by Lynn Vroman
They were too late.
The portal swept her up, took Cassondra away.
Took Wilma away.
Forever.
REVENGE
Fall was always Wilma’s favorite season. She’d bitch about the leaves scattered on her porch and the bears getting into the garbage, but she loved it. A long time ago, she told me fall reminded her of second chances–when the old fell away to let winter cleanse the heart. She was poetic when the mood struck.
She was a lot of things. Everything.
We spent the summer collecting Protectors’ loved ones willing to stay in Arcus. Many nights were spent having long conversations explaining reality to shell-shocked husbands and wives, boyfriends and girlfriends, even a few children.
We also collected supplies, mostly from Earth, to help rebuild Arcus’s villages. Belva’s squid worked to tear down trees, dragging logs to the surrounding fields so Tarek and others could shave them down, turn them into cabins.
My mom became the mom. Grace volunteered as her sidekick. Everyone acted happy, despite the threat of the now more powerful Exemplar looming, planning the next attack.
Normal.
No.
Nothing would ever be normal again.
Winston led what he called our foraging missions to Earth. He didn’t do it to be nice, but to give Shaina a chance to say goodbye to her family and friends. He even fixed the whole mess Exemplar made for us before…before…she died.
Police stopped looking for Farren, Mom, Jake, and I. The guy in my apartment went from a murder victim to a suicide. Unfortunate, how that homeless man found his way into our apartment–the story Winston drilled into the heads of those who mattered. We would have the chance to go back. Someday.
Belva’s parents believed she ran off with the circus. Seriously. That was the story Winston gave them when he rang their doorbell one night. He even added she fell in love with a redheaded clown.
Belva would disappear with her redheaded clown as soon as the day’s work ended. They were in love. They found their happy ending.
Cassondra stole mine.
Zander became my rock, my verbal punching bag…the unconditional friend he pretended to be before. He didn’t leave my side most days, and I liked having him around, especially if the rage took over and needed an outlet. Maybe he stuck around to punish himself for the past. Regardless, I’m glad he did.
We trained every day, too. Oren helped Farren with that, along with Tarek. Not just boxing. I wanted to be able to kill.
I wanted to be able to pull the trigger next time.
Avery and Nicolette vanished, never coming back to Arcus. Don’t know if they died, but for their sakes, they had better never show their faces again. I’d kill them both. There wouldn’t be any hesitation–my conscience died with Wilma.
Every night Tarek and I would hide in his cabin as soon as the sky darkened over the village. I didn’t sleep much. The nightmares…her face…her blood… my final words to her… none of it would let me.
In the mornings, Tarek would hold me and stroke my hair, while sobs wracked my body. Every day took her farther away.
But not today. Today, the blackness held on through the morning, giving blissful emptiness. It did that sometimes–allowed me to feel nothing. On the crisp fall morning, the leaves crackling under my feet, I held onto the nothing as I opened the trailer door to find my dad still alive. Still scared. Still sitting in that chair in front of his wall.
I wouldn’t be coming back here after today. We had too much to do. Too much to prepare for. This would be his last chance to come with me, the last time he saw me if he again refused.
“Dad?”
He jumped and pulled the afghan closer to his chin. “I ain’t going. You can’t make me.”
I went to kiss him on the cheek and ignored his flinch. “This is the last time I’ll ask. I won’t be back.”
His face paled. I wished he were still the monster under my bed and in my nightmares. Easily conquered. Easy to escape. “I’m gonna be all alone?”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
“Well, then.” His muddy eyes found his chief.
I sighed and went to the door, not bothering to say anything else as I shut it behind me.
Walking through the woods brought back memories, like the first time I met Tarek. The night my life changed forever. My heart used to skip every time I passed the stream’s edge. Now all it did was function, pumping blood to vital organs, keep me living. It only lay vulnerable in those early morning hours with Tarek. The hours when death felt like a better option.
Winston met me by the river alone, leaning on his crotch rocket.
I rolled my eyes. “Really?”
He stood, grinning. “Tired of all the exercise I’m getting.”
I nodded, not quite able to muster a fake laugh.
Come home. Tarek’s voice, gentle and soothing, echoed in my dull brain. My heart didn’t skip then as it used to, either.
I glanced at the gray sky. A small purple slash sat above the trees. Since Empyrean, Tarek managed to open and close the lines for short periods without worlds bleeding permanently. Winston showed him. I never bothered asking how. It didn’t matter.
I sighed. “Time to go.” I held Winston’s waist while he lifted a hand to the sky, his other on his bike’s handlebar.
“Hold on tight, Tainted. If I have to choose between you or my bike, you’ll lose.”
“Whatever.” I cinched my arms tighter, anyway. The man never made promises he didn’t keep. Thank God.
Before the portal took us, I gave my life there one last thought–and erased the memories for good. The past…it didn’t matter anymore.
Only one thing did.
Revenge.
Arcus-A world deplete of humans, with an evolution that falls behind many others. This world’s highest evolved species is giant tree squid. Also, the vivid color permeating the world is “contagious” and transmits to those humans who happen to go there.
Contego suit-An Exemplian uniform that protects from dangers found in all the worlds.
Cycle-Each life a person lives is considered a cycle.
Desis-A common language spoken in many worlds, including Earth.
Dimensions/Worlds-Dimensions are worlds connected to each other with dimension lines. Each dimension is in a different stage of evolution, with some more advanced than others.
Dimension lines-Intangible lines, akin to electrical currents, separating each world. Only Protectors have the ability to open these lines to other worlds. In some cases, when a Warden is strong enough, the lines can be bled between worlds, or erased, for short periods of time.
Empyrean-A world more evolved than Earth but not as advanced as Exemplar. The villages float over lush fields and streams. This world is as close to utopian as possible.
Energy-The soul
Exemplar-A world that is more evolved than any other world known. Humans from this world are more advanced, as well. Exemplar is responsible for manipulating the energy circulation throughout the entire universe. Only the most “privileged” energy is brought to Exemplar to live a cycle.
Guide-An advanced person from Exemplar who has the ability to read energies and transport them to other worlds. Also, their energies are able to leave their corporeal form and travel to other dimensions. Some are more advanced than others, depending on how many cycles they have lived in Exemplar.
Pairing-The act of one Guide and one Protector being matched together in Exemplar. The Pairing helps Protectors know if their Guides are in danger.
Protector-An advanced person from Exemplar who has the telekinetic ability to open lines between worlds. They are able to travel across world lines in their corporeal form, unlike Guides. Their duty is to protect Guides as they collect energy from other worlds. As with Guides, some Protectors are more advanced than others, depending on how many cycles they have lived in Exemplar.
Synod-Exemplar’s governing branch
Synod
authority-Exemplar’s army
Tainted-1. (n) An Exemplian traitor
2. (v) To be treacherous
Lynn Vroman
Born in Pennsylvania, Lynn spent most of her childhood, especially during math class, daydreaming. The main result that came from honing her imagination skills was brilliantly failing algebra. Today, she still spends an obscene amount of time in her head, only now she writes down all the cool stuff.
With a degree in English Literature, Lynn used college as an excuse to read for four years straight. She lives in the Pocono Mountains with her husband, raising the four most incredible human beings on the planet. She writes young adult novels, both fantasy and contemporary.
Connect with Lynn: [Blog][Twitter][Facebook][Goodreads]
Book 3 of the Energy Series
Young Adult Contemporary Romance
Macy Diaz has managed childhood friend Jeb Porter’s crush for years. However, his infatuation turns to obsession, even putting a kid in the hospital just for hitting on her. In the past, Macy brushed it off, explained his bizarre acts away. But now she harbors a secret. She’s in love…with Jeb’s sister, Rachel.
By some miracle, Rachel loves Macy back, and despite the small minds polluting their sleepy southern town, they’re sticking together. Unfortunately, making sure Jeb never grows suspicious proves harder every day—until everything falls apart.
As a sick, unstable Jeb starts to threaten all Macy values, she is reminded of what has always been perfectly clear. Macy belongs to him, only him, and he won’t let her go. Ever.
If only Macy could’ve loved Jeb, she wouldn’t have to worry about surviving him now.