Mists of Velvet

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80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

    First published by Heat, an imprint of New American Library,
a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

    First Printing, February 2011
    Copyright © Sophie Renwick, 2011 All rights reserved

    HEAT is a trademark of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

    LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA:

    Renwick, Sophie.
    Mists of velvet/Sophie Renwick. p. cm.—(The Annwyn Chronicles; bk. 2)
    eISBN : 978-1-101-47855-4
    I. Title.
PS3618.E64M57 2011
813’.6—dc22 2010039715

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To all the fans who have embraced this magical world—
thank you.
And to my daughter, Olivia, who first gave me the idea of an
angel falling from the sky . . .

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
    A book is never simply written—it’s rewritten until it comes together as it should. While an author writes the story, so many other people are part of the process that turns a story into a book.
    I have to thank my wonderfully patient editor, Tracy Bernstein, for always making my writing stronger—and for keeping me on track when Suriel wants to take over! As well, I have to thank the art department for the gorgeous covers they’ve given to my Annwyn world. Finally, kudos to the copy editors who make me look like I know what I’m doing and to the marketing department for getting the word out about this series.
    Thank you for all your hard work. I really, really appreciate it.

PROLOGUE

    Once there was peace. Now there is war. In the past, Annwyn was filled with light, but now only shadows reign.
    The Dark Times have come.
    As foretold, Annwyn is at the mercy of a Dark Mage who seeks a flame and an amulet that have been hidden away for centuries. Into whose hands these fall will dictate what will come—peace once more, or annihilation.
    This master magician has a prophesized apprentice called the Destroyer whose identity remains carefully hidden. It is known only that he is an immortal who will possess the ability either to save or to destroy both Annwyn and the mortal realm.
    These Dark Times that surround us will bring betrayals, deaths, and utter blackness before the dawn of light may once again creep between the trees of the forest.
    I have seen Annwyn’s greatest weapon—the sacred nine, bringing the beginning and ending of all things. But their future is not fully told. That, I cannot see, for one among them is the Destroyer.
    The time has come. The nine shall