Aldous relied on instinct alone as he ran at Torrun and tackled him to the ground. He kicked the knife out of Torrun’s reach, and hoped it would be enough to subdue his former friend. But Torrun, aided by otherworldly strength and adrenaline, sent Aldous to the ground as he took swings to his face.
In the chaos, Lake pushed Rath into True’s arms. The boy cried out, but quieted when True pressed his head to her shoulder. Turning, Lake tried to send her power to Aldous to end this feud, but Torrun had created a force field around them both.
When Lake broke through, Torrun extended his body to grip the knife. With a heave, he shoved Aldous to his back. As Aldous closed his eyes, he braced for a knife in the heart, but felt Torrun’s body weight sag against his chest. With a flip of her hand, Lake removed Torrun from her son and fell to her knees at his side.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. What happened?”
“He stabbed himself. I guess he realized he had backed into a corner there was no escaping from.” Lake helped him to his feet.
“Papa?” Rath sucked his thumb and leaned into True. “True says she knows how to help me.”
“I gave Dr. Blake the information and he believes Raunevene is the property within the Licasa ale that’s resistant to the toxin. He’s working on it now.”
Aldous edged closer to True and kissed her. “Thank you. For everything.”
“Lake?” Gideon called out from the hallway. Out of breath, he stared at the scene. “Oh God. I… came… as soon as they released me.”
Before Lake could reach him, Aldous stepped in between them and took both their hands. “I think I owe you an apology. Both of you.” He hated being wrong, but he wasn’t too proud to admit it. Not today. “Mother, I was mistaken about Gideon and I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you when you said he was innocent. You were right. Thank you for loving me and my son. You protected him with your life today.”
“All is forgiven. Think nothing of it.”
“And you,” he said, shifting his focus to Gideon. “My preconceived ideas made it easy to hate you. I didn’t like my mother involved with anyone and I allowed that to cloud my judgment about you. Torrun saw an easy target and took his opportunity. I’m lucky I didn’t cost our family any damage.” Aldous joined Lake and Gideon’s hands. “Yes, I said our family. Which is what we are. All of us.”
“Damn right,” Gideon agreed.
“Lord Ravenwood.” Dr. Blake’s head peered around the door. “Bring Rath. We’ve tested all the terrorists’ blood and all of them have high concentrations of Raunevene. I’ve got an infusion waiting for your son.”
“Thank the Gods.”
When True passed Rath to Aldous, he protested. “Come with me, True.”
“I’ll send her to you in a few minutes,” Lake said as they stepped into the hallway. “Right now, I need to speak with her. Okay?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Gideon noticed the gleam in Lake’s eyes and followed Aldous. “Tonight, we’re all having a big steak dinner to celebrate. I’ll get all the fixins’ together. Maybe a bottle of wine. Hell, several bottles of wine.”
“Steak?” Lake asked when they were alone.
True patted her arm. “Trust me. You’ll love it.”
“I’ll give it a try. But maybe you should sit out the alcohol for a while.” Lake took a step closer and brushed her fingers against True’s belly. “Eat only healthy things.”
“What are you saying?”
“My granddaughter grows strong within you. Her voice has been calling to me for several hours now.”
“Lake, I can’t conceive a child. My husband and I tried for years.”
“Love offers second chances. This is yours. Look inside and you’ll see I speak the truth.”
True’s eyes brimmed with tears as she listened carefully, closely, and deep within she felt the slight stirrings of her daughter’s life.
Epilogue
Planet Famiil
Five Years Later
Lake leaned out the window of the Mage Imperial Palace, waving at Gideon to come inside. At Rath’s request, he’d spent hours a day down by the water with Sammy the dolphin, teaching him new tricks and spoiling him as Rath would if he were here. Gideon didn’t mind. He seemed to love the overgrown fish—as he called him—more than their grandson.
Five years had passed since the beginning of their time in the Complex, and how life had changed. Both she and Aldous had found love at the most unexpected time and the most inauspicious place. Wounds were healed, prejudices discarded. They’d learned to do more than simply co-exist; they’d become family. In a surprising move, Aldous asked Lake if she would govern on Famiil while he worked as the Mages’ formal ambassador. He wanted to see the world. More, he wanted to show his children the world. Lake agreed on one condition: his support when she asked to rewrite the laws for Human/Mage marriage. She knew he’d say yes, especially since he’d unofficially married True a few years earlier. Easily, the law passed. Almost everyone in the Mage community had a family member or friend in the Complex, and had seen firsthand that the benefits of peaceful living with Humans far outweighed the cost.
Soon after a cure for Rath’s disease was discovered, Gideon and Lake married in a Human ceremony. When he arrived in Famiil at the end of their time in the Complex, he was given the title of Royal Consort. Surprisingly, their people loved him almost as much as they loved Lake.
After the birth of their first daughter, Aldous and True also had a Human marriage ceremony in the Forest Dome with Rath and his new sister, Lorien, front and center with their parents. Their second daughter, Tasmin, was born three years ago, right before they left the Complex. True had settled into the role of wife and mother effortlessly, frequently bringing her children to the clinic to allow them to see and experience new things. In their travels with Aldous as ambassador, True had continued her research job with the Complex, cataloging new diseases and isolating bacteria for study. It was a fulfilling life for them all, yet Lake couldn’t deny she wished they’d visit more often.
“What did I miss?” Gideon said, bounding inside.
“Nothing. They haven’t called yet. I got you in early so you wouldn’t miss anything.” She kissed his cheek when he flopped down.
“What do you think they’re calling for? We just talked to them last week.”
“No clue.”
“Do you think True is pregnant again?”
Lake shook her head. “I don’t think so. I’d feel it.”
“Hmm. Strange,” Gideon said as the communication device buzzed. He pushed the talk button and Aldous, True, and their children popped up on the screen. “There’s my little ravens.” He made a silly face and the children’s giggles filled the room.
“Papaou, you’re so funny,” Lorien said as Tasmin squealed.
“How’s Sammy?” Rath chimed in.
“He’s good. Misses his best buddy, though.”
“Well…”
Lake and Gideon moved closer to the screen.
“Well, what, Rath?” she asked.
Rath turned to True. “Can I tell them, Mother?”
“Of course,” True replied. “That’s why we’re calling.”
“Guess what? We’re coming home to Famiil.”
Rath tilted the camera where they could only see his face. How he favored his father in his looks, but he was tender and kind like his mother. Many times, Lake wondered if Rath had never been sick, would True and Aldous had ever found one another? Would she and Gideon? Gazing at her grandson, she knew the answer as sure as she knew she was alive. Yes. Unequivocally, yes. Because when the heart leads, it always finds its direction.
The End
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my novella from The Complex!
All reviews are appreciated.
If you would like to read more from The Complex series, please click on the link below:
The Complex Website
For Elizabeth Burgess, wr
iting is not only what she loves to do, it is freedom, salvation, and escape. It is life. Introduced to the art of words at a young age by her junior high school English teacher, she poured herself into a self-study of all things poetry and prose throughout high school and college—hoping one day to become a lyricist in Nashville. As the years passed, her dreams changed and morphed, but her love for words did not.
A nurse by trade, Elizabeth loves incorporating some medical knowledge in each book she writes. Her favorite characters are always flawed, and if you see her wearing any color other than black, you know she’s sick. Thanks to her maternal grandparents, she believes she can do anything if she sets her mind to it, and will always offer guests a glass of sweet tea.
When she’s not working on her next novel, she enjoys Saturday nights in Death Valley, listening to Fleetwood Mac on rainy days, and taking pictures of her beloved Louisiana. Elizabeth is the author of Counterplay and the Hopewell Coven series books. She lives in Northeast Louisiana’s farming country with her partner, Terri, two Catahoula Curs, Bowie and Pike, German Shepherd and malamute mix, Matsi, and host of spoiled cats.
Connect with Elizabeth:
Website: https://liddyburgess.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/liddyburgess/
Twitter: @liddyburgess
Email: [email protected]
Series by Elizabeth Burgess
Counterplay
Counterplay follows the Douglases, Adames, Caissys, and O’Malleys—four intertwined South Louisiana families and their struggle for power, love, and revenge. Your move.
Misaligned: Counterplay Prequel
Misdirection: Counterplay Book 1
Mishap: Counterplay Book 2
Misled: Counterplay Book 3
Misfire: Counterplay Book 4
Misdeed: Counterplay Book 5
https://liddyburgess.com/counterplay/
Hopewell Coven
Born of a forbidden love between a Celtic witch and an Apacik man, fifteen-year-old, Starling Hopewell must earn her place within her mother’s family by facing four tasks that will prove her worth as a witch. Embrace Destiny. Face the Fire.
Witch Dance: Book 1
https://liddyburgess.com/hopewellcoven/
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Excerpt from Misdirection (Counterplay Book 1)
Prologue
Arianne Douglas stood over her son. Her dead son. Murder weapon in hand. Blood and tears running down her face. Helpless. Powerless. Paralyzed. Recalling his first steps, first words. There would be no more firsts. Her child was dead. Startled by the buzzing of her cell phone next to his body, she answered but did not speak.
“Ari?” her best friend said, “You called but didn’t leave a message. Andrew texted me about the fight between Reece and Nash. I’m on my way to you now.”
Silence.
“Arianne?”
“Lesley, I need you.” Arianne sobbed into the phone. “He’s dead, he’s dead… my baby… my son… Lesley, he’s dead… God, please no… I’m so sorry, baby…” Her voice broke with every word.
“Arianne, I’m on my way. Are you still at the house?” Lesley Huff remembered her recurring dream, pangs of regret pelting her heart. A storm was coming.
“Yes.”
“Have you called the police?” she asked, certain Arianne had not.
“No, only you,” she cried. “My… my son…”
“Dammit Ari, call the police. Now.”
Ending the call, Lesley pressed the accelerator, speeding down West Esplanade Avenue. Arianne hadn’t said which son she had found. Thinking of her own two little girls, she choked back tears for her dearest friend.
South Lake Drive was quiet except for Lake Pontchartrain’s choppy waters lapping over the levee rocks. Lesley wrapped one arm around her chest, her breathing stifled by the heavy Gulf wind. Sirens screeched in the distance and the night sky was filled with the blue and red glow of emergency vehicles. She was glad they were close. Parking next to Arianne’s Jeep, Lesley offered a silent prayer of thanks that Arianne’s thirteen-year-old son, Pike, was with his father and nowhere near this house tonight. So, was it Nash? Or Reece. Both of their trucks were parked underneath the awning. Fearful, she opened the back door leading to a dark kitchen, and a bloody Arianne cradling the lifeless body of her son.
“Holy Mary
Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners
Now and at the hour of our death.”
Follow this link to start The Counterplay series.
True North (The Complex Book 0) Page 10