Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/Xx830AT-g2s
Bewitching Book Tours Exclusive Excerpt:
I turn another corner in the labyrinth. Every leaf, every twig, and the grass changes colors. Unnatural colors. I startle at a huge rustle beside me and bite my nails.
Two disembodied arms stick out of the bush next to me. My heart beats hard against my chest. I try to wriggle out of his grip but whoeveritis clamps down on my arms making it hard for me to get any leverage.
“AAAAAHhhhhh!†I scream, writhing back and forth. I fight to free my arms but he’s already wrestled them to my sides. I can’t move. He lifts me a few inches off the ground. I kick and stare at my useless hands and spot the long nails with black nail polish that begin to dig into my skin. There’s a tattoo on each finger. All the same. Stars, I think.
“I want to suck your blood!†he says laughing, lowering me to the ground. As soon as my feet get a little traction I kick and try to run away.
“Ouch! Drew, control your woman!†One of the guys says, a familiar voice. A football player steps out of the bushes. He loosens his grip and places an arm, the size of my thigh, over my shoulders. He marches us out of the labyrinth. I twist around, searching the maze. There’s no sign of the sword, my sword.
Drew doubles over, laughing and the prankster takes my hand and places it in Drew’s. My gaze falls on the spot of fabric where Drew’s boutonniere isn’t. We’re surrounded by a bunch of homecoming zombies. Sixteen-year-old zombies. Their tuxedo coats all ripped and fake-aged with chalk or something. The black make-up around their eyes smudge into their white makeup, their faces so pale they kind of glow in the moonlight.
“Zombies don’t suck blood!†Drew says between laughs.
“I know it just sounds so much better than I’d like to eat your brains,†the guy says.
“Who’s this tasty morsel?â€
“Roxie, this is everyone,†Drew says. In the middle of a circle of homecoming zombies, I immediately breathe easier. “Everyone, this is Roxie,†Drew gives my hand a little squeeze. I sink into his hug, floating my fingers over the spot where his boutonniere should be.
“Finally. Hey, I’m Franklin.†A large guy, the guy who had me in his grip and the size of a line backer, exactly the size of a line backer, pulls me away from Drew and buries me in a bear hug.
“That’s enough,†Drew says, taking a hand to Franklin’s shoulder, separating us.
“This is the one, huh?†another guy, smaller than the rest, says. “I’m CeCe.†He kind of scowls as he puts his hands in his pockets and rubs his chin with his shoulder. A little of his undead makeup rubs off on his brown suit coat.
“Hey,†I say. “What’s with the whole Halloween homecoming get up?†It’s all I can manage. I get super shy when I’m around people I don’t know, let alone football players who are years older than me who I barely know. Guys who just tricked me.
“She totally fell for it guys!†Another of the guys says.
“This is Randy,†Drew says, using his whole arm to point him out.
Randy makes like he’s going to run into me and dodges me at the last minute. “May I have this dance?†he says in a made-up English accent. He doesn’t wait for an answer and twirls me around then dips me and says, “I am you know… randy….†with a mischievous smile.
I turn to face Drew. “So what? All that was a joke?â€
Drew gazes at the ground before he walks over and wraps me in his arms. His lips meet mine in a forceful kiss. “All of that,†he says. It’s like the best date ever, aside from the fact he made me believe I’m a Shadow Slayer and have to save the world.
As a teenager, Laura’s love for story began in the Amazon where she waterskied with piranha while learning of head hunters and curses. In addition to being a ghost, she’s the author of five books and is a contributor to lifestyle and travel magazines. She has a passion for travel, particularly life at sea, and makes her home in Santa Cruz, CA with her husband, daughters, and their families. No matter the language barrier, perceived danger, altitude, squalls, fashion faux pas, or ingested gluten, she writes to inspire with a focus on journeys of the heart—always on the lookout for great champagne and a pair of red shoes.
You can find her at Laurasmagicday.com, @Laurawriting on Twitter, @book_laurasmagicday on TikTok, and on Goodreads too.
https://twitter.com/Laurawriting
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https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5043385.Laura_A_H_Elliott
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