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

by Venessa Kimball

  Nate asks, “The news stations? Are they updating the public with anything?”

  Sebastian chimes in, “I wouldn’t expect them to say anything.”

  Balthazar adds, “Sondians are involved in every aspect of this, just like Dobrians. They’re not going to air anything that could thwart their cause without consequences.”

  Sebastian returns, “And, we’re not going to let them air anything that would be detrimental to the public or our cause without our own.”

  Nick scoffs, “Like say-anything-and-I-will-whack-you type consequence.”

  Sebastian’s lack of response is answer enough to wipe the smile threatening on Nick’s face.

  Slinging his assault rifle over his shoulder, Nick flops down on the sofa. “Good to know.”

  Ezra told us that the involvement of the Sondian and Dobrian fellowships went deep and worldwide, but I didn’t completely comprehend the depths of the involvement and the lengths the guardians would go to until now.

  Xander steps up to Ezra, Sebastian and Balthazar. “So, let me get this clear. The Sondian and Dobrian fellowships have spies all over the world. Their hands are involved in everything, including the local, state and national government, in order to carry out their purpose involving this intersection and invasion. One, for the Sondians to provoke the invasion, and two, for the Dobrians to revoke it.”

  Sebastian, Balthazar, and Ezra all nod, but Sebastian adds, “We have just as many guardians against them as they do against us. When this intersection happens, more guardians will surface on both sides.”

  Sebastian looks at me suddenly and thinks, “What will be our plan then, Jesca?”

  I’m not sure why he sends me the thought, but dwelling on it is stripped away when Luke and Jake offer us food and sleep.

  I look over at Elicia. “Mind if I bunk with you?”

  She eyes me, and then she says, “Sure you don’t have other plans?”

  I roll my eyes a little, making her quickly add, “Yeah, it’ll be Ang, you and me. Let’s get you settled.”

  As all of us start to move around the apartment, Ezra announces, “Meet back here in an hour. We need to go over the plans for the next few days.”

  I follow Elicia and Angela through the house to the room they had been sharing. I drop my bag to the ground and plop down on the nearest bed. Ang lounges on the beanbag while Elicia sits on the bed across from me.

  Elicia doesn’t waste any time. “So, I see that you’ve been busy.”

  I look at her sharply, catching her subliminal reference to Nate and Xander.

  Ang chimes in, “You have definitely had more drama than any of us. That’s for sure. Dallas has been boring.”

  Elicia’s smile seems to falter as she fiddles with a loose thread on her sweater, “It’s been a busy six months for you. I know it’s been tough.”

  All joking aside, I know she’s talking about me and what I’ve discovered about myself, my family, abilities, and purpose.

  The silence between the three of us is broken when Ang announces, “I’m starving. I’m going to leave you besties alone to catch up.”

  As she scoots out of the room, I’m left alone with my best friend and somewhat of a stranger. It isn’t her fault though. I had a part in it. I promised I would call her when I got out of the facility. “I’m sorry that I never called you. Things were not what I expected when we left.”

  Elicia crosses her legs on the bed and waves her hand at me, dismissing my apology. “Nah, it’s all right. I didn’t want to say anything at the time, but I knew you wouldn’t call. Too much changes within you when you leave that place. The things that were once the most important to you no longer hold much weight.”

  I reach my hand out to her and she takes it then continues, “Not friendships. Just everything else.”

  I’m curious about Elicia’s time at the facility. “When did you go?”

  She looks at me with a smirk on her face now. “Remember the summer I went to Switzerland with my parents? Junior year in high school?”

  I nod my head, remembering it and realizing that was the perfect excuse. “Shit! You liar! You came back with all kinds of stories from Switzerland with—what was his name?”

  Elicia scratches her temple with one hand, and smirks. “Viggo.”

  I smile widely, “Oh my God! Viggo!”

  I lean closer and lower my voice. “You said you had sex with him! The things you told me...”

  I shake my head at her, rubbing in the playful shame. “You are definitely going to hell Lisha.”

  She chuckles and looks down at the bed spread beneath her, then rolls her eyes before returning her gaze to me. “Yeah, well, I’m a good story teller.”

  Smiling like this with her reminds me of how we used to talk, before everything. Now, we are here in this changing world, we are bound to save somehow.

  Like she’s thinking what I am, her smile passes. “It wasn’t easy. Lying to you, I mean. When they told me it was to keep you safe—that made all the difference.”

  I nod and swallow the knot threatening in my throat.

  Elicia keeps her eyes steady on me. “Before you left Georgia, I told Ezra that I wanted to be called in when things heated up. That’s why I’m here.”

  Her admittance is too much. A sacrifice she doesn’t have to make. “Elicia—”

  She puts her hand up to stop me. “No. It’s my choice. You would do the same for me.”

  There is no doubt in my mind that I would. I don’t argue with her. Just nod with understanding.

  I spend the next half hour telling her everything that has happened between my time and the facility, Miami, going after Xander and getting to them here in New York. The entire time, Nate and Xander were right in the middle of every situation. The link I have with one and the bond I have developed with the other.

  Sighing, I look down at my hands. “The thing is I can’t let either of them in. If anything were to happen—”

  Elicia interjects, “You wouldn’t be able to live with yourself. You know they will throw their lives on the line for you and it kills you inside.”

  I nod and close my eyes feeling relief that I can finally talk to somebody who gets it. “I can’t lose either of them, Elicia. I won’t let that happen because of me.”

  Elicia shakes her head slowly as she stares at me. “What you don’t understand is that you don’t have control over that Jes. Both of them love you and would do anything to keep you safe and you can’t keep either of them from sacrificing themselves for you. I above anyone should know that. I’ve kept my bestie safe for the past sixteen or so years.”

  She suddenly quirks her lip and raises her eyebrow at me. “Happy belated birthday by the way.”

  Only she would attempt to make a sappy moment humorous. I shake my head slowly and force a grin as I sit across from her on the bed. “Thanks.”

  CHAPTER 26: ELEVATE

  Corinna

  Tokyo, Japan

  Sam guides me into the Womb nightclub, his hand resting on my barren back as we walk side by side. His thumb brushes against my exposed skin, reminding me of how the flick of his thumb sends me over the edge when he has me climaxing. I can’t help my body from responding as my panties dampen from the memory. Looking up into his eyes, I can see I’m not the only one affected as he smiles and says, “Why Miss Cain, I think you’re glowing.”

  I breathe in deeply, pushing away the intimate positions we were in hours before as we walk arm and arm to the back of the lounge. “Only for you Mr. Crest.”

  As we come to the door at the rear of the lounge, Sam knocks once before it opens. Hiro motions for us to pass. Hiro’s body-guarding abilities along with his son’s, Katsuro, have kept Sam and me safe. I’ve spent many days watching Hiro and his sons work the cover business we live under. He’s dressed in the dark suit and white co
llared shirt with tie I helped pick out. I bow to him and he returns the traditional gesture. Silently, he escorts us to the elevator.

  The party the club is hosting, and our marks, are on the forty-ninth floor. I look up as the numbers pass––one, two, three. Sam’s hands sliding along either side of my thighs as he stands behind me is a welcoming sensation. The heat that spreads between my legs leaves me weakened in all the right places as I lean against his chest.

  My hands reach up behind me. One caressing the side of his face while the other slips into his thick hair. Nudging my cheek with his, he pushes my head to the side so he can whisper into my neck. “Do we have time?”

  His question isn’t seeking permission as he slides his hand between the long slit of my dress to find the place he wants to be. His breath against my flesh and his low moan as he slides his hand along my hipbone is arousing as hell. I glance up at the slow moving numbers on the elevator––nine, ten, eleven. Forty-nine floors at this rate will take a while and I’m more than content with that speed as he runs his fingers along the front of my thong then pushes my legs apart. My eyes flutter closed from the control he’s taking and I’m completely willing to release. “Yes.”

  He runs the tip of his nose along my shoulder and collarbone as he slides the thin satin fabric aside with his finger, grazing my swollen and tender skin beneath.

  Breathless and in need of the relief I know he can give me every time I ask breathlessly, “What happened to discretion?”

  No sooner the words pass my lips, his fingers dive into my center, and work the smooth hardness he’s already given me.

  “What can I say, I can’t get enough. Especially before a take down,” he whispers into my neck. I want to laugh at his comment, but it comes out as a half moan and sigh as he works expertly, keeping my focus on what he’s doing. Not losing myself completely, I look up at the moving numbers as we climb the towering skyscraper–––fifteen, sixteen, seventeen.

  His fingers pump in and out slowly at first, then faster as his thumb rounds my clit rhythmically, picking up pace for me to reach destination before we reach ours–– twenty, twenty-one, twenty-two.

  My eyes roll shut as a soft wave of the ecstasy he’s giving glides over me. He whispers into my ear. “There’s plenty of time baby. Keep them closed and enjoy the ride.”

  I put the hand I have been using to steady me on our ride on Sam’s hard cock. The contact has him panting. “Oh, you can take care of me later. Right now, this is all you.”

  The repeated rotation of his thumb on my clit has me teetering on the edge of coming when he runs the pad of his thumb fully over my center, the perfect amount of pressure to have me cry out and melt against him.

  As I ride the wave, his fingers stay inside of me and his arm cups my breast to keep me steady as we rise––thirty, thirty-one, thirty-two.

  He rests a light kiss on my temple.“There. All better?”

  I sigh and slip away from him slowly, finding distance on the opposite side of the elevator.

  Thirty-four, thirty-five.

  He places his hands in his pockets and watches me as I lean lazily against the sidewall and smooth my dress. “All better Mr. Crest.”

  I glance down at his pants, his erection barely detectable. “Such control Mr. Crest.”

  He rocks on his feet and grins as he focuses on the elevator doors. “Always Miss Cain.”

  Led by a delicate chime, Sam and I stand tall as the doors open on the forty-ninth floor. He motions for me to lead the way into the crowd of diplomats we are taking tonight for Michael Sanderson.

  Crossing the room of smiling and laughing targets, Sam and I head straight toward the cluster of chairs occupied by Katsuro and a group of Sondian assets dressed to the nines disguised as guests. He’s observing the guests, but rises as he sees Sam and me approach. He pulls me into a gentle embrace and whispers, “Ready?”

  I nod. “Yes.”

  “I have to wonder. Two days ago, it was eight. Last night, it was ten, and now, fifteen. Is there something we don’t know that you do Katsuro?”

  Sam’s question not only surprises me, but surprises Katsuro as the pleasant smile he holds falls. His answer is flat as he swirls the remaining liquid in his tumbler. “I know what has been promised to me. That’s all.”

  He looks away from us and out onto the small clusters of the affluent. “I believe you have a party to host.”

  He’s holding something back. I exchange a quick glance with Sam, letting him know something is up before responding. “Yes, we do.”

  CHAPTER 27: GHOSTS IN MY HEAD

  Jesca

  Elicia and I head down to the living room to meet the others. Everyone’s already waiting for us to join them. I notice Nate and Xander exchange a glance, setting me on edge. I don’t linger on them knowing I made sure nothing slipped out of my mind and into theirs while I spoke with Elicia privately.

  I focus on Ezra fiddling with the laptop on the table. “All right, we’re ready to connect with Siobhan. Skype may be spotty and we might lose her, but it’s worth a try.”

  “Siobhan?”

  I remember Ezra saying something about her training Corinna’s sister, Isabel.

  “She’s in Japan, right?”

  Ezra glances at me and nods as he punches numbers on the iPhone connected to the laptop.

  “Wait! Wait for me!”

  Ang comes striding from the kitchen, a bowl of cereal in hand.

  The cell phone rings over the speaker once, then twice. On the third ring, the monitor changes from a blank screen to Siobhan’s familiar face.

  “Can you see me?” she asks

  Ezra moves out of the seat and lets Sebastian take his spot as he stand behind him. “Yes, we can see you. See us?”

  Ang lets out a squeal from behind me. “S, it’s me! Hi!”

  Siobhan rolls her eyes and smiles. “Hey.”

  Jake inches up to the camera on the laptop. “Hey, babe. I miss you.”

  Siobhan’s smile widens as she looks into the camera at Jake. “I miss you too.”

  Siobhan quickly remembers they aren’t alone as she takes a sip of a steaming cup of what I assume is coffee. Clearing her throat, she firms her voice to the Siobhan I remember. “It’s pretty early here still. Isabel isn’t awake yet, but I can wake her if you like.”

  Sebastian replies, “No, it’s fine. How’s her training?”

  Siobhan looks over her shoulder, and then leans closer to the screen. “You know I don’t brag on anyone, right? I can say with confidence that in the short couple of weeks we’ve been training, she has improved her physical strength, speed and ability to heal others beyond all my expectations.”

  Ezra smiles and says, “I’m sure her mentor had quite a bit to do with it.”

  Siobhan laughs pridefully. “More than anything, I think she’s motivated by the goal of saving her sister.”

  She briefly looks down at the cup she holds between her hands. “I don’t want her to have false hopes though. I’ve been realistic with her. Told her that the chances of saving Corinna are fifty-fifty.”

  Hearing the news about Corinna’s chances of survival, I turn to Ezra for answers. Once our eyes meet, he looks away quickly avoiding what he knows is coming; a line of questions that demand answers.

  “How did she respond to that?”

  Balthazar’s question distracts me from Ezra for now.

  Siobhan shrugs, “With hope. Isn’t that what all of us are living on right now?”

  She’s right. We’re all focused on the hope that we’ll be strong enough to save our world from an invasion and possible destruction.

  “Who are you talking to Siobhan?”

  The voice is Corinna’s in my mind until I see the sprite-like girl come into sight on the screen. Siobhan looks up at her and backs away to share the screen. �
�Isabel, this is the team.”

  Her big blue eyes widen as she looks closely at us. “Hey.”

  Jesus, she looks just like Corinna but with a few minor facial differences and much more petite. She can’t be more than fifteen or sixteen. Siobhan starts calling out the names of everyone. They each give her a quick wave and she smiles kindly until Siobhan announces me. “And that is Jesca Sera.”

  Isabel’s smile quickly dies and her eyes fall from the screen. She looks up quickly, not really looking for me and nods. “Hi.”

  She won’t even look at me. To her I’m the girl that couldn’t save her sister. The tightening of my throat suffocate the clipped “hi” I manage to get out.

  “Siobhan, have you been able to get a device in place at the Sondian safe houses in Japan?”

  Balthazar’s quick change of subject is appreciated.

  Isabel moves off screen and Siobhan points the camera on her only. “Yes, the mosquito drone came in handy. We’ve bugged every safe house. I have the other local Dobrian cells listening in on the chatter. As of now, everything has been the same. All signs still point to Mount Fuji and the Aokigahara Forest as the points of interest.”

  Siobhan seems to look over at Isabel, then back at us. “Sam and Corinna have been increasing the implantation of civilians. They’re really pushing their numbers for the intersection. Last count is almost two dozen in the last three days and another fifteen tonight.”

  Balthazar replies, “Yes, we’ve heard the same from other guardians monitoring the recruiting globally. They’re all ramping up their forces as well as securing governmental support by taking the most affluent and powerful.”

  Sebastian thanks Siobhan for her hard work and says, “We’ll be on the morning flight to Tokyo.”

  Isabel’s face comes back into view behind Siobhan as she looks directly at me. “All of you?”

  I look away knowing that she doesn’t want me any closer to her or her sister than I am right now on a computer screen.

  Siobhan looks at Isabel sideways. I can see there’s been tension there with the way she looks at Isabel. “We’re going to need every guardian available. I have all of the cells ready to dispatch on my call. Still, I’m concerned we might not have enough. We should have worked on increasing our numbers.”