Twins of Aurora: Twins of Aurora, #1

Synopsis

Life seems relatively normal for eighteen-year-old Avalina, who spends most of her time hanging out with her outspoken best friend, Jess, her twin brother, Aiden, and his best friend, Nick. Avalina fights against the overwhelming crush she has on Nick, harassment from her cruel ex-boyfriend, and an over protective brother while trying to make it through her senior year of high school.

The group’s lives are forever changed when the mysterious Araios, who looks remarkably like Nick, appears at a party in their sleepy little town in Northern Idaho. Araios holds secrets Avalina has long forgotten, secrets of a past based in a world of magic, mythical creatures and a royal lineage.

Follow the group of friends as they travel through this thrilling new world while Avalina learns to control the magic she needs to save everyone from the darkness that threatens to destroy Aurora and all who live within it.

Dedication

For my mom, I love you and can’t imagine how I would have made it this far without your help and support.

Acknowledgements

Shannon Dearing, I adore you lady, thank you so much for all your help throughout this project. All my Beta’s, you are amazing ladies and you truly helped to tighten up this story. To Cynthia my incredible  Editor and finally to Rene Folsom of Phycel Design for the amazing cover, that I cannot stop staring at!

Table of Contents

Synopsis

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Prologue

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-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Epilogue

Also By the Author

Copyright

About the Author

Prologue

Araios knew what the pull of a portal felt like; he also knew that there was no reason for a portal to be opened. The magic was rarely used. No one entered Aurora. No one except for his family, and they hadn’t come home in over nine years. Merika was the only one who ever entered the Human Realm, and this wasn’t her magic. This portal was opened from his side, somewhere near the Royal City.

It could mean only one thing... the Shadow Wolves were on the move, scouting for the twins. They had opened the portal too close to where they had been safely hidden for over thirteen years. He ran out of the door of his grandparent’s home, heading to the nearest portal he could access. All the years he’d spent training were about this moment and the battle that would follow. He’d waited forever for her to know about him, and the world she was meant to lead. Their future had finally come.

Chapter One

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Ava, you’re staring again!

What? Oh... I shrugged. We are out here to support the team, right?

"Exactly, we’re here to support the whole team, not just Nick."

Right, gooooo team! I said, over-excitedly, while shaking my pom-poms. Is that better?

Jess snorted. Yeah, that was perfect.

I smiled and hip-bumped my best friend. Jess was a smart-ass, an outspoken beauty, and I loved her for it all. As for loving the whole football team? Yeah, there was a little conflict there.

It’s a little hard to cheer the whole team on when I would love to see Jared get sacked. I smiled sweetly as I pictured the other team taking down our quarterback. It would have gotten a flag thrown, but it would have been nice to see him hit the ground. It sounded bitter, but I couldn’t help the little part of me that loved the thought.

Yeah, well, I think most of us would like to see that, Jess offered, as she shook her pom-poms and hip-bumped me back.

Yeah, all of us, except for our fearless captain.

Stupid skank that she is, Jess muttered under her breath.

I laughed. That was what I loved about Jess.

Shaking my head, I watched as Nick ran with the ball in hand, giving us his fourth touchdown of the game.

Can I cheer for him now? I asked with an arched brow.

Most definitely. She smiled.

We both screamed our excitement, cheering our nearly undefeated team on.

The Alder Prep Academy had an amazing football team. This was the last game and we had won again, resulting in a nearly perfect season. Even better, it was our senior year and we would be going out with a bang. Jess and I took off after the game to get ready for Heather’s party. I hadn’t been to any of the parties in quite some time, but tonight, I was ready to celebrate.

So, Jess started nonchalantly as she tried on a cute, red mini-dress. It looked good with her dirty-blonde hair and emerald eyes. I’m really trying to understand, Ava.

If this is about Nick again, just drop it, Jess, I told her as I pulled the straight iron though my hair.

Ava, the boy is to-die-for hot, she said with a small swoon and a dramatic hand to her chest.

Yes, I am aware of that. However, let’s not forget that he is also Aiden’s best friend and, even more importantly, he has a girlfriend.

You didn’t hear? She smiled wickedly. "He and Cammy broke up. Something about him not making enough time for her. I think she’s a clinger. Plus, she’s headed to UCLA, and Nick just happens to be going to the same college as you and Aiden. You’ve been crushing on that boy since third grade, and I’m telling you right now that if you don’t make a move tonight... I will."

My eyes bugged slightly. How did I not know they had broken up?

When did they break up? I asked, and then I had to acknowledge the rest of what she’d just said. Wait... you want Nick now? I asked, rolling my eyes. I knew even though she thought he was ‘to-die-for hot,’ she would never go after him. Her eyes were usually set on Aiden.

Well, I mean, come on, I would totally love me a piece of Aiden. As my BFF, you have failed me when it comes to your brother. So if my best friend isn’t gonna get herself a piece of the completely delish Nick Stanton, I’ll be left with no other choice than to keep him company. The boy is too damn good looking to be alone.

I just stared at her, shaking my head.

I’m sure he won’t be alone.

Come on, Ava. We’re graduating soon. Time to start a new chapter and all that jazz that comes with being eighteen and free, and to be honest, it’s been weeks since you broke up with Jared. He’s an ass, we all know that, but he’s moved on. Now it’s time you do too.

I shook out my freshly straightened chocolate hair, letting it fall slightly tousled down my back. Jess, this has nothing to do with Jared. He’s a jerk, and I was stupid to think he ever cared about me. Mandy’s perfect for him, and I’m fine with that. I’m just not interested in dating right now. It was all mostly true—the other part, about me being a chicken shit? Well, we didn’t need to discuss that. So yeah, I was hurt, but I’m over it. The important thing you’re forgetting is that Nick is not interested in me.

Jess scoffed with exasperation. You don’t really believe that!

I shrugged and continued to stare at her.

Oh please, Ava! There isn’t a single guy around here who doesn’t drool when you walk by.

I hated when she said things like that. Yes, I was kind of exotic looking compared to most of the girls at our school. I didn’t fit the normal mold—blonde or lighter shades of hair color, light skin. I stood out against that palette, with my dark espresso hair and olive skin tone. Not to mention my sapphire-colored cat eyes in a small, five-foot-five frame. Most of the guys at our school seemed intrigued by these eccentricities. Jared Cummins, our star quarterback, certainly noticed me, and I fell for him—hard. I had actually thought I loved him... stupid, naïve schoolgirl that I was. 

Then there were the girls at our school—including Jess, who all seemed to notice Aiden for all of his differences. Aiden, interested or not, took full advantage of his six-foot-three gorgeous good looks. As twins, we looked alike for sure. Although, I’d always thought it was unfair he got to be so tall. He, too, shared our mother’s mysterious eyes. She was naturally stunning, sultry, and beautiful—what I could remember of her. I always figured that was what drew our father to her. He was just as handsome as she was gorgeous, with his rugged good looks placed in a massive frame. They were a striking combination, him with his deep brown hair and eyes, and her with her flaxen locks and sapphire gaze. They were day and night, light and shadow.

Ava? Hellooo. Are you in there?

Yeah, I hear you, but come on, Jess. They don’t drool when you walk by? I asked her.

She smirked. You were listening. Okay, so we make a man-eating pair, but to think Nick isn’t interested in you is just flat-out ridiculous.

No, it’s not! I was getting frustrated. I hang out with him all the time, and nothing has ever even come close to happening. He’s never shown any interest in me, I reminded her for the hundredth time. This seemed to be a never-ending conversation for us. As my best friend, she wanted the best for me and pushed like hell for it.

Bullshit, Ava. He just watches you when you’re not paying attention and, well... when Aiden isn’t around. I saw him watching you in lab today.

I smiled, and a little pleasure pinked my skin. Nick and Aiden had been best friends from the day we first moved here with our adoptive parents. Nick and his family lived next door to us. Something about him caught my interest from that very first day, although it didn’t turn into this massive crush until about ten years ago. However, to Nick I would always be Aiden’s little sister. Yep, my twin called me his little sister, but since Aiden was born first, technically, I was. He never let me, or anyone else for that matter, forget it. So it was not surprising that Nick would see me that way.

Hey, are you two ready yet? We both turned to see Aiden standing in the doorway. Whoa, what did I walk in on? You two look guilty as hell. What kind of bad girly shit were you talking about?

Jeez, Aiden, you shouldn’t sneak up on us like that, I chided him, while Jess went into full-flirtation mode.

"Hey Aiden, we were just talking about what a douche Jared is and how it’s time for Ava to get back on the dating horse. She moved her gaze from Aiden to Nick, who had just joined my brother in the doorway. Don’t you think so, Nick?"

Not good... Alarm bells rang loud and clear. She was on a damn mission. When Jess decided she was going to do something, she did not let it go. She was a damn bulldog sometimes. Intervention time! My brain screamed at me to end this conversation before things got way too awkward.

This conversation is over, Jess! I could sense the panic in my own voice. I do not need anyone weighing in on my lack of dating. My eyes shot daggers at her, and she actually seemed to heed the warning I was giving her.

"Fine, but I still say there is no way he is not interested, and it’s time you make your damn move."

Ah man, she did not just say that.

Both guys narrowed their eyes at me as she smiled like the Cheshire Cat, raising one flawless brow at me.

Interesting. She smirked. I’ll be waiting downstairs. She air-kissed at me and sashayed by the boys, stopping to trail a perfectly manicured finger down Aiden’s chest Mmm, looking good, Aiden.

He winked and leaned in, whispering something I didn’t want to know. My free-spirited brother lived his life in the moment and made no apologies for it. He loved female attention. Most times, it was hard to keep up with whom he was dating. Honestly, Jess was very much the female version of my brother. They flirted shamelessly, but it has never been more than that. Mostly, I thought that was because of me. I’d be pissed if he hurt her. For Aiden, I believe she would stop the outrageous flirting and be an amazing girlfriend, but Aiden just doesn’t have long-term relationships.

Once he finished whispering to her and Jess was out of the room, he turned his attention back to me.

"So, who’s the he, Ava?" Aiden asked in full big-brother mode.

"No one, Aiden. You know Jess. Hey, by the way, you know she’s interested in you, right? I said sarcastically, while trying to change the subject. You should give her a chance."

Yeah, I know, but you would be pissed if I hurt your best friend.

He echoed what I had been thinking just moments ago. I smiled and nodded at him.

And you’re changing the subject. Who was Jess talking about?

Aiden, you have that overprotective brother look. Leave her alone, Nick said as he looked from Aiden to me.

Thank you... Nick to the rescue, as always. He was constantly reining Aiden in when it came to his overprotective nature.

I smiled at him. Thank you, Nick. Seriously Aiden, leave it alone. She’s wrong. The guy in question is not interested in me. So, can we just go?

Sure... but whoever he is, he’s an idiot. Anyone would be lucky to have my little sis, and that jackass, Jared, should have known that. I agree with Jess, though. You can’t let what happened with him keep you from dating.

I know that, I said, a little defensively. I was tired of talking about it. I had been stupid. I really thought I loved Jared. Until one of Heather’s famous parties, when he’d had too much to drink and didn’t take me telling him I wasn’t ready to have sex very well. He got pissed, left me, and found my former friend, Mandy. She easily slipped into my place and slept with him, while I was downstairs waiting for him to cool off.

You should have let us kick his ass for you. You would’ve felt better.

I doubt it. You two are way too pretty to have your faces bruised, and we all know the whole football team would have retaliated if you beat the crap out of the quarterback. Even if Nick is part of the team. Besides, jackass quarterback and skanky cheer captain—it just works. I hope they’re happy, I said, walking past them and down the stairs.

Chapter Two

I stared out the window, lost in thought, as Aiden raced around the curving road that led us around the lake just outside our little town in Idaho. It was a breathtaking view. Aiden and I had moved here with our adoptive parents, Cindy and John, about thirteen years ago.

My life had remained somewhat of a mystery to even me. My brother and I were orphaned at a young age. I didn’t remember much of what happened. I did remember some men whisking Aiden and me away in the middle of the night. We were around five years old; it wasn’t something we talked about all that often.

We were told that our parents were gone and that we would be moving from our native country to live with a couple in the United States. Cindy and John were amazing people, who have loved us and raised us with compassion and a commitment to what was righteous and good in this world. As always, life carried on, and it carried us with it. Although, thoughts of our biological parents always haunted me. I wanted to know more about them; I wanted to remember.

I was pulled from my thoughts when Aiden stopped in front of Heather’s parents’ million-dollar summer home.

Jess tapped my shoulder as the guys were getting out of Aiden’s Cayenne.

Are you mad? she asked, looking sad and confused.

Because of what you did earlier? I asked playfully. She nodded her head. Jess, if I was going to get mad over something like that, it would’ve happened a long time ago. I know you do shit like that because you care and want me to be happy.

I do want you to be happy, and I want that ass Jared to realize what a mistake he made.

I know, I said as Nick opened my door, and I got out.

She smiled and stepped out after Aiden opened her door, swiftly moving on to flirting with my brother.

They’re at it again, I told Nick as he closed my door.

He smiled, and as always, it made me a little weak in the knees. He was just so damn gorgeous, and that smile could melt the heart of the devil’s daughter. They’re both massive flirts; it’s brazen. We should really tell them how inappropriate it is, he said, as if completely offended by their behavior.

I arched my brows. Right, because you’re nothing like that.

Me? He actually had the audacity to look shocked.

I laughed this time. Oh, come on, Nick. You’re a flirt too. He tilted his head as if confused. What, it’s not like I’m saying you flirt with me... Crap, where was I going with this? He was staring, those aquamarines burning into me. I’ve only known you for thirteen years, I have the same schedule as you, and you think I don’t notice it?

He narrowed his eyes at me and opened his mouth to say something, but stopped as Aiden and Jess rounded the car. He nodded and turned, walking towards the house.

Jess stopped next to me, watching him and Aiden walk away. There goes Aiden and his wingman headed into the house to drive all the girls crazy, I thought to myself.

What was that about? Jess wagged her sculpted brows at me.

Nothing. I shook my head, linked my arm through hers, and dragged her towards the thumping music.

The house was packed, as usual. Heather’s parents were off somewhere on some sort of business trip. She had provided plenty of alcohol and activities for us all to have a little fun while we celebrated the season.

Hey, I’m so glad you came. Heather threw her arms around both Jess and me. You haven’t come to my parties in so long. She smiled softly at me.

Yeah. I know. I’m sorry, I told her. I liked Heather. She was super friendly and on the cheer squad with us, but I’d missed the last few parties... bad memories and all.

Well, you’re here now! So there’s all kinds of stuff to drink, beer pong is going on outside on the patio, pool tables are still downstairs, and music up here. Now go have fun, and I’ll catch up with you girls later. She smiled big and hurried off.

Beer pong? asked Jess.

Yep, I haven’t played in so long.

We hurried outside and claimed winner. It ended up being Jess and me against Matt, a tall, blond-haired linebacker from the team.

Ava! he hollered