Reaching Retribution (The Prophesized Series)
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Authors: Kaitlyn Hoyt
A Prophesized Series Novel
The Final Book
Text copyright © 2013 Kaitlyn Hoyt
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This novel is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to peoples either living or deceased is purely coincidental. Names, places, and characters are figments of the author’s imagination. The author holds all rights to this work. It is illegal to reproduce this novel without written expressed consent from the author herself.
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Cover Design by Victoria Faye
For the readers
This book is for you. This whole series wouldn’t have been possible if I didn’t have amazing readers like you standing behind me and supporting me through this entire process.
Thank You!
That’s the short and simple version. The rest of this is not that. I’d like to take this time to thank a few people who have helped me during this process.
My mom, Elizabeth, and Krista have been my biggest support system during this time. They’ve helped me during my crazy moments and my freak-outs during the publication process. They’ve all told me to go to my happy place and listen to Josh Groban. They along with Sara W. have read through these books helping me search for errors during the editing process and giving me hope that maybe these books don’t suck after all. Words cannot express how thankful I am for their support, but I hope they know it. I’d also like to thank some more family members who have helped me: my sisters Rachel and Maddie, my dad, Sara Stoin, Danielle Jasperson Postnikoff, and Janet Buss. You’ve all been very supportive of me during this time and I thank you for that.
I’d like to give a big thank to the readers who have made this series possible. Without you all, I’d be nowhere. I have a few people that I’d like to thank personally:
Michelle Guo-you sent me my first fan email. I freaked out when I first read your message. I couldn’t believe that anyone would take the time to contact me about my books. I never imagined that my books would be good enough for that, but reading that first email helped push me forward and want to continue doing what I’m doing. I’ll always remember that feeling, and I’ll forever be appreciative that you were the first to ever contact me about my books.
Also, I have to give a big thanks to Taskia Choudhury, Lily Fletcher, Gina Silva, Christel Darrough, Leslie Collins, Jodie Louise Boxall, Yazmine De La Rosa, Shelly Webber, Stephenie Lammers
, Cheryl Mackey, Robin Parks, and many more. I realize that that’s a lot of names and I haven’t even come close to mentioning everyone, but you all have been very supportive during this process. I’m sorry if I didn’t mention you previously.
I want to thank everyone that has downloaded and rated my books, ever sent me an e-mail, commented on my blog or social media
sites, and/or told someone else about this series. You’ve helped me more than you know. I see all of the likes, comments, and shares you all do for me. I can’t thank you all enough! I wouldn’t be anywhere if it weren’t for you. I hope I can continue to create works that are deserving of your amazing support.
Colton
“You killed her!” I yell again. Tom bends down and picks the man off the ground.
I’m not sure what he’s going to do, but I’ve never seen Tom look this angry before. The man is a mage— that much is obvious. I try to push away from Bragden and Liam again, but they tighten their grip. Blood is dripping down the man’s chin from his split lip because of Tom’s earlier punch. He killed my soulmate; I can’t just stand here. She’s dead because of him.
The man
glances down at Ryanne before he speaks. “It wasn’t supposed to hit her.” A menacing look crosses his face before he narrows his eyes on Incendia and points. “It was supposed to hit her!” Bragden lets go of me and walks toward him. Recognizing the look on Bragden’s face, I stop struggling. Liam lets me go and I move back and sit down next to Ryanne. She can’t be gone. This isn’t real.
It can’t be real.
Seeing the feral look in Bragden’s eyes, Tom steps out of the way. Bragden takes one look at him and punches him. Emma and Natalie gasp and flinch when the sound of his nose breaking echoes though the room. He slumps to the ground unconscious. With taunt muscles, Bragden stands over the man, fists clenched, trying to control his anger. A few seconds later, everyone turns and looks at me, crying next to the dead body of my soulmate.
It wasn’t supposed to end like this.
I lean back against the edge of the bed, trying to control my breathing. It feels like I can’t get enough air into my lungs—like I’m slowing suffocating under pain. I just got her back and now she’s gone. Just yesterday, Travis rescued her from Dravin’s compound—broken and bloodied, but alive. Less than twenty-four later, she’s dead.
Incendia falls to
her knees on the ground next to me. “I’m so sorry. It was supposed to be me. She shouldn’t have done that. I was supposed to die. Was that what she saw in the vision? Me dying?”
Bragden walks over to me, “Probably. That’s kind of Ryanne’s thing. You’re meant for something bigger. That’s why she saw that vision.”
“But she’s the girl from the prophecy! I’m nothing more than an average mage.”
“
And
Ryanne
thought you were worth saving,” I tell her emphasizing Ryanne’s name. She’s more than the girl from the prophecy. Tom walks over the unconscious man and closes the door. We don’t need to attract any more attention right now.
“Incendia, do you recognize this man?”
Tom asks quietly. I don’t look up at him because I don’t think I can handle seeing the sadness in his expression.
“
He’s Mr. Garrowen’s son, Enrique,” she whispers. “I didn’t know he was a mage.” When Incendia’s eyes start to water, Bragden reaches over and pulls her to him. She turns and starts crying into this shoulder. “She saved me twice today. Why would she do that? She doesn’t even know me.”
“Ryanne would rescue a stray cat.”
I lean back against the bed. We all turn and look at Kyril sitting with Olive. “She
did
rescue a stray cat.”
Even Olive looks upset.
This shouldn’t have happened. I was supposed to have a future with her. Claire told me that everything was going according to plan. This was not part of the plan. What changed? The last thing I told her was a lie. The last words I’ll ever speak to her weren’t true. I didn’t even get to tell her that I loved her too.
I push myself up. “We need to find Dravin.”
Dravin is the man responsible for all of this, and I can’t just stand here while I know he’s out there causing another person or family pain.
“Colton,” Tom start
s.
“You don’t understand. Literally a couple hours ago, she asked me n
ot to stop fighting. She said if something does happen to me, you have to continue with this fight. You have to push forward; otherwise all of this would have been for nothing. Don’t let it be for nothing, Colton,” I quote her. “I have to finish this, Tom. For her.” My voice cracks at the end and hearing that, Emma stifles a sob. I glance across the room at her and see silent tears streaming down her face. David is trying to comfort her, but yet again, this is one of those situations where nothing seems helpful in the moment.
The room gets
quiet when Liam starts coughing and leans against the wall to support himself. “Liam, what’s wrong?” Natalie asks. A layer of sweat glistens on his forehead, and an expression of pain crosses his face as he leans his head back against the wall and grabs his chest, gasping for air.
“It’
s Ryanne,” Bragden explains. “He’s supposed to protect her. She didn’t get to complete what she was destined to, and he needed to protect her until that moment came. His body is reacting to losing their bond.”
“
Will he be okay?” Natalie asks.
“I don’t know. His symptoms could fade over time or the
y could get worse.”
“What do you mean
they could get worse?” Natalie says—her voice an octave higher than usual. She’s staring at Bragden with wide eyes waiting for his response, but instead of answering, he shakes his head. He doesn’t have to say anything. The meaning behind his words is obvious. We could lose Ryanne and Liam within a short time period. No longer able to support his weight, Liam slides down the wall and sits on the ground.
“This whole situation just sucks,” Incendia says.
“You can say that again,” Emma hiccups.
“This whole situation just sucks.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself.
*****
I hesitate in the doorway for a few seconds before following Claire. I don’t know what is going on right now, but Claire does. Hopefully, she has the answe
rs that I need. I hate always wandering around confused. Just when I think that I’m finally doing something right…I end up here.
“So I’m not really dead?” I inquire again.
“Not exactly,” she answers but continues walking. I pick up my steps until I’m standing beside her.
“
What the heck does that mean? Am I in a coma? Will I wake up? What is going on?”
“One question at a time, my dear.
Magic has a way of complicating things,” she tells me as she pushes the down button for the elevator. “It makes the simplest of things infinitely more difficult, while making the hardest things in life much easier. It all depends on how it’s used.” The elevator dings open and Claire walks in and leans against the wall, waiting for me to enter before she hits the lobby button. “I have the answers you need, honey,” she says when I don’t enter the elevator right away.
With a loud sigh, I walk
in. I don’t understand what’s going on, but I’ve already come to the realization that I need to do whatever Claire tells me. She’s right when she says that she holds the answers. I’m in the dark right now.
Giving me a small smile, she pushes the button. When the doors close, she looks back to me and says, “
Technically, you’re physically dead, but there’s a chance that you will come back from this. Your body is back at the hotel with everyone else, but your soul is stuck in limbo. You weren’t supposed to die today. This isn’t how things were supposed to end for you or for anyone else. Your death will propel everyone forward into action, but what about afterwards? Colton will fall into depression because a part of him is missing. Liam and Natalie’s story won’t play out, because your death ultimately brings about his death. Bragden and Incendia will never get together, because Bragden is distraught at yours and his brother’s death. David and Emma will fall apart, because David has to help his brother. Tom takes to drinking because he wasn’t able to help you and couldn’t help either David or Colton. Logan falls into a life of crime, frustrated that his magic failed him, and Larkin and Kyril get captured and killed by Dravin. They need you there, Ryanne.”
“How?” I ask. “How do I go back?”
“I can’t tell you. You have to figure that out on your own. You’ll know what to do when the time comes.”
“What can you tell me then?”
“You are the strongest girl I’ve ever met, Ryanne. Your life hasn’t been easy, but you’ve risen to the challenge every time something new was thrown at you. This second chance doesn’t happen for everyone. Few get the opportunity to turn back time and erase irreparable damage, but you’ve been given this for a reason.”
“That’s it?
That’s all you can tell me?” That didn’t give me any of the answers I need. “What am I going to have to face? What lies ahead? Can’t you give me anything more?”
“
I’m so sorry, but I can’t tell
you more. Just know that mages aren’t the only magical beings in the world and a handful of them impact the course of history. They have a lot riding on this war. This task isn’t going to be easy, dear. Most people aren’t successful. It’ll be challenging and difficult, but I have faith in you. You’re fully capable of doing this, but trust your instincts. You’ll know what you have to do. Don’t let something simple cloud your judgments and everything will be fine.”
“
What happens if I can’t do it? What will happen to Dravin if I can’t do this?”
“
If you aren’t successful, everything will move forward on this altered path. Dravin will defeat mages and reign over everyone. Many mages will be slaughtered for their magic. The world will be forever changed. Humans will be forced to work as his slaves. He’ll be the most powerful dictator the world has ever seen.”
My mouth drops open at the seriousness in her tone. Everythin
g will take a turn for the worst, and that’s saying a lot considering things are already bad. “Oh, no pressure,” I mumble as the elevator opens.
“When does this start?”
I ask as we walk out of the elevator and into the lobby which, like every other room in this forsaken hotel, is empty.
“Right now,” she walks forward and gives me a hug. “
I was in love once, Ryanne. I know that feeling you’re experiencing. The all-encompassing, I’ll do anything for you, feeling. Use that feeling to get back to your soulmate. You can do this. I’ve never known anyone stronger than you. Have faith in your powers and follow your heart.”
“Thank you, Claire.”
“Not everyone or everything is as it seems. Please remember that.” Claire fades away, leaving me standing in an empty hotel alone. I don’t really know what to do. I just know that I have to be successful. I can’t let this future play out. The previous one was scary enough. There’s no way I can let everyone face Dravin by themselves. The future Claire described sounded horrible. I can’t let them experience that. I can’t let my Avengers group fall apart. Oh my gosh, what about Jane? Have they already told Jane? I hope not.
I wonder what everyone is doing right now. Is Colton okay? Is Liam okay? Claire mentioned that Liam will die
because of me. Is he experiencing symptoms already? How soon will those symptoms start to appear? I need to make this quick. There are too many things I don’t know. I hope that nothing happens to Incendia. I didn’t get to put a protective enchantment on her, but Bragden will protect her. I’m sure of it.
I cross my arms and continue walking toward the front door. I’m not sure where I’m going. I feel a little pull in my gut telling me to leave the hotel. What I need to do won’t be found here.
The answers I need are somewhere outside. They’re not here. Nothing is here. Just me. Alone. Again.
“Some guidance would be nice!” I yell at the ceiling. This whole ordeal is just frustrating. How the heck am I supposed to get back if I have no idea what I’m supposed to do.
Pushing the cold metal on the door at the entrance, I walk out of the hotel. There’s nothing out here either. The whole town is deserted. I walk until I come to the road. Looking both ways, I expect to see tumbleweed roll across.
Nothing happens. Well that’s depressing.
“What’s going to happen to me?” I ask.
Silence. Who was I expecting to reply?
“Waiting for you is like waiting for rain in this drought. Useless and disappointing,” I mutter. “A Cinderella Story. Point for Team Ryanne.” Is craziness a side effect of dying?