“So much for planning a surprise party for you.” Humor seemed like the best way to cut through the intimate tension.
Koel continued to run his hands up and down her body. He was making her all hot and bothered again. When he brought his hands to her inner thighs, she almost jumped.
“Are you trying to distract me?” JoAnna asked. Actually, he could distract her like this anytime. He was doing all sorts of tantalizing things with his talented hands. She leaned back and enjoyed the sensations he was eliciting from her body. He was a master musician and she was the fine-tuned instrument he was playing.
“I can continue if you wish or we can grab a bite and get some rest before tomorrow.”
“You’re too damn considerate,” Joanna complained. “Right now, I plan on taking the ride of my life. If I cannot keep my eyes open tomorrow during the trial, all the better.”
Tonight she was going to exhaust her body and nullify her mind using Koel. Tomorrow she would have to deal with the horrible things that occurred today. JoAnna was petrified of what would happen at the trial. She planned on continuing the one thing that would not have her dwell on that fact. Her soul mate certainly seemed ready to oblige her.
Chapter 25
The courtyard in front of The Palace was packed with angry people. Their world was generally a safe and violence-free universe. What had happened yesterday rocked their community. They wanted blood and the culprit sentenced to the Nightshade universe. JoAnna thought of the angry French citizens, who stood before the guillotine and cheered as the aristocracy were beheaded. It was a testament to how frenzied the people were.
Harewood Danvers was bound to a post on a dais, which was quickly constructed for the morning’s event. They must have worked all night to build the apparatus. Although Danvers struggled against the bindings, it appeared his left side was weaker than his right, evidence he had a stroke. She stood next to Jeryl Jarlyn, who was waiting to address the angry crowd.
When she was taken earlier to The Prime Ruler’s greeting room for breakfast, the old man embraced her. He had not asked her a single question about what had transpired. It was clear he had already made up his mind about Danvers’s guilt.
JoAnna could not condemn herself for the injury she inflicted on her kidnapper. Her ability had been the only weapon available to her, and she used it to its greatest advantage. She had been forced to draw on a power she had not realized the magnitude of.
Jeryl Jarlyn rose to a roar of applauds. His right hand was in a fist, grasping one of his many crystals. JoAnna noted a slight yellow light emitted from the cracks in his hand.
“Troyk citizens, an atrocity occurred on our streets. Our friends and loved ones were cut down in the prime of their lives, violating our once peaceful and tranquil home. I realize there are some among you who are opposed to my government, but what happened yesterday is not an answer to your concerns. This man killed five of our own, murdering them just to cover his other crime. The animal in front of you kidnapped and harmed one of our returning children.”
Jeryl Jarlyn extended his hand, JoAnna joined him. “Look what this beast did to our beautiful daughter.” The Prime Ruler pushed back the hair she had used to shelter her facial bruises from prying eyes. He raised her tunic slightly to expose the bruises near her left kidney. “This young woman has done nothing other than stop a man who had attacked, killed, and mutilated women. She has returned from Ginkgo Terra to a Troyk universe I no longer recognize.”
Jeryl Jarlyn did not know what ultimately happened to Traves. He certainly was ignorant of what she had done to him. JoAnna doubted the Prime Ruler would have phrased what he communicated to the crowd any differently had he known.
The crowd screamed their support of Jeryl Jarlyn. JoAnna did not know if it was an authentic response or influenced by the crystal in his hand. Almost everything Jeryl shared with the audience was true and persuasive. He did not need the power of the crystal to sway the people before them.
“There was an attempt on my life earlier this year. Our misguided child, Chartail Adholm, was behind the plot. I have recently allowed her father and Chartail’s cousin to visit the young woman in our penal colony, an off-world dimension now basically populated by dissidents and their children. I no longer send criminals to that world because of those young ones. My greatest hope is one day we can bring those people home.”
A roar of support overcame the crowd. Jeryl Jarlyn raised his free hand to the populace. Loud shouts continued to call for Harewood Danvers to be sentenced to the Nightshade universe.
“This man was one of Chartail’s henchmen, who planned for my death. I promised you, my people, I would not send anyone to the Nightshade universe again. Our children in the penal colony cannot be subjected to such an animal. Do you want this monster in our universe?”
More voices from the audience called for the death of Danvers. The crowd was in a frenzy, screaming for justice for the people who were murdered. Jarlyn pulled a dagger from his belt, turned to the prisoner, and rammed it into his chest.
JoAnna still held hands with Jeryl Jarlyn and stared in disbelief, shocked by what she had just witnessed. It was so surreal. The crowd had quieted, taking in all that occurred. Slowly the mob started to cheer. After JoAnna internalized what had happened, she screamed. Her cries were silenced by the crowd. The Prime Ruler released her hand and Koel took her into his arms.
“Get me out of here,” JoAnna pleaded. She used their soul mate link, since the crowd still roared.
As Koel led her off the platform, JoAnna turned to see Harewood Danvers, with a dagger jutting out of his chest. She had watched Traves consumed by vampires, but witnessing the Prime Ruler thrust a knife into Danvers was more than she could take.
“I want to go home,” JoAnna added, “back to Ginkgo Terra.”
Koel had been horrified by Jeryl Jarlyn’s public execution of Harewood Danvers. He could not fault the action, it was something he would have done himself when he found JoAnna bound and battered. It had been the madness in Jarlyn’s eyes before he plunged the dagger into Danvers’s chest that troubled Koel.
Since entering the Troyk universe, his soul mate had been subjected to one violent action after another. When she asked to go back to Ginkgo Terra, Koel could not deny her request. He would stay with her as long as he could function with the headaches the atmosphere would create.
“Shirl, I need you to open a portal to JoAnna’s home in Ginkgo Terra. We will meet you at the Childers’s residence.”
The crowd parted as Koel and JoAnna made their way from The Palace. The communal pathways and the verbal remarks coming from the crowd supported JoAnna and were concerned for her. He had not heard a single negative comment along the way.
They continued through the streets toward their destination, holding hands, but did not share any thoughts. Koel imagined JoAnna was physically and emotionally exhausted after last night and her latest ordeal. Harewood Danvers would have killed her, had JoAnna not taken control of the monster’s mind. Yet again, her life had been threatened.
When they arrived, Alex hugged JoAnna. Her friend closely examined the bruises on her face. “How is your head? I have some of the herbal beverage to help mend your injuries.”
“I am fine, Alex,” JoAnna responded. “The med-tech took care of my injuries last night. It’s time I go home for a little while. I just cannot take any more.” Koel knew his soul mate was nearing her breaking point.
Alex stepped back and nodded. She offered no arguments to talk JoAnna into staying. How could she ask her to stay in a world where she was in constant danger?
Shirl and Starc entered. Like Alex, Shirl went directly to JoAnna and hugged her. Although she had been healed internally, the bruises on her face were quite alarming. Leenea Childers herded them into the common room and gave JoAnna an icebag to reduce the swelling. Koel felt he should
have thought of that last night, rather than having sex with his soul mate.
“I will open a portal for you to the exact location Darden had earlier,” Shirl informed him and his soul mate. “Have you considered the power you both share will include protecting Koel against the atmosphere that killed our parents? Alex, Candy, and I cannot make Earth our home, but you both could possibly.”
“If Koel can withstand the headaches, you should stay on Earth until we bring Benko Jarlyn back to the Troyk universe,” Starc added. Koel never imagined he would live any other place than Aster Province.
Alex started to cry. “I found you again, only to lose you.”
JoAnna took Alex in her arms. “I just want to see my dad and get some rest. My real mother and father fought for something and lost. I would like to see their vision realized. This world was where I was born and where I ultimately want to live.”
“I will check on you every day to make sure Koel is all right,” Shirl promised.
“What will happen if Jeryl Jarlyn asks for me?”
“We will tell him the truth,” Starc said. “You have had a very tough couple of days. Your reaction to what happened today should indicate to him you need time away from the intrigues of our world. Ginkgo Terra in many ways is still your home.”
“I don’t want to endanger any of you,” JoAnna cried. “I just can’t stay here for the time being.”
“Every one of us have wanted to go home, Jo Jo,” Alex said. “We grew up on Earth. Candy, Shirl, and I have been able to support each other through our challenges in this world. You have a father who raised you and I know you miss him dreadfully. We will be here when you return.”
“Open the portal, before I change my mind,” JoAnna sobbed. “I am not going to say goodbye, since I will be back.”
His soul mate watched as the air before her started to shimmer. They once again entered a portal which would take them to another universe. Koel did not care which world they resided in, as long as they were together.
Chapter 26
Ginkgo Terra
JoAnna exited the portal into an alcove off the hotel’s main lobby. Koel was right beside her. She came into his arms before they exited into a public area.
“Thank you for coming with me,” JoAnna said.
“You are my life, my soul mate,” Koel answered. He kissed her with a passion she would never tire of. “I will stay with you as long as I can. If we cannot be together on Earth or the Troyk universe, there are other places we can consider. Perhaps Shirl is right and your mind control immunity to this world’s atmosphere will protect me as well.”
They exited the alcove and walked through the lobby toward the elevators. Her father’s suite was on the twentieth floor. She had a condo several miles away, but wanted to stay with her father for the duration of their visit.
She knocked on the door and her father opened it almost immediately. Before he could react, JoAnna launched herself into his arms.
“JoAnna, where the hell have you been?” her father asked. “You have worried me to death. Blake keeps calling demanding to know where you have gone. He can be a persistent bastard. I guess he has had second thoughts about breaking up with you.” She realized the exact moment her father noticed Koel.
“Dad, I have a lot to tell you. This is Koel, he is a big part of the incredible story. Can we come in?”
Her father looked momentarily stunned, surprised by his rudeness. “Yes, of course.” He stepped away from the door and allowed his daughter to enter. He extended his hand when Koel approached. “Matthew Carlson.” Koel shook his hand. If not for his strange clothing, he could have been any of the countless boys and men she had brought home over the years.
“Daddy, you are not going to believe it, but I have been to where my birth mother was from. It is a parallel dimension to our own.” JoAnna stopped, she expected her father to call a psychiatrist.
“I know,” her father answered. “A few years back, I was aware of a millionaire from Scottsdale keeping tabs on you. I went and confronted the man. His name was Ben Clark and he told me an unbelievable story. When I did not believe him, a young man named Darden took me to where the portal existed in Sedona, Arizona. I knew eventually you would find your way back to where you were born and I would never see you again.”
“Daddy,” JoAnna cried, “I would never leave you forever! A lot happened in the Troyk universe, but the most important part is Koel. He is literally my soul mate. We are connected with our bodies, souls, and minds. He helped save my life yesterday. Had it not been for Koel, I would have been in a lot worse shape than just these bruises. We will be staying here for a little while, if that is all right with you.”
“Nothing would make me happier. It will give me time to hear your stories and get to know your soul mate.” JoAnna had no intention of telling her father everything, she did not want him to worry when she eventually returned to the Troyk universe. There was unfinished business which needed to be addressed. In the meantime, she would recharge her energy before she returned.
Koel stood in front of the wall of glass and watched the thunderstorm roll across the body of water. Thunderstorms were rare in the Troyk universe, never had he imagined such an incredible view this force of nature presented. He would miss this when he returned home. There was no urgency in returning, since he had not experienced a single headache in the three days he had been here. As promised, Shirl arrived daily to see if he needed to leave Ginkgo Terra. She did not stay long, since she feared her migraines would return.
“You are captivated by the storm, like most men are glued to television watching football.” JoAnna approached and he immediately brought her into his arms. “I hate to break up your fun, but security called about two men asking to see me. He said they were wearing Shakespearian clothing.”
“I do not get it,” Koel replied.
“Tunics and leggings. It appears we have a couple of Jeryl Jarlyn’s gatherers looking for me. I told the front desk that they can allow them upstairs.”
“This cannot be good,” Koel mumbled under his breath. It had been so tranquil being with his soul mate here. All threats to her life and Benko’s revolution were temporarily forgotten in Ginkgo Terra. “Shirl must have shared where we can be found. I hope he did not threaten her.”
“I doubt it. Jeryl fears the power Shirl possesses, although he does not know the extent of her strength. If it was something alarming, Shirl would have warned us.”
There was a knock on the door and JoAnna let the gatherers in. Koel was curious to find out what they wanted. He was surprised to see Cianan was one of the two men.
“Relax, everyone is fine,” Cianan shared through the warrior link. “Our Prime Ruler has requested you return home. He has discovered new intelligence and wishes to discuss it with JoAnna.” A second crystal telepath gatherer stood near the door. He was not introduced nor did he contribute to the conversation. Koel figured the unidentified man was in training under Cianan’s tutelage.
“What type of intelligence?” JoAnna asked. “I do not know if I am ready to return to the Troyk universe. It has been very nice not having my mind assaulted by the communal pathways, not to mention two psychopaths I got up close and personal with.”
“Your friends miss you JoAnna and we need a Koel’s tactical mind to review the finishing touches on our campaign to bring Benko home.” For the benefit of the unnamed crystal telepath Cianan verbalized, “Our Prime Ruler is anxious to continue your training. He has missed you greatly and, if I may say, has been in an exceptionally bad mood since you have been gone.”
“Well, we certainly cannot have that, can we?” JoAnna walked to the windows and watched the storm come closer to shore. “I need to say goodbye to my father and do a couple of other things before I return. Have Shirl come tomorrow for me.”
“The Prime Ruler wil
l be pleased. Shirl has been powering a crystal to open a temporary portal to bring you home,” Cianan said that last part for the benefit of the other crystal telepath. Since Shirl was a mated female crystal telepath, she could open a temporary portal with little effort. “We will go now. I will see you soon.”
Koel escorted the two men to the door and then returned to her side. Together they watched the show the lightning was presenting over the Gulf of Mexico. It was a magnificent sight. He was going to miss this world.
“You do not have to return as commanded,” Koel advised her.
“We can return here at any time. Besides, I am curious about what the Prime Ruler is up to. From what Cianan said, it would appear his time ruling the Troyk universe is reaching its end. I would like to see Benko unseat his father. One minute I think Jeryl truly cares for me and the next he throws me to the wolves.”
Since accompanying JoAnna to Ginkgo Terra, she started to use Earth expressions he was unfamiliar with. Koel, however, understood what JoAnna was saying. Did Jeryl Jarlyn see her as a long lost daughter, a sacrifice to be offered, or an enemy to be eliminated?
Chapter 27
JoAnna was still shell-shocked after her audience with Jeryl Jarlyn. Her barrier and superb acting abilities hid her reaction to the questions he asked her. She needed to talk to her friends immediately. Due to the number of loyal followers in the warrior channel, she could not use that link. Not everyone who could join in the pathway knew all their secrets.
The Mind Control Telepath Page 22