Jericho

by Nini Church

  In five thousand years, he never once suspected she was out there, had never dared to wish it might happen to him and yet here she was – his tiny, delicate mate – determined to put herself in danger.

  Black brows formed a heavy line over his deep blue eyes and his mouth twitched at her audacity in the face of him and his team – all powerful, warrior Jinn intent on protecting her.

  “Jericho, please listen. Mamam will do anything to get what she wants. Don’t ever underestimate her. She might even be stronger and maybe more powerful than you. I just don’t know, but she won’t hesitate to maim or kill you if she can. You’re standing in the way of what she wants – me.” Abe dipped her chin as her face turned pink. “Uh…and there’s some other stuff I never told you about. Family stuff.”

  Overhearing Abe’s admission, Reno groaned while Conn wondered what next. Zulu understood – there was much about his tribe that he never shared with anyone else too.

  Incredulous, one black brow tweaking high into his hairline, Jericho replied, "Stronger than me? And, you know this how?" Jericho, hands fisted on his hips, was pissed as hell there might be a lot about her family Abe never bothered sharing with him. From here on, he was gonna take notice and take time on every count with his mate – pay the fuck attention twenty-four seven.

  “Bear, hide. Mamam's close. Watch out, Jericho, if she knows we’ve mated she’ll go for you first.” Abe stared at Reno, her glassy emerald eyes sending a silent message to protect her mate.

  “Abe, I’m not fucking hiding. As I told you, I’m your front line and that means your mother will always go through me first. Then, she’s gonna have to face my warriors which means she’ll never get near you.”

  One by one, Jericho’s elite team added, “Here, here,” while crowding tightly around Jericho as he drifted ever closer to Abe. He meant to grab her and never let go.

  Silently pulling from deep within, Abe spun out the initial invisible layers of stasis around the others which froze them in place – a natural by-product.

  Hundreds of times, she had studied Mamam weaving a web of stasis for a protective shield to hide her from the world. In stasis for many long years, Abe had spent a lot of time practicing with her natural powers until finally they were honed to such a fine degree that she could call on them automatically.

  Measure by measure, she built an incredibly strong shield around Jericho and his team – all now unable to move a single muscle. Jericho appeared furious, his face deeply creased with dark shadows under his eyes. For the first time, Abe wondered how strong, how powerful he might be.

  It was unforgiveable and without warning, but she had automatically thrust her mate into statis to protect him. Abe suspected it was possible only because she caught Jericho by complete surprise. He didn’t understand how powerful she really was and she was no match for Mamam – which didn’t bode well for Jericho or his team.

  A torrent of wind, rain and fire rammed into the room – nothing stayed put – shit floated around like a space station. Thick in the air, bits of burnt paper and ash – vaporized by the firestorm – and black smoke eddied around, layering the room with soot.

  Abe with her head back and shoulders strong swiftly stepped away from Jericho, praying he would listen and obey. The force of the wind was against her, but she made it to the far corner before the first blow struck.

  Forming from a spiraling silver thread, Giaa stood inches from Abe. A beautiful female, she hid it behind her usual plain beige shirt – high collared, bibbed and buttoned to the chin – and matching long skirt which now floated around her. Her feet had yet to touch the floor. It was a tell of how angry she was. Voice booming, she snarled, “Daughter, you defy me for the last time.”

  A smile started then dropped away as Mamam's crushing displeasure slammed Abe to her knees. Bones creaking, muscles screaming in agony and her head pounding under the immense pressure – it didn’t matter how much pain ate at her nor the agonizing spikes driving into her brain – Abe kept a steady stream of energy flowing into the protective shield around her mate and his team.

  Desperately, she needed Mamam to stay focused on her, only then would the others be safe from her wrath. Abe was used to Mamam’s displeasure and constant punishment. It was nothing new, but no less painful.

  On some level, Abe sensed a strange tingling in her mind. Ever so briefly, one corner of her mouth twitched upwards as Jericho tried to mentally shift closer, reaching out beyond physical limitations while unbelievably attempting to bypass stasis. In her memory, no one had ever done that before and she was thrilled it might be a sign of how strong he was. She already knew their mating bond was powerful – it had to be – he was in her mind.

  Although she desperately wanted to look in his direction for a little reassurance, she refused to indulge the whim, holding the protective shield fast to keep him safely hidden while limiting that tingling feeling of Jericho in her mind.

  Pain pounded through every cell in her body, her brain starting to morph into overload as she silently screamed. She couldn’t take much more, she had to do something. Roanoke's admission came then – her loss of memory had perhaps damaged Mamam’s integral connection and maybe she wasn’t so strongly under Mamam's will any longer.

  Abe could only hope their connection was broken or at the very least weakened. Away from Mamam she was happy being herself and the world wasn’t such a terrible place after all. For too many years she’d accepted stasis, fearful that Mamam had told her the truth – that the world wasn’t a fitting place for her as it would destroy her.

  Now though, Abe had proven to herself that she could survive without Mamam’s smothering protection. The world wasn't a horrible place. Even as a runaway without a memory, she had found a fit, a place to call her own where even Bear was somewhat welcomed. Best of all she had found her mate – Jericho.

  It was such a tremendous and unexpected boon she wouldn’t ever give up – no matter what. This was her place, her time, her world, her home, her mate.

  With incredible effort, Abe clawed her way past the drilling pain while keeping Jericho’s face front and centre in her mind. Badly swaying, she managed to get to her feet and from between clenched teeth growled, “Defy you, Mamam? I think not. The days of you controlling my life are done.”

  In excruciating pain, Abe didn’t move as her mind reeled and the pain ate away at her concentration. She wavered under the onslaught of Mamam’s powerful pressure wrapping around her and squeezing so hard she could barely breathe.

  Green eyes glowing, Giaa trembled with rage as her rather large feet touched the floor and the full color spectrum faded in and out around her peacock style. “What have you done?” she screamed with fury.

  Heard but not seen with steel shutters down, thunder rolled, booming across skies as lightening arced and crashed to the ground. Winds howled and slammed against the big house, rattling heavy metal shutters until windows shattered.

  “What business do you have here in this compound of all places? I never realized you were a sneaky coward, Annabelle. There’s something different about you. I demand you tell me what you’ve done.”

  “Where have you been, Mamam?”

  Hesitantly, Giaa admitted, “I was in seclusion…I thought you may have gone into the Fade.” She waited for some reaction from her daughter and when getting none, grew enraged once again. “Tell me, Annabelle, what you have done. This minute!”

  Ignoring Mamam, Abe plowed in, wanting to throw in a curve ball of truth. “You’ve never cared about me, Mamam, so it would be a total shock if you started now. I don’t know what you’re talking about,” – a total lie.

  “For the last time, Annabelle, tell me what you’ve done! There’s something different about you,” Giaa shrieked. “I’ll find out anyway.”

  Again flames and wind tore through the room, leaving Abe’s face blackened with soot, but it didn’t burn her skin. She wanted to laugh – Mamam would never mar her, she liked to show her daughter off too much to
do that.

  “I have been feeling a bit odd lately, but I didn’t realize it would be so obvious to someone who never noticed me. You didn’t care and always treated us like dirt, forcing me and Myk to do whatever you wanted even when it wasn’t good for either of us. I’m sure you recall those times, Mamam.” Abe baited shamelessly, wanting to push Mamam hard while keeping her focused.

  Easy enough as she seemed unaware of recent events. Perhaps she really had been in seclusion and it was very likely with Mamam’s temper that no one had dared tell her the epic news – Abe had mated Jericho!

  That news might just drive Mamam’s rage beyond anything Abe had ever experienced before.

  Mamam was a mean, terrible bitch and not a real mother either.

  When they were very young, she’d happily shared her world with both her children – Abe and her twin Mykos – before losing a third child in pregnancy.

  Everyone had whispered it was a bad omen until finally Mamam began to believe it, turning her sour on life, turning her sour on her two living children as their protection morphed into obsession. A mother’s obsession to keep her living children safe.

  “Annabelle, you know how easily confused you become. The outside world always did that to you. It means you’re weak, out of your element. Dear, it’s obvious to me that you’re overwhelmed. It’s also quite possible you simply dreamed you’re in some way different. Even if’s it true, all things are manageable.”

  Ah yes – Abe wasn’t surprised by the usual tear down, accentuating confusion, weakness and a complete inability on her part to cope. In truth, she had fared quite well for herself. "If you recall, Mamam, this isn’t the first time I escaped from you. My days in a college dorm taught me a lot about the outside world. The real world, Mamam, not the dormant one you want me to forever live in, disguising it as protecting me.”

  Bold, but not overdoing it Abe added, “I enjoy the richness, the struggle, the danger of the outside world and I've also faced an evil Demon and survived it. Where were you, Mamam? Did you even know I was in danger? Would you have even cared?” Abe tapped her toe, irritating Mamam further. “No, as usual you would have blamed me saying I was nothing but trouble, always confused and certainly stupid.”

  Gia also wanted to tap her toe, impatient to get out of the Jinn compound. At any time, the King and his band of warriors could show up. She wasn’t sure about Jericho Sullivan – he was known to be powerful – much more powerful than most. Giaa was also well aware of his legion of warriors who would all go to war at his command, some without ever asking why. It was essential to get out of the compound fast and with as little notice as possible.

  A frown and then her watery green eyes softened with a hint of consternation as she cast them at her daughter, stating in a firm, but gentle tone, "Child, you're truly confused. Let me help." She smiled a perfect mother smile, but it fooled no one, including her daughter. Impatience eroded her motherish persona, she hated being in the Jinn compound – it gave her no say on the King’s turf – and Jinn laws were impenetrable.

  Once again, Abe ignored Mamam’s fake sincerity. Suddenly warmth and strength swarmed her, pulsing with power and Jericho immediately came to mind. She badly wanted to look in his direction for reassurance, but wasn’t willing to reveal his location. It would only make matters worse as Mamam would go ballistic and there was no telling what Jericho might do. Or his team.

  A barrier snapped in her mind and she felt a gentle push as Jericho whispered, Piccola, mommy dearest doesn’t know we’ve mated. I’m here, go for it. Abe’s emerald eyes grew round with wonder – indeed Jericho was very powerful – no one else had ever been able to enter her mind, not even her twin.

  Desperate enough to go for broke, Giaa blurted out her worst fear and one that would force Annabelle’s understanding. “I thought you were dead.” Smugly, she waited for her daughter to rush to her, providing reassurance and comfort.

  When she didn’t move, Giaa for the first time in a very long time took stock of her daughter, seeing a grown female who was as defiant as she ever was as a child. But now, Annabelle was no longer a child, she’d matured and no doubt yearned for more out of life than stasis. Well, it wasn’t going to happen and her rebellious daughter would pay dearly.

  “I’ve no doubt, Mamam, if you thought I was still alive you would’ve sent your Destroyers after me. Or one of your hired mercenaries.”

  Jericho whispered in her mind, “To kill you?”

  Abe refused to answer the obvious.

  Giaa kicked out, hitting Abe hard in the shin as she staggered backwards, hands out to steady herself. “Why do you remain here? Why haven’t you come home? On your knees, girl, I’m going to show you how angry I am.”

  “I don’t belong to you, I never have, Mamam. I belong to myself and my mate, Jericho.”

  Fists clenched, head thrown back, Giaa screamed at the top of her lungs a string of garbled punishments.

  Abe didn’t even blink nor did she shake or tremble with fear. Instead, she wore a faint smile of pure confidence. Not only was she used to Mamam’s tantrums, but she no longer feared the consequences.

  Truly, Jericho was her savior. It was no longer just her fighting against Mamam’s wishes and willpower. Like he reminded her time and again – they were in this together and Abe trusted Jericho would never again leave her at Mamam’s mercy.

  Giaa’s bottom lip hung when threatened punishments had no effect on her daughter. She twisted in a circle, peering around the room, but too quickly assumed they were quite alone. “Where is this mate of yours? Is he hiding? Afraid?”

  Abe shrugged as if she had no idea where Jericho was.

  In a matter of fact tone, Giaa stated, “He can’t have you. I’ll kill him.”

  Hard at work, Abe held Mamam tightly in place by weaving and knotting unseen bindings. Only temporary, it would start to dissipate almost as soon as she stopped. A skill she’d developed early on in life and each time she’d practiced it was always with Mamam in mind. Belatedly, Abe realized it wasn’t her own power holding Mamam in place, but the power of her thoughts about wanting to punish her mother that did it.

  Gia tried to lift her hands, but couldn’t move nor speak as her mouth opened and closed a dozen times. Her neck, bulging from strain, was bright red as was her face. Impotent, her features twisted into a hard ugly knot.

  Into the silence, head tilted, Abe casually asked, “Mamam can you feel it?”

  The invisible bindings dispersed when Giaa instantly swirled around, pale green eyes sweeping the room, searching for whatever Annabelle was nattering on about. Temper rising again, she became a whirling dervish that created another mini storm of her own. “No. What are you babbling about?”

  “There’s something different and it isn’t me. Seriously, you don’t sense it?”

  Distracted now, worry lines creased Giaa’s forehead. “No, nothing. We should go, it’s not safe here.” She held out her hand to Annabelle, assuming she would take it.

  Abe wasn’t giving up or going anywhere ever again with Mamam. She wanted her mother to understand once and for all. “What do you suppose it could be? It’s everywhere. I’ve never known anything like it. Surely, you feel it.”

  “Have you completely lost it, dear?” Clever Giaa, always taking advantage when opportunity knocked, commanded, “Bear, return to me.” Seconds passed and when Bear didn’t materialize, she screeched, fists clenched at her sides, watery green eyes beyond wild now. “How can you be in the outside world without his protection? You’re crazy like your father.”

  There was no way to sidetrack Abe – if she had to pull in the big guns then she would. She knew what she needed even before Mamam mentioned him. Deep inside, she apologized to her mate for the intro about to unfold.

  “No worries, piccola, no worries,” Jericho silently told her.

  She sighed, mind turning to the past, wanting to wrap her arms around her mate and go back to the way it was before – simple and semi-normal – with ju
st Jericho, his extended family and elite team.

  Abe shook herself back to reality – right now was a dangerous time to lose track down memory lane. Mamam was full of tricks, but so far Abe had managed to stay one-step ahead by the skin of her teeth. Mamam would be forced to listen and softly she mouthed, “Daddio?” A simple, heartfelt summons sent out her call.

  Giaa trembled, knowing exactly who her daughter was calling upon for help. “Annabelle, don’t you dare, I forbid it.” Petulantly, she stomped the floor with her rather large, undainty foot.

  “Forbid away, Mamam.” Abe tilted her head and briefly closed her eyes while wearing a wide smile of pleasure. “Mamam whatever it is, its all around us.”

  “Stop with your nonsense. It’s nothing. You’re imagining things again. We must leave here.” Giaa took on a fierce expression, her concentration complete as revenge took over. She would put up with no more insults and nonsense from her wayward daughter.

  Abe bit out each word as pressure around her again built up with electrifying speed. “Maybe you can’t recognize what you don’t know.” She slammed to her knees, pain warping through every cell of her being, every inch feeling as if it were turning into an inferno.

  Mamam meant to force her to vapor where she could capture her once again. If it happened, Abe knew she would be swiftly returned to stasis never to see the light of day or the outside world again.

  But Abe hung on – only that incredible feeling of Jericho and what they were together kept her from reverting to her ultimate natural form.

  It was Jericho through and through; she could taste him, smell him, knew he was all hers, every inch of him. So refreshing it drove Mamam’s drilling pain away, couching her in a protective bubble.

  How was that possible?

  Was Jericho that powerful?

  She felt his eyes on her as his energies flowed into her along with energies from the others. So invigorating, so alive. Never before had Abe had so many to tether to in this big old world and it felt good.