Stone of Ascension

by Lynda Aicher

  “The people of the first light,” she said quietly. “That’s what Wampanoag means. This time of day has always been sacred to my people.” She smiled. “I spent my whole life wanting to belong somewhere and now I find I belong in more places than I could ever imagine. It’s rather ironic.”

  The energy hummed around them. Not an auditory sound, but a physical vibration that pressed against her. The air around them felt thick and humid with anticipation for the coming moment.

  Releasing her tight hold on his hand, Amber slipped the long pendant chain over her head. The stone slid against her skin, a streak of heat slicking a path across her chest as she pulled it from under the white robe. The loss was profound, but it had served her well, protected her while awakening the latent genes within her. It had opened the door to her Energen powers and guided her as she discovered the power of the energy.

  Now, it had a larger purpose.

  She laid the stone in her palm and admired its beauty one last time. Within her, she felt the earth shift. She looked to Damian. “Ready?”

  “Yes. You?”

  “There’s no going back after this.”

  “And now even more so.” He smiled placing one hand over hers and the other over her stomach. “There’s been no going back since we started.”

  “So you know?”

  “About the new life growing within you?” He smiled, his love flowing into her. “Yes, I know.”

  “Right.” She inclined her head and inhaled again, this time a deep breath of preparation and fortification. Of course he’d feel the energy of the new life just like she did.

  Damian let go of her hand, and she stepped forward to stand beside the ornate carving in the center of the platform, shifting until she was aligned with the quadrant that depicted the blending of air and fire. Damian moved to stand across from her, aligning with the quadrant of water and earth.

  Power pulsed from the stone, the life within it aching to serve the purpose it was created for. Dropping the chain to the floor, she extended the ringed stone until it was positioned over the center of the sculpture. Damian clasped the other side of the ring then he lifted his head and held her gaze.

  The energy pulsed, the earth shifted—the time had arrived.

  Together, they lowered the stone into the center of the sculpture, the diamond shape fitting perfectly into the hollow opening in the middle, each corner aligning with the open channels that headed in each direction.

  They each released the small clasps on the corners of the stone holding the ring in place, then Amber lifted the ring away.

  The stone shimmered in perfection, the colors flashing and lighting as the power grew. Sparks of electricity danced upward from the stone, the small show a visual display of what she could feel. The energy was building within the stone, firing up as if it was pulling power from the pedestal itself.

  Without warning, light shot out of the four channels, visual beams fired in violet, gold and white that extended into the waning dark, piercing the South, West, North and East with its light and power.

  Instinctively, she reached across the pedestal to clasp Damian’s hand over the stone. At their touch, a last beam of light shot straight up to meld around their hands and infuse them with one last boost of power and knowledge.

  With it came clarity, revelations of old and visions of new. The images flashed through her mind quick and hot to linger within her subconscious for later dissection. In the far distance, at each gate, towers rose, reaching into the sky in replication of the one they stood on. The image appeared in her mind, the distance too great to for her to see all that happened.

  The foundations of the pillars were layered in precious stones: jasper, sapphire, chalcedony, emerald, sardonyx, ruby, peridot, beryl, topaz, chrysoprase, jacinth and amethyst. The twelve levels rose in color from the base along a staircase that wrapped around the towers allowing access to the top.

  She met Damian’s gaze, the blue of his eyes matching perfectly with the skyline behind him. With the towers raised, the beams of light extending from the center stone faded away. The center stone, her stone, still glowed with power. There it would remain, the conduit for what was to come.

  Damian walked around the pedestal until he stood beside her. Together, they turned to face the city below. With the lightening of the sky, Amber could see the thousands of people gathered in each direction.

  Hands still linked, Damian used the element of spirit to communicate to all within the compound. The words flowed smoothly into the minds of all.

  The time has come for us to rise. To protect the humans whose energy keeps the world in balance. It is our call, our duty. My thousand years of exile have ended, and so have Gog’s. This is the Year of the Dragon. By its end, the dragon will be free. The crowd shuffled below, but the silence hung heavy and still across the air. Damian inhaled, then called out to the city, his voice carrying far and wide.

  “Our city is sacred in the war to come. We must defend these walls and hold the gates, for within these walls is the power Gog needs. The four towers have risen—now their keys must be found.”

  He looked to her, then as one, they jumped, shifting in mid-air to fly over the crowd below.

  The words of Cronus drifted through Amber’s mind: When the dragon soars with the phoenix at his side, the people will enjoy happiness for years, bringing peace and tranquility to all in the energy.

  She could only hope that would be true.

  But only time would tell.

  About the Author

  Lynda Aicher has always loved to read. It’s a simple fact that has been true since she discovered the words of Judy Blume at the age of ten. After years of weekly travel as a consultant implementing computer software into global companies, she ended her nomadic lifestyle to raise her two children. Now, her imagination is her only limitation on where she can go and her writing lets her escape from the daily duties of being a mom, wife, chauffer, scheduler, cook, teacher, volunteer, cleaner and mediator. If writing wasn’t a priority, it wouldn’t get done.

  To learn more about Lynda, please visit her:

  Website: www.lyndaaicher.com

  Facebook: www.facebook.com/lyndaaicherauthor

  Look for these titles by Lynda Aicher

  Now Available:

  The Dragon Stirs

  Energen

  The energy might bind them, but their love could save us all…

  The Dragon Stirs

  © 2012 Lynda Aicher

  Energen, Book 1

  When Shifter Airiana Draco volunteers to scout the enemy’s compound, her family thinks it’s to prove herself. In truth, she wants answers. Plagued with doubt and a secret shame, she hungers to learn more about the Energens, the people who have opposed the Shifters since the beginning of time. But getting captured wasn’t in her plans.

  Energen Loukianos Aeros has always wondered about his exiled older brother who was accused of aiding their mortal enemy, the Shifters, long before Louk was born. Now, the answers Louk seeks are within his grasp when he stumbles upon a beautiful enemy spy right outside his door.

  Forced together by the energy, Airiana and Louk are unprepared for the sudden attraction as they struggle to gain the answers they seek. As the danger builds and their lives are threatened, they must learn to trust the energy and each other. But are they strong enough to challenge all they were raised to believe or will the pressure cause them to turn on the one truth they can’t deny?

  The time is coming when earth will be changed forever. The dragon is rising and with the joining of The Two, he stirs.

  Warning: Mix two opposing forces with some elemental powers, add in a little shove from the energy and you get earth-shattering sex, one angry dragon, and a world that is altered forever.

  Enjoy the following excerpt for The Dragon Stirs:

  The intruder huffed out short gulps of breath and yanked uselessly on the energy collar he’d just snapped around her neck. Loukianos Aeros smirked at the futility of her
actions even as he unconsciously admired the creature he had captured.

  Creature—because she was obviously a Shifter spy and they were all members of the lowest life form.

  However, his gloating was cut short when she spun and took off sprinting over the snow-covered ground. Her arms pumped furiously and the silky black ponytail swayed in rhythm with her quick steps, bobbing behind her like a plumped-up horse tail. His gaze traveled up her long legs that led to a firm, round bottom, which was nicely displayed in excellent fitting jeans. Definitely not the body of a horse.

  Hell, it’d been so long since he’d had a woman that even a lowly Shifter got him excited. The deep rumbled laugh broke from his chest and echoed the derision he felt. Pathetic. But, that didn’t stop him from watching her a little longer. Running away was about as fruitless an effort as trying to pull off the energy collar. However, he gave her points for effort.

  When he’d first spotted her hiding at the edge of the woods just outside the walls of the compound, Louk realized the universe had handed him the opportunity he’d been longing for. Finally, a chance to find out what really happened to his older brother, Damian. A brother he’d never known. Damian was accused of aiding the Shifters and killing their oldest brother in a bloody battle. Being born eight hundred years after the incident left Louk with a mix of broken stories and whispered condemnations.

  Now, right before him, was his chance to question a source who would know the other side. Who could give him answers when no one else would. She was the enemy, a member of the Shifter slime that had destroyed his family.

  And he would use the opportunity presented. Use her.

  Tiring of the game of evasion, Louk used the energy and dissipated out. He solidified about five feet in front of her path, his legs braced and arms spread in preparation. She hit him in the chest at a full run, and he grunted at the impact even as his arms clamped tightly around his prize. He stumbled back a few steps, but held tight to the wiggling form firmly trapped against his chest.

  “Let. Me. Go.” She bit out, full of righteous indignation and fight.

  He laughed. Hell, it had been a long time since he’d had that much fun. “Yeah, not happening, sweet cheeks.” Unable to resist, he slid a hand down and squeezed the delicious little behind he’d admired moments ago.

  A small sound of offense left her mouth, right before a hard, booted toe connected with his shin.

  He grunted in response, all thoughts of fun draining from his mind. Louk tightened his hold and brought his boot around to trap her legs between his own. His height and weight gave him the advantage, but she didn’t give in easily. It was a full minute of continued squirming, pushing and swearing before the feisty woman finally stilled.

  The heavy sound of gasping breaths punctuated the sudden silence, the small skirmish tasking them both. Her breath pushed hot and moist against the exposed skin of his neck. The sensation stroked over the sensitive area like a lover’s kiss and sent small shivers of desire racing down his spine.

  And in that moment, the raven soared. The mark on the back of his hand took off in a flight of pure joy, high on an ecstasy of promise.

  Louk sucked in a sharp breath, incredulous. She was a Shifter, his sworn enemy.

  Abruptly, he shoved the woman away, swinging her arms around until he grasped her wrists tightly together before her.

  “Who are you?” he demanded.

  Her arched, black brows came down low and menacing over her chocolate colored eyes. Her face was a striking blend of Asian and Caucasian features. Slightly narrower eyes surrounded by long black lashes, high cheekbones that centered her round face and balanced the broad mouth and sculpted lips. Lips that were currently pulled tight and hard into a thin line of annoyance. Her rounded little chin came up in a move of defiance as she tugged on the grip he had around her slim wrists.

  “Like I’d tell you,” she sneered between deep gulps of air.

  “Oh, you’ll tell me.” He let a slow smile curl over his lips. “Eventually.”

  “Screw you.”

  “Is that an invitation?” He drew her closer, pulled on her arms until her chest was crushed to his once again. He lowered his face into hers, forcing her to arch back to keep her distance. Her breasts pressed invitingly up at him, offered like a gift under her tight, leather jacket and he slowly drew his gaze up over the display to meet her eyes. “Because I can accommodate that.”

  It only took one small movement to bring his hips into intimate contact with the juncture of her thighs. Her position left her vulnerable and open, and he made damn sure she knew that.

  Her eyes widened. Her breath hitched, and her pretty little mouth opened in surprise. Her lips were red and moist, and he suddenly wanted nothing more than to kiss them. The energy flowed between them, igniting a desire that threatened to scorch his nerve endings. It burned hot, insistent, immediate, and he felt his body responding as it pulsed to life against its resting spot at her thighs.

  She froze in her struggles to escape, her eyes widening even more. She felt his desire. And the energy spoke to him; it vibrated through his mind whispering her need. Her sudden hunger, the raw desire.

  And a confusion that matched his own.

  Over the air he felt the approach of other members of the enclave Guard. The energy around them began to expand, and Louk suddenly knew he wasn’t ready to turn her over. This was the opportunity he had waited for, one that could allow him to learn about his brother. But even more than that, this woman called to him in a way that was stronger than his desire to please his enclave. His family. And he needed to understand why.

  In that second, he made his decision. One that could cost him everything.

  With the choice made, he teleported out, his captive in tow. His life permanently changed. Forever.

  If a tree falls in the forest, duck…

  Silver Mine

  © 2012 Vivian Arend

  Takhini Wolves, Book 2

  Life in isolation is the safest place for Chase Johnson, a crossbreed who doesn’t know which form he’ll assume next—cougar or wolf. Once a year, his unelected position as spokesman for the Yukon outcasts forces him to visit civilization. This time he runs across someone unexpected. She’s not his mate, but she pushes all the right buttons.

  It’s taken years for Shelley Bradley to gather the courage to return to her home pack. In spite of being the lowest of the low—a shifter who can’t shift—she’s determined to make a place for herself as the Whitehorse locals’ new vet-slash-doctor.

  There’s definite electricity between her and Chase, but sex with fellow shifters and the inherent mind games got old a long time ago. Ignoring him seems best. When he shows up at her office with a wound that won’t heal, she’s stuck—yet drawn to solve this medical mystery.

  As they journey deep into outcast territory in search of answers, their powerful sexual attraction crumbles her resistance. But time is of the essence. If a cure can’t be found before his human and cougar succumb to his injury, he—and others like him—will die.

  Warning: Contains a silver-tongued, hairy-chested, lean-muscled Alpha who’s got what it takes to lead in the wilderness and in the bedroom. Yeah, I know…not really much of a deterrent, is it? Throw in continuing territorial wars and a domestic cat. Stir and enjoy the chaos.

  Enjoy the following excerpt for Silver Mine:

  Oh boy. The zap of sexual lust was instant and bad. Real bad. “Why are you doing this?”

  His gaze dropped over her like a caress. “Doing what?”

  Shelley hid behind the kitchen island and crossed her arms. “Doing that. That look. Your comments. I said no sex.”

  “You said no sex in the office. We’re not in the office anymore. Besides, I’m not even touching you.”

  Growling with frustration would just show how much he was getting to her. “Chase. Stop it.”

  He shrugged. “If you’re positive you don’t want to have sex, I’ll stop.”

  “Really?” And wh
y did she feel more disappointed in that comment than she should?

  “Really. But if you wanted to fool around a little, I’m game for that.”

  Sheesh. “You are persistent.”

  He rose smoothly, and again all the images in her brain were of exotic hunters taking sight of their prey and never letting up the hunt. “I’m not some kind of asshole who will hound you until I get what I want.”

  Laughing seemed inappropriate, but she did it anyway. “You’re not hounding me? Definitions are different where you come from.”

  “I’m reacting to what your body is telling me. That’s why I’m now suggesting alternatives.” Chase slid his fingers along her cheek, his thumb stroking her lower lip. “You like me. You’re attracted to me.”

  She couldn’t speak. Not without drooling, his touch was so addictive. Shelley nodded.

  “But for some reason you don’t want to let out the side of us that enjoys sex.” He shrugged. “I’m not going to push you to find out why, but damn if I won’t suggest we can do other things without sex. If it’s only the big bad deed making you hesitate.”

  “You sure you’re not a politician?”

  “Hell, no. They eat politicians where I’m from.”

  Shelley discovered her hands stroking him. Bad hands, to take control like that. “You’re very reasonable. Far more reasonable than most men. Or shifters.”

  “I’m not typical.”

  He said it so dryly Shelley lost control and snorted in amusement. “No. No, you certainly aren’t.”

  Chase brought them closer. His fingers in her hair, smoothing the strands away from her face. “So does that option interest you at all?”

  “The no-sex sex?”

  “Fooling around. As far as you want to go. I’ll follow your lead, but I want to touch you. Make you feel good.”

  A shiver of temptation struck. And when he brought their mouths together again, part of the decision was made.

  Damn, the man could kiss. He was so sneaky she didn’t even register when he picked her up and carried her across the room. He must have, though, because suddenly she was sitting on his lap on her couch, straddling him in fact. That wicked tongue of his brushed along the rim of her ear before he dipped inside, and she shivered.