Excerpt One | Excerpt Two | Excerpt Three | Excerpt Four
Draycott Everlasting
by CHRISTINA SKYE
in stores October 20, 2009
Draycott Abbey
Southern England
Twilight
Moon rising.
Darkness creeping over high stone.
He could delay no longer….
The ghostly figure emerged from nine-hundred-year old walls of granite. Fear followed him, coiled tight as it always did when he faced what lay ahead and the grave harm he could cause. Yet no harm would come here on the abbey's high parapets.
Adrian Draycott, guardian ghost of Draycott Abbey, scowled at the mist that drifted over the crenellated towers. His duty was clear. The words were locked in his memory, and he was prepared for all challenges. He had never failed before, nor would he fail this chill night.
Yet his fingers trembled beneath the weight of his duty. Clearing away all distractions, he focused his will. The ritual began in silence, cast in memories. As the working of his magic grew, Adrian took force from the very stones he had guarded so fiercely. As on every Winter Solstice, his words would protect all who lived within the abbey's walls.
Hold in the circle.
Hold to the light.
None to cut, none by might.
Fair winds before morning and bright dawn to follow.
Hold in the circle.
Hold to the light.
The words came low, chanted in the old Norman French learned at his father's knee, chanted in this task that was his alone. Every year the old vows had to be cast away and new vows reforged, woven with words of power and protection.
Now the time had come again. Adrian raised one hand, lace cuffs fluttering in phantom winds. The words filled his throat, echoed over the cold rooftop. Power blazed.
Hold in the circle…
Energy rose from the stones, climbed through what little physical body he retained, sparks flashing. Silver eddies crossed the roof, dancing in the purple twilight.
Hold to the light…
A bird called out over the rolling downs. The moon's cold edge dimmed behind racing clouds. Without even a breath of warning something struck at Adrian. He spun up, into the chill air, drawing lines of power into a shield around him.
Too late.
A savage force slammed him back violently against the abbey's cold stones.
MOONRISE © Copyright Christina Skye 2009
Revisit Draycott Abbey!
My novellas, What Dreams May Come and Season of Wishes, Bridge of Dreams and Enchantment, have been reprinted. You can listen to an excerpt from Enchantment here.