The Awakening (The Elders Trilogy Book 1)

by TL Travis

  The Elders Trilogy

  Book 1

  The Awakening

  TL Travis

  This Book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, duplicated, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior written consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

  ©Text Copyright 2017 TL Travis

  Cover By:

  Rue Volley

  Edited for Vamptasy by:

  EAL Editing Services

  All rights reserved.

  This is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed in this novel are fictitious and are products of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to actual events, or locales or persons, living or dead are entirely coincidental.

  Trigger Warning:

  Without giving away any spoilers, I need to warn you there are two attempted rape scenes. Please note the key word is “attempted.”

  Dedication

  To my Granny:

  You may be gone, but you’ll never be forgotten. I was angry, hurt, confused when you left this earth, which I know was selfish of me – but you were my Granny. My beacon of light in the darkness, my go to person and the one person I knew who loved me no matter what. Writing this book helped mend my broken heart and accept what I couldn’t grasp, the loss of you. Please know not a day goes by that I don’t think of you. I love you granny, always.

  Your Tam Tam

  To my Lily bug – I owe you big time

  Love you!

  (Lily Luchesi is the author of The Paranormal Detective Series (mentioned in this book) I highly recommend those books to all.)

  Other Erotic Musings by TL Travis

  The Sebastian Chronicles (Paranormal):

  Sebastian, the beginning (MF)

  Smarturl.it/Sebastian1

  My servant, my lover (MF/MM)

  Smarturl.it/Sebastian2

  Wealthy ménage (MF/MM/ MFM/ Ménage)

  Smarturl.it/Sebastian3

  Prohibition inhibitions (MF/ MM/ MMF/ MFM/ BDSM)

  Smarturl.it/Sebastian4

  The Tryst (MF)

  Smarturl.it/Sebastian5

  Stand-alone Novelette’s:

  The Database (MF/ FF (1 scene)/ femdom BDSM)

  Smarturl.it/TheDatabase

  Hat Trick (MF/ light BDSM)

  Smarturl.it/HatTrick

  Stand-alone Novella’s:

  Girl Crush (MF (1scene)/ Female LGBT Romance)

  Smarturl.it/TLGirlCrush

  Stand-alone Novels:

  Battered & bruised, but not broken (MM Romance)

  collaboration with Piper Kay

  Smarturl.it/BatteredBBB

  The Elders Trilogy (Paranormal):

  The Awakening (MF) 10/13/17

  Life or death coming (MF/MM) 10/13/18

  Resurrection (trilogy finale) 10/13/19

  Coming Soon:

  2/14/18

  Only time will tell

  Erotic, MM time travel romance

  6/9/18

  Rules of the game

  Erotic, MM romance

  10/13/18

  Book 2 of The Elders Trilogy

  Erotic, paranormal, horror/thriller romance

  10/13/19

  Book 3 of The Elder’s Trilogy

  Erotic, paranormal, horror/thriller romance

  And many, many more in the works…

  Chapter 1

  As I stand with my eyes closed, the wind elfishly tickles my face, dancing through the forest trees. Tilting my head back, allowing my face to bask in the golden glow of the full harvest moon, the child in me enjoys the wicked way the elements toy with me.

  My senses strained, picking up the sweet tinge of tree sap pointing me to the location of the freshly broken branches. These scents so familiar, reminding me of spring time in Michigan when I was a child.

  Blinded by this seductive trance, I lost sight of what drew me to this mythical locale. Snapping back to reality, I realize he’s still there, lurking behind the shadows, taunting me. Only his silhouette is visible, but it feels as though he’s staring right into my soul.

  I’m not sure what’s going on, but as I turn to run, I find I’m unable to move. I have no control as the gap between us comes to a close. Silence surrounds, neither a bird chirping nor a cricket creaking. Even the wind has stopped, giving the feeling that all life has ceased to exist as time stands still.

  Abruptly we stop, face to face with little more than a foot separating us. Our eyes lock in a fiery gaze. He speaks without words, extending his hand expecting me to place mine in his. When I don’t, forces beyond my control take over.

  His touch is like ice, sending shivers down my spine. My chest tightens in frightened anticipation of things to come. The broken record in my mind is repeating, “He’s going to kill me. He’s going to kill me.”

  “I didn’t come all this way to hurt you,” echoed through my head.

  Tears fill my eyes as I’ve come to realize he’s here with a purpose. I steal a glance to our entwined fingers as he squeezes mine, guiding me further into the darkness...

  My alarm clock sounds, forcing me bolt upright far too quickly as I fight the urge to vomit. I’m drenched in sweat, panting desperately trying to catch my breath. What the hell just happened?

  I can’t make any sense of this. I never saw his face even though I stared directly into his eyes. How can that be? He wants to show me something, but what?

  Ironically, this dream started the night of the attack. The memories haunt me. Their faces so clear. Images I’ll never be rid of. It is as though it happened only yesterday…

  The evening started off as any normal girl’s night. Kara, Anna, and I went to the movies after I got off work. They drove separately because it was late. Just after midnight, the movie ended and as usual I had to use the restroom. I told them to go ahead, assuring them I’d be fine walking to my car alone. I remembered thinking to myself as I exited the theater, how unusually dark the night seemed. Laughing, I joked that my “Spidey” senses were working overtime, so I shrugged it off. That was my first mistake.

  Glancing toward my car while reaching into my purse for the keys, I spotted a less than desirable group of guys standing beside it, carrying on animatedly. I looked back toward the theater and saw the lights were off and security was nowhere in sight. So it looked like asking for an escort was out of the question. Figured.

  Lacking in common sense, I trudged on, peeking up every couple steps to see if they’d noticed me. I thought I would try to be sly, avoiding eye contact, but wondered if I knew any of them. Maybe if I pushed the red panic button on my car remote they’d freak out and take off. On second thought, if I scared them, they might get pissed and I’d rather take the chance at being ignored. My next thought was even more brilliant — maybe if I play it cool, walk up and flirt, “Excuse me, fellas,” they might let me through without any problems. Thinking back, I realized I seriously excel at being a dumbass.

  The next few moments came and went in a blur, as the events rapidly came to pass. It was as though they knew my every move before I even made it. The second I stepped off the sidewalk their nasty lips curled into sadistic smirks. I tried to play it cool, continuing to push forward, attempting not to let my outward appearance reflect how truly terrified I was. Had I been thinking straight, I would’ve walked up to the theater and banged on the doors, or better yet – called the cops.

  Reality slapped me across the face, snapping me back to the now just in time to watch them gravitate towar
d me. The group appeared as though they had crawled out of a dumpster. I was completely frozen, panic ensued as I frantically scanned the lot hoping to find someone — anyone, but it was empty. There were four of them to only one of me.

  The largest miscreant in the group, who I’m guessing was the alpha dog nodded toward my car. “Hey gorgeous, is this little beauty yours?”

  All I could do was shake my head ‘yes’ as I was too terror stricken to utter a single word. He was tall, about six-foot one, maybe six two and was well over two hundred pounds. Even though I was still a couple feet away, I could smell beer and cigarettes permeating from their filth ridden bodies.

  Just then the short, stout man grabbed my purse, yanking it with such force the strap broke. He rifled through it while the pack leader continued, “We’re gonna go for a little ride, honey.” He eyed me up and down with a sick-ass grin on his face, like I was a piece of meat.

  They cackled while closing in, licking their lips smelling like they hadn’t showered in weeks. I gagged as the leader grabbed my right arm, throwing me against my car trying to snatch the keys from my hand. He was unsuccessful because my fingers were tightly looped through the ring.

  Suddenly the parking lot lights began to flicker, some actually burst while others went completely black. I was thankful for whatever elemental God had taken control because it took their focus off of me while they scanned the parking lot.

  But that was short lived when they found no one, I moved back to the forefront still being held firmly in place. His grip was so tight it cut the circulation off in my arm, causing my hand to go numb. He raised his other hand, running his grimy fingers along my cheekbone. My stomach lurched into my throat. I swallowed hard, desperately trying to keep the vomit at bay.

  He hooked his fingertips under my bra strap, sliding it down my arm while grinding his erection into my thigh. He was pushing so hard it felt like my jeans were going to rip. The fear on my face seemed to further his pleasure. “Hmmm, I don’t think we need to go anywhere. Lights are low, no one’s around. Let’s party right here, right now.”

  The others whooped and hollered like a pack of hyenas. Trembling uncontrollably, I knew they were going to take what wasn’t theirs.

  Tears streamed down my face, making them laugh louder as they moved in to retrieve their prize. I visualized my tragic death, my naked body abandoned in the forest for my father to find. I wish I would’ve waited for security, I wish I hadn’t thought my shit didn’t stink and I could get to my car safely.

  All train of thought was lost as he threw me to the ground. My head hit the asphalt so hard the thud echoed through the empty lot. I was kicking and screaming, trying to break free, but was no match for them. I saw him unbuttoning his jeans. His accomplices removed my top, tearing it off in one quick swoop then moved on to my jeans. I could barely see through my tears, but could have sworn I saw something come toward us. I don’t know what happened next as I succumb to the blackness...

  When I woke the next morning, I was in my own bed. I freaked out and started touching myself, checking to make sure all body parts were still intact. Looking down I’d realized I was still wearing what was left of the clothes I wore the previous night. I’d darted across my room to the window, peering outside spotting my car parked in the driveway. Somehow, I’d managed to drive myself home. Stepping back, I’d thought — was this all a bad dream?

  As my hand glided down my right arm, I flinched, having hit a sensitive area. When I looked at it, I saw a bruise forming in the shape of a handprint. It was then that I knew it wasn’t a dream. I spotted my purse with the broken strap sitting on my desk. My mind had swirled so fast it made me dizzy. Reaching my bed, my legs had given way. I had laid there wondering, what in the hell happened?

  Chapter 2

  It’s the final stretch of my senior year at Sequoia High School in Surprise, Arizona. Yeah, great, I live in Surprise – whoo hoo. It was a big ‘surprise’ to me when my parents announced two years ago, at the beginning of my sophomore year that we were moving from Michigan to the beautiful brown town of Surprise. Strategically located in the desert of Arizona. Nothing but cacti grow because it’s too damn hot. The cities pay you to put rock in your yard and what’s really crazy is people paint the rocks green to psyche themselves into thinking it’s grass.

  Livid doesn’t even sum up how I felt when they told me we were moving, I didn’t talk to them for weeks. Well, it seemed like weeks, but in essence, it was probably only a few days. My mom told my dad, “It’s just another phase she’s going through, ignore her she’ll come around.” My dad knew better.

  I made two friends in Arizona, or so I thought, Kara Brewer and Anna Gomez. I’ve never felt like I belonged here, or anywhere for that matter. Not in this school with these kids, not even within my own family. The girls here are tan and thin, and then there’s me — Casper pale with shit brown hair and hazel eyes, whoop-de-freaking-doo.

  Never will I stand out in a crowd. There’s literally nothing special about me. Fashion is my nemesis. I’m happy wearing jeans and t-shirts. Throw in some tennis shoes or even better, flip flops, and I’m good to go — simplicity at its finest. I love sports, but have two left feet so I can’t play anything without inflicting pain on myself or at times, on others standing nearby.

  Grabbing my backpack, I run downstairs barely breathing while consuming a bowl of cereal. Kiss my dogs Dash and Violet goodbye then bolt out the front door. In typical Jess fashion, I am running late. That’s why my friends won’t carpool with me. I swear I’ll be late to my own funeral. Revving up the engine of my faded emerald green 1971 VW bug before taking off to endure what I am certain will be another fun filled day of high school.

  It’s been several weeks since that night and I still have no recollection of what happened after I blacked out. I haven’t run into those guys, which I’m more than thankful for, but I also haven’t had the balls to go back to that theater.

  Needless to say, outside of work, I don’t do much. Occasionally, I’ll treat myself to a shopping trip or movies with my friends, but now I don’t go anywhere out of fear more than anything else. It’s too damn hot to do anything outside, which makes me miss Michigan even more. Summers there were humid, but never hot like the depths of hell. There were trees and lakes everywhere; hence, that’s why it’s nicknamed the Great Lakes state. There was always plenty to do, although the winters in Arizona are much easier to contend with than Michigan’s.

  I haven’t told anyone about that night. I’m not sure if it’s out of embarrassment or because I don’t know what happened. I’m certain they didn’t deflower me, but the humiliation alone is more than I can bear. So, I make up excuses whenever my friends invite me out, using the lame-ass excuse that finals are coming up and I need to study.

  Always looking over my shoulder, feeling like I’m being watched only to find no one’s there. I know I’m being paranoid and need to get over it, but I’ve no idea if those guys are still out there or if they’ve moved onto their next victim.

  I’ve got to shake this off and focus. I have been accepted into three of the colleges to which I applied — ASU, MSU and Brown. I’m struggling with picking one and the deadlines are approaching, but something’s holding me back. I need to spend the free time in class to focus on which school I want to attend. Then on to where I want to go in life…

  I’m grateful I don’t have a boyfriend to deal with. Luke Watson is my ex-boyfriend, but we broke up the beginning of our senior year. He’s the captain of our school hockey team (yes believe it or not, hockey is huge in the desert and some of the schools have their own teams), but I broke up with him shortly after all this crap went down. He wanted more than I was willing to give and after that, I decided it was time to follow my gut and my gut had been telling me to get the hell away from him, so I did. He called me a bitch and stormed off. A true testament to his level of maturity.

  Kara and Anna said I was “freaking insane” to quote them, for dumping Luke. “Wh
at’s wrong with you, Jess, have you lost your mind? He’s the hottest guy in school.” Kara shared that lovely little ditty loudly during lunch period in the school cafeteria. Why’s it always dead silent when someone starts talking shit?

  The entire time we were dating she drooled, acting like an idiot whenever he was around. I’ve never really trusted her. In all honesty, I’ve never trusted anyone but my father and grandmother. I’m pretty sure Kara and Luke have been screwing around since we broke up, probably even while we were dating, but she hasn’t fessed up to that. Maybe she’s afraid of hurting my feelings or better yet, that I would kick her ass. Whatever, neither of them is worth the problems that would cause, but it sure as hell would be a great way to get rid of some pent-up aggression.

  The first bell rings as I am getting out of my car so I have to jog to get to my first hour class on-time. Unfortunately, it’s the one class I have to deal with Luke in. He used to wait for me outside the gate at the student parking lot, now he just sits at his desk glaring at me while his smart-ass jock friends make snide comments loud enough for all to hear. I keep reminding myself it’s almost over. Luke is going away to UMD on a hockey scholarship this fall and rumor has it, he won’t be there long because the NHL scouts have already met with him and his parents. Unfortunately, that has made him even cockier, such a fucking tool.

  Finally, first hour ends as the bell chimes informing the student cattle drive to mosey on over to the next stall. What a waste of time the last couple days of school are. The teachers gave the seniors their finals a week ago so it’s pretty stupid to make us finish these last couple half days. No lunch is being served today or tomorrow due to the early release schedule, so as soon as my last class is over I’m out of here.