Winters Rising Read online

  Slowly, but more rapidly than normal, they’d begun to grow. Generations, dating back so far that, Brea suspected, they would grow swiftly to an old age and die. Their time had already come and gone and they were now living on borrowed time. There was no stopping the inevitable. But some would live with their time, including Brea’s twin brother.

  Without mothers, these babies growing into toddlers were keeping the ladies at the nursery busy. Many Gatekeepers, including Eve and Annalieese had volunteered their time to help with the children, until their families were found.

  No future elders were located among the children to run Lexcon until Brea and Jax’s baby was old enough to do so.

  Brea still found it difficult adjusting to their first born child’s destiny, but the little being inside her let her know everything would be okay...once they found Magnus...if they found Magnus. So much time had already passed and she worried what that malicious man was up to. Was he traveling time rips and changing time? Or rallying a group of Rogues to do his dirty work, having her captured in order to kill her baby? So many fears and worries, she found it hard to appreciate all the wonderful changes going on in Lexcon.

  Jax came up behind Brea, and wrapped his arms around her middle. “Here you are,” he said, his hand gently grazing her protruding stomach. He did that often now, almost instinctively or protectively and Brea loved him even more each time.

  “We should have a celebration party,” Brea said, as he pulled her against him and rested his chin on her shoulder. “For everyone of every status and welcome them to the beginning changes of Lexcon.”

  Jax kissed the side of her head. “That’s a grand idea,” he agreed. “I’m sure my mother would love to help with the planning.”

  “The planning will be the easy part,” Brea said. “The rest will be hard. Some people will fight us...”

  “Some won’t.”

  She tilted her head to smile at him. “Magnus could show up.”

  “I look forward to his arrival and if he doesn’t show, I won’t stop tracking him until I find him.”

  “And how long will that be?”

  “Until we are safe. Until you and the baby are safe.”

  It could be forever...

  “Magnus is causing chaos,” Brea said. “I think because Melora and the other elders gave me their powers, I’m in tune with Magnus’s actions. I can’t peg his whereabouts, but the time altering has increased so dramatically I’m slammed with awareness of a new Rogue every day. Sometimes more.” Brea paused. “I think Magnus is hiding and sending an army to keep us busy. I can’t sort through all of the powers with the chaos of time altering. You’re getting called away to capture a new Rogue every time I turn around and Lexcon is demanding my attention when you’re gone. Magnus is keeping us busy, I know it, and I’m worried about the outcome to follow. He knows so much more than us and he−”

  Jax turned her to face him, gripping the sides of her face. “Slow down, sweetheart. Let’s do this one day at a time. Declan has hit the books to find anything he can about how to stop him and we have set up an office so anyone who might know anything can come forward to help. You have made Seconds equal and we are on a path to making them feel as important as they should, as they are. You should be proud of yourself for that.” He kissed her forehead and she too was proud of that accomplishment. “Plan a celebration party. We shouldn’t stop living because of Magnus. We will prove to him that Lexcon will go on without him. We will find him and we will give the new elders the powers he refuses to give them.”

  Brea smiled and nodded. “One day, our child will be part of the amazing elders who will run this society,” she said, proudly.

  “And you thought being a Gatekeeper was too much pressure on our children,” Jax teased.

  Brea laughed and softly slapped his chest. “Stop it.”

  Gathering her in his arms, he said, “Have I told you how much I love your laugh?”

  She shrugged. “Here and there.”

  “Let me remind you.” He dipped down and nibbled on the side of her throat. Brea giggled as his five o’clock shadow tickled her skin.

  “Never stop reminding me,” she said.

  Jax kissed her lips. “Never.”

  Brea pulled away. “When this is all done, we need a vacation. Just the two of us, even if for only an afternoon,” she said.

  “Anywhere.”

  Brea smirked. “Pack your pirate patch.”

  Jax frowned. “Never.”

  Brea laughed and Jax caught the sound with his lips. She would never tire of kissing this man.

  THE EDGE OF THE LEXCON White House property Magnus stared at the top floor balcony, watching the two who got away. He wasn’t referring to Brea and Jax, but rather Brea and her Unborn. The Unborn who could be the undoing of everything he’d worked for.

  Magnus had been prepared for Brea to put up a fight. Her strength outweighed her fear. The Winters came from a long line of strong people, and they, too, would be a challenge to keep off his trail.

  But they wouldn’t conquer him.

  Try as they might, in the end, Magnus would win and rule Lexcon as his own.

  “Sir, they’re ready for you,” a man said, coming up beside Magnus. “They’ve sent another Rogue into battle.”

  “Thank you.”

  Magus wasn’t the only person who believed in his way. Even standing in Lexcon, while Brea ordered the people about, thinking she’d won them over, Magnus had his followers. Followers who would not betray him.

  He pulled his white hood further over his head and turned away from the Lexcon house, but not before silently making a promise to all those who would attempt rise up against him.

  Chase me as you might, I’ve already seen the future, and I know exactly how this story will end I will be the one standing at the top of the Lexcon house soon.

  THE END

  COMING SOON

  WINTERS REBELLION

  The Winters

  Book Two, Declan Winters

  Shannyn Leah

  Acknowledgements:

  I have a fabulous Sassy Secret Sister Fan Club who, with laughter and seriousness, assisted in choosing names for the titles, characters and other parts of this series, bringing together the names and events of this book and are as follows:

  Lori Wiest, Pamela Lunder, Rosalie Perez, Shannon Bartholomew, Sherry Bradt, Tara Ransom, Tonya Smith Peterson, Yvonne Isakson,

  Big thanks & lots of love, Shannyn xoxo

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on One, Episode Nine

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  Lucy, Season One, Episode Two

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  Watch for more at Shannyn Leah’s site.

  About the Author

  Contemporary romance author Shannyn Leah loves olives, lip gloss and reading (and writing) romance novels. Her love of words started at an early age and soon grew until, during her teenage years, she’d started writing her own novels. When her mom pushed to finally publish some of the stories, she quickly amassed two complete romance series (By The Lake and Caliendo Resort series) and, in 2016, released her first Fantasy Romance entitled The Gatekeepers (Part One of the Winters Rising series).

  When she’s not writing contemporary romance books into the early hours of the morning, Shannyn can be found antiquing with her two favorite people, her momma and sister, in their picturesque London, Ontario hometown.

  Shannyn would love to get to know her readers as you get to know her (just don’t send her any carrots!)

  Read more at Shannyn Leah’s site.