Taken (Breaking the Darkness)

by Starr, Felicia

  Patience. Phaela. Axel. How could I forget? How did I not mention to Graven that I needed him to make sure no one went after them? They were my friends, the closest thing to family I had left. I had to do something. I needed to find a way to protect them.

  A nagging sensation started at the pit of my stomach, one other than the hunger pains to which I’d become accustomed. I worried about them sitting there plotting over how and what they could do to the story keepers. Heaven forbid they brought them here and… I couldn’t stand to think about what they would do to them. They were so old and frail. I’m not sure how long they could survive these conditions or any kind of physical attack for that matter.

  I needed to go to Graven; I needed to tell him right away. I wondered if I could find him on Ziona’s desert property. All this time I couldn’t find a way to see where I was. Maybe my link with him would be strong enough that I could locate him.

  What if I was unsuccessful in finding him and he was trying to sense me. He needed to find my physical location so I could get out of this living nightmare. I needed to ask him to figure out how to get the door open. Whatever abilities I possessed, I was pretty sure walking through walls wasn’t one of them, at least not while I was in the flesh.

  I walked over to the door and again, for the umpteenth time, checked the perimeter. I prayed, as I had every time I’d preformed the same ritual, that I missed something. Maybe there was a secret button or keypad that would unlock the door from the outside. I knew it opened. Anton walked through it twice. Thank goodness he never had the opportunity to make it a third. I wasn’t sure I could have survived another incident with him.

  The door and the jamb around it were as smooth as could be. I guess in theory it was a possibility there was a spot that could register a fingerprint or a retinal scan. It seemed these people had access to whatever technology they wanted. And what didn’t exist, they had the means to manage using some kind of enchantment or sorcery to create.

  I felt the hair on my body do a little dance. It was subtle, but I couldn’t deny the tingling sensation coursing over my flesh. I turned around slowly, not sure what might be staring down my back.

  A shimmering orb dropped down from the ceiling. The form became clear within seconds. I let out a sigh of relief. I started to run to him and then I realized what I was doing. Like a total spaz, I just kept running and even threw in a few jumping jacks for good measure.

  My breath was fast and my heart rate hit a good cardio level. I plopped down on the bed, rolled over, and disengaged my consciousness as fast as I could.

  Graven was laughing. “What are you doing?”

  “What? I—I don’t know. I was so excited to see you and started to run over to you. I forgot they watch me. So I just kept running. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve tried to do some exercise in here.”

  “Oh, okay.” He smiled, trying hard not to explode in laughter.

  “Although, this is the first time I started running around in circles like a dog chasing its own tail.” We both laughed out loud. “I’ve mostly been doing some stretching or yoga.”

  “I think that is great. It says something about your character. If you don’t let adversity keep you down, that shows inner strength. You are going to need it if you want to fight this fight.”

  “There’s just no way out, is there?” My lower lip pouted out enough to show my disappointment.

  “Oh, there is a way out. I am your way out!” His grey eyes honed in on me. I could feel them take hold of my soul. “I am your way!”

  I think I stopped breathing while he spoke. My heart may have just grown a pair of wings and started to flutter around my chest, taking quick dives into my stomach. I wasn’t sure to where he would be my way, but I wanted nothing more than to find out.

  “I have been working on scanning the compound while having dessert with Ziona. I have found where they keep the security room and I was able to decipher the map on one of their screens. I won’t forget how to navigate this compound.

  “All of my traveling, both on land and in flight, has perfected my ability to never forget where I’m going or how to get home. Some of it might be a little genetic, but I like to think I worked hard at improving those skills.”

  “How are you able to keep projecting yourself if you’re in the middle of a meal with Ziona?” Before he could answer, my mouth continued on faster than I could think about what I was saying. “Oh, please tell me you meant you were sharing cake for dessert and not each other.”

  I cringed at the thought of anyone I remotely had feelings for, or even knew for that matter, having any kind of relations with her. Not that I couldn’t see why any man wouldn’t jump at the opportunity to ravish such an exotic woman. I was also a little embarrassed I inquired about his sex life, as if it were any of my business.

  “Take it easy. It is more like a fire and some cognac. I am keeping her busy with conversation. Mostly work talk.” He shook his head.

  “How has she not noticed you keep losing consciousness?” I asked.

  He cocked his head and flashed me a confused look. “What? You don’t know yet, do you?”

  “What? Know what?” Again another thing I was left in the dark about.

  “You don’t need to have your eyes closed to project yourself.” He informed me. “At least I don’t. But then again, I have been doing this a really long time! Actually, I was born to do this.”

  “Really? I guess it’s so dark in here that there are times I’m not sure if my eyes are open or closed. Not to mention, I’ve only been doing this for several days. Even if your eyes are open, how do you pull off being here while you’re sitting in the same room with someone else?” I inquired.

  “With, again, a lot of practice. I can sit and have an entire conversation with someone and project at the same time. No one knows I’m doing it. It is very useful from a business perspective. It is how I am able to always know what is going on in my clubs. I can be in two places at once.” He flashed his proud smile at me.

  “I might be able to teach you. It will take time and commitment. Do you think you could wrap your brain around spending all that time with me? In two places at once?”

  “I—of course I could.” My voice quivered as I spoke. I would spend time with him any place I could. I could stare into his ethereal eyes for an eternity.

  “What are you and Ziona talking about?”

  “Unfortunately, she is pressing the issue about Anton. I am trying to deflect the suspicions toward another faction that is trying to gain power over The Taker. Not that I can’t handle my own, and normally I would take full responsibility for my actions, but I am concerned about any of this heat coming back to you.”

  “Oh, I can’t believe I forgot there was something I needed to talk to you about,” I blurted out. “When you were in the restaurant, you suggested to her that the story keepers might have information pertaining to a means of killing someone in the Leviath family.”

  “Yeah, so?”

  “You have to undo whatever that statement has set in motion. You cannot let anything happen to them. I need them. They are all I have left.”

  I started rambling so fast. My eyes felt like they were filling with tears. I had trouble catching my breath.

  “I’ve been so worried. I told Patience. I warned her. I told her to warn them all.”

  “Kasha, slow down. You aren’t making any sense. Who are you talking about?”

  “My friends Patience and Axel. Oh, and Patience’s sister Phaela. They’re in danger now. Patience is a descendent of Franz Xaver Von Shonwerth. She is a historian. She knew Gram. Well, she still sort of does.”

  “You are still moving too fast. How did you warn her? What did you say?”

  Graven stood toe-to-toe with me. The essence of his hands gripped my shoulders. I could feel his energy coursing through me. Normally, it probably would have been swirling about, mixing with my energy, making me feel like I was going to explode, but at that moment, it seemed to
calm me. I felt my breath ease back and my thoughts became clearer.

  “Okay, I met Patience and Axel a few months ago when I moved to Santa Fe. We became pretty friendly, and I recently purchased an amazing bookshelf from them. They sell things at a flea market. Well, it turns out that my gram went to Patience and asked her to keep an eye on me and at some point to give me some information. I’m assuming about why I am here.

  “The first time I astral projected, Patience was waiting for me in front of the coffee shop that I think I was actually kidnapped from. We have been talking and visiting ever since then. She and her sister have been trying to do some research for me. Before I met you, they were my only hope.”

  “Did you tell them about me?”

  “No. Gram told me not to trust anyone. Although I find myself trusting her and you, I am still cautious about to whom and what I say.”

  “Is that why you did not think to mention any of this to me sooner?”

  I could see hurt in his eyes.

  “Yes, I didn’t know if I could trust you. I did not and still do not want anything to happen to them. They are the closest thing I have to family right now.”

  Again, his eyes became hollowed with the idea I wouldn’t consider him in that box.

  “Look, I understand that you think you were supposed to meet me and have been waiting for this magical connection between us. But the truth is no matter what I feel inside, I don’t know you.

  “Don’t get me wrong. I want to know you, in more ways than one. I pray that what I feel inside about you doesn’t betray me. You have to protect them. You must.” The last part came out in a whisper.

  “There will not be a man alive or dead that you will be able to trust more than me. My word is my bond. Perhaps even some day you will feel the bond that will unite us.

  “I have to pop back and check on a few things. I will work on the situation with your friends and see if we cannot orchestrate a way to find a responsible party for Levi’s death… I mean Anton.

  “How are you feeling? I know you are hungry, but have your wounds healed?”

  “Yes, mostly. I feel as well as I can for my circumstances. I would give anything for a shower.” I laughed a little.

  “If everything goes right, I am hoping to have you in my shower before the sun comes up. Stay put! I will be back shortly.”

  He leaned in and gently pressed his forehead to mine. I could feel the truth in his words and his intentions. A warm loving sensation flowed down to my toes. And with that, his shimmer faded before my eyes.

  I FOUND MYSELF unable to move away from the door. My heart was beating fast with anticipation and fear. My emotions were erratic and extreme. I felt like there were mini explosions firing off in every part of my body. Electric currents surged down my arms. I could feel the power tingling in my hands.

  The excitement to be free of that awful place was like a daydream about to come true. Images of Graven waiting for me with arms spread kept flashing through my mind. The idea of his embrace, and those strong arms wrapped around me, filled my core with warmth and a sense of safety that I’d been longing for.

  All I needed was Graven’s cue and I was ready to break away from the darkness. As soon as the door opened, my feet were going to hit the ground faster than they’d ever moved before.

  I wondered how long it was going to take before he got back. I couldn’t stand to wait another minute. This was the first time I actually wanted to scream out at the top of my lungs. I felt like I was going to burst.

  I braced myself with a hand on the door. Something was happening to me. I was experiencing sensations that were unfamiliar. The excessive emotional surges made me nauseous.

  Tightness started to impair the ease of my breath. My lungs sucked in air in short, fast bursts. My other hand crushed against the door to try and center myself. If it weren’t already dark in there, I would have worried things were going black around me. Passing out would be less than opportune. I did what I could to keep from losing consciousness.

  Graven, where are you? If only he could hear my thoughts. I wouldn’t dare call out his name. I fought to stay in control. I had to get out.

  The muscles in my arms tensed. A quiver flickered along my triceps. I pressed harder against the door, wishing it would suck the strange zinging sensations out of me.

  All I could think about was getting that door out of my way. It was the only thing blocking me from what I wanted. What I needed. Freedom!

  The little explosions firing off were increasing in speed and strength. I clenched my teeth; I held my breath and dropped my head, trying to contain my emotions. I did all I could to stop myself from crying out. A giant burst erupted from my core and forced its way down my limbs and came raging out of my hands. My head jerked back and my chest rose.

  I felt myself for a brief second transported somewhere else. I felt the essence of my surroundings more than I saw anything. I felt like I was immersed in shades of warm gold. I didn’t grasp enough of what was around me to understand where I’d landed. It all happened so fast; I wasn’t sure if I had astral projected somewhere. Now just wasn’t the time to figure it out.

  When my eyes reopened, I knew I was still pressed against the barrier that stood between my future and me. A future I wasn’t about to let someone steal from me. The animosity boiled to the surface and materialized in my foot when I kicked the door.

  I almost fell flat on my face. Both my hands that rested on the door were holding me up. When the door cracked open, I stumbled forward.

  I gasped!

  Oh! My! Oh crap, I need Graven immediately!

  I stood there hoping the door opening didn’t set off any silent alarms because I didn’t hear anything. I held the door almost shut so it would appear closed if the camera happened to be on me. I focused my mind on Graven as quickly as I could.

  It was a strange new sensation. My eyes were still slightly focused on the door. At the same time, I could feel the wispy mist tickling my face as I traveled through the astral plane to wherever Graven was.

  My recent release of emotion helped to calm my excitement upon entering his space. Graven and Ziona sat in adjacent high-backed mahogany wing chairs. A small table, covered in empty snifters and a plate of half-eaten petit fours and assorted fruits, divided the space between them.

  Graven adjusted in his chair. He knew I was there. He didn’t need to turn toward me and I didn’t need him to. He reached over and placed a hand on Ziona’s knee. The sight sent my skin crawling.

  “Can I get you a refill? I’m ready for another cognac.” He grabbed the glasses before she responded, so she just smiled at him and gave him a nod.

  I could see the red glow in her eyes. It wasn’t the same as when she was angry. She was pumped up and ready for more of what Graven had to offer. I wasn’t sure she really cared much about the drink. I could tell she was just glad he was there.

  With his back to her, she looked down and pushed up her cleavage and straightened her dress. She sat up extra tall so her voluptuous breasts became the focal point when Graven turned back to her. I just shook my head.

  Graven moved swiftly across the room. Just as he walked past the grand fireplace, he suddenly appeared as a shimmer next to me. It was weird seeing two of him in the same room.

  “What are you doing here? I told you not to leave.”

  “I need you now!”

  “What? Why? What is wrong? What happened?”

  “I don’t know, but I did something. I don’t know how it happened, but I opened the door to my room. Now is my chance. I have to go now.”

  “You did what?” His face was hard to read; mostly he looked shocked.

  “Do you want me to stand here and really explain the details or are you going to get me out of here? This is my chance!” I must have sounded frantic. “Unless this is a trap, a setup?” My mind was suddenly plagued with a different train of thought.

  “No, not that I am aware of. Here in the main house it is just Ziona
and I. The help, shall we say, is in a small house at the front of the property, but that is about a half mile away.”

  I couldn’t help but watch Graven, the physical Graven, continue on. He sauntered over to a small bar at the rear of the room and poured out cognac into two snifters. He tipped each glass and held it parallel with the ground in front of him. He poured the spirit until it reached the lip of the glass. He then repeated the process before returning to the company of one dark, spirited woman.

  “Are you listening to me?”

  I nodded, slightly embarrassed by my moment of distraction.

  “Right now we are in the parlor of the main house. The house rests against a small mountainous formation. This turned out to be a perfect place for The Taker to dig out a labyrinth of tunnels. You are being held in a room in one of the tunnels that is two stories below ground level. Not that anyone would get close enough to know the difference, but if they did, they would never know what was hidden in the earth behind and below the house.

  “There are two ways out at the rear of the landmass. One of them is guarded by a pack of Ziona’s wild hounds. The other is actually blocked off and for emergencies only, for those that know it is there.”

  “Okay, so when are you going to come down and help me out?” I questioned him impatiently.

  “Well, I’m going to stay here and keep Ziona distracted. I will project myself down to you so you can follow me out the back. We will find a way past the blocked exit when we get there. Once you are out of the structure, I will come out and get you home.” He explained his plan as if I would be okay with that.

  “Really, you’re going to stay here with her?” My heart sank and my stomach soured. Maybe it was naïve to think he would personally come down and get me.

  “I need to stay here to make sure nothing goes wrong. I will be able to warn you if something happens. Not to mention, I can handle her if I need to.

  “Now go. I will be there before you.” He actually stuck his tongue out at me.

  APPARENTLY I COULD project and remain conscious at the same time too. I wasn’t sure I could pull off what Graven could, having two conversations at the same time. Nonetheless, I was both still standing in the parlor looking at Graven and Ziona laughing it up over cocktails and at the same time I was staring into the crystal eyes of my very own shimmering guardian.