Echoes of the Past (The Alina Chronicles Book 1)

by Regina J. Robinson

  Echoes of the Past

  The Alina Chronicles

  Regina J Robinson

  Contents

  Note to Readers

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Copyright © 2019 Regina J. Robinson

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations in book reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Edited by Dani Black

  Formatted by Idonea Publishing

  Cover designed by Regina J. Robinson and Idonea Publishing

  Note to Readers

  First of all, thank you so much to you the reader for picking up a copy of my book.

  **Warnings**

  This is a read at your own risk, Dark Slow Burn Reverse Harem Urban Fantasy novel.

  It contains sensitive subjects that may be triggers for some, such as murder, death, torture, and nightmares.

  This book is not suitable for people under 18 as it contains swear/cuss words, graphic torture, and sexual situations, including m/m.

  Not for the squeamish or faint of heart.

  For my amazing husband and son who put up with all my nonsense. Thank you for always supporting and loving me, even when my crazy shows.

  The pungent smell of my charred flesh invades my senses. Pain overwhelms my brain, until all that remains is this hellish torment I am yet again forced to endure.

  When will it end?

  “Are you ready to talk yet Little Bird? Or do you want more?” The sickening creature taunts, his blood red eyes stare menacingly into my soul.

  “I have nothing to say to you. Hurry up and get this over with,” I spit back, grinding my teeth.

  The iron chains burn into my skin, making it sizzle and blister. I feel nauseous and I know it won’t be long before it’s over. My breathing becomes more labored as my body starts to succumb to the multiple wounds.

  This time he really went all out, more torture than before. He’s getting desperate, searching for answers I cannot give.

  My eyes grow heavy. I’m so tired. As they close, just before I take my last breath, I hear him snarl one more time.

  “Don’t worry Little Bird. I’ll find you again. I will always find you.”

  And with those last words echoing through my mind, I die.

  ALINA

  Oh great! I’m naked again.

  You would think by now I would be able to materialize clothes. But no. Every bloody time I regenerate, I’m butt ass naked. It doesn’t matter if this has been happening for centuries. I just. Ahhh. Fuck it!

  I rise up from the smoldering ash that was once me and look around.

  Why is it every time I’m resurrected, I’m somewhere else?

  Glancing around I see thick dense woodland. The sudden sound of an owl hooting startles me. Great. Not only am I naked, I’m in the fucking woods. Ahh fuck my lives.

  Lights in the distance grab my attention, so I start walking that way. Hopefully, I can find some clothes. Usually, I have to grab them from someone’s washing line. I know, I know, it’s technically stealing, but what else am I meant to do? Walk up to someone and say ‘Hi there, don’t mind my naked, pasty ass, please don’t abuse me, may I have some clothes?’ Nope, never works; believe me I’ve tried. It’s always safer to find clothes than it is to ask for some.

  I stumble along the woodland floor littered with moss, the odd twig stabbing into my bare feet and I wonder how I always manage to find myself in this predicament

  Sounds of the night echo around me as I walk alone. Hmm, always alone, always wandering. Sometimes it really sucks to be immortal. A shiver runs through me, either from the cold or the memories I can’t remember anymore, so I just wrap my arms around myself.

  When you have lived as long as I have, you begin to realize just how lonely life can be without someone there to share it. There’s no point in having friends or lovers, I just couldn’t bear to watch them wither and decay into nothingness. No. It’s for the best I stay alone. At least that way no one can get hurt, again.

  Many Centuries Ago….

  “Alina! Get down please. You’re making me nervous,” Aunt Hesta shouts.

  “I’m fine, I’ll be there in a bit,” I shout down to her. I still wonder why I call her Aunt, even though we’re not related.

  I was found abandoned on the steps of local church when I was just a baby. The nuns took me in, fed and clothed me. Trying to make me a respectable young lady and then proceeding to fail miserably. Apparently, it’s not very ladylike to climb trees, shout, cuss, or basically anything I do. So, I hide. Sometimes in a tree or a cave, just somewhere no one can find me. I don’t have friends to speak of, they all think I’m weird. Well, everyone except Branor. He’s been my best friend since before I can remember. If we could, we would do everything together. But unfortunately, it’s frowned upon for a young lady experiencing her moon cycles to spend time with a boy. Especially one as handsome as Branor.

  Though we are only seventeen summers old, we have been friends for several summers already. He was my first real friend. When everyone looked down on me for the way I looked, and the fact I was an orphan, he stood up for me, protected me.

  In our small village I am the only girl with hair and eyes the color of fire. The other children say I am strange, whereas Branor says I’m unique and special. He is special as well. By far the tallest boy in the village, with thick wavy dark blond hair and the prettiest green eyes I’ve ever seen.

  All the girls want him as their friend, but I’m the lucky one. He chose me.

  From below my feet I hear another voice call up, knowing instantly who it is I glance over the edge to see my beautiful Branor climbing up toward me.

  “Hey Birdy. Hiding from Hesta again?” his cheeky smile captures my attention, and I can’t help but smile back.

  “Don’t I always,” I reply, holding my hand out for him to grasp. His large fingers wrap around mine, covering them completely, his warmth seeping through sending tingles all over.

  He perches on the thick branch next to me, and I can’t help but rest my head on his shoulder, his large hand engulfing mine.

  We sit silently, gazing out over the village below us. Branor’s large thumb is tenderly stroking my hand, and all I feel is peace.

  “Birdy?” Branor’s quiet voice asks. He squeezes my hand a little and turns to look at me.

  “What’s wrong?” I search his face. His kind eyes meet mine and a tiny smile lines his lips.

  “You know how we always spend time together, how we seem to know everything about each other. Well,” he swallows deeply, struggling to look me in the eyes, “I was. Umm, that is I... Gods why is it so difficult to make the words c
ome out?” He rubs his hand down his face as his other still clutches mine, his grip tightening slightly.

  “What is it Branor? You know you can talk to me about anything, don’t you? Is it something bad? Have I done something wrong? If I have—” I blurt out, trying to understand his confused face.

  He quickly grabs both my hands in his, and stares deeply into my eyes.

  “You have done absolutely nothing wrong. It’s just, you know, I sometimes struggle with my words, well I’m struggling with them now, because…” He inhales deeply, before breathing out, “I like you Birdy. I like you a lot.”

  “Well I like you too, you know I do. You’re my best friend. You don’t need to tell me th—” my words are muffled by Branor’s smooth lips suddenly pressing against mine.

  When he moves back, his eyes are wide; probably wider than mine.

  Holy Gods! Branor kissed me! Branor kissed me! My mind screams at me, struggling to comprehend what just happened.

  “I… Umm… Uh… Sorry. If you uh, umm, I,” he splutters out, as if he was trying to find the right words.

  “What was that Branor? Why did you kiss me?” I whisper back.

  “Like I said. I like you. You’re my best friend, and I don’t know what I would ever do without you. I want you to be my girl,” he rambles. “Umm, that is, if you want to be,” he shakily breathes.

  “Gods,” is all I can reply, my brain shutting down from everything that just happened.

  “I’ll understand if you don’t like me like that. It’s just I wanted to te—” he starts, before I spring forward and place my lips on his.

  His smooth, firm lips move tenderly against mine in a chaste kiss. I can feel a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

  I pull back slightly to see his beautiful eyes pierce my soul, capturing me with a gaze I have longed for, full of kindness and adoration.

  “Of course, I like you too. I would be honored to be your girl. You just took me a little by surprise that’s all. Forgive me?” My eyes search his.

  “There’s nothing to forgive, Birdy. I had to do it quick, otherwise I would have lost my nerve. It should be me asking you for forgiveness, for startling you. My apologies.” He grins lopsidedly.

  “How about we both forgive each other and agree that I’m your girl now?” I beam brightly when he nods, warmth spreading through me.

  I snuggle in close to Branor’s side, his hand falling to my back to rub lazy circles across it. With one last smile to each other, we look back at our small village and relax into each other, as the sun sets on the best day of my life so far.

  Present Day

  Swallowing back the bittersweet memory, I carry on walking across the damp, spongy woodland floor. I sometimes hate the memories, but other times they are the only thing that keeps me going.

  I carry on through the woodland, brushing stray branches out of my view and stepping over particularly sharp rocks. The trees begin to thin out into a small clearing and in the distance I see what appears to be a farm. A small farmhouse not too far away, with smoke rising from the chimney beckons me toward it, in search of clothing and warmth. Maybe I could hide in one of the barns for the night. Anywhere would be better than staying out in this bitter cold.

  Without warning, the ground around me begins to shake and rumble. I lose my footing as a great chasm begins to open before me.

  Out of the shadowy depths walks the most magnificent midnight black stallion I have ever seen. Piercing sapphire blue eyes stare back, they’re slightly wide, but seem warm and comforting.

  I gather myself up from the woodland floor and carefully approach. The amazing creature towers above me. I should be frightened, but his eyes seemed kind and gentle and I am intrigued.

  “My goodness, aren’t you the most beautiful thing,” I coo at the stunning creature before me, raising my hand to allow him to sniff.

  “Well I’ve never been called beautiful before. That’s a new one. And I’d have to say you don’t look bad yourself,” a strong baritone voice calls out.

  Startled, I glance around seeing no one there, I look back to the stallion.

  “Did...did you just say something...in my head?” I question staring into those mesmerizing eyes.

  “Why yes I did. You seem surprised, Sparky. Are you not yourself an immortal being? And yet you seem surprised you can communicate with your mind?” His calm voice replies.

  “Well it’s not so much the mind communication thingy, it’s more that you’re a horse,” I state, staring at his long face.

  “So, what you’re saying is, horses don’t have thoughts? That seems a little horsist if you ask me,” he snarks back.

  “Horsist?” My eyebrow raises in question.

  “You know, someone who’s racist to horses. I feel offended. Maybe I should go back to the Goddess Neris and tell her you don’t need my help,” he turns, as if to walk away.

  “Wait. What did you say?” I go to stop him, my hand landing on the firm ebony muscle of his shoulder.

  “Oh, so now you want to talk to me?” His eyes twinkle with mischief; almost like a human.

  “Look, I’m sorry if I was rude. I was just shocked, that’s all. I mean it’s not every day a horse climbs out of a hole in the ground and starts chatting away to me in my head.”

  “Don’t fret about it, Sparky. No harm, no foul.”

  “Sparky?” I raise one eyebrow. “My name is Alina. Anyway, how come you know so much about me?”

  “I think, Sparky suits you better. And the reason I know so much about you dear Sparky, is because the Goddess Neris has been keeping a close eye on you, hence my presence before you.”

  “Me? Why has she been watching me?”

  “She is the Goddess of Knowledge and Wisdom, and she deems you a unique creature. She was concerned about the frequency of your captures recently and decided to send me to see if I could help.”

  “If she was so concerned about me, why has it taken her centuries to do something, hmm? And then when she does decide to grace me with her concern, she sends me a horse. How the hell is a fucking horse going to help me?” I rant.

  “Well Sparky, I’m not just any horse. I am Goddess Neris’ most cherished pet. My name is Shadowbolt, and I am at your service,” he replies with a graceful bow.

  “Will you stop calling me Sparky? It’s bloody annoying,” I narrow my eyes at the insufferable creature.

  “Yeah, well I like it.” He sniggers. “Besides you look kind of silly there, making demands with nothing on.”

  I glanced down to see that I was indeed still naked, and that I had been talking to this horse, Shadowbolt, for a while, without realizing the coolness in the air was gracing my nipples and hardening them.

  ‘SHADOWBOLT’

  Watching the beautiful woman before me, stark naked and blushing was the most amazing sight I had ever witnessed.

  She scrambles to cover herself with nothing but her hands. It’s an incredibly humorous sight and I can’t seem to take my eyes away from. Her creamy pale skin is sprinkled with freckles, and is a stark contrast to her fiery red hair and golden eyes. Her soft womanly curves call to me, tempt me, lure me. If only I could be myself, maybe then she could want me too.

  When I had crawled out of the depths the Goddess Neris had provided me passage with, the first sight I was greeted with was Alina, soft, delicate, naked, and stunning. I had lost my words for a while, my brain completely shutting down, until I heard the soft lull of her voice. The wondrous sound reverberated through my body, making me feel more at home than I had ever felt before.

  I couldn’t help teasing her, and yes, maybe flirting with her. What? I can’t help it, I am a male after all. Her smile and wit consume my mind until all that is left is Alina. I had heard stories about this captivating being, about how she had been created and how she has been chased and tortured for centuries. This amazing creature who has suffered so much, and yet still remains strong and determined. She is magnificent.

  She may
not realize it now, but I intend to stay by her side forever, loyal to her and only her until time itself ends. I will protect her, care for her, and even love her with everything I have. That is my solemn vow. I swear to the Gods, I’m forever hers.

  ALINA

  I can’t believe I forgot I was naked. What kind of idiot forgets they’re naked? Me obviously.

  I look back over toward Shadowbolt and notice he’s staring intently at me. “Are you just going to stare at me for the rest of the evening, or are you going to say something, hmm?” I ask snarkily, trying to hide whatever I can with my hair and hands.

  “Sorry, I just find it really amusing you stood here talking to me for all that time and now you’re suddenly shy.” I can hear the humor in his tone in my head as he replies.

  I glare back at him, scowling my annoyance, “well, I’m sorry I forgot for a moment. After all, it’s not every day the fucking ground opens up and a horse just pops up, or the fact he’s a bloody mind reader and can talk to me. So yeah, I forgot I was naked, but now I’ve remembered. So what? Do you have a problem with that? What are you going to do, sue me? Go to Horsey Lawyers R Us?”

  “Horsey Lawyers R Us? What the hell are you talking about? I was making a passing comment, you strange woman. I’m beginning to wonder why Neris sent me to help. I’m starting to think the only help you need is psychiatric,” he quips.