Kalindra (GateKeepers)

by Bennett, Sondrae

  “Try again.”

  The woman smiled. A menacing smile if Kali had ever seen one. What trick did the valkyrie play?

  “There might be a way. If I had the proper incentive.”

  The tip of Kali’s sword hit the ground in her surprise. What did she have that the valkyrie would want? Kali wasn’t exactly rich, but she’d give everything she had to get him back.

  “What do you want? Gold? Weapons? They’re yours.” Anything. As long as she got Cameron out of the deal.

  “I don’t want your gold,” the woman said with a sneer.

  “What then?”

  “I want your gate.”

  Shock crashed through her. The gate? The valkyries had never attacked the gate before. Such a thing was without honor. Why would they want free access to Earth?

  “Free passage?” Could she do that? Her duty cried out at the injustice. But then she looked to Cameron and knew her duty didn’t matter. Her pride didn’t matter. All that mattered was him. But her words only seemed to incense the woman.

  “Idiot. I want the gate. To be gatekeeper. And all the honor that goes with it. You aren’t worthy of the gate. I can protect it best.”

  Despair buckled her knees. The valkyrie wanted to be gatekeeper. The one thing Kali couldn’t give her. It wasn’t hers to give. The only release from service was in death. And Kali had no control over who replaced her.

  “If I could…” Kali didn’t finish.

  She’d fought with the gateway for centuries. They were a team, just as much as she and Cameron had been. But if given the choice, she would give up the duty in a heartbeat. To save Cameron. Because life without the duty of the gate would be a hard adjustment to make, but life without him was impossible.

  “Please,” she begged. “It’s not in my power.”

  “Then you’re out of luck. I want nothing else.”

  Kalindra sobbed harder, knowing it was over. If she could guarantee the woman would be chosen next, Kali would gladly give her life for Cameron’s.

  Hopelessness spread through her. It was over. No more options before her. He was gone. Well and truly gone. How could life be so cruel? To present her with a way to bring him back, only to take it away. She couldn’t do anything more for him. Dying inside, Kali lay down next to his body, and curled into his side. The pain had seeped to numbness, weighing her limbs down like sandbags.

  Maybe the valkyrie would take pity on her and kill her. Or she’d wait for the next attack on the gate. Wouldn’t be too long. The assaults had been happening regularly. She closed her eyes and buried her face in his chest. She’d stay right here, and die beside him.

  Warmth filled her, starting inside her where her connection to the gate lived, spreading out until she felt the comforting embrace everywhere. She sat up and raised her hand to her cheek where she could have sworn she felt the brush of a kiss. Then it was gone.

  Kali looked down in confusion and hurt. The connection to the gate was gone. Completely and utterly gone. Abandoning her as much as Cameron had. They were both gone, he and the gate. For the first time in centuries she was truly alone. How could it have abandoned her in her time of need?

  “I knew you’d come around,” the valkyrie said, a smug smile on her face.

  Kali didn’t understand. She started to cover Cameron’s body when the woman stepped forward.

  “Do you want me to turn him, or don’t you?” The woman’s voice carried a wealth of annoyance.

  Comprehension had her eyes widening in shock. Her gaze shot toward the portal. It couldn’t be… But there was no denying her sense of the gate was gone. And the valkyrie was saving Cameron, something she said she’d only do if Kali made her gatekeeper. Which could only mean one thing. The gate had given her up, released her from duty. Because after so long together, it knew her emotions. It sensed her pain, and wanted to fix it.

  The gate had let her go.

  With a gasp, Cameron sat up. Whole, and alive, and so beautiful.

  Crying out, Kali flung herself into his arms. Safe. She breathed in the scent of him, ran her hands over his face, chest, and arms. Hardly daring to believe he was back.

  She stared at the bloodstain on his chest. When had the valkyrie removed the sword? She hadn’t even noticed. So much blood. The rip in the fabric drew her attention. Would he have a hole in his chest to match? She pulled the shirt up, and saw unmarked flesh. Tears ran down her face as she touched him.

  “What–”

  Kali cut him off. “You’re back. You’re back.” No matter how hard she tried, it seemed all she was able to say. She punctuated her words by raining kisses over his face. Then she pressed her lips to his, desperate to put all her emotions into that kiss. She poured it all in; her fear and pain from losing him, the desperation to save him, the knowledge that life without him had no meaning, and her surprise and elation at having him back. So much joy.

  Her breath caught on a sob as realization and relief hit her. Not just back, but immortal. They now had forever together. Nothing would ever come between them again. She wouldn’t let it.

  “Thank you,” she managed, gazing at the valkyrie. The woman had given her world back to her. “I don’t even know your name.”

  “Lystrada.”

  “Lystrada.” She would remember that name. It would be ingrained in her memory. A debt she could never hope to repay. “If you ever need anything…”

  “Do you doubt my ability to hold the crossing?” she asked, affronted.

  Kali smiled. She remembered having such pride. Too much to ask for help. After a few decades, that would change.

  “I think you’ll do an amazing job. But if you ever need help–”

  “I won’t.”

  “Okay. But the offer will never be rescinded. Ten years from now, ten hundred years from now, if I’m alive I will come.” Time would not diminish her gratitude. Every day, every second, she had with Cameron would remind her of what the valkyrie had given her.

  “Kali.” Cameron whispered her name. “I don’t understand. I remember…”

  Dying. He remembered dying. Kali closed her eyes, wishing she could take that memory from him. She would remember the suffering at losing him forever, but still she would spare him that if it were in her power.

  “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

  “Shhh.” His lips caressed her wet cheeks. The tears wouldn’t seem to stop. Everything kept playing over and over in her mind. She hadn’t just come close to losing him. She had lost him. “It’s okay. I’m here now.”

  “But you died. You died and I couldn’t help you.”

  “I’m not dead now.” His hand reached up to touch his chest as if to assure himself of that. “How is that possible?”

  Kali leaned back, putting some distance between them. Confession time. Hopefully, he’d be as happy about the transformation as she. She left her hand on his arm; some contact with him necessary for her sanity.

  “Lystrada brought you back.”

  “How?” He scowled at the valkyrie. “What did you do to me?”

  “Saved you,” Lystrada replied, looking bored with their exchange.

  “Why do I feel different?” he asked.

  “In order to bring you back from…” She couldn’t say it. Couldn’t even think it. “She had to turn you into an Einherjar.”

  “A what?” Anger and fear flashed in his eyes.

  “An Einherjar. Immortal warriors of Valhalla.” At the word warrior, he seemed to settle, making her smile. So typical.

  “What is Valhalla?”

  “Home of the mighty valkyries,” Lystrada answered.

  Cameron’s gaze darted between her and Kali.

  “Does this mean I must go to Valhalla?”

  “No.” But Kali didn’t know for sure. She looked at Lystrada for confirmation.

  The valkyrie just shrugged.

  Kali rolled her eyes. She needed a little more than that. “Well?”

  “No one has been turned to Einherjar in hundreds of
years. They probably don’t even know he exists.”

  “And if they do know I exist?” Cameron asked.

  “They’ll probably come after you.” Another shrug.

  Let them try. Nothing would take him away from her. Death had tried, and lost. A few valkyries were nothing to worry about.

  “Did you say ‘immortal warriors’ before?” His finger pulled her chin until she looked at him.

  “Uh huh.”

  “So I’m immortal?”

  “Gives a whole new meaning to together forever. I hope you’re not regretting your promise.”

  She closed her eyes as his hand swept into her hair. A sob tore from her throat. She’d thought she’d never feel his hands caressing her again. Never see the love shining from his eyes again. To have it all back was too much and not enough.

  “To stay with you forever? Never. I will love you until the end of time.”

  Emotions swamped her. Gods, she loved this man.

  “I’ll love you longer.”

  Gentle hands pulled her onto his lap. Hard arms, full of movement and life, surrounded her, enveloping her in his heat. His scent, unique to him, tickled her nose. She hungrily breathed it in, giving herself over to the sensations overwhelming her. From here on out, she wouldn’t take one moment with him for granted.

  “Now that we’ve taken care of the lovey-dovey bit, you can get off my land.”

  The muscles under her hand stiffened. Cameron set her aside and stood, fire in his eyes. Uh-oh. This wasn’t good. She hadn’t gotten him back just to lose him due to temper.

  She rushed to get between the two.

  “Your land?” he demanded.

  “Mine. Your lover there gave me the gate in exchange for your life.”

  His steps faltered.

  Kali raised her chin as his shocked gaze met hers. No regrets.

  “You gave it up for me?”

  “You even need to ask?”

  “Oh, Kali.” Cameron pulled her into his arms, rubbing her back. Didn’t he understand? Having him alive and whole was all the comfort she needed. All the comfort she could stand. Her heart was so full, it was liable to burst.

  “We’re not tied to this place anymore. We can travel. See the world. Just like you always wanted.”

  “Travel all of Outremer,” the valkyrie stated behind her, her tone firm.

  Kali glanced at the necklace around Cameron’s neck. Still exiled to Earth, but this time able to explore. Cameron could show her his world.

  “No, Earth,” she replied.

  “You misunderstand. I’m not asking, I’m telling. I am guard here now, and you both are immortals who belong in Outremer.”

  Cameron started to step around Kali, but she held him back. Protecting the gate was a powerful rush, and the valkyries were known for their ferocity. Simply put, it wasn’t worth the fight. Besides, she wanted to show him her home. They could protect the shard. They’d been under constant attack at the gate anyway, and had held them all back. And now, Cameron was stronger than ever.

  And she understood what Cameron hadn’t yet figured out. Neither of them would be happy living a quiet life in the human world. Both of them were warriors, and warriors needed wars to be happy. Lystrada was right; they belonged in Outremer.

  “I want my weapons,” she told the valkyrie.

  “Of course. You may come through the gate to collect your belongings once you have a place to go.” Sure, now the woman acted gracious.

  But Kali wasn’t really upset. How could she be, after the gift the valkyrie had given her?

  “Ready for a new adventure?” she asked Cameron.

  “Ready when you are.”

  Taking his hand, she stepped through the gate. The power of the portal surrounded her, wrapping her in a comforting cocoon. She seemed to stay enveloped in the warmth of the gate longer than normal. A last farewell caress.

  Then she was through, staring out into the world she’d once known. A world that hadn’t been her home for a long time. Different times. They had a lot to figure out. New things to discover.

  But they had each other. All that mattered.

  “How long do you think before they come after the shard?” Cameron asked.

  Anticipation pulsed in her veins. She looked into Cameron’s eyes and saw the same determination.

  “Not long.”

  Matching smiles curved their lips.

  Cameron took her hand in his and started toward town. Kalindra wrapped her other hand around his arm, curling her body into his as they walked. Life would never be boring as long as they guarded the shard, their very own mobile piece of the gate. Others would attack–nothing new–but they wouldn’t succeed. Nothing would get past Cameron and her. Together they were unstoppable. And now, they’d be together forever.

  Other Lyrical Books By Sondrae Bennett

  Arctic Winds

  Alpine Woods Shifters, Book 1

  Chasing Paradise

  Alpine Woods Shifters, Book 2

  The Wolf Within

  Alpine Woods Shifters, Book 3

  Worth Fighting For

  Alpine Woods Shifters, Book 4

  Covert Desires

  Alpine Woods Shifters, Book 5

  GateKeeper Series

  Koishi by Annie Nicholas

  Book 1

  http://lyricalpress.com/koishi

  Kalindra by Sondrea Bennett

  Book 2

  http://lyricalpress.com/kalindra/

  About Sondrae Bennett

  I love romance. I love reading romance, living romance (who doesn't), but I especially love writing romance. There's no greater feeling than watching my characters come alive in each other's arms. Most of all, I love giving my characters the happily ever afters they deserve, with a little necessary drama first.

  One of my favorite things is picking up a new book and sinking into the story, immersing myself in the emotions between the characters. I hope someday to inspire readers the same way my favorite authors have inspired me.

  When not writing, I can usually be found curled up on the couch with a good book, taking my dogs for walks, or spending time with my family.

  It always makes my day to hear from my readers.

  Kalindra

  9781616504571

  Copyright © 2013, Sondrae Bennett

  Edited by Piper Denna

  Book design by Lyrical Press, Inc.

  Cover Art by Renee Rocco

  First Lyrical Press, Inc. electronic publication: May, 2013

  Lyrical Press, Incorporated

  http://www.lyricalpress.com

  eBooks are not transferable. All Rights Reserved. This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  PUBLISHER'S NOTE:

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party Web sites or their content.

  Published in the United States of America by Lyrical Press, Incorporated

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  Koishi by Annie Nicholas

  GateKeeper, #1

  Copyright 2013, Annie Nicholas

&nb
sp; All rights Reserved, Lyrical Press, Inc.

  Chapter 1

  Never make a deal with a dragon.

  Koishi yawned so wide his jaw cracked. If he didn’t kill something soon, he’d–he’d have to find a hobby. A shudder ran down his human form’s spine. At least the winds were growing stronger so there would be good flying tonight.

  Takai Crossing, the gate to Outremer in the east, had been quiet the last two months. Too quiet. Nothing had tried to escape into Inverness, otherwise known as Earth.

  Outremer was the realm of magic. All manners of creatures lived there, including his kind. It was a dark and dangerous world. The gates, where both worlds touched, allowed people to cross. Keepers, such as he was, protected the worlds from spilling too much into each other.

  The two worlds around his gate were safe for the moment.

  The rough seas splashed warm water onto his bare feet and washed away the dirt from the dock. Dark storm clouds brewed over the horizon, racing toward Izu Oshima Island. Bands of orange and red slashed across them as the sun set.

  He couldn’t wait until it arrived. Flying against the elements, muscle and sinew versus lightning and rain, would provide some relief from this calm.

  Sheep bleated as the cargo ship knocked against the dock wall.

  “Moe,” he called out over the noise.

  The animals scurried to the far end of their pen and silence fell over the small herd. Sometimes animals were smarter than humans. They could sense a predator in disguise.

  “Koishi.” Captain Moe waved from across the ship’s deck. He helped a female to stand, hanging her head and arms over the side rail. “Vomit in the sea, not on my ship,” he told her before shuffling toward the stern.

  Clinging to the pens, Koishi kept his balance and surveyed the stock. A few cattle, less than he’d like. Twentyish head of sheep, difficult to count when they squeezed together like that. From the barking–he grinned–a few dogs.