Scorpion

by Cyndi Goodgame

  Cord snarled at me, “Are you trying to insult me, gorgeous? Because I think it’s getting the opposite effect than you wanted. Want to tell your Vampire boyfriend all the sorts of things you must have been thinking about me it took to come up with that name?”

  “Now Cord. Don’t read into this.” I was backing up now, hands across the buckling table that squeaked under the strain of my pushing. “I pegged it the day I met you. You just look too pristine and perfect for a Werewolf. The thought stuck with me.” I hated myself for letting him know my thoughts, but his face was priceless now that the cat was out of the bag.

  He stared hard at me, “Well find something else. I don’t like it.”

  “All the more reason to let it stick.”

  Cas intervened and Cord left without a goodbye. I resulted to texting him later an apology and would promise not to call him that again. To his face.

  Chapter Twenty

  ...but I can see you are unarmed.

  The next morning, my lack of technology held me back from my secret mission. However, an angel living in the darkness within the land of the Vampires became my savior. Claire, the housekeeper, thought I’d like some help when she saw me shopping online and having difficulty. I told her what I wanted and she took over and had it ordered and shipped first class to arrive the next day. Hoddy toddy to that!

  I wanted to surprise him with a dress I picked out on my own and reward him for just being so...him. I had Claire pack the picnic box and requested it to be in the Sun room at sundown on Saturday, two days from now. A long time.

  I had no way of knowing that he wouldn’t be there.

  Epilogue

  I had a lot of time to think about everything as a whole. My life, my future, my goals. I knew what we wanted, what the task was, but were we achieving even the most remote part of what the end result would be?

  At some point, we’d just have to go after Borgon. We couldn’t train forever.

  The brainwashed Elves were being driven by fear or something or another with Borgon breathing down their necks. Was it fear really or was there more? I decided that was a good place to start. If we could appease the Elves of whatever hold Borgon had over them, things could change. Increasing the odds.

  My father had an arranged marriage in place for me. If he knew the future, was that part all a front for making the court happy? I do want to have a life one day.

  And I just wanted to get married, maybe have a daughter or son, and live life without constant danger. Is that so much to ask? Alexander the Great wanted...well, greatness. And to own the world. I just wanted to own a small piece of earthly goodness and enjoy the ride. So much for my own desires.

  Appendix One

  Marked Ones

  ANAT (goddess within many)

  ...goddess who destroyed Orion with the Scorpion to punish his misdeeds including stealing her bow, excessive bragging towards the intention to kill the earth’s creatures, and ignoring her. Legends say Artemis, and even Apollo her twin brother, set out to punish him but Anat beat them to it using trickery and good timing. She used her sordid past to help solve an escalating dilemma among the supernatural factions on the earth. The humans were passive and set in their ways, but those living among them are restless. They want to own each other. That could never happen.

  Anat set out to create only one, but that would be impossible. It went awry last time. She would need reassurance when the time came. Who would make the group compatible? Who would make them achieve their goal? Not all decisions can be easily identified as explainable, but sometimes you just know. The goddess rings made available will keep them safer. All asked have willingly accepted her plea for help. The five chosen will bring back unity.

  STACE (marked with ALL signifying the connection between the five)

  Goddess ring- multi-colored and blocks thoughts from Cas (and ability to have power increased when touching Cas physically but not revealed until later), enhances electricity with Calum (doesn’t officially know it yet), shields others combined with Szar (finds out later), sees specific future events with Cord (later)

  ...is the child born to a goddess- daughter of Anat who killed her lover Aqhat (Orion) in the legends. She was created to change a dying supernatural world from destroying itself from the inside out. After many dangers, traitors, and feuding allies she finally makes the group whole in book two with a unified beginning towards peace. But it’s a long road.

  Anat tells Stace in book two that she took the name Anat over any other simply because she wanted to and that all the names she and the other gods have held are synonymous regardless of how the different people of the world change it. Her name well become legend.

  SZAR (SHIELD) (other connections- Saiph, star in Orion)

  Goddess ring- seemingly useless at first and he sees it as a dud especially when he sees the others in use, but later a happy chance brought about a situation where Szar actually felt the group in real danger and his own high emotions created a shield from any danger (thus a shield- hasn’t happened yet...)

  ...is the half god/ half Valkyrie- son of Lord Hathown, leader of the Valkyrie court faction in the supernatural world. He doesn’t find out till much later that his sole purpose is to save Stace. Can he run a faction and save her too? Stay tuned...

  CALUM (ORION-Hunter strength)(other connections- Rigel, star in Orion)

  Goddess ring- enhances the power of electricity through Stace when he wears it combined with highly intense emotions- allows an alert system to know when each is close

  ...is the half god/ half Hunter- who was created to make sure Stace stays safe from all with his brute strength alone, but ultimately in the end he is still (Orion) and Cord (the Scorpion) does show up. Can legends be broken?

  CASSIUS (SUN) (other connections-Ra, the sun god, Hathor and Sekhmet)

  Goddess ring- increases any power Stace holds if he is touching her (not aware of it until later) shares telepathy, as well as magnetic alert system when each other is close

  ...is the half god/half Valkyrie turned Vampire-who was created to stand beside his beloved and never let her feel alone even when all else seems at an end. To be her stronghold in the darkest moments. Her balance in the fight for their lives.

  He (chose) to turn vampire to save her finding only his destiny was never his own even as far back as at birth when she spoke to him in her mind. Made a vampire and moved up in status to be the next lord allowing him to be her equal and therefore fulfilling the destiny of connecting the five intended to bind together to change the supernatural world.

  Incidentally, Cas has studied his roots extensively, for he is born of the very powerful god, Ra.

  CORD (SCORPION)(other connections-enemy used to kill Orion by his love, Anat)

  Goddess ring- sees specific futuristic events that only he and Stace can envision when joined together by blood (Ewww!) ...and heals her! (New reveal in book 3). And the same type of system feeling like a head rush to alert each other to their presence

  ...human turned Werewolf-didn’t (choose) to become a Were and didn’t know his destiny as the scorpion he was marked with from birth. His destiny is still unknown in most ways for we know not why he was sent to Stace like the others though he was born in the same Val court as the others, except the Hunter. For now, we press on and wait.

  Everything was set in motion until Cas was told to go to him and ask his faction to allow him to be the new Were leader at the other's demise (by Lord Hathown). He was a human in the Val court that Stace doesn’t remember and doesn’t find out until end of book two.

  MARKED ONES LETTERS

  Letter to Anastacia Anat Hathown (hidden for proper time with Lord Hathown till she is 18)

  Dear Daughter of Anat,

  I haven’t forgotten you. My time on earth was short, but carrying you was the highlight of my time there. I leave you with your father, the chosen male to carry you through childhood and on to the destiny you hold. Please use the resources I’ve instilled in you to accom
plish the goal ahead. I hold your abilities above all and will stand above to watch them grow when all have our children have found themselves in one accord. The frailty of the human race kept us from making you anything other than the strengths of the Valkyrie and the powers of the gods. Please use this wisely and step forward on hastened feet. We need you. We are counting on you. They can’t do it without you. Read carefully the prophecy our leader has put before you.

  With Love.

  The hunter by day will take with him, a huntress, unlike his own. She will bear the mark of Orion, as will he.

  The hunter by night will take with him, a huntress, unlike his own. She will bear the mark of the sun. As will he.

  They will bring forth a mighty nation of all who come together. They will find Saiph at their right shoulder. Rigel and his stinging adversary will rule like no other. Cross will come between severed twins. Let who stands in the way of fate perish and be no more. In this great peril, the Anat goddess in human form will be the only light.

  Lost Letter to Szar Hathown (hidden by father- told before Stace as a young boy and asked to guide her)

  Dear Son of Anat,

  I haven’t forgotten you. My time on earth was short, but carrying you and your sister were the highlight of my time there. I leave you with your father, the chosen male to carry you through childhood and on to the destiny you hold. Please use the resources I’ve instilled in you to accomplish the goal ahead. I hold your abilities as most important to the survival of your kind and ours and for the single event that it will cost all if you choose to ignore it. You understand what this is if your father followed as I asked and gave this to you at the right time. The frailty of the human race kept up us from making you anything other than the strengths of the Valkyrie and the power of the gods. Please use this wisely. We need you. We are counting on you. The rest can’t do it without you. Read carefully the prophecy our leader has put before you.

  With Love.

  Letter to Calum Rigel Green (Hidden for proper time with Lord Green till he is 18 but revealed that he’d seen it years before)

  Dear Son of Neptunia,

  I am the Father of Neptunia. My daughter was chosen for this task to bear you. I was asked to help build a ruler who would prove strong and agile among the many. I adhere to whatever Anat, the battle goddess and her children deem necessary until such time I should need to intervene and shut it down. You do me proud. Please do nothing else. Beware of your enemies, for they are many. Keep the girl safe from all harm, first and foremost.

  Father of Neptunia.

  Letter to Cassius Rathorth Cross (Hidden for proper time with Lord Hathown till he was ten only because he needed someone to personally protect her)

  Dear Son of Eos,

  Son, I am only the pawn in this. Asked by Anat to comply with her orders, I give you my undying love and respect for what you must do in the following years. As goddess of the dawn, I foresee what actions you did and will take to have the human emotion love and to fulfill your destiny. Please use the powers you hold to complete these tasks. Do not let her go alone. As the son of Ra, you are bound by all orders of our kind and hers. When choosing another form, take care that you are taught properly. The ring will return and be of use to the both of you. Take care.

  With Love.

  Letter to Cord Ryan (Hidden for proper time with Lord Hathown till he is 18 but given early because he is turned earlier than planned)

  Dear Son of a Human,

  The Valkyrie court has and will keep watch over you. At the appointed time, lord of the manor will see to it that you are properly prepared for your destiny as the Scorpion. Know that your original lineage stems from great rulers and will allow you to harness the power you will need to lead the most ruthless of the factions. Guard it well.

  With Thanks.

  Anat.

  ℓℓℓℓℓ

  Questionable Villains

  Drac (Oldest Vampire alive)

  Previous defected Vampire lord- over three hundred years old and very powerful and influential in the supernatural world but rarely seen...sired father of Nara who was promised to Lord Cross for being turned as a favor to Lord Cross’ father

  ...owes Cas a favor for a rogue who once had Nara at near death, but Cas owes him too...

  Naracrissa (Daughter of Drac and betrothed to Lord Cross)

  Lord Drac’s daughter- who is evil like her sired father, and was betrothed to Cas as a prize to have him when he is turned. She was once captured by his own negligence and Cas rescued her thereby owing her father, Lord Drac, a debt...

  Now she just wants to get back at him for not wanting her. She will do anything to vanquish him or make him regret turning her away.

  Ted Borgon (Rogue Hunter defector)

  ...when Dr. Green announces his new professor of the supernatural histories, Ted Borgon is pissed. He vows that the great doctor will regret his decision. Once, while fishing through his file cabinet, Borgon came across a letter. A letter about Dr. Green’s son. It changed his game plan. From that day on, his goal was the doctor’s son and the girl that would soon be involved with him. After careful research and making friends in the right places, he intended to take out this famous goddess girl who eludes the shadows when trouble comes around. He jades deals with who he had to to get her in the open. When she shows up at the Hunter school, the game begins...

  ...and he knows a secret they don’t...

  When he is approached by the Elves to stand as a leader, he thinks this is his chance to show the good Dr. Green that he was worthy of being picked over Quinn. He does what they ask. When he tells them he needs warriors to take out the Valkyrie princess, the Elves balk saying she can't die. When the Elves refuse to help, he challenges them to become slaves. They aren’t happy. When Borgon’s sees his family, whom he has left and neglected, killed by the very creatures he just threatened, he becomes certifiably insane with revenge on everyone who has ever wronged him.

  To him, that means the five savior marked ones need to die and he can have it all. If he takes the factions, he can overpower even the Elves. He told them he would make them all in charge if the factions are destroyed. Greed leads the way. What he doesn’t know is that the lost leader of the Elves is back from his bitter leaving. And he doesn’t intend to see his people die out.

  Lord Jetten (Elf lord who left his people and has now returned)

  ...Jetten left his people too many years ago and went into seclusion when his people decided they no longer needed a leader. Ousted and told to never return, he did just that. Young at the time, he wandered the earth and discovered that no one group of people, no matter the size, could sustain an equilibrium without a leader. It was obvious as he watched them now falling apart at the seams and dying at the whim of a Hunter madman.

  It was time he took control of his people back. To do this, he watched the Shadow Queen, as he’d heard some call her, slowly make her way into all the factions except his own. She was colored with a great destiny and helping her get there was the key he decided. It was the only way to make the Elves see reason.

  Granite Black (Vampire personal guard to Lord Cross, gone rogue)

  ...Granite was chosen to be one of Thorn’s guards years ago. He was stronger, faster, and a better problem solver than any of the others when he joined him. He’d come from a broken family and made a personal goal to train for the main guard’s post when he was twelve. His sired mother, an unpopular Vampire who mingled a little too much with supernatural dignitaries and higher ups that she felt would get her places abandoned him and his sired blood sister that same year. His sister was ten. Now part of the Vampire faction he has their protection, but his sister did not. And now that she was dead, he wanted revenge on the man who killed her. Lord Thorn Cross.

  To help him, he wants the power he never had. Borgon offers him the Vampire faction in exchange for destroying Lord Cross. When his plans are foiled and Borgon goes back on the deal, he doesn’t hesitate to attack the Valkyrie court and k
idnap Anastacia’s father. He can’t go back now.

  ℓℓℓℓℓℓℓℓℓℓℓℓ

  Characters in Limbo

  Lee Dyer (Valkyrie/Hunter) (incredible strength and reads emotions like all Hunters and Valkyries)

  ...half Valkyrie/half Hunter-sent into the Valkyrie court very young to keep Stace safe by Dr. Green and Lord Hathown working together. Lord Cross was asked to continue his watch over her and neglected to find out the truth of Lee’s double cross with Borgon to sell her magical secrets to him. Young and unaware of it he might have been, been the deed was done nonetheless When Borgon threatened to take her life if he didn’t feed information over, Lee follows through as he is young and the ways of the world will make him a hard, sad man when he is older. He falls in love with her, but he can never have her. Will he redeem himself in the end? Stay tuned...

  Dr. Mar Quinn (professor of chemistry and supernatural histories at Hunter school and personal friend to Dr. Green, the headmaster- now acting headmaster with Green’s move to faction leader)

  ...rude to Stace from day one and always appeared to have an agenda. Told by her father to investigate him at the Hunter school in lieu of her brother’s kidnapping, she doesn't know it was a ruse. Her father sent her into the school, but he gave her only what he needed to. Stace suspects him, but then the notes come warning her of what’s to come confusing her as to whose side he is on. When he stays on at the Hunter school as the new dean, she has to assume he is on the good side...her side...