A Neophyte's Tale, An Abbey Thorne Short Story (Prequel to The Netherwalker Series)
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Epilogue ~ Cloak Unveiling
Manhattan, NY ~ One Year Later
Bernie folded his hands as he finished telling his audience the young neophyte’s tale. He didn’t need shepherd senses to know that Abbey’s unfortunate journey had touched Lourdes Reese. Bernie contemplated giving her a tissue but knew that as a hunter she would take it as an insult.
Lourdie blinked several times. She sat in stunned silence, images of the story Bernie had just told her undoubtedly playing wildly in her head. She seemed horrified by Abbey Thorne’s story as Bernie had recounted it.
“That’s awful, Bernie!” she finally said, wiping away her tears.
“Sorry, hon, but it’s true,” Bernie said, still fighting the urge to hand the brunette beauty a tissue. “It’s as much as I’ve been able to get outta the poor girl, but I’m sure there’s more we’ll never know.”
Lourdie shook her head. “Why are you telling me all of this?” she asked, looking between Bernie and Marcus Vaughn,
“The neophyte took her gloaming bond and chose the path of a hunter.” Marcus Vaughn, knight of the King’s Court New York, stated matter-of-factly from behind his desk.
“Lourdie, hon?” Bernie looked to Marcus for approval before continuing. “We think she would benefit from a strong female role model in her life and well-”
“You want me to take her on as an apprentice?” Lourdie asked, looking straight at Marcus. She suddenly seemed displeased, having spotted the ambush.
Bernie couldn’t recall a time he’d ever seen the hunter with an apprentice in tow. Which was odd, really. Lourdes Reese was one of the best hunters in the King’s Court so naturally she should have an apprentice, or several for that matter. Bernie tried to ignore trivial things that weren’t his business, but his senses were telling him there was something hidden here. Opening his senses a bit, he picked up that Marcus, as least, was failing to conceal some sort of relationship with the hunter. With Lourdie, there was something more.
Heavily relying on his southern disposition for discretion, Bernie concentrated on his goal instead. “It’s still your choice, but I was hoping you’d meet the girl before making your final decision,” Bernie said. “Abbey and the rest of the freshman hunters start orb training at school tomorrow.”
“I’m actually making your participation in the delvir class a bi-annual event as of now,” Marcus said. “I hope you choose an apprentice, Lourdie, whether it’s this girl Abbey or not. It’s time my best hunter had an apprentice.”
“I’ll meet her, but I’m not promising anything and I don’t like being cornered like this. You know me, Marcus.” Lourdie stated.
“I know.” Marcus seemed pleased with himself.
“I have training, so if that’s all?” Lourdie got up from her chair without waiting for an answer.
“That’s all,” Marcus said, coolly.
“Thanks, hon,” Bernie beamed at Lourdie.
“Only for you, Bernie,” Lourdie said, giving Marcus a look before leaving the knight’s office.
Bernie waited until he heard the elevator ding before continuing his conversation with Marcus. “Have you had time to consider my personal request?”
“I have,” Marcus stated. “Do you have anywhere in mind?”
“I figure I can work the reception desk for a while. Stan could use some field trainin’ anyway,” Bernie scoffed. “That kid’s shepherd senses didn’t even tell him what Abbey was up to when she followed me to the Vaughn building.” Bernie laughed to himself, remembering how eagerly Stan had raised the plate of cookies as Abbey watched from across the street. Stan, the rookie shepherd might benefit from Bernie sticking around, as well. “And I reckon other neophytes will still find their way to us even durin’ my semi-retirement. I’ll help them as best I can, too.”
Marcus drummed his fingers on his desk as he contemplated Bernie’s request.
Bernie knew that a shepherd asking to stay in court for an extended period of time after shepherding a neophyte in was unusual, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that it was important to stay. He tried to erase the image of Abbey’s mother from his mind and focused on his shepherd senses that had never failed him. “I just want to stay close for a while, you know, in case Abbey needs me. The kid’s been through enough. I don’t want to be the next one that leaves her.” He couldn’t explain his feeling to Marcus, but something was telling him that there was more to Abbey’s story, a lot more.
“Okay, Bernie, okay,” Marcus said. The knight leaned back in his chair and both men looked down at Central Park, the Chiarshadrin they had sworn an oath to protect.
†
Lourdie waited until the elevator doors closed before she allowed herself to hyperventilate. Marcus and Bernie didn’t have a hunter’s keen hearing, but she wanted to be safe rather than sorry. She had gone to Marcus’s office to finally tell him her secret, but she was thrown off guard by Bernie’s unusual visit. She knew his shepherd senses were as keen as her hunter ones so she hoped he wouldn’t tell Marcus she was hiding something until she was ready to tell him herself. She also hadn’t expected the ambush ‘pick an apprentice or else’ speech from Marcus.
The master hunter played with one of her chainmail relics on her wrist as she steadied her breathing and slowed her heart rate. Marcus’s request wasn’t outrageous, just unexpected. He’d never demanded she take on an apprentice before. She scoffed defiantly to herself, I’m not going to start now just because you told me to, Marcus! But, if she did decide to mentor this neophyte, the girl deserved Lourdie at her best. Lourdie swore that she would never look at the girl with sadness in her eyes, only strength and confidence no matter if she chose her or not, with all that the girl had been through, she at least deserved that.
As the elevator descended to the subterranean virtual chamber below New York City, Lourdie whispered her word against her relics. Cupping her palms together she slowly pulled her hands apart revealing a beautiful translucent purple orb. Letting it grow slightly, she admired the delvir for a moment. She then let it dissipate and quickly cupped her hands together again without saying her word. Sighing in shame for hiding such a big secret from Marcus, she peeked into her hands, but she already knew it was there. Another beautiful orb, glowing brightly and impossibly, greeted her. It hissed and popped almost demanding to be wielded against the evil that lurked in the shadows. No, no, no! Lourdie thought, How is this possible? She squeezed her eyes closed and slammed her hands shut.
†††
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The adventure continues in Cloak of Shadows (The Netherwalker Series, Book One). Available online where fine books are sold. Here’s a sneak peek:
Cloak of Shadows
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CK Dawn
Shadow Hunting
New York ~ Present Day
“Krims!” Bane roared, stirring the rest of the hunters into action. The five man team charged down the hot steamy desolate subway line after the two fleeing creatures.
Abigail Thorne could barely make out their slick black skin against the moist dark walls of the tunnel, but she could see they had taken the form of feline-type creatures. Swift, massive, and designed to kill, there was no denying what they were; krimvigars from the Netherworld. There was also no mistaking these netherwalkers for panthers one might find at the zoo, not with the frosty breath that came from their mouths and nostrils. Where there should have been eyes reflecting her flashlight, there was nothing but smooth black skin that seemed to absorb the light. These otherworldly creatures were also running along the dampened ceiling, their talons digging into and spewing bits of the crumbling underground tunnel as they fled their natural enemies. By their running carriage, she instinctively knew they would split up. Sure enough, the large main tunnel divided in two and the netherwalkers each took a separate corridor.
Bane barked orders from behind
them. “Kapoi, Daniels take the krim to the right! Reese, Thorne go left!”
Lourdes Reese entered the left tunnel first but slowed to let Abbey take the lead. This was, after all, the young girl’s hunt to test her mettle.
Abbey didn’t hesitate. Relying on her instincts and training she sprinted down the dimly lit tunnel at almost inhuman speed, closing the gap between hunter and prey. The creature slowed and turned, baring its mouth full of razor sharp teeth. Drops of spittle fell from its fangs and shattered on the ground as ice. Its smooth muscular skin rippled as it absorbed the surrounding light like the intake of power. The temperature around the krim cooled thirty degrees. Abbey charged her weapon and aimed it at the creature as cold sweat ran down her spine. The netherwalker dug in its back talons and leapt for her. Then, time seemed to slow. Abbey could hear her own heart pounding in her ears. She steadied her breath and squeezed the trigger. A metallic boom burst from her weapon that resembled a mini cannon and a sliver of white laser light exited the chamber. The beast fell at her feet, motionless.
Without skipping a beat, Abbey holstered her weapon and brought her hands to her mouth. She knew she only had seconds before the stunned netherwalker woke. Nausea threatened to overwhelm her as she whispered her word against each of the mated cold steel rings on her thumbs. Palms together she slowly pulled her hands apart to reveal an orb of translucent violet light, pulsating and sparking from the energy it bound within. The orb hummed and popped as she let it grow. Lowering herself precariously close to the creature, the orb instinctively floated down, and, growing larger still, it engulfed the krimvigar’s body. Fingers of lightning snapped like whips, lashing out from the surface of the orb, but Abbey didn’t falter and never let go.
Suddenly, another creature’s roar echoed through the adjacent tunnel followed by an adolescent human’s moan.
Abbey’s head whipped around to her mentor.
Lourdie shook her head and spoke in an insistent whisper, “Don’t you even think about it, Thorne. Focus.”
Abbey reluctantly turned back to her own battle and concentrated her energy on her orb. With a final bit of effort and a burst of other worldly power, the orb imploded taking the Netherworld creature with it. Exhausted, Abbey let out her breath and sucked thick frigid air deep into her burning lungs. As she shook off the effects of her orb creation, she could have sworn a scream of pain filled the underground structure. Oh my gosh. Malcolm!
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A Note from the Author
CK Dawn: “Ouch! Abbey what was that for?”
Abbey Thorne: (Whispers in CK’s ear.)
CK Dawn: (Smiles down at the pint size powerhouse.) “Okay, kid. Go for
it. You’ve earned it.”
Hey there peeps,
Abbey Thorne coming at you live and alive in the NYC!
I totally don’t like people to worry about me (and give me that look) so I just wanted to let you know that I’m okay. Better than okay actually and Oh Emmm Gee you won’t believe all that has been happening! Dude, there’s a whole other world out there!
CK says thanks for coming on this adventure with us and we both hope you’ll come join us in Cloak of Shadows, Book One of the Netherwalker Series. Dude! You have no idea what’s coming next! See you there!
Laterz & luv ya,
Abbey Thorne
P.S. Oh yeah! Here’s where you can find us!
Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~ Google+ ~ Instagram ~ Pinterest ~ Tumblr
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Books
by CK Dawn
†
A Neophyte’s Tale,
An Abbey Thorne Short Story
(PREQUEL, The Netherwalker Series)
Cloak of Shadows
(BOOK ONE, The Netherwalker Series)
Cloak of Secrets *Fall 2015
(BOOK TWO, The Netherwalker Series)
Veil of Light *2016
(BOOK THREE, The Netherwalker Series)
*projected release
Acknowledgments
Cover Design: Holt Haley –Walker
http://holthaleywalker.com/
https://www.facebook.com/holtgraphicdesign?fref=ts
Editor: Joseph Howe
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/joseph-howe/5/903/102
Sending out a great big thank you to all my Cloaked Crusaders, friends/family, beta readers, and fellow Indie authors. Your support and encouragement means the world to me. I love you all & I love Indie Books Be Seen!
If you enjoyed this little intro into the Netherwalker world and want more, come join the Cloaked Crusaders. We’d love to have you!
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#IndieBooksBeSeen
It’s not just a hashtag. It’s a movement. http://www.indiebooksbeseen.com/#/
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