If anyone had told Alex she would be walking down the portal mountain trail holding Raine Narmouth’s hand, she would have told them they were insane. She could not think of another way to separate Narmouth and the remaining CT Guards from Tarsea and the others. Her primary concern was rescuing Shirl from the Nightshade universe. She still could not believe there was a parallel universe populated by vampires.
When she first came to the Troyk universe, Darden had told her about the portal. Over the years different species used the gateway to travel between parallel worlds. Legends such as vampires, the Fae, and Greek Gods came from past portal travel. Overtime the portal between one world and another would close. That was why the Greek Gods vanished into thin air. Alex had wished it were those gods that held Shirl, not a band of blood sucking vampires. She would have liked to compare Adonis’s body with her soul mate Tarsea’s. There was not a doubt in her mind Tarsea would win, hands down.
“I want shrimp for lunch, Raine,” Alex communicated through one of the communal channels. She wanted as many people as possible to know she was with Raine Narmouth, so he would be less likely to drag her off somewhere. If she was stuck having a meal with Narmouth, she would have her favorite food as compensation.
“You can have whatever your heart desires, my love,” Narmouth whispered in her ear. She wished she could swat him away like the gnat he truly was.
Alex hated when Raine used endearments when he talked to her. He had assaulted her twice, both times she had been saved by the men in her life. She looked over her shoulder to make sure Koel was still with them.
“What do you like to eat, Koel?” she asked her latest body guard. Koel had beaten the crap out of Raine the first time he attacked her. Alex felt better with him along. Hopefully Raine remembered every punch.
“Anything, as long as it is not cooked by Leenea Childers,” Koel replied with a laugh. “Raine, how about Leftovers? It is close to the bottom of the trail. You will no doubt need to report back to work and explain the deaths of four of your guards.”
Raine mumbled something to himself that Alex could not make out. The man had recently been promoted to captain of the Crystal Telepath Guard. She was sure it was not going to look good to lose men on one of his first missions. In addition, he had not entered the portal, as she was sure he had originally planned. His obsession with her had saved his miserable life. He stayed behind to be with her, shirking his duty to the men he was supposed to lead.
Word of what had happened this morning in the Nightshade world had hit the communal pathways. One of the CT Guards who accompanied them must have broadcasted the discussion before they split company with the men. The secret deal that Jeryl Jarlyn had with the vampires of that world was now common knowledge and the people were horrified. It was not widely known that the Troyk condemned were executed by vampires for nourishment.
Alex started to have issues managing the telepathic traffic within the pathways. The concussion that Raine caused the other night had negated what healing her brain had done after her rough ride through the portal. She could no longer contain the telepathic static. Blood ran from her nose.
“Crap,” Alex said, “we have to cancel lunch. I cannot go in any restaurant when I am hemorrhaging from my nose. This is your fault, Raine Narmouth! You go back to work. Koel will take me back to the Childers. I need to rest.” The nose bleed was really just a trickle, but Alex was going to milk it for everything she could get.
“I will take her back,” Koel told Raine. “They are calling you back to headquarters. The communal pathways are buzzing with news. It appears you have quite a bit of explaining to do.”
Raine appeared to be in a panic. He looked between Alex and Koel. “I will make this up to you, Alexia. Please get her back safely, Koel. I will check on you later, babe.” With those words, he hurried toward the center of town.
“He calls me babe one more time,” Alex said under her breath, “I am going to kick him in his jewels! We need to head back to the Childers’s home. Some herbs will help with this damn nosebleed. It would not be a bad idea for us to get our fill of the herbal mix since we are going to Ginkgo Terra. Everyone will struggle with headaches while we are there. The beverage will hopefully reduce the severity of the pain.”
They started toward home. Koel provided a report status to the rest of the men still on the mountain. The group needed to formulate a plan to kidnap an innocent woman in order to save her best friend and Starc’s soul mate. Right or wrong did not factor into the discussion.
Starc sipped on the herbal concoction, preparing for his first trip to the Ginkgo Terra universe. They determined the location of the Sedona natural portal and where they needed to go in Chicago. The woman lived in a northern suburb of the city.
“It will be easier to manage the girl if she comes willingly. That means we need a mind control telepath to go along with us.” No one responded to what Tarsea had said. They had been fighting the use of mind control most of their lives. There was no question it would be easier on everyone if they used the telepathic power, but they would be giving up their principles. Where did you draw the line regarding when mind control was acceptable and unacceptable?
“We are talking about Starc’s soul mate, my sister Tarah will do it,” Koel responded. Half the group looked at Koel, while the others were still glassy eyed fighting their own internal battle with right and wrong. “We are family. You do what you have to do for family.”
Tarsea considered what Koel said. “Tarah is thirty-two years old. Supposedly a mind control telepath is immune to the mind destroying element in the Ginkgo Terra atmosphere, but I am not willing to take the risk of losing Tarah. Benko Jarlyn has already adapted to the universe’s air, we will use him. He has been protecting Shirl most of her life. Besides, it is time to see what this man is really made of.” Benko Jarlyn had been the rallying cry of every group against the Troyk government for the last twenty plus years.
“Phoenix is at least a ninety minute drive from Sedona,” Alex said. “We may not have the luxury to wait for Benko to join us. That is assuming we can even contact him. Darden cannot waste any of his crystal’s energy making a side trip to pick-up Benko either.”
“I was due to join up with Cassie yesterday,” Darden shared with the group. “Benko was joining his daughter in Sedona this time. If I am late she will wait several days before heading back to Scottsdale. Odds are he will still be there when we arrive.”
“It is settled then. We are going through the portal to Sedona, and with Benko, we kidnap that poor girl.” Tarsea did not sound happy, but was resigned to what was necessary to save Shirl. Starc saw the acceptance of that fact in everyone’s expression. Several of his friends and family nodded in agreement.
The plan was in place, but Starc did not participate in its creation. He had failed his soul mate. Alex must have picked up on his mood, since she came and sat next to him. She did not say anything, just took his hand and held it. Starc glanced at Tarsea to see his reaction. Her soul mate merely nodded, understanding that Alex needed to be close to her best friend’s soul mate. She knew that Starc did not wish to talk.
Starc thought he and Alex would sit in silence until it was time to go to the portal. He needed peace to wrap his brain around everything that happened today. That plan was shattered when Darden said through their familiar link, “We need to talk. Meet me in Zane Childers’s study.”
He looked at his twin brother and knew he was not going to like what his brother wanted to discuss. “I need to talk to Darden,” Starc said to Alex. “Thank you for the down time. I figure it will be the last either of us will have for some time.” He released her hand and followed his twin.
Starc entered the study and took the chair next to Darden. They both faced Zane Childers’s cherry wood desk. The room was filled with heavy wood furniture. There was a rich green and brown blanket on the sofa, a decorative container with facial tiss
ues, but that was the extent of Leanea’s influence on her husband’s refuge.
Starc wondered what the future held for him and Shirl. Would he have his own space where she would put small touches in decorating the room? A warm sensation filled his heart. He knew what he felt for the girl, he was just concerned it was not enough.
“We need to discuss the legends associated with soul mates and crystal telepathic powers,” Darden said, using their familiar link from being twins. “There are things you should know. It could mean the difference between rescuing your soul mate or condemn her to a short life in the Nightshade universe.”
“I am listening,” Starc said.
There was a knock on the door and Alex entered the room. “I am standing in for Shirl,” she informed the brothers. She made her way to the chair behind the desk. Due to her diminutive size, she was swallowed up by the chair. Before either Starc or Darden had the time to respond to her presence, Alex continued. “I know you are talking about what happens when soul mates make love. No one knows Shirl better than I do. Her voice needs to be heard.”
It was not too long ago that Zane and Tarsea had a similar talk in this room. Alex was in the common room with Starc, as Tarsea had an argument on the same topic they were about to have. The poor girl looked so embarrassed. She ended up walking in on her soul mate and his father’s discussion and basically took matters into her own hands. Starc could not fault Alex wanting to represent her best friend.
“All right, you stay, Alex,” Starc replied. “Go on, Darden, you were saying.” With Alex present, they ceased using their telepathic familial channel.
“No telepathic side conversations between the two of you,” Alex warned. “I want to hear everything said.”
Starc loved Alex’s spunk, “You have it, darling.” It was easy using an endearment addressing Alex, since he felt comfortable with her. He still struggled with his feelings concerning his soul mate. Now that she was here, he was interested in what she thought Shirl’s feeling would be. He chided himself for not thinking of having her part of the discussion from the beginning.
“Legend states when soul mates have sexual relations the first time, the hormone that brings about the next evolutionary stage of their telepathic powers is excreted.” Darden looked at Alex as he uttered those words.
“Darden,” Alex responded, “we know that. What we need to know is what those additional powers will mean to a crystal telepath. The additional telepathic abilities I received will not help in Shirl’s situation. Are there stories particular to females with her gift?”
“I read all the tales when I was younger,” Darden said, “after I found out I was a crystal telepath. The most interesting stories dealt with the rare female crystal telepath. Legendary tales tell of her being able to navigate natural portals without crystals, once mated. She would be able to open a temporary gateway, as easily as she opens a natural gateway.” If what Darden shared was true, it would make their escape from Nightshade that much easier.
“Would the talents be more intuitive?” Alex inquired. “Shirl has virtually no experience navigating the portal, let alone opening a temporary gateway.”
Darden stared at Alex, considering her question. “I do not know, Alex. These are merely stories. I have no practical experience in these matters. Your experience using telepathic powers shortly after having spent…time with Tarsea would be our best indication.”
Starc laughed at Darden’s inability to voice that Alex and Tarsea had sex regularly. The momentary release of his laughter helped to relieved a little of the stress that overpowered Starc. Almost from the start, they had to pry Alex and Tarsea apart. His experience with Shirl was very different. They would be virtual strangers, forced to have sex to possibly enhance Shirl’s crystal telepathic abilities. He was as reluctant to question Alex on that topic, as Darden was to talk about his best friend’s sex life with the woman in front of them. They did not have the luxury of time, Starc had to know.
“Alex, I have had one momentary physical contact with Shirl. I feel protective of her, but no sexual desire. She has shown no signs of being attracted to me, as you were attracted to Tarsea. How would she react in a rescue mission if we needed to have sex in order to escape confinement?”
Alex paled before his eyes. She had been forced to have relations with Tarsea before they would normally have had it, in order to trigger their enhanced abilities. Tarsea told him Alex’s body was one raging hormone, but her brain fought the attraction. It was Alex in the end who seduced her soul mate.
“Shirl is no virgin, but does not have a lot of experience. Sex has never been pleasurable for her, probably because her partner was not you. I told her what happened between me and Tarsea. If you need to have intercourse with her at a moment’s notice to save each other, don’t hesitate. You can wine and romance her later. She will understand what needs to be done and not hold it against you.” Starc was sickened they were even having this conversation. The woman was his soul mate and deserved so much more than quick sex for a purpose other than love. They might not have time to discuss their actions like Tarsea and Alex had. The last thing he wanted was to rape his soul mate.
Tarsea communicated through the warrior link, “We have to get going. Finish up whatever you are talking about. It is time to leave for the portal.”
Alex got up from the gigantic chair and made her way around the desk. She walked up to Starc and embraced him. “Bring her home safe. Everything can be worked out when she is out of danger. I wish I was going with you. Tarsea does not want me going because of the concussion. For once I am not arguing with him. He is right.” Starc knew how much Alex wanted to go with them and how much staying back cost her.
“I will not come back without her, Alex,” Starc said, as he looked at his brother. Darden nodded, understanding what his brother was truly saying.
Darden handed Starc a crystal on a sterling silver chain. “In case she cannot get her crystal back from the vampire, she may be able to use this as a substitute. Keep it close to your skin. The crystal was partially phased to her this morning. Since you are soul mates, I am hoping contact with you will complete the phasing. I plan to be by your side, but you need to give this to her if we are separated.”
Starc held the crystal in his hand. It was an amethyst, not too different from the one Shirl wore. He put on the necklace and tucked the crystal under his tunic. Rather than feeling cold against his skin, the amethyst was warm. For an instant he felt closer to his soul mate. He knew she still lived and was depending on him to rescue her. Starc was determined not to fail her again.
Chapter 10
The Nightshade Universe
Shirl woke naked and cold. She was still on the chaise lounge she crawled onto earlier as she listened to Chartail’s screams. Guilt consumed her as she thought how her body reacted to what Drake had done to her. Chartail had been violated by the vampire that claimed her. She was not sure how she was going to face the other woman. Shirl knew she needed to find Chartail and see what she could do for the poor thing. They promised each other they were there for each other.
A robe was draped on the chair next to where Shirl had fallen asleep. It must have been viewed as showing too much compassion to have actually covered her. They would find no allies in this terrible place. She rose from the lounge and wrapped herself in terry cloth. Shirl had a similar robe hanging in her closet at home. Drake pointed out earlier that the women’s quarters were through the door just behind her.
She reluctantly placed her hand on the handle of the door that lead to where she would possibly find Chartail. Secretly she hoped the door would be locked, but it opened easily. She left her small spa and entered into a large elaborate one. Women in various states of dress were spread around the pool and surrounding areas. Shirl felt she had somehow landed in a harem straight from some movie related to The Arabian Nights. She fully expected Scheherazade to start telling enticing t
ales. No one spoke to her as she made her way around the large pool. She could not help but stare at the women she passed. As with the ones who escorted her earlier, they all showed signs of vampire violence upon their skin. She became more anxious, not finding Chartail among them.
“Chartail, where are you?” Shirl called to her. She continued making her way around the pool, then heard moaning behind an area draped in red satin. Cautiously, Shirl followed the moans, pulling back the fabric. There lay Chartail, in a semi-conscious state. She was naked, bleeding from numerous wounds that covered her body. Shirl stood in shock, not knowing what to do.
“Move away, girl,” a woman said behind her. She moved aside to allow the woman access to Chartail. “Make yourself useful and help me clean out the wounds this poor girl received. We do not want them to get infected. That is a worse death than at the hands of these monsters.”
Shirl took a warm cloth and watched as Florence Nightingale cleaned the wounds. She cared for Chartail in the same manner she witnessed. “She needs a doctor,” Shirl told the woman.
“All a doctor will do is give her an injection that will allow her body to replace the blood she lost ten times faster than normal. That will give this poor child no relief from Yorik’s blood lust. I see Drake’s mark on your neck. You got off easy. No vampire will dare touch you.”
“Who are you?” Shirl could no longer contain her curiosity. The woman appeared to understand how things worked around here. She looked to be in her late forties and did not have any bite marks on her body. She had salt and pepper hair, gray eyes and was still very attractive. Shirl wondered how she managed to ward off the vampires.
“My name is Rosemarie. I live in the city outside the Nightshade structure,” the woman responded to Shirl’s question. She continued to administer to Chartail as they talked. “They pay me to take care of the girls brought here.” Whatever employment arrangement they had included not taking Rosemarie’s blood.
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