Free Peta (An Elemental Series Novella, 3.5) by Shannon Mayer Page A

ran to greet us.
    “Terraling, the bad luck cat saved us. I couldn’t believe it when I saw her, but she saved us.”
    I leaned out and gave Tinder’s face a lick. “You’re welcome, little lizard.” At least that had gone right. In itself, it would be enough to win the queen over, of that I was sure.
    As a group we worked our way to the entrance where the children were reunited with their families and the queen finally spoke the truth. But we were not done by a long shot.
     
     

CHAPTER 10

     
     
    nce the lava flows returned to their natural place, the Salamanders got busy putting their world back as it should be.
    We stood with the queen after Lark and Cactus created an oasis and Fiametta softened more than I’d ever seen her.
    A soft cough made us all turn to see Jag walking toward us.
    She looked away from him and Lark put a hand on her arm. “You should listen to him. The only reason I survived is because I took Peta’s advice. Your familiar . . . if he cares for you even half as much as Peta cares for me, you are in good hands.”
    I had to fight the swell of emotion in me and ended up tucking my head against her neck to hide the pooling tears. “Larkspur, how can you know that?”
    She didn’t answer me, and she didn’t have to; I felt it between us. Our bond was strong, our understanding of each other better than most familiars had after a lifetime of being with their charge. Because of one thing and one thing alone.
    Trust.
    She trusted me, and in turn I trusted her with my heart and soul. The mother goddess could not have gifted me with a better charge than the half-breed Terraling; even though I knew she would push me to the edge of my abilities and then beyond.
    From the Pit, we Traveled with Cactus and Ash to the Rim, the home of the Terralings. The smell of the forest was instant, diving into me and striking a chord deep within my bones.
    I was home.
    Then again, it could have been that I was with Lark. I had a feeling that wherever she was, that would always be home.
    Clinging to Lark’s shoulders, I was with her as she entered the Spiral, the seat of her father’s power.
    But it was her older sister, Belladonna who oversaw things in the absence of their father. That he was missing was bad. That he couldn’t be found? That was unheard of in the elemental world. Leaders didn’t go missing.
    I watched as the two sisters spoke, as they clung to each other.
    As Belladonna asked Lark to break rules that would have her punished at best, and banished at worst. My heart began to thump so loudly I was sure that Lark would hear it and know the fear that curled through me. To seek out a supernatural for help was a very bad idea, in particular when it was a Tracker. Trackers carried the same blood as Lark, and trouble was bound to double when they were together.
    Though it seemed Lark could find enough trouble on her own, I knew it was possible that it could get worse.
    She went to one knee and bowed her head. “It will be done.”
    And with those words I knew I hadn’t seen the worst of what could come our way. The only thing I could do was cling to Lark and guide her.
    Somehow, I had to believe we would come through this together, and in one piece.
    Mother goddess let it be that way. I bowed my head and whispered to myself. “What I can do to save her . . . it will be done.”
     
     

NEWSLETTER

     
     
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

     
     
    Shannon Mayer lives in the southwestern tip of Canada with her husband, dog, cats, horse, and cows. When not writing she spends her time staring at immense amounts of rain, herding old people (similar to herding cats) and attempting to stay out of trouble. Especially that last is difficult for her.
    She is the USA Today Bestselling