Magic was just around the corner.…
Kiri Palger knew the difference between reality—new house, hard work and not too many friends—and fantasy—the fun she had playing online games. So when the chance to work for the best gaming company in the world came up, giving her a chance to merge business with pleasure, how could she not apply?
Suddenly she has more friends, interesting neighbors and an intriguing love interest. But when the game begins to awaken something inside her, Kiri is shocked by the talents she never knew she had…and an evil she’d never imagined.
Her nice, safe life is imploding around her—and if she takes up the mantle of her powers, it will never be the same again….
Praise for the novels of
“RITA® Award-winner Owens offers a world strongly imbued with a sense of magic in this contemporary fantasy series launch.… Romance and fantasy fans
will enjoy Jenni’s preparation to enter a new world of compromise
between the Folk, humans and technology.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review, on Enchanted No More
“A multi-faceted, fast-paced gem of a book.”
—The Best Reviews on Guardian of Honor
“This book will enchant readers who enjoy strong heroines.”
—RT Book Reviews on Sorceress of Faith
“Fans of Anne McCaffrey and Mercedes Lackey will appreciate the novel’s honorable protagonists and their lively animal companions.”
—Publishers Weekly on Protector of the Flight
“Strong characterization combined with deadly danger make this story vibrate with emotional resonance. Stay tuned as events accelerate toward the final battle.”
—RT Book Reviews on Keepers of the Flame
“A glorious end to the series.”
—Wild on Books on Echoes in the Dark
Enchanted Ever After
Robin D. Owens
To Kaia and Jane and Rose,
Thank you.
Contents
Chapter 1
Mid-September, Denver, Colorado
LIFE WAS NOT a game. If life were a game, Kiri Palger would ace it...or reach level sixty-five with massive amounts of gold, arms and armor, not to mention a fabulous wardrobe.
But real life had no do-overs. She couldn’t go back two years and not take the energy and soul draining computer support job with a national company in downtown Denver. Big mistake. Especially when she trudged home at seven-thirty on a Friday evening too exhausted to enjoy the thought of the weekend.
Though buying this house in Mystic Circle had definitely been the right thing to do.
Her hands were full of keys and key card and she was punching in the security code when her phone rang. She swore and went in, laid the keys and workbag on the rickety console table next to the door.
The phone was not in its proper pocket, but had migrated to mix with stuff at the bottom of her tote. She found her cell after the call had gone to message. Her best friend Shannon had called—all right, her only good friend, someone she talked to a couple of times a week. Kiri could always count on Shannon, and her friend could always give her a lift.
“Hey,