Calm Before the Storm

by Cara Lake

  “Quick!” she shouted, her voice fighting to be heard above the deafening shriek of the swirling mass. “We only have fifteen seconds to access the vortex.” Cassi repeated the foreign phrase again and twice more once they were standing in the center.

  The spinning continued in a frenzy of circular motion but this time Irina experienced a sensation as if the vortex were moving but they were standing still. The disorientation was immense and her heart sped up, causing a sizzling in her veins that cut right through bone and soft tissue, invading her body to a cellular level. As suddenly as it had started, it stopped.

  The rippling vortex shimmered and subsided, parting to reveal a spacious white-marble room with a vaulted ceiling open to the elements. A strange alien sky, a glowing pale yellow-green streaked with darker strands of emerald in the form of cirrus clouds shimmered overhead. The walls around the hall were painted in bright colors, depicting images like the gas clouds or galaxies Irina had seen pictures of on science programs on Earth. On Earth! Strange to think that they were no longer on Earth, that the ground her feet were standing on was completely new territory.

  Cassi moved into the open space and Irina was left standing beside Tyr, still feeling dizzy. She tilted her gaze upward and found his eyes drawn to hers. In this weird alien light they appeared even blacker. Pitch-dark obsidian black holes and she felt herself teetering on the edge, the irresistible filaments of attraction a gravitational pull enticing her to plunge in and drown. For a moment she felt as if they were the only two beings in existence at the center of the universe and that the threads entwining them both were woven into the whole fabric of time and space. The connection was solid and elemental, pulsing with energy. Magnet. Attract.

  Tyr’s gaze was riveted on Irina’s face. The moment the vortex had dissolved and Cassi moved away, the overwhelming impulse that drew him to Irina kicked into hyper-drive activating the most primal urge to claim and possess. An irresistible magnetic force sizzling with an attraction so strong it was a steel band dragging him closer. Tyr’s head dipped down to claim a kiss, the burn of her lips a scorching, smoldering brand to his soul. He was aflame with a heat so intense, even ice couldn’t douse the fire. Irina! His heart breathed. She made him breathe. The kiss continued and Tyr was weightless, falling into the upturned gaze of those eyes and that beautiful face that smiled up at him in wonderment. In that moment he realized something fundamental that had been hovering on the edge of his consciousness since he met her. Zapping into his brain like a laser locked on target. He loved her!

  Not just loved, but adored, worshipped, craved. Love was too tame a word for the flame burning in his chest. She was his. The yin to his yang. She had to be. It made sense. The way she soothed his agitation, calmed the feral warrior inside, washed waves of coolness and fire over him when she spoke or touched his hand. If he was War, then she was Peace. And she made him complete.

  He wasn’t quite sure how and when it had happened. She had invaded his territory and conquered him. It wasn’t just her beauty that had enticed his soul, stolen his heartbeat and overwhelmed his strategic brain. It was her bravery and sense of justice that sang to black rock in his chest and somehow his little dove had melted him into submission. If he had to let her go it would be as if half of him had died. His better half.

  “Earth to Tyr, or should I say Lyra to Tyr? Either way, kiddies, you need to snap out of it. Things to do, people to meet.” Cassi’s dulcet tones managed to wash a wave over their heads, the undertow dragging them back to reality. Tyr broke the kiss, the cold rush of air a dampening suffocation to the fire in his blood.

  “I should have warned you that the portal travel experience is intensely arousing,” she continued, blithely ignoring the fact that they had practically been eating each other’s faces. “Complete strangers have been known to jump each other’s bones the first few times through a vortex. What you two just did was minor on a scale from one to ten. So don’t feel bad.”

  Tyr watched Irina jerk back, a flush of blood-red staining her cheeks. She moved away, leaving a gulf of space between them. It was cold and it was empty and he knew she was just as conscious of it as he was. She stole a glance at him and he hoped she could see the flush of heat he knew burned in his eyes. She must have felt it too.

  Another conversation to be had. Later.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Grateful that the portal hall had been deserted and there were no other witnesses to her loss of control, Irina followed Cassi and Tyr out the exit to glimpse her first impressions of the planet Lyra and its capital city Vega. Cassi hustled them out and into the streets ignoring their embarrassment and if anything, Irina could have sworn there was a twinkle of satisfaction in Cassi’s eyes. Too wrapped up in her own thoughts of Tyr and the mess of sensations he was unleashing inside her, Irina tried to quench the fire and take stock of their surroundings.

  The city was a revelation. The golden green light of the two Lyrani suns setting, bathed a wash of gentle glowing translucence over the buildings spread out before them. Most of these were small, smoothly plastered structures, some with domes and arches, rather like those on a Greek island. In fact the city stretching along the side of a mountain reminded Irina very much of pictures she had seen of Santorini. And down below the cliffs, a jade sea sparkled, reflecting the color of the sky as lazy waves lapped against a rocky shore.

  Interspersed between the small structures were larger, more formal buildings like the portal hall, which was situated atop a high ridge. Some of these were circular, containing columns and arches, like mini coliseums but also layered, like a wedding cake, each layer smaller than the next. The tallest one was at least six layers high. The streets were cobbled, winding downward and there were trees everywhere. Trees very similar to those on earth except that the trunks were brown tinged with purple and pink, the leaves a richer variety of green threaded with silvery veins. Irina realized there was no traffic and very few people were out in the evening air. Cassi explained that sunset was a time of rest and that Vega livened up at night. She told them the Lyrani had little use for science and technology like those pursued on Earth because theirs was a culture that could wield magick drawn from the forces of nature and the elements. They even employed no currency but used bartering to trade for goods and services, wealth being of little importance.

  Those people they did pass appeared tall and elegant, the males dressed casually in combat-style trousers and t-shirts, the females mainly wearing shorts or jeans. Irina noted with surprise that their clothing seemed remarkably similar to that of Earth.

  Their appearance, however, was more startling and varied. The alien quality of the inhabitants stemmed from the color of their skin and hair, which it appeared Lyrani liked to dye. Irina could not believe the rich greens, oranges and purples were natural. Their skin-tones graduated from humanlike creams and browns to surprising pale yellows and forest greens and Irina noticed eyes of startling amethyst and turquoise in among the more earth-like browns and blues.

  They were a colorful people. Most wore their hair loose or in mixture of loose and braids, beaded or threaded through with small jewels of pale crystal. The thought that Irina was half Lyrani herself made it hard not to stare as she tripped along at Cassi’s heels and the thought struck her that some of these people could be actual relations. She was not so entranced that she forgot to peek at Tyr’s expression from time to time, wondering if he felt the same shock and awe as she did.

  Eventually Cassi turned in to a large courtyard, which they entered through an arched portico. At the far end, a large wooden door opened automatically as they approached, and they passed through into a semicircular hall with two more doors on each side and a large staircase in the center. The door on the left opened and a tall red-haired man appeared, breaking into a huge grin on recognizing Cassi.

  “Cassiopeia! It’s been so long. Are these your current assignments?” He gathered her into a hug, kissing both cheeks, and then turned to Irina and Tyr, a twinkling
appraisal in his startling violet-gray eyes.

  He took Irina’s hands, smiling down at her. “My name is Coronae. Welcome. We shall endeavour to make you as comfortable as possible during your stay. Would you like some refreshment?”

  “That would be lovely.” Irina realized it had been hours since her last meal. “Do you have any tea?”

  He grinned. “Earth tea? Yes we do. Earl Grey or Assam? We also have some fruit flavors if you wish.”

  “Assam would be fantastic.” She smiled back. His enthusiasm was so infectious. Coronae turned to Tyr, who was shooting daggers with his eyes as if annoyed at him for eliciting those smiles from her.

  “And you?” he asked. “We have coffee also or perhaps something stronger? The current Earth fad is for alcopops, but you look more like a bourbon kind of guy.” Tyr looked impressed as if surprised Coronae knew his stuff.

  “Bourbon it is then,” said Tyr, “with ice.”

  “Of course.” Coronae grasped Tyr’s hand shaking it violently. “Please make yourselves at home.” He gestured them to a sitting area that opened out into another small courtyard garden with a tree growing in the center. They took seats. Irina, trying to settle her rampant emotions by keeping a distance from the cause of them, chose a single chair rather than a sofa, forcing Tyr to sit across from her rather than next to her. He scowled but didn’t force the issue and instead turned to Cassi. “So what now?” he asked as Coronae disappeared to rustle up some food.

  “We stay here. This is a training house. Coronae is a guardian, used to caring for Esseni. You will be given lessons that will enable you to survive attacks by Discordants. Your role as an Esseni will become clear and you may even decide to train as a warrior and join the Eunomi cause to fight against our enemies.”

  “So we don’t have to stay here forever?”

  “No. it’s up to you. The Eunomi don’t take away your freewill. Your actions are your own. It is our task to make sure you are not in ignorance of your options.”

  “I still don’t really understand this Esseni thing, Cassi,” said Irina. “You said Tyr is the essence of War, but not what I am.”

  “Can’t you guess?” Cassi shook her head. “And I thought you were the clever one. Tyr knows, don’t you, Tyr?”

  Irina focused on Tyr with enquiring look. Perhaps she was stupid then. How was she supposed to know? He fixed his black eyes on hers. “You are Peace, Irina.” His deep voice thrummed with unspoken emotion as if that statement was meant entirely for him and her alone.

  “Oh.” She was so stupid.

  Totally.

  Utterly.

  So obvious!

  “Tea up!” announced Coronae bursting into the room, carrying a tray of drinks, closely followed by a maid pushing a trolley of dishes whose aroma made Irina’s stomach lurch. Hunger or shock? She wasn’t sure which. Perhaps she should just focus on eating for now and then come back to that juicy little revelation when her brain was fed, because clearly it wasn’t functioning properly. Of course she was Peace. He was War. Should’ve guessed!

  Pushing her thoughts of Tyr firmly to the back of her mind, she gave in to the hunger. Coronae had provided a feast of familiar Earth goodies as well as samples of Lyrani fare. This mainly seemed to consist of very sweet sticky morsels that looked like sushi but tasted like pure sugar. Tyr glanced her way once or twice but she endeavored to keep a cool distance, listening to Coronae’s enthusiastic chatter and infectious views on Earth culture. It seemed he had access to Big Brother and was a fan of the latest glut of reality shows, although he understood very little as many of the regional accents bewildered him completely.

  She was relieved when Cassi finally showed them to their rooms on the second floor, although her anxiety increased when Tyr was given the one next door. However, her room was beautiful, an airy light space with a balcony open to the courtyard below and she found she was too tired to think of anything other than sleep. Cassi had opened the closet to reveal a selection of clothing straight from the pages of Vogue. Irina had showered, chosen a soft jersey tank and boxer shorts and was eyeing the large bed with relief when there came a light tap on the door.

  “Irina.” A low voice. She rested her forehead against the door closing her eyes. “Irina. Can we talk?” If she answered, they would have to talk. If she answered, it might lead to other things. “Irina. Just for a moment?” Her mind was filled with indecision as her hand reached for the doorknob. She paused, fingers hovering. It was too soon. He was a whisper away. “Later then.” She felt his absence in the coldness of the air around her. He should have waited. A second longer.

  Tyr had been restless all through the evening, feeling at a loss when Irina set herself apart. He ate but he had no idea what he’d tasted. He talked but he couldn’t remember what he’d said. He listened but he would never be able to repeat what he’d heard. All his focus was on Irina. Her eyes held him spellbound. The liquid-gold sparkling fire, her lips like lush raspberries stole his attention and her voice a melody that enslaved his soul. The revelation from the portal had him reeling, punch drunk from the aftereffects of an elation so intense he was on a high that would keep him floating for eternity.

  He knew Irina was keeping her distance. Perhaps she hadn’t felt it as intensely as he had. He didn’t care. She. Is. Mine.

  He knew this attraction to her was dangerous, would affect his dealings with Abrasax and his ability to help Melanie and Delora, but at this precise second she was all he could think about.

  To hold her. To kiss her. To be inside her. That need drove him to her door. He could feel her presence on the other side when he knocked but he immediately sensed her hesitation. He would not beg. She still needed space. Sometimes, retreat was the best option. He would give her time. Frustration sprang to life in his chest and a hard pebble of darkness settled in his heart. Why would she not open the door? He loved her!

  The darkness sat heavily as he tried to wash it away. He wouldn’t force her. Love meant putting her wishes first. Yes. But he wouldn’t be walked over. Ignored. He would have to breach her defenses, wear her down. By any means.

  Chapter Twenty

  The next few days passed in a whirlwind of activity and introductions. Irina found herself bouncing from one group of Lyrani to another all keen to meet her. It was during one of these sessions that Irina discovered she did indeed have living relations on Lyra. It was as much a surprise to Cassi as it was to her. The revelation came at a meeting with Tegid, a wiccani with immense magickal power who had been brought in to give Irina instruction that would help develop any innate wiccani powers she might have inherited. Tegid arrived with his wife, Cerri, who took one look at Irina and gasped in shock. “Gaia in heaven! You are the spitting image of my sister Kiki!”

  It transpired that she was indeed Irina’s aunt, Irina recognizing her mother in pictures that Cerri shared with her. Cerri had shaken her head sadly, tears in her eyes when she spoke of Kiki. They hadn’t known about Irina and her sister. It seemed that Kiki had cut ties with her family on Lyra although no one was sure why. Cassi suggested that Kiki may have thought Earth was safer for a potential Esseni like Irina as they were less likely to be sought by Discordants there. Whatever her reasons, her mother had used strong shielding magick to hide them, so strong that Cerri was at a loss to understand how that shielding could have been breached.

  The floodgates opened and Irina had soon met a number of her mother’s friends and family, all willing to share memories of her mother. Knowing she had people tied to her by blood gave her an equilibrium she had rarely felt on Earth.

  She learned through Alcina, her mother’s childhood friend, that her mother had indeed been a very powerful wiccani whose magick and abilities were tied to nature. It seemed that Kiki had been drawn to Earth because of her fascination with the native fauna and flora and there she had met Irina’s father, an Italian marine biologist, fallen in love and then disappeared. Remembrances of her mother were bittersweet and Cerri and Alcina indulged her wit
h stories of Kiki the dreamer and adventurer.

  Irina was also excited to meet Cerri’s daughters, her cousins, Jeze, Cate and Lili, triplets who reminded her of her older sister Frida. She spent much of her time with them when being instructed by Tegid. He was a good teacher and although her main power seemed to lie in her voice, Irina very quickly learned that with practice she would be able to cast simple illusions such as masking her appearance.

  It seemed that like many other species in the universe Lyrani had incredibly long lifespans, living for hundreds of years. Her shock at Cassi’s revelation that she was rather ancient and practically immortal left her speechless for a good ten minutes. When Irina had first met her, Cassi had appeared to be a teenager only a couple of years older than she was herself. Once she realized that both Cassi and Merak had been casting aging illusions, it all began to make sense. Luc was right. She kept on expecting to wake up and find herself in the middle of a science fiction TV series.

  The triplets were also keen to introduce her to many of their friends and one in particular, Tanith Laska, a stunning redhead with the most beautiful amethyst eyes Irina had ever seen. She was interested to learn that Tani, as she was known to her friends, was also an Esseni and Irina had plans to corner her and find out exactly what it meant.

  Over the next few days both Tyr and Irina met with other members of the Eunomi Alliance, both protectors and warriors like Cassi, some who were wiccani and others who were saevici with the ability to transform into another creature. Lyrani saevici could only change into one specific type of animal. Shortly after birth, if identified as housing an animal spirit, a saevici would be trained and unified with that animal to carry its soul as well as their own. This enabled them to shapeshift at will and gave them heightened characteristics of their animal spirit.