Dead Magic
The Sanctuary Chronicles Book 3
India Kells
Dead Magic
(The Sanctuary Chronicles Book 3)
by India Kells
Copyright © 2020 by India Kells
Editing and proofreading by Black Opal Editing
Cover Art by Stefanie Saw
All rights reserved.
ISBN 978-1-989354-11-7
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher.
www.indiakells.com
Blurb
A cursed witch.
A vampire on his last mission.
A love that must defy the odds to survive.
As one of the oldest vampires to walk the earth, Finn O’Malley has lived long enough and is now ready to put an end to it all, to seek solace in oblivion. Just as he makes the decision to disappear, the only woman who ever stirred his curiosity, and the one woman he should avoid, calls for his help.
✢
Witch Violet Shaughnessy knew becoming involved with a vampire was the last thing she should do, especially as her parents had been murdered by one. There was something about Finn O’Malley that called to her though, and she couldn’t keep away, even giving him her blood to save his life. Through darkness and despair, her magic cursed, and good and evil fighting for dominance inside her, Violet reaches out to Finn through their blood connection, knowing he’s the only one that can save her.
✢
With the clock ticking, Finn and Violet work to defeat the unseen and unknown foe that condemned Violet, only to discover they are stronger together than they are apart. With their lives on the line and pulled into a world of dark magic, Finn is confronted with all the reasons he longed for death, while Violet makes him realize there may be one thing powerful enough to save them, and give him the will to live after all—love.
Contents
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
Epilogue
Sneak Peek: Broken Magic
Sneak Peek: Blind Magic
Also by India Kells
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About the Author
A man with outward courage dares to die; a man with inner courage dares to live. ⁓ Lao Tzu
The man who lives without conflict, who lives with beauty and love, is not frightened of death because to love is to die. ⁓ Jiddu Krishnamurti
Chapter 1
Finn sat at the bar, an untouched glass of whiskey in his hands. He twirled the liquid over and over again, his gaze lost in it. Easthallows lacked decent pubs, and it was in those moments his Irish blood stirred the most. He missed the energy, the joy, and the music. Everything was too calm in this sleepy Maine town. In fact, after centuries traveling around the world, he still only claimed Ireland as his own. The New World was interesting but lacked something. Although, since he’d met a certain red-headed witch, he’d found more and more reasons to stick around.
Taking a sip of whiskey, he let the liquid burn down his throat, his gaze examining the human world outside the window. Over the years he’d almost forgotten about them—human beings—like images on a painting. It was one of the consequences of living a long existence. At some point, life bursting all around him contrasted too much with the stillness within, like shadows engulfing the light at dusk, so he’d shut himself off.
The more time passed, the less he found anything that held his interest. Until he’d been rescued by Valeria and welcomed, after a while, into Sanctuary. That they’d accepted him so quickly came as a surprise. Clans and species never mixed, except on political or diplomatic issues, and vampires were always outcasts in some form or another. A reality he’d experienced from the moment he’d become a vampire.
His glass now empty, he lamented time past when he could get drunk. Alcohol didn’t affect his metabolism now. Same with food. He ate and drank to keep up appearances. Finn knew drinking blood brought him a closer sense of ecstasy than any other liquid. And the blood of some could become an addiction. Again, the image of the red-haired witch formed in his mind. Once they’d exchanged blood. Once he’d fed on her. His entire body tensed at the memory. Taking blood could be personal, sensual, and if allowed, it formed a link. And Finn knew links, whatever kind they were, could be a threat. Easily turned into a weakness.
Violet Shaughnessy was anything but weak. Worse, she could be dangerous. It was something he’d sensed in his bones, even if part of him, instead of retreating, begged to get closer.
Licking his lips, Finn remembered her taste, her pure life essences, and he knew what he had to do. Ireland was calling, and he’d heed the call.
The setting sun outlined the dust motes floating in the air. The fiery orb colored the sky in so many intense hues, Finn allowed his mind to return to the fascinating witch once more. For one last time.
From the moment he’d seen her, with her wicked mouth and disdainful attitude, it had sparked something inside him. Her blood ignited him.
Downing his whiskey, Finn decided he’d leave tonight, determined to shut that chapter of his immortal life for good. He was delusional. Sharing blood with Violet had opened a line of communication between them, one he battled against and shut off the best he could, one that would only be severed when the witch died.
The thought brought pain and anger, and those futile emotions annoyed the hell out of the vampire,
