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Dark Indiscretions #3.5
Rumspringa
What would you do for love? Would you sit by and let it pass you by, or would you grab onto it no matter the cost? Would you break the rules and leave everyone else behind so guarantee your own happiness?
Sy Cole wants what all sixteen-year-old girls in her coven want. To master one of the four elements, move out of her parents' home, and into her new one with her chosen husband. It seemed all that was within her grasp, when it was brutally snatched away.
Instead of sitting by and letting her life be dictated, she acted. When faced with having to choose family over love, she chose love. She took control of her life and went on a journey that would turn all she knew and was always told upside down.
On the run and looking over her shoulder Sy, along with her love Jamie, look for the only people she believes can help them now…her brothers.
Join Sy as she undergoes the ceremony that changes her life forever. Whether it's for good or bad is still to be determined.
Sy Cole wants what all sixteen-year-old girls in her coven want. To master one of the four elements, move out of her parents' home, and into her new one with her chosen husband. It seemed all that was within her grasp, when it was brutally snatched away.
Instead of sitting by and letting her life be dictated, she acted. When faced with having to choose family over love, she chose love. She took control of her life and went on a journey that would turn all she knew and was always told upside down.
On the run and looking over her shoulder Sy, along with her love Jamie, look for the only people she believes can help them now…her brothers.
Join Sy as she undergoes the ceremony that changes her life forever. Whether it's for good or bad is still to be determined.
62 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 17, 2015
54 people want to read
About the author
Shakuita Johnson
48 books493 followersShakuita Johnson is currently finishing up her Master’s degree. When she isn’t in school she enjoys watching Japanese Anime, eating, and relaxing. She published her first book Dark Indiscretions (Dark Indiscretions Series, #1) in Dec. 2013, which is permafree on all online outlets for ebook.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 28, 2015
Ok i must say I have been addicted to this series from day one! This is an amazing short for the series and give you quite a bit of insight of the triplets pasts! It does end with a cliffhanger leaving you wanting more. I am going to go crazy waiting for the next books to come out so PLEASE HURRY!!!!
June 22, 2015
This is a great short read that is part of the Dark Indiscretions series! Shakuita Johnson has woven us a tale of the witches rite of passage if you will.
Rumspringa is the time when the witches prove what their power is. If they cannot wield a power then they are banished. This short story is a tale of one family whose mother has sinned and the children suffer the consequences.
But retribution needs to come and if Sy can find her brothers, well my guess is Hell Hath No Fury Like A Scorned Witch!
Definitely cannot wait for what is to come!
Rumspringa is the time when the witches prove what their power is. If they cannot wield a power then they are banished. This short story is a tale of one family whose mother has sinned and the children suffer the consequences.
But retribution needs to come and if Sy can find her brothers, well my guess is Hell Hath No Fury Like A Scorned Witch!
Definitely cannot wait for what is to come!
Read
January 1, 2016****Exclusive Chapter****
Rumspringa Copyright 2014 Shakuita Johnson
Prologue
Middle of nowhere, Rhode Island, fifteen years ago, 1999
Billy, Bane, and Brian Cole, identical triplets, looked at the bulletin board in the old barn for the tenth time in two days. Their sixteenth birthday was in another week and then their Rumspringa would begin. Up to four days of elemental magic trials, air, water, earth, and fire. They couldn’t wait; they were each hoping for something different. Even though they weren't full Venefica - Sorcerers, they could still create elemental magic. No one but their mother and her best friend knew they were also Dylia - werewolves. Not even their "father". They were made to swear not to ever say anything and to never shift around anyone no matter what.
If they did they would be killed and so would their mother. It was taboo in the Venefica to intermix with species. Their mother made a ‘mistake,, as she liked to call it, by sleeping with their father. Seems their mother made many ‘mistakes’ that she didn't want people knowing about. Whatever, they didn't really care. As long as their Rumspringa was a success. They weren't trilled about the getting married part but whatever. They didn't like keeping their hair as long as a girl's either but sacrifices had to be made.
This was their home. They were safe here and had two baby sisters to protect. They were pretty sure they would have an Adducere - lead element, even though they were half werewolf. They began reading the board again. Something about it just didn't sit right with them.
Laws of the Venefica
1. Absolutely no inter-species mating of any kind. You marry who the Elders tell you.
2. Absolutely no same-sex anything of any kind. If you are caught you will be beaten.
NO questions asked. NO explanations.
3. The Elders word is LAW. ALWAYS. To oppose them is treason.
4. The Rumspringa is our most scared and time-honored tradition. Those that don't
take it seriously will be punished harshly.
5. Anyone who violates any of these laws will be put to death immediately along with
their entire family (after being beaten or punished).
The Rules of the Rumspringa
1. Those who don't master an Adducere will be banished
2. There will be up to four days of trails
3. Once the trails are over there will be a completion ceremony
4. The Elders will announce who you will marry and when
5. Loss of control of your Adducere will not warrant banishment, you will just have
to be taught harshly
"This is craziness," Billy whispered to his brothers. "Why do we want to stay here again?"
"Because anything less will be getting our whole family killed. Think of our sisters," Bane reasoned.
"Yes, now let's stop talking about it before someone hears. We better go get to work on the farm before father starts looking for us," Brian said.
They made their way home and got to their chores before it was time for their afternoon school lessons with their mother.
***
The week passed fairly quickly. The boys dressed in their black ceremonial robes and met their father downstairs so that they could eat breakfast and go down to the clearing. Their mother and sisters where at her best friend Julie's house, they wouldn't see them until the completion ceremony on the fifth day. It was another one of the Veneficas ridiculous traditions.
They ate quickly and rinsed out their bowls. They followed their father and went outside. The Rumspringa went by quickly. Billy and Bane's Adduceres were water. Brian didn't find his until the last day and it was fire. They were happy enough with the outcomes. At least they all found an Adducere and wouldn't be getting banished. One the day of the completion ceremony Brian had a bad feeling but his brothers told him it was just nerves.
"Don't worry Bri, we made it," Bane said.
"Oh course, you're right. I'm just a little nervous. Let's go before father has to come up here," Brian said.
They went downstairs and ate in relative silence. Their father broke it when he spoke.
"I'm very proud of you boys. It's unheard of for triplets to be born. I feel so lucky and you all passed your Rumspringas," their father said.
The boys shifted around uncomfortably. Even though they loved him like their father, they felt bad that he didn't know he wasn't their birth father. Brian spoke for all of them, as he usually did.
"Thanks father. It means a lot to us," he said.
"Very well, let's go. Don't want to be late," their father replied.
They were barely on time for the ceremony. They made their way to the stage and got ready for the arrival of the Elders.
"Welcome to yet another successful Rumspringa," the Elder said. "It's amazing every six months that we do these. It takes me back to my own. Now before we proceed we have an announcement to make. After careful consideration, my wife and I have come to a much-needed conclusion. We shouldn't have let it go on for this long."
What the hell was this about? The triplets gave each other confused looks. Never had a completion ceremony started this way.
"As you know, never in Venefica history have triplets been born. It's unheard of. There must be some kind of curse. We were hoping they would fail the Rumspringa but sadly they didn't. It gives us no pleasure but Billy, Bane, and Brian Cole, you are banished. You have two hours to collect your things and say your goodbyes," the Elder announced.
What. The. Hell. This couldn't be happening. Before Brian could fully process the Elder's words, both his brothers had shifted. This was so not good. Panic broke out over the entire barn.
"Abominations!" the Elder's wife screamed. "Helen Cole, what is the meaning of this? I was there when you birthed these things. You have broken our laws."
"I was raped!" Helen sobbed. "I was so ashamed. I had no idea what their father was. If I had of know I would have killed them myself in the womb."
That lying bitch! Brian was furious that his mother would stoop to such lengths to protect her own life.
"It's true mother. Please, it wasn't her fault. We should have come to you but we were afraid," Julie begged.
"It's okay dear. We understand. We will kill them now. Helen this isn't your fault. You were just a scared girl," the Elder said.
The triplets were outraged, liars, the both of them. Their father looked heartbroken as he tried to sooth their treacherous mother. Brian changed and motioned for his brothers to follow him. The Venefica were using their magic to try to slow them down but their Dylia genes made them hard to pin down. They ran away from the coven and never looked back. They would never forget this day as long as they lived. They would have revenge on the entire Venefica coven if it was the last thing they ever did.
Rumspringa Copyright 2014 Shakuita Johnson
Prologue
Middle of nowhere, Rhode Island, fifteen years ago, 1999
Billy, Bane, and Brian Cole, identical triplets, looked at the bulletin board in the old barn for the tenth time in two days. Their sixteenth birthday was in another week and then their Rumspringa would begin. Up to four days of elemental magic trials, air, water, earth, and fire. They couldn’t wait; they were each hoping for something different. Even though they weren't full Venefica - Sorcerers, they could still create elemental magic. No one but their mother and her best friend knew they were also Dylia - werewolves. Not even their "father". They were made to swear not to ever say anything and to never shift around anyone no matter what.
If they did they would be killed and so would their mother. It was taboo in the Venefica to intermix with species. Their mother made a ‘mistake,, as she liked to call it, by sleeping with their father. Seems their mother made many ‘mistakes’ that she didn't want people knowing about. Whatever, they didn't really care. As long as their Rumspringa was a success. They weren't trilled about the getting married part but whatever. They didn't like keeping their hair as long as a girl's either but sacrifices had to be made.
This was their home. They were safe here and had two baby sisters to protect. They were pretty sure they would have an Adducere - lead element, even though they were half werewolf. They began reading the board again. Something about it just didn't sit right with them.
Laws of the Venefica
1. Absolutely no inter-species mating of any kind. You marry who the Elders tell you.
2. Absolutely no same-sex anything of any kind. If you are caught you will be beaten.
NO questions asked. NO explanations.
3. The Elders word is LAW. ALWAYS. To oppose them is treason.
4. The Rumspringa is our most scared and time-honored tradition. Those that don't
take it seriously will be punished harshly.
5. Anyone who violates any of these laws will be put to death immediately along with
their entire family (after being beaten or punished).
The Rules of the Rumspringa
1. Those who don't master an Adducere will be banished
2. There will be up to four days of trails
3. Once the trails are over there will be a completion ceremony
4. The Elders will announce who you will marry and when
5. Loss of control of your Adducere will not warrant banishment, you will just have
to be taught harshly
"This is craziness," Billy whispered to his brothers. "Why do we want to stay here again?"
"Because anything less will be getting our whole family killed. Think of our sisters," Bane reasoned.
"Yes, now let's stop talking about it before someone hears. We better go get to work on the farm before father starts looking for us," Brian said.
They made their way home and got to their chores before it was time for their afternoon school lessons with their mother.
***
The week passed fairly quickly. The boys dressed in their black ceremonial robes and met their father downstairs so that they could eat breakfast and go down to the clearing. Their mother and sisters where at her best friend Julie's house, they wouldn't see them until the completion ceremony on the fifth day. It was another one of the Veneficas ridiculous traditions.
They ate quickly and rinsed out their bowls. They followed their father and went outside. The Rumspringa went by quickly. Billy and Bane's Adduceres were water. Brian didn't find his until the last day and it was fire. They were happy enough with the outcomes. At least they all found an Adducere and wouldn't be getting banished. One the day of the completion ceremony Brian had a bad feeling but his brothers told him it was just nerves.
"Don't worry Bri, we made it," Bane said.
"Oh course, you're right. I'm just a little nervous. Let's go before father has to come up here," Brian said.
They went downstairs and ate in relative silence. Their father broke it when he spoke.
"I'm very proud of you boys. It's unheard of for triplets to be born. I feel so lucky and you all passed your Rumspringas," their father said.
The boys shifted around uncomfortably. Even though they loved him like their father, they felt bad that he didn't know he wasn't their birth father. Brian spoke for all of them, as he usually did.
"Thanks father. It means a lot to us," he said.
"Very well, let's go. Don't want to be late," their father replied.
They were barely on time for the ceremony. They made their way to the stage and got ready for the arrival of the Elders.
"Welcome to yet another successful Rumspringa," the Elder said. "It's amazing every six months that we do these. It takes me back to my own. Now before we proceed we have an announcement to make. After careful consideration, my wife and I have come to a much-needed conclusion. We shouldn't have let it go on for this long."
What the hell was this about? The triplets gave each other confused looks. Never had a completion ceremony started this way.
"As you know, never in Venefica history have triplets been born. It's unheard of. There must be some kind of curse. We were hoping they would fail the Rumspringa but sadly they didn't. It gives us no pleasure but Billy, Bane, and Brian Cole, you are banished. You have two hours to collect your things and say your goodbyes," the Elder announced.
What. The. Hell. This couldn't be happening. Before Brian could fully process the Elder's words, both his brothers had shifted. This was so not good. Panic broke out over the entire barn.
"Abominations!" the Elder's wife screamed. "Helen Cole, what is the meaning of this? I was there when you birthed these things. You have broken our laws."
"I was raped!" Helen sobbed. "I was so ashamed. I had no idea what their father was. If I had of know I would have killed them myself in the womb."
That lying bitch! Brian was furious that his mother would stoop to such lengths to protect her own life.
"It's true mother. Please, it wasn't her fault. We should have come to you but we were afraid," Julie begged.
"It's okay dear. We understand. We will kill them now. Helen this isn't your fault. You were just a scared girl," the Elder said.
The triplets were outraged, liars, the both of them. Their father looked heartbroken as he tried to sooth their treacherous mother. Brian changed and motioned for his brothers to follow him. The Venefica were using their magic to try to slow them down but their Dylia genes made them hard to pin down. They ran away from the coven and never looked back. They would never forget this day as long as they lived. They would have revenge on the entire Venefica coven if it was the last thing they ever did.
December 6, 2015
Loved this short story!!! It was nice to get lost in in Shakuita Johnson's world for a little bit.
This short story had me on the edge of my seat from the very beginning. I was root in for Sy Cole to have a happy ending, but had a feeling that she wasn't ;-) I loved the force of nature that Shakuita Johnson created with this character.
I walked away from this story wanting more!! Rumspringa is a great glance into Shakuita Johnson's Dark Indiscretions world. I hope to find out more about the Cole family.
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a short read that will leave you craving more! Well done Ms Johnson!!
This short story had me on the edge of my seat from the very beginning. I was root in for Sy Cole to have a happy ending, but had a feeling that she wasn't ;-) I loved the force of nature that Shakuita Johnson created with this character.
I walked away from this story wanting more!! Rumspringa is a great glance into Shakuita Johnson's Dark Indiscretions world. I hope to find out more about the Cole family.
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a short read that will leave you craving more! Well done Ms Johnson!!
September 1, 2015
4 Stars
Filling in missing pieces from the triplets showing up, this book explains a lot more about why they were banished. You also get to meet their little sister Sy. Moat of the story is about Sy and her Rumspringa. What occurs after she finds her Rumspringa (element), leaves Sy reeling in shock and anger.
Although there are grammar errors, they do not detract from the story. I was rooting for Sy the whole time, hoping she would get her happy ever after, yet knowing something big was coming.
Filling in missing pieces from the triplets showing up, this book explains a lot more about why they were banished. You also get to meet their little sister Sy. Moat of the story is about Sy and her Rumspringa. What occurs after she finds her Rumspringa (element), leaves Sy reeling in shock and anger.
Although there are grammar errors, they do not detract from the story. I was rooting for Sy the whole time, hoping she would get her happy ever after, yet knowing something big was coming.
July 20, 2015
Really enjoyed this book, because it gave me a lot of back story and a much closer look into witches, their society and rules. The younger generation is finding out though, how much of the rules are being broken and twisted for the elder's own purposes.
January 16, 2016
Wow
I'm certainly pleased.. Shakuita Johnson's series is amazing I am highly anticipating the next book in the series... Awesome series
I'm certainly pleased.. Shakuita Johnson's series is amazing I am highly anticipating the next book in the series... Awesome series
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews