Double Star

by Cindy Saunders

  “Wait!” Oisin shouted. “Do not use that arrow! It is one that Adam ga—”

  “What?” she cried as the arrow ripped through her fingers and tore through the air.

  “Praise Artemis,” Oisin said in awe.

  ***

  The tip of the blade pierced Liam’s shirt and struck the metal plate. The Shenfo had not expected the sword to meet resistance, and the vibration that traveled back to his hand rattled his teeth. He looked at Liam in shock.

  “I have already met your half-brother,” Liam said, “and he sends his regards.”

  The Shenfo looked at Liam, confused, until the whistling sound from behind stole his attention. He turned his head and his eyes widened in surprise when an arrow tore into the throat of the snake on his chest. “No!” he screamed, and staggered to his feet. The snake writhed from his chest and began an unearthly hissing.

  The Shenfo collapsed to the ground; his flesh and bone crumbled as he disintegrated before Liam’s eyes. The pile of ash that remained was lifted into the air, then swirled into a funnel cloud and disappeared.

  Ally took another arrow from Oisin and turned toward the other Shenfo. “This one has your name on it, you piece of…”

  “My brother’s death will be avenged,” he roared. Pollux stepped aside, and the two dark horses began to run down the road. “Make no mistake about that!” He leaped upon the back of one as it passed. “Tulla!” he cried, and then, he too was gone.

  When the Shenfo disappeared, so did the spell that held Shane captive. He ran to Ian and Oisin and knelt between them. “I am so sorry, Ian,” he said. “Your warning was too late. I could hear, I could see what was happening, but was unable to move.”

  An eerie feeling of familiarity came over Liam. He had seen the scene in front of him before, but where and how?

  His jaw dropped. Gabriel’s drawing. The boy had seen all of this, but it had been through Liam’s eyes. The body he had drawn face-down was not, was never, Liam. It was Caleb.

  ***

  Ally whispered into Caleb’s ear. “Thank you.” She wiped her tear-washed face with her shirtsleeve, then leaned forward and put her face close to his. With effort, he opened his eyes.

  “Tell Adam… I love him, and… I am sorry. Please. Tell him… I did the right thing… in the end.”

  She looked at the blood that had soaked though his shirt and formed a pool in the dirt. “You can tell him yourself. You have to stay al—”

  “Please.” Something cold moved past her, and Caleb’s body jerked.

  “No!” A spider crawled across her hand. She fell backwards and got to her feet. The ground around her was alive with them and they swarmed onto Caleb’s body.

  Horrified, she took a step back and bumped into Liam. “Where did all these come from?”

  “His spirit is being taken by his own, but he does not deserve your tears. Where is Corm?”

  ***

  Ally sat in front of Liam on Pollux. Four great hawks were overhead, flying in the direction Corm went down. They kept the birds in their sights as they veered off the road and raced through the brush. Please, let him be alive. She refused to allow her mind to accept any other reality, refused to allow doubt to drown the hope she clung to.

  At the spot where the birds circled overhead, they jumped from Pollux. There, in a pile of dead leaves, was the lifeless body of a hawk. Dried blood matted the feathers on its chest. Ally fell at Corm’s side. “Can’t he change back?”

  “Not if he was injured in this form,” Liam said, dropping to his knees. “Corm, can you hear me?” But Corm’s body didn’t move. Liam looked at Ally but quickly turned his head.

  “Why didn’t he get out of the way?” She tenderly touched the feathers on his chest. Her emotions swelled up like waves, and the barrier that had kept them back finally succumbed to the weight. She drew breaths in short gasps, her throat became tight, and she began to sob. “He saw… the arrow… coming… but didn’t move. Why?”

  “I think he wanted to stay in the air as long as he could, to ensure we found you.” Liam put his head into his hands.

  It was her fault. She wrapped her arms around her stomach and rocked back and forth. “I wish… Corm, don’t… you… dare…” She couldn’t say it. She leaned close as the tears flowed freely. She wiped them away and put her hand on his chest.

  “Please,” she begged and closed her eyes.

  Chapter 35

  “Huh?” Her hand moved and, through her pain, she heard a gasp. Liam expressing grief over the loss of his best friend, surely.

  She opened her eyes. Her fingers no longer rested upon the torn and bloodied feathers of a bird, but on a human chest that moved in easy rhythm with each breath. Before she could fully process the change, Corm sat up, threw his arms around her neck, and held her tight.

  Liam lifted his head. “Corm?”

  “Oh,” Ally cried, “you… you’re alive!”

  “It is as the legend promised,” Corm whispered. “The tears of the Phoenix have reunited my body with my spirit.”

  “I’m from Phoenix,” she replied, and hiccoughed a laugh. “I’m not the Phoenix.”

  “I believe you are mistaken,” he said, and buried his face in her shoulder.

  The wound in Corm’s stomach was ugly, but was already beginning to heal. Death had, once again, left them alone. Would they continue to be so lucky? There was still a two-day journey ahead. But Ally now possessed something she never had before: Belief that, together, they could defeat anything—or anyone—that stood in their way.

  ***

  Ally by his side, Liam wiped his hands and looked at the shallow grave. The others were back at the campsite, tending to their wounds. He had decided to keep his own encounter with Death to himself. But the spirit had been correct. He was not prepared for the task at hand. Liam knew the traits the others had inherited were instinctive, but his strength was one that came from experience… and he had little of it. The most important element of strategy was to know your enemy, and he had entered into this journey blind. Perhaps he had been wrong when he thought Caleb deserved to die. Perhaps the boy was merely a pawn in this game of chess. But who were the other players, and who was the king controlling their moves?

  Ally placed her wreath of flowers on the mound of dirt near the pond, and they rejoined the others.

  “Brothers,” Shane said, “and sister.” He put out his hand and one by one, they placed theirs on top of his. “Our diversity is what makes us strong. To friends, and to the journey ahead.”

  Liam joined in, but the ritual did little to lighten the weight in his chest. He did not know what lay ahead. There were dark forces that threatened what was important to him… to all of them. He prayed that Thea would send an answer to his message and soon.

  Ascencia, he implored in silence and looked to the heavens, I will do everything within my power to ensure your light remains in the sky, but you must continue to help us as well—

  “Look,” Ian said, and Liam followed his pointing finger.

  Although the sun was up, a shooting star traveled across the eastern horizon. And, despite all the uncertainty, all the unknowns they would face tomorrow, Liam smiled.

  Chapter 36

  “How?” Cepheus screamed in disbelief. “How did a girl, a boy, and a Shayeen hawk defeat two Shenfo?” In the talisman, he had seen Sukata returning alone, but it did not reveal what led to this unexpected and incomprehensible turn of events.

  Sukata pointed his finger at him. “Your carelessness caused my brother to fall.”

  Cepheus stilled his pacing feet. “My carelessness?”

  “Where are the arrows of Golan… of your father?”

  Cepheus remained silent.

  “The girl could barely hold a bow yet, when she prayed for the arrow to strike Askari, it found his one weakness. There is something else… she is traveling with five Shayeen, not one as we were told.”

  “Where is Caleb?”

  “He betrayed us and to
ok a dragon’s claw intended for the boy, Liam, who is not only marked with the sword but carries one as well.”

  “We all have swords. What of it?” Cepheus asked with impatience.

  “No, my lord, he is in possession of the sword.”

  Cepheus hid his shock, though barely. “How can you be certain?”

  “It brought me to my knees and caused an immeasurable amount of pain.”

  “Indeed? The sword has found its way back? You say there were five?”

  “The girl makes six, but Askari’s arrow found the hawk.”

  “Is it dead?”

  “I cannot be sure, but the arrow pierced its soul.”

  Cepheus went to the glass orb. When the answer to his question came, he raised his eyes to Sukata. “The spirit guides returned alone. The hawk is still alive. If the prophecy is to hold, two more must join them. We need to break the circle before the eight is formed.”

  Sukata gave him a twisted smile. “I will ensure all their lives are extinguished.”

  “You will have your revenge.” They carried the arrows of Golan, the sword, and the necklace? Ahhh, but I possess something valuable as well. “Bring the two prisoners to my chambers, and summon Maelyn. We need to have a word.”

  When Cepheus was alone, he pulled the chain holding his charms from inside his shirt. “You will not defeat me again, Ascencia. I will make sure of that.” And, when his fingers found the tiny, heart-shaped ruby within the curved outline of the swan’s neck, he smiled.

  Gallery of Illustrations

  Acknowledgements

  It’s been four years since I sat down and wrote the sentence that started this journey and I still have no idea what led me to hit that first keystroke. What I do know is that I couldn’t have completed this without the support of my family and friends. I am very lucky to have so many wonderful people in my life who took the time to read Double Star and provide me with valuable feedback. I know I put you all in a precarious position. Thanks for being honest.

  Thanks to my mom: my tireless cheerleader, my proofreader, and a constant source of optimism. I love you.

  Thanks to brother, Ned: your words inspire me, your depth enlightens me, and your support lifts me. I hope you’ll have my back again with Double Star II. You will definitely make it a better read.

  To my kids: I had no idea writing was such a lonely business. Thanks for being patient and eating many frozen pizzas for dinner.

  To Andrea: my wonderful sister. It’s great to have a lawyer in the family.

  To my independent readers who read the book, sometimes more than once: Beth, Randy, Cal, Joe, Kate, Andrea, Laural, Laurie, Laura, Steph, and MaryAnn. Thanks for keeping me focused.

  To Arlene and Terry: my editors, my new friends and, most definitely, my harshest critics. They helped me transform a 203,000 word beast into an 85,000 word novel... painful but necessary.

  To Tammy: thanks for creating the website and Facebook page.

  To Laurie: my illustrator. Thanks for putting up with me.

  And to those of you who like Double Star: your encouragement will help me see this through to the end so please, share your feedback on www.dblstar.com and like us on Facebook.

  Until next time... find your light, explore the possibilities, and... believe.

  About the Author

  Cindy Saunders was born in Lowell, MA. She moved to RI almost twenty-five years ago and now considers the Ocean State her home. She graduated from Bryant College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance. When she’s not reading, writing, spending time with her two teenage children (how did that happen?) or working, Cindy tracks down one of her favorite local bands and enjoys a glass of wine. She completed her first novel, Double Star, a YA fantasy, in October 2012 and is currently working on the second book in the series. http://www.dblstar.com

  Double Star is her first novel.

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  Sydney Harter has long awaited September 12th, 2033—her eighteenth birthday. She can finally apply for guardianship of her sister, who is her only family and entire world. She hopes they will be lawfully reunited, but is prepared to defy authority and risk everything to escape the captivity of Miles County so that they can be together.

  Escaping will be difficult and dangerous. Citizens are bound to their county by sophisticated chip implants that deliver shocks to those who dare to cross the electric barrier. Sydney is very clever, but her trickery is limited against the all-seeing eyes of technology. Even if they were to survive the escape, disappearing into the forgotten forests and towns of the past seems an impossible task.

  What Sydney doesn't know is that she is the particular interest of two opposing forces. With deceit, fear, and warfare surrounding her—can she trust the party that aims to help with her fight against the other? Can she open her heart to receive and return unexpected love? When her sister’s life becomes jeopardized, Sydney will have to weigh a new love against the only enduring love she has known. The cost could be deadly…

  How will she choose?

  Did you enjoy the novella of Wind Warrior? Prepare yourself then, because the full-length novel is available now!

  THE EARTH GIVES WAY TO THE SEA,

  THE SEA BOWS BEFORE THE WIND,

  THE WIND FEEDS THE FLAME,

  THE FLAME BURNS THE WORLD OF MAN DOWN TO THE EARTH.

  The sleepy town of White Halls harbors a dangerous secret. On a picturesque street, two houses down from a lovely little park, in a quaint little home with a wraparound porch, lives a family that seems rather normal. Sure, their twenty year old son, Xander, still lives at home, but he's going to college and dating the leader of the schools top sorority. It's all very... normal. However, when a man is miraculously saved from being hit by a bus, Xander's life turns in to the living embodiment of the tornadoes he can suddenly create with a flick of his wrist. Whether he wants this gift or not, Xander must learn to use his new 'super power' quickly if he wants to survive. For his kind is a dying race, and when this sleepy town has a sudden influx of new, blonde, fire wielders, no one is safe, especially Xander. It doesn't help that one of these blondes happens to be the most beautiful girl he has ever seen. Xander can't deny the instant c
onnection he feels to her so, when she tries to kill him, it certainly makes things complicated.

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