Shards of Skye (The Skye Chronicles Book 1)
Shards of Skye
By
Anna Leah Moranski
Shards of Skye
Copyright 2014 by Anna Leah Moranski
All Rights Reserved. Printed in the United States of America.
No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events or real people are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Shards of Skye / Anna Leah Moranski. –1st Edition
ISBN-13: 978-1492118046
ISBN-10: 1492118044
[1. Paranormal—Fiction. 2. Romance—Fiction. 3. Supernatural—Fiction. 4. Fantasy- Fiction.] I. Title.
Cover Art by James Carroll
Edited by Kelly Scott
First Edition April 2014
Dedication
Even though this book may not be the type of book that they would read, I dedicate this book to my grandparents. Betty and Jobie Shepherd (Granny and Paw), and Betty and Joe Pascarella (Grandma and Grandpa). Grandparents are always like back up parents. I have always been an odd person and you all loved me despite, and maybe even because of that.
Mom, Dad (Terry), Dad (Andy), Adam (Hubby), and to my handsome son Drake. You all are inspirations to me as well. To all my siblings, way too many to name, you all are amazing and wonderful and I’m blessed to call you family.
I have been blessed to be surrounded by people that are beautiful inside and out. Every one of these people have impacted my life in so many positive ways. Their support has meant the world to me.
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Prologue
Skye screamed a high pitched cry of pure pain. The sound reverberated off of the walls piercing the ears of everyone that was in the vicinity. She writhed in her father’s arms as he struggled to keep her still. The doctor and nurses did their best to examine her, but even with the strength of four adults, they were unable to hold her down.
“What happened to her?” Her mother demanded.
She watched in horror and confusion at the spectacle in front of her. She kept her arms wrapped around herself careful not to touch anything. She had already feared her little girl for many reasons she never could explain, and now this was happening. The screams were getting louder, so she covered her ears in frustration. A part of her admitted she didn’t want to be there at all for this. She would rather be anywhere but near her daughter.
“Not now, Lucille!” Skye’s father yelled as he continued to try to calm his daughter down. He grabbed Skye’s face, and forced her to look him in the eyes. Her deep blue eyes were filled with tears as she groaned in pain. Gary made sure to keep her tears out of Lucille’s sight so she would not have more reason to worry. Lucille would freak out even more if she saw the color of the tears her daughter was shedding. He was already struggling to keep his unshed tears from falling as well.
“Daddy!” Skye cried out. She gasped loudly, fighting for breath, and then closed her eyes as her body went limp.
“Skye, baby, are you okay?” he shook her gently but the doctor put his hand up to stop him.
“Her vitals are fine, Gary. She just passed out. Let her sleep.” As the doctor examined her Lucille grabbed Gary pulling him to the side of the room.
“What the hell is going on?” she shook nervously.
“I don’t know for sure. We were in the park walking when a man accidentally bumped into her. It was nothing though! Hardly a brush of his arm against hers, but then she started wailing. There are no marks on her body, Lucille.” His eyes were red from unshed tears and the worry lines on his forehead were showing.
Lucille shook her head in disbelief. She glanced over as the doctor put a blanket on the lower half of Skye’s body then turned to them. His expression confused Lucille even more. He looked as if he wasn’t bothered by the fact that a small child was just screaming bloody murder a few moments earlier, and it seems there had been no known cause for it. Lucille fought for control of her emotions but was losing the battle.
“She appears fine Mr. and Mrs. Field. I’m ordering an MRI for her, but she appears healthy from what we can see.” The doctor looked Gary intently in the eyes, which annoyed Lucille to feel dismissed.
“Fine? She just screamed and cried for an hour, before passing out. That is fine to you?” Lucille nearly tripped over herself running from the hospital room unable to handle being there any longer. The nurses had quietly dismissed themselves leaving the doctor alone with Gary.
“Dr. Carroll, I brought her to your clinic instead of a real hospital because I know this isn’t a normal human issue.” Gary confessed. Dr. Carroll nodded relieved letting out a sigh.
“I wasn’t sure if you knew or not. I wasn’t about to say anything in case she was adopted.”
“She’s my flesh and blood, but her real mother wasn’t human. I’ve always known my daughter was of two worlds. I just need you to explain to me what happened.”
“Her skin has a natural glow to it, but humans are unable to see this. Or rather they choose not to see it. The part of her arm where she brushed the stranger in the park you mentioned, is darker,” They walked over to Skye’s resting body. Gary nodded looking at her arm.
“I see.” Gary sighed as the doctor stood up straight.
“I’m surprised you can notice the difference. You are only human after all.”
“Yes, but her mother and I had been deeply in love. She shared part of herself with me.”
“She truly bonded with you. It is rare for one of her kind to do that. Why are you no longer together if you were bonded?” the doctor inquired.
“Her family came for her. She fought them to stay here, but you know what it’s like for them. Saying no to their family is like refusing to breathe. So, they took her back home. Months later she returned to me holding our daughter in her arms. She told me I had to raise her because her life would be too hard where she was from.” Gary stroked Skye’s cheek softly staring at his daughter hating every moment of pain she had endured, wishing he could have taken it instead.
“She spoke the truth. Halflings do have a harder time proving themselves. Especially when surrounded by full bloods.”
“Dr. Carroll, what are you?” Gary whispered. The doctor seemed to think it over for a moment then smiled.
“I am fae. I decided to stay here on the Earthly realm for whenever any other beings like me needed help.” Gary looked to his daughter. Her bright blonde hair framed her small pale face.
“Are all elves pale like my daughter?”
“Yes, just like I’m sure her mother’s skin was as well. They have all different hair types though. Your daughter’s hair is more fair than typical. I would suppose that is from her bloodline.”
“I don’t know much about it. Now look, you can see that I’m not ignorant of who or what my daughter is. Tell me what happened.”
“Her skin is delicate. Her nature is a loving, delicate, and healing one. She brushed against someone who is the complete opposite of her. Someone full of darkness and anger. My guess
would be a demon. In fact, he could have touched her on purpose to see if his assumption of what she is was correct.”
“A demon? If he sensed what she is he could be after her right now.” Gary walked to her bedside again.
“Yes, and he probably is. You need to leave. If it was a demon, then he will go back to the same place he saw her. He will try to track her scent.” Gary’s hands balled up into fists.
“Her mother Cloud once told me that demons can infect them by just a touch.”
“She spoke the truth. Skye looks fine, but she may have a side effect from the touch. We may not know for days or even for years. I cannot heal her of it until I know what it is. Run away with her now. If you discover what it is then return with her and I will be ready.” Gary nodded in understanding.
He carefully picked Skye up in his arms cradling her to his chest. “Daddy’s got you baby girl, now and forever.” He whispered to her.
Her long hair spilled over her face hiding her beauty. He paused looking to the doctor one last time, then quickly made his way out of the clinic.
Chapter One
Gary stood silently by the front door. He watched vigilantly out of the small window next to the door. Lucille stood in the living room staring at him. She crossed her arms in a huff. Gary quickly glanced to her direction, knowing he would find her annoyed. He saw he was right.
“I’m sick of this hiding crap, Gary! You act like there’s a monster out to eat us alive. For God’s sake, what is wrong with you?” She lifted her arms in defeat, and then let them fall to her sides.
“I’m protecting my family,” he said. Lucille shook her head.
“You allow me out of your sight. I can work, shop, and visit my friends. You’re protecting Skye, not me.” Gary turned to Lucille. The look on his face only confirmed what she had guessed.
“She needs protecting. She is more special than you will ever understand.” He looked out of the window once again.
“I’ve been raising her as my own for three years now. I claim her even though I have no real bond with the girl. Shouldn’t I know what’s going on with her as well?” Lucille’s voice was tired.
Since the day Skye mysteriously became ill at the park, things had gotten worse. Skye felt better, in fact, she said she couldn’t really remember that day at all. But that was when Gary changed. He had packed their things and they moved the very next day.
Lucille still held resentment towards him for moving her away from Charleston. It was where she was born, and where she wanted to die one day. Charleston’s beauty was one that people traveled from afar to visit and he had forced her to leave. He wouldn’t even let her have a say in the matter.
Gary had never been demanding before, so when he was forceful over moving, Lucille followed along. She didn’t know what else to do or to say. Months after they had moved to California, Lucille saw Gary calm down for a while. Then recently he had started being overprotective, and never letting Skye out of his sight.
“Damn it, Gary, talk to me! Is it her real mom? Is she coming back for her? If it is, you’ve raised her ever since she was born with no help from her. No court would take her from you.”
Lucille was grasping at straws to get inside of her husband’s mind.
“No, her mom isn’t here. She wouldn’t be a threat. That I would welcome any day,” he whispered.
Her breath caught at his words. He had never hid the fact he loved Skye’s mother more than anyone, but it still hurt her to hear it. Lucille had loved him from the moment she met him. Gary offered opportunity. He was a fresh start from the drugs and police record she once had.
He never knew that part of her, and never would. She already felt she wasn’t good enough to be around his daughter so she was determined that he would never know of her past.
She was starting to realize she was not looking at him the way a wife should look at her husband. He was becoming a roommate to her. He acted as if he just wanted her there to care for Skye. Lucille shook her head upset. She felt like the evil stepmother that was jealous of the precious child. Skye was no Snow White, and she was surely no Wicked Queen.
“Gary, do you even love me?” She had to ask. She had wondered for a while and wouldn’t put off asking any longer.
“Of course I do, Lucille. It’s really shitty that you even have to ask.” He said looking towards her again.
“Everything in our life seems to be only about Skye. We barely have time alone. You know that I want a child, but you refuse to have another one. I don’t understand why. You love Skye so much, so it makes sense that you would love one of our own,” she said exasperated.
“I don’t want you to think that I don’t love you.” He walked away from the front door and took Lucille in his arms.
“I can’t help it,” she muttered.
“I can’t tell you everything. It’s safer if you don’t know.”
“Safer for who?” Lucille questioned.
“Safer for you. I don’t want to worry more than I already do. Skye truly is special. Her mom’s family is… they… ugh,” he groaned searching for words. “They are basically a royal bloodline that has magical powers. They also have many enemies because of this. One has come for Skye in the past, and they will come again. It’s my job as her father to keep her safe.”
Lucille tried to clear her head, but then did the last thing Gary expected. She laughed in his face. She pushed him off of her, and walked away still laughing. She turned to face him and stopped laughing when she saw the devastation on his face.
“Oh, no. Oh, Gary, you believe this.” She walked back up to him placing her hands on the sides of his face. “No one is after Skye. No one has ever been after her. There is no such thing as magical powers.” Gary gently removed her hands from his face.
“That’s what a normal human would believe. I know better. It’s real whether you want to laugh at me or not.” He walked back to the front door, his back to her.
Lucille watched him for several moments. She had no idea what to think now. Her husband actually believed in magical beings and worse, that his daughter was one. He was way too young for dementia, which only left one thing that she could think of. He had had an emotional breakdown and was suffering from delusions.
Lucille walked up towards her bedroom, needing the space between them. Gary was in one of his extra paranoid moments, so she knew he would not be coming to bed again that night. She paused as she passed Skye’s room, peeking inside. Skye was sleeping peacefully in her bed with a smile on her face.
Lucille had to admit to herself that she did in fact envy the girl and occasionally hated her. She had her father’s complete love and devotion. Lucille had hoped for the same, but he had never been able to love her like that. Gary was still in love with Skye’s mother, whom he refused to ever discuss. She didn’t even know her name. Lucille huffed then went to her room to sleep. She did not fall asleep with a smile on her face.
Lucille held Skye’s hand as they walked in the park together. The day was sunny and beautiful with a perfect calm breeze. Gary had to work so Lucille had decided to break the rules and take Skye out of the house to play. Skye had been so hyper and Lucille did not have the energy to play with her, nor did she want to.
“Mommy, can I swing?” Skye looked up at her, her bright blue eyes shining.
“Yeah, knock yourself out.” Lucille muttered letting go of her hand.
Skye skipped happily over to the playground and immediately jumped onto a swing. Lucille stood staring at the little girl. Skye didn’t know her life was so sheltered. She didn’t have to suffer like Lucille did. Lucille envied her for that.
Skye giggled happily as she pushed her body forward then let it fall back on the swing. Skye began singing softly to herself as she felt her hair flowing freely around her. Lucille listened to her but didn’t recognize the song. She had never sung it to her and it wasn’t on any shows she watched. Gary was very strict about knowing everything that she came in contact with.
“Excuse me, can I help you?” Lucille almost snapped at the men.
She knew there were men who would go to public places to prey on little children, and she was not about to let that happen. Even if she didn’t care too much for Skye she wouldn’t let anyone hurt her. The men looked to her as if bored then returned their eyes to Skye. They started to slowly walk towards her. Lucille jumped up and ran over to Skye standing in front of the swing she was on. The men stopped a few feet in front of her tilting their heads slightly as if they were sizing her up.
“You do not look at my daughter like that and you don’t approach her either! I don’t know who you guys are but you need to leave now before I call the police.” The one with black hair laughed slightly. The laugh rumbled in his chest.
“If you are her mother then we only need you.” The brown headed twin grabbed her arm jerking her to him. Lucille screamed loudly forcing the brown headed twin to cover her mouth with one hand and pinch her nose with the other. She struggled to free herself from him. The black haired twin went over to Skye trying to grab her, but Skye jumped off of the swing and ran quickly away. Lucille watched in horror as she felt her lungs screaming for air.
She started feeling light headed as if she were going to pass out. Before she knew what happened she fell hard crumbling to the ground. She gasped for air and savored the way her lungs felt as she took several breaths. Lucille looked around not seeing the men anymore, but she also didn’t see Skye anywhere.
She jumped to her feet as fast as she could and started screaming Skye’s name. Parents and children were all looking at her as if she were insane. Some parents were grabbing their children pulling them away from her. She didn’t understand why no one had jumped in to save her. She shook her head then started running in the direction Skye had ran.