The Crystal Telepath

by Evelyn Lederman

  “We deliver your daughter and you release us, as well as this woman.” Starc communicated with Cianan through a communal link, “We have no choice as I see it. Tell me you have another way to deal with this situation and I will follow you.”

  “I see no alternative to get out of here in one piece,” Cianan replied.

  Shirl turned in his arms and faced the vampire who claimed her. “There has been too much death already. I will go with you willingly.” His soul mate walked out of his arms and stood before the vampire who claimed her. She showed the same courage and intelligence Chartail exhibited earlier.

  “My name is Drake, my lady. You will be safe in my care while these two men accomplish their mission. In the meantime, you do not need these.” The vampire proceeded to remove Shirl’s crystals and placed them in his pocket. “We do not want you to leave prematurely.”

  For an instant Starc was afraid Shirl was going to fight to get her crystals back. He saw a short-lived spark in her eyes, then it was extinguished. “You will return them upon my brother and his guard’s return.” It was not a question, but a command.

  “Naturally” Drake answered. He snapped his fingers and two women came to collect Shirl. These women were covered with vampire bites in various degrees of the healing process. They were dressed scantily, probably to provide the vampires easy access to nourishment. It made him sick to think Shirl would soon be in the same condition as these women.

  “I will be back for you as soon as I can. Do not fight these creatures. Whatever you have to do to survive, do it. If you can, find Chartail. She is more cunning than I ever gave her credit for. We will come back for you and her. Tell her that.” Starc communicated everything he could think of through the soul mate channel.

  He watched as Shirl was taken away. She did not respond to him through the channel. Starc glanced over and saw Drake watching Shirl being taken away as well. There was lust in his eyes toward his soul mate. Starc barely contained the anger he felt related to this situation and his inability to protect her.

  Yorik handed over a piece of paper to Cianan. “This is where you will find my daughter. Only her presence here will get that woman released. You go back to the Troyk universe and enlist assistance to rescue your sister, you will all die.” Starc did not doubt his words for a moment.

  “Have you been to Gingko Terra before,” Starc asked Cianan.

  “No.”

  “I have one request, Yorik,” Starc said. “Neither of us has been to the world where your daughter lives. My brother goes there regularly. There is only one portal we are familiar with in that world.” Starc took the paper from Cianan and read it. “My twin brother will be able to navigate a portal to Chicago. With his aid, we will bring her back faster.”

  Yorik considered Starc’s request. “I am not unreasonable. You may go back to the Troyk universe and leverage the use of your crystal telepathic brother. It has been too long since I have seen my daughter. You have two risings of your sun to bring her to me. If you fail, you will forfeit the female crystal telepath.” With those words, Yorik left the room. All the vampires left, except Drake.

  “Take your time, gentlemen. Your sister is very beautiful, Cianan. I would not mind adding her to my female slaves if you fail. Besides, she will find more pleasure in my arms, than in yours.” Drake said those last words directly to Starc. Once again, Starc had to hold himself back.

  Cianan opened the portal to the Troyk universe.

  “We will be back for Shirl. She is my soul mate and is precious to me. Treat her like the rare gem she is, or so help me, I will drain you dry of every drop of your precious blood.” Starc then stepped into the portal.

  Shirl followed the servant girls. She heard what Starc communicated through the soul mate channel. Surprisingly, Cianan shared some final words with her through their familial link before he entered the portal. They both said the same thing. Do whatever she had to do to survive. They would be back for her. She could only pray that was true. Shirl could not help but worry they would not find the girl in time. What future were they dooming Yorik’s daughter to if they were successful?

  She was so scared, she could barely function. Her feet felt weighted with cement as she continued to walk down a long corridor. Visions of the horror she just witnessed kept flashing in her mind. Shirl had only seen Stephano die, but had heard the cries of the other men as they met their terrible deaths. She was yet again alone in a strange new world. Well, not exactly alone.

  “Chartail,” Shirl asked, “are you all right?”

  “Yes, for now. It appears I am not the only one they decided to claim, whatever that means.” Shirl did not want to think about what being claimed by Drake entailed. Better Drake than Yorik, was her only consolation. The vampire ruler seemed put out by Drake’s interference.

  “Starc said he would be back for both of us. He said to do whatever we had to do to survive. We can do this! You are not alone, Chartail. Alex befriended you and so will I. We will see this through together.” Shirl did not know if she said this to make Chartail feel better or to convince herself things were going to work out. She was grateful for the telepathic ability to converse with Chartail. Had she been alone, she was not sure what she would have done.

  After a short break, Chartail communicated through the communal channel they linked through earlier. “Alexia is special. You are her friend?” Shirl witnessed how close her best friend had become with this woman. It was time to come clean.

  “They fooled everyone, Chartail. Alex and I grew up together on Ginkgo Terra. We are the offspring of Benko Jarlyn’s followers. He is alive. You and I will live to see him take control of the Troyk government.” She was not sure she should have divulged this information to Chartail. It was unlikely either of them would ever return to the Troyk universe. What harm did it do to give Chartail a little hope?

  “I will live to see that day, Shirl. We will do whatever it takes to survive, just as we were told. Use this pathway whenever you need me.”

  The women Shirl followed stopped before a door and motioned for her to enter. Only one woman accompanied her into the room. Warmth engulfed Shirl as she walked into a small spa room. There was a lovely pool with a waterfall, massage table, and several chaise lounges. The air smelled of lavender. A variety of plants were strategically placed around the room to provide the natural aroma. After the horrors she just witnessed, this slice of paradise was so out of context, she was confused.

  “Remove your clothes and lie face down on the table. I will help you relax. They find the blood sweeter when a woman is not stressed.” For the first time in her life, Shirl thought about passing up a massage. However, whatever was going to happen to her was out of her control. She might as well enjoy a nice massage before whatever hell she was going to experience began.

  Shirl removed her tunic, leggings and underwear. The massage table was heated and she instantly felt better just lying on it. Oil scented with lavender was spread over her body, using long Swedish massage strokes. Shirl had a number of knots that deep tissue massage techniques would loosen. The woman working on her continued with the relaxation method.

  On the worse day of her life, she was getting the best massage she had ever experienced. Something was fundamentally wrong with that. The woman completed another long stroke and then took a short break. Then large cold hands caressed her back and continued the massage. She almost jumped off the table with the shock those icy hands caused.

  She intuitively knew it was Drake. As he caressed her back, his hands warmed slightly. A shiver ran up her spine as he continued to touch her. She was burning up, reacting to whatever magic he manipulated. Shirl caught her breath as he worked his way down her back, past her derriere to her upper leg. He kept his hands from the apex between her legs. She took a deep breath and held it every time he came close to the juncture. To her complete horror, her body was actually being turned on by Drake’s
actions.

  “Stop glamoring me!” Shirl demanded. She had seen enough vampire movies to know how these supernatural monsters were able to captivate their female victims. Shirl was not going to let this creature have his way with her, regardless of how her body was reacting to his touch. It was not natural how his presence was arousing her, making her long for him.

  Without skipping a stroke, he laughed. “How can I glamor you when I am not looking into your eyes? Your body is merely responding to my caress.”

  He slid his hands to her inner upper thighs. Shirl moaned and caught her breath as he continued to touch her. Somehow he was able to create heat from extreme cold. Her body was craving more and her mind had stifled any protests. She was not sure how he was bringing about her reaction, but there had to be something supernatural underlying what he was doing.

  He slowly turned her over and she stared into his deep, rich brown eyes. Drake smiled down at her and she thought her heart skipped a beat. Her soul mate had touched her for the first time today and she was lusting over a filthy vampire.

  “I am many things, but I am not filthy,” Drake responded.

  “Are you telepathic?” Shirl knew absolutely nothing about real vampires. Her knowledge of movie lore was not going to protect her against Nightshade vampires. She just knew she wanted this one like nothing she had ever experienced before in her life. Including what little time she had with her soul mate. Shirl continued to struggle against the strong attraction.

  “We have a connection. It will grow stronger once I take your blood. To fulfill our union, I will give you my blood as well.” Drake took his finger and ran it along her left breast until it found her nipple. He then made circling motions with his finger along its tip. Her traitorous nipple hardened under his continued attention.

  “There will be no union. Starc and my brother will find the girl and bring her to her father. Then I will leave this place and never see you again.” Shirl barely got out those words as his tongue replaced his finger. She cried out at the sensation as he continued to lick and suck at her breast. Shirl was terrified she was going to come right then and there.

  Drake dragged his tongue along her upper breast, her chest and then ultimately to her neck. Shirl pushed her head onto the table’s small pillow, exposing her neck to him. She wanted him to take her, drink from her. The thrall he had induced made Shirl’s mind shutdown, only her body was functioning.

  “Just a taste, my lovely,” Drake skimmed his fang along her neck. She could barely breathe, reacting to what he was causing. He bit into her carotid artery, missing bones. It should have hurt, but it felt unbelievable. Drake drew her blood into his mouth with small pulls against her neck. She almost purred as he drank her life force into his body.

  Once again Shirl took in air as she gasped, trying to get control of her own body and emotions. Her mind was slowly winning the battle to override what the vampire was doing to her body. The realization of what was happening crashed into her brain. “You cannot do this, I belong to someone else.” Guilt consumed her.

  “My sweet. You belong to no one, just whomever you choose to give yourself to. Your blood is ambrosia. I have never tasted its equal. You now carry my mark. No other vampire will dare touch you. Through the door behind you, are the women’s quarters. You will find all the luxuries your little heart desires. For willingly sharing your blood, we will be generous. Unfortunately, it is not all given willingly. I am truly sorry for that. I promised you would be safe and you are. Beyond your safety, I can do no more.”

  Drake left. She walked to the pool and stuck her toe in the water. The temperature was perfect. Shirl immersed herself into the soothing liquid. She felt dirty and needed to wash his scent off her body. Shirl floated, trying to make sense of what just happened. Was she seduced by a vampire? What did she owe a soul mate she just met?

  “Oh, God! Help me, Shirl.” Shirl sprung out of the water when she heard Chartail’s cry for help. The poor woman was screaming within the communal channel.

  Drake’s words came back to her as she listened to Chartail’s weeping. Beyond Shirl’s safety, Drake could not offer any assistance. She crawled from the pool and fell onto a lounge chair. Shirl curled up and cried as she listened to Chartail’s misery. She also had to come to terms with how she had reacted to Drake and ultimately what she would tell Starc when they were reunited.

  Chapter 9

  The Troyk Universe

  Starc exited the portal onto Troyk soil. There was a commotion on the narrow mountain pass. Tarsea was being held back by Darden and Koel, while Raine Narmouth was being restrained by two of the CT Guards. He noted that Alex was sitting on a nearby boulder watching the exchange in disgust. When she noticed him, she stood and walked over to him.

  “Where is Shirl?” It was a simple enough question to answer. Starc just could not find the words to tell her that he had not protected his soul mate. He felt so guilty leaving Shirl, he could not make eye contact with Alex.

  Fortunately, Cianan answered Alex’s question for him. “The Nightshade ruler is holding her captive until we deliver his daughter to him.” What he said was factual. Starc was glad he had not mentioned the type of world where Alex’s best friend was being held. He should have offered himself as a captive, allowing Shirl to go free. It would have been doubtful Yorik would have agreed, but Starc did not even try.

  The confrontation between the men ended as it became clear there were greater issues at hand. “Where are my men?” Raine Narmouth inquired. The information was too sensitive to communicate through any communal pathway. It was unlikely anyone in the city would pick up the conversation, but Starc could understand why Raine vocally asked the question.

  “They are dead,” Cianan replied, “along with the male prisoner. The Nightshade ruler took them as punishment for our not keeping up with the quota for their blood sacrifice. My sister is being held as a bargaining chip to guarantee our return.”

  “What blood sacrifice? Where is his daughter?” Alex asked the obvious questions. Concern written all over her face.

  Starc found his voice; he could no longer hide his failure from his friends. “Jeryl Jarlyn has a trade agreement with the Nightshade ruler. He gets his damn crystals and we provide our condemned prisoners to feed his people. I am sure you have heard legends of people craving blood. Legends are generally based on fact. Today they became very real to me.”

  “Are we talking about vampires?” Alex asked in disbelief. “You left Shirl with a bunch of bloody vampires?” There was shock in Alex’s expression, not condemnation.

  “I had no choice, Alex. They would have killed her and the rest of us. We had no defense against them.” Starc ran a hand through his wavy hair. “Alex, she is my soul mate. Does that give you an idea how difficult it was to leave her behind?” He shared this though the warrior link so Raine Narmouth would not hear.

  Alex paled before his eyes. She staggered backwards, falling into Tarsea’s arm. “Where is the vampire’s daughter?” It was clear Alex understood the no win situation he had been placed in.

  “Chicago, in the Ginkgo Terra universe,” Cianan answered Alex’s question. “Darden, you are the only crystal telepath I know that has been to Ginkgo Terra. Are you familiar with where Chicago is?”

  “I know where Chicago is,” Alex communicated once again through the warrior path. “Is Sedona the only natural portal on Earth?” Starc knew nothing would keep Alex from joining them and saving her friend. Tarsea would no doubt try to stop Alex, but Starc needed her to help save his soul mate.

  “I will have to open a portal between Sedona and Chicago. It has been a while since I was forced to open a temporary event horizon. My crystal should have the energy to accomplish the task. We need to get rid of Narmouth and start planning our trip.” Starc saw his brother eye both him and Tarsea. Darden knew they both hated Narmouth. His twin was going to leave it to one of the two men to dismis
s the bastard.

  “We will take it from here,” Tarsea addressed Raine Narmouth. “Your mission is complete. The girl is in my parents’ care. She is my responsibility to rescue. Starc had also been assigned to protect her.”

  Narmouth did not look eager to leave the group of men. Starc imagined Narmouth was thinking about how he could leverage the rescue of Shirl to some political advantage. After all, she was a surviving daughter of one of the followers of their Prime Ruler’s son.

  Alex must have had the same thought. She walked up to Narmouth and put her hand on his arm. “I did not have a big breakfast and I am really hungry. Will you buy me lunch again, Raine? You have a lot of explaining to do related to how you have been treating me.” As far as Raine was concerned, Alex barely knew Shirl. It would not seem strange that Alex would be willing to leave the men who were planning Shirl’s rescue.

  Starc knew Alex was sacrificing herself to get Narmouth off their backs. He could not afford to let her soul mate hinder Alex’s plan. “Let her do this, Tarsea. Time is of the essence and we need every precious moment to save Shirl. Koel will accompany them to lunch to assure Alex’s safety. As soon as we are ready, they will meet us back here and we will get the girl.”

  “I am still not comfortable being alone with you after the other evening,” Alex informed Raine. “My head still hurts from the pounding you gave it. But I do feel there could be something between us. Koel will join us for lunch. That will make me more comfortable.” He was amazed at how well Alex could lie. If he had not known better, he would have felt Alex genuinely had feelings for Raine Narmouth.

  There was no doubt that as Alex was verbally talking to Narmouth, she was soothing Tarsea through their private channel. Starc had briefly experienced the soul mate channel with Shirl, shortly before he abandoned her. He was sick with worry about what his soul mate was suffering at the hands of the vampires.