Prologue

Within Our Imagination Lies the Truth

We’ve all heard stories. Tales told around camp fires and at slumber parties. Urban legends, myths, and, yes, ghost stories. We go to the movies, yearning for a dark thrill. We buy the newest horror novel the minute it hits the shelves. We beg to be scared. Wanting fear. Needing it. Getting a high off the adrenaline rush of spine-tingling terror. Convincing ourselves these dark things live only in the imagination…but that’s what evil wants us to think. It thrives on our ignorance. Drinking innocence like fine wine. Waiting. Planning. Lurking in the shadows of existence with the poison of its presence and then targeting the souls of the defenseless for attack. Preying on the weak and using them to stalk those that are stronger.

And only one force stands between the hunted and the hunter.

Born with a beauty meant to disguise the potency of their skills from those they hunt, they are the Chosen Seven. Women born into their destiny as part of magical genetic lines. These gifted seven are overseen by the Council of Lords, who represent the law over all things paranormal.

These seven women not only protect humans from the paranormal beings who exist in this realm, but also from those who wish to enter from beyond. From Purgatory.

Each woman guards a portal that opens with the full moon and must be sealed with her magic. Without these women’s skills, their duties, life as humans know it would never be the same.

For, in Purgatory, there is darkness beyond human comprehension. Sinister beings demanding to be seen and known, yearning to take control of the living. Preying on those who believe them non-existent. There is only one way to stop their malicious intent to claim good for evil.

The Circle of Seven.

Supporting the Chosen Seven, placed in surrounding cities without portals around the world, are magical women of the same bloodline, called Watchers. These Watchers not only protect humans, but also protect the secrets of their world.

Upon the death of a Chosen One, higher powers are unleashed to one of the Watchers, making her one of the Chosen Ones. Though, no one ever knows who this will be.

The war rages onward.