Fated Release (Fated Keepers Series Book 2) (12 page)

Chapter 26

Lyon

Sitting in this hotel room is not helping keep me sane. I can’t seem to shake the incessant feeling that I need to be somewhere, doing something. It’s a constant irritation in the back of my mind. I wish I could remember exactly what it was I am supposed to be doing. Every time I try to pull the thought forward it escaped further away. It’s like a blanket of fog has settled in my mind, blocking out everything from the last year. I am so thankful for Rochelle taking the time to explain what all I can't remember, but even with her filling in the blanks I still feel like something is missing. What is she not telling me? Where is she now and why didn't she ask me to tag along, if we are all that is left of our group, then we need to stick together.

I push away all these thoughts. I think I am having serious trust issues with everyone in my life right now. Who wouldn’t? The pain is back with a vengeance. It has been my constant companion since I left… crap where did I leave? That makes no sense. Why would I feel pain because I left somewhere? No, I need to hunt. That has to be it.

I can't wait any longer. I need to go now. I can't handle the pain any longer. I feel like I'm being ripped to shreds. A good kill should cure all that ails me. I waited all afternoon for Rochelle to return so she could join me, but I still haven’t seen any sign of her. The sun has finally set allowing my movements to be shrouded in darkness. I take off, heading north out of town into the neglected forest.

After what seems like forever, I finally hear something in the distance. A group of people talking. They have to be Orfeo. No one else would be out in these temperatures at this time of night. I creep in closer listening attentively and then I hear him. Orin. I can't believe that I have managed to sneak up on him. What is he doing out in these woods? Up to no good I'm sure. My blood runs cold at the thought of executing him and Haas, as I’m sure they are together. But then I think of the pain they have caused me by turning. Was the dark evil whisperings of Ose such a temptation? How could they do this to our family? How long have they pretended to be my brothers while secretly spying for Ose?

I am beyond angry now, with the million thoughts running rapid through my mind. I see red. Pain and hate fuel me as I charge into the clearing. I have one thought, make them pay. Nothing else matters at this moment. I will have my revenge. For a split second I question myself. These guys were once my brothers. I feel, for just a moment that what I am about to do is wrong, very wrong. And then I remember Rochelle’s words. They betrayed us all. I can let my heart make this decision. I see them through the cover of brush and I make my move.

Chapter 27

Tris

I have finally got all the pallets set up and after a great dinner of eggs and bacon, we are all laying for the night. I for one am totally exhausted. My body is worn out for the constant traveling, not to mention the mental overload. I mean heck, I just found out that I could possibly be one fourth of an ancient sisterhood created to protect civilization from the horrible evil of the world. I mean… WOW!

We are all gathered around the fire, tucked into our bedroll as comfortable as possible when I first feel it. I am suddenly on edge. I feel tingles along my skin like someone, somewhere is watching me. Scanning the area around us I almost pass right over him. My mind sees him before my brain registers exactly what I am seeing.  Lyon is standing at the edge of the tree line, barely hidden by a large bush. If it hadn't been the middle of winter I doubt I would have seen him at all, but thankfully the cold has killed off all living foliage.

He pays little attention to us two girls sitting around the fire, instead focusing solely on Orin. Orin follows my line of sight, seeing Lyon immediately. He springs from his seat and rushes forward to greet his brother. I see the look Lyon cast him moments before he speaks. I don't understand it at all and the confusion keeps me sitting, waiting. 

“Lyon! Thank god you are here! What are you doing brother?” Orin takes a few steps forward with his arms raised, like he plans to hug Lyon, but he doesn't give him a chance, instead he raises his sword like he plans to attack.

“Shut your mouth. Do not speak to me you vile creature. My brother is dead.” He says to him. His words are no more than a loud whisper, and yet he knows we have heard every single word. Not only that but I can feel the hatred behind them. I jump from my seat to join Orin and I see Elmeri do the same.

I see shock register on Orin’s face and I know it is reflected on mine and Elms as well. What has happened to make him behave this way? I don’t understand. I move to take a step toward him, but Orin throws his arm up blocking my way. I am about to give him a piece of my mind when I see Lyon charge forward with his sword drawn. Out of the corner of my eye, I see another person charge into the clearing, recognizing Cash immediately. I turn to tell him to stay away, to wait, but it is too late. Lyon turns effortlessly and stabs forward piercing his new adversary in the chest perfectly.  He quickly slides his sword from Cash’s chest not even paying him any attention as he falls to the hard ground. This is not our Lyon. This man in front of us is a monster.

Elmeri and I both rush to Cash, frantically checking his injuries. He can't die! Not Cash!

“Oh my god! Casher!!!!”

Elmeri is crying hysterically for him while I search his body for the source of blood. I think I am in shock. None of this makes any sense to me. How could Lyon do this to Arsema’s brother? He was just trying to protect us all from a threat he didn't understand. Cash is looking at me with fear filled eyes. I see a question there, a question I can't answer. Anger and rage bubble up inside of me. I feel a fire in my soul that can only be quenched one way. 

“Now it is your turn.” I hear Lyon say. Looking over at him I see him continue forward, with his bloodied sword drawn. He stalks slowly toward Orin, his intent plainly written on his cruel face.

“Cash! Can you hear me? Just hold on buddy. It will be ok! I promise.”

I say to Cash through tears. Standing from the cold ground, I pick up a dagger and rush toward Lyon. I will make him pay for this. I don’t care if Arsema hates me forever, I will avenge Cash. He is my little brother too! Lyon sees me charging toward him and turns to face me with his sword still rose. He plans to cut me down just like he did Cash, like we are nothing to him at all. His sword is raised and I know that there is no way I will be able to get inside close enough to do any harm to him. His sword will reach me long before I reach him. I silently apologize to Orin for not having more time with him and prepare myself for the strike. It never comes. Opening my eyes I see Lyon look down at his stomach where Orin’s blade is protruding from it. He saved me. My soul keeper. 

Blood is pooling all around the ground as Lyon falls to his knees. I see him wrap his hands around the wound on his stomach and fall forward, pushing the blade from his body. There he lies, dying on the frozen ground with the wails and tears of strangers echoing all. I hear him call out in his last moment.

“I am so sorry Arsema. I have failed you.”

The End

Epilogue

Tris

I wake suddenly, panic ridden. I am sweaty and I feel my heart racing a million miles a minute. It takes a few minutes of lying here, looking up at the bright stars in the night sky before the remnants of the dream come back to me. I see it all again on a virtual replay. That can’t be real; surely it was just a dream. A horrible nightmare that will never come true, right?

I feel Orin’s arms wrap around me. My frantic breathing waking him from his sleep. He pulls me in his lap and I cradle my head in his chest while he gently strokes my hair from my face. He gives me time to collect my thoughts before questioning me.

“Tris, Come back me to me, m'anam. Come back to me.” He whispers in my ear over and over pulling me back to the present as he rocks us back and forth.

I sit up suddenly my dream and the chaos it entailed at the forefront of my thoughts. I send thoughts and images to Orin via our telepathic connection.

Get Cash! Now! Don't let him do anything stupid. We have to stop this.

I yell to Orin through our connection while my mind races forward trying to think of a way to keep all the horrors of my dream from coming true. I wish I could just brush it off as a simple dream but I feel in my heart and soul it was a vision.

Elmeri is startled awake suddenly and it takes a minute to catch her up to speed.

“I’m fine Elm. For now. Orin! Hurry!”

We have literally just sat down when I am hit with a strange sense of déjà vu. The moon has almost finished its descent and I can see the beginnings of the sun rays as it rises across the horizon. I feel on edge, waiting for something to happen, not knowing what it will be, and then I feel it. The same uneasy feeling I felt in my dream. Someone is watching us. Scanning the tree line, I tell the others, “He is here. Stay calm.”

Do not go to him! Hold Cash!

I tell Orin, praying he will listen. I have one shot to change the outcome of my vision, if that is even possible. I rack my mind for something that will snap Lyon out of this delusional state of mind he is trapped in. Like a light bulb clicking on the answer appears before me.

Trust me.
I beg Orin.

Jumping up from my place near the fire I move closer to Lyon as he steps from the brush. I pull my cell out of my back pocket and press and hold the number two, activating the speed dial. Arsema answers on the first ring and by the sound of her voice, I can tell she feels something is terribly wrong.

“Tris, what’s going on?”

I hit the speaker phone before replying.

“Arsema. I need you to speak to Lyon. NOW!”

She doesn’t ask any more questions, sensing the urgency in my tone, instead she starts speaking into the phone as if she already knows he is standing here. I just pray what she says is able to bring him out of this state of mind; back to the Lyon we all love and know.

“Lyon! Lyon! Oh My God. Lyon can you hear me? Your soul entwined with mine, is the purest part of me. I felt your love for me. I know you can feel my love for you as well. There has never been a doubt in my mind, that you my darling were the most perfect creation God has put on this planet. The separation we have endured, has taken everything out of me. My soul is dying without you. I miss you more than words can describe. You my dearest are the very reason of my existence. I have missed you more than I ever dreamt possible. Come home to me. I need you. Lyon, can you hear me? I love you! I love you more than the stars in the sky, more than the moon and the sea. You are my soul mate. My keeper. Come to me. I need you.”

About the Author

Kristyn Eudes was raised in a small town in Alabama, where she recently married her best friend and love of her life.  Together, they are raising their combined large family together along with their newly adopted Tuxedo kitty, Fluffy.   When not writing the next book in her Fated Keepers series, Kristyn obsessives over The Vampire Diaries, enjoys reading books by her favorite authors and brainstorming her next writing project. 

She loves all kinds of music and art, believing that creativity opens the soul. Her favorite hobbies are horseback riding and volleyball and she absolutely adores baseball (Go Red Sox) !!!

Fated Release is her second book in a four part series titled the Fated Keepers Series. Fated Illusions is the third installment in the series and set to be released mid-summer 2015.

Follow Kristyn on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kristyn-Eudes

Or on Twitter:

@Kdstrick85

Keep reading for an excerpt from The Haunting in Yankee Town,

A stand alone paranormal/horror novel by Kristyn Eudes

Acknowledgements

I am so thankful to be at this point. My second book is done and dusted and I couldn’t be more proud. This has been the most exciting journey. A massive yet exciting challenge and though sometimes I wondered what I have gotten myself into, seeing the end result made everything worth it.

There are so many people I want to thank for their support and help on this journey of mine. I may not be able to name every single person individually, please just know that I am eternally grateful for all your love and support. For every review on Fated Capture and to every one of you reading this right now. But before I thank you properly, these thank you’s are most definitely necessary.

My wonderful and gracious God. This journey You have sent me on, couldn’t have been done without You. You gave me strength and patience when I needed it most. You have sent so many wonderful people across my path and for that I will always thank you. Thank You for all my knowledge and wisdom. Thank You for the ability to put my ideas to paper and create yet again another book for people to enjoy. Thank You for all my blessings Lord.

Secondly, to my wonderful, loving husband, Ben, thank you for everything, your honesty, your patience, your help and support. I love you with all my heart. You are everything and more.

All my kiddies, thank you for allowing mommy escape to her other world. And thank you for understanding that sometimes I may not be able to tend to your needs. Thank you for helping me when I need ideas. Yes, some of them actually made it into the book! Well done all of you! I am super proud to be your mom.

To my AMAZING team of supporters:

This is an important and confusing one so focus. He he. My editor/manager/rock/ship captain/brainstorming buddy and most importantly very good friend Elmeri, I seriously heart your face! I have said this before and I will say it again. I heart your face woman! I couldn't have done any of this without you. Your late nights or shall I say early mornings mean so much to me. Your love and passion for the books and the wonderful people in them, truly touches me. Thank you for your support and valuable advice. For your brutal honesty but also your endearing nature. You are an amazing friend and I hope we will continue our friendship for many more years to come.

Thank you Angie my new P.A. Thank you for taking over the role. You are doing an amazing job. You will never know how much this means to me. I hope we will continue to build our relationship for a very long time.

My new Street Team Leader Erin, hunny you are fabulous! I have no doubt in my mind that you will be gaining me thousands of readers. You have spread my name and my book’s names so far and wide already, I am so proud of you.

And finally, to my readers, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. For supporting me on this journey and for reading Fated Release. I would not be here without you. This book is not only dedicated to my husband, my children and the other people in the acknowledgments. I dedicate this book to YOU! You are the ones I am doing this for. You are the ones that continue to inspire me to keep writing. To keep telling you what becomes of Lyon, Arsema, Orin, Tris, Cash, Elmeri, Reine and Haas.

Fated Illusions will be releasing soon. This is truly one you don’t want to miss.

I love you all!

Mwah!