Crossover 'The Chosen One Trilogy: Book One'

by Chester, Mireille

  I nodded.

  “Granted, he wasn’t being hunted by armies of cats and dogs, but it felt like part of me was missing for two weeks.”

  I nodded again. “That’s exactly how it feels.” I turned to the bird. “Would you be able to bring him back a note from me?”

  She bobbed her head.

  “Thanks. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  I ran up to my room and sat at my desk. I could have written him a book filled with everything I wanted to tell him, but kept things as simple as possible.

  Jasper,

  I was beyond relieved to hear that you were safe at the hill crossing.

  Rest assured that I am having a great visit with my parents, and just as

  promised, after hearing all the stories I had to tell about you, they are totally in

  love with you.

  I can’t even begin to explain how much I miss you or how badly I wish to feel your arms around me again.

  Every night, before I fall asleep, I think about how much I love you, and hope that you can feel it.

  I bought you something a few days ago that I was going to give you when I got back, but I am sending it with the bird. A small token of my love for you.

  Until the day when I can tell you again, just remember one thing… I love you more.

  Hayden

  I went to my dresser, pulled out a small box containing the gold band I had bought for him, and made my way back outside.

  The blue bird was where I had left her on the table. I tied the note to her leg with the ring tied underneath it.

  “Is that ok? It’s not too heavy?”

  She chirped and did her impression of a head shake, then hopped up onto my shoulder.

  I gave her a small pat on the head. “If you see anyone else, tell them I miss them, okay?”

  She bobbed her head, gave me a peck on the cheek, and flew away.

  I watched her until she disappeared before taking a deep breath and sitting down at the table.

  Chapter 8

  It had been the longest three weeks of his life. Jasper stood at the top of the hill and looked down the path he knew would lead him to Hayden. He shook his head. If he crossed over, then what? He had no idea where she was. He wouldn’t even know how to start looking for her. Birds had a very odd sense of description when it came to giving directions. He could get her to lead the way, but he hadn’t seen her around since she had delivered Hayden’s note.

  His hand tightened around the note and the loneliness he was feeling threatened to choke him.

  “Please be safe,” he whispered.

  He turned away from the path and a lump formed in his throat. He swallowed hard to get rid of it.

  He wished Luke, Mel and the twins were still here. They had come for a few days to check on him and to see if there was any news of Hayden. The twins had been a great distraction, even if he had been a little more impatient than usual with them.

  Back at the waterfall, he sat on the ground and looked at his makeshift fire pit. He had only made fires for the first week he had been here. And really, he thought to himself, the only reason he had gotten in the habit of making fires at night was because of Hayden. He twirled the gold band around his finger and smiled. She was always so cold.

  He thought of her that first week she after she had crossed over. She had been so scared. And that first night when he had noticed her shivering, it had struck a nerve in him for some reason. He had thought her fragile. Maybe even a bit weak.

  He chuckled. Fragile and weak. Two things that Hayden definitely was not. Stubborn. Now that was something Hayden was. By the moons, the woman could be stubborn to a fault. Courageous. That was something else she was. Adaptable. Caring. Loving.

  He closed his eyes and pictured her laying on a blanket in their meadow, braiding her halters. She had looked up when he had walked by her carrying water to the cabin. Her eyes, so green, with those peculiar specks of gold and green, had met his. She had smiled, pulled her hair out of its pony tail, and beckoned him over with a wink.

  He groaned. It was time to stop that memory before it went any farther. There was no point in torturing himself and suffering more than he already was.

  He looked up at the sky. It was almost time. Just like every night since the day she had gone, Jasper lay on his back, looked at the stars, and cleared his mind of all thoughts. The first night, it had taken him by surprise. He had been lying down, trying to not feel as terrible as he did, when he had felt the greatest feeling in the world. She was sending her love. He had broken down like a baby, sobbed until no more tears would come.

  Every night since then, he would lay and wait. And every night, she would send her love to him. The first touches of it seeped into him and he relaxed. The feeling got stronger and the choking feeling he lived with every day left. He closed his eyes and wished that he could do the same for her.

  A noise to his right broke his concentration and he sprang to his feet in time to be tackled by a wolf. He landed on his back, rolled away and shifted. The black wolf bared its teeth and a coyote joined it.

  Jasper growled. He crouched low, his tail twitching, teeth bared. He could still feel Hayden in the back of his mind and he hated to push her out, but he needed all of his concentration for what was about to happen. He blocked the feeling out and hissed at the dogs.

  Another form walked out of the woods and Jasper blinked. The wolf and coyote stayed tense, ready to fight, but made no move toward him.

  “Jasper. I must say I almost gave up on finding you.”

  Jasper shifted back so he could talk, his eyes staying on the two dogs. “What do you want, Damian.”

  The old man smiled and put a hand out to the dogs. They sat where they were. “I think it would surprise you to know that I want much the same as you.”

  “And what would that be?”

  “To make sure Hayden is safe.”

  Jasper looked quickly to Damian, then back to the dogs. “And why exactly, should I believe you. You’ve done nothing but send pack after pack after her.”

  Damian shook his head. “Rainen. Rainen and I are having a bit of a disagreement on the matter of Hayden. You see, she thinks she can use Hayden in this little war of cats and dogs. I believe that Hayden won’t be used by either side of this game.”

  Jasper was listening intently, not sure what to think.

  “I can see things to come, Jasper. The farther into the future it is, the foggier I see it. But I will stake my life on this. Hayden’s purpose here isn’t to fight for the Majs or the Namaels. Her purpose is to save us all.”

  “You are the ruler of the Maj. How is Rainen getting away with sending out the packs if you don’t agree with it?”

  Damian looked into his eyes and Jasper was shocked by the pain he saw. “I will tell you something that very few know. I am dying. I have been for years now. Whatever it is that is affecting me has to do with magic. I haven’t found one healer or sorcerer that can find a way to fix me. As far as they can tell, the magic is slowly leaving me. I can no longer get up. Even talking is a chore that fatigues me. Projecting myself like this…well, let’s just say I’ll be surprised if I have enough energy to ask for a glass of water when I get back.”

  The coyote whined and Damian smiled at him. “Things always end as they should, Patrick.” Both dogs bowed low.

  Damian looked back at Jasper. “Is she safe?”

  He nodded. “She’s where no one will find her.”

  “Good. I’ll give you the same bit of advice that I gave Hayden. If you remember one thing in your travels, let it be this. Nothing is as it seems.”

  “What does that mean? What have you seen?”

  Damian shook his head. “I have learned through experience that I can’t try to change how things are to be. But that doesn’t mean I can’t give advice along the way and hope for the best.” He looked to the wolf and coyote. “Thank you for finding him. You may return to your patrols.”

  Both of them seemed
hesitant to leave.

  “I’ll be fine,” he reassured them.

  Jasper watched them trot back into the woods.

  “I believe I will have the pleasure of seeing you one more time before my existence ends. Until then, be careful. And keep her safe.”

  Before Jasper could reply, Damian was gone.

  Jasper looked around and listened intently to make sure there was no surprise attack coming. After a few minutes, he returned to lay down and found that he could no longer feel Hayden.

  “Bloody hell,” he muttered to himself. “They couldn’t have waited five minutes.”

  What was Damian up to? Jasper growled. He didn’t trust the man. Granted, Hayden had a strange effect on a lot of people. But Damian? He would just have to be on his guard when she came back. Whether or not the leader of the Majs really was telling the truth about his intentions, his advice was good.

  He shifted and stretched out on his side. Breathing was a little easier when he was a tiger. It was probably because he couldn’t feel a hundred percent like a human could. His tail twitched. A little better, but not much.

  *****

  “You should phone Shaynna and go riding. You know that makes you feel better,” suggested my dad.

  It had been one month since I had left Quelondain. We were having supper.

  “I don’t know, dad. It’s hard enough not to run to the park and cross back over, and I think the main reason I don’t is because I’m not sure how to get to Sageden from that crossing. If I go to the arena I’ll be a hop, skip and a jump away from the hill crossing. I don’t know if I can stop myself from crossing over knowing he’s around there somewhere.”

  “Honey, you have to do something.” My mom passed me the potatoes. “I can see you getting wound up tighter and tighter every day. We don’t know how long this will take. What if it’s months, or years?”

  I stopped chewing, the thought of swallowing making me gag. I felt the blood drain from my face and my mom’s eyes widened.

  “Hayden, honey! I didn’t mean that it will! I’m sure it will be soon. From the sounds of that letter, I don’t think Jasper can stand it much longer than you can!”

  I took a few deep breaths, tried to slow my heartbeat and made sure I wasn’t projecting what I was feeling. Jasper didn’t need to know how miserable I was. I was getting pretty good at shielding. The only time he could feel what I was when the emotion was extreme. Or if I felt like teasing him. “I know, mom. It’s okay.” I tried to smile. “It’s probably a good idea. I’ll give Shay a call after supper.”

  I spent the next twenty minutes poking at my fish.

  “Why don’t you go call her right now?” My dad gave me a smile.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s fine, dear.” My mom gave my arm a squeeze as I walked past her.

  I grabbed the portable phone and headed to my room.

  The phone rang twice in my ear and a familiar voice answered. “Hello?”

  “Shay! It’s me!”

  There was a short pause.

  “Oh, my god! Hayden! Are you home?”

  I laughed. “Yeah, I am. I was hoping we could get together, if you’re not too busy.”

  “Of course not! God! When?”

  “I have absolutely no plans. You pick when is best for you.”

  “How about right now? I was just heading to the arena. They’re having a roping jackpot and Shawn is in it.”

  I smiled. “Sure. That sounds great.”

  “Do you still have your truck? Do you want me to pick you up?”

  “No, no. That’s good. I’ll meet you out there.”

  I kicked off my sandals, got out of my shorts and put my wranglers on and changed into a t-shirt, then headed downstairs.

  My mom and dad were in the kitchen.

  “So?” asked my dad.

  “There’s a roping jackpot this weekend and the first round is tonight. I’m gonna go meet Shay out there. Does my truck still run?”

  “It sure does.” He went to the key holder and tossed me my keys. “I’ll go move the SUV out of the way.”

  “Thanks, dad.” I gave my mom a hug and went to put my boots on.

  “You’re not putting on your riding boots?” she noticed.

  I shook my head. “I promised Jasper I’d keep these on.”

  She smiled. “That’s sweet. Did he give them to you?”

  I glanced at her. “No. I have my knife in them.”

  Her eyes widened.

  “See?” I pulled my pant leg up and showed her the pocket that held the knife.

  “But why…”

  “Mom. It’s different over there. Over there I walk around with my knife in my boot, my dagger on my belt, and two short swords on my back. When I go to bed, the dagger goes under my pillow and the swords go under the bed. When I told Jasper I couldn’t be walking around with weapons here, he asked if I would keep the boots on just in case.” I laughed. “It blew his mind that people just walked around here.”

  She nodded her understanding of the situation and passed me her phone. “If anything should happen…” She smiled. “I understand if you decide to go back. If it happens, just call and let us know, okay?”

  I took the phone from her. “I will, mom. I promise.”

  My dad came back into the house. I gave them both a hug and told them I loved them. “I’ll see you guys later.”

  Shaynna was waiting for me outside when I pulled up to the arena. She ran up to me and gave me a hug.

  “Man! It seems like ages! How have you been?”

  I smiled. “Great. It’s been quite the six months, that’s for sure. You?”

  “Beyond great! I got into the equine massage therapy program!

  I gave her a hug. “That’s awesome! You’ll love it.”

  We headed into the building and into the lounge where the spectators could sit and watch out of the windows while having a drink.

  I ordered two beers from the bartender, whom I didn’t recognize and we headed to the back of the arena to sit along the fence where we usually sat.

  Shawn trotted his horse up to me. “Hey! Hayden! Long time no see!”

  “Hey, Shawn. How have you been?”

  “Same old, same old.” He smiled.

  “Hey, Shawn! Pay attention! You’re up!” one of the other ropers hollered at him.

  “Oops! Gotta go!”

  We watched and I fell into my old rhythm again, running to grab drinks for the guys on the horses, answering the phone, or jumping into the alley to help push one of the steers that wasn’t cooperating.

  I was standing at the fence with my chin in my hands when I felt Shay staring at me. I turned to look at her. “What?”

  She cocked an eyebrow at me. “Is there something you want to tell me?”

  My eyes widened. “Um. I don’t think so. Is there?”

  She snatched my left hand and held it in front of my face.

  I burst out laughing. “Oh! That! I was going to tell you.”

  “You’re married?” She was smiling.

  “Well…yes. Yes, I am.” That’s the easiest answer to a very complicated situation, I thought to myself.

  “Details!” She sat on the fence and I hopped on it too.

  “I met him where my real mom is from. His name is Jasper. He is about six feet tall, dark brown curly hair, sky blue eyes…umm, what else. He’s twenty eight.”

  “What does he do?”

  “He’s in the army.”

  “Oohh. When do I get to meet him?”

  “You can’t right now. He’s not in the country.”

  “They sent him overseas? That’s horrible! You must be worried sick!”

  “I am.” I took a deep breath. “I miss him so much, Shay. He’s…he’s my world. He makes me laugh, and can tell when I’m upset without me telling him. He can make everything better with a kiss.” I realized how corny that sounded and stopped, my face turning red. I looked over at her.

  She was grinnin
g from ear to ear. “Can I say it?”

  I started to laugh. “I suppose you can.”

  She reached over and gave me a hug. “I told you so.”

  I felt another pair of eyes staring at me and looked up to the front of the arena. “Ugh. I don’t feel like dealing with this right now.”

  Shaynna looked where I was staring and grunted. “If it isn’t the king of the jackasses.”

  Dave started toward us through the arena.

  “I was hoping he wouldn’t be here,” she said. “Twirp bowed a tendon last week, so he doesn’t have a horse at the moment.”

  He had made his way over to us. “Hey, Hayden.”

  “Hey, Dave.”

  “I didn’t know you were back in town.”

  “She was hoping it was going to stay that way!” Shay chimed in.

  He glared at her then turned back to me. “Feel up to going for a drink after this is done?”

  “I can’t Dave.”

  “For shit’s sake, Hayden, when are you going to realize I actually care about you?”

  A small spark of fear fired up in my belly. He had been drinking.

  “Well, when you stop trying to physically force me to leave places with you, or when you stop calling me a slut, or a whore because I turn you down. That would be for starters.”

  He glared at me.

  “And even for some reason you did succeed in convincing me you don’t just want to add me to your trophy wall, I couldn’t go out with you anyway.”

  “And why the hell not?”

  “Because I’m married.” I showed him my band and his eyes widened.

  “Gotta feel sorry for that poor bastard,” he grumbled as a parting shot before walking away.

  I let out a deep breath and tried to calm myself.

  “Are you ok?” asked Shay.

  I nodded. I watched Dave make his way to the bar and order another beer. “I need some air. I’ll be right back.”

  “Do you want me to come?”

  “No. I’m fine.”

  I took the back door out, headed toward the single pens, and sat on the railing of the one Dodge used to stay in.