Calm Before the Storm

by Cara Lake

  Luc and Tyr both moved toward her but she held up her hands to stave them off. “This is too much,” she whispered, her gaze focused on Cassi, an agonizing plea in her eyes. Cassi bent to her knees in front of her, clasping her hands in a gesture of comfort.

  “You’ve been so strong for so long,” she said gently. “Just hold on a bit longer. I need to get you to the safe place. We need to go now. When we get there it’ll be easier to explain everything.”

  Irina swallowed the lump in her throat. She glanced at Tyr and realized he looked as devastated as she felt. Instinct urged her to soothe him, wipe the pain from his eyes but the shock of Cassi’s revelations had shaken her to the core. Everything she had understood about her life was being challenged. It was as if she were no longer the same person she had been twenty-four hours ago. She needed time. Time to discover the truth about herself and her family.

  “We had better get going then.” She spoke with determination and stood up, shakily taking Cassi’s arm as Luc took her other one. She would talk to Tyr later, once she understood more about what had happened in the past and what was happening now. The emotions of the last twenty-four hours were a knotted tangle in her chest. Untying them was a complication she wasn’t yet ready to handle.

  Tyr felt completely bereft watching Irina turn away from him on Luc’s arm. Cassi and Luc were giving her the comfort he wanted to provide. Ached to provide. But Irina had shut him out. His hands fisted with the need to punch something or someone. Preferably Luc. He knew that wasn’t an option. Irina obviously had feelings for Luc and she was hurting right now. If he attacked Luc like some jealous stalker, it would only hurt her more and he didn’t want that. After what they had just shared, it was now his mission in life to make sure Irina was happy, safe and warm. Preferably in his arms.

  Luc had ushered Irina to his vehicle, a two-seater sports car, so Tyr had no alternative but to go with Cassi to Stonehenge, which she claimed was the closest starportal to Lyra. Apparently starportals were to be found all over the world at places connected to the stars, planets or the worship of the gods of the sky. These starportals contained high concentrations of temporal energy that when harnessed properly, opened gateways to other planets in the universe. The pyramids, ancient stone circles and temples dedicated to Apollo were some of the best access points and beings from these other realms had been using these portals for millennia, living among the Earthani and sometimes procreating, so that many humans were unknowingly of alien origin. Cassi explained that Earthani who were gifted with special talents they often hid, such as precognition, mindreading or telekinesis had in fact genetically inherited these gifts from their otherworldly ancestors.

  Other Earthani myths for supernatural creatures, vampires, witches and werewolves also stemmed from the visits of Lyrani, Ophiuchi or Eridani, some of whom had extremely long life spans and could wield magick. Cassi’s species from Auriga, she informed him, were directly responsible for angel myths as some of them had wings and were pretty much immortal unless decapitated and then burned. When she explained that she was in fact nearly three thousand years old, Tyr had to agree that she didn’t look half bad for someone who could be his great grandmother sixty-seven times removed.

  Tyr listened to Cassi with half an ear as he followed Luc’s Porsche, all his thoughts centered on Irina.

  He had felt her withdrawal as the thread of connection that had sparked with life during their passionate encounter was once again muted and dull. She was blocking him out, his anger indefensible. He battled with himself to give her space, his logical brain telling him she needed time to adjust to the new information, but the thought of her with Luc! His illogical heart warred against himself urging him to force her to his side, beat the shit out of Luc and kiss her senseless. God! She had made him burn. And having tasted her sweetness, he was already craving more.

  “So what did Abrasax want you to do for him, Tyr?” Cassi broke into his thoughts. “I know him of old and he likes playing with people. Divide and rule is one of his tactics. How much did he tell you?”

  “He told me that I am the essence of War, that he wants me on his side and that your side fights against his.”

  “Did he tell you why we fight them?”

  “Not really.” Tyr shrugged. He didn’t want to give away too much at this point.

  “Why have you jumped ship then? I’m sure he offered you something in return for your services.”

  Tyr could hear the hint of suspicion in her voice. Cassi didn’t trust him and that would usually be fine. He trusted no one but himself. To reach his endgame, however, he needed to gain her trust and that of the Eunomi Alliance. He shrugged again. “I didn’t want Irina to get hurt and I’m not sure I want what Abrasax has to offer. I thought I’d find out what you guys can offer me instead.”

  “Ah. A mercenary,” said Cassi. “Great. Now that I know where you stand it will make things so much simpler.”

  * * * * *

  Irina sat in the passenger seat, head resting against the window, staring out into the dark. She knew Luc wanted to talk, had caught his curious glances reflected in the glass and knew it couldn’t be avoided. “So,” he began slowly. “You and the champ… Anything you want to tell me?”

  She sighed and shifted position to face him. “I’m not sure what to say. It’s complicated.”

  “It always is, darling,” he scoffed lightly. “He’s accused of murder and mixed up with a bunch of crazies, plus we are, the three of us, apparently very special unique beings who have to save the universe. It can’t be any more complicated than that.”

  “What exactly did Cassi tell you about it?” she asked. Luc glanced over at her with a wry smile. “I’m not sure I understood much of it. She told me it’s all about yin and yang and maintaining some kind of balance. The essences we hold help make that possible.” Irina frowned back at him. “But how exactly do we do that?”

  Luc grimaced at her. “Well that’s the million-dollar question,” he said, “and the bit she didn’t get around to explaining. So let’s hope we’re not in for a nasty surprise.”

  “And those demonic alien creatures?” she prompted.

  “Again I don’t know much about them, but I guess they’re the other side of this equation, out to cause chaos. I’d say at the moment with all the riots and civil unrest recently, they’re doing a good job.”

  “This is so weird,” said Irina. “I feel like I’m in some kind of horror twilight zone. Just shoot me if my head starts spinning and I spew green slime out of my mouth.”

  “Don’t worry,” Luc replied. “If that happens, I’ll more than likely be doing the same thing. If you like, we can try to pretend we’re extras in an episode of Star Trek, but definitely not the ones who wear red. They always get taken out first and die a horrible death.”

  “Thanks for that thought.” Irina smiled faintly. “Pity we can’t just tell Scotty to beam us up and make it all go away.”

  “That wouldn’t work, Rina. Scotty was always busy trying to hold the ship together. The crew usually had to find an alternative means of escape. We could try the old Vulcan mind-meld on Cassi to get information.”

  Irina snorted at that. “Why is it you can always make me smile?”

  “It’s a gift. What can I say? You’ve either got it or you don’t and as you know, I just happen to have it.” Luc smirked at her, quirking his eyebrows giving her the look that always made her smile. Irina laughed as she recalled how Luc always had the capacity for seeing the lighter side of even the darkest situation, his sunny personality imbuing hope that shone brightly even in the blackest of shadows.

  He turned the wheel and slowed. “Looks like we’re here,” he said, drawing to a stop. “Stonehenge.” Irina started to open the door. “Wait.” Luc held her arm to prevent her leaving. She turned back and caught a weird light in his blue eyes. He was gazing steadily at her, an intense look she’d never seen before.

  “Irina…I just…I just want you to be careful, okay? Yo
u’ve only just met this guy and I’ve never seen you react to anyone quite like this before. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

  She squeezed his arm gently. “Please, don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. I’m not a total idiot.”

  “I know, honey,” he said sadly, his hand touching her cheek. “But the thing is…I do worry about you. I always have.” Irina stared back at Luc in shock as he rubbed her cheek wistfully. “I never had the guts before to tell you how I really feel, but well, you’re just about to leave the planet so hey, I figure what have I got to lose.”

  “Jesus, Luc,” she murmured, grabbing his wrist. “I…I don’t know what to say. I…”

  “Say nothing,” Luc interrupted. “I can tell you don’t feel the same. I just wanted you to know I’m here for you and if that guy ever does anything to you, and I mean anything…”

  “Hey!” Irina broke in, her heart breaking a little. She really did not want Luc to be hurting. “I’m a big girl. Please don’t worry.” She kissed his cheek. “But you are the first person I’ll call if I need backup. I know you’ve got serious skills!”

  Luc laughed, lightening the mood. “You know it’s true. And I’m willing to use them on the big guy, just say the word.”

  They left the car, Irina still numb from Luc’s revelation. She loved him like the brother she’d never had, her best friend apart from Cassi. He had never indicated before that he was interested in her that way. Obviously Cassi had seen it and now her actions at the fight, trying to push them together made sense. But from the moment she had met Tyr…God! She just didn’t know anymore. All her emotions were spiralling out of control. She was angry with him because of his treatment of Luc, but this didn’t stop her body burning for him at the same time her brain was remembering her parents and his involvement with Abrasax. Irina took stock of her surroundings trying to stave off tears, as her head tried to unpick a way through the twisted wreckage in her heart.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Dawn was breaking. A pale orange glow filtered its way across the ancient bluestones, their distinctive circle casting a pattern of purple shadows on the dewy grass. There was stillness in the air, an eerie serenity that sent tingles of apprehension skittering across Irina’s bare skin.

  Tyr had used his breaking and entering skills to gain access to the site, once again reminding her of his murky past. The weirdness of the situation was reinforced even more when Cassi announced she had wiccani powers that would jam the alarm system and block out the security cameras. Leaving the others behind in the car park, Irina found herself walking toward the stones mesmerised by their timeless beauty and the dawn’s unearthly light.

  “Like the calm before a storm,” she whispered. A movement from behind caused her heart to jump, a wall of heat warming the tingling goose bumps on her bare arms. She registered the dark presence beside her and the magnetic coils beginning to weave around them both as they stood inches apart in the stillness of that moment.

  She peered up to see Tyr was regarding her thoughtfully. Irina realized she was holding her breath, trying to resist as those jet-black eyes penetrated her defenses and broke them down. She found that she didn’t want this tension between them and in the cold, clear early-morning light she perceived they had both reacted badly, lashing out in panic, terrified at the intensity of the erotic interlude they had shared. She didn’t want to stay angry but she needed to keep part of herself in check. To breach the distance, Irina moved her fingers to stroke his knuckles, a gesture of conciliation. His fingers echoed her movements.

  “Are you all right?” he asked, his voice a low throaty rasp. She nodded. “I…I wanted to apologize,” he continued, taking both her hands and turning to face her. “I’m sorry about your parents…and how I acted with Luc. I just want you to be safe.” His eyes were somber and Irina could hear the tinge of regret in his tone.

  “Tyr, it’s fine. Let’s just get through this…make sense of the weird.” Her gaze shifted to Luc and Cassi who were talking by the car. “We can talk about it later.” She motioned toward them. “Cassi’s waiting.” Tyr dropped her hands but reached to brush a curl from her cheek, placing it gently behind her ear.

  “Then let’s go, little dove. I can wait.” His whisper was a quiet promise floating in the breeze.

  Irina made her way to Cassi, Tyr following close behind. As they approached, Cassi turned. “I’ve just given Luc his instructions and now we need to go,” she said.

  “Oh, is Luc not coming too?” Irina asked in surprise.

  “Not this time,” explained Cassi. “He’s still safe here and we need him to ditch the car, plus he’s not keen on leaving his sporty number lying around, are you, babe?”

  “No I’m not,” replied Luc, “and I’m not keen on missing out on the New York project I’ve been working so hard on.” He grabbed Irina in a big hug, his blue eyes defiant as he kept them trained on Tyr. “Stay safe, hon,” he said. “And remember, ‘live long and prosper’.” Luc held his fingers up, making the Vulcan hand signal. “I’ll be in touch.”

  Irina frowned at Cassi. “Is it possible to contact Luc from where we’re going?” she asked.

  Cassi nodded. “Yeah, no problem. You can do the whole E.T phone home gig as you two seem to think you’re in the middle of a sci fi movie.”

  “I blame that on you, Cass, what with all the references to the dark side. I’m just surprised neither you nor Rina have gone for the braids around the ears look a la Princess Leia!”

  “Get a grip, Luc,” retorted Cassi. “I’m no Princess Leia, just call me Ripley, and I bet Irina could be a real Sarah Connor type if she had half the chance!”

  “Oh yeah? So who gets to be the terminator?” laughed Luc in return.

  Tyr stood to one side listening to their easy banter and feeling left out. He had never had that kind of relationship with anyone, ever in his life. One where you could laugh and joke and tease. Not even in the gangs he ran with as a child. Some of the other lads had messed about, taken the rise out of each other, but not Tyr. He had always remained aloof, strategizing that it was in his best interest to keep a distance. You never knew when you might be called upon to turn on each other, and he had been more familiar with backstabbings and disloyalty than friendship.

  Listening to the three of them as they said their goodbyes, he felt a strange yearning to have that kind of rapport, and he could even picture it with Luc if the circumstances had been different. He had realized as they talked that Irina’s relationship with Luc was one of affection and fondness and nothing more, at least on her side, but it almost made his heart beat more enviously contemplating all the time they had spent together as friends.

  He had barely known Irina for a week but the ties that linked them had been there for years and he wished they had discovered each other sooner. He wanted nothing more than to kiss her into submission, hating the cold chill of regret that lay between them now. He could only hope she meant what she said and that his actions toward Luc hadn’t driven a wedge so deep it would prove resistant to his apology. But then, perhaps it was better to keep his distance. He might not be able to keep her. Abrasax still had a hold over him and even though Tyr felt that Cassi and the Eunomi were more trustworthy, he still couldn’t completely surrender to their wishes. He would have to carry on playing this double game and to do that he would need to keep Irina at arm’s length. If he let her in and everything went sour he might never recover. Only it might already be too late.

  The sun was floating just above the horizon as Luc finally drove away and Cassi turned to Tyr and Irina with a grin. “Right then. Are you two ready to go?”

  “I guess so,” said Irina. “Where exactly are we going?”

  “I am taking you to Vega, the capital of Lyra.”

  “So we’re really going to another planet?” Cassi nodded and Tyr heard Irina draw in a deep breath. He wanted to touch her, reassure that everything would be okay but Cassi stood between them. “Okay, so how do we do this? Do we need to be
in the center of the circle or something?”

  “No, the energy for the vortex is all around us. The portal will open anywhere we want in this vicinity as long as you harness it properly.”

  “Do you mean we have the power to do this?” asked Tyr.

  “Once you’ve been trained,” said Cassi. “The hardest part is navigating because most people can only go places they’ve already been, so the first trips have to be with someone who has traveled to that place before.”

  “You said ‘most people’,” prompted Irina.

  “Well it’s very rare, but there are a few beings who simply need to see a picture of the place. It’s unheard of though for an Earthani or a half-blood Lyrani.”

  “Oh well,” said Irina. “I guess Tyr and I will have to get used to holding your hands.”

  “That effectively means we’re trapped there unless we have someone who can leave with us,” Tyr remarked, not totally sold on the idea.

  “Don’t worry,” said Cassi, “you won’t be a prisoner there. There are portal travelers whose job it is to ferry people around. You have to pay them of course. Sometimes on Earth, portal travelers are mistaken for ghosts because they suddenly appear out of nowhere. It happens more than you might imagine.”

  “Wow! I’m finding it hard to process all this. There’s so much to learn.” Irina suddenly felt overwhelmed by the thought of what was about to happen, where they were about to go. As if sensing her hesitation, Cassi grabbed them both by the hand. “Yes there is, so no time to waste! Let’s get moving!”

  Turning around, she faced the sun. Her eyes closed, Cassi began to chant in a strange language that reminded Irina of Latin. She repeated the same sentence five times each time louder than the last. “Lok elementi va Eunomi ram Lyra Vega sta porta!”

  As her voice rose to a crescendo the last time, the air in front of them vibrated in ripples, melding into a disc shape that shimmered like frosted glass. A crackle of sound pierced the distortion as it melted to reveal a circular vortex of spinning blue energy. It was like walking into a tornado. Tyr and Irina could only follow in astonishment as Cassi dragged them in.