An Accidental Bond: Book 1 of The Engle

By Penelope Parker

Alex is a young woman living on the streets with her younger brother while running from a man who has destroyed her family. While fighting for survival, she accidentally bonds with the head of a hidden race of people, The Engle. Her life will never be the same.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penelope Parker
• Release date: Jan 10, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458175656

Penelope Parker

Penny is an artist, teacher, writer, and avid reader who lives in Erie, PA.

Book preview

The Engle: An Accidental Bond

Penelope Mills Parker

Published by Parker, Penelope at Smashwords

Copyright 2010 Penelope Parker Orr

Chapter 1: prologue

Alex pushed up on all fours and started crawling. With each movement new pain seared through her, but she knew worse waited for her if she didn't get moving.

She had just hit the edge of the forest when she heard the front door of the Villa bang open.

It's no use trying to escape Alex. You're leaving a trail of blood. I can find you by smell alone, Sylus called.

Alex kept moving.

If she could just stay ahead of him long enough for Collin to get there. She worked her way under the thick brush at the woods edge, scooted past a fallen tree, and crawled into a streambed. There wasn't much water, but enough so that she could submerge herself in the water and get her weight off her legs.

The water turned pink as she began to push herself downstream. She kept moving, letting the current help her to move faster and hoping that the water would cover her the smell of her blood. Around a bend was a series of overhanging rocks where the water had cut the soil away from under them. Alex paddled across the channel and pulled herself into the shadowed hollow under one of the rocks. The water came almost level to the bottom edge of the rock, but the river had gouged a curve in the underside, allowing her just enough room to get her nose and mouth above water.

She wedged her good leg between two rocks to keep herself from being pulled down stream. The good thing about being in a stream in the fall was that the water was pretty cold and she could no longer feel the pain in her leg. The bad thing about being in the stream in the fall was that she couldn't feel anything else that was submerged either.

She didn't know how long she could stay in the water.

Alex stilled.

She closed her eyes and focused on using her gift of smell. She smelled clean water...damp decaying leaves... moss.

Alex tensed.

She could smell the fresh scent of crushed grass. Something was crushing the grass nearby...deer... It was only a deer. Alex focused again...there he was...Sylus.

Alex began to shake.

Chapter 1

The wind played with a wisp of Alex's dark red hair making it undulate around her sharp face. She brushed it impatiently back under her cap as she watched the vendors in the square just outside the alley in which she hid.

Come on...Move a little more to the right...

Alex watched Jacob as he leaned against the herb stall and talked animatedly up to Mistress Verdier's doubtful face. His thin body almost quivered with anticipation as he talked quickly. They were too far away for Alex to be able to hear what was being said, but she knew that Jacob was telling Mistress Verdier about the baker who was getting her dill and rosemary from a vendor two stalls down instead of from Mistress Verdier. Alex could see a red flush rise in the herbalist's face as Jacob continued his tale of betrayal.

Jacob took a step to the right.

Alex tensed.

Mistress Verdier walked over to the Baker's stall with clenched fists and green skirts rippling behind her. As the market square inhabitants avidly watched the building scene, Jacob took another step to the right blocking the square inhabitants view of the alley from which Alex raced. Keeping low and moving fast, Alex snagged a sausage from a crate behind the butchers thick legs, filled her shirt front with apples from a bushel behind the next stall, and then reached quickly up to the grill where kabobs of lamb were sizzling, and seized two sticks. With burning fingers she raced low into the next alley. Jacob casually walked across the square and out the other side.

Alex crouched in a doorway about halfway down the alley sucking on her burnt fingers and trying to catch her breath. Yuck...the doorstep reeked as if it were frequently used as a urinal. It probably was.

Stealing never got any easier. She should be used to stealing or scavenging as Jacob politely called it, by now, but she wasn't. The others depended on her, and they were particularly desperate right now with their stores getting stolen and Jeremy running a fever. They didn't have time for Alex to earn a few shillings helping at the local stables.

Alex made a mental note to be extra nice to that ugly butcher and to help Miss Sampson with her charcoal burner next market day.

Now that she had her breath back, Alex peeked out from the doorway to see if the alley was clear. So far no sounds of outrage were coming from the market, which was a good sign.

Just as Alex was about to slide back into the alley a sense of dread made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up and halted her with her foot raised. She stopped breathing.

A dark shape blocked the exit to the alley, pausing with its face raised in her direction as if smelling the air. The stillness that surrounded the shadow carried a menace that pulled at Alex's memory. Too terrified to think, she watched the shadow coalesce into the form of a man, slim, above average height and rangy. After a pause, it moved off with the grace of a panther.

Alex's breath rushed out of her. She decided to wait another five minutes before leaving the alley to make sure the man was gone and to give her nerves time to settle. Even after the wait she still couldn't help running all the way back to Lockspur Street looking over her shoulder the whole way...something about that man worried at her memory.

Back at Lockspur Street Alex quickly gathered three children from a shed that was leaning haphazardly against the next building. She handed Megan the scavenged food and picked up Jeremy. Jeremy should have weighed more for his 7 years, but the combination of deprivation and now a fever had eaten away at his small frame. Alex looked at his flushed face wondering what she would do if he didn't get better soon.

Alex glanced up as she heard footsteps calmly making their way down the alley. Jacob sauntered toward her with a look of triumph on his face.

That was great Alex! I didn't even hear you and you were right behind me. He grinned at her conspiratorially and then sobered as he noticed her worried expression.

What's wrong?

You mean other than Jeremy being sick and me having to scavenge for our dinner?

Jacob nodded warily. You had to be cautious around Alex when she had that strained tone to her voice...

I saw a man on my way back that made me nervous. Alex frowned in concentration. I don't know why exactly, but it scared me enough that I think we need to move again. Now.

But we just got settled, whined Megan. You said we could stay here a few weeks.

Well I changed my mind. I don't think its safe here anymore. We need to move.

I don't want to. I'm tired of moving around. I'm tired of always having to do what you say. You aren't my brother or father, you can't tell me what to do and I am not moving. Megan crossed her arms over her chest and glared at Alex.

I am not going either, added William defiantly. William and Megan were 12-year-old twins that Alex had added to their group two months previously. Since Alex had her hair cut short and dressed like a boy for protection and better agility, the twins had assumed that she was a boy and Alex and Jacob saw no reason to correct their assumption.

I know I am not your relative, but I don't see any of those looking out for you...besides I am the oldest and I know best, replied Alex.

Your only five years older than us and I don't think you know best, raged Megan. We did just fine before you came along.

Yea, that's why you were ready to move in with that disgusting Tanner. You were doing just fine without me, said Alex sarcastically.

He was nice and he said he would take care of us, pouted Megan.

Sure he would take care of you. You know what he wanted Megan and I doubt he would of let your brother stay with you for long.

Okay so maybe that wasn't the best decision I ever made, but we aren't leaving. If you want to move again, you will have to go without William and I.

Alex stared at Megan's face trying to gage her seriousness. It didn't look like she was going to back down. Alex's gaze shifted to William. He was looking sheepish, but Alex knew he would go along with any decision that Megan made. Then she looked at Jacob.

Jacob, wonderful, kind, Jacob...he was all she had left and she wasn't going to risk his welfare because a stubborn little girl refused to move. Every sense Alex had was telling her that they needed to get out of this place and they needed to do it quickly. Her feelings about things like this had saved them before so she wasn't going to ignore them.

"Okay. Megan, you win. Here, give half of the food to Jacob and you keep the rest for you and William. Jacob, Jeremy

and I am moving on. You can come with us or you can stay. It's your choice. If you change your mind we are heading down to the West Bridge area, you can come later."

We won't change our minds. The West Bridge area is damp and cold. This shed is a much better place to stay.

Alex just nodded and turned, hefting Jeremy higher on her shoulder, and headed toward the river. Jacob followed, with a worried look on his face. Alex wanted to stay and persuade Megan to go with them, but something in her was telling her that they need to move on and quickly.

I hope they will be okay...she mused...Perhaps I will come by and check on them tomorrow... Alex looked inward as they trudged down to the river, trying to understand what it was about that man that had spooked her so much. It wasn't how he looked...that was fairly normal...so what was it?...

After about twenty minutes of walking they could see the river ahead. When they rotated to this part of town they stayed about for three months in a shed that was just under the edge of the bridge. It was a good place to stay because they could fish as well as find odd jobs around the docks, but it was damp and with the coming winter it wouldn't be too comfortable. Alex and Jacob and whoever they had adopted, had to move from place to place in order to keep the welfare workers from picking up on the fact that they didn't have any adults with them. If they were caught Alex and Jacob would be separated and sent to different homes for orphaned boys and girls. Alex wasn't going to let go of what little family she had left after that horrible night two years ago...That was it!

Alex stopped dead in her tracks as her worries blossomed into a horrible reality. Jacob, take Jeremy and settle into the shed under the bridge, be ready to move quickly though. I've got to go back and get Megan and William! Alex shoved

Jeremy into Jacob's arms, he staggered under Jeremy's weight. She ran.

Jacob stared after her. He knew that his sister was strange sometimes, but this was surprising behavior even for her. He trusted her though, so he turned and struggled his way down to the bridge.

Alex ran as fast as she could back to Lockspur Street. When she remembered that the man had sniffed the air as if smelling for something, she knew why she was so scared.

Two years ago, a man had come into her village, killing without apparent purpose anyone who happened to be in the market that day. She and Jacob had been shopping with their parents as a man, killing with beautiful grace and moving faster than was possible for a human being, ripped through the crowed straight towards her family. Her father grabbed both children by their collars and threw them to the side just as the man yanked him off his feet from behind. Alex watched from the ground as in one fluid movement the man twisted her father's head to the side and with a sickening pop, all the light fled from her father's eyes. Her mom started screaming and threw herself between this monster and her children.

Alex could still hear her mother screaming. Alex grabbed Jacob's hand and yanked him off the ground. They ran. They ducked into the first building they came to. Alex glanced back at the square just as the man raised his head to sniff the air. His head whipped around in their direction. Black eyes meeting amber. They ran through the building and out the back.

They could hear the screaming behind them turn to wails of grief as the threat left the square...following them. They ran out the back door of the building and found themselves in a garden enclosed on all sides by a high wall. Trapped. Alex panicked and then shoved Jacob into a small outbuilding at the back of the garden. It was an outhouse.

With only one way out of the garden they took it. Alex and Jacob squeezed down the hole in the toilet seat, which dropped into a stone culvert cut at a slope to drain the refuse down to the main town sewer. Alex and Jacob crawled through the sewer for what seemed like hours until they came to where it emptied out into the river. They stood on the bank of the river looking back at the village. Alex new then that they could never go home.

He sniffed the air... Oh my god, please don't let it be him...please just let it be a coincidence.

Alex slowed as she came to the end of Lockspur Street. Cautiously she worked her way toward the shed, keeping well out of sight...no sign of Megan and William--not good...but then again no sign of a creepy man either.

As she came to the shed and peered into the dark interior her worst fears were realized. Megan lay in a crumpled heap by the door and William lay against the back wall. Alex crouched down by Megan and put her fingers to her neck....no pulse. Tears welled in her eyes as she leaned over William...he was breathing! Not conscious, but alive.

Alex picked him up, stepped over Megan's body and started jogging towards the river. Oh my god...Oh my god....Oh my god...

Chapter 2

Sylus paced his small room at the boarding house.

Three strides up and three strides down.

He moved gracefully across the room, but the tension in his intense gaze and rigid muscles gave away his internal struggle. Sylus stared at his reflection in the window. His dark hair waved to his shoulders and his fair skin gave him a translucent beauty.

How could he still look the same on the outside when he was so different inside?

Darkness surged through his soul in waves, pulsating painfully from his core, from that black seed deep in his heart. Sylus struggled against the darkness, but in the end it overwhelmed him...as it always did. Jerking away from the window, he started to pace back the other way. He only had a short time to finish what needed to be done before the council realized he was back on the continent and came for him.

He had to find Alex.

Once again she had evaded him. But now he had a lead... the West Bridge... That is what that little mouthy girl had told him after he had thrown her brother against the wall. Sylus needed Alex.

He would find her...but first he had some hunting to do...certain desires had to be satisfied.

Chapter 3

The council was already seated around the slate table when Collin entered the discussion chamber of Timberlea. Timberlea had been the ancestral home of the Chiles family and seat of the Engle people for centuries. As usual Collin took his seat at the head of the table with a cool remote expression on his face.

As he looked around at the twelve members of the council seated before him, it was easy to tell those six who were bonded and those six who were not, just by looking at their faces. According to the mandates of their people, half of the council must be made up of members who were bonded in order to provide compassion and mercy as part of the council's decisions. The other half must be non-bonded members in order to provide objectivity and justice. Collin fell into the later group.

The eldest member of the council, Radford, stood. His face was pale, eyebrows drawn together, and his tight mouth drawn down at the corners. Expressions flitted rapidly across his face showing some sort of internal struggle.

It appears that...my son has returned to the continent, he forced out between rigid lips.

Collin asked without inflection, How do we know this?

A young man wearing a black uniform with a silver clasp on the shoulder, which marked him as a member of the Legere, stood.

We have had reports that 2 adult humans, one man, one woman, were found in the coastal town of Andre hung by their heels in their garden shed with the skin scraped from their bodies and no other injuries. Another human girl child was found 20 miles from Andre, halfway between that coastal town and Longford. She was impaled on a stake in her father's rye field. There have been several reports of minor deaths in Longford in the last two days, an older male human and a young female human in separate parts of the city. However, both deaths looked to be quick so we can't don't think they are related.

The Legere captain sat back down after his report.

Radford, still on his feet, ground out, If they aren't related it is only a matter of time before one occurs that will be of his doing. He is a monster and he will be the down fall of all of us.

Radford sat shakily and buried his face in his hands. The utter despair in his body language was lost on Collin.

I will agree that the facts indicate that either Sylus has returned to the continent, or there is someone with his methods in the area. It also appears that this criminal may or may not be coming to or in Longford. Stated Collin levelly.

Radford looked up with tears on his face, I know it is my son, I can feel it.

That may be so, but we need to determine without doubt this is the case before action can be taken. Samuel, have the Legere post scouts to collect more information.

The young man in the black uniform rose from his seat, nodded towards Collin and left the room.

What other business needs to be addressed today, asked Collin of the council.

To Collins left a man with steel gray hair that matched his eyes stood, My son, Tristan, has reached the age of 200 and is now eligible for bonding if he so chooses. Do we have any suitable candidates for him to choose from?

Colin looked to a woman with long raven hair half way down the table.

With this glance she smiled and reported, We have been watching several of the street children for possible candidates. We have three young boys that might be appropriate for your son. If he is interested in bonding, have him come talk to me and I will take him on my next watch so he can view these children.

Thank you Melanie, your choices in these cases has always been appropriate, so I will trust in your judgment.

Collin glanced around the table once more. The man with steel gray hair sat down.

A petite blond woman with worried blue eyes stood and faced Collin. I wish to speak about my daughter. We are listening Geneva, stated Collin. My daughter is barely 100 years old and already she is showing interest in bonding She is a good girl, but I fear what she might do in her curiosity in this matter. Though it will break my heart, I would like to request that she be sent to Brook View to remove her from temptation.

Collin looked around the table to determine a consensus. We will send her to Brook View tomorrow.

After Geneva sat down, no other council members stood.

If that is all, then the council is dismissed. Stated Collin.

Collin stood and waited for the other members to leave the room before leaving himself. He walked down the hall and entered his library. His younger brother was lounging in a leather chair with his feet up on the deep cherry coffee table.

How did the meeting go? asked Ean.

Collin sat behind his desk before answering. Mostly it was about the same issues, although it appears that Sylus may have returned.

Collin looked over some papers lying on his desk.

Ean dropped his feet to the floor and rapidly stood up, What, Sylus is back? he demanded.

No, I said he might be back. We have not established that yet, said Collin looking over the top of his glasses.

Even if there is only a possibility, we must do something immediately. Ean started to pace the room waving his hands in agitation.

And you wonder why I have chosen not to bond. replied Collin flatly under his breath.

The brothers looked very similar in their tall, lithe build, but where one had long straight hair pulled neatly back in a queue the other had black wavy hair that was loose to his shoulders. Surprisingly the clean-cut blond, Ean, was the brother who was bonded and the rather windswept dark brother was the one who had chosen not to bond.

It was typical in Engle families for one sibling to bond and the other not. It wasn't an official mandate of the people, but it helped to create balance within the small numbers of the Engle people.

Just then the library door burst open and in ran a young boy of 12. Ean! Ean, you'll never guess what I have found?

Ean's face broke into a smile full of love and wonder at the appearance of Matthew. Collin watched the exchange without comment.

What, my inquisitive one, have you found? asked Ean grinning.

I found a blue grasshopper! Can you believe it? I knew there were green ones, but I had no idea there were blue ones. Do you think he was meant to be blue or do you think he was an accident? asked Matthew while eagerly showing the grasshopper to Ean.

Perhaps you should take Matthew and go research the answers to his questions? stated Collin.

Ean stared at Collin sitting by himself behind his desk. Perhaps I should... Perhaps you should reconsider bonding. It would do you a world of good.

I have made my decision and I will not bond...Father showed us how disastrous it can be for the head of our people to be bonded.

What happened with Father was because of the circumstances of the time, not because he was bonded, replied Ean.

We have discussed this before and now is not the time to do it again. Good day Ean, Good day Matthew. Collin nodded his head towards the pair and looked back at his papers.

Ean and Matthew went in search of grasshoppers.

Chapter 4

Alex pushed the door to the shed open with her foot and lay William down on the floor. She looked up at Jacob who was leaning over Jeremy holding a chipped mug of water to his lips. Jacob raised his eyebrows in question, but at the shuttered look in Alex's eyes and the quick shake of her head he understood not to ask her any questions.

Alex looked William over to try to determine the extent of his injuries. The left side of his face was puffy and already beginning to turn purple. Alex probed at his cheekbone and gently moved his jaw from side to side. It didn't look like anything was broken, but he had obviously taken a hard blow to his face. She ran her fingers lightly through his hair, feeling his scalp. Yep...there was the bump.

William hit his head pretty badly. I think that is why he is unconscious, but it doesn't look like there is any other serious injury. Both Jeremy and Jacob were looking at her with worried eyes.

Jacob come with me to get some more water, I'll put a cold compress on his face and head...that should help with the swelling. Jacob rose from Jeremy's side and followed Alex out the door and down to the river.

Okay Alex, what's going on?

Jacob, do you remember the man who killed our parents? All the blood drained from Jacob's face making him look younger than his 11 years, as he gave a shaky nod.

I think he has found us again and followed me back to Lockspur Street. He killed Megan.

Shit

Exactly

What are we going to do? Jacob asked.

I think we are going to have to leave the city and try to lose him. I don't know what he wants with us, but I don't think we want to wait around to find out.

What about Jeffery and William, they can't travel like they are.

I know. That's a problem...perhaps we can stay here for the rest of today and tonight and see how the boys fare. Alex's brow furrowed in thought,

If they still aren't doing well, we will have to leave them on the steps of the hospital and hope that they are taken in. If they are better we will take them with us.

We can't leave them! What if that man finds them, he might kill them! exclaimed Jacob.

I don't think he wants them... he didn't kill William and he could have...I think he wants us. They may be safer if they aren't with us. Jacob stared solemnly into Alex's eyes for a minute and then nodded.

Okay, then that's the plan... Let's see what we can do for Jeremy and William in the meantime. Jacob looked around and spotted sheets draped on some bushes to dry.

Normally they wouldn't take anything so close to where they were staying, but he figured that they would be moving tomorrow regardless. He took the sheets while Alex gathered some water in the water bag she kept tied at her waist. When they returned inside, they found Jeremy sitting on the floor next to William holding his hand.

He called out for Megan, stated Jeremy looking scared. He still looked frail, but at least he was lucid and had gotten up by himself.

How are you feeling Jeremy, Alex asked as she knelt next to him. She placed her hand on his brow. It was clammy, but not as hot as it was earlier today. Maybe he was getting better.

I'm shaky, but better.

Good, drink some water and if that seems like it will stay down. Here is some of the lamb kabob and apple. Then I want you to rest some more.

Alex...where is Megan? Jeremy asked fearfully.

Alex stood and walked back to the door of the shed. With no furniture, you either sat on the floor or you stood