Falling Out of Focus

  FALLING

  OUT

  of

  FOCUS

  by

  Brynn Myers

  *

  Falling Out of Focus

  Published by Amber Leaf Publishing

  Copyright 2016 by Brynn Myers

  All rights reserved

  www.amberleafpublishing.com

  www.brynnmyers.com

  Cover design by Inkstain Designs

  Edited by Laura Bruzan

  This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any use of name brands herein is done so under the Fair Use Act.

  Licensing Note: This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only, and may not be resold or given away to other people. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.

  Praise for Entasy

  “WOW, this prequel/novella has everything that I craved for: action, suspense, mysterious creatures, Celtic legends and myths, sadist bad guy, wonderful and kick-ass female character and of course a bunch of super sexy, yummy, handsome, supernatural hotness! This story was overwhelming and I loved it!” ~ Proserpine Craving Books

  “This is a series to truly enjoy, you know those books you just can’t put down but you don’t want it to finish so soon, yes, this is one of them. I would recommend this to those who find themselves interested in books about magic, Celtic mythology, action, suspense and of course, love. Be ready to dive into the world of The Nine and their stories.” ~ Lunar Haven Reviews

  “This is the first book of Brynn Myers I have read and I have to say, I was enchanted from the beginning... This really was an addicting book that I read in less than a day...” ~ Redheads Review it Better

  Praise for Redemption

  “So many elements that kept me glued to every page. Mystery, fantasy, romance, conflict and drama. The main character grown tremendously in the book - LOVE. What sent me over the top in love with Brynn's world was the significance in every detail. I am also a sucker for villains and cliff hanger endings! Well done, Brynn, it's not often a second book in the series can outdo its debut, but this book did, and I was totally satisfied as to how it started and the magnificent ending!” ~ World Away Book Blog

  “Heartwarming, tear jerking, wonderfully written story. You feel every emotion, while sitting on the edge of your seat as the scene unfolds not only in the book but in your mind as well. I highly recommended the book, it is a great read!!!” ~ Goodreads Reviewer

  “I was so looking forward to reading this book and I was not disappointed...I could not put this book down as so much was happening that I just kept turning the pages. Plenty of action and the romance was steamy yet sweet at times. Liam was the ultimate baddie, obsessive and cruel yet determined to possess Kylah at whatever the cost. So many twists and turns and I enjoyed reading about Kylah's journey.” ~ Goodreads Reviewer

  Praise for The Life & Death of Jorja Graham

  “If you have a penchant for the mystical, for some frightening bits thrown in and for a well plotted, well written book to spend a few hours with... CHOOSE THIS. You won't be disappointed.” ~ Camaro (Goodreads Top Reviewer)

  “This story had everything from romance to things that go bump in the night. The dialogue was eloquently written and flowed effortlessly. The imagery was perfectly detailed. The Life & Death of Jorja Graham is unique, enchanting, and will keep you guessing until the very end. Five Unexpected Stars!” ~ Brandi (Brandi’s Bookshelves)

  “The Life & Death of Jorja Graham has a contemporary romance feel to it in the beginning but has a massive paranormal twist. I give this book 5 stars and I would recommend it to fans of romance, suspense, and paranormal genre fans.” ~Charity (Literal Addiction)

  “If you enjoy a suspenseful, mysterious, mystical, eerie, and paranormal that comes out of nowhere and surprises you, then this book is for you. I give it 4 stars and cannot wait to read the next book in this series.” ~ Tiffany (NerdGirl Reviews)

  Praise for The Echoed Life of Jorja Graham

  “Perfect!! I loved this series so hard! This was the perfect conclusion to one of my favorite paranormals. If you loved book one, The Life and Death of Jorja Graham (which you’ll need to read first), you'll love this one even more! The author not only surpassed my expectations, she broadened the playing field and deepened my love for these unforgettable characters. Just when you think it can't get any better, it does! .” ~ Brandi (Brandi’s Bookshelves)

  “Such a detailed, in-depth world. I loved the journey and final conclusion to Jorja's story. The mythology and magic weaved throughout this book is intoxicating! Brynn's writing in flawless! 5 well-deserved stars!!” ~ Goodreads Reviewer

  “Wow. This book was wonderful! It held my attention just as much as the first book did. I absolutely enjoyed this book. I was unable to put it down. I love books that capture you from the first page to the last, and this book did exactly that.” ~ Goodreads Reviewer

  Table of Contents

  Contents:

  Opening

  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 TwentyOne

  Chapter TwentyTwo

  Chapter TwentyThree

  Chapter TwentyFour

  Chapter TwentyFive

  Chapter TwentySix

  About the Author

  Acknowledgements

  I dedicate this book to anyone who’s ever felt, at some point or another in their life, as though they were drowning in a dark abyss. There is a light in there somewhere. Find it and follow it.

  I’d also like to thank L.T., this book would never have come to fruition without your support and guidance. Thank you for reminding me it was and is possible!

  querencia: (n.) a place from which one's strength is drawn, where one feels at home; the place you are your most authentic self.

  Have you ever dreamt about letting go? You know, not caring about the consequences of your choices…just standing on the edge of a proverbial cliff and simply falling? I have. More times than I can count, I’m afraid. Now, before you go thinking I’m talking about suicide, let me clarify, I’m not. This isn’t like the scene from Thelma & Louise, not even close. I’m talking about looking out into an abyss and mentally free-falling so you no longer have to exist within the normal parameters of the world. Simply becoming one with the universe. Mental freedom in its purest form.

  I have had many variations of this dream, but one remains consistent. I’m standing on the edge of that cliff with my arms spread wide as the sun beats down, and a cool breeze blows across my skin. It’s then that I let myself fall––flying free into the unknown of my choosing. Today the sky is a rose gold with flecks of silver glinting from the rays of the sun. The grass beneath my feet is a vibrant green and the sea a stunning mixture of cobalt and teal. I stare out at the vastness of the water and guess the point where the ocean and the sky became one. It’s peaceful in this dream. I guess that’s why I always come back, hoping like Dorothy or Alice that I’ll find my own version of Oz or Wonderland...and luckily, today is that day.

  It was 5:45pm when I decided my future.

  By 9:43 I was well on my
way to making it all come true.

  At 11:16 I took the first step to make it a reality.

  At 11:17 I fell and found peace.

  Chapter One

  The air went from warm to cool as I fell from the sunlight into the darkness. I was sliding down a black hole that felt smooth and slick, as if I was slipping on marble. The vortex was swirling downwards towards the earth and there were no sounds to distinguish where I was or where I was heading––only silence.

  Down.

  Down.

  Down.

  The sensation that followed left me gasping for air. I couldn’t breathe. The water around me was freezing and it felt as if my bones were going to snap from the pressure.

  “Breathe,” a voice inside my head screamed.

  “How? I’m underwater.”

  “You can.”

  A moment later, I’d managed to kick myself to the surface. A rush of air hit my face, and I coughed and sputtered as I tried to catch my breath.

  “Excuse me!” a voice exclaimed. “Do you normally just intrude upon people in such an intrusive way? Where are your manners?”

  I went to speak but was lacking clear thought. There before me stood an otter dressed in a three-piece suit and a bowler hat which was now spotted with water. He looked like he’d just stepped out of an episode of Downton Abbey.

  “I’m…I’m sorry?” I choked.

  “Oh yes, indeed. I can tell by the sincerity in your voice just how sorry you are,” the otter snapped as he took off his hat and used a handkerchief to wipe it.

  “I think I bumped my head.”

  “That’s the excuse for your rudeness?” He huffed and put his hat back on then turned his attention to the mud that had tipped his shoes.

  I closed my eyes and shook my head in hopes of clearing my thoughts. This dream had gone awry for sure.

  “Are you ill or something? Because if you’re going to be sick then you need to get out of my lake.”

  “Your lake?”

  “There is something wrong with you,” the otter replied curtly. “Do you not see you are in a lake?”

  I looked over my shoulder and saw the vast expanse of water with scattered islands off in the distance and remained profoundly confused. How was this happening? Or better yet, why was this happening? Where in the hell was I?

  It took a few minutes before I could gather myself, but as I looked around I realized I was standing on the edge of the muddy bank with tall trees in the distance. I could see the sun rising over the water just as the sky glistened a beautiful rose gold with ombre shades of purple and blue––just like in my dream. But this wasn’t my dream or was it?

  I can openly admit I have been mentally lost for months, but now as I sit here with an irate otter yelling at me, the idea of lost took on a whole new meaning. I’m talking, I’ve hit my head too hard and now I live in the land of delirium, kind of lost. The otter kept talking, but I couldn’t hear what he was saying. I just watched as he feverishly waved his arms around as if to get me to respond. What was he trying to tell me? What was it that he wanted me to do as he pointed towards the shoreline?

  I closed my eyes again, hoping sanity would bring me back to the real world, instead my mind drifted back to the day my world changed. The day my life had gone from being structured and predictable, to something I couldn’t comprehend or recognize. I woke up the same as I had done every day for years and followed my regular routine…shower, makeup, hair, breakfast. My life, for all intents and purposes, was one big monotonous chord. That’s not how I intended it to be, though. I had big plans. Plans so big that I was willing to leave the place and the people who mattered most to me in this world for a shot at bringing those big plans to fruition. I, like so many others, believed I was destined to be so much more. I failed to realize, though, that life was––correction, IS about more than whether or not you have the best job, best apartment, trendiest clothes, most likes on social media. It’s about so much more, but I gave up that version of happy to pursue my dreams and now those dreams have brought me here. Failure.

  I was pulled out of my recount when a sharp object dug into my ribcage. “Ow!” I exclaimed. My hand went for the spot, and when I pulled it back it was covered in blood. Shit, this is not a dream.

  “Hello. Hello,” two voices spoke in succession.

  “She is hurt.”

  “Yes, she is.”

  “Will you heal her or shall I?”

  “I think you should heal her, sister, since I never meant to hurt her to begin with. Fix her before I am forced to look away.”

  “Yes, dear sister. I shall fix her.”

  A warm sensation radiated from the wound, and I looked up at the two identical doll like females standing before me. Glancing down, I saw the wound had not only been healed, but the blood was gone too, washed away as if it never happened.

  “Can someone please explain to me what the hell is going on?” I quipped.

  “Language. That is a violation, and in front of the queens no less,” the otter said as he shook his fist at me. “You’ll do best to get up and bow if you know what is good for you.”

  “There is.”

  “No need.”

  “For that, Winston.”

  “We shall forgive.”

  “The transgression this time.”

  My eyes darted between them as they spoke back-to-back in incomplete sentences. I didn’t know what to think or do. It was annoying and eerily disturbing at the same time, but honestly, a talking otter was pointing out my misbehavior, so who was I to say what was maddening at this point? I sat up slowly and made my way out of the water. My teeth had started to chatter, and I really wanted to understand what was going on. Where was I?

  I stood before the two ethereal beings, dressed identically in all pink, including their hair and the rose gold crowns dripping in glinting crystals that adorned their heads. The only thing about them that wasn’t bathed in a carnation hue was their turquoise colored eyes and pale peach skin.

  “Um, I didn’t mean to, ugh, yeah,” I stammered as I tried to make myself presentable in spite of the circumstances. Water was dripping down my jeans, and the fabric of my top was clinging to my chest as if it were glued onto me, but I needed answers, and I was convinced these people were the only ones able to give them to me. “Can you please tell me where I am?”

  “You are in Sacrife, of course.”

  “Where did you think you were, child?”

  “Um, I wasn’t sure.”

  “You use that word a lot, what does it mean?” the uptight otter snapped.

  I closed my eyes and shook my head. “It’s a bad habit. Um is a word used when someone is trying to come up with other words to say.”

  “You really should use correct language, but then again, you’ve been improper since you arrived.”

  “You are very rude,” I fired back.

  The twin queens chuckled in unison and then spoke together. “He doesn’t know how to be any other way.” They wiggled their fingers haphazardly in the air before calling Winston over to them. As they bent down and whispered something into his ear, he listened for a moment but then pulled back in shock. He tried to protest, but they denied him a rebuttal. Instead, he scurried off without another word or glance in my direction.

  The queens shifted their attention to me and stared for several moments before snapping their fingers. Instantly, I was wearing dry clothes but not my clothes. My outfit had been replaced with a white silky blouse, tight black pants, and knee-high lace up boots. I looked up at the queens who seemed pleased with themselves, but the one on the right tilted her head slightly as if she wanted to change one more thing about me. She smiled and snapped her fingers again. I watched in awe as the bottom of my long hair started to change. The pale pink color climbed up-and-up, replacing the dirty blonde. Now my hair looked exactly like theirs. I was now a third to their duo.

  “Yes.”

  “Perfect.”

  “She is flawless now.�
�

  I started to ask what was wrong with me before, but really, what was the point? This was all some effed-up dream I was having, and I was going to either wake up or be forced to accept that I was dead and this was either heaven or hell, depending on how I looked at it.

  Winston had made his way back to where we were standing, but he wasn’t alone. There beside him was a smaller but equally stodgy otter. However, this one was dressed in tan knickers, a bow tie, Harry Potter spectacles, and had a quiver draped over his small frame.

  “Pleased to be at your service again,” he said as he bowed to the queens.

  What was with the talking otters? God, I really wish I would wake up.

  Chapter Two

  “Your majesties.” Winston bowed too. “My son, as you requested.”

  The flowers rustled behind where the second otter stood. “Such a pleasure to see you again, Oliver,” the one queen said.

  “Indeed, a pleasure. Our best guide is now at your service,” the second queen paused as she turned towards me. “We do not know your name, child.”

  “No we do not. What name are you called?”

  I swallowed hard and looked around as everyone stared at me intently. It’s not as if what they asked was difficult, but it’s just that I still couldn’t believe I was stuck in this ridiculous delusion.

  “She’s broken again,” Winston gripped.

  I threw him a look and turned to face the queens. “I’m not broken. Not really,” I sighed. “My name is Novaleigh. Novaleigh Darrow.”

  “What a”