by Aliyah Burke
Table of Contents
Legal Page
Title Page
Book Description
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
New Excerpt
About the Author
Publisher Page
A Totally Bound Publication
Keeper of the Stars: Part One
ISBN # 978-1-78184-992-7
©Copyright Aliyah Burke 2014
Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright March 2014
Edited by Rebecca Douglas
Totally Bound Publishing
This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Totally Bound Publishing.
Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Totally Bound Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.
The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.
Published in 2014 by Totally Bound Publishing, Newland House, The Point, Weaver Road, Lincoln, LN6 3QN
Warning:
This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has a heat rating of Totally Simmering and a Sexometer of 1.
KEEPER OF THE STARS: PART ONE
Aliyah Burke
Part one in the Keeper of the Stars serial
Heaven can be found amongst the stars.
Lian Yang’s existence has been a long and lonely one. His purpose known and accepted. One stormy night, he discovers a woman about to jump to the raging waters below. After rescuing her, he takes her home and discovers more than he ever thought he would.
Lana Tennesol has had enough. Enough of everything. A man appeared one night as she prepared to end it all and stopped her. Despite feeling safe, she knows she has to keep moving.
Realizing she is important to him and his future, Lian goes after her. Can he convince her to trust him or will the truth about their linked future scared her off?
Dedication
Thanks to Totally Bound for giving me the opportunity to try a serial. It’s been a blast. Thanks to my readers who are always ready to come out and show their support for my work. My heartfelt thanks to y’all!
To my husband who is my rock, always there no matter what comes.
And as always, to the men and women who protect the country, your selfless sacrifices for myself and those you’ll never meet is something I will never forget. God Bless each and every one of you.
Chapter One
The blood from the creatures pooled beneath them, mixing, mingling then eventually began to congeal. After time, the beings moved on, leaving behind more blood and flesh as they battled relentlessly with one another. As night segued into day, a smaller being wandered into the open area and paused by the large red stain. It bent and lifted the tiny thing from the middle, cradling it to his breast, all together unmindful of the blood covering it.
After a few glances around and it too, slunk off again. Moments later, more fighting reigned in the area. Fresh blood covered the dried as creatures larger than life and as old as time fought for supremacy.
* * * *
Time had truly ceased to mean anything. What was a lifetime for many was naught but a blink for him. Days, weeks, months, years, decades, centuries and millennia. A heartbeat, maybe two. The world had changed and the humans took greater pleasure in killing each other. And as the years went on, they did so with improved weapons.
He’d found his peace here, the place he loved was here. Where he stood—Oregon. He had a massive house and wanted for nothing. He had more money than he needed, women when—if—he wanted them.
With a sigh, he picked up a weed and put it between his teeth. He’d seen friends come and go. Fall in love then die. A vicious cycle. Lian Yang was now in the belief he’d seen it all. What he needed was a change of scenery for a short while. He would head east and see what he found there.
* * * *
Lian smiled at the woman who took his money, waited for his change then made his way back out to his truck with his purchases. Whilst sliding onto his seat, he glanced up at the night sky. Lightning jagged and clouds swirled.
Storm brewing. He would have known without seeing it—the feeling seeped into his bones. After starting the engine, he reached for and took advantage of the crisp, cool water he’d bought. The quench that plagued him was barely appeased.
“Still better than nothing,” he commented to his reflection.
The thirst had always been there. Unrelenting. Over the centuries he’d learned to deal with the need so it wasn’t so intense, more of an annoying nagging. He tugged on the sleeves of his suit, then put his vehicle in gear and left the parking lot.
Thunder echoed around as he drove. The streets were nearly empty and as the storm neared, it grew more intense. Lian didn’t rush, he had no reason to fear the storm. He headed out of the small town to the quaint house he currently rented while he took care of some business here. Things to accomplish before he went back home, to Oregon.
He slowed and made the turn onto the old bridge that he crossed daily on his trips to town. Some days he walked down here, made his way to the bank and sat, spending his day fishing. Relaxing.
The first rain pellets hit his windshield, the lights panned along the concrete side and the metal arch. Suddenly the skies opened up and the water came down in sheets.
Energy hummed along his skin and it—not having happened for a good many years now—distracted him. So much so, he almost missed the flash of colour amongst the cold metal of the wide trellis that the bridge was comprised of. He blinked and took a second look.
What the hell is someone doing up there? There weren’t a lot of people out here anyway. He parked, truck angled so he could see more than the downpour. Out of his vehicle, the sluicing water instantly soaked him. He squinted and searched for the flash of colour that had first grabbed his attention.
There!
Still no cars were coming. He moved forward, his body blocking out one headlight beam as he crossed in front of it for a space of time. The person was moving away from him.
“Hey!” he called out, pitching his tone to elevate over the storm.
No response so he hurried along. A near blinding white jag highlighted a curvy figure. Female. He was closer now.
“What are you doing?”
She whirled, eyes wide—and a bit disoriented—with a bruise on the left side of her face that even her darker skin couldn’t conceal. Her eyes watched him and she continued to slide to her right.
Instant anger filled him at the thought of someone hitting a female. This woman looked like she’d been to Hell and wasn’t sure she had returned yet.
“Go away. Leave me alone,” she rasped and her voice sounded as if it had been a while since she used it. Or had been screaming too much and her throat was raw. Not even the torrential downpour could wash away the fear and terror in her tone.
“I can’t do that. Come down and we’ll talk.”
While not affecting his body temperature, he could tell the rain was cold. She only had on a thin spaghetti strap tank, shorts and slip-on shoes. She must be freezing. He cou
ld see her teeth chattering from where he stood.
“I don’t know you.” She shook her head. “Go away.”
“I cannot…will not leave you here.” He inched closer and she drew back, fighting not to slip. “It cannot be this bad for you to be up there.”
“Says the man down there.”
“Very well.” The dropping temperature was not an issue for him—but he knew it fell, as it did every night this time of year—and he stepped up, winding through to the same side she occupied. Below, the river—swollen with the previous rains—rushed swiftly by. “Now, I am up here.”
“Go back,” she said.
The light from his truck barely reached them and he had a hard time make her out.
“You come with me and I will.”
“No, let me finally find peace.”
Her words gave him pause. Peace. A concept he’d not had in longer than he cared to remember.
“It is dangerous to be up here, especially in the rain.”
Her response was a bark of humourless laughter. “Kind of the point. You know, jumping into a raging river and letting it decide my fate.”
Lightning moved from cloud to cloud offering him a clearer view of her. Rain streaked down her brown skin, her hair was plastered to her head, its short length not offering her any respite.
Her worn and frayed clothing clung to her figure. The occasional display of light as it zigged and leapt across the sky didn’t hide the shivers, which only increased as time went on.
Lian made a decision in that moment. He wouldn’t let this woman follow through with whatever asinine plan she was hatching in that cute, wet—albeit distressed—head. He’d lived long enough to sense when all wasn’t what it appeared on the surface. This woman screamed that, and he was intrigued.
There wasn’t an ounce of trust on her face. In fact, the fear had increased. He wanted to make her feel better. Secure.
“Now, since we are both in a dangerous situation, perhaps we could step down to safety and get out of this weather?”
“You…you didn’t have to step up in the first place.”
He wrapped one arm about the slick metal, content he could reach her if she decided to jump. She didn’t know of his speed. “Neither did you.”
Her entire expression became solemn. “Yes, I did.”
“Why?”
Eyes grew frantic again. “You don’t understand. Please, go away.”
“No. I told you, I’m not leaving you. You come with me, tell me what the problem is and I will see if I can help you.”
She moved, turning a shoulder to him and sliding back. This time he saw blood. His protective instincts rushed to the forefront.
“You’re bleeding.”
His words were unheeded and he figured she knew she was bleeding. She finished turning and faced the swollen river. On one shoulder he saw a white disc. Slipping closer, he didn’t allow her any more choice, just grabbed her.
A low keening cry erupted from her and she launched her body forward off the bridge. A move he’d not been expecting. A struggle—sure. Not an outright lunge towards the turbulent waters.
He tapped the power flowing through his veins and stopped them from falling. She dangled from the one wrist he held her by and her shoe tumbled to the drink. He lifted her and found her unconscious. Holding her in his arms, he carefully manoeuvred and got them back to his waiting truck.
Lian placed her soaked body in the passenger seat and hurriedly returned to his house where—since she still remained unconscious—he carried her limp form to his bed. He tried to bring her back to a state of wakefulness via his power, but failed. Not for the first time did he curse the stuff in his veins. Won’t be the last either. It picked and chose when to be of assistance.
Her shivers reminded him she lay soaked. Moving expediently, he first clothed himself then set about stripping her. Although he did his best to avert his eyes, there was no disguising the fact she was all woman. Despite the thrill that ran though his fingers—as well as the rest of him—the bruising that covered her elicited another emotion.
Rage.
He used a thick towel to dry her off then rolled her to her stomach only to slice through her mocha skin with the pale grey material, offering her what privacy and respect he could. Staring at the discs he’d seen before, he scowled. Electrode patches. Shock therapy wasn’t what he would consider a good treatment.
There were marks all over this side of her as well. He forced back his rage and cleaned the bleeding wounds on her back. The bruises were numerous and ugly. He made out one to be the imprint of a large boot. A man’s boot. What the hell had they done to her? Where were these men and how could he make their remaining time on earth more of a hell than they’d put her through?
These look like gunshot wounds. All but one. Jagged and rough, it looked ugly. Angry.
He cleaned and bandaged them before debating on clothing her. In the end, he slid one of his large shirts on her. It covered her well and reached mid-thigh.
Who are you?
She wasn’t from around here that was for sure. Leaving her alone in his bed, Lian backed out of the room and went to his kitchen. He purposefully kept his mind blank as he brewed himself some tea, taking odd comfort in the timeless ritual.
The aromatic scent soothed him and he poured a cup. Outside, the rain pounded harder and he knew it would last through the morning. Seated on his sofa, he finally allowed his thoughts to drift back to his guest, after he’d finished half his tea.
Scared. Bleeding. Tortured. Yet defiant.
He flexed his fingers and welcomed the heat that flowed through him. She was running from someone. Or someones.
Lightning flashed, flickering his power, and he drained the rest of his tea, needing to make sure she was all right. Confused by his sudden urge, Lian frowned. I have no wish to care for anyone. Her breathing pattern was different. He noticed that first. Still, she lay as though a corpse.
Lian moved to her side and bent to touch her, only to clasp her fist in his hand. He had no wish to hurt her but also preferred to remain personally unscathed.
“You are safe,” he assured her.
Her gaze darted to his but she didn’t try to pull free. “You…you were from the bridge.”
He nodded.
“I jumped.”
Another nod. “And I saved you, despite your attempt.”
Suspicion flared. “I won’t tell you what you want to know.”
He was definitely intrigued. “You have no idea what I want to know.”
Her disbelief was palpable. “You may as well kill me.”
He watched her before leaving to make her some tea. Back in the room, he offered her the handle of the delicate china mug. “I would prefer to know your name. Mine is Lian Yang.”
“Is it poisoned? Laced with something like Sodium Pentothal, thiopental or scopolamine? What?”
He moved the cup. “Does it matter? You believe I am to kill you anyway.”
“I’d rather it be expedited. Nothing slow. And I don’t want to go through the Q and A again.”
More questions than answers. “Drink.”
She sat up slowly and took the handle. “I still won’t make you happy.”
The image flashed so fast it was almost as if it weren’t there. However, there was no way for him to ignore the intense and vivid portrayal of them naked with limbs entwined as their sweaty bodies had sex.
What happened? He released the cup and stepped away, needing space. “Knowing your name would make me happy,” he said.
She drank and he didn’t press. The tea had healing properties and would help her recover. And, it also contained a relaxant to encourage her to sleep, another thing she needed more of.
“This is good. What is it?”
“An ancient Chinese tea.”
“Thank you.”
She began to rise and he waved her back, taking the mug from her. He took it to the kitchen and she’d fallen back asleep by the ti
me he returned. Lian covered her again and went to the couch for his own slumber. His body between her and the outside door, he allowed himself to drift off. He would question her again come morning.
Lian arose before the sun. Rain still fell and he made his way to the bedroom and peered in.
She was gone.
* * * *
Lana ran as fast as her broken body would allow her to go. She was grateful beyond words for the rain, which helped hide her tracks. She’d not wanted to leave when she woke, unable to dredge up any memory of when she’d last felt so safe. All she’d craved was burrowing under the bedding and sleeping more. Even the scent on the blankets comforted her.
Only her self-preservation instinct stopped that from happening. Although reluctant to part with the shirt she wore, in silence, she climbed into her own clothing and sneaked out the bedroom window.
I wish I at least knew where I am. She had nothing to go on. No state. No town. Nothing.
While she was struggling to crest another hill, the thunder had her jumping out of her skin. Her fear nearly overwhelming. She found a hole in the side of the hill and crawled inside. It was partially protected and the rain would wash away her footprints, so no one would know she was crouched way in the back. Hopefully.
Crouched? Cowering is more like it. That was the truth, fear had taken over her body—she wouldn’t have been able to continue on even had she not found this spot. The cold from the rain melted away and heat began to course through her. Warm and comforting. It didn’t make sense at all but she didn’t care. She was no longer cold.
Lana dozed only to wake with a start. Rain still fell but she sensed someone else out there. And it wasn’t the man who’d saved her last night.
How can you be so sure?
She couldn’t be sure but it didn’t feel like him. As if that made any sort of logical sense. Or at least, that was what she was telling her brain. She shrank into herself even more, trying to disappear into the surrounding dirt and remain invisible.
Honestly, she didn’t know how much more she could handle. Figures shrouded by the intense downfall passed before her and never even looked in her direction. Please, please, please don’t see me.