Splintered Veil: A Paranormal Women's Midlife Fiction (Splintered Magic, Book 2)

Splintered Magic Series Splinter Cat: Book .5 Splintered Magic: Book 1 Splintered Veil: Book 2* Splintered Fate: Book 3* *Forthcoming Splintered Veil SPLINTERED MAGIC SERIES BOOK TWO JILLEEN DOLBEARE Contents Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Please Review Splintered Veil Splintered Fate About the Author Also by Jilleen Dolbeare Splintered Veil Jilleen Dolbeare Copyright © 2023 Editor: Cissell Ink Cover Designer: Crimson Phoenix Creations Interior Art: Rose Rasmussen All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any form including digital, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, uploading, or by any information storage and retrieval system without prior written consent of the author except for brief quotes for use in reviews. I dedicate this book to the people that have supported and encouraged me along the way. To my mom, who taught me to love sci-fi and fantasy. I wouldn’t be anything without you! To my husband for not getting upset when I’m busy with the books. To my Mastermind Group, thanks so much! To my niece, Baylee Rose who read everything, kept me focused, made suggestions, and for her brilliant art. And to all my alpha and beta and ARC readers. Thank you all! Chapter One I turned the kettle on for hot water and put dry cocoa mix in my mug. This was my first time out of bed in three days. The witches had done a number on me. I’d been beaten within an inch of my life, and although I wasn’t a doctor, I bet my ribs were cracked, and my jaw was broken. The only reason I was up was because my cat had threatened me with a mouse. I didn’t have the energy to take care of a dead rodent, and I definitely didn’t for a living one. Megan texted that she was close. Only the desire to see her and feel the comfort of her presence kept me from going back to bed. I’d cleaned up and gingerly washed my tender face. There wasn’t anything I could do with my hair, so I twisted it into a messy bun, where it wouldn’t bug me. Even my hair hurt. That might have been because a male witch had dragged me across a clearing by my hair and used it to throw me into an altar. I’m sure several hunks of hair were missing. I couldn’t bear to look. Gravel crunched outside. I hobbled to my kitchen door as I followed the sound around back, stepping out onto the porch. Excitement and relief filled my broken body. Megan waved at me from her SUV. I started to wave back, but the pain in my back and my ribs screamed, and I yanked my hand down quickly. She didn’t notice. Damn those witches and their evil agenda. Megan bounced out of the driver’s side and opened the back door, reaching into the back seat for her bag and a pillow. She turned and rushed to my back porch. Her dark hair was in a high ponytail, and her favorite sweats encased her shapely figure. I would have grinned at the sight, but my face hurt too much. I groaned. I didn’t even have a place for her to sleep. She could spend a few nights with me in my bed, but I’d have to order a mattress for her. I was a terrible friend. She flounced over the gravel and up the stairs to the porch. She finally looked up at me and gasped. “Oh my God, Brigid. What happened?” She tossed her things down and wrapped me in a careful hug. I burst into tears. She held me awhile as I sobbed. After what must have been forever, I calmed down. She let me go, and I invited her into the house. She gathered up her things and followed me into the kitchen. I must have inadvertently called Mr. Mittens, or he was hungry. Either way, he met us there and leaped gracefully up onto the table. Megan jumped back. “That scared me,” she said, then noticed the cat. “Oh my, what a gorgeous cat!” He was beautiful—long creamy fur with blue-grey points and two front white mittens. He blinked at her with enormous periwinkle blue eyes and m’rowed. Then he leaned in for her to scratch his ears and give him a thorough pet. I wasn’t sure how to explain what had happened without first telling her about magic. Since she was as unlikely to believe he could talk as I had been at first, I needed something to assist me. It would be awesome if Mr. Mittens could talk to her. That gave me an idea. I told Megan to wait there and hobbled my way to the bathroom, where I picked up the charm I’d made to protect her. I held it and focused my magic on it, telling it to allow her to hear magical creatures. And the pendant flashed. I took it back to the kitchen. She was still petting my cat, who appeared to be in ecstasy. The harlot. “Hold out your hand,” I said. She looked at me curiously. “Okay.” She held out her hand. I dropped the necklace into her open hand. “What’s this?” she asked and studied it. “Is it Alexandrite?” I gave a very small smile, my face aching. “Yes, I know you love it.” She tried to hand it back. “I can’t take it. That’s a large stone and I know how much you spent on it.” “You’re wrong. I didn’t spend one dime on it. It was my grandmother’s,” I said, proudly. I knew she wouldn’t take it if I’d spent too much money on her. Her face twisted up in horror, and she thrust the necklace at me.