Destiny of the Witch
DESTINY OF THE WITCH
by
J. M. Davies
This book is a work of fiction. Any reference to historical events, real people, or real locales are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2020 by J.M.Davies
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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
This book or any portion thereof
may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever
without the express written permission of the publisher
except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Printed in the United States of America
First Printing, 2020
Author J.M.Davies
Cover Art provided by G.S.Prendergast.
Copyediting provided by Faith Williams from the Atwater Group.
Other books by J. M. Davies
The Rise of Orion series
Becoming the Witch
Capturing the last Welsh Witch
The Witch’s Heart
Revenge of the Witch
Destiny of the Witch
Other titles
The Deal
Marnie’s Plan
Forgotten Love
Author J. M. Davies Cheerleaders
Wanna be part of my crazy street team? I hope so. One of the best parts of being an author for me is definitely meeting readers and making friends. In this group, I share my writing journey with you. Give you, insider knowledge of what an author goes through when writing a book. Maybe not every little detail, but every now and then, I will reach out asking for help with naming a character or coming up with hobbies for them, because bringing a book out into the world is not something I ever do alone. While the writing part is mine alone, there is so much more to bringing a book to life, to find out more details and to discover more about me check out the link below. I hope to connect with you there where we can chat and get to know each other more. Cheers, Jen
Author J. M. Davies Cheerleaders
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank my friend, Jennifer Smith for being my critique partner. Dianne Donovan my proofreader, who searches with her critical eye for errors that I am blinded to. My editor, Faith Williams for her ability to keep track of the series to ensure I am consistent throughout with characters and plot. My beta-readers, Jeran Hurlbert, Gloria Watson and Dorothy Putnam for inspiring me to go back and dig a little deeper. Lastly, my family, I would not be able to complete any book without my husband Paul Davies, and my children who provide unwavering support while I write, which make the countless hours of doubt and worry worthwhile.
“Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.”
Aristotle
The Soul-Shifter’s Curse
The moon goddess Ariana spent five centuries roaming the earth in search of her lover and soulmate, creating many offspring in her wake. It was because of this, the jealous god Dagda, whose love for the goddess went unrequited, cursed her soul-shifter descendants, born half human and half god. These magical creatures have the ability at the end of their human life to be born again, always searching for their soulmate, seeking love and survival. Once bonded, mates are immortal. However, Dagda’s curse means they only have five chances to meet their fated mate, and if they don’t—their fifth life will be their last.
CHAPTER ONE
“Roman De’ Luca and Isabella Lockhart, you are surrounded today by your family and friends, who have gathered here to celebrate your handfasting…”
Ella peered at the crowd whose attention centered on the stunning couple at the front, ready to take their vows. Everyone watched the vampire and witch, all except the man with brown eyes that flickered with a ring of fire. His sole focus—was her. Time drifted back to the past. The past in which she was Lady Elizabeth Dempsey in the nineteenth century. The hairs along her arm stood up, and a scream lodged inside her dry throat as horrifying memories resurfaced. Dragging her gaze away from the vampire, she searched the crowd for her husband Marcus. One quick acknowledgment was all she managed before she sought the brute out once more, not willing to lose sight, needing confirmation. After all, it had been centuries since she had seen him last.
But flicking her eyes over one face after another, the one she had been searching for stood out in the crowd, and there could be no mistake. The same smug, ever youthful face held her captive. Clenching her teeth until her jaw ached, the familiar snap of the whip echoed, dragging her back in time. Every nerve ending in her body tightened as she recalled the torture she had experienced at the hands of this vampire, and a cold sweat bathed her skin.
“Do you, Roman De’ Luca…” Zephra addressed the bride and groom, but her voice and that of the cats’ constant meowing faded.
The past reached out like tentacles stealing her away, and Ella’s mind wandered back to a time of brutal desolation. The leather whip slashed across her tender skin. The stinging pain made her gag and heave. She clamped a hand over her lips in case she vomited. But unable to stop the onslaught of memories, the past greeted her, and she faced Gabriel, back in 1815. His softly spoken words echoed beside