The Book
Always and Forever
by S.P. Cervantes
Series: Secrets of Shadow Hill, Book 1
Genre: Fantasy, YA
Published: November 13th 2012
Publisher: Center One Publishing
Book Description
Twin sisters Ava and Hannah were ripped from their peaceful seeming lives into a whirlwind of attacks and war only to learn the real truth about their existence.
Nothing was as it seemed anymore and may never be again. They had already lost their father in childhood now they have to cope with their mother’s kidnapping as they watch those sworn to protect them risk their lives.
Connor had interrupted my lesson on levitating objects that day. Levitation lessons were always fun because most of my students were just learning the extent of their powers. Wizards in our coven realize their powers at different ages, and only then are they are invited into our magical society.
As I pointed my wand towards the oversized chair I had floating elegantly over my desk, I felt Connor’s thoughts enter mine. “Dalton, you must come see me right away. It is of the utmost importance. Aiden is coming for you.”
I hated when he did that without warning. My concentration broke sending the chair crashing onto my desk. My students broke out into laughter, not realizing the crypt message that had just unwillingly entered my mind.
“Alright everyone, break into pairs and practice levitation. Start small, like a pencil, and I’ll be back shortly.” I instructed dutifully.
Aiden was waiting for me when I walked out of my classroom. He has been my best friend since I came here. Aiden was also a very powerful wizard who was well respected by all of us. Aiden's tall, muscular build would intimidate most people, let alone wizards. However, it was dwarfed by the strength and power he possessed. When Aiden cast a spell, it would be double the power of any other wizard. Aiden was always on the front lines of any battle because of his thirst for competition and superior skills.
We walked slowly down the long, dim hallway towards Connor’s office; I heard the quiet whispers of Connor and another woman. These are the times that I wished I could enter minds like Connor. The whispering suddenly stopped and I realized Connor knew I had arrived.
Connor’s office in Shadow Hill was covered with magnificent decorations and priceless antiques. It made me nervous just being in there. The walls were covered in artwork all reflecting our history of wizardry. Connor has been Grand Wizard of Shadow Hill for over 230 years. He has taught some of the best wizards. There are many different types of wizards; however, our coven was considered one of the most powerful in the world.
Connor was standing in front of his large picture window that looked upon River Shannon with a startlingly tall woman dressed in a long, silver flowing cloak that brushed upon the deep oak floors. She was an enchanter. I had a sense for those with enchanting abilities; they had a sweet smell that seemed fitting for a talent such as enchantment. Enchanters have the ability to alter the moods and actions of people around them. Most enchanters can affect thoughts of others and use illusions to their advantage. Her golden hair glistened in the sun as she hastily walked past me to shut the heavy doors. She moved with such speed and grace that I hardly realized what she had done.
I looked to Connor and I knew instantly that this was very bad. He walked swiftly to my side. “Dalton, Aiden, thank you for coming so quickly. Sorry about the chair, I’ll have it replaced by the morning.” He said referring to my levitation lesson gone wrong.
“Don’t worry about the chair. What is going on?” I asked scanning both of their faces for answers.
“I don’t have time for proper introductions. My sister-in-law Contessa has arrived from America and alerted me of a serious situation.” Connor turned gesturing to the enchanter besides him. “She has informed me there are girls that are in grave danger. They are my granddaughters and thought to be Chosen Ones, as you are Dalton, but have not yet realized their powers. Their mother, Victoria, was a student here and was married to my son Balthazar.”
Connor motioned for us all to take our seats as he hastily tried to fill us in on a decade of Shadow Hill history.
“The Sabatino coven has somehow been made aware of the girls’ existence and are planning to take them. Contessa is sure their goal is to enchant them to join their coven. This is something they had tried to achieve with my son Balthazar, and that was how we lost him.” Connor’s eyes filled with rage, but his voice remained calm.
“The Sabatino coven only ever has one goal, to become the most strong and powerful coven in the world.” Connor’s explanation concerned me. He rarely worried about our conflicts with the Sabatinos; they were a blip on the screen to him in most situations.
The Sabatino coven was the opposite of ours. They practice black magic and use enchantment to deceive all those they meet. There have been many battles between their groups and ours over the centuries. However a treaty was reached almost 100 years ago that has helped maintain relative peace between covens. This treaty was signed by all covens around the world. Ours and the Sabatinos were the most powerful in number and ability.
Contessa leaned towards both of us and whispered in a voice so soft, it sounded as if she was singing. “Their names are Ava and Hannah Fox. They are identical twins. They seem to only know about Ava. We are not sure of Hannah’s powers, if any, but she will need to be kept safe as well. They look too much alike.”
Connor interjected reassuringly. “You are the only one with the ability to thwart enchanters. I am sure Olivia will be there because she is the strongest known enchanter. They will use her to their advantage in order to quietly take Ava into their coven. They will not want to make it known to other covens that they are breaking The Treaty. With your superior combative abilities and Aiden by your side, I know this can be accomplished safely without incident.”
Missions to protect our coven and the rest of society against the evil was common for Shadow Hill, but Connor rarely had me involved in something so important and secret. Honor and excitement surged through me.
Connor wiped his forehead as if exhausted with worry waiting for my response.
“Say no more you two. This is just the adventure I had been waiting for.” I was filled with pride knowing Connor trusted me enough and thought me powerful enough to help protect our coven’s savior.
Nothing was as it seemed anymore and may never be again. They had already lost their father in childhood now they have to cope with their mother’s kidnapping as they watch those sworn to protect them risk their lives.
Excerpt
Connor had interrupted my lesson on levitating objects that day. Levitation lessons were always fun because most of my students were just learning the extent of their powers. Wizards in our coven realize their powers at different ages, and only then are they are invited into our magical society.
As I pointed my wand towards the oversized chair I had floating elegantly over my desk, I felt Connor’s thoughts enter mine. “Dalton, you must come see me right away. It is of the utmost importance. Aiden is coming for you.”
I hated when he did that without warning. My concentration broke sending the chair crashing onto my desk. My students broke out into laughter, not realizing the crypt message that had just unwillingly entered my mind.
“Alright everyone, break into pairs and practice levitation. Start small, like a pencil, and I’ll be back shortly.” I instructed dutifully.
Aiden was waiting for me when I walked out of my classroom. He has been my best friend since I came here. Aiden was also a very powerful wizard who was well respected by all of us. Aiden's tall, muscular build would intimidate most people, let alone wizards. However, it was dwarfed by the strength and power he possessed. When Aiden cast a spell, it would be double the power of any other wizard. Aiden was always on the front lines of any battle because of his thirst for competition and superior skills.
We walked slowly down the long, dim hallway towards Connor’s office; I heard the quiet whispers of Connor and another woman. These are the times that I wished I could enter minds like Connor. The whispering suddenly stopped and I realized Connor knew I had arrived.
Connor’s office in Shadow Hill was covered with magnificent decorations and priceless antiques. It made me nervous just being in there. The walls were covered in artwork all reflecting our history of wizardry. Connor has been Grand Wizard of Shadow Hill for over 230 years. He has taught some of the best wizards. There are many different types of wizards; however, our coven was considered one of the most powerful in the world.
Connor was standing in front of his large picture window that looked upon River Shannon with a startlingly tall woman dressed in a long, silver flowing cloak that brushed upon the deep oak floors. She was an enchanter. I had a sense for those with enchanting abilities; they had a sweet smell that seemed fitting for a talent such as enchantment. Enchanters have the ability to alter the moods and actions of people around them. Most enchanters can affect thoughts of others and use illusions to their advantage. Her golden hair glistened in the sun as she hastily walked past me to shut the heavy doors. She moved with such speed and grace that I hardly realized what she had done.
I looked to Connor and I knew instantly that this was very bad. He walked swiftly to my side. “Dalton, Aiden, thank you for coming so quickly. Sorry about the chair, I’ll have it replaced by the morning.” He said referring to my levitation lesson gone wrong.
“Don’t worry about the chair. What is going on?” I asked scanning both of their faces for answers.
“I don’t have time for proper introductions. My sister-in-law Contessa has arrived from America and alerted me of a serious situation.” Connor turned gesturing to the enchanter besides him. “She has informed me there are girls that are in grave danger. They are my granddaughters and thought to be Chosen Ones, as you are Dalton, but have not yet realized their powers. Their mother, Victoria, was a student here and was married to my son Balthazar.”
Connor motioned for us all to take our seats as he hastily tried to fill us in on a decade of Shadow Hill history.
“The Sabatino coven has somehow been made aware of the girls’ existence and are planning to take them. Contessa is sure their goal is to enchant them to join their coven. This is something they had tried to achieve with my son Balthazar, and that was how we lost him.” Connor’s eyes filled with rage, but his voice remained calm.
“The Sabatino coven only ever has one goal, to become the most strong and powerful coven in the world.” Connor’s explanation concerned me. He rarely worried about our conflicts with the Sabatinos; they were a blip on the screen to him in most situations.
The Sabatino coven was the opposite of ours. They practice black magic and use enchantment to deceive all those they meet. There have been many battles between their groups and ours over the centuries. However a treaty was reached almost 100 years ago that has helped maintain relative peace between covens. This treaty was signed by all covens around the world. Ours and the Sabatinos were the most powerful in number and ability.
Contessa leaned towards both of us and whispered in a voice so soft, it sounded as if she was singing. “Their names are Ava and Hannah Fox. They are identical twins. They seem to only know about Ava. We are not sure of Hannah’s powers, if any, but she will need to be kept safe as well. They look too much alike.”
Connor interjected reassuringly. “You are the only one with the ability to thwart enchanters. I am sure Olivia will be there because she is the strongest known enchanter. They will use her to their advantage in order to quietly take Ava into their coven. They will not want to make it known to other covens that they are breaking The Treaty. With your superior combative abilities and Aiden by your side, I know this can be accomplished safely without incident.”
Missions to protect our coven and the rest of society against the evil was common for Shadow Hill, but Connor rarely had me involved in something so important and secret. Honor and excitement surged through me.
Connor wiped his forehead as if exhausted with worry waiting for my response.
“Say no more you two. This is just the adventure I had been waiting for.” I was filled with pride knowing Connor trusted me enough and thought me powerful enough to help protect our coven’s savior.
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About the Author
S.P. Cervantes
S.P. Cervantes
S.P Cervantes lives in Orange County, California with her husband and three children, where she is a teacher. She enjoys spending time with her family, writing, reading, and running, but is always thinking of an idea for her next novel.
S.P. Cervantes is the author of the highly rated New Adult Romantic Fantasy series Secrets of Shadow Hill. "Always and Forever" and "The Prophecy" are the first two book in the series that are available now. The third book in the series, "War of Wizards" will be released in 2014.
S.P. Cervantes also has a contemporary romance series, A Broken Fairy Tale, in the works and will be releasing the first book of the series, "Dust to Dust (A Broken Fairy Tale)" in spring of 2014.
S.P. Cervantes graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from California State University Fullerton, and has a Master's Degree in Education.
S.P. Cervantes is the author of the highly rated New Adult Romantic Fantasy series Secrets of Shadow Hill. "Always and Forever" and "The Prophecy" are the first two book in the series that are available now. The third book in the series, "War of Wizards" will be released in 2014.
S.P. Cervantes also has a contemporary romance series, A Broken Fairy Tale, in the works and will be releasing the first book of the series, "Dust to Dust (A Broken Fairy Tale)" in spring of 2014.
S.P. Cervantes graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from California State University Fullerton, and has a Master's Degree in Education.
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