Charon stood up. “Let’s go outside, there’s something we need to talk about.”
“Why do we need to discuss it outside?” Paul asked as he and Tara stood up to follow Charon out.
Tara found herself wondering the same question as Charon just kept walking. The three of them followed him. He walked them to the edge of Paul’s shield before he stopped.
“Tara, sometimes in life everything is not what it seems.”
“Thanks Charon. I am sure I would never have come to that conclusion without your wise words of wisdom.” She sent him a smile and almost laughed at his frown.
“Tara,” Charon tried again on the other side of that shield is something you will not understand. “I need you to listen to reason before you do anything you will regret.”
“I can’t promise that. Let’s go out.” Sighing Charon led them out.
Across the street stood Raimel. His wings were not out and he looked almost civil dressed in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Tara could feel her heart rate pick up as she tensed. Charon was saying something, she was sure of it, but she couldn’t hear a word of it over the sound of blood rushing through her veins. She felt her breathing kick up a notch as her fight or flight senses kicked in.
She stared at Raimel. He was across the street from her home. Had he planned to invade it? To enter while she was sleeping and kill her? This ended here. She pulled a weapon out. Before she could think, she ran across the street to kill her nemesis.
Raising her hand, she shot a lightning bolt out of the weapon she had borrowed. Raimel raised a wing and it bounced off having just singed his feathers.
“You have to do better than that Taraja. Who taught you to fight?” That voice was taunting her.
She ran at him and at the last moment feinted right to turn and come behind him, landing a kick to the back of his knee.
“Taraja, don’t you have anything better than that?” She raised her weapon again and he kicked it out her hand.
Falling back, she took stock of what was happening. She wanted to kill him, but she was too caught up in emotion to do any real damage. Taking a deep breath, she calmed herself. If she wanted to win, she would have to become cold hearted.
She raised her hand to block the blow he was in the process of landing. He had come closer while she had been trying to calm herself. Now they were locked in a very physical battle. She threw a punch, he blocked it. He threw a punch, she blocked it. She kicked, he blocked it. Then he would do the same. His arm came down, she hit him with a right handed punch making him rock back on his feet. Before she could bring the left up, he had recovered and knocked her down.
Tara, jumped up and kicked him aiming for his groin. She missed, but he didn’t, his kick was aimed perfectly. She got up again, feeling everything she had learned about fighting over the years wake up and move within her. The real fight had begun.
She moved faster than she thought possible as she punched and kicked. Why, she wondered, were they fighting like this? She was sure he could kill her at any minute. She would get in a lucky shot, then he would. They were almost evenly matched. She would lose ground, then gain it back and more. How much longer could she fight like this? Her thoughts chased each other as she tried to figure out how to end his life.
‘Your life depends on this.’ She shouted to herself as an opportunity passed her by. Why was she reluctant to kill him? She was sure she could do it. Was it because she wasn’t a killer despite what had happened earlier?
“What’s taking you so long, Taraja? I thought you wanted my head on a platter, just like I want yours.”
She stumbled. How could she have stumbled? He took advantage of it. His arm was now wrapped around her neck. This was it. She was a fool to have ever given him a chance. This is what Hope had led her too.
Thea watched as Paul tried to cross the street with her mother right behind him. They never reached her. Charon had frozen them on the spot.
“Wait.” Charon’s voice was commanding. “Let’s see what happens.”
“There’s no help for you now. It’s just you and me.” Tara tried not to jump at the sound of his voice in her ear.
He was right. There was no help for her now. She was trying to breathe around his arm as he slowly pressed on her windpipe. She could feel her air become trapped in her throat, but she refused to beg or plead. If she could have, she would have laughed. Life could be so ironic. Now that she was going to die, she wanted to live.
She looked at Paul. It would have been good. She was sure of it. She was beginning to see spots and her body no longer had enough oxygen to struggle. This really was it. She said her mental goodbyes to her new and old family.
“Raimel stop.” Tara heard a voice she knew she should recognize before the blackness reached out to claim her.
Chapter Seventeen
Was she dead? She opened her eyes to find Raimel standing over her. She looked around with difficulty to see both her mother and Paul still standing frozen. Seems she was not dead. The question was why not?
Not too far away she noticed the figure of Amanda. How had Amanda managed to get there? That was the voice she had heard before she passed out.
Wondering if her death wish had returned, she taunted Raimel. “I am touched, Raimel couldn’t kill me I see.” She watched as the anger took him over. This was it, she was so sure. Then the look on his faced changed to one of fondness. She must be going crazy.
Turning, she tried to get up to run only to see Charon kneeling beside her. Her gaze was caught by his. She tried to shake her head as if sensing doom. “No Charon, please.”
“Taraja, remember.” His voice was commanding, brooking no resistance.
She tried to resist and then a scene came to mind, one she had buried long ago. He had caught up with her. She had been running and was outside in a forest. She hadn’t really slept in days and was so hungry she would have given anything to be able to kill a rabbit and eat it. That’s when she had heard it, a branch moving in a way that seemed suspicious.
Then he had been there again. Sword out this time.
“It’s time to die.”
She had gotten over his physical charms long ago, so she didn’t care that she looked like hell.
“Kill me.” She simply wanted it to be over. How many kids lived like she did? The self-pity and self-loathing had taken over. “Just kill me and get it over with.”
She had dropped to her knees and let her head hang with shame. She wasn’t Hope. She was just a dirty kid who wished she could go home. She stayed like that for a long time, before looking up to see why she was still alive. There before her was a banquet. She hadn’t eaten in forever.
“Every warrior should die on a full stomach. Eat.”
She had grabbed the food and ate. For once she didn’t care. She would decide whether to die or fight later. He had just sat there watching her as she ate the food and then stored the rest for later just in case she was still alive.
“Tara, I am not here to kill you. I am here to train you. I am and always will be your teacher.” His voice had changed as he talked, reminding her of a voice she knew when she was a toddler, bringing back memories of happier times
He had come close to her, to finish the job she thought. Instead he had touched her. “Sleep Tara and forget.”
She shook her head in confusion leaving the past to stare at Raimel and Charon. “Teacher?”
“Did you know this?” She pointed at Charon.
“Guilty as charged.” She wondered if that was guilt she saw in Charon’s eyes. “You refused to be taught, Tara. You were so sure we were wrong. By the time you knew we were right, you would have been dead.” He held up a hand to stop her from speaking. “I know the tale, you die and everything resets. You know better. Did anything reset when the galaxy thought you were dead or at least dying? No? There you go. Nothing resets, at least not where you or Paul are concerned. So if making you fear for your life was the only way to train you,” he looked at her and shrug
ged again. Understand this Tara, I took a calculated risk, one that paid off, but it was still a risk.
Charon stood and reached down to help Tara stand.
“So let me get this straight.” Tara pointed to Raimel. “All of this,” She spread her hands wide, “was a training exercise? You don’t really hate me?”
Tara needed help fast and she knew it. She still wanted to kill Raimel. It may have been that buried memory of him that had stilled her hand more than once, but now that she knew about it, her lust for blood had returned with a vengeance.
“I. Hate. You.” The venom coming from his voice comforted her. “I have been teaching you with one purpose. To learn to protect your life.” The sound of his voice changed again confusing her. “I am proud of you. You have learned well.”
Tara looked down. Did she have the option of beating her head against the concrete? She backed up, putting room between her and both Charon and Raimel. She was beginning to feel like a pawn in a very deadly game.
“What now?” Her question came out as a demand for an answer.
Feeling a hand on her shoulder, she saw that Paul had finally been released and was now giving her his support. “Did you hear all of that?” He shook his head, yes.
“You must continue to learn. The whole galaxy is coming for you and you had better be ready.” This had come from Raimel. This was the Raimel she was beginning to fear, the one that said he liked her. “Tara, the scariest thing in the galaxy is me.” His voice was hard with bitterness and hatred. “Some days I despise you, Tara. I want more than anything to see your head displayed outside my home as a warning to all who knock on my door. Other days, I know I am your teacher and all I want is to train you.”
Having heard enough, she pulled a weapon. She was insane to fight hand to hand with him. He had years of training on her. The next time they fought, she would put him out of his misery.
“Tara, here is the part that should make you shake. You will never know how I am feeling on any given day. I never know how I feel about you until the fight breaks out. Always think to yourself ‘he wants me dead.’ If you ever hesitate like you did today, I promise whomever you are fighting will kill you.
Raimel turned to Amanda and held out his hand. “Come.”
“No.” Paul called out. “You don’t have to go with him. We can protect you.”
“I want to go.”
“No, you don’t. You simply have Stockholm syndrome.”
“Paul’s right Amanda, you don’t have to go.” Tara waved her over. “Don’t let him threaten you. You heard him, he’s a cold-blooded killer.”
“That’s the thing Tara, he’s not what you think he is.”
While Tara and Paul argued with Amanda, Charon took the time to throw Raimel a broad smile. Raimel returned the smile with a nod of his head. As Tara turned to raise her weapon at him, he disappeared taking Amanda with him.
Chapter Eighteen
They had all walked back to the warehouse in silence. Now they were seated in the living room, each wrapped up in their own thoughts. The feeling of disbelief was still riding Tara hard. How could she have not known? Would Amanda pay for Tara’s ignorance with her life? She was a whirlwind of questions, with no answers anywhere in sight.
“When do we go after them?” Paul asked, looking at Charon.
“We don’t. She made her choice.”
“Cold-blooded Charon.” Tara taunted. “Are you taking a calculated risk with Amanda’s life also? What happens when you’re wrong Charon? Is there a cemetery filled with the bodies of your calculated risks gone wrong? Were you figuring out the odds of us walking out that night club when you sent us in? Good thing we walked out. I wouldn’t want to be in your personal cemetery.”
Charon disappeared.
Tara gave a bitter laugh. Of course he disappeared. Dora got up and walked away, leaving them alone.
“What’s wrong with her?”
“She’s my mother Paul, but I don’t understand her any better than you do.”
“What do we do next, Tara?”
“I wish I knew. Amanda going off with Raimel was such a kick in the face. Raimel, being my teacher who hates me, except on certain days, was unexpected.” Tara slumped in her chair reluctantly tuning to see the television.
Paul moved to the couch and patted the space next to him with a smile on his lips. Tara moved to sit next to him, sliding into his arms, as if she was meant to be there. They snuggled close and watched the life of others as they struggled on.
“Hi.” A soft voice broke into their tranquility.
“Hi.” Tara responded softly, not wanting to scare her away. “We are watching the news of all things. Would you like to join us?”
Tara heard the soft sound of feet approaching and resisted the urge to turn and look.
“Yes, thank you.”
Turning her head to the side she saw a beautiful brown-skinned teenager standing by the chair she had just vacated.
“Have a seat.” Tara waved towards the chair. “What’s your name?”
“Jazz.” The teenager said sitting.
“Nice to meet you, Jazz. My name is Tara and this is Paul. Do you remember helping us?”
Jazz shook her head before she said anything. “Yes.”
“We are happy you took the risk to help. How are you liking our home?”
This time when Jazz smiled it reached her eyes. “This is so epic. You live in a warehouse.”
Tara turned and winked at Paul. “I agree, Jazz. Living in a warehouse is epic.”
Jazz curled her body onto itself, managing to make her look much younger than she was. Paul and Tara settled back on the couch again, watching television.
This is nice, Tara found herself thinking. She liked the feel of being beside Paul on the couch. Although she wasn’t old enough to be Jazzi’s mother, she could be a big sister. She smiled even wider for just a minute, life was good.
The sound on the television became all wonky before settling on something new. “This broadcast is being interrupt to bring you breaking news.”
Tara felt as if a dark and sinister voice had just raked its claws up her back. Tensing she looked from Paul to Jazz. Sure enough they had both heard the voice. Judging from the way their backs were arched, it had the same effect on them.
“Paul?”
“I heard it too, Tara.”
Tara waited for the next move with her eyes glued to the screen. Tayrel’s flickering image came on over the broadcast. She could still see the brightly animated newscasters having a conversation, but she could not hear them. Imposed over them was Tayrel, still dressed in his Godfather gear, though the suit was different today.
Tara took a moment to address her fears. If he knew where she was he would be here and not on her television. Although Raimel hated her with a passion, she was sure he would not tell Tayrel where to find her. Besides, the one thing she was sure of was that nothing uninvited could get in here. She was positive she had Charon to thank for that one. So, even though she wanted to run out screaming, the sky was falling, she was going to resist.
“Tara.” Tayrel’s voice was now as smooth as silk and as sweet as honey. “I know you are there. I just wanted to drop in and see my favorite gateway. You are not just a mere doorway, but the coveted gateway. This is too sweet. Look over your shoulder, Tara. Turn around when the shadows grow long, because I will be there. You can’t hope to beat me without the other two gifts and I will be looking for them harder than you. Set your watch Tara, because the race is on. Soon I will own your planet, your timeline and you.”
Tara listened to Tayrel’s evil laugh before he finally disappeared.
Raising her voice, Tara screamed. “Charon!”
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Read on for an excerpt of my next novel.
Thea’s Homecoming – Novel Excerpt
A Parallel World Novel – Book One
Chapter One
Thea knew she was being followed and hated it. Sighing she decided it was time to run again. She was tired of running and hiding. If only she knew what those government guys wanted. Giving her best fake smile she waited while the cashier rang up her purchases. This was one of her favorite shoe stores and she refused to be blacklisted from it, so they would have to wait for her to get outside to run.
“Those shoes are some of my favorites,” the cashier stated making idle conversation as she rang.
Giving her a good once over, Thea once again decided the cashier was not stalling. “I couldn’t resist them. It was almost as if they were calling my name.”
“I know what you mean, but I wondered where would I wear them?” The cashier smiled at her then lowered her voice. “I hate to admit it, but I rarely go out anymore.”
Thea nodded her head in sympathy. She shared the cashiers feeling. Although she loved shoes she rarely bought any hating to leave them behind when she had to run. Grabbing the bags she said a quick bye and headed out the door. It was much later than she had thought. Where had the time gone? She took several steps away from the shoe store and stopped, tensing she waited. When nothing happened, she decided she must just be getting paranoid in her advanced age, she would turn twenty five soon. Although, this city hadn’t won any awards for its nightlife, she had grown to love it. Maybe now she would not have to leave. Giving a happy sigh she approached her car thinking it would all be ok.
Hope (Other World Protection Agency Book 1) Page 13
