Secrets End

Alina Martyn Secrets End Copyright © 2023 by Alina Martyn All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission. This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental. Alina Martyn asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work. First edition This book was professionally typeset on Reedsy Find out more at reedsy.com Contents I. TRIGGER WARNINGS Author’s Note Check out other works by Alina Martyn Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen Chapter Nineteen Chapter Twenty Chapter Twenty-One Chapter Twenty-One Chapter Twenty-Two Chapter Twenty-Three I Trigger Warnings In this book there are; scenes of psychological manipulation and abuse, parental manipulation, and emotional neglect, descriptions of death, battle sequences and fighting, and explicit and graphic sexual encounters between three consenting adults. If any of these things bother you, please be aware and proceed with caution. Your mental health matters. Author’s Note What a freaking journey this has been. Writing the last line of this story was so bittersweet. Audra’s story was the first one I ever saw from conception to published, and I’m so proud of how she’s grown and changed. I’m so incredibly thankful to, first and foremost, the readers. The love these characters have received from all of you is wonderful and so heartwarming. Thank you a million times over to my sweet husband who has always pushed me to pursue my writing dreams and helped make these books possible. Thank you to my family and friends who are probably either surprised I’m publishing books and not telling them, or rooting for me quietly while I keep writing to my heart’s content. Thank you to the friends I’ve made throughout this process; especially @leia_faiga, @authornataliaava and the whole crew on Instagram with @covertocoverengagementgroup. Thank you so much to my PA, Chelsi Weddle, for joining me on this crazy journey. I appreciate everything you’ve done and am so excited for the future! Thank you so much to my cover designer who had to deal with my craziness and took it all in stride, creating all the covers for The Heliander Chronicles series. They’re absolutely gorgeous and I can’t say enough how much I love them! Thank you, Ria O’Donnell, @graphicescapist. Check out other works by Alina Martyn The Heliander Chronicles Secretly Born Living In Secret Secrets End From My Past From My Past Towards My Now (coming September 2023) Book 3 coming Spring 2024 Book 4 coming Dec. 2024 Chapter One Audra She was shrouded in darkness. At least, the pain she was feeling had washed away, like waves crashing over her until she was no longer able to feel anything to all. There was something nagging at her; something she forgot, something urgent, but she couldn’t remember what. “Hello, child.” A deep voice boomed in the darkness, and Audra’s eyes darted around to find the source of the voice. To find who could see her, but who she couldn’t see. That was what scared her. The unknown. Knowing that other…beings could see her but she couldn’t see them made her uncomfortable. Vulnerable. Exposed. This place didn’t feel like when Seb would visit her dreams. There was no undertone of comfort, just darkness. Like she was dropped in a box and forgotten. “Who’s there?” Audra yelled into the void. “Don’t worry, I’m right here.” The voice said. She turned around in the blackness, about to give the omniscient voice a talking-to using far too many curse words, when she noticed a shining speck of light, like a single star floating far off in the darkness. Audra didn’t dare move as the star got closer to her, getting larger and brighter, chasing away all the darkness. The light got so bright she had to squint, and she put her hand over her eyes. There was no darkness left in whatever space she was in, not even her shadow. Where the light was brightest, there was a figure, walking slowly towards her. “Audra Jackson.” The voice boomed again, and the intensity of the light started to pull back, bringing it down to a more comfortable level. Through a squint, she was able to see a man with open arms walking confidently towards her. He was dark skinned, with long hair pulled into thick braids that were adorned with gold rings and beads. He was wearing an outfit Audra had seen in pictures on Greek Gods; white fabric wrapped and draped around his body, held closed and together a thick, gold-braided belt and thick golden pins. He wore gold sandals that crisscrossed up his calves. Whoever it was walking towards her, had a huge smile that took up his whole face and bright gold eyes that welcomed her. He was charismatic and calm, walking towards her with the confidence of someone who knew her well. “I’m so glad to finally get to meet you.” He said kindly, holding out a hand for her to take and helped her stand. “I’ve wanted to so many times over the years.” “I’m sorry, who are you?” Audra asked. When she looked down at herself, she was dressed in a similar way the man was. “And how do you know me? And who changed me? I’m fairly sure I wasn’t wearing this.” “Oh darling, this is just a dream and in a dream, I can change things.” He twisted his hands in a flourish, “Out in the real world