Hi, everyone!
So, today’s the day!
The Elemental Coven has launched on Amazon!
Be sure to join me for the launch party on Facebook starting at 8:30 AM CST. There will be an awesome lineup of authors talking about their books, playing games, and hosting giveaways. Join in the fun!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1899090893716250/
A tiny excerpt of The Elemental Coven:
Kado is still tucked into the rut of my legs, and I groan at the stiffness in my joints. I haven’t moved all night. The dog’s fuzzy head pops up as I nudge him gently with my heel and sit up, gritting my teeth against the pain in my side. The skin feels too tight, tender, and I know it’s freshly infected. I can only imagine what kind of bacteria has gotten into it during the multiple times I’ve broken it open.
I poke at the wounds once, grimace, and listen to the thump of my hand on the mattress as I send another useless glare around my room. Willow isn’t here. There isn’t even a note saying where she’s gone or a hint of what I’m supposed to do with myself. I run through my memories of last night, but she hadn’t given me a clue then, either. It dawns on me now that I should’ve asked.
Too little too late.
Sighing, I contemplate my possible plans of action. Kado lets out his little happy yelp and watches me, paw set on my knee.
I envy his optimism.
“Are you hungry?” I ask him, running my hand across the scar on his side.
He jumps off the bed at the contact, and I can’t tell if he’s excited by the prospect of breakfast or upset that I paid so much attention to his old wounds. Either way, he holds his ground beside my bed, watching me through shining eyes. I’m not as enthusiastic as he is about my next move. My nose twitches at the thought. No one said I have to get up. I can simply lie back down until someone comes to get me for whatever it is they have planned. I don’t have to do a damn thing until then. Thinking of that choice is enough for me to crinkle my nose in disgust. It reeks of pathetic—not the vibe I want to give. I’m still not convinced I can trust them, and part of me imagines Willow feels the same way. Why else would she stick me in the room farthest from everyone else?
That gives me one option—leave the room and risk the labyrinthine halls in the hopes of finding my sister.
I don’t see that I have a choice.
When I think I’ve made up my mind, Kado jumps back on the bed, his massive paws barely avoiding the scars on my side. He bares his teeth, and my eyes grow wide. I lift my arm on reflex to protect my face a moment before I realize his attention centers on something behind me.
I look up and see it—a snake as thick as my arm, coiled around the bedpost. I scream and scramble to the other end of the bed, Kado yipping at the beast like he’s ready to dive into combat while I struggle to untangle the blanket from my legs. The snake watches us with an expression dangerously close to amusement on its scaly face. Much more composed with the distance, I study the snake and note the subtle, ethereal glow above its dark emerald back.
It’s another one of Willow’s pets.
Does she have an entire zoo?
I pick my bangs out of my eyes and give the snake another glare before patting Kado on his side. He’s not happy with my new roommate, but I’m not about to move it. I don’t think it’s a threat, either, or it would’ve made its move while we were asleep. Kado is nowhere near relaxed but stops barking to look at me, and I tilt my head. He growls once more at the snake but obliges and jumps down. I sight through my teeth, snake forgotten as I prepare myself for the pain of stepping onto my bad leg. Like my side, it’s tightened up, making progress to the door considerably difficult. I stop a few times, worried I’ll collapse, but Kado offers his support to help me across the room. I pet him appreciatively, already glad for his companionship. When I go to open the door, he pads away to growl at the snake again, and I’m left to stare at Maverick on the other side.
“You’re not Willow,” I say, folding my arms across my chest as petulantly as possible.
Maverick smiles. “Your observation skills are remarkable.”
“Oh, yeah? How are yours?” I ask, stepping aside to reveal the snake and Kado. “See anything wrong with this picture?”
Maverick glances over my shoulder toward the bed before grinning. “Gave you a fright?”
My lip twitches, and I barely manage to bite back my rage. “You guys could’ve warned me about the snake.”
“But then it would’ve taken the joy out of the meet and greet!”
“I could’ve killed it. Willow would be upset,” I say, then glance at Kado. “He still might.”
Maverick rolls his eyes. “They’ll be fine. Trust me.”
Now there’s sound advice.
Author Kayla Krantz 