P. J. Sharon - Waning Moon: The Chronicles of Lily Carmichael Trilogy

Waning Moon

Book One

of

The Chronicles of Lily Carmichael

Trilogy

By

PJ Sharon

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, business establishments, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, or as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without prior written permission of the author. This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If youre reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Cover stock photo by Big Stock Photos

Cover Design by The Killion Group

Waning Moon

Copyright 2012 by PJ Sharon

Acknowledgements

Id like to thank my editors, Jane Haertel and Carol Lacoss who are ever diligent with their red pens, my beta readers Gina Beach, Pete Willett, and Debbie Cole, who lovingly tell me when Ive done it right, and my husband Addy, who is my constant support and encouragementand one fabulous cook.

Writers will tell you that creating a book is not a solitary endeavor. Without the support of other writers, critique partners, and organizations like CTRWA, YARWA, Indie Romance Ink, and all the awesome writers loops I belong to, I would not be able to do what I do. Thanks gang; youre the best!

Lastly, Id like to thank my pals Pete and Winnie, whose steadfast friendship and visionary thinking helped in the creation of this story.

Dedication

To my sons, Chris and AJ, who give me hope that the next generation has the courage, compassion, and conviction to face whatever challenges come their way.

Other Books by PJ Sharon

Pieces of Love

Heaven is for Heroes

On Thin Ice

Samis Christmas Wish List

The Girls of Thompson Lake (Box Set)

Savage Cinderella

Finding Hope (A Savage Cinderella Novella #1)

Lost Boys (A Savage Cinderella Novella #2)

Sacred Ground (A Savage Cinderella Novella #3)

The Chronicles of Lily Carmichael Trilogy

Soul Redemption (A prequel novella)

Waning Moon

Western Desert

Healing Waters

THE CHRONICLES OF LILY CARMICHAEL-BOOK ONE

WANING MOON

In the year 2057, in a post-apocalyptic world where a polar shift threatens the survivors of a widespread pandemic with extinction, sixteen-year-old genetically enhanced Lily Carmichael has more immediate problems. Her uncle is dying of cancer and her healing abilities are ineffective against the blood ties that bind them. In order to find a cure, Lily must leave the protection of her quiet town and journey to the trading city of Albany, all while avoiding the Industry, an agency that would like nothing better than to study and exploit her abilities.

Seventeen-year-old Will Callahan has been searching for his father since severe storms blasted through the Midwest, killing his mother and sister. When he learns that his father may be in the city, he catches a ride with Lily, a girl who has come to his rescue more than once. As the two embark on a dangerous journey, the tension between them grows. But the secrets Wills keeping could put Lily in far more danger than traveling to the city with him, and if he was any kind of man, he would have told her to run the minute she found him.

The Chronicles of Lily Carmichael

Book One

WANING MOON

Chapter 1

May 2057

I didnt mean to kill him!

My Uncle Samuel gripped my shoulders and shook me gently. Calm down and tell me what happened.

I...I...was at Mrs. Higgins market when I heard a man asking questions about us. He said that anyone caught hiding us would be detained and brought to Industry Headquarters. I ran and hid up in the hills waiting for him to drive out of town. He was almost to the timber trail leading up the mountain, and I...didnt know what to do... I sucked in a breath, my heart still pounding from the two-mile run through the woods to the house. Tears rushed down my cheeks. I didnt mean it...but I had to stop him.

I know, Lily. Just tell me what you did. Sam held my face in his hands, his brown eyes studying me. Fear and concern lined his features.

There was a boulder...I...saw him coming and I...used a tree limb to push the boulder down the hill. I only wanted to stop himto block the entrance to the trailbut... I choked the words out, my heart taking another plunge into despair. How could I have done it? I was a healer, not a life-taker. A new flood of tears fell as I finished the story. The boulder slammed into the vehicle and sent it off the other side of the road into the ravine. It...rolled...so many times...then the fire... I could still see the crushed roof of the truck and the mangled bleeding body inside, the whole mess engulfed in flames by the time I reached it.

Sam hugged me to his broad chest, the top of my head barely reaching his chin. He stroked my back, saying over and over, Its going to be all right. His words rang hollow in my ears just as they had when I was six and he found me with my little brother, terrified and in shock in the secret room of our old house. Hed patted my back then, and told me everything would be all right, but with my mother long dead and having just witnessed my fathers murder, I knew nothing would ever be the same again. His voice pulled me back to the moment. You did what you had to do. He let me go and looked down into my eyes, his expression grim. Do you hear me? You did the right thing. You protected yourself and your brother.

But hes dead! I couldnt save him.... I sobbed uncontrollably while Sam half carried me over to a chair at the kitchen table. My hands trembled as I wrapped them around my middle.