by Jaymin Eve
He shook his head vehemently. “No, you don’t understand. We are a very old race, and we value our rare precious women like no other.”
Brace sighed then, drawing our attention. “We have darkness inside. It grows as the years pass by. Loneliness is an emotion that destroys the best of us. Many of the very old Walkers are desperate to find their mates.” He paused. “Desperate enough to either misjudge or not care that you are not their true mates, and now the Doreen has challenged Josian.”
“Which means what exactly?” I demanded.
“It is an official challenge; if I do not accept then he will take you. If I accept and fail, he will take you. If I win, he will be dead,” Josian said it all in a matter-of-fact way.
“No,” I gasped, “no, you can’t do this. I won’t risk you. I’ll go with him until you can figure out how to rescue me.”
He laughed in his low husky tones. “Thank you, baby girl, for trying to protect me, but it is my job to protect you, and I will not fail.”
“Besides, even if Josian did fall, which is practically impossible, I would claim you and he would have to face me.” Brace’s features were dark, his eyes black.
If this was going to be so easy, why were both of them disturbing the airwaves with their palpable anger?
“So say I just left with him now, because this is my choice to make – don’t think it isn’t – what would happen then?” I wanted to know all my options.
“He will perform the mating ceremony with you, whether you consent or not, and then we cannot touch you without risking retribution.” Josian’s eyes twinkled.
As if he had read my previous thought, his worry dissipated.
“Dad, you’re not taking this seriously. He’s going to hurt or kill you.” I tried to contain my panic but it spilled out in my words.
I had felt this Walker’s power. It was debilitating.
“Have some faith in me. I am not that easy to defeat.”
“Your arrogance is going to be the death of you, Josian,” I said, beaten.
I couldn’t stop him accepting the challenge. But I was ... annoyed, yeah, let’s go with that.
“What does the ... other Walker want with me?” Talina blurted out.
I could tell she’d been as patient as possible.
Josian faced her, his expression sympathetic. “Family can also claim females, as a manner of keeping them safe until they are mated. We don’t own you.” He looked at each of us. “We protect you. Women are precious, and without their seed of life nothing would exist or continue.”
My eyes widened. Over-share. Thanks, Dad.
“In short, I am going to have to battle both of them to keep you.” He faced Talina. “I know you probably want to go with your father, but until we are sure of his intentions and whether he is who he says he is, I would advise against it.”
“I will battle for Abby.” Brace spoke up. “You shouldn’t have to battle for both of them, and I owe this Doreen for every single mark he placed on her.”
“You can’t, Brace. You know the challenge for Aribella has been issued directly to me; however, you can battle for Talina. She’s of your clan, so it’s acceptable. We might as well get them out of the way.” His bronze eyes narrowed. “And I promise he will not be around to hurt her much longer.”
My panic threatened to overwhelm me. This was what I’d wanted to avoid: people I loved in danger – especially because of me. Josian stepped away to take three long strides down the beach. My right arm lifted to grab him back, but he was too quick, and I knew I’d never be able to stop him.
“Neither of the females wish to leave with you, so we will accept both challenges. I, Josian of Doreen for Aribella of Doreen, and Brace of Abernath for Talina of Abernath, will convene here in ten minutes for the first challenge.”
He was back at my side. “If by some chance we fail, I need you to trace to your room again, baby girl. They can’t follow either of your energies so if you can stay hidden, you should be safe. I have contacted my brothers and they will protect you and Talina.”
“It is against the rules to use a doorway to escape a challenge,” Brace explained, “but there is nothing about tracing.”
“Shit ...” I said again, softly this time.
But no one was listening to me anymore.
Brace and Josian were discussing tactics, and Talina had sat down on the sand, her head hanging between her legs as she took deep breaths.
I just stood there glaring down the beach at the two Walkers, and Gladriel more than any. She was evil. If looks could kill ...
“Where is Raror?” Talina’s question caught my attention; her voice was unnaturally high and breathless.
I moved over to sit next to her. “I don’t know, Talli.”
“I’m so worried. He wouldn’t have left me alone like this unless something was wrong.”
“You can bet Gladriel knows; she’s been planning this,” I said tonelessly.
“I should have ended her maniacal tirade a long time ago.” Talina’s tone was hard and brittle.
She sounded as if a swift breeze would break her apart and she would drift away.
“You have two more minutes. Prepare yourself, Walker.” Traktin, the stalker-Walker, had stepped away from the other two.
He stood in the space between our groups.
“I love you, baby girl.” Josian pulled me to my feet.
I examined his features, relieved to see no nerves or fear. I had to trust my father knew what he was doing.
“Love you too, Dad. Just win,” I said to him firmly, “or I’ll be hunting down your free essence and kicking its ass.”
I stood on tip-toes to kiss him. He leaned down so I could reach his cheek without a struggle. Breathing in his familiar scent, I blinked back my tears. I would stay strong. Josian was the toughest, most arrogant person I knew. That had to mean something.
He touched my face, and walked away to halt opposite Traktin. It was with a malicious joy that I noticed Josian was much taller and broader through the shoulders, and Traktin finally looked uneasy. A warm hand cupping my arm drew my attention. Brace smiled gently as he stared down into my face. My returning smile was a tad shaky.
“It will be okay, Red, I promise. Josian is tough and smart. You have nothing to worry about.”
“What about you?” I said fiercely. “I have everything to lose here today.”
He moved quickly.
I had no preparation as he pressed his lips firmly to mine. I opened my mouth, always needing more. He flicked his tongue out and, as I tasted that which was uniquely Brace, the rest of the world disappeared. All too soon he pulled away.
As reality returned I realized that the blond Walker was shouting. Josian held back Traktin as he attempted to charge down the beach.
“I’m not supposed to touch you until the challenge is complete. You belong to no one. The only reason that Traktin doesn’t already have possession of you is because we were still inside our ten-minute window.” Brace spoke low and fast. “But I cannot touch you again, Abby.”
“Do you fight now as well?” I asked, still a little shaky from the kiss.
“No, we issue one challenge at a time. The rest of us stand as witness to the winner and ensure that procedure is followed.”
I was starting to despair about these stupid Walker rules. They were unevolved Neanderthal children. No wonder there were limited Walker women; they probably drowned in all the testosterone.
“We aren’t human, Red,” Brace said, reading my expressions. “You cannot expect the same thought patterns or behavior. We are ancient creatures. The endless years have molded us.”
For the first time I could see the gulfing gap between my experiences and Brace’s.
“Don’t die, Brace. I want to know about your years of experiences. I want to see if our marks line up. I need ...” I hesitated over the last words.
I needed him. It was as simple as that.
He breathed in deeply. “I’ve sear
ched for you forever, Abby. I will not cease to exist now before I even have the chance to ... give you everything ... the world.”
His hesitation was unusual. He seemed almost nervous.
I wanted to touch him. But a glance up the beach halted me. The blond Walker was staring in our direction, just waiting for us to break the rules again. I stepped back before my wandering hands moved.
“Well, in that case, go kick some butt. I’ll wait right here.” I crossed my arms over my chest.
He strode across the sand to Josian. They were joined by the black-haired Walker.
“We stand witness to these challenges and, as the original seven decreed, so shall we uphold.”
We had no problem hearing as Talina’s father spoke the formal sounding words.
They all nodded once and gripped hands in a strange type of handshake, crossed-arms thing before releasing their grip. And then the area was flooded with moonstale light as each of them produced a piece. I could see Josian flick open his flat ring.
I gasped, my nails digging into my cheeks, probably leaving crescent-shaped indents on my ivory skin. I was speechless. The sight of their marks left me shaking in awe, and something pressed me to step closer. I realized Talina was moving ahead of me. We stopped when we reached the edge of the sphere of moonstale light surrounding them. I couldn’t take my eyes off Brace. His marks were black, tribal like Talina’s, and amazing.
He wore a fitted black shirt so I could see them run down his neck and along his muscled bicep. Each mark wrapped around, hugging his skin, so detailed and bold. I wanted to run my fingers along them. I wanted to know their texture.
We stepped into the light. We couldn’t stop ourselves. The moonstale drew us like moths to a flame. The four men locked us in their gaze. Brace’s eyes narrowed. He shook his head, urging me back.
But our marks had other ideas.
The red of my marks began to dance along my skin. They glowed so brightly it was difficult to look at them. And then to my astonishment they started to bleed off me. Trailing away, they searched for something, and I knew exactly what it was.
They were going to connect with Brace.
I could see the edges of his marks along his forehead and down his cheek reach for my own. And then when the black collided with red, we connected.
I landed on my knees in the sand. I could feel him, everything about who he was. As our marks intertwined, so did our energy and souls. The mind blocks we’d kept in place were negated, our thoughts and memories smashing together in a destructive and intimate fashion, as if they had been straining forever to reach each other. I recoiled from the alien nature of his thoughts, and at the same time sought desperately to understand.
Then his feelings flooded through me, and I gasped, my heart swelling. I could never understand the depth of emotion he felt for me, the hundreds of years he’d searched, growing weary, lonely. His love and emotional tie to me eclipsed every thought in his mind, like I was his very soul, ingrained in the essence of who he was.
And underlying that was the confusion about his father, his guilt over not questioning things, of being a good little soldier.
I’d just delved even deeper, immersing myself in all that was Brace, when he cut me off, slowing the flooding tide of emotions. He was gaining a little control, although he was moving toward me.
Josian intercepted him.
“Brace!” His shouted words were dull, though they did register in our minds. “You have to fight the melding. The challenge still stands. You cannot lose her now.”
“How is this possible?” the blond Walker snarled.
My distracted mind almost missed the flash of the knife in his hand. He stabbed out at Josian then, so quickly I couldn’t track the movement.
“We have not had a Walker melding in millennia.” His fury echoed.
I almost protested as Brace took a step away from me. I could feel him gathering control, separating our minds. I shivered as the sensation of loneliness engulfed me, and yet I could also feel his unwavering presence through my entire essence.
At least now I felt separated enough to concentrate on my father’s fight. In my distracted state I’d missed the weapon Josian had produced, also a dagger-shaped knife. Both men drew blood with their first slice. Traktin landed a large gash to Josian’s left bicep, only to look down and realize he was bleeding profusely from a wound above his ribs. Josian hadn’t missed his mark.
Talina and I were suddenly thrown backwards from the group. We ended up about ten feet away, and although I expected to hit the ground hard our landing was cushioned.
“What the hell just happened?” Talina clutched my arm as we scrambled to our feet.
“I have no idea, but don’t let me go to Brace,” I said.
I knew I might need help staying away from him.
It’s okay, sweetheart. I’m always here now.
I jumped as words echoed in my mind.
What. Was. That?
We melded, the ultimate joining of mates. I haven’t heard of it happening in hundreds of years.
His chuckle echoed around my brain.
But of course you are writing the book on bringing back the lost Walker traits.
I pulled my focus out of my head for a moment. Josian and Traktin were involved in some type of weird duel right now, and I wanted to pay close attention. I didn’t give two shits about Walker rules. If I had to save my Dad I would.
Laughter echoed.
I think I am going to enjoy hearing your inner thoughts.
I groaned.
Get out of my mind. It’s rude. I’m going to figure out how to block you.
More laughter.
I look forward to you trying.
And then he gave me some privacy – I could feel Brace still occupied a small section of my mind, but mostly he was gone. That was not fair; how did he do that?
I focused again on the fight. For some reason the men were still going head-to-head with small weapons. Sweat flung off Josian as he sliced Traktin across his chest. It was high on the left side, but deep enough to shoot off small arcs of blood. The beach where they were dancing was decorated in large patches of red. I’d had enough fight classes to see true skills before me. I’m guessing these men had learned to fight with weapons ... well, at the dawn of weapons. Actually, for all I knew, they were the inventors of weapons.
I could never battle a Walker. There was no way to compete with that amount of knowledge.
I gasped as Josian dodged an obvious jab, only to find himself struck hard in the chest. In a sly move Traktin had pulled out another knife with his left hand, and Josian now had a deep stab wound above his heart.
My heart stuttered as he faltered, just a slight stumble. I stifled my scream of warning as Traktin took advantage of this weakness to go for Josian’s throat, his hand whipping around so quickly that all I could track was the glint of silver blade as it headed for my father. But before the blade could hit its target, Josian fell to his knees.
The kill-shot sliced through empty air. Then Josian dived sideways, brought his knife up from underneath, slicing through the light clothing that Traktin wore and eviscerating him. As his super-sharp blade sliced the man from navel to throat, Josian ended up in a shower of blood.
It had been a ploy: Josian had pretended to be hurt to gain advantage.
I’d have to kick him later for that added heart attack.
Talina and I clutched each other. She looked very pale, but although I felt a little uneasy watching the scene before me, I wasn’t as freaked as I thought. Plus, it wasn’t over yet. Evisceration wasn’t enough to kill a Walker.
Traktin fell to his knees, his face a display of disbelief as the blood drained from him for the second time that day. He slumped forward, landing face first. Josian staggered to his feet but didn’t turn away. I couldn’t see the front of my father, but all of a sudden his shoulders shifted uncomfortably.
“What’s he doing?” I asked Talina. She had a better an
gle to see.
“It looks like he is mixing up a sandstorm,” she said.
I nodded, noticing the swirling sand before him.
“No, not just sand, energy,” I said in awe. “Josian is gathering energy.”
The swirl continued to grow until we could see it clear across the distance. He took a step back, dropping his hand and releasing the energy. It didn’t rush away, but slowly descended to encase the slumped Walker.
He was lifted into the air. The silence was all encompassing.
I don’t think I breathed the entire time.
The energy began to glow and swirl faster. At no point did Josian’s expression change, and I wondered if he still controlled that energy or if it had been let free to do its job.
Spheres of lights echoed off it, arcing in all directions. Blindingly bright, it became impossible to stare at it directly. The closest my eyes could observe were the flickers over the water. I was unprepared for a sudden outward ricochet of force, and for the second time in ten minutes we were flung backwards. Talina and I landed in a pile of tangled limbs and hair. I coughed up a few mouthfuls of inhaled sand.
“Well, that went well,” Talina said drily as we extricated ourselves and stood.
“Where did he go?” My gaze flicked around, trying to find the Walker.
Josian still stood there, his head thrown back, staring up at ... something.
“I can’t see him, and something strange is going on with your dad.”
Talina was right.
Josian always glowed; his skin was luminous. But now swirls of light shone in red slithers along his bared skin. Standing tall, and so stonelike, it was not hard to understand how Walkers were mistaken for gods. I felt awed and intimidated and he was my father.
“Aribella, can you come to my side now.” His words echoed, deep and low.
He even sounded different, but I didn’t hesitate. I wanted a closer look. Tugging Talina along for the ride, I sprinted to Josian. Within seconds, I was staring up into his blood spattered face.
I gasped. “Dad ...?” My face fell as I stared into his eyes. The striking bronze had been replaced by swirling whirlpools of red. “Your eyes are fre-a-ky,” I said, attempting to lighten the mood.
