The Traveler
Bloods Divide Universe
∞ Ω ∑ †
by
Stacy McCarty
No. 1 edition
©2019 Stacy McCarty, All rights reserved.
©2019 cover art from iStock, All rights reserved.
No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.
The Traveler is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
WARNING: this book contains material which is not suitable for all audiences; mild sex, fantasy violence and other subject matter might trigger some readers please be advised.
Table of Contents
Cadence Awakening
Prologue
Chapter 1
Aria
Chapter 2
Cade
Chapter 3
Aria
Chapter 4
Cade
Chapter 5
Aria
Chapter 6
Cade
Chapter 7
Aria
Chapter 8
Cade
Chapters 9
Aria
Chapter 10
Cade
Chapter 11
Aria
Chapter 12
Cade
From author
Character List and abilities
Bloods Divide
Glossary of Terms
Dedications
Stalk this author
Series reading order
Cadence Awakening
“When first my eyes came to rest upon your essence delight rolled, twisted, and danced inside my body.
Abruptly, my stomach sinks into the void of self-doubt.
Why must this crushing painful feeling resonate, like a criminal come to steal my dreams, my hopes, newly discovered?
All at once, both joy and shame collided, mix, and melt together leaving no evidence of hope revealed.
So I being weak, like the undeveloped neck muscle of a newborn, I crawl back inside myself unsatisfied and forever changed.”
Prologue
I am careful to not be seen by the drones in the main hallway the last thing I need is to have a dagger after me for not following my guide’s orders. But I’m not afraid I’m almost seventeen spins now and I’m sick of staying in my room all the time. It is not like anything will ever happen to me here in this huge fortress.
I kneel, out of breath fleeing from Dahlia. She is much quicker than me but I am smaller and I know where the secret passageways are.
“Aria!” Dahlia yells from off in the distant, darkened corridors.
I cover my mouth hoping to conceal the heavy, raspy sound of it. I realize that the sounds aren’t coming from me but from one of the rooms. From the passageway, I can see into the other rooms. This is my only window out. Other then the occasional escape I make from Dahlia I am a prisoner. I have never freely walked outside of the fortress walls of the Kysco Nation. My eyes have witnessed the rise and fall of the three hues from inside these walls. Remaining on my knees I move closer to the door. I look through the small keyhole above the doorknob. The full view of the room comes into focus and I see movement inside. I grow excited, moving my face even closer for a better view. I am careful not to touch the door; I don’t want to reveal myself to the occupants inside.
My excitement increases once I notice that one of the three bodies inside is a breeder. I am going to be a breeder one day soon too. I see that the breeder is male. His long torso is rippling and strong looking. I see the piece on a male that I have only heard about but never seen before him. He is covered in different markings which line his body. He stands and I see his beautiful skin which is bare, and covered by all the breeder’s markers. The other two I now see are females as they both come into view. One of the women moves behind the breeder before she removes her robe. She is beautiful. Her hair is like gold and it’s wavy like the ribbons on the drapes that hang in the grand hallways.
The breeder takes her hand placing it upon him and I watch him grow in size in her hand. I feel myself get a feeling in between my thighs that I haven’t ever felt before now and in my belly unlike anything I’ve yet to feel.
I am forced to put an end to this urge by placing my hand over my heated lips. With one hand covering my mouth and my other hand pressed against my slit I eagerly stare at them as they touch, and I touch myself deeper. As they suck, lick, and bite I slide my hand down inside my undergarments. I only grow wetter and my feelings increase to the point that I whimper aloud.
I stop myself by pulling my hand out ending my pleasure for fear that they have heard me. I look through the keyhole, and see that they have not heard a thing, as they have all joined into a pile, twisting and turning around one another as they mate. Their moans are blissful encouragement to me.
“Aria!” Dahlia shouts while yanking me up, and off of the ground, bringing me eye to eye with her. My small feet dangling as she holds me like I’m merely feathers in her hands. “What are you doing here?” She demands in a quieter voice, but her eyes burn with rage for me. “Answer me, Aria!” She continues not waiting for a full moment to pass.
“I don’t know what I’m doing. I am sorry.” I pull out the first of many excuses. She places me on my feet on the ground in front of her as her eyes soften. “I am truly sorry…I won’t…” I start but stop when we hear the doorknob behind me start turning.
“Come!” Dahlia snaps, grabbing me by the hand before rushing off down the corridor.
She moves fast, like the wings of the birds in the sky. I can’t see her legs as she flies with me in hand. I can move fast too, just like she taught me, but I’m not like her nor is she like me. She is my Dahlia, my teacher and guide. I am the breeder, the source of life.
Ω
I attentively listen to Dahlia tell me the forbidden story of our old world as I try my best to fall asleep.
“In the darkest of the ether lays a world unlike any other, with both the power to destroy all; or create many wonders.
In a far-off land not unlike ours, tribes are divided, and families are separated; it is written that one female and one male from two different species, will right the wrongs, and undo the savage destruction of the Kysco Nation.”
Chapter 1
Aria
The blue hue sat high in the sky cloaking the Kysco fortress in darkness. The golden towers stood lit up by the torches of the Kysco Nation and the lonely breeder sat with a plan in my head and a mean guide waiting to rid herself of me for the night.
Dahlia pulls the comb through my hair slowly gliding it down the back reaching the ends with a tug. I move trying to free myself from her grip. She growls a little at me but says nothing as she yanks me back into place. If only she wasn’t so much stronger than I am. I move again this time not stopping until I’m standing. She moves to grab my hand but I’m quick and make it to my bed before she can stop me.
“Fine…sleep…it is time for you to rest now anyhow, Aria” she concedes with a smile. I think that she has even grown tired of this game. “Do you need anything before I go?”
“No.” I answer. The only thing I can think of is escape; that’s what I need. She smiles and moves to leave. “Wait…tell me that story again,” I plea, remembering that I can’t let her leave without this one thing that gives me hope.
“The story? What story?” She sits with a sweet sm
ile almost taunting me. I want her to see me as the little girl that I once was; she’s nicer to me when I’m that way with her.
“You know what story. Tell me about the Yukon Sea and the dark creatures and the magical flying creatures…flying what did you call them?” I pause forgetting what she had told me.
“Oh, that story. They’re called Darjin and they can fly because they have wings.” She explains.
“I want to see them for myself one day. I wish these were not just stories, Dahlia. How do you fly? You have no wings.” I ask.
“I can’t fly silly. I run. It only seems like I’m flying because of how fast I’m going. It’s so fast it’s like two blinks of your eyes.” She adds before demonstrating by blinking her eyes twice. I laugh at her amusement by her willingness to play. Tonight she seems so willing to play with me unlike most nights where she is very stern and without words for me.
“Will I get faster? Will I get stronger like you?” I press. She laughs while pulling my sheets up and over me covering my legs like I’m a child but I’m far from being a child.
“Yes, Aria you will get stronger, faster, and you will be a breeder which is the most precious of positions in our mighty nation. You should be very honored and proud to have such a great chance to give our world its next generation. The strongest generation, I believe.” She says adding a smile at the end.
Ω
The sounds of crashing glass startle me awake. I move to get out of bed. I barely manage to wrap my robe around my body before racing over to the door to see and listen to the commotion in the hallway.
There is no keyhole so I must open the door slightly if I want to see who is in the hallway. I quickly open the door just enough to see out but no one can see in and I brace myself in front of the door just in case someone comes to the door and tries to enter.
Dahlia is the first person I see and next I see a huge man who is dressed in royal silk robes indicating that he is a royal council member. I notice the Kysco Nation symbol in crested in an amulet around his neck. I see broken glass on the ground surrounding their feet and it becomes obvious to me that he is punishing Dahlia for some reason.
“I don’t care what you say, Dahlia you will get the girl immediately or you will face the heated end of my belt now go get her!” He shouts into her face spraying her with spit. And without even knowing this man I already hate him and never want to be with him.
“I can’t get her, your royal highness she is not of mating age please forgive me but if you mate with a breeder too young you two will surely breed a purged, and no one wants to see that happen.” She pleads with him with her hands on his shoulders. He towers over her without speaking with fire in his eyes.
“Well, when will she be of age Dahlia? I know that girl is grown she’s over nineteen years old stop stalling me, Dahlia I will have my rightful mate and the power that comes with her too!” He snaps at her before pushing her hands off of him. He moves towards my door but Dahlia moves in front of him blocking him.
“I understand that where you are from you track age differently but here under the three hues of Tragon we must adhere to the laws or our species will come undone.” She urges while shaking her head.
“Move out of my way you stupid cow! Don’t you know who I am! I am ultimate power and with my rightful mate ARIA I will rule this whole nation!” He shouts before trying to pass by Dahlia. She grabs his arm and pushes him back sending him sailing back ten feet. He lands and looks stunned as though he is surprised by her strength which he can’t match.
“I’m sorry your highness but you must obey the laws and you must leave the breeder chambers immediately” She commands him.
I become too afraid to remain at the door so I race back over to the bed and get back in.
Dahlia enters my room frightened and out of breath. I have never seen Dahlia like this. She nods repeatedly as I move towards her. The most terrifying eerie feeling rolls through my body taking with it all my commonsense.
“You need to run, Aria. You will not understand what is going on and I don’t have the time to tell you but if you stay there will be a war. Do you remember what I taught you about the Yukon and the Oldlands?” She asks and I nod. “It was all true; every, single, word I told you as a story was always your training, Aria. They wanted to take you years ago but I stopped them before. You are forty spins now and I can no longer hold them back from you.” Dahlia demands keeping her voice quiet but her words ring loudly in my ears. “Run to the Yukon, you know the way I know you do.” She stresses almost out of breath.
“What—why aren’t you coming with,” I ask but I’m met with fierce hands which shove me towards my bedroom window. I struggle but she manages to get me over to the window all the same.
“I said run. Go through this window and follow the edge of the building until you come to the balcony. Once you are there I want you to stay out of sight, get yourself down the stairs, out into the main floor and leave this place. Whatever you do don’t take the private corridors, Aria.” She finishes with a fear in her eyes that scares me enough to let her hand go. I want to say no. I want to refuse her demand but her order also means I will get to finally escape.
“Yes, Dahlia I will do as you say,” I agree. Wasting no time, I get myself out the window and gracefully scale the edge of the mighty fortress walls.
I watch Dahlia pull her head back into the window and I lose sight of her. I turn my head facing the direction I need to go.
I try not to look down but my curiosity gets the better of me and I look immediately regret giving in. Below me is a drop that would surely end my short life if I miss one step and fall. I move slowly, placing every step with the upmost caution. All the time I’m wondering what would make Dahlia so afraid. What would cause her to put me in such a situation as this one?
I hear several varying sounds coming from all different directions inside. I move quickly and avoid looking down again. My bare feet cling to the sliver of an edge as I round the last bit before I reach the balcony.
Chapter 2
Cade
“I can’t believe that I’m back here either, Judy but you know how much my aunt meant to me and there’s no way around it for some reason she insisted that I open her will at Troy Manor, something about being where the heart of the family was is what she told the family attorney.” I answer while gesturing my fingers in quotations.
“If you need money Cadence then maybe you should get a job or something but don’t go looking for some fortune from your past, trust me I remember just unhappy and down you become when you’re around your family, Cadence. I don’t want you to slip up, you know.” Judy says through my cell phone and her words go unheard as I open the old door to Troy Manor.
“I am not after anything, especially money, Judy! What the hell are you talking about? Well why would you think that about me?!” I spit onto my cell phone as the frustration of what she’s saying rolls through me.
“Calm down…Cade, I didn’t mean to upset you, you know I love you to pieces. I only want to see you happy. You’re my best friend and I don’t want to see you hurting again.” She explains in a pained tone and I realize I’ve been too gruff with her.
“I’m sorry Judy, you and I go back at least ten years and I know that you only have my best interest at heart and I thank you for that.” I try to apologize to my dear friend. Judy has been with me since I was sixteen or so and I don’t know where I would have ended up without her as a friend.
“No I should apologize to you, Cade. You stopped my father from…you stopped him from doing,” her voice goes soft and fate as I can feel her struggling with the pains of the past, “well you know what you did for me, Cade.” She adds as her voice returns to a happier tone. “If you wouldn’t have helped me by convincing your father into taking me in, I would have grown up on the streets or something worse.”
“And I would do it all over again, Judy you’re like my sister. I love you to pieces. I wish you could have been here with me n
ow. I don’t know if I can handle this legal crap on my own, you’re the brainy-yeck.” I joke.
“You know I would have been there if I could have been but with Travis work schedule and my new work schedule I just couldn’t get any time off. I’m sorry you have to bare this one alone, Cade. Are you there now?”
“Yes I just walked in and this place looks like it’s been sitting empty for over ten years or so. Nuts, right? I’ll send you a picture so you can see what I’m talking about but I better let you go for now, Juds.” I say as disconnecting before she could say bye.
Ω
I reach for the folded-up papers from my attorney but I miss and fall face first, smacking my face into my cherry wood desk.
“Damn…shit that hurt!” I scream while clutching my head in my hand. I can tell without seeing my forehead that there will be a bruise, maybe even a bump. I rub it while standing to get the papers I had wanted to begin with. “I really hope she didn’t leave me with any bills, because there’s no way I can afford to pay for shit. Maybe she did actually have money, I wonder if she left me some. How much money would she have? None, I’m guessing; she had nothing to give,” I say aloud sending a muffled echo down the hallways.
I’m in my study. Or what remains of my study. Troy Manner has sat empty and unattended for seven years now.
I open the letter. “Mr. Cadence Troy,” I read, and then I say aloud, “Yeah. That’s me. Yeah. Yeah. Wait! What?” I start pacing as the unreal news sinks into my already drunk brain. I continue reading, “…your Aunt Margaret was a very wealthy woman.”
I pace over to the mini bar, reaching for something to drink before remembering that there’s nothing there but dust. “I can’t believe this. I did not know this.”
I walk over towards my Grandfather Clock. The glare from the sun hits my face, blinding me briefly. “Shit…that’s bright,” I gasp. I look up at the clock noticing that it is still working underneath the layers of dust and dirt.
The Traveler (Bloods Divide Universe Book 1) Page 1