Sacrifice (Nevermore, Book 3)
By K.A. Poe
5/5
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About this ebook
Sacrifice is the third novel in K.A. Poe's Nevermore series and is approximately 74,000 words in length (360 pages). If you have not read book one and two yet, please look for Twin Souls (Nevermore, Book 1) and Hybrid (Nevermore, Book 2) available anywhere ebooks are sold!
Sacrifice
Enraged beyond reason at his returned wife's death, Paul has set his sights not only back on Salem, but on his own daughter Alexis as well. Having little other choice than abandoning their home, Alex, Salem, and Hannah begin to flee to an unknown location.
After a drop of Alex's blood streaks down her beloved book from her foster mother, the pages transform into a long kept secret journal. Inside what at first seems to be little more than a diary of an ancient vampire slayer, the trio find more than just hunting techniques. Locked within its pages contains hope of a cure, and a promise of a normal life.
Will Alex be able to decipher the journal and reach salvation before her vampiric side becomes too hard to control? Can Hannah really be trusted after what she has done? And is Salem really ready to sacrifice all for a normal life?
More by K.A. Poe
Twin Souls (Nevermore, Book 1)
Hybrid (Nevermore, Book 2)
Sacrifice (Nevermore, Book 3)
Destiny (Nevermore, Book 4)
Darius - Episode One (Through the Rift)
Praise
Like a beautifully composed piano composition, Twin Souls connects with readers - presenting a vampire novel that makes them question who the real monsters are.
-Booknut 101
It can be difficult to write about vampires after twilight since it became such a big hit so everyone who have read the books will compare them to other books in the same genre unless you come up with something unique. I really think Poe did that here!
-Cecilia, Rather Barefoot than Bookless
I had to stop reading halfway through to check and make sure there would be a sequel as I didn't want this to be the end of Alexis's story! Thankfully there will be one coming soon. I can't wait to read it too!
-Angieleigh, Once Upon a Book
K.A. Poe
K.A. Poe's books aim to remedy the limp, helpless heroine that plagues many paranormal and urban fantasy novels by introducing strong, kick-ass female leads. Combining suspense and adventure with non-explicit romance, her Nevermore and Forevermore series have enticed hundreds of thousands of readers. From vampires to witches and werewolves, you will find what hundreds of five-star reviews confirm - once you join the adventure, you'll never want to stop.To stay up to date on new releases as well as claim a FREE full length novel from K.A. Poe, join the "hunters list" at http://kaylapoe.com/mailing-list . (Simply copy and paste the link into your browser for access.)K.A. Poe's passions have always been writing and reading, escaping reality and starting adventures in worlds beyond the mundane familiarity of Earth. Full of imagination, creativity and wonderment, K.A. Poe almost always has a fresh idea in mind for a new tale to tell. When she isn't reading or writing she can be found playing video games or designing in Photoshop. She is a hoarder of colorful socks and admirer of squirrels and penguins (and by "admirer", this clearly means she squeals at the mere sight of either animal).She resides in the deserts of Arizona with her husband and daughter. Accompanying the trio is K.A. Poe's writing assistant Aries (who happens to be a cat and doesn't do much in the way of assisting or writing, unless you consider sleeping on the keyboard helpful... ) and their two other furry companions - Lyra and Gemini.Currently Released Novels:Twin SoulsHybridSacrificeDestinyKismetCatalystSolsticeEventideCoalesceEphemeralEvanescentThe King's HourglassDarius: Through the Rift
Read more from K.A. Poe
Twin Souls (Nevermore, Book 1) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Hybrid (Nevermore, Book 2) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Destiny (Nevermore, Book 4) Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Kismet (Forevermore, Book One) Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
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Reviews for Sacrifice (Nevermore, Book 3)
5 ratings1 review
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I love the book it so adventurous and romantic. :-)
Book preview
Sacrifice (Nevermore, Book 3) - K.A. Poe
Dedication
To all my readers who have continued with me thus far – Without you these would not exist.
Thank you ~
Contents
Dedication
Chapter 01 – Ezra
Chapter 02 – No Turning Back
Chapter 03 – San Juan
Chapter 04 – Unexpected Surprise
Chapter 05 – On the Road Again
Chapter 06 – The Days to Come
Chapter 07 – Harsh Words
Chapter 08 – Urges
Chapter 09 – Bad News
Chapter 10 – Homeward Bound
Chapter 11 – Hospital
Chapter 12 – Secrets
Chapter 13 – Inevitable
Chapter 14 – Distractions
Chapter 15 – Haunting Realization
Chapter 16 – Into the Forest
Chapter 17 – Unwelcome Encounter
Chapter 18 – A Place Called Home
Chapter 19 – Florida
Chapter 20 – Savior
Chapter 21 – Future
Chapter 22 – Renewed
Chapter 23 – Eleanor
Chapter 24 – Barricade
Chapter 25 – Tearful
Chapter 26 – Return
Chapter 27 – Nineteen
Chapter 28 – Arrangements
Chapter 29 – Saturday
Chapter 30– ‘Til Death Do Us Part
Chapter 31 – Interruption
From the Author
About the Author
Also By
Ezra
Hannah pulled the Alero to a stop outside a gas station just as we exited Willowshire. She leaned over the driver seat to stare at the words developing on the pages of what we had once thought to be just an ordinary journal. I skipped through a lot of the book that seemed to contain detailed information about vampires and hunting, until I came across a few that stood out and made me curious:
August 10, 1514
The worst possible thing has occurred to me this night. Whilst out hunting, I fell prey to a vampire – the wound is still fresh, the hunger to feed is overwhelming, even so early into the transition. How I maintain the urge to kill them – my own kind – I do not understand. I have become the hunted.
They will be after me; when once we were comrades in this battle against evil, we now are enemies fighting against the same opponent.
Ezra N. Chase
August 12, 1514
The blood of animals is not enough to sustain this thirst I feel. It is with much regret that I admit to the heinous crime of inflicting murder upon a mortal to feed myself…and I fear that they shall not be the last.
Ezra N. Chase
September 30, 1514
Rumor has been spread of a fountain across the ocean, in this ‘New World’, that replenishes one’s youth and cures their ailments. I cannot help wondering if this sacred water could be the answer I seek.
What harm is there in trying?
Ezra N. Chase
October 14, 1514
Traveling by boat has been tense. The scent of the crewmen’s blood surrounds me as we make our voyage to where we hope to discover the fountain. There is no livestock on the boat, thus I keep to myself below deck as far from the crew as possible to avoid what I fear most. One mistake and this chance could slip through my fingers.
A man huddled in the dark belly of a ship, feasting off stowaway rats – what have I become?
Ezra N. Chase
October 20, 1514
The shame that I feel on this night is…indescribable. One of the crewmen ventured below deck…before I had the chance to consider my actions, he was limp in my arms. My only option was to give the rest of the crew the same fate and guide the ship by myself.
The journey has been rough thus far, but my strength has been restored. I am nearing a week’s time on this voyage, from the logs I can assume I am almost half way to this ‘New World’.
Ezra N. Chase
October 29, 1514
With much effort, I have reached my destination. Despite my knowledge of sailing, it was beyond a chore navigating the ship to this land. Handicapped with a crew of zero I had to abandon the ship a mile or more from shore and swim the remainder.
I was near instantly met by a brown-skinned man who looked beyond shocked to see me. With nothing more than wood and stone weapons, he stood little chance to my hunger. As much as I despise myself for it, I regret to say there is something marvelous in the act of feeding—a primal exhilaration I have never felt prior.
God forgive me.
Ezra N. Chase
November 9, 1514
I have searched many supposed sites of the rumored fountain – so far to no avail. I pray it was more than just rumor! This land is vast beyond belief; there is no telling where it might be.
I have decided to return to the ship, pull anchor, and attempt to sell further down the shoreline in search of my quarry. I can only hope the hull has maintained integrity.
Ezra N. Chase
November 13, 1514
The ship has run aground on some unseen obstruction below the waters. If I am to find evidence of the fountain, then it shall be by foot.
Perhaps it is fate that has brought me to this place.
Ezra N. Chase
November 14, 1514
Humans are scarce on this new-found land, but I feel it is best this way. The thirst I feel is undeniable, and I fear if I were to see more they would run the same fate as my crew mates and the native.
In the lack of humans, nature has definitely conquered this land in its entirety. Although the blood of the wildlife here is not enough to completely sate me, there is no end to its abundance.
Ezra N. Chase
November 17, 1514
I fear that I may be going mad looking for this fabled fountain! Is that all that it is, a fable? Some made up object no more real than Olympus? Perhaps there is no sense in searching further, perhaps this is my fate.
Ezra N. Chase
December 25, 1514
There are few words to describe how I feel today. Once, I may have been surrounded by family and friends in celebration of the holidays…now, however, I am stranded on unfamiliar land, alone and overcome with thirst. I have succumbed to days of weakness of both body and mind.
It rained yesterday. I remember the cool of the rain against my skin, and the chill of winter. Now I feel nothing. My body acknowledges the existence, but nothing more. In my depressed state, I did the unthinkable.
Days prior I stumbled upon a small camp of natives. They sat around a roaring fire, telling stories in a tongue I have never heard, and the universal language of laughter occasionally drowning out the crackling of burning logs. Among them were several children, all younger than ten. I was able to pull myself away from the scene; my will stronger than the thirst.
Yesterday I returned there with mal intent. Why should these people be allowed to live so happy and oblivious when I was damned to suffer? It wasn’t fair. Before I knew what had happened, I was kneeling among the dead, my lust for blood completely satisfied. Worst of all I did not regret my actions – until today.
Ezra N. Chase
January 13, 1515
The corruption is upon me. I can feel it. The regret I once felt is dwindling again…all that matters now is the hunger that drives me.
Ezra N. Chase
January 22, 1515
As I felt my last hope abandoning me, the fountain appeared before me as though a candle in the darkness. A spring of majestic water flowing with luminous fluid, as if it itself was made of light.
I awoke from this dream with renewed hope. I had seen the path, a cove, a waterfall and an altar. I knew where to go although I knew not where the revelation had come from. Perhaps God had decided I had suffered enough. Like Job, I had lost everything, and he was sorry.
Ezra N. Chase
January 23, 1515
My God, I have found the fountain from my dream! It is not exactly as I had pictured when I started this journey – but it is undoubtedly it. I have drunk its water and bathed in its depths.
I feel no different as of yet; the thirst is still within me and the lack of physical feelings towards my cold surroundings persist. There is no beating heart within my chest. I go to sleep beside the waters with hope I shall wake up renewed.
Ezra N. Chase
January 24, 1515
The wonders I have witnessed!
A young native girl stumbled upon my resting place. She was injured, vulnerable and weak…but somehow, the glimmer of youth in her eyes prevented me from taking away her life. Instead, I aided her.
I wrapped her injury in cloth from my own attire, and cleansed her blood from my hands in the mystical spring. As the crimson swirled with the luminous water, the child informed me of a warmth that ran through her. Within moments, her injury was gone!
It is blood that caused all this, and it is blood that shall rectify it. Tonight, I share my blood with the fountain.
Ezra N. Chase
January 25, 1515
It is unbelievable! The rumors were true! Within minutes of my blood swirling within the waters, I felt the warmth of life return to me! I could once again feel the cool touch of water, and the resonating beat of my own heart.
Mortality is once again mine!
Ezra N. Chase
I stopped reading and glanced up at Salem, who had been reading just as intently alongside me.
This can’t be real, can it?
I asked, staring blankly at the page.
I haven’t ever heard of any real fountain of youth before, but that doesn’t mean there couldn’t be one,
he answered with a mixed look of doubt and hope on his face.
I knew what must have been going through his mind. Salem wanted nothing more than to live an ordinary life after the opportunity had been stripped from him over a hundred years ago. Without speaking my mind—which wasn’t an easy task for me—I continued reading onto the next entry.
January 27, 1515
The natives have welcomed me as a member of their settlement after bringing the healed child to them. One of them – whose name seems to be Bahamet—appears to be some sort of shaman for the tribe, capable of healing minor wounds with nothing but his words. After witnessing the powers of the fountain, it does not shock me as much as it might once have.
I opted to show him the spring, and to my surprise, he tore a simple blade from within his robes and slid it across his palm. The vibrant blood mingled with the water, and he was near instantly healed. Without warning he turned on me, embedding the blade into my shoulder.
Before I could defend myself, my attacker was smiling at me and gesturing to the wound he had just inflicted. At first, I thought he wanted me to use the fountain, some sort of second test that it indeed worked. After more urging I realized that the shaman had inflicted the wound in order to try healing it himself. After lengthy, melodic words in a tongue I still did not understand, nothing happened. At first, he looked shocked, but then relieved.
The water appears to wash away not only ailments or curses, but magic gifts as well. Why he wanted to rid himself of such a gift is beyond me. I will investigate further as I attempt to assimilate more and learn their language.
Ezra N. Chase
Salem…if this is all true, would you…would you give up your ability to be normal again?
I asked quietly.
He didn’t respond right away. His eyes were distant and thoughtful. The same could be asked of you, Alexis. Would you give up being a raven to be mortal again?
You think that it would take that away, too?
I don’t know, but according to this, it seems to strip anything that is not ‘normal’.
Are you two serious?!
Hannah exclaimed, about to tug the book from me, but I pulled it out of her reach. You believe there is some magical fountain of youth?
She burst out in her now all too familiar childlike laughter.
This book seems to suggest there is, Hannah,
Salem objected.
You can’t just believe everything you read in a book,
she said with a shake of her head. Next you’re going to tell me there’s an Oz out there, too.
This isn’t just some book. If you can’t see that, then you are blind.
Hannah ignored her half-brother, grumbled and turned back toward the steering wheel. As she started the ignition, Salem and I continued reading.
February 13, 1515
It has been nearly a month since I joined these people. They are so giving and welcoming. The people back home could learn much from them. A member of the tribe, Gadin, has taken me under his wing and has been teaching me much. Through interactions with the others and countless hours of study, I am quite fluent in understanding their once foreign tongue. I can even speak a bit on my own now, though there are many words that seem to have no translation.
This morning Gadin offered to take me hunting and teach me the ways of finding food in this unfamiliar territory. The tribe had fed me heartily, but it was time I – like all members – pulled my weight.
Unlike hunting back home, we did not sit and wait on our prey. This was a game of skill, not luck. After what must have been two hours of tracking we discovered our quarry in a grassy clearing. Before I even had time to react, Gadin’s bow was drawn and an arrow flew through the air, striking the deer precisely in the heart.
Unfortunately, the thrill of the hunt did not last. When we arrived back at the camp, we found the villagers were frantic and speaking of sighting a pack of wolves lurking nearby.
Ezra N. Chase
February 14, 1515
Several villagers were found torn to pieces this morning…my dear friend and mentor Gadin among them. There was no hope left for them after that, no amount of water from the fountain could bring the dead back to this world.
The tribe is preparing to leave this area, claiming it to be cursed. I can only hope my cursed soul was not the one to bring this among these peaceful people.
Ezra N. Chase
February 15, 1515
Even more villagers were found dead today, with several missing. I’ve never seen animals kill like this – seemingly for fun or some other mal intent. Is this truly the work of wolves? I do not know. I pray that I survive the night…for tomorrow we move.
Ezra N. Chase
I gasped as I flipped the page over and discovered the last entry. Old bloodied stains marked the page.
February 16, 1515
I can feel my life slipping away…the wolves are relentless. My limbs have been mangled; it is with one arm still of use that I manage to write this…
A seer among the natives spoke of coming days of darkness, when an intruder would invade these lands and leave death in its wake. There are many legends, tales, and prophecies among these people, and I thought little of it. With regret, it appears these stories I took so lightly have come to be.
I found the seer today among the dying, and with her last words, she told me this: From the North shall come a raven. From its line, the Kaga will meet its equal, and will meet its end.
I do not know what this word Kaga means, and I fear now I may never. If you have found this, then I implore you to heed whatever this may warn.
I’ve not the strength to write much more—with the last of my consciousness, I can only pray that Eleanor knew I loved her.
Raven,
I whispered as I re-read the words.
No Turning Back
Seriously,
Hannah said, if this fountain was real, we would have heard about it by now. There’s, like, nowhere people haven’t been. It would’ve been found and plastered all over news and science books. It would’ve changed the world.
That isn’t necessarily true,
Salem argued. There are new scientific discoveries every day. In fact, just look at us. Vampires exist without any sort of empirical evidence.
I agree with Salem,
I said quietly, thinking over everything I had just read.
Of course you do,
Hannah grumbled. Even if it does exist, you would give up living forever and your abilities?
Assuming my fate wasn’t as unfortunate as Ezra’s, then yes,
Salem replied. "Ever since Raziel turned me, I have wanted nothing but a normal life. I want to grow old and experience the life of a mortal."
What kind of idiot would want to grow old? And besides, what if the water is cursed or something? That Ezra guy and the Indians used it and look what happened to them.
I highly doubt the water is cursed.
Yeah, but you can’t know that it isn’t,
Hannah replied. I glanced upward for a moment and saw that we were passing through Ouray. It occurred to me then that this would be my first trip outside of Colorado, assuming we went out of state…and I was pretty positive we would.
Anything is possible,
Salem said. What really matters to me, however, is how Alex feels about it.
I thought about it for a moment. I had just learned almost a year ago that my relatives were vampire hunters, that the love of my life was a vampire, and that I could turn into a raven. Then Hannah nearly killed me and in order to save me from death, Salem turned me into a vampire. Before all of this, my life was dull and ordinary. I spent the majority of my time with my best friends Jason and Karen, or attempting to study for school. What would I do if I could reverse all of this and be an ordinary human again? In a few short months, I would be a nineteen-year-old drop out with nothing impressive about myself, and the lack of immortality wasn’t ideal. But never having to worry about hunting vampires—unless I absolutely wanted to—and giving Salem the opportunity he always wanted…wouldn’t that be worth it?
I…I don’t know, really,
I said. One downfall is we can’t go back if we decide we don’t like it.
Why would we want to go back?
You’d no longer be able to summon things, we’d get sick, and we’d have to get jobs…
Trust me, Alex, it would be worth it,
he replied with a smile.
Jobs?
Hannah muttered. Just get Salem here to summon up millions of dollars before he uses that water and you’re set.
I never thought of that,
I said and glanced at Salem. He looked uneasy about it. Even if it was just enough to last until we were able to find a job…Hannah has a point.
He shook his head. Summoning money is impossible. I have tried.
Well, then just summon something valuable and sell it. Do it enough that we don’t have to work and can just enjoy life doing whatever we want.
I suppose,
he said glumly, but that seems nearly as wrong. It almost defeats the purpose of even being mortal.
Just think about it, we’ve got plenty of time,
I said reassuringly. I mean, we don’t even know if this fountain exists anymore, or if it ever did. I’m not even sure how we’d even figure out where to start looking.
If it is the real fountain of youth from history, the one Ponce De Leon searched for, then it is in Florida,
Salem replied.
That’s just a myth, Salem,
Hannah commented.
So are vampires,
he shot back.
After that remark, Hannah kept quiet. I stifled a chuckle and returned to skimming through Ezra’s journal. I leaned my head against Salem’s shoulder and almost wished that I could doze off. We had no set destination in mind when we began this trip, just to get away from Willowshire long enough for my father to set his mind straight. But maybe Florida would be our destination. I shut my eyes and imagined life with Salem without the burden of hunting and being undead. While the idea of getting sick, hurt or even dying left a huge impact on me, I couldn’t help but imagine the good parts of an ordinary life. I could see Karen and Jason without worrying that they might suspect something was off about me. Salem and I could get married and even have children if we decided to. The idea of growing old and brittle like my grandfather made me uneasy, but it would be worth it with Salem by my side, right?
Directly after deciding to leave Willowshire, I had left a message on Jason’s phone and shut my cell off so that if anyone called me they wouldn’t try to convince me to come back. I could feel the weight of the phone in my hoodie pocket; it almost seemed to beg for me to turn it on, even just for a glimpse to see if someone attempted to contact me. Part of me wished that we could turn back and somehow convince Paul that he was wrong, but I knew that was unlikely, if not impossible. Besides, getting away for a while might be just what we need. I had been cooped up in the same little town my entire life without a single vacation; no one was going to change my mind.
Reluctantly, I plucked the phone out of my pocket. Salem glanced down at it curiously but didn’t question me. I turned it on, and it played the same-old jingle it had when it was first turned on,