Synchronicity (Scintillate Series Book 3)

by Karen Tjebben

  “Do you still have the scrolls?” Zoe asked.

  “Yes,” Netra nodded. “I didn’t want them falling into the wrong hands. I feared they would be destroyed by uptight Oracles, or worse yet, their power would potentially fall into the enemies’ clutches.”

  “Do you think you can help us? With Vires?” Zoe asked. Hope pulsed through her as a solution seemed possible.

  Netra smiled. “If the scrolls can alter the power of death, then the scrolls can handle a ring. Follow me,” she said. She kissed Paul and headed down the stairs.

  Evan and Zoe followed her into the gallery’s storage room. “I wanted the scrolls nearby, but not too near,” Netra said as she opened a storage cabinet. One side was filled with supplies, the other side was empty. She stepped into the void and disappeared into the other dimension.

  Evan wasn’t sure if he wanted Zoe to go first or not. It was polite to allow ladies to go first, and he’d been bred with good manners, but he didn’t want her to walk into an ambush. But at some point, he’d have to start trusting Nat or Netra, whatever her name was.

  “Stop worrying,” Zoe said, squeezing Evan’s bicep. “She’s on our side.” Zoe stepped into the cabinet and disappeared from Evan’s eyes.

  Evan quickly followed, bumping into Zoe on the other side. “Sorry,” he mumbled, his hands sliding down the sides of her body.

  “No worries,” she replied. It was dark. Zoe held out her hand and felt the rough edge of stone against her palm. She made out the faint sound of Netra’s movements. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust, but she soon realized that she was in a cave.

  A soft glow lit the cave as Netra turned on the lanterns. “I come here sometimes. It’s fun to practice, keep up my skills. Once an Oracle, always an Oracle,” she said lightly. “But I haven’t actually used my powers in public for some time.”

  A large stone stood in the middle of the cave. The top was shorn off and worn smooth so that it resembled a table top. A cabinet stood against the cave wall with loaded bookshelves next to it.

  “You keep the scrolls here?” Evan asked. “What if they are found?”

  “That is unlikely,” Netra replied. “Do you see a door?” She waved her hand through the air.

  A quick glance around the cave revealed that it was completely closed in. No entrance or exit was to be found.

  “Just the one we came through,” Evan said.

  “That one is spelled,” Netra said casually as she walked to the cabinet. “You only got through because I opened it for you. If you try to go through without me, you won’t have much luck.” Netra busied herself at the cabinet. She rummaged through the bottles and chose a few to place on the stone table.

  Zoe glanced at Evan. Her eyes betrayed her thoughts, and they were the same as his. A ball of lead sunk deep into Evan’s stomach. Netra could easily trap them in this cave. Neither of them liked being powerless or dependent on someone else.

  “Anyway, I always take precautions. Perhaps that’s how I stumbled upon the scrolls in the first place. Believe me, they were well hidden.” She placed her hand against a smooth stone that jutted out of the cave wall. She chanted and the stone disappeared, leaving a hole. Netra retrieved the scrolls from inside the hole.

  Netra walked back to the stone table and laid the scrolls down. Zoe took a scroll in her hands. The leather was supple and smooth against her fingers. She’d expected the ink to be faded and hard to read, but the opposite was true. Symbols and letters seemed to stand out against the light leather. She could decipher some of it, but some of the words mystified her.

  “Can you read it?” Netra asked, her eyes fixed on Zoe.

  “Some,” Zoe replied. “But it’s been a long time since I studied the ancient languages.”

  Netra chuckled. “Yes, it’s a lost art. Evan, do you understand any of this?” She looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

  “A few words. Here and there.” Evan held one of the scrolls and scanned the markings. They seemed to resemble some of the symbols that he’d learned in his youth, but he was lost to the meaning behind the symbols.

  “No one takes the time to learn the languages like they should,” Netra said. “I bet this new Asteri, Kate, won’t bother learning the ancient languages at all.”

  Evan shook his head and smirked. “Not if Alex has a say. He’s a stickler for education. He better win her heart before he drives her crazy with everything he’ll want her to master.”

  “Ah, that is right. If memory serves me, Alex is well educated,” Netra said. “Sarah liked that about him.”

  “Yes,” Zoe said with a nod. “That’s an understatement.”

  “Hmm, then he will teach her,” Netra said with a contented smile. “It will be good for her to learn.” Netra cocked her head and looked at Zoe. “You said Sarah’s memories are in Kate. Does Kate master her Asteri skills quickly?”

  Zoe nodded. “Yes, very much so. She’s even done a few things without instruction. It seems to come naturally to her.”

  “Fascinating,” Netra said. “I can’t wait to meet her.” She resumed studying the scroll before her.

  Evan scanned the scroll but didn’t know what to look for. “How can we help?”

  Netra glanced up at him. “You can try to decipher these, but I’ll know it when I see it. I just need time. You can grab one of the books and glance through it.” She pointed to the bookshelf. “Those will be easier to read.”

  Zoe read the spines on the books and chose the one on dream interpretation. Throughout the centuries people had been fascinated with dreams. Many debated whether dreams foretold the future or revealed your heart’s desire? As Zoe flipped through the pages, she noticed a page with a familiar picture. A man knelt before a king. She read the caption. It referred to Daniel interpreting King Nebuchadnezzar’s prophetic dream. She smiled and grazed her finger over the picture.

  Netra grabbed another scroll. She traced along the edge of the leather as she read the text. Evan watched her eyes track the lettering. He could see her Indian heritage now. She’d done a good job of hiding herself with the dyed hair, American clothes, and not even a hint of an accent, but she must have known that the past would eventually catch up with her.

  “Here it is.” Netra looked up and smiled. Her white teeth glimmered against her dark skin. “I can use this one to overpower the spell on Vires, but I need a few more things.”

  She walked to the cabinet and looked through the bottles. She brought back the needed items. “Let’s make something. Shall we?” She clapped her hands together and rubbed them back and forth against each other. A mischievous joy glimmered in her eyes as she looked at Zoe and Evan.

  Netra set her stone mortar and pestle in front of her. As she read from the scroll, she combined the ingredients into the mortar and crushed them with her pestle. Zoe watched anxiously, trying to decipher the words as Netra went along. She recognized the ingredients and caught the gist of the powder. Netra was making a powder that would destroy the protection spell on Vires.

  “You think this will work?” Zoe asked.

  “It’s your best chance,” Netra said. “According to the scroll, it wipes out previous spells that it comes in contact with. Think of it as a virus. Your computer may have a great firewall. You think your information is secure. But someone creates a virus that can sneak in, find the kink in your firewall and turn your computer into an expensive paperweight. That’s what this powder will do when it comes in contact with the spell on Vires. It will destroy it. Vires will be nothing but another bobble to adorn someone’s hand. And if I were you, I’d cut off that hand, along with the head.”

  “Sounds like a plan,” Evan said.

  Netra scooped the powder into tiny bags. “The hard part will be getting the powder on the ring.” She handed Zoe one of the bags.

  The bag weighed almost nothing, but it could change the outcome of their confrontation with Daevas. Without the powder they didn’t stand a chance, but with the powder they could destroy him. I
t was funny how something so seemingly insignificant could truly be pivotal.

  “Let’s get you back home,” Netra said. “We have more to discuss.”

  “More?” Evan asked.

  “Yes, I’m coming with you,” Netra said. “Trust me. You will need me.”

  13. Poison

  Alex stretched and threw the covers aside. He rubbed his eyes with his palms and sat on the edge of the bed. It was early. Too early to start the day with Kate, but he couldn’t face another dream. Things weren’t like they used to be.

  For so long sleep had been a respite for him, a chance to relive the best times of his life with the love of his life. But now, everything had changed. When his dreams wandered to his past with Sarah, he would awake with a pang of guilt. Apparently Sarah still held a tiny foothold in his mind. His subconscious hadn’t let go of Sarah, but he needed to let her go. Living in the past wouldn’t help him in the future. Kate was his future, and he didn’t want to betray her with revelries of his time with Sarah. Those days were over. He needed to let her go.

  The creak of Alex’s footsteps awoke Kate. She lay there, listening to him as he shuffled around in his room. Very little light peaked through the shades, so she knew it was early. She wasn’t ready to get up even if he was. Sleeping was one of her favorite things at this point in her life. When she dreamed she had the chance to roam around Alex’s past and experience him in a way that was unlike any other. There was a safe intimacy to the time she spent with the Alex in her dreams. It wasn’t him in the flesh, but it sure felt like it. She was becoming used to seeing everything through Sarah’s eyes in her dreams. This life was starting to feel normal.

  She stared at the ceiling as the water rushed through the pipes above her. From his previous behavior, she figured he was getting ready for his run. He was predictable in that way. He always awoke early and ran. He never invited her to go along. She wasn’t sure if that was because he didn’t want her presence or if he was just being considerate by allowing her the illusion of privacy. She didn’t bother asking. Maybe he needed the alone time. Maybe the past was haunting him in his dreams. Did he dream about Sarah, or was she a recurring vision in his dreams? She’d never ask. She wasn’t sure she wanted to know the answer.

  No, she was definitely not ready to get up. He could do what he wanted, but she was going back to her fantasyland that allowed her unfettered access to him without any of the awkward strings that reality always managed slip around her throat.

  Alex laced up his shoes and scribbled out a note for Kate. He needed to run, to clear his mind. He relished this alone time. It helped him refocus. His relationship with Kate was complex, too complex. He saw himself as her trainer, protector, and more importantly, as her future lover. Each time they touched his mind wandered down a path that he knew she was not ready for. She still needed to come to terms with her own identity before he could add himself into her mix. He shut the door behind him and looked out at the expanse of nature before him. This house was a little piece of heaven. As he started his run, he focused on the soft thudding of his feet as they hit the ground.

  His thoughts were as tangled as the tall grasses that waved in the morning breeze. He was thankful that Kate’s training progressed so quickly. Because of Sarah’s influence, Kate picked up skills easily and sometimes without any instruction. Alex appreciated that, but time was working against them. Hayden needed help, and Alex didn’t know when Nick would summon them. The stronger Kate became, the better their chances would be. Alex knew from experience that a unit is only as strong as its weakest link. He had a feeling that Kate would never be their weakest link. If she continued to progress as this rate, she could very likely be their strongest link. But no matter how strong they were, how prepared, he still didn’t see a solution to Vires. If they couldn’t destroy the ring, they would be powerless to help Hayden or defend themselves.

  The long grasses tickled Alex’s legs as he ran through the open field. Their scratchy heads tugged lightly on the hairs of his legs as he brushed past. A quiet, high-pitch whistle caught his attention a second before the point pierced his skin. In shock, he grasped the arrow that stuck out of his side. Blood slowly oozed from the puncture site. He looked around for his attacker but saw none. Alex could make it to the woods, but would that be running towards his attacker? He broke off the shaft. He’d didn’t want it to protrude awkwardly from his side in a fight. He’d dig out the point later.

  He knelt, attempting to make himself as small a target as possible. Then the world spun. He caught himself with his hands before he landed on his face in the grass. He felt as if he were sitting on a top and spinning out of control. A pained moan escaped from him as the second arrow entered his back. His breath rushed out of him. He tried to fill his lungs, but the arrow tip burned through him. His chest felt as if it was on fire. He couldn’t focus on the voices that neared him. The pain didn’t feel any different than any other arrow, but something was wrong. These arrows must be laced with something he’d never experienced before.

  The world turned dark as a heavy cloth bag covered his head. With each breath, the bag brushed against his lips. His muscles were leaden. He couldn’t fight. A claw cut into his flesh as he was pulled to standing. The voices barked out orders as his hands were zip-tied. His heart-rate ticked up. If the Nephilim knew about his presence, then they definitely knew about Kate. He hoped it wasn’t too late to warn her.

  ~ ~ ~

  She and Alex walked hand-in-hand on the sand. Waves crashed and the surf tickled their toes as they slowly made their way towards the lights of the village that sparkled before them. The crisp sea air breezed over Kate’s skin and she focused on the gentle caress of Alex’s hand. He gripped her hand, strong yet gentle. She’d always appreciated that about him, his gentle strength, but suddenly his face contorted in rage and he screamed at her, shocking her awake.

  Kate jerked in bed and saw the tip of the arrow as it flew towards her. With a flick of her wrist, she changed its course. It quietly thudded into the wall. Reality broke through the haze of her dream world as she realized that she was under attack. Where was Alex? Was he okay?

  Two Nephilim stood at the end of her bed on opposite sides. Their elongated faces and glassy, black eyes glared at her. One reached back and grabbed another arrow from the quiver on his back while the other threw his bow aside and pulled out a gun.

  She hopped up and landed on her feet beside the bed. Her eyes narrowed on the monsters and determination soothed her as she assessed the situation. Two threats: an arrow and a gun. The gun popped first.

  Time seemed to slow as she focused on the bullet. It slowly cut through the air towards her. She froze it mid-air, and it dropped to the floor.

  The archer stepped closer. “You can’t fight us both,” he seethed.

  “Hey,” the shooter yelled. He roared and his finger twitched on the trigger.

  Kate brought her fingertips together and squeezed the barrel closed. The instant he pulled the trigger, the bullet lodged in the closed-off barrel and the gun exploded in his face. He fell to the floor screaming and wiping at his face. Blood and body tissue littered the floor.

  The archer lunged at Kate. She threw him against the wall, and the wallboard buckled. He fell to the ground and stretched for his arrows. Kate teleported the scattered arrows through the bedroom door, out of reach. “We need to talk,” she said.

  The archer’s blood-red pupils dilated in fear, but as she scanned him, she noticed his gloves. The shooter wore gloves too. She’d never seen Nephilims in gloves before. They had to serve a purpose.

  The shooter’s moans quieted, and Kate listened as his heart stopped. “You hear that?” she said to the archer. “He’s dead. That is your fate as well.”

  The archer shook his head and crawled hand-over-hand away from her as he searched for a weapon.

  “You needn’t bother. You’re mine.” Kate stepped closer to him. She felt his fear in the air around him. It emboldened her.

 
His heart raced as he decided to face her. He had no other choice. “You’re nothing,” he seethed. He forcefully pressed his back against the dresser, knocking over the trinkets on the top.

  “Then why are you slithering away? Come and get me,” she urged.

  He narrowed his soulless eyes on her and lunged.

  Kate froze him in mid-air.

  Surprise sent his heart rate thundering as he lost control of his body. He’d never been caught like this before. He floated helplessly, his arms and legs treading the air as she stepped closer.

  “We are going to have a little talk.” Kate stepped around him and pulled the arrow that that had been meant for her out of the wall. She examined it. It didn’t look special. She brought it to her nose and inhaled deeply, trying to find a telling scent. She rolled the shaft in her fingers and walked into the family room, teleporting the archer behind her like a puppy on a leash.

  They’d been warned that she would be strong, but they’d scoffed at the notion. She was still considered a newbie. He didn’t think that she’d be this difficult. He watched her fiddle with the arrow. Hope blossomed in his heart. If she handled it long enough, he’d have a chance at overpowering her.

  “The arrows are nice. Beautiful actually,” she said, looking over her shoulder at him. She gently touched the keen tip. “Ouch,” she startled as a thin line of blood followed in the path of the tip. She glanced at him, noting his gloves, and then back at the thin trail of blood along her finger. Something was wrong. She tossed the arrow aside.

  He felt it, a slight difference in the force restraining him. He’d be free soon, and then he’d kill her, slowly.

  Dread filled Kate when the archer fell to the ground with a loud thump. He was no longer under her control. He sneered and tapped his razor-sharp teeth together. “Let the fun begin,” he jeered.