Synchronicity (Scintillate Series Book 3)

by Karen Tjebben

  Rafe spotted the waterfall ahead of him. That waterfall was his salvation. Their portal was hidden behind the veil of water, and he knew he’d be safe when he crossed over. They could scour the woods all day and never find this wonderfully hidden portal.

  Rafe came to the swirling water at the bottom of the falls. He took one last look around, confirming that he hadn’t been followed, and stepped into the spray.

  The force that attacked him sent him reeling. Water frothed around Rafe and gushed into his mouth and nose. He couldn’t breathe. Adrenaline flooded his system as panic overrode his ability to reason.

  As he looked through the bubbling water overwhelming him, he saw Alex’s eyes. Those green eyes which had once been filled with concern were now filled with anger. He saw determination and his death reflected in Alex’s eyes.

  Rafe clawed at the hands around his neck, only to feel them tighten. His feet slipped on the wet rocks, and he couldn’t get his footing. Water filled his lungs and his vision blurred as Alex held him under the churning blanket of water. Rafe felt his life slipping away, like leaves floating along the surface of a raging river. His arms were heavy, his feet useless, and his eyes now blind.

  Alex maintained his dominant position. He tightened his grip and crushed Rafe’s neck as he burrowed his knee further into Rafe’s abdomen. He felt Rafe’s life slip away. His claws floated limply on the water, dancing to the movement of the cool liquid. Rafe’s eyes, once filled with anger and hatred, now turned cloudy. Rafe was dead.

  Alex quickly slung Rafe over his shoulder and stepped through the portal. Water pounded on him as it fell from on high into the river basin. He’d never seen this portal before, and he wondered how Rafe and his friends had stumbled upon it.

  Alex stepped out of the river and tossed Rafe’s body aside. He’d make a fine dinner for osotos. Those small mammals were better than turkey vultures at cleaning the environment. Vultures left bones while osotos devoured everything. Alex took a quick look around, wondering how long it would take for the osotos to catch a whiff of Rafe’s body, and then he crossed back over to search for Kate.

  Kate followed the scent. As the sulfuric scent strengthened, she knew she was closing in on him. She listened for his tell-tale heartbeat. He couldn’t hide that from her. She knew that if they fought, it would be a fair fight. She was armed with poisoned arrows, just like he was.

  She spotted Ahmose, his body just a quick flash as it zipped through the forest. She didn’t want to give herself away, so she stayed downwind as she followed him from a distance.

  Ahmose’s mind worked through various solutions to this disaster as he ran. He’d need to hide from Kahan for the rest of his life. He thought about crossing over, but he knew that he could never disappear over there. Kahan had too many minions. He needed to stay on this side. He could disguise himself as a human. He loathed their inferior bodies, but he’d do what was necessary to survive.

  Then he saw it. The dilapidated shack would be his salvation. Vines and moss grew along the walls. The windows were smashed, and the stone chimney lay in pieces on the ground. He raced to a broken window and gazed inside. It was empty. He would hide in this death trap until he figured out his next step.

  Ahmose gently pulled open the door, hoping that the weathered walls wouldn’t tumble around him. He stepped inside. The rotten floorboards were slick with moss, and a stone fireplace crowded one wall. The shack stank of stale blood and death, but he’d been in worse places.

  Kate watched Ahmose as he disappeared into the old hunting shack. His hiding spot would soon be his grave.

  She didn’t want to get into a hand-to-hand battle with him. He was strong, and he had the poisoned weapons on him. She knew she could defeat him, but if the poison invaded her system, he could easily overpower her.

  Ahmose paced across the floorboards as he worked on a plan. He’d heard about a group of Nephilim that left their old lives for new lives as humans. They’d grown weary of the domination that stronger Nephilims wielded over them. Nephilims likes Kahan ruled their provinces like dictators. They cruelly punished their minions for failures to carry out commands. Ahmose could easily manipulate his way into a position of dominance among the humans. That would make living among humans easier.

  He never understood how Asteri managed to live peacefully among the inferior breed. They were just so weak and pathetic. Ahmose knew he could enjoy himself if he moved to areas of turmoil. He could wreak havoc and relish in their pain. That was his true calling: inflicting pain, stirring up trouble, and terrorizing humans, but he needed to contact a group of Nephilim. Perhaps he could align himself with a powerful ally. That could solve all of his problems.

  Kate circled the shack. The walls seemed to bow under the weight of the roof. Overgrown shrubs and weeds surrounded the perimeter of the pathetic shanty. She assumed this must have been an old hunting shack, no one’s permanent home. There had been little pride or effort used in the construction. It appeared to be barely functional at best. Already, a plan came together in her mind. Smiling, she knew he’d never see her coming.

  Ahmose crossed to the tiny sink in the corner of the room. “Pathetic,” he mumbled to himself as he worked the handle of the pump. The pipes squeaked and groaned, but finally brownish water gurgled from the pump and filled the sink. “At least there’s water,” he groused as he dipped his hands into the sink.

  The cool water settled him as it splashed against his face. He looked into the warped mirror that hung above the sink. His face was distorted in the old mirror. He looked even more hideous than usual. He smiled at that thought. His hideous face would be the last thing his prey would see. Yes, he could enjoy a life on this side without the responsibilities to dictators on the other side. He wasn’t going back to the waterfall. He’d decided to leave that life behind.

  Kate took a deep breath. She’d have to run quickly to entrap him. Good thing she was fast.

  Ahmose exhaled and stretched, eyeing the worthless bed in the corner. He made his way to the wood frame which was built into the wall. A musty blanket covered a thin mattress. He snapped the blanket, and a cloud of dust flew into the air. He coughed and hid his mouth and nose in the crook of his arm.

  The bed creaked as he reclined. The worn mattress provided little comfort, but he decided having a good place to hide far outweighed his other options. He crossed his arms behind his head to form his pillow as he stared up at the ceiling. Spider webs filled the corners. He smirked as he thought about the mistake one of those arachnids would make if they decided to sink their fangs into him. Animals never fared well when they attacked Nephilim. Their blood was a poison to the creatures of this world.

  A loud pop and then an instantaneous crackle surrounded Ahmose. He leapt up from the bed and smelled smoke. He ran to the door and saw her through the thickening flames that blocked his escape. She’d found him, and now he was trapped. She watched him through the flames that quickly spread and blocked his path to safety. The fire belched as it consumed the walls of the shack. Smoke filled his lungs. He coughed and grabbed his bow and arrow. Poisoning her would be his only hope. He readied the arrow and let it fly.

  She watched as he set his sights on her. The arrow flew, and with a quick pulse of her hand the flames snatched the arrow from the air and devoured it.

  Ahmose gagged on the smoke and was shocked when his arrow was engulfed by the flames. It was as if the flames came to life and sought out the arrow’s destruction. A jealous amazement filled him with her ability to control the fire the way a conductor guides musicians. But fear filled him at the loud pops and crackles that bombarded his ears. Now he realized what his prey felt as he taunted them with death.

  Kate felt his fear floating towards her. She stared at him as he coughed and gagged in the doorway. His defenses were down now. She could crush his windpipe so easily, but that would be too easy a death for him. She wanted him to know how it felt to face down death. He needed a taste of the fear he’d forced upon too many inno
cents.

  Ahmose stumbled back to the bed and covered his mouth with the blanket. The musty cloth provided a meager barrier against the smoke that darkened the room. The shack’s walls popped and crumbled around him.

  Kate couldn’t help but smile as the roof collapsed and the walls caved in. He was under that pile of burning rubble. His shrieks filled the air.

  When the screams quieted, peace settled within her heart. At his death, he paid for his wicked deeds, and now he’d never harm another being again. With a wave of her hand, she snuffed out the fire.

  Alex stepped through the woods. He’d watched from a distance and was impressed when Kate extinguished the fire. It had been huge, beginning to spread to neighboring plants and trees, but she appeared to stop that fire as easily as she’d started other fires.

  Kate turned when she heard his footsteps. She smiled through the smoky air as his presence ignited a fire within her. Her desire for him grew with each step he took towards her.

  “You weren’t hard to find.” Alex waved towards the destroyed shack. Smoke hung thick in the air, great gray puffs rose towards the heavens. “He give you any problems?”

  She chuckled. “He tried, but he failed,” she said, interlacing her fingers with

  Alex’s. “You’re all wet.” She liked the way his dark hair curled from the moisture. She pressed her hand against his shirt, and his heart rate ticked up at her touch. “What happened?”

  Alex snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her close. The moisture from his clothes seeped into hers. “I went for a swim,” he said, his breath floating over her lips.

  He felt her smile grow as her lips grazed his, and then he pressed his mouth to hers. The kiss was slow, and he tasted the smoke that clung to her. She pulled him closer as his hands traced down her back.

  Alex pulled away, hating the loss of her touch. “We’re not done here,” he said as he made his way to the burned out shack. He bent and tossed aside charred pieces of wood until he found what he was looking for. He pointed to the ground and eyed Kate. “Jackpot.” Ahmose’s body lay at Alex’s feet. His flesh was burned away and whatever was left was badly charred.

  “I already knew he was there,” Kate said, joining Alex.

  Alex leaned over and gripped Ahmose’s body. He slung the hot corpse over his shoulders. “We can’t leave him here,” Alex said. “If he’s discovered they could run DNA tests to identify him.

  “Hmm,” Kate murmured as Alex instantly disappeared. She stepped over the burned out pieces of wood and waited for Alex.

  Alex stepped up beside her, minus the corpse.

  “All taken care of?” she asked.

  “Yep, and I found something I want to show you,” Alex said, walking back into the woods.

  “What?” Kate followed in his footsteps.

  “I found a portal. I know where they were taking me. Where they wanted to take you.”

  “Show me,” she said. His warm hand encased hers as they walked through the forest. They came to the river and followed its curve as it snaked through the woods. Eventually they came upon the waterfall.

  “This is nice,” Kate said “Is that your swimming hole?” She smirked up at him. He’d dried a little since he’d found her at the shack.

  “It’s a lot more than a swimming hole.” He stepped into the churning water. “Watch your step. It’s slick.” He stepped from rock to rock and headed towards the falls.

  As Kate followed in his path, the water seeped into her shoes. She hated walking around in wet shoes. “What are you doing?” she asked as he neared the falls.

  “You’ll see.” Alex stepped behind the curtain of water.

  Curiosity edged her forward. The cool spray misted her face. “This better be worth it,” she grumbled. Water pounded on her as she stepped though the falls and then stood on a tiny shelf of rock.

  She rubbed her eyes dry and brushed water off her skin. Her clothes stuck to her body like a second skin. When she adjusted to her surroundings, she realized Alex’s reason for bringing her there.

  “You see it?” he asked.

  She chuckled and said, “Cool.” She reached out and touched the portal. Her hand disappeared as it crossed over to the other side. “Well, let’s go,” she said, and she stepped through. She came out on the other side behind the waterfall. Alex followed, and they stepped through the white curtain of water and into the foaming river.

  “Wow,” Kate said in awe. The rush of water pounded around her and threatened to knock her over. She’d been to Niagara Falls, and that was impressive. But this waterfall was beautiful in an “other side” kind of way. The falls were imbedded between two lush hillsides. Moss and several types of ground cover painted the hillsides a spectacular green with dots of bright colors splattered about. Tall trees of various kinds rose proudly in the surrounding forest. The cascading water fell into the river and churned the water white with bubbles and foam that took on a light green hue as it flowed downriver.

  Kate laid back and let herself float on the watery blanket. The sun warmed her skin as the river carried her away from the crush of the torrential falls. She felt Alex’s presence as he waded beside her, his hands resting on the liquid surface. She felt his presence and opened an eye to look at him. “Have you been here before? To this waterfall?” she asked.

  He gave a quick shake of his head. “Just today. I had to drop something off,” he said with a wink.

  Kate stood and water dripped from her hair and clothes. She glanced along the riverbank and spotted the little pack of osotos. They scampered about Rafe’s body, fighting for a spot at the feast before them.

  She slowly edged toward the bank and stepped onto dry ground. The osotos looked up at her, their tiny faces spotted red by the fresh blood. Once they decided that she wasn’t a threat, they buried their faces in Rafe’s body again. “They sure are handy creatures to have around,” she said. “Now what?” She peeled her eyes off the gruesome display of the circle of life and looked at Alex.

  “Now we go back to collect some supplies and locate Nick and Evan. They need to know about the poison. It presents a huge problem. One we’ll have to address.” Alex gave Kate a weak smile. Vires presented a problem, but now the poison added another element of danger to their already complicated rescue attempt.

  “Do you think that Hayden is a victim of the poison?”

  “It would explain her inability to rescue herself.” Alex didn’t like to think about Hayden suffering at some monster’s hands. He definitely didn’t want Kate to meet that fate, but what did the future hold for them? Between the poison and Vires, they had a huge hill to climb.

  14. Prisoner

  The commotion she watched through her polycarbonate isolation cell walls piqued her curiosity. She stood from reclining on her cot where she’d attempted to rest, but rest never came easily in this hell. Even after all this time she still hadn’t learned how to block out the never-ending sounds that Kahan tortured her with. The wailing of babies, planes taking off, heavy-metal music, and other mind-numbing sounds blared into her secluded cell at an endless, unpredictable cycle. As soon as she’d get used to one sound, they’d switch it on her, disturbing her sleep. It felt as if she hadn’t slept in decades. Exhaustion wore at her mentally while the poisoned chains rubbed her skin raw. Her ankles and wrists were covered in blisters and bleeding scabs.

  The guards scurried around outside her cell. They moved like rats in a cage, pointlessly darting from one area to another as they passed along some message. She tried to focus on their voices, but she couldn’t. Her ability to eavesdrop had long since disappeared. She no longer had the ability to heal herself either. She didn’t have any ability to do anything helpful for herself. She was a prisoner of Kahan’s and had been reduced to base humanity. She’d wept so much over the years that she’d feared drowning in her tears, but now she no longer wept. She refused to bring her tormentors the pleasure of seeing her suffer.

  Her life had been wonderful at one time. S
he’d lived a blessed life in her village as the leader’s daughter. Even though she’d lost her mother as a young girl, she’d never been without love. Her father and maids doted on her. She’d even found the man of her dreams, Sean. He was brave, kind, and determined. Sean was everything to her, but she’d killed him.

  Her Asteri heritage may have given her supernatural powers, but it also led the brutal Reapers to her home. A day did not pass when she didn’t think of her loved ones. Nick had helped her with that, piecing her life together again. He’d been the light that guided her through the complex transition as she developed her Asteri skills. It didn’t take her long to realize the value in what she did, in what they did. Their job was to keep the balance between good and evil slanted towards good. She embraced that philosophy. She would do anything to keep others from suffering the way she had. No one should know the loss of unnatural death. People were to love and cherish each other, not destroy one another. Unfortunately all she knew now was destruction. It surged around her as she wallowed in its undercurrent.

  Whenever her trials threatened to pull her under a wave of despair and drown her, her thoughts circled back to Nick. He was the only bright light in her life, but his visage faded a little with each day. It’d been so long since she’d seen him that she wondered if he even looked as she imagined him. She feared she’d never know. He hadn’t come for her. As the years passed, she’d resigned herself to the reality that he would never rescue her, so now she mourned the loss of Nick and hope.

  She startled when and the bombardment of sounds clicked off, and a Dolum slipped the key into her cell’s lock. It clanked as he turned the deadbolt. As his beautiful, black opal eyes locked on her, Hayden found it ironic that the evil monster before her had the most beautiful eyes she’d ever seen. Dolums’ eyes were hypnotic, but that was just the lure to capture their prey.