Alicia: Fear (Paperback)

<p> Alicia and Matthew find themselves wrapped up in an entirely different world than they are used to. In the past, their abilities were looked down on and had to be hidden. Now they have been twisted into a strange form of sport. With the elimination of Elias Arthur from history, there are more conjurers in the present world than there ever were before. </p> <p> Rather than being used to better the world, or heal old wounds, the conjurers have become practically owned by self-proclaimed trainers. They are groomed to be the best and to take on those that claim to be the best as well. Once trained they are placed in a ring together for magical warfare. </p> <p> Although some matches are milder than others, there is a general desire in the crowds that flock to these events to see the flashiest and deadliest moves that the conjurers can offer. Alicia is shocked that the sport even exists, and more shocked that Nicolas expects her to participate. With her heart broken over how cold Matthew has been she reluctantly agrees. </p> <p> Once in the middle of the chaos of the fighting she is certain that it cannot be real. However, when she tries to back out of a fight it is proven to her just how real it is. Not only that, Matthew and Rochelle have arrived to fight as well, and Alicia is fairly certain from the expression on Matthew's face that if he had the chance to confront her in the ring, he would not hesitate. She cannot understand what she has done to anger him so much. </p> <p> What Alicia does not know is that Matthew's mind is not his own. Rochelle is a master manipulator and has planted memories into Matthew's mind of Alicia betraying him in the worst way. It was the only way she could be sure that Matthew would be focused on his training, on the fights he would have to win. As the two are forced to meet each other head to head, Alicia finds that things have not changed as much as she thought. Once they have ironed out what has happened between them, Alicia and Matthew rid themselves of the influences of the trainers in their lives. </p> <p> They decided to make a decision of their own, and are soon married. Not long after the short ceremony, much to the disapproval of Alicia's parents, she discovers that Travis is not as safe as she thought he was. In fact, he has gone missing, and no one knows where he has run off to. </p> <p> Alicia is in panic mode when she hears a knock on the door. Not only is Travis waiting on her doorstep, he is full of anger toward Alicia. He insists that she has decided to move on with her life without him, and that at least the people who run the fights he has been participating in, do not expect him to hide who he is. </p> <p> Will the impulsive decision to get married only make Alicia and Matthew's relationship tenser? Will they discover who is running the fights, and why? Can Alicia and Matthew really free themselves of Nicolas and Rochelle? </p>