Valley of the Shadow: An Elemental World Novella Read online

  In Omens and Artifacts, Ben needs a job. A legendary job. Finding the lost sword of Brennus the Celt would make his reputation in the vampire world, but it could also draw dangerous attention. The Raven King’s gold isn’t famous for being easy to find. Luckily, Ben has his own legend at his side.

  OBSIDIAN’S EDGE is an anthology of novellas in the Elemental Legacy series by Elizabeth Hunter, USA Today Bestselling Author of Midnight Labyrinth, Blood Apprentice, and other works of fiction.

  He’s a human in a vampire’s world,

  but she’s the reason he’s not sleeping at night.

  * * *

  Midnight Labyrinth

  Benjamin Vecchio escaped a chaotic childhood and grew to adulthood under the protection and training of one of the Elemental world’s most feared vampire assassins. He’s traveled the world and battled immortal enemies.

  But everyone has to go home sometime.

  New York means new opportunities and allies for Ben and his vampire partner, Tenzin. It also means new politics and new threats. Their antiquities business is taking off, and their client list is growing. When Ben is challenged to find a painting lost since the Second World War, he jumps at the chance. This job will keep him closer to home, but it might just land him in hot water with the insular clan of earth vampires who run Manhattan.

  Tenzin knew the painting would be trouble before she laid eyes on it, but she can’t deny the challenge intrigues her. Human laws mean little to a vampire with a few millennia behind her, and Tenzin misses the rush of taking what isn’t hers.

  But nothing is more dangerous than a human with half the story, and Ben and Tenzin might end up risking their reputations and their lives before they escape the Midnight Labyrinth.

  MIDNIGHT LABYRINTH is the first full length novel in an all-new contemporary fantasy series by Elizabeth Hunter, author of the Elemental Mysteries and the Irin Chronicles.

  If you’re a human in a vampire’s world,

  nothing goes according to plan.

  * * *

  Blood Apprentice

  When a map to the mysterious fortune of notorious privateer Miguel Enríquez falls in the lap of Ben and Tenzin, only one of them is jumping at the opportunity. Tenzin can’t wait to search for a secret cache of gold. Ben, on the other hand, couldn’t be less excited.

  All Ben knows about Puerto Rico is what he hears on the news and a few lingering memories of his human grandmother. Going back to his roots holds zero appeal for the carefully constructed man he’s become.

  But in the end, the lure of hidden gold can’t be denied.

  Ben and Tenzin head to Puerto Rico where the immortal world is ruled by Los Tres, a trio of powerful vampires commanding the wind, the waves, and the mountains that make up their small island in the Caribbean.

  To find Enríquez’s treasure, they’ll have to walk a fine line between flattery and secrecy. To leave the island might mean a bigger fight than either one of them foresaw.

  Blood Apprentice is the second novel in the Elemental Legacy, a paranormal mystery series by Elizabeth Hunter, author of the Irin Chronicles.

  Sometimes falling is the safest step to take.

  * * *

  The Devil and the Dancer

  Chloe Reardon has a problem, and his name is Gavin Wallace.

  Okay, Gavin isn’t exactly a problem, unless you consider a highly attractive wind vampire with dubious intentions a problem. Especially if that vampire is your boss. With an affinity for kilts and excellent taste in music.

  But none of that matters because Chloe Reardon has had enough of dangerous men. Danger is overrated. Danger is the opposite of sexy. So Gavin is the last man—or vampire—on earth she needs to let into her heart.

  Except what if the most dangerous man you knew was also the one who made you feel the strongest?

  The Devil and the Dancer is a paranormal romance novella in the Elemental Legacy series.

  Darkness comes for everyone,

  and some fates are inescapable.

  * * *

  Night’s Reckoning

  For over a thousand years, the legendary sword Laylat al Hisab—the Night’s Reckoning—has been lost in the waters of the East China Sea. Forged as a peace offering between two ancient vampires, the sword has eluded treasure hunters, human and immortal alike.

  But in time, even the deep gives up its secrets.

  When Tenzin’s sire hears about the ninth century shipwreck found off the coast of southern China, Zhang Guo realizes he’ll need the help of an upstart pirate from Shanghai to retrieve it. And since that pirate has no desire to be in the middle of an ancient war, Cheng calls the only allies who might be able to help him avoid it.

  Unfortunately, Tenzin is on one side of the globe and Ben is on the other.

  Tenzin knows she’ll need Ben’s keen mind and political skills to complete the job. She also knows gaining Ben’s cooperation won’t be an easy task. She’ll have to drag him back into the darkness he’s been avoiding.

  Whether Ben knows it or not, his fate is balanced on the edge of a thousand-year-old blade, and one stumble could break everything Tenzin has worked toward.

  Night’s Reckoning is the third novel in the Elemental Legacy series, a paranormal mystery by Elizabeth Hunter, USA Today bestselling author of the Elemental Mysteries.

  COMING SPRING 2020

  Dawn Caravan

  Elemental Legacy Book Four

  * * *

  Please subscribe to my newsletter for more information about the Elemental Legacy series and other news and updates about my books.

  Acknowledgments

  This year has been a whirlwind. There has been hard stuff, fun stuff, and lots of work. I have published four novels and two novellas. I have visited a brand new country and started a brand new series. I have met goats, zebras, and an elephant named Tail-less.

  And through it all, my family has been my rock. I could not have survived this year without my husband and my son, who are both amazing and loving guys. D, I am so proud to be your wife. C, I am so proud to be your mom.

  I also could not have made it through without the team of professionals who make this all possible. I want to first thank my two assistants, Gen and Jenn, who make life happen and make sure all the posts get posted and the bills get paid so I can focus on writing.

  I want to thank Amy Cissell, my extraordinary content editor, and Anne Victory, my line editor, with additional thanks to Linda at Victory Editing. These three amazing pros make my writing shine, and I could not do this without them.

  To my agents, Jane Dystel and Lauren Abramo, thank you for everything. To my publicity team at Social Butterfly PR, thank you for your hard work and attention.

  To my cover artists at Damonza.com, I thank you for your professionalism and vision for my books.

  To my reader group, Hunters’ Haven, I want to send special thanks, especially to the admins, Meg, Hannah, Danielle, Tiffany, and Fiona.

  And to my readers around the world, thank you forever for your support.

  Here’s to a healthy and happy 2020!

  About the Author

  ELIZABETH HUNTER is a USA Today and international best-selling author of romance, contemporary fantasy, and paranormal mystery. Based in Central California, she travels extensively to write fantasy fiction exploring world mythologies, history, and the universal bonds of love, friendship, and family. She has published over thirty works of fiction and sold over a million books worldwide. She is the author of Love Stories on 7th and Main, the Elemental Legacy series, the Irin Chronicles, the Cambio Springs Mysteries, and other works of fiction.

  ElizabethHunterWrites.com

  Also by Elizabeth Hunter

  The Elemental Legacy

  Shadows and Gold

  Imitation and Alchemy

  Omens and Artifacts

  Obsidian’s Edge

  (novella anthology)

  Midnight Labyrinth

  Blood Apprentice

  The Devil and t
he Dancer

  Night’s Reckoning

  Dawn Caravan

  (Spring 2020)

  * * *

  The Elemental Mysteries

  A Hidden Fire

  This Same Earth

  The Force of Wind

  A Fall of Water

  The Stars Afire

  * * *

  The Elemental World

  Building From Ashes

  Waterlocked

  Blood and Sand

  The Bronze Blade

  The Scarlet Deep

  A Very Proper Monster

  A Stone-Kissed Sea

  Valley of the Shadow

  * * *

  The Irin Chronicles

  The Scribe

  The Singer

  The Secret

  The Staff and the Blade

  The Silent

  The Storm

  The Seeker

  * * *

  The Cambio Springs Series

  Long Ride Home

  Shifting Dreams

  Five Mornings

  Desert Bound

  Waking Hearts

  * * *

  Contemporary Romance

  The Genius and the Muse

  7th and Main

  INK

  HOOKED

  GRIT

  * * *

  Linx & Bogie Mysteries

  A Ghost in the Glamour

  A Bogie in the Boat