feel better after checking in with my twin, but if anything, a stronger feeling of unease rolled over me. Concerned, I gathered up my things for the walk back across campus to my dorm.
As I left the cool of the air conditioned library I understood that whatever
it
was, it was coming from somewhere within the campus itself. I moved over to the edge of the sidewalk, squinting my eyes to use my peripheral vision to ‘see’.
There.
I intuitively shifted towards the west.
It was coming from that direction... it was gaining strength, and rising.
I felt my heart skip a beat, then beat faster in reaction to the discovery. I took a deep breath, blew it out slowly and visualized that I was, once again, firmly connected to the earth.
I looked over my shoulder to regard the library. It made sense that the energy had been muffled while I’d been inside. Almost as if whatever was ‘out here’ had been energetically barred from the library... which would be my brother Bran’s doing. He’d keep the University library locked down good and tight with his magick. After all, he worked there full time. But still, I wondered about Holly’s closing message. Why would Holly have told me to ‘be safe’?
Well I could damn sure find out. I may be a college student but there was more to me than most folks realized. I am Ivy Bishop. The gothic-fabulous and youngest female Witch of my generation.
As the sun set, I walked quickly back to my dorm. But instead of enjoying a pretty, late August afternoon all of my physical and witchy senses were on full alert. A chill slid down my back despite the warmth of the evening. The feeling of ‘wrongness’ seemed to tease the edge of my awareness. I glanced over my shoulder and saw nothing. But I knew it was there, waiting and gathering strength.
Obviously the time of peace and quiet that William’s Ford had been blessed with— was over.
***
I let myself in the dorm room that I shared with Cypress Rousseau and found her exactly where I expected. Her dark, thick hair was pulled back into a low ponytail away from her pretty face. Cypress pounded away at the computer keys, her head bouncing in time to the music she was listening to. She wore ripped jeans, a University t-shirt in purple and grey, and silver noise canceling headphones. Even in a jeans and t-shirt, Cypress was stunning. If she wasn’t my closest friend I’d probably be resentful.
Her skin was a striking tawny color, thanks to the ethnic diversity of her ancestors. To her amusement people often assumed she was bi-racial, Hispanic, or possibly Native American. As Cypress often remarked, technically they were all correct— she was Creole. And whatever her genetic background, it was a gorgeous mixture.
To get her attention, I concentrated on her open water bottle sitting next to her. I tapped into my telekinesis and made the bottle slide over to hover at the edge of the desk. Cypress jolted as the bottle came into her line of sight. She laughed. “Ivy!”
I set my laptop down on my own desk and waved at her. “Hey there, Cy.”
She tugged her headphones off and pointed at the bottle. “You’re not going to make that spill on me, are you?”
I focused again and the bottle slid back to where it started from.
Cypress stood up, capped the bottle, and stretched. “Wanna go grab some supper at the commons?”
“I’m not in the mood for cafeteria food.” I peeled off my jacket, laid it over my desk chair, and tossed my books towards my bed. “We could always drop by the manor and mooch a free meal.”
Cypress’ eyes, a unique smoky-gray color shot through with amber, sparkled. “I like that idea even better.” She shut down her laptop. “Do you need to call ahead and let them know we are coming?”
“Hang on, I’ll let Aunt Faye know.” I focused my mind on my great aunt. And I
knew
. I had the impression of her lifting her head, nodding, and pulling out more plates and silverware. I blinked, then smiled at Cypress. “We’re good.”