Onyx Moon Rising

by Taige Crenshaw

  Zaila looked at her, then stood in a graceful motion to her six-foot height. Tashana felt Zalia’s power rise like a slow wind then turn razor sharp. She gasped.

  Zaila was not only the leader of the Nefer Guardians; she was the most ancient of their kind. Even when the agency had been in existence for millenniums before the other supernatural and human communities knew about it, Zaila had always been the leader. After the treaties were passed and both mortals and the supernatural government had decided they needed a law force for the special needs of their growing world, they had come to the Nefer Guardians. Some of the supernaturals and humans didn’t think Zaila had the right to be in charge. They had challenged her. Although the Nefer Guardians would not follow anyone else, Zaila, being more diplomatic than the rest, decided to play politics. She met every challenger and the challenges they put in her way. Zaila proved herself to be the only one capable of leading the agency. No one tried to usurp her authority. Ever.

  Zaila’s hair crackled with energy and Tashana felt the press of it crawling along her skin like a million lit candles burning her. She knew that everyone in the building felt Zaila’s power rise. She could taste their fear on the air. Zaila didn’t lose control. It was too dangerous. Her statement should not have created this reaction. Zaila’s full lips curved in a cruel smile and her silver gaze went amber, then black.

  Shit. Tashana got ready to contain her. Zaila was about to go nuclear. A glow started dragging her gaze to the pendant on the desk. It was glowing a strange bluish black color. Suddenly, it started to emit a humming sound. Looking back at Zaila, she saw her body sway. Dropping her shield, Tashana realized that Zaila was fighting something. Reaching out for the chain, she jumped back as it skittered across the desk heading straight for her. The necklace flew at her. Putting up a shield, Tashana gasped as it kept coming. It hit her mid chest. The force of it made her moan as she flew backward across the room hitting a wall. Her chest felt like it was on fire. Struggling to breathe, she distantly heard the sound of the door opening then saw a set of legs come into view. Then they kneeled and her gaze was caught by intense smoke gray eyes.

  Slowly, she registered the rest of his sun-kissed features—a sloping forehead, sharp cheekbones offset by an aristocratic nose, full lips led to a rounded chin. Even kneeling she could see he was much taller than she was. Where her hair was mistaken for black but was actually brown with auburn highlights, no one would mistake his hair. It was inky black and curling in a braid resting over his flowing dark blue shirt. His body was lean but she could see that he had muscles under his clothing. He was still and sure. His face calm and his eyes cool revealing nothing.

  The fire in her chest increased. Gurgling, she felt as if her heart was being burned up. The man reached out and touched her where the pain was. She felt him shudder slightly then he was still. His face never changed.

  “Relax.” His voice was a deeper timber than she would have thought.

  As he said it, the fire increased and spread through her body. It was ripping her insides apart. Opening her mouth to scream, she couldn’t make a sound. Just as the pain became unbearable, her vision wavered.

  The man’s face filled her vision and she saw his calm look of expectation just before everything went black.

  Chapter Two

  With a gasp, Tashana sat straight up. Frantically, she glanced around. Taking in the white beds, beeping machine, and sterile environment, she knew she was in the infirmary. Frowning, she noted it was strangely empty. It was normally bustling with technicians and doctors. She didn’t know how long she was out but she felt revived. She stilled as she saw the same man who had touched her standing by the door staring at her.

  “I should kick you ass for scaring me like that,” Jaynat said.

  Looking to her left, she saw Jaynat by her bedside, a fierce look on her face. Tashana frowned, realizing that she was forgetting something. It dawned on her.

  “Where is Zaila?” Tashana felt fear well up inside her.

  “Right here.” Zaila said as she strode into the room.

  She looked immaculate and cool in her cranberry suit. Zaila strode right up to the bed and took her hand. She gripped it fiercely. Jaynat got up and left the room.

  “Don’t do that ever again. Your recklessness is getting out of hand, Shana. I’m tempted to strip you of your powers.” Zaila watched her with narrow eyes.

  Looking at her, Tashana scoffed. “You can try but then I’d have to kick your pretty ass.”

  Zaila laughed a husky sound. “Watch it, little sis. You could never take me.”

  Watching her sister, Tashana laughed. “There’s always a first time.”

  Zaila chuckled and then got serious. “We’ll deal with your disregard for orders later. For now I want you to meet someone.” She turned and motioned to the man.

  He came over in a smooth glide that could only be that of a shifter. After the day she’d had, she was tired of shifters. Tashana blew out a breath and realized, suddenly, that she wasn’t in pain. Looking down, her eyes narrowed as she saw the teardrop shaped stone hanging around her neck. Reaching up to take it off, she felt fire lick along her hand. Jerking away, she heard the stone hum, then it was silent.

  “The Onyx Moon cannot be removed until it is ready,” the man said in that deep timber.

  He was watching her, an almost bored look on his face. He looked very contained and untouchable. She looked at his aura. It was a blue with streaks of red. That could mean only one thing. Her eyebrow rose. Someone cleared their throat and Tashana was reminded they weren’t alone.

  Without looking away from him, she asked, “Who are you?”

  Zaila answered. “Your new partner.”

  “Sanjay Callens.” The man watched her, but didn’t offer his hand.

  She was tempted to offer hers to get a better read on him. Something was off. Deciding she didn’t care to know him, she didn’t offer her hand, either. Swinging her feet off the bed, Tashana stood and put her feet in the boots on the floor beside the bed.

  Striding toward the elevator, she replied, “I don’t work with partners. Especially not human ones.”

  “It isn’t negotiable, Shana.” Zaila’s tone was a silken threat.

  Tashana stopped halfway to the elevator looking over her shoulder. “No partners.”

  “Shana, sit down.” Zaila said.

  As Zaila said it, a chair skittered up to her.

  With a vicious kick Tashana got it out of her way, continuing to the door leading back to the hall . “Fuck you, Lia.”

  Without looking at either of them, she snagged her coat off the hook by the door and shrugged into it.

  “Shana, the information has been sent to your home computer under Access code Persia.” Zaila said calmly. “Read the file to familiarize yourself and your partner will contact you tomorrow for you a meeting.”

  Ignoring her, Tashana walked away from the door, she threw open the elevator gate and stepped inside. Zaila could say whatever the hell she wanted. She wasn’t working with anyone. Turning, she saw the man watching her. Flicking her hand she materialized her shades and donned them slowly, watching him as the doors of the elevator closed. The man watched her and nodded his head. Tashana knew they understood each other and bared her teeth in further warning . He would stay out of her way while she did what she did.

  * * * *

  Sanjay Callens watched Tashana Rennix stride out. She walked like she owned the world. Turing she watched him and he didn’t need to read her mind to know she was warning him to stay out of her way. She covered those expressive silver eyes that were startling against her sienna skin.

  The rest of her was just as startling. From all the stories he had heard, he hadn’t expected someone like her. The only term he could think of as he looked at her was arresting. From her cap of kinky curling hair to high sharp cheeks, lush lips and rounded chin, she was strangely more compelling than he expected. The black leather slacks and vest-like shirt showed off her full, curv
y, yet muscular, body. She was a warrior with an attitude.

  From her track record, he knew she was reckless but got the job done. He was used to order and control. He wouldn’t have chosen her to work with, but the choice wasn’t his to make.

  “Sanjay contact Tashana on the morning.” Zaila handed him a card.

  He took it. Although he didn’t need it, he put it in his pocket.

  Zaila continued. “I suggest you call her early. If you don’t and you lose her that’s on you.”

  Nothing in her voice revealed it, but he knew she was upset. “We thank you for your cooperation in this matter, Zaila.”

  Her eyes narrowed and, for the first time since he had arrived, she let him see how pissed she was. He almost backed up a step. He’d already had a taste of what she could do when she fell under the power of the Onyx Moon. He returned her look with a calm one. He was used to being hated. It didn’t matter; she would do as she was told.

  “I don’t believe the bull I was fed and your superiors going over my head doesn’t mean shit when it comes to the Nefer. In here I am the boss and no one can make me do anything unless I want to.”

  He looked at her with a new respect and he nodded his head. “You are right. I am here on the behest of my General and follow his orders.” She started to speak. Holding up his hand, he continued. “However you know there is discretion needed in this matter. And we appreciate you accepting our interference.”

  He spoke only truth. Sanjay finally realized that if she hadn’t wanted him here, she could have blocked them and no one would have interfered. Yes, they could have forced themselves in, but it would have gotten violent, bloody and cost them time they did not have.

  Zaila watched him. “I still have not been fully advised as to what this is about.”

  Sanjay smiled. “It is as I said before. The Onyx Moon was stolen along with some other precious artifacts and I am here to retrieve them.”

  “You haven’t retrieved the Onyx Moon. It’s around Tashana neck and. from your own words, it will only be removed when it is ready. What have you gotten us into?”

  Ignoring her question, Sanjay turned and strode towards the elevator. “I will liaison with Tashana.”

  “If anything happens to her. I will hunt you down. There is no place you can hide. I will find you. I will kill you. It will be a bloody, long and painful death. “ Zaila’s words were delivered in a deadly, calm tone.

  It wasn’t what she said but the hidden emotion in it that made him pause and look back at her. “Why?”

  Zaila looked at him no emotion on her face. “Fuck with my sister and die, Sanjay.”

  The vow was clear in her tone. He was shocked. None of their research had told him they were related. Silently he swore. That’s what they got for being so solitary. Looking at Zaila he couldn’t tell she and Tashana were related. Tashana was fire and Zaila was ice. Her crimson suit offset her café-au-lait skin. While her hair was ruthlessly confined in a bun at the back of her head. Zaila wasn’t beautiful in a classical sense. Those high sculptured cheeks were offset by a full nose, full lush mouth and a rounded chin. She had a fuller figure than Tashana with more defined curves. Looking back at her amused gaze Sanjay was jolted. It was the eyes. Their eyes were identical.

  “You don’t know everything do you.” Turning, she walked towards the hallway door. “If you all didn’t keep to yourself and socialized more often you would know a lot of things.” She pushed open the door and looked back at him. “We could use some of you in the agency. You all would have to go through training first of course.”

  “You don’t even like us.” Sanjay had to point out.

  She smiled an unpleasant grin. “I don’t have to like you to work with you. It’s what best for the agency. Tell the General to contact me.”

  He watched as she walked out. Now knowing they were related he could see that she had the same arrogant walk that Tashana had. Turning his head, he continued to the elevator. Pressing the button for the elevator, he got in when it opened. As it stopped on the various floors, he ignored the others as they got on and off. Reaching the ground floor, he strode off, across the lobby and out the door. He arrived just in time to see Tashana hop on her bike, rev the engine and speed away. Strolling down the stairs, then around the corner, he reached his own bike. Swinging his leg over it, Sanjay got on, flipped the key, pressed the throttle and took off. Banking the corner, he went after her.

  Chapter Three

  Sanjay wove in and out of the traffic on the local streets of Harlem, then onto the New England Thruway. As he drove, his thoughts were on Tashana and what her wearing the Onyx Moon meant. The Moon had chosen her. That in itself was a surprise. No one had worn it for over ten thousand years. He had been tracking it since it had been stolen seven days ago. Knowing they had to move fast, the General did something he had never done before—contacted the council. After some fast maneuvering, he gained the cooperation of the Nefer Investigation Force. If they found it, they were to let him know. He had its location narrowed down when word had came through that it had been found by a Nefer Agent.

  Sanjay had come straight to the Nefer Investigation Force headquarters and met with Zaila the director of the agency. He had followed her request to wait until she had spoken to the agent. Standing outside, he had heard the commotion and went in. It was too late by that time. The Onyx Moon had chosen its wearer and there was nothing he could do but wait.

  Sanjay pulled onto the Baychester exit. Continuing on, he turned onto Boston Road and drove while his thoughts continued to race. Something was at play here and he had to be ready for whatever might come. Looking up, he realized he was in front of her house. The gates were closing and he saw her speeding up the driveway. Getting off his bike, he stepped up to the gates. He felt it. Reaching out, he felt the power rushing from it. Glancing left then right he saw the fine sheen of orange. She had warded her gates, grounds and house. Testing it, he felt the resistance. She was good but she hadn’t counted on him being better. Standing back, he walked around the walls surrounding the large spread of land. Seeing the shadows, he faded into them.

  * * * *

  Still furious, Tashana parked her bike at the base of the stairs. Getting off she looked up at her home. It was a great brick monstrosity. Eleven floors of rooms, parlors, and space. When she was feeling whimsical, she sometimes thought the rooms mated and had more rooms. It was too much house for one person but she liked her space. The land was eighteen acres of rolling hills. There was a huge cottage some distance away, a stable with her horses, and a humongous green house where she grew her herbs and flowers. She had given her staff some time off and they wouldn’t be back for a few more days.

  Striding up the stairs, she stilled as a weird feeling swamped her. She looked around and opened her senses. Nothing. Shaking it off as paranoia, she went up her stairs and opened her carved wooden door. Activating the runes in the door, she closed it behind her. In her profession, she had learned protection was crucial to survival. Stripping off her jacket, she opened the closet to hang it up. Slamming the door, she strode into her living room and slumped into the couch. Dropping her head back, she waved her hand at the stereo and the music she had keyed in rose from strategically placed speakers built into the walls around the room. Alicia Keys’s sultry voice filled the air as the opening strains of her song “Fallin” filled the space. Relaxing, Tashana mellowed out as the song played.

  She didn’t want to think of what had happened earlier. This was her down time. She would deal with it in the morning. A feeling of contentment filled her. The smell reached her first. Sulfur filled the air. There were only a few things that smelled like that and none of them good. Then a hissing sound rent the air. Flying off the couch Tashana watched as the chair where she had been sitting went up in smoke. Fury blasted through her. They were in her house and messing with her stuff. There should have been no way anything could get in without her knowing.

  Snapping her fingers, she broke their sh
ields and watched as they were reveled. There were three women. Two were pale white and wavering, they didn’t concern her much. It was the last woman that held her attention. She was crimson from her feet and up to her eyes. Her forehead and hair were white .

  Tashana hissed. “What are you doing in my house, Deathwalker? I have no problem with you. Leave.”

  “Oh but I have a problem with you, Nefer. Give it to me.” The crimson woman said.

  She smiled and her white teeth were startling against the red. Tashana was surprised she had spoken at all. Deathwalkers were not known for their words. They also rarely left the Urver dimension. Yet here they were standing in her living room. She didn’t care what they wanted she wanted them gone.

  “You have one second to get out of my house.” Tashana let the implied threat hang in the air.

  The Deathwalker’s smile widened and, before Tashana could move, the crimson woman came at her. Flipping out of the way just in time, she heard her nails slice the air. Coming to rest closer to the entrance of the living room, she looked back and saw her nails were extended into full claws. Blinking, she looked at the woman again. She wasn’t just a Deathwalker; she was shifter. Briefly, she spared a glance at the silent pale women and they hadn’t shifted. She returned her attention to the crimson woman. Tashana hadn’t known it was even possible for Deathwalkers to be shifters. Crap, she didn’t want to deal with another shifter.

  The other two white women glided closer in a blur. She thought of her gun and it was in her hand. Blasting each one with a ray of light, they disintegrated. The Deathwalker shrieked and then rushed her. Tashana changed her weapon to her life dagger. The handle was smooth and cool in her hand. The light glinted off of the pale iridescent blue blade while the symbol etched in the blade all the way to the handle sparked gold. Throwing it, she hit the Deathwalker between the eyes. There was shock on the woman’s face before she, too, disappeared.

  Tashana’s dagger fell on the ground. She walked over and bent to pick it up. She heard a sound behind her and turned. The entire room was filled with Deathwalkers and Tashana knew she was in deep shit. Suddenly, behind them, she saw a shape rise along the wall then it stepped out from the shadows. Sanjay glided through the Deathwalkers as if invisible and came to her. He stepped behind her, putting his back to hers.