Copula Chronicles: The Complete Collection: Origin, Descend, Ascend, Legacy

by Venessa Kimball

  Aunts and Uncles? When he spoke to us yesterday, Ezra didn’t tell us about the estrangement or the details of my adopted parents’ relation to both Nate and Xander. I realize that this means my sister, Bethany, is related to Nate and Xander. They are blood cousins.

  I speak up. “My sister, Bethany. She’s your cousin by blood. My adopted parents, your aunt and uncle, had a biological child, Bethany.”

  Ezra looks at Nate, and then he glances at Xander. “When things went down that night in Miami, the magnetic tension between the two of you was instantly evident.” Ezra looks at me. “It is obvious that you have connection with both of them. One being a link with Nate and the other...”

  Ezra clears his throat and doesn’t finish speaking. He knows something has happened between Xander and me.

  Nate doesn’t let it lie. “He kissed her.”

  I close my eyes tight wishing I could crawl under this sofa. “Nate!”

  I glare back at him, but he has his eyes pinned to Xander. “Isn’t that right, Cousin.”

  I look back at Xander just as he raises his chin to Nate. “That’s right. And she kissed me back.”

  I feel the rumbling tension before they begin to lunge for each other. Luckily, I have my footing as I push back against Nate’s chest and Ezra uses his strength to keep them apart. “God dammit! Whatever was going on between you two concerning Jesca needs to be put aside for all of our sakes! All of our lives are on the line!”

  His voice cracks a little, and it causes me to look at his reaction. His eyes are red. He blows out his lower lip, looks down at his feet as he clarifies. “Her life is on the line.”

  Xander is looking at Ezra now, as if he is studying him and trying to read his thoughts. “Why is her life in more danger than ours?”

  Ezra explains, “Sam was after Jesca as well as Corinna that night in the club. He was after her in Georgia before you were sent to track Jesca and me.”

  Track us. Xander? How was he—Oh.

  Oh My God.

  The hooded guy.

  It was Xander, caught up in his own urgent thoughts of being sent there to hunt me down. I walk away from the three of them. “You were in Georgia. It was you on campus. I fell and you helped me up.”

  Seeming caught in the growing web of lies, he bows his head and looks away from me. Was he hunting me down before I even knew what was going on with me? I have a mouth full of questions, and a few words to make him feel even shittier than he already feels, but Ezra takes the reins on the conversation. “Jesca’s abilities surpass all of the other guardians. The only other guardian that possessed similar abilities was her mother, Anna. The Sondian fellowship wants to eliminate Jesca because they know that she can put an end to their plans with the intersection. Sam is their assassin, and he is more than eager to be the one that brings down the foundation of our fellowship.”

  Xander tells us, “He came to me this afternoon before you arrived. He said it was a dream.”

  Ezra confirms, “He came to you in a lucid dream. He projected his soul, with the energy of his life force, to check up on you.”

  Xander questions, “How did he know where to find me?”

  Nate chimes in, “You have been out of the cabin. Sondians and Dobrians are everywhere. It’s not just us. How do you think we were able to find you? You’re being tracked.”

  Running his hand over his mouth, Xander mutters, “They are always watching. That’s what that bastard always says.”

  Xander folds his arms over his chest as he continues to look out the window. A flash of amber lightning reflects on his face as I watch him. Another flash comes quickly after the first. The lightning has become more intense since we arrived.

  Xander turns toward us and slowly walks away from the window. “So, what do we do now?”

  It seems unbelievable that Xander could be so accepting of everything Ezra just told him. It makes me a little envious of his ability to accept things the way they have been laid out for him.

  I say, “So, you’re completely fine with everything Ezra just told you?”

  Xander looks at me with his magnetic blue-green eyes. “Nothing that he’s told me is fine. All of it is a disaster and insane, but I can sense that Ezra is telling me what I have needed to know my whole life—the truth. No matter how screwed up all of this is, it is still the truth, and that is all I have ever wanted.”

  Xander walks over to stand in front of Nate. He sighs before speaking. “Finding out that you’re related to me was definitely an insane moment, but now knowing that you are my blood makes me want to fight alongside you and not against you.”

  Xander extends his hand to Nate and waits for Nate to respond. Nate reaches for Xander’s hand, shaking it firmly. They both nod and look intently at each other.

  Watching Xander now, I remember the last thought I had before he left me standing alone that night in the road. I hoped that his path would lead him back to me someday. It was an impulsive thought, in a heated moment. That had been weeks ago, but standing in the same room as him now, it feels like it was just yesterday.

  Xander releases Nate’s hand and moves around him so that he is looking right at me. “This is the path I belong on.”

  Instantly, my legs go weak, and I lean my body against the sofa for support, knowing what he’s saying isn’t a coincidence. I think he heard my thoughts, even with my mental block. That isn’t possible though. As Xander continues to stare at me, Ezra interrupts. “We’ll start your training tomorrow, Xander. Tonight, we have to get settled and prepare this place for anything that might come our way.”

  I move my gaze from Xander to Nate. His arms are crossed, and he’s looking down at the ground. I feel torn all of a sudden and need to find a way to escape both of them. “I’ll pull the car up, so we can get unpacked.”

  I move toward the door, but Ezra heads me off. “You stay inside. Nate, Xander and I will get the bags. We don’t know who could be watching us. We’ve risked so much just by being here.”

  I stand at the doorway for a few minutes as the guys bring in our stuff bag by bag. How much did we fit in that trunk? I recognize our suitcases, but then I see duffle bags and black metal cases with handles being hauled in. “What’s all of that?”

  Nate drops one of the duffle bags on top of the long metal case. “Your guess is as good as mine. Ezra’s not saying.”

  Just then, Ezra comes in with another long metal case. “Supplies for surveillance, Xander’s training, what not.”

  He’s so nonchalant about what they are hauling in. “What not? You put surveillance and training supplies in the same category as what not?”

  Feeling useless as I stand there watching them bringing in our things, I head into the kitchen and rummage through the pantry, cabinets, and refrigerator. Xander keeps his refrigerator well stocked with food. My stomach growls suddenly.

  Xander carries in one of the cases, leaning awkwardly because of its weight. He asks in a strained voice, “This one is heavier than the last one?”

  Ezra follows behind him and heads for the kitchen table to set down his briefcase. He begins taking out his laptop. “No one knows we’re here right now. We need to keep it that way for all of our safety. Do you have a basement in this cabin?”

  Xander puts down the box next to the kitchen table. “Yeah, right over here.”

  Ezra follows Xander to a door with two duffle bags, one in each hand. Xander opens it, and Ezra follows him down the steps.

  Nate comes in with another box and sets it on the table. I watch him as he heads to the door, remembering how he looked when Xander spoke to me about his path. I hated how wounded he appeared to be by my moment with Xander.

  Nate stops suddenly and turns to me with his hand on the door. I turn off the water and wait for his move since I’m at a loss for words in this instance.

  His eyes look peaceful and war
m, and his voice is low and comforting. “Jes, I’m not mad. We are linked, and Xander and you are…” Nate hesitates before finishing, “Something else.” He walks over to the counter in front of me, keeping his eyes fixed on me. “I understand where we stand, all right?”

  I hear Ezra and Xander making their way back up the stairs. Before I can respond to Nate, he turns and heads back toward the door to continue unpacking the car.

  When Ezra and Xander get to the landing, they both look at me.

  Ezra asks, “What are you making in there?”

  I blink away my thoughts of Nate. “Uh, just making some spaghetti and meat sauce. I thought I would make dinner while you guys get us unpacked.”

  “I think Nate and I can get the rest, Xander.”

  Ezra heads for the door as Xander lingers then walks toward the kitchen.

  I nervously keep my eyes and hands focused on cooking our meal as the energy he’s sending me increases the closer he gets. Xander doesn’t say anything as he puts his hands on the island and sits on the stool, facing me. “Can I help?”

  “Nope. I got this.”

  I’m hoping my clipped answer will get him to back off, but Xander rises and comes around the island to stand next to me, sending the energy between us into gear. Him being so close, the shallow breaths, my quickened pulse, it does so many things to me as I stir the meat sauce faster.

  Xander puts his hand on top of mine, stopping me from stirring. “Let me help, please?”

  Call it selfish, but I let the feel of his touch settle on me, needing to feel a connection with him again. I’m not disappointed by the warmth and soothing calm it leaves. I slowly pull my hand away and add distance between us, letting him take over the cooking.

  Nate and Ezra come back in with the last of the boxes and needing more space from Xander now, I move around the island to sit on the other side of the bar. I watch Ezra as he kneels down and busies himself with unpacking boxes of wires and what looks like a dozen or so radio-controlled airplanes.

  “You brought toy planes?”

  Ezra keeps unpacking and scoffs. “Drones for monitoring Jes.”

  Nate opens one of the boxes and pulls out another object resembling a bear trap on wheels. Spinning one of the wheels, he says, “This isn’t the type of toy truck you let a kid play with.”

  Ezra places his hands on his thighs, leaning back to look at Nate. “No, not in the slightest.” Ezra takes one in each hand. “Nate and Xander, grab these, and let’s set them up around the perimeter of the cabin.”

  ***

  After dinner, I volunteer to clean up the kitchen while Ezra, Nate and Xander are setting up the drones. After about a half hour, Ezra walks into the cabin without Nate and Xander.

  Nervousness creeps into my chest. I ask quickly, “Where are they?”

  Ezra answers, “They are programming the last of the drones.”

  I question cautiously, “Is that wise?”

  I’m concerned about both of them, considering they just found out that they’re related and their recent past experiences with each other hasn’t been bright and rosy. Throw Xander’s and Nate’s almost fight, and you have the perfect chemistry for a fucking riot.

  Ezra walks over to the kitchen sink and leans against the counter next to me as I rinse off the dishes. “They might as well start getting acquainted right away. I’m hoping it will move his training along.”

  I keep my eyes on the same dish as I scrub so hard, I could take off porcelain.

  “Jes, they’ll be fine. They both know their purpose.”

  I close my eyes and nod knowing in my gut they get it, but I still worry about how impulsive both of them are when it comes to me. “Yeah, I know. I just know how they can get. I mean, look at how they responded to each other earlier.”

  Suddenly, Ezra leaves my side, walks over to the living room, and stares at the wall above the fireplace. Fearful that he hears something, I ask, “What is it?”

  Ezra lowers his gaze and glances back at me. “Nothing just had a thought.”

  He walks to the basement door, and then pauses again, this time turning to me with his hand on the doorknob.

  “You okay?”

  He doesn’t respond. Just simply smiles before turning and descending the stairs to the basement.

  CHAPTER 16: SLEEPLESS NIGHT

  Jesca

  By the time Xander and Nate finish setting up the traps, the snowstorm is in full swing. The wind is howling through the attic space and rattling the windows. Ezra briefly comes up from the basement to say he’ll be down there for a couple of hours, and that he’ll sleep on the sofa tonight. I figure he’s messing around with whatever he had in those duffle bags. The rest of us are tired, so Xander shows us to our rooms.

  Xander shows Nate to his room first. I’m watching Nate from the doorway as he drops his bag on the bed and stretches his arms over his head.

  Before Xander pulls the door shut, Nate forces it back open then looks from Xander to me. “If you need me, just holler, Jes.”

  Xander rolls his eyes and turns away from the door, mumbling as he passes me. “C’mon.”

  Repositioning my bag on my shoulder, I glance at Nate. “Thanks.”

  Xander heads up the stairs of the cabin and I follow. When we get to the landing, I notice only two doors on this floor, and I assume one is his, and the other mine.

  Xander pushes the first door on the left open and walks in. Following him in, I put my bag on the bed. He stuffs his hands in his pockets and watches me as I take in the surroundings of the room.

  “I would say if you need me, I’m right across the hall, but sounds like Nate has that covered.”

  I jump to respond. “He’s just watching out for me because of everything going on.”

  I sit down on the bed and cross my legs under me. “I have these nightmares, visions, and they get pretty intense. He’s been there to get me through them. It’s hard to explain, but it has to do with this link him and I share.”

  Xander’s questioning eyes are both curious but suspicious of what that means. “Link?”

  I fiddle with a seam on my black cargo pants and take a deep breath feeling as if I owe him more of an explanation. “It means he can sense things that I feel, think, and if I’m in danger. That’s why he said what he did.”

  “Is that the only reason?”

  Xander narrows his eyes on me.

  His question is unnerving and meant to stir emotions, but I keep mine in check as I rise from the bed and unzip my first bag to start unpacking. “Yes, that’s the only reason. He and I aren’t...”

  I can’t bring myself to finish explaining what we are or aren’t doing because it really isn’t Xander’s concern. “We aren’t having sex if that’s what you’re asking.”

  There. I’m sure that’s what he wanted to know and now that he does, maybe he will shut up and leave it alone.

  As his footsteps come toward me, I try to ignore the growing warmth spreading up my back. “I didn’t ask if you were having sex, Jesca.”

  I toss the shirt I have just pulled out and turn on him. “Well, it sure as hell seems that’s what you were getting at!”

  Xander breathes out deeply. “Look, I’m sorry if it came out that way. I just...”

  He shakes his head, seemingly frustrated, and then focuses back on me. “Look, I get you have this bond. I can sense it. I’m sorry if I came off as being nosey.”

  Try territorial and possessive. Shit, is it some inherited family personality trait, because Nate does the same thing? I turn back to my bag and take out my frustration on the few belongings I have. “It’s fine. I really need to finish unpacking and get to bed. You should get some sleep too. You don’t know what Ezra has planned for you tomorrow in training.”

  With the silence between us, Xander takes my cue that I need space an
d starts to the door.

  “Jes.”

  I don’t look at him as I pull my boots and tennis shoes out of my bag and lean to place them at the foot of the bed. “Yeah.”

  “When I asked you to come with me, I shouldn’t have taken no for an answer.”

  I’m not expecting his words and I’m sure as hell not expecting the breathless feeling I’m getting as they bring up every emotion I felt that night. I turn ready to ask him why he didn’t, but he’s already shutting the door behind him. Part of me wants to run to the door, pull it open and make him tell me why he would bring that up after the fact. Isn’t it easier to say what you would have done? Woulda, shoulda, coulda. But a greater part of me wants to stay here a distance from him, separated by a door, because I’m not entirely sure I would just go to him and give him a piece of my mind expecting his words, but rather let him to tempt me into something more. Something his presence still makes me desire.

  ***

  The moonlight flooding through the window of my room wakes me. It’s a surprising sight, especially after falling asleep to the sound of sleet tapping on the window. Wait, when did I fall asleep. And the moonlight seems excessively bright all of a sudden, as the beams of light begin to blaze.

  As I rise and walk to the window, I see a burst of hundreds of stars spreading across the sky through the frosted glass, coming toward the cabin. As each one breaks through the atmosphere, it turns to fire, forming a celestial wave flowing overhead.

  With its powerful appearance, I expect its approach to be thunderous maybe supersonic in sound. I move closer to the window, listening for any sound from this magnificent show, but there is only pure silence as the sky fills with the fiery brilliance. The more the sky lights up, the brighter and more blinding everything in my sight becomes until it’s too painful to look at. Closing my eyes is not enough as I shield them. When the glow behind my closed eyes suddenly fades, I pull my hand away and open my eyes to a completely different scene. Above me, a string of lights zigzagging between buildings, canopying the road before me filled with pedestrians walking quickly up and down the street.