by Brynn Myers
Entasy
by
Brynn Myers
* * * * *
Entasy
ISBN: 978-0-9856703-2-0
Published by Amber Leaf Publishing
Copyright 2011 by Brynn Myers
All rights reserved
www.amberleafpublishing.com
www.brynnmyers.com
Cover design by Regina Wamba of Mae I Design and Photography
Free stock photo of woman courtesy of Jessica Truscott
Edited by Kara Malinczak
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any use of name brands herein is done so under the Fair Use Act.
Licensing Note: This Kindle eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only, and may not be resold or given away to other people. Thank you for respecting the author's work.
Table of Contents
Contents
Acknowledgements
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank my husband and my daughter for their endless patience and for putting up with the phrase "Just one more minute." I am not sure I could have done this without your love and support. I love you both so very much.
To Karon–I will never be able to thank you enough for the "script runs" on your lanai. You helped make Entasy what it is and I couldn’t be more grateful. Your love, support and patience helped me get through those moments when I was just not sure.
To Veronica–I can sum this up quick…thank you for everything!! For all the days you talked me off the ledge when I was certain I could not do this.
To Tish–Thank you for being such a fantastic mentor and friend. Your guidance and encouragement has been invaluable and I will be forever grateful!
I would also like to thank my family and friends for supporting me as I followed my dream of writing this book. I finally did it! WHOO HOO!
Special acknowledgements to Amber Leaf Publishing for believing not only in me but all of the characters I have rattling around in my head. I am honored to be a part of your team. To Regina Wamba for her fabulous cover art…Entasy came to life the moment she created the cover, and to Kara Malinczak for making this story even better than I thought it could be. Thank you all!!!
Chapter One
I have no idea how Vincent managed to get a table for three at Il Mulino on such late notice, but I was not about to look this gift horse in the mouth. Il Mulino was rated number two in Zagat’s Top 20 Best Restaurants in New York. The town car stopped in front of the restaurant, and we all stepped out as the driver held the car door open. The place was not crowded at all. In fact, it seemed as though we were the only guests in attendance. The waitstaff were the only other people around, and they too seemed to be in short supply.
We sat down and ordered a bottle of wine as we perused the menu. I spotted my choice the moment I saw the Tortellini alla Panna; I could almost taste the tortellini and the cream sauce melting in my mouth. When the waiter brought the wine, I heard my cell phone alert go off. I assumed it would be a text from my brother about what time he would be coming home, but instead, it was a message from Vivi. It said, "Go quickly to the back door, I need to speak with you." I glanced at the text twice before I stood to excuse myself. I couldn’t imagine why Vivi would be here and not with Tynan in Ireland. Did they come home early or something?
I looked around, trying to figure out how I was going to get to the back door–through the kitchen maybe? This whole situation was just so odd. I walked through the spotless, stainless steel kitchen wondering where the chef was. Shouldn’t there be pans clanging and sous chefs calling out orders? I couldn’t see any food in the works either: no garlic smell, no waiters hustling about. What the hell was going on?
When I finally reached the back door, it was locked, but there was an old antique key hanging from a crimson velvet cord next to the time clock. I shook my head, feeling as though I had finally lost it. The key slid into the lock easily, but the door wouldn’t budge. Shit. Something must be blocking it on the other side. "VIVI!! I can’t get the door open. It must be blocked. Can you try and open it from your side?"
The panicked scream had me shoving the door with my shoulder. The door suddenly burst open and thrust me into the pitch-blackness of the alleyway. The smell of wet, rotting grass permeated my nose almost instantly. That is not a normal scent for a New York alley.
"Genevieve Ava Brannagh, you are scaring the hell out of me. Where are you? I can’t see anything." Feeling around for something, anything to guide my steps, I saw a light flickering in the distance. The brick wall to my left was barely illuminated, but there was enough light to use it as a guide. Panic began to overwhelm my thoughts. Where was Vivi? Why had she screamed?
The solid ground before me changed as I took the next few steps; concrete turned into a mix of muck and water, and the brick transformed into thorny bushes. I am definitely losing my mind. Each step became increasingly difficult as I trudged on. The sharp branches scratched and scraped my legs as I walked next to what was a brick wall just a moment ago. A few more steps and I began to feel the blood as it dripped down my leg. Great, the one night I choose to wear a dress and six inch heels is the same night I should have worn my jeans and boots. The wind howled softly, so softly that it almost sounded like voices off in the distance. A faint scent of wood burning distracted me from the musky, earthy scent that seemed to fill the air.
I lost all sense of direction as one step turned into fifteen. Navigating through New York was one thing, but I had no idea where I was anymore. My little black dress was now tattered, and my Jimmy Choo’s were long gone from this swamp-like hell I was stuck in. "Dammit Vivi…you are so buying me a new outfit!"
I lumbered through the last bit of thick mud, finally reaching a shallow embankment. I sat down and rinsed my hands, rubbing the cool water on my arms. I stood, ripping the material that was hanging from my dress and used it to wrap the deepest gash on my right arm. I didn’t have time to take inventory on how many abrasions covered my arms and legs, but I knew that a warm sudsy bath and some peroxide were going to be a part of my future…hopefully sooner rather than later.
I saw a golden light shining behind a thick stand of trees. I paused for a moment, watching the shadows from the tree limbs dance to the rhythm of the flickering light. Branches began to snap with my forward motion as winged beasts began to fly out of their hiding places. I was a bloody, tattered mess, but I was determined to reach this light, determined to reach my sister-in-law. I could hear voices whispering in the distance, which were becoming increasingly louder the closer I got.
Something was nearby, because the hair on the back of my neck stood at attention. My heart began to race as the golden light turned to a tower of molten hot flames, reaching high above my head.
"Kyyyllllaaahhhh…," an eerie, scratchy voice echoed through the trees. "It’s time…it’s time for you to come home." I tried to run, but was locked in place as screeching beasts whizzed by my head, scratching and clawing at me. One of them materialized in front of me; its blood red eyes met my own as saliva dripped from its razor-sharp teeth. It
grazed my ear as it whispered, "Mine."
Chapter Two
Roan, my most faithful servant, entered the room as most fae do…silently. "My lord, the scouts checked in and around the wedge tomb as you asked, but were unable to find what you inquired about. Shall I send them into the city to meet the others, or order them home?"
The candles flickered as I walked past my butler on the way towards the chamber room. My home in New York was palatial, but it did not compare to my castle in Ireland. I was, however, resigned to staying here until I concluded my business.
"Send them to New York to meet up with the rest of the horde…and, Roan? Tell them if they fail me a second time, I will feed them to the changelings." He left the room abruptly as I faded to the only place that brought me any peace, the oubliette in the castle where I kept my most valuable possession.
I began to reminisce about the treasure that was no longer in my possession. I had waited two centuries for any sign that she was among us, but I always received the same results from the scouts–she was no longer in this realm and she’d gone into the fade. They even claimed to have found a cairn near Giants Causeway dedicated to my beautiful Aednat. I walked over to the dungeon wall and ran my hand along the rough, grey stone, remembering the day she had come to me.
My guards found her beyond the castle walls and brought her to me as a gift. At the time, I rejected her and ordered them to take her to the dungeon to let the changlings feed off of her. I had no idea what gift they had actually presented to me until she nearly brought down my home with her talents. My beauty managed to take out a few of my favorite warriors before she was brought back to me bloody and beaten. The mere sight of her heightened my desire, and I knew from that moment on that I would do anything to possess her.
The razor sharp barbs at the bottom of the dungeon floor had done quite a bit of damage to her flawless beauty. Her alabaster skin was matted with crimson, which made her look like a peasant, but I knew she was so much more. I had never forgotten the look in her aventurine green eyes when she claimed that she would kill me someday. Ah, the vitality and passion in her words. Even now, the thought of her made my cock twitch with anticipation. To have her raven hair splayed before me will once again be my greatest conquest. Two centuries had passed, but I could still remember the sound of her voice when she cried out. I could not wait to hear those same screams when I had her in my bed once again. Maybe this time she would willingly accept me and not force me to sedate her strength with the tonic.
The booted steps on the stone floor behind me changed my focus back to the now. "What do you have to report, Gavin?"
Gavin walked closer but stood at a distance, which was usually a wise choice when delivering undesirable messages. "I found her, Sire, but she is not as you described. The female I found has the green eyes you spoke of, but her hair is not dark, Sire; it’s red. I do not believe she is the female you have been searching for."
Unable to contain my anger, I said, "I did not ask you to track her to discover the color of her hair. I did, however, ask you to find out if she was human or enchanted. Did you manage to find that out in your surveillance?"
"Yes, Sire. There is something unique about her. I have been entering her dreams, and she knew that I was there."
I abruptly turned to face Gavin. "So my attempts to connect with her have been working. It is her in the dreams." A wicked smile crept across my face. Not much longer now, my precious treasure. "When will you be bringing her home to me then, Gavin?" My impatience was beginning to show as my dark fae half began to surface. The fanged beasts I contained within myself were begging for release, begging to taste the blood of the one who dared to anger me. Gavin watched as the beasts swirled around me.
"I am not certain, Sire; she is always surrounded by humans, and without risking exposure…" Gavin’s next words were spoken on his knees. "…tonight, Sire. Tonight she will be home with you."
I dragged Gavin to his feet by the collar of his shirt, and tamed the shadows that threatened to choke the life out of him. "Very well. That is a much better answer." Gavin bowed his head in acknowledgment as we faded back to the house just outside of New York. Walking past the drawing room, I could not help but feel disdain. The fact that I had to be in this place was exasperating. This house was so meager compared to my home in Northern Ireland, but for now it served as the base of operations while we searched for my lost treasure.
"I have one more task for you, Gavin." I removed the pyrite ring from my left ring finger and placed it carefully into Gavin’s hand. "Make sure this ring is placed in her room. Out of sight, but somewhere she can find it."
"Liam, I am afraid that you are sending the wrong commander for this job." Layne's raspy tone shifted my attention.
I watched as Layne, my only female commander, walked into my office. Layne was a tall, slender female with short, cropped golden hair, and curves to compliment her looks. She was perfection: as a woman and as a fighter. No one would ever suspect that she was a vicious demon warrior who could change a human’s emotions with a mere touch.
"This job requires finesse, and let’s face it. Six-foot four-inch demons with tribal tattoos tend to draw the wrong kind of attention–the kind of attention that keeps your treasure just outside your grasp."
I grinned at her arrogance.
"You may be right, Layne. I may indeed be sending the wrong fighter to do the job. Did you have a better plan, my pet?"
"No!" Gavin pushed past Layne to stand before me. "Sire, let me finish what I have started. I only returned here to report my progress. I will not fail you again."
I walked to the wet bar, poured a glass of Cognac, and sipped it slowly, contemplating my dilemma. "Layne, follow Gavin back to New York. If he fails to succeed, which I suspect he will, make sure you bring me back what I want, or you too will pay a hefty price. Are you both clear about my expectations?"
They both agreed in unison before they faded out of my office. I tossed back the last of my drink and looked at the clock in the corner. Hours, my beauty…hours until you are once again mine.
Chapter Three
Screaming and unable to take a deep breath, I frantically sat up and looked around the room. I quickly realized this was just another one of my nightmares. I wasn’t actually surrounded by a wall of flames, and winged creatures were not scratching and clawing at my arms. I took a few deep breaths and looked at the alarm clock. I cursed it out loud for its inability to keep me on my normal, well-established schedule.
I flipped off the covers and headed towards the bathroom to splash some water on my face. I leaned against the bathroom cabinet and stared at my reflection, thinking that everyone might have been right about how drained I looked. At this rate, I was going to need theatrical makeup to cover up these dark circles. I had no idea why I was having such horrific dreams. Hell, it had been like living in a Freddy Krueger movie. The moment you fell asleep, you was screwed. I wasn’t sure how much more of this I could take. I was afraid to lie down anymore, but I needed some friggin’ rest.
I padded to the kitchen, popped a K-cup into the slot, and waited the sixty seconds it took for my coffee to brew. I sure missed Vivi being around. She was always the first one up, and always had a little mini-breakfast waiting for the next person to rise and shine. I grabbed the creamer out of the fridge and couldn’t help but smile at my smartass brother’s subtle joke. He had pinned a 4 x 6 snapshot of one of their wedding photos to the fridge with a "suck it" magnet. He so needs counseling. My brother Tynan was a true smartass with an incredible sense of humor, while his long-time girlfriend Genevieve was the calm, sensible one. We had all wondered over the years how someone so level-headed and book-smart like Vivi could be with a jokester like Ty, but their connection to one another was undeniable
They had tied the knot a few weeks ago. God only knew what took them so long to finally get hitched, but at least now they were official. Two more years and they would have been common law for crying out loud. There was onl
y one day and a wake up until they returned from their honeymoon in Ireland, and then the noise level and the normalcy of the everyday would make all this nightmare crap alright.
I glanced at the clock as I headed to the bathroom. Shit. I need to get my ass in gear. I wearily turned on the shower and waited for the steam to build. A shiver ran up my spine as I remembered the words the creature had used. "Kylah, it’s time for you to come home." Note to self–go to the bookstore and get a book about dream interpretation. The shower felt fantastic, and I wished I could have lingered in the warmth of the water for a little longer, but alas, time was not on my side this morning.
I quickly did my makeup, threw my hair up in a ponytail, and got dressed. All I needed now were shoes and I would be out the door. My cell phone rang as I grabbed my boots out of the closet. I knew exactly who was going to be on the other end of that call, and I was not looking forward to hearing anyone yell at me at the moment. I shoved my feet into my boots and sighed as I took one last look in the mirror above the entryway table. Yes, I was going to be late again, but it wasn’t like anyone was going to die over not having their costumes hemmed. I grabbed my coat and hit the answer button on the phone as I locked the front door.
"Good morning to you, too, Jake." I rolled my eyes as I listened to the diatribe that followed.
My assistant liked to use the names of his favorite designers and today it was "Dior." The fact that I did not call him by the correct name had now derailed the original intent of this entire call. I hit the elevator button and waited while "Dior" carried on about the dresses and the actors who all needed something specific done to their costumes.
