The Shadow Portal: New Release: The Heart Of The ancients by Elizabeth Isaacs

The Kailmeyra Chronicles: Book Three—

Following Nora and Gavin’s defeat of the Dokkalfar, the kingdom has flourished and brought hope to its people.

But looks can be deceiving.

Like wisps of death, darker emotions seep into unexpected places. Now the nighttime holds fresh horrors for Gavin as Nora’s visions of the future invade her dreams. Though Nora can’t remember them, she knows Gavin sees her mind as clearly as his own. Noticing the affects her nightmares have on him, Nora warns Gavin of the dire consequences of altering fate. But she fears he’ll do whatever it takes to assure her visions don’t come true—even going against all he believes.

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Rena entered the chamber, followed closely by Tark and Weylin. Her clipped stride and scowl made it clear that she wasn’t in the mood for fun and games. Tark started to catch up to her, but her hand flew up, and he stopped in his tracks. Rumpled, tired, and more than a little grumpy, she flopped down next to me and took a long drink from her goblet, setting it down with a thump.

“Having a good day?” I smiled.

She raised a graceful eyebrow. “Not really.”

“What’s wrong?”

Rena’s eyes stayed fixed on the group across the way. “That’s the last time I help with the recruits.”

“Why?”

Her normally lilting voice sounded low, aggressive. “Tark suggested we put the new warriors through their paces by using our little gifts.”

“Oh?” The smile slid from my face. Rena was the Keeper of the Field. She could take on an army of Dokkalfar. Surely a few student warriors weren’t a problem.

“What I mean to say,” she corrected as we she watched Tark glance our way, “is with my little gift. It seems I was the warm up act before tonight’s main event.”

I patted her arm. “What happened?”

Rena’s scowl darkened. Gavin, Tark, Weylin, and Micah glanced up from their conversation, pointedly staring in our direction.

“At first, all was well. The terrain responded to my call, and I had the young ones easily contained with vine and loam.” She jerked her head toward the only warrior slightly taller than Gavin. “And then he showed up.”

I grimaced. “Weylin.”

He must have heard his name because he looked over. His turquoise eyes, such a contrast to his olive skin and dark hair, narrowed. He tipped his head as if to say hello.

We both ignored him.

Weylin was one of Gavin’s oldest friends as well as the leader of the lower guard. He also happened to be the only one that could pinpoint my weaknesses. Off the field, Weylin was like a brother—sometimes annoying, other times protective and sweet. On the field, he was a merciless brute.

“Yes, Weylin,” Rena hissed. “It seems his practice with you has given him insight to exploit my weaknesses, too. And apparently your mate,” she threw an accusatory glare Gavin’s way, “has given him permission to test not only you but all the Keepers as well.”

“So what did you do?”

“What do you think?” she grumbled. “I lost my concentration, the young warriors charged, and I was overrun.”

I frowned. “Having your defenses stripped away stinks, doesn’t it?”

Weylin had taunted me yesterday until I lost my concentration, and Gavin actually had to defend me until I found my focus again.

“My lady, your ability to understate situations is, at times, staggering.”

Elizabeth is an author, teacher, and publishing professional who began her career as a national presenter for Resource Profiles, where she developed teacher seminars designed to foster creative brain stimulation. Moving into formal education, she helped at-risk students improve their writing skills as well as created and implemented a creative writing/blogging program that centered on teaching the 21st century learner. Works stemming from this initiative were published online and seen in over 40 countries.

Elizabeth receives invitations to speak nationwide at schools and book clubs about Young Adult (YA) content and writing. She co-founded the popular book blog, Chirenjenzie, which reaches thousands of people around the world. The writer support and reader interest group promotes and interacts with followers on Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, and various other blog sites. Elizabeth has a Master's degree from Austin Peay State University, where she was trained in classical opera. She graduated Magna Cum Laude and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society.

"The Light of Asteria" received Honorable Mention at the New York Book Festival.