Souls of the Never

by CJ Rutherford

  He’d finally told Krista about the drawing, only to find out she’d suspected he’d had this gift for years. She’d urged him to tell Sanctuary’s leadership, but he’d resisted. She’d been here for months more than he had, and he still hadn’t come to terms with what he thought of as their callous and unfeeling method of initiating a new Liberi to their ranks.

  The Liberi were always born out of battle, their powers only ever manifesting at the final moment of their destruction. Krista had been lost, killed, Derren had thought, over 6 months before his final battle, in another attack far from their home world.

  She had been prevented from any contact with him all that time, and Derren still felt bitter about it. He knew it hadn’t been her decision; simply the leadership would not allow anything to jeopardize their great plan. So Derren had had to submit to six months of pain, thinking his twin dead, or worse.

  So as B’ran continued his attempt to browbeat him into submission, he knew that no, he would not make it easy for them. Not yet. Not until he’d found her himself.

  And besides, thought Derren, annoying B’ran was proving to be increasingly entertaining.

  The Prison—Tenybris

  Tenybris laughed with gleeful malice, as the creature the soul had become told its tale. It had been child’s play to create the physical form from the leftover carcases of the dragons trapped here with him. He’d received a jolt of satisfaction as the soul quailed in revulsion, as it perceived its final resting place.

  Tenybris had left just enough of the original consciousness for the soul to be in eternal torment, enough so it could witness the actions of its corrupted intelligence, but be utterly helpless to control it.

  Even now, as Tenybris sat listening, he could sense the misery deep inside the creature, and he smiled.

  He had sent his beast travelling out across the void, as his mighty dragons once had, in search of this world it had come from. Weeks had passed, and each time the creature returned after a fruitless journey, Tenybris punished it with violence and pain.

  For now, however, this was forgotten, and for the present at least he was satisfied, as the creature grovelled before him, and recounted its latest foray. It had heard a rumour of the blue planet some time ago, and had followed the trail to its source, much to the delight of Tenybris.

  The dim visions recalled by the soul, of a world bursting with such an abundance of life, were brought into clarity as the creature shared its memories with its master. Tenybris hungered voraciously, but it was not yet possible for him to escape his confinement.

  He sent his minion back with orders to study and watch these beings, these humans.

  The creature spent almost a year searching for the right vessel to defile. It thought this task would be difficult, but the people of this world, especially its rulers, were already far down the road to depravity. It would have been so easy to pick any number of these and pander to their greed and sin.

  But its master would not settle for an easy conquest. He would want to savour the taste, as the being fell from purity into corruption. It stalked through the dreams of the humans, hunting for the right qualities and traits its master would demand.

  It was drawn at last to particular place. It was an island of some sort, with azure seas and golden beaches. The tiny spark inside it screamed in rebellion, but the creature delighted in this as it saw the child with yellow hair. The voice within screamed, and part of the beast was curious, as the leftover consciousness had never been so disruptive. It dismissed it with a thought and watched the girl as it decided the best way to begin the torment.

  Fire, it decided at last. As the girl splashed through the waves, it bent its will to the task. The seas exploded in superheated steam as the lava bubbled from the fissures it opened all around the island.

  The beast watched in evil anticipation as the girl ran in terror and the trees along the seafront ignited. It longed to prolong its game, but the corruption of an innocent could not be rushed. It also knew his master would want to hear of its progress. It was sure he’d be pleased and looked forward to its reward.

  So it was that Tenybris watched as the beast itself tortured the tiny remnant of its pure soul as a reward for its success. The beast had done well. The torment of this young human would continue until she begged to be released, at which point the creature would be free to enter her mind and consume it, finally gaining a presence in this physical world of wicked beings. But it had to be done slowly. The mind needed to be stripped of all hope, all resistance, else it may regain control again over time. Tenybris smiled his evil leer. Slow torment was the kind he enjoyed the most.

  The Island—Revelation—Present Day

  Katheryne and Derren walked together, their feet sweeping through the fine sand on the beach as the waves crashed in breakers a short distance away.

  Both hearts ached to take the other’s hand, to somehow affirm their love, but neither of them was quite ready to totally offer themselves up.

  They were in no doubt that would eventually happen, but as Katheryne consciously thought, I’m not that kind of girl, she knew what she felt for Derren was real. And she knew not being that kind of girl wouldn’t matter a damn.

  Her whole body tingled in his presence. When the initial shock of his arrival had dispersed, and he and Krista tried to explain what was happening, all she’d been able to do was look at him.

  And she knew from the constant sarcastic remarks coming from his sister, that Derren’s behaviour was a mirror of her own.

  Katheryne looked around. The Island was clear now. Derren had tuned the flames out fully, so this whole bay area was back to its pristine natural beauty. She took it in, drinking in the smells and sounds, feeling a sense of satisfaction. This oasis of safe haven was her creation.

  As she stopped and turned around, several of her friends waved across at her, and she waved back. Katheryne vaguely remembered listening, as Derren had explained how he protected them from the flames. At the time she’d been too busy watching his mouth move to pay attention. She giggled inside. They had time. She’d ask him again, later.

  One thing did bother her though. Walking a short distance inland to the fringe of the jungle, Katheryne sat on a fallen palm trunk. Derren followed her and stood, his impossible eyes gazing down into hers. Their intensity was almost too great to withstand, but she suffered the attention gladly as they pierced her heart and soul.

  “Sit,” she said, smiling as she patted the trunk beside her.

  Derren gave that lopsided grin again, causing a flutter to travel through her whole body.

  “You do realize we’ve been walking for over an hour in silence, and the first word you say to me is, ‘Sit’.” He was beaming now, perfect teeth behind his perfect lips. “Most people might see this as an anti-climax.” He chuckled, the sound musical as he took his assigned position on the trunk beside a very flustered Katheryne.

  “I think it’s safe to say we’re not ‘most people’,” she agreed, her own smile having a similar effect on Derren as he flushed visibly.

  “I think that’s a safe enough bet.” He looked straight into her eyes and Katheryne saw the desire simmering barely below the surface of his expression. “But you wanted to ask me something.”

  Katheryne’s eyes widened, but she wasn’t shocked at his ability to read her thoughts. They’d walked for an hour in silence because neither of them had felt the need to talk, as if simply being with each other fulfilled their every need.

  Katheryne had to break eye contact at this point. She was having trouble concentrating. Both she and Derren were stuck in a feedback loop of mutual denial, restraint, and inevitable destiny.

  “I wanted to ask you what makes me so special,” she said, looking up again. “You told us last night about visiting all those other realities. Surely you must have met other ‘me’s’. What makes me so different from them?”

  The reaction from Derren when she’d finished the last sentence was totally unexpected.

&n
bsp; He stood up and took her hands, pulling her up into his arms. He kissed her. Before Katheryne could catch a breath she was kissing him back, tenderly, but with an urgency born of unendurable restraint and separation.

  There was an eternity of love and passion in that kiss, and their souls joined in exultation and bliss. Katheryne’s heart pounded in her chest, threatening to burst, and as their bodies touched, she felt his, beating in unison with hers.

  Everything external ceased to exist as they clung desperately to each other.

  They separated slowly and reluctantly, breathless but ecstatic.

  “That’s not an answer, you know,” she gasped, “but I’ll let you off with it...this time.”

  Derren blushed. He seemed embarrassed but completely pleased with himself, as his grin lit his face.

  “I didn’t think you’d believe me if I just told you, so I thought showing you may have been a better way of...convincing you,” he breathed. “I’ve never felt this before, Katheryne. I wanted to, but it just wasn’t there.”

  She backed off a little. “What do you mean? What wasn’t there?”

  Derren looked deep into her eyes as he spoke.

  “Part of our mission, mine and Krista’s along with the other Liberi, is to find the Foundation.”

  “The Foundation? What is that, a stone or something?”

  Derren chuckled. “No. It’s a person, one who is supposed to save us all from Tenybris. I never knew who it was at the start, when I first began to search for it, but somehow I was certain I would be the one to find it. To find you, Katheryne.”

  “Me?” Katheryne gaped. She pushed away, her palms facing Derren. “You must have me mixed up with someone else. I mean, I’m just…ordinary. I’m just…me.”

  She blurted the last word out, but Derren simply smiled as he swept his arm out, indicating their current surroundings.

  “How do you explain this place, then?” he asked. “This might be beyond someone ‘ordinary’, don’t you think?”

  Katheryne was spooked, but Derren held his hand out to her.

  “I will never hurt you, Katheryne,” he said with an integrity and intensity which banished her doubts and fears. Katheryne took his hand and allowed him to draw her into his arms again. She pressed hard against him, savouring the feeling of safety he provided.

  “There is another reason I knew, however, I must say the kiss was...nice.” The mischievous grin on his face caused her to flush.

  Katheryne knew he was teasing her...Nice! Explosions were still echoing in her chest and all he had to say was Nice?

  He’ll pay for that later, she thought, and a part of her wondered what she meant, before surprising herself by the answer. A heat grew within her, almost overcoming her self-control, but for now she was intrigued by what he’d just said.

  “So, are you going to explain?” asked Katheryne, as she ran her hand over his chest, feeling the irresistible beating of the heart beneath, “or are you expecting something else...nice, as an incentive?” She, too, smiled wickedly.

  Derren flushed. He hardly knew anything about this girl, but the depth of the feelings coursing between them prevented any doubt about their future. All he wanted, all he needed, was to kiss those perfect lips again, and never stop.

  It was an exercise in iron will as he forced his arm to release Katheryne and reach inside his shirt, drawing out a folded square of paper. He gave it to her. “Open it,” he said, smiling enigmatically.

  As she took it, and began to unfold the page, an image appeared on the paper, and as she looked on the unfinished picture it completed itself, drawing her in as the face fully formed. She immediately recognised her own features looking back at her, but as she watched, it came to life, emotions flooding out at her. She felt the love she felt for Derren, the restrained desire, and the complete and utter trust in him. The picture was her; there was no mistake.

  “I’ve been searching for the one true Foundation for years, Katheryne,” Derren said, as a tear rolled down his cheek. “In every reality I visited, I was drawn to you, but every time I met them it felt…wrong.”

  He took the hand holding the drawing. “I never felt this! It was like the others were poor copies of the original.” He released her, needing her to make the final decision. Only she could accept who, and what, she was.

  Katheryne’s head was reeling, confusion conflicting with joy, and as the need inside her erupted in heat and necessity, tears fell warmly onto her cheeks.

  She looked at Derren. “How?” was all she managed before he swept her into his arms, kissing her again as if they had just reunited after an age apart. Their bodies responded, as the desire overcame any restraint they possessed.

  As they parted briefly, Katheryne asked something which suddenly became very important to her. “How long? How long have you been searching for me?”

  “Forever,” gasped Derren, “I’ve been looking for you forever.” His body shook in anticipation as they melted into each other’s souls.

  Belfast—Definitely That Kind of Girl—The Morning After

  Katheryne woke gently, alone in her bed, but she shivered as she realized she would never truly be alone ever again. Every heightened sense within her tingled with excitement as she went over the events of last night in her head. She imagined Perri’s face, and grinned in anticipation. She would never believe what Katheryne had done.

  Perri called her a prude all the time, so Katheryne could see her friend’s expression as she told her how she’d slept with a guy on her first date.

  She lay on the bed, pondering for a second whether making love in a dream even counted as real, but every memory, every sensation she remembered from last night banished any doubts….it was real, oh my God, it was real!

  A cheeky grin graced her face as she realized she would have to suggest a little alone time to Derren. Just to compare notes, of course, she thought, and then we’ll just have to see what happens next.

  She couldn’t believe she was thinking like this. In a way Perri was right. She was a real goody-two-shoes when it came to guys, but here she lay wondering what might happen if Derren was here next to her. Wondering might be the wrong way to describe what she felt; she knew exactly what would be happening, and her heart skipped as she realized she missed him already.

  Then the smell of bacon hit her nostrils and she realized how hungry she was. For food this time, she thought mischievously. Oh my God, what’s happened to me? she wondered again as she got up and put her robe over her shorts and T-shirt. She caught a sight of herself in the mirror, and decided to brush her tousled hair before venturing outside her room.

  She thought about the possibility of scaring him off, but dismissed it immediately, smiling warmly as she glowed with inner heat. They had shared so much more than their bodies last night; each of them knew the other completely and utterly. More, they trusted one another unconditionally.

  Two minutes later she walked into the kitchen of the small apartment to see Perri at the cooker, frying bacon, and Krista relaxing against the worktop. There was no sign of Derren. She panicked briefly.

  Krista saw her come in and seemed to sense her distress.

  “Good morning, sleepy head,” she said brightly in her musical voice, somehow managing to convey a touch of sarcasm along with her clear affection for Katheryne. “Derren’s just gone out to get more milk; he’ll be back soon.”

  The relief on Katheryne’s face must have been unmistakable, but Krista continued to speak, switching instantly from friendly to a look of accusation. “So, what have you done to my brother?” she demanded bluntly.

  Katheryne’s face dropped in horror, and she knew her blush was redder than ever before. Perri looked around and gave her one of her ‘We need to talk, now,’ looks, while simultaneously trying to suppress a laugh.

  She looked over at Krista, who was clearly enjoying every second of her discomfort, but Katheryne knew it wasn’t malicious.

  “It’s just, I don’t seem to be able to wipe
this silly ‘cat got the cream’ grin off his face.” She gave a mock concerned look toward Perri who nodded, the same look on her face, although Katheryne knew she struggled to maintain her composure.

  “I mean, I’ve been trying to all morning,” Krista continued, “he doesn’t even seem to mind me calling him ‘Junior,’ and that usually sends him right over the edge.” She looked straight at Katheryne. “Have you any idea how infuriating that is?” A smile broke through the mask.

  Katheryne was sure at this point neither of them doubted what she and Derren had got up to, but she didn’t trust herself to say anything.

  Part of her was afraid if she did open her mouth, they’d see right through any lies she might tell, but most of her wanted to shout from the roof tops about what had happened, and how she felt. She wanted them to know how happy she was.

  The fact Derren’s sister was the one asking the questions definitely posed a complication. They’d only met last night after all, and she had already slept with her brother. What might Krista think of her; what kind of person would she think Katheryne was?

  Panic arose within her, and she doubted the wisdom of her actions. She started to work some sort of explanation through in her head, but realized Krista was smiling at her with the same crooked grin as Derren’s.

  There wasn’t a hint of hostility in her expression. She had already accepted what happened; more than that, she appeared genuinely happy for them.

  But there was no way she was going to go into details. She was his sister, after all.

  Perri was still giving her the look, but was also smiling warmly. Perri’s reluctance to believe in their feelings for each other had vanished the moment she’d seen Katheryne and Derren finally meet. Their joy had been unmistakable and undeniable, so who was she to question true love?

  At that moment the door opened, and Derren walked in with the milk. If Katheryne thought there was anything odd about a guy from another world popping to the store for groceries, any such mundane thoughts disappeared the second they saw each other.