Author Bio:
Ava Altair grew up reading fantasy and science fiction novels. She graduated from Florida Tech with a BS in Science Education – Physics and a minor in Computational Mathematics. She taught as an AP Physics teacher for five years in Florida. She now lives in Oregon, teaching horseback riding lessons and managing the stables.

Kira Hatfield, the unluckiest woman in the world, is about to get dropped into the realm of the strange and weird. While running from her fear of the dark, Kira literally trips over her best friend’s murder, except it’s not a person, it’s the darkness itself. Kira battles between what she saw and her perception of reality. Slowly, the world around her starts to change pulling her deeper into this unseen world. She finds out she has two guardians that have saved her life many times, one a demon and one an angel. Tensions rise as her guardians fight over her, but everything is not as it seems. Together they help her realize her true nature while she finds a way to save her best friend.

Darkness

I stood in front of my summoning circle. This was my third one, but my first one solo. I looked around at the runes. I had no idea what they meant, but I knew they would work. Around the circle I set up this demon's favorite things. It was the best way to convince the demon to come. This one seemed to like Doritos, bunny ears, and chocolate pudding. I'm not sure what that was all about, but I didn't make the rules.


I raised my arms before me like I was praising the lord, which I thought was sort of funny since I was definitely not doing that. "Irma, Destroyer of Worlds. I summon you. I beg your appearance. I offer you a trade. I beseech you, please, grant me an audience."


The wind whipped through the scraggly pine trees. It was the best nexus point I could find given my options in Utah. I didn't dare go near the big one, there was way too much witchery going over there.


Chapter 38: Six Years Ago