Vision in Trust (Legends of the North #2) (22 page)

Jess half-expected what was to come after Matt and Emma had told her what they had experienced. But still, as what little light there was from the moon disappeared, and the howl of the wolf pierced the unearthly silence, she shuddered.

It stood so tall that she could look it straight in the eyes. Amber, almost sickly yellow eyes that sparkled even in the dark yet looked empty to her. Its jaw dropped open, and a deathly wail split the silence. Yet Jess experienced a calm washing over her. As though she was being guided. The wolf pounced forward, and James sliced at it with his sword. Where the blade struck, a green liquid oozed out before hardening over. Matt cut at it from the side, plunging his sword deep into the wolf’s flank. As it howled in pain, Rob shot at it, hitting its leg, and the bones splintered. From behind the shield, Jess sliced across its neck with her gran's dagger, and the wolf disappeared.

In its place was the bare bones of a man, no skin, just a green liquid dripping from it. It fell to its knees, and Jess stepped forward, ready to finish it off, but Matt grabbed hold of her and yanked her back inside the star.

"Stay inside!" he shouted at her.

Snapping its jaws together, a pained howl was all they were left with.
 

"I could have killed it, Matt. I could have killed it."

"Or it might have killed you, Jess."

She looked around, unable to believe what she was seeing. "Is it gone?"
 

Rob shrugged, but it was James who replied, "For now. It doesn't seem to know how to bloody give up, though. I have a feeling it's going to be back. It hasn't got whatever it is that it wants yet."

***

It was almost a month since the attack, and as Jess, Emma, and Vicky sat in her living room, Jess couldn't help but think that this was what they had been fighting for. The quiet moments, happy times shared with friends and loved ones. People who would stand by your side and fight for you, fight
with
you. People who accepted you just the way you were and loved you for it. Her thoughts turned to Rob, and she smiled, he was definitely worth fighting for. Emma smiled back, and Jess wondered what she was up to.

"So you got us all here, Emma. Are you going to tell us what for?" Jess asked.

Emma nodded but didn't say a word. She reached for her glass, and Jess saw the sparkle on her finger.

"Oh, my God, he asked you!"

Emma laughed, and Jess sprang up to hug her. She'd always wanted a sister-in-law. When Jess pulled back, Emma glanced over at Vicky, and her smile dropped.

"Vicky? Are you okay?" When she didn't answer, Emma made her way over and dropped to her knees in front of her.

Jess could see that Vicky's eyes were open but unfocused. Emma and Jess exchanged glances then Vicky moved. Standing quickly, she swayed, and Emma grabbed hold of her.

"Vicky?"

"I'm sorry, Emma. I have to go."

With that, they both watched her hurry towards the front door. They glanced at each other then down at the sofa. The cushion was covered in a black sort of dust.

"Do you smell smoke?” Jess asked, looking up from the cushion, towards the direction Vicky had just run.

As Vicky reached the door and yanked it open, she turned back to both of them and said, "It wasn't real. It was just a daydream."

<<<<>>>>

EXCERPT FROM VISION IN FAITH

Vicky sat in Jess’s living room and could hear Emma speaking but her voice sounded like it was travelling through a tunnel. In fact Emma seemed to be in another place too as her face became blurred, her outline fading, until all Vicky could see was blackness.
 

Vicky blinked and glanced around an unfamiliar room. It was dark and dingy and so cold she could see her breath in front of her face, a white plume.
 

"Don’t just stand there. Get on with the bloody fire."

Vicky jumped at the sound of the unfamiliar voice and turned towards it. But all she saw was a figure walking away from the doorway. From the sway of the heavy skirts Vicky guessed it was a woman. Turning back to the room her gaze landed on the huge stone fireplace. It was easily big enough for her to stand up inside of she realised as she took a step closer to it.

As she did the grate erupted in flames, throwing shadows towards her. Yellow and orange flames danced and licked at the log sending sparks flying, the crackling echoing around the fireplace. Jumping back when the heat hit her she suddenly found herself holding a candle and felt like she had become transported to a set in a Jane Austen book. Turning, the candle flame guttered then blew out, plunging her back into darkness.

The first thing she heard was Emma's concerned voice.

"Vicky? Are you okay?"

As Vicky blinked she saw Emma kneeling in front of her. How was she supposed to answer that? What was she supposed to say? It had felt so real. Vicky could still feel the heat of the fire, smell the musty room and smoke. Quickly Vicky stood but swayed until Emma grabbed hold of her.

"Vicky?"

"I'm sorry Emma. I have to go." Vicky hurried out of Jess's house slamming the front door shut behind her. When she heard the door shut a sob escaped her. Lifting her hands to her face, she noticed how much they were shaking and when she turned them over there was a layer of black soot covering them.
 

If it hadn't been real then where had that come from?

•••

Emma stared at the door then down at the black streak of something smeared across the sofa.
 

"I should go after her," Emma said turning to face Jess. But Jess just shook her head. Staring back at the sofa, Emma bent down to hesitantly touch the black powder. It looked like ash she thought as she rubbed it between her fingers. Emma's head jerked up towards where Jess was still stood.

"Vicki just had a vision. I should go after her."

They both jumped at the sound of someone banging on the front door. Jess quickly made her way over to it, yanking the door open.

"Oh, I wasn't expecting you."

"Can we come in?" Matt asked. Just stepped back, pulling the door open wider to let them in. James gave her a half grin and Rob stopped to briefly press his lips against hers. Closing the door behind them she followed Rob back into the living room to find Matt with his arms around Emma.

"We saw Vicky run out of here and wanted to check you were okay. I try to stop her but she wouldn't listen. Did you tell her?"

Emma nodded. "That's not why she ran off though." Emma stepped out of his embrace and looked towards Jess. "I think she just had her first vision."

"What makes you say that?" James asked as he moved to stand right in front of her.

Emma looked up at Matt. "I told Vicki and Jess about you popping the question and it was like she was somewhere else. Her eyes were glazed and well..." Emma pointed at the sofa cushion and the three men crowded round to look at it. "I should go after her," Emma said again as she moved towards where she had left her jacket.

"No. I'll go," James said as all eyes landed on him.

Emma's forehead furrowed as she tried to find a polite way of saying that James would be the last person Vicky would want to see. Emma was pretty sure Vicky hated James. "I don't think she'd want to see you James," Emma said she felt Matt"s hand on her arm. Emma looked up at him and saw him shake his head ever so slightly. Did he know something she didn't?

Want to read more?
 

Vision in Faith

Coming July 2016

Read how it all began:

Vision in Love

Order on
Amazon  
UK
 
US

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Liz Bower started her writing career with an online course. She is now studying for a creative writing degree, so it was probably inevitable that she would write a novel. 

From as early as she can remember, Liz has loved reading. She was inspired by her love of books to write her own stories, starting when she was only a teenager.

When not writing, Liz can be found curled up with a cup of coffee and a book or walking her dog.

Originally from Lancashire, England, Liz now lives in Bolton with her husband.

Connect with Liz online:

Website:

https://www.lizbower.com

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/lizbowerauthor

Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/LizBowerAuthor

Pinterest:

https://www.pinterest.com/LizBowerAuthor

And if you want to hear when the next book is available sign up to Liz’s website to receive updates. Or join her Facebook group, Liz's Legends, to read the first excerpts from her new releases and there's even a rumour that there may be giveaways to enter. She’d love to see you there!

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Huge thanks to Becky & the girls at Hot Tree Editing, you make my book the best version it can be. Donna from Hot Tree Promotions, for answering all my questions! Without you readers would never have heard of my books. And of course Marla, you give my book the best finish possible.