Breanna.
I turned at the sound of my name, expecting to see him, but he wasn’t there.
I shivered. It was cold and dark as the thick fog rolled across the Blackall Range. I stood on the side of the road, but I couldn’t remember how I had gotten there; I was afraid, but I wasn’t sure why.
Where was my bike?
I tried to look for it, but I couldn’t see past the fog.
Which way was the manor?
Breanna.
Again, I spun around, but couldn’t see him. “Who’s there?” I called, although I knew full well whose voice I had heard – it thrilled me every time.
And unnerved me.
I had so many questions for him, about my strange impulses and reactions to him; and I realised that I was desperate to find him.
Suddenly, he stood before me, so close that we were almost touching. It’s just me, Breanna. Don’t be afraid.
I was stunned. His lips hadn’t moved, yet somehow he had spoken to me. My voice quavered. “How are you doing that?”
He cocked his head innocently. Doing what?
“That! I can hear you, but you’re not speaking!”
Now, he was emphatic. It’s just a dream, Breanna.
I shook my head, unsatisfied. “It’s not just a dream. It’s you. You did it last night when I fainted – I heard you. How do you speak to me like that?”
He was suddenly behind me, so close that his warm breath tickled my neck. I think you’re confused. Yesterday was a strange day for you. You’re not yourself, and everyone’s noticed. You’ve been distracted, disoriented, overcome by fainting spells. It’s not surprising that you’re confusing a dream with reality.
His warm hands gently turned me to face him. His eyes were fierce, and I braced myself for the mental assault that I had come to expect – but nothing happened. I retained absolute control of my senses.
Blazing with questions and accusations, I resolutely stepped out of his reach, and turned to face him squarely. “Stop! I want you to talk to me – with your voice.”
His shock was plain. “As you wish, Breanna.”
“And it’s Bree,” I corrected him sourly. “Only my aunt insists on calling me Breanna.”
This seemed to entertain him. “Very well, Bree.”
I took a deep breath and looked around. The fog persisted to engulf our surroundings, and I shivered again.
Smirking, he grandly gestured to our surrounds. “We certainly don’t need all this gloom. Shall we make the weather a little more pleasant?”
Great. So even in my dreams my reactions didn’t elude him. I frowned at him, perplexed by his suggestion. “You know I have no idea what you mean.”
His reserved façade gave way to excitement as he started to pace, reminding me of my first year professor who was far too enthusiastic about physics. He turned to me suddenly, his eyes dancing. “Let me help you. Close your eyes.”
I was sceptical. “What?”
His expression was earnest. “Please,” he took my hand, and butterflies battered my ribcage. “There’s something I’d like to show you, and I promise there’s no need to be afraid.”
I looked at him dubiously, but he showed no trace of guile. He seemed to sense his approaching victory and smiled. “Satisfied? Now close your eyes.”
I closed my eyes obediently.
“What do you see?”
His warm breath brushed my cheek and my heart stuttered. I was overly aware of his hands as they held mine. I squeezed my eyes tighter, and tried to focus on answering his question. “I don’t see anything. Only blackness.” I took a steadying breath, silently avowing that my emotions would be the first thing I would get in order in this dream – as soon as I knew how.
If he was aware of his effect on me, he didn’t show it.
“Good. Now, focus on the blackness.” He paused. “Clear your mind of everything – every thought, every feeling, every single thing, but the sound of my voice.”
His voice was the softest silk and sweetest honey. One-by-one, the bricks of my mental fortress dropped away and I opened myself to him; to the tranquillity and security that he offered.
He responded to the change. “Perfect,” he said approvingly. “Now, I want you to focus on replacing the blackness, slowly. There’s no rush. Just let your mind gently reveal what it is you want to see.” He paused. “Now tell me ... what is it?”
My mind was entirely open now – defenceless – and my response was automatic.
“You,” I breathed.
And it was over.
As I uttered that single word, cold comprehension slammed into me like a tsunami. My eyes flew open, unseeing, and I was gasping for air. I rubbed my eyes, blinking frantically to adjust to the dim light in the hopes of comprehending my surroundings.
I was back in my bedroom.
I bolted upright, my heart pounding, desperate to confirm my reality. I sat in the middle of my king-size bed, sweat-soaked sheets twisted around my torso. The windows were wide open, and unfiltered moonlight streamed in with the mild evening breeze, ruffling the curtains.
Still unnerved, my eyes scanned the room and I was relieved to find that everything appeared to be in its proper place.
And free of Sebastian.
Only as I slowly exhaled, did I realise that I had been holding my breath the entire time.
I fidgeted restlessly, struggling to grasp the polarity of my emotions: I was terrified that it hadn’t been a dream, yet disturbed to discover it had.
After finally untangling the sheets from my body, I slumped back down with an exasperated sigh. I decided to try and get some sleep, but all I actually managed to do was to toss and turn as an influx of images, words and feelings battered my mind like bugs against a windshield.
And so it persisted, on and on, until the light slowly replaced the darkness and my alarm finally ushered in the dawn. But even in the cold light of day, my struggle remained and I was left to decipher what was real, what was imagined –
And why it all led back to Sebastian.
Enjoyed this taste of Anomaly and want more? Simply click on the link to get your very own ticket to the Tri-Realms:
https://www.amazon.com/Anomaly-Tri-Realms-Saga-Book-ebook/dp/B005ZVBFK8/
Synopsis:
“I was transfixed as I watched him; his skin was simply luminous in the sunlight, yet not a bead of sweat sheened his face. I could have remained entranced by him for hours, for in this state he was simply magnificent, almost – supernatural.”
22-year-old Bree Spencer hates prejudice of all kinds – especially the blatant elitism she is subjected to as a resident staffer at her aunt’s exclusive estate, Blackall Manor. So when Bree nearly winds up as road-kill on account of the wealthy Sebastian Templeton, she struggles to reconcile her inexplicable attraction to him. On the surface Sebastian epitomises all that Bree usually despises, yet her draw to him is irrefutable.
Events become decidedly more unusual upon Sebastian’s arrival as a guest at Blackall Manor. Despite her reservations, Bree finds Sebastian intriguing; but his insistence to get to know her triggers a raft of niggling suspicions – heightened by a series of strange dreams and phenomena – until eventually, she learns the truth.
Sebastian is a guardian, a powerful descendant of a sacred ethereal line; and Bree’s uncanny gift has prompted him to find her. But while an anomaly inspired their connection, an ancient prophecy and ethereal lore forbid it. And with Sebastian’s purist brother determined to honour both at any cost, an epic battle with unthinkable stakes could be Bree’s only chance at survival.
Anomaly, Fledgling and Legacy are the three volumes of the Tri-Realms Saga.
Scion, a prequel and companion to Anomaly from Sebastian’s perspective, is scheduled for release in May 2012, around the same time as Oracle, the first volume in her brand new young adult saga.
Connect with Kristie King online:
/> Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/K_C_King
Blogs: https://kckingchronicles.blogspot.com/ and https://trirealmssaga.blogspot.com/
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Angel Evolution
Book One of The Evolution Trilogy
David Estes
PART I
“Hurray for a child
That makes it through
If there's any way
Because the answer lies in you
They're laid to rest
Before they know just what to do
Their souls are lost
Because they could never find
What's this life for?”
Creed—“What’s This Life For?”
From the album My Own Prison (2007)
Chapter One: Angel Evolution