TOM    TOWNSEND

award  WINNING  AUTHOR

                                                email: Tom@tomtownsend-toyland.com    

             Phone:  713-502-4377                           3123   CR  2407                Rusk, TX    75785

Shadow Kiss


By
Tom Townsend

    Read the excerpt below

 SHADOW KISS

Book Four in the Faire Ring Series

The Dark Lords have sent Shadow to sow confusion amongst their enemies, and before she is finished, Elazandra is ready to marry a suitor she does not love, Ryan is Miserable, Ashlyn is crying her eyes out and a Renaissance Faire is turned into an unearthly happening complete with real dragons, Elves and Dwarves

 

Published by Royal Fireworks Press
ISBN 0-88092-528-0
$9.99 paperback



Council OS Darkness

     Somewhere beneath the cold and barren lands far beyond the Mountains of Myst, and even farther across
the Grimrill Reaches, seven beings met deep in a cavern which had no entrance.
     Lord Noir arrived first. He came as a restless wind which stirred the damp and musty air. A spark of green
fire ignited from one clawlike finger. It grew into a glowing ball, and he willed it to rise among the ancient
stalactites until it filled the cavern with a cold, dim light. Again the black wind stirred and shadows danced against
the cavern walls as, one by one, the other Dark Lords arrived and took form. "We are all present," Noir said,
then, "Time is short, so let us begin." He glanced around the circle of faceless, hooded figures. "Grandolin has
failed us most completely. He was incompetent from the first."
     "Not from the first," a voice challenged. "He delivered the young Elazandra to you in the world of humans. It
was you who allowed her to destroy your Ores even before they hatched."
     "That is ancient history. Besides, it could not be avoided. None of us on this council had any idea what
her father had left hidden for her."
     "Nor could we have known her mother's sword would have passed to her," a third voice added.

     The past is past." Lord Noir insisted. "Grandolin is dead. and his spirit is not worth reviving. There are but
a few hundred living Ores in both worlds, and never before has our power been less."
     "True," yet another voice agreed. "And worse, Elazandra has opened links to the world of humans.
Eventually, she, or her heirs, will bring the worlds together. Everything we have feared since her birth is coming true.
So what is to be done?"
     Eord Noir glanced critically around the council. "What indeed? Will not one of you offer a solution to end the
young queen's reign?" He was answered only with angry silence. "Well, then once again, 1 suppose it is up to me,
so observe, and learn."
     With a sweeping movement of one scaly arm, a small whirlwind sprang from the cavern floor. It grew quickly
and took shape. In moments, a young girl stood before them. Raven black hair was pulled back in a neat pony-
tail and tied with a red ribbon. Deep brown eyes smiled out from a delicate face which seemed cast from fine
porcelain. "Lords Of Darkness," Noir introduced, "meet Shadow."
      "She looks like a human." one of the council observed, unimpressed.
     "Indeed." Lord Noir answered. "And to the human teenage male. she is the most strikingly beautiful girl he
will ever meet. I modeled her after a certain doll which they have worshiped for generations." As he spoke the
girl turned slowly and removed her black robe, revealing a cheerleader's sweater and short skirt. "In truth, she                                                                   is a product of one of my creative breeding programs.  Mostly she is a human witch, but some of her genetic
makeup comes from demons. And, there is just enough Ore blood in her veins to make her hate all things beautiful,
except herself."
     "And you intend for her to do battle with Elazandra?"
     "Certainly not with sword or bow. With only her beauty and a little magic, she will cause Elazandra more
pain than a dozen Ore armies."
     From the council, a doubtful voice asked, "And so, what is it you expect this...this odd creature to
accomplish?"
      A wide smile spread across Lord Noir's snake-like face. "The Elf queen has one fatal flaw which you have
all sadly overlooked."
     More doubtful murmurs echoed around the cavern, and Lord Noir continued, "Elazandra is totally, and hopelessly
in love with a human. A flaw perhaps which she inherited from her mother, but she draws power from that love, and
it is spreading to others of her inner circle. Without her precious Ryan, Elazandra will fade and become weak."
Again he pointed to the girl who now smiled wickedly at the council. "Shadow will take him away from her, and
to destroy their love, is to destroy them both."
     Again the council murmured, and one of the Dark Lords asked, "How will you begin?"
     "With the simple planting of an idea," Lord Noir answered.