Pulse: Book I Binuit-Namri Chronicles

By Acacia Green

Unobtrusive High school senior Nyssa Navitas simply wants to graduate school. Her plan is to spend a year living with her super hot actor bestie in Hollywood and get away from her controlling alcoholic father.

But when she finds the school’s Mr Charming, Harland Woods, unconscious on the school’s oval, she has no idea how much her simple discovery will change the course of her life. Forever.

Harland is the King of the Binuit-Namri Nation, a secretive race of energy beings from another dimension. He’s hiding out on Earth trying to avoid an arranged marriage with a girl who won’t stop until she has his throne.

Problems arise when their tutoring sessions start to blossom into something more. While Harland is preoccupied with trying to keep their relations secret, Nyssa’s life is about to change, forcing one of them to make a life and death decision.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Acacia Green
• Release date: Sep 28, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465755018

Acacia Green

A single mum of one, Acacia Green has a passion for writing, spirituality and personal development.Lead by love, kindness and compassion, she is the change she wanted to see in this world. With a focus on developing light, love and power she has changed her inner landscape to one of peace, calm and serenity.Take care, remember to love your fellow humans.Love, light and power!

Book preview

Book I of the Binuit-Namri Chronicles

Acacia Green

SMASHWORDS EDITION

Copyright 2011 by Acacia Green

http://acaciagreen.blogspot.com/

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.

All rights are reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author.

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

* * * * *

Acknowledgements

A special thank you to: Belinda, Kellie, Scott, Deb, Jade, Karen, Nai, Olive, Det, Angela, Bethany, Anna, Rochelle, Meg and C. A. Hocking.

* * * * *

With every great struggle there is sacrifice.

Glossary

Binuit-Namri:

A race of energy beings, who are attracted to the energy and vibrancy of life on Earth. Their actions are governed by a strict set of rules that must be followed.

The Realm:

A transitional area between The Realm Proper and Earth where Binuit-Namri generate a human form and learn to act human before they travel to Earth. It is a simulation of life on Earth.

The Realm Proper:

A pure energy dimension, where Binuit-Namri exist only as energy.

Energy:

The non physical energy that animates all living things.

Deva:

Energy guardians of every plant.

Humans:

Either emit or consume energy. Both can be fatal to Binuit-Namri in extreme circumstances.

Empathist:

A human who feels the emotions, pains and problems of other people. Often overwhelmed by these emotions and feelings, they live in social isolation.

Guardian Angels:

An angel assigned to guide and protect a particular human. They do not mix with Binuit-Namri. Altercations between the two are dealt with severely by the Binuit-Namri Council.

Joining:

The exchange of energy between two Binuit-Namri through a kiss. Similar to a human marriage but it lasts for eternity. The unions are pre-arranged by a Matchmaker and are based on complementary energy signatures.

Eluc:

Binuit-Namri slang for King.

* * * * *

Chapter 1 - Harland

I cut class to negotiate an energy transfer with the oldest, most powerful Deva at St Margaret’s Senior High School. Heading to our usual meeting place, the old tree behind the groundkeeper’s shed on the oval, I button my blazer to stop it flapping in the cold wind.

I lean against the trunk of the ancient tree and look up. The Deva sits on one of the lower branches, using the vascular tissues of the tree as a conduit for the energy exchange.

I stare vacantly at the shed as the Deva energy mends the holes in my life force. My own energy started to fail shortly after I arrived on Earth and since then I’ve exchanged energy with Devas. While their energy isn’t entirely compatible, it’s the closest I’ll ever come to being healed while on Earth.

When my energy failed, I lost my ability to freely travel home, to The Realm. I only have enough for an emergency return trip and I’m not ready to go back yet.

The only future waiting for me is an eternity of misery in an arranged joining or fighting in a war that my betrothed will start if I join with another Binuit-Namri. Joining with a human is out of the question not that it matters, I’m not ready to settle down.

My body aches as the Deva energy enters. I should be used to the pain, but I’m not. I suck it up. I’ve had a lot worse and at least this transfer will be over soon.

The white haze of energy quickly dissipates. Confused, I turn to see the problem. The approach of the school’s beauty queen has sent the Deva running for cover.

Crap.

It’s been six hours since my last transfer and I really needed the hit. I’m going to have to start all over again. Puerile humans, I mutter under my breath.

Too late to avoid her, I stand straight, taking a few steps away from the tree, fixing a smile on my face as I wait to see what she wants this time.

Hey Harlie, Wendy Stewart calls, giving me her best smile. I hate it when she shortens my name but I’m in no mood to correct her.

I wish Wendy would stay away, but she finds my energy too attractive to notice my dislike for her, and right now Wendy’s looking at me like she’s been on a three-week diet and I’m a triple sundae with extra cream.

Wendy, I say politely. You should be inside. It’s freezing. The energy drain is ridiculously fast. My head starts to spin and I have trouble focusing.

I came out to see you, she purrs.

Me? I ask surprised.

She keeps walking towards me. I take a step back. She increases her pace. The distance between us shrinks and I run out of exit options. I need to think faster and not be so confused by the energy drain.

Sorry Wendy, I have to go, I state formally, shuffling sideways, trying to step around her in the small space, but it’s impossible. My coordination starts to go and I stagger back to where I started.

But Harlie, I want to give you something. She steps closer.

I take a step back – hitting my back against the wall of the groundkeeper’s shed. Trapped, my only option is to endure the energy loss.

This is it. All Binuit-Namri have enough reserve energy for one last trip to The Realm. It’s a safety mechanism, like a reserve parachute and mine is about to be triggered. Wendy Stewart is going to be the last thing I see on Earth. I’m furious.

I turn my face away from Wendy and her puckered lips. If she kisses me, we will be joined for eternity. My betrothed will start a war and I’ll be stuck in The Realm, watching everything end. It totally sucks being a Binuit-Namri today.

My back is pressed hard against the wall. I turn my face away from her as she leans in for a kiss. My vision blurs as I put my hands out to try and push her away. I’m not sure which of the three Wendy’s I’m seeing is the one I should be pushing.

The spots in front of my eyes turn into big patches as she absorbs more and more of my energy.

No! I say sternly. No. Wendy. Don’t. I try to sound assertive and strong as I wave my arms in the hope I’ll push the real Wendy away.

My head spins as darkness envelopes me.

This is going to hurt.

A lot.

* * * * *

Chapter 2 - Nyssa

I stifle a yawn, as Ms Button, the pretentious principal of St Marg’s school for the rich and snooty, stands in front of the class.

Mr Banks is sick today and as Seniors, we expect you to be independent. You will study unsupervised for this lesson, but must remain on the school grounds. She smiles stiffly, nods in a self-satisfied way and walks out of the classroom.

How fabulous is this? Sally Malvern giggles excitedly.

I give her a dark look as she grabs the hand of her hot and hunky boyfriend, Conor, and pulls him from his seat.

Conor was voted best looking guy at school in a poll conducted on the wall of the girl’s bathroom. I voted for him twice.

As the pair bolt from the room and head for a major kiss fest and I sigh enviously. I want to make out with someone, but apart from my best friend Mattie, I’ve never kissed a guy and kissing Mattie doesn’t count. I’d really like to practice kissing with Conor. He’s so dreamy and delicious and totally out of my league.

I weigh up my options as the room empties. I could sit inside, or I could take my novel and head to my favourite hiding place located between the faculty car park and the groundkeeper’s shed. I’ve sat there plenty of times and not been seen by teachers coming and going from their vehicles.

After a quick stop at my locker to exchange school books for a novel and a heavy duty parka, I head outside.

It’s freezing so I pull the hood over my head in an attempt to block out the frigid wind and half-heartedly jog across the oval. I’m almost there when a raised voice calls out from the other side of the shed. Oh crap, other people know about my hiding spot.

No, a stern male voice says. No. Wendy. Don’t. He almost yells in a panic.

I stop, reluctant to get involved in someone else’s fight. As I turn to leave, I hear a girl scream so I run to the source.

Wendy Stewart is standing over a face-down body on the ground. The most popular girl in school has killed someone?

Whoa.

Flustered, I blurt, What happened?

I look from Wendy to the body and back again. Shouldn’t she be doing first-aid or something?

She squints, giving me an arctic glare. Nothing, she grumbles, before running off towards the school buildings.

Hey! This is your body! You should clean up your own mess. I yell after her, but my words are carried away by the wind.

I drop to my knees and carefully roll the body over.

I freeze.

In the same poll that voted Conor the hottest guy at school, Harland Woods was voted the friendliest.

Lying in front of me is an unconscious Woods. Even though we have never spoken, I know who he is. Heck, everyone knows who Harland is. Almost all the girls want to date him and the guys are just as eager to be his friend. Even the teachers are wrapped around his little finger. The school’s pre-occupation with him is totally unhealthy. I’m so glad I’m not one of the obsessed.

You shouldda paid more attention in first aid class, but oh no Navitas, you had to ogle Conor giving the mannequin mouth-to-mouth, I grumble as I sink back on my heels and stare at Woods for a moment, while I have a miniscule panic attack.

Oh crap, I whisper before I say in a loud clear voice, Hey Woods. I squeeze his shoulder. I consider slapping him but I chicken out.

Are you okay? What on earth were you doing out here with Wendy Stewart? Don’t you know she’s bad for your health? I mumble, peering into his mouth to make sure his airways are clear.

My anxiety levels skyrocket. Ever since my mother died two years ago, I can’t deal with anything like this and having no idea what I should be doing isn’t helping.

I place my ear near his mouth, listening closely as he takes a breath before I move my ear to his chest. How I wish I had paid attention in the first aid class.

I let out a sigh of relief when I hear his heart beating, so I listen for a few more moments, hanging onto every beat as though it’s the best sound in the world.

The idea of giving Harland CPR is freaky, but I’m curious about the rumours about his lips that one kiss can send a girl to the land of ecstasy.

I lean closer. I could do with a little ecstasy in my life. Just a little further and my lips will touch his and I will find out if the rumours are true.

His face is angelic and he looks so peaceful and helpless. I freeze, my lips almost on his. The idea that I’m violating him snaps me back to reality and I sit up straight.

Argh! Why have a conscience now? I mutter, looking around for help. There are only the two of us on the freezing wind-blown oval and he’s unconscious, so I can’t ask to borrow his phone.

Navitas you must be the only person on the entire planet without a phone, I hiss as I delicately pat the pockets of his blazer. When I find his phone, I place it on the ground before rolling him into the recovery position.

His face and hands are freezing. I slip out of my parka and place it over him, tucking it tightly around his body. Shivering, I pick up the phone. It looks complicated. I press buttons until I find a keypad. A few seconds later the school’s switchboard starts ringing.

Good morning Saint Margaret’s Senior School, a distinguished female voice states.

Nurse Bell please, I blurt.

Who is this?

Nyssa Navitas, I’m a student. Look, there is a student who is having a seizure behind the groundkeeper’s shed -

This is the fifth prank call I’ve had today and it’s not even lunchtime, she interjects sharply.

"This is not a prank call! Either you put me through or I’m calling an ambulance," I snap as I wipe a sweaty palm on my uniform and swallow bile.

You do realise that if you call an ambulance, you will be wasting tax payer dollars? she hisses.

"Look, if this is not a prank and the student dies then you’ll be responsible," I roar melodramatically. I seriously want to puke. My hand is still sweating so I swap hands and wipe my palm on my uniform. If she doesn’t speed things up, I’m going to pass out.

Very well, she snaps tersely. A click is followed by tinny hold music.

My eyes are glued on Harland. I fear if I look anywhere else, he’s going to stop breathing. Irrational fool, I mumble. Ringing at last, I say to Harland as the music cuts off.

Halfway through repeating what I told the switchboard operator, I realise I’m talking over the top of voice mail. Impatiently I wait for the beep, blurt out a message and press the end call button.

Stupid twits! I growl in frustration.

Harland’s head lolls to one side and his hand falls out from under my parka. He is white as a ghost. My panic ramps up a level.

Harland? Harland, everything is okay. I squeeze his buzzy, cold hand.

Harland lets out a low guttural groan. Aphra? He moans in a croaky voice.

No honey. It’s Nyssa. Nyssa Navitas. You are at school. It’s okay. I rang the nurse and left a message, I gush.

I called him honey? I am an epic loser!

Who? Nys... he drifts off. I look at the phone in my hand. Bell might not check her voicemail for days. This is urgent.

Aprha’s name is at the top of a surprisingly short contact list. She picks up on the second ring.

Hey, dirt bag, she says so affectionately she could be his girlfriend.

Aphra? I ask hesitantly. My name is Nyssa. I’m well... a loser student at Harland’s school, who found him unconscious on the oval and who almost kissed him but didn’t because of a sudden guilt trip. I’m a classmate of Harland’s and he’s collapsed at school, behind the groundkeeper’s shed...

A door slams in the background.

...He’s breathing, I think maybe he’s had a seizure or something because he’s unconscious.

I’m there in five, she states briskly and hangs up.

Unwilling to go fishing under the parka for Harland’s pocket, I stuff the phone in mine, before I tuck his hand under and curl myself around his head in an attempt to block the wind.

I gently stroke his forehead and hair. You’ll be okay Woods. I’ll take care of you. You are safe, I whisper.

I study his face. Harland is not male-model handsome like Mattie. For starters, Harland has a slight bump on his nose and his eyebrows are uneven in a nice way. He face is so fascinating, I could study it for hours.

Butterflies flutter in my stomach. My heart starts to quicken as I gaze down at him. I can’t resist picking up a lock of his chocolate brown shoulder length hair. It is stiff and soft at the same time. I entertain myself by making it stick up at weird angels. Must be an expensive styling product, I mumble as I style his hair into a series of spikes.

It’s been two years since I’ve been this close to another person and it’s a shame he is unconscious.

Over here, a determined female voice yells. I quickly tousle his hair. It looks weird. I cross being a hairdresser off my list of possible professions.

When I look up, I see a young blonde girl striding purposely across the oval towards us, with a red faced Bell and two male teachers following in her wake.

I scoot away from Harland just as the blonde kneels at his side. Aphra. How long? Her tone is sharp, concise and clinical.

Maybe ten minutes, I guess. Puffing and panting and a set of pudgy legs in my peripheral vision indicate the arrival of Nurse Bell.

What’s going on? she demands.

He has a history of seizures, Aphra states. We have to wait for him to come around. Aphra removes her parka and places it over his legs before she picks up his hand in both of hers. She lowers her head and her lips move in a silent prayer.

I’m not religious and my legs are numb, so I take the opportunity to stand. I bounce on the spot trying to regain some feeling in my legs. I’m freezing.

Bell glares at me. Why didn’t you phone? she snaps.

Check your voicemail, I retort as we exchange dark looks.

Aphra? Harland’s voice is weak as his eyes flutter.

Dirt bag, she smiles warmly at him.

What? Where am I? He is jittery, jumpy and clearly confused. I avert my eyes and gaze at the ground to give him a moment to compose himself. I feel like I’m interrupting a private moment as Aphra helps him sit up.

Nyssa. Please. Aphra requests softly.

I kneel next to Harland. You’re at school, you had a seizure. I found you, my name is Nyssa. You were out for about ten minutes, I blurt and blush at the same time. Go multitasking.

This is yours? He sounds breathy and surprised as he clutches my parka.

Yes, you were cold. Obviously.

Thank you, he replies solemnly as he returns my parka.

You’re welcome, I smile as I stand and slip it on. It is warm and smells faintly of Vanilla. Yum. Eww. What am I thinking? I shake my head trying to dismiss my randomness.

The male teachers help Harland to his feet. Are you sure you are okay? one asks as Harland drapes his arms over their shoulders.

Yes, but I think I’d better go home, he smiles hesitantly. He looks at me with such sad big brown eyes, that my heart melts.

Thank you again, Harland says sincerely, before the trio slowly walk towards the student car park.

I’ll make sure he gets home in one piece, Aphra grumbles.

Aphra, I’m sorry to call you like that, I really had no other option, I announce. I give Bell my very best dark look as she trundles along behind the trio.

Nyssa you did the right thing. I’m sure Harland would appreciate it if you don’t mention this to anyone. He’s a bit sensitive about his fits. She flashes an amazing smile at me.

I won’t tell a soul. I promise as I smile back. Oh, don’t forget this. I thrust Harland’s phone at her. I don’t have one and I needed to call for help.

Thanks, she smiles radiantly before she strides after the group. When she catches up to them she turns and calls, I’m his sister.

Explains the charming, I mumble. I hold up my hand and wave goodbye. That’s my fifteen minutes of Harland fame gone, I sigh. I pick up my book and head towards my reading spot. Seriously Navitas, you really need to stop stating the obvious.

* * * * *

Chapter 3 - Harland

I blacked out! Unbelievable! I grumble as I close the car door.

A lot of metal on metal grinding sounds come from the car’s gearbox as Aphra steers my car out of the student car park.

"What the heck were you thinking? Or maybe you weren’t," Aphra hisses as she crunches into third.

Don’t take your anger out on my car.

"Well, if it wasn’t for you and your stupid need to be around humans, I would not be driving your stupid car home." She glares at me, glowing red.

Her fury only makes me more cheerful - I like to take any opportunity I can to wind Aphra up. Eyes on the road, I chirp.

"You know we don’t need to look at the road." She scowls at me.

"But humans look at the road, and it will be obvious if you don’t." I smile sweetly.

Quit with your girlie whinging and tell me what happened, Aprha grumbles, checking her reflection in the mirror. Oh no, not a blonde, she moans.

Well you should be more careful when you rematerialize. I was trading with a Deva when Wendy Stewart came up and tried to kiss me, I say casually, as my fingers twist in my lap.

Aphra glares at me, like I am insane. "You know the rules!" she shrieks.

"I know the rules, but no one has explained them to her!" I yell.

We glare at each other as Aphra speeds down the road in third.

You can change gears now. I grumble.

She drops the clutch and the car lurches forward.

No need for car cruelty, I growl.

"It’s an inanimate object. It has no feelings, unlike me," she hisses. Her phone rings. She answers it, using her knees to steer while trying to fix her hair with the other and completely ignoring my silent animated protests.

Oh hi Ianto. Everything is fine. He passed out...I know he’s completely irresponsible... A human found him... Yes, I know, he’s a complete idiot. Yes, I wish that I had taken up the other job too. She hangs up and glowers at me.

You’d miss me too much if you left. I flash a flirty smile at her.

Oh please. How long have Ianto and I been guarding your six?

Awhile.

"A really long while and what progress have you made?"

I give her a shut-the-heck-up look. She shakes her head. You can’t put Ambrosia off forever, you know, she mumbles under her breath. So what’s with you and that Nyssa chick?

Never seen her before today. I lean back in the seat.

Did you get some energy from her?

Why? I glance at Aphra.

Because when I arrived you were well on the way to being healed. I only tidied your energy, she replies, weaving the car erratically through the light traffic.

Truth is, I don’t remember, I mumble. I’ve had enough of her chaotic driving. Pull over. I command.

She glares defiantly at me for a whole minute before she steers the car across three lanes of traffic to a bus stop, narrowly missing the bus pulling out.

Happy now? She throws open the door. I wince as a passing truck barely misses it. I’m relieved when I get behind the wheel and we are moving again.

So have you figured out what doing coffee is?

I glare at her. She knows full well that I have no idea what this human term means. She’s just trying to bait me. I give her my mean face and she quickly turns to look out the side window. I’m in no mood to deal with her retaliation, I need to focus on what happened with my recovery.

The Deva was scared off by Wendy and would never have returned with a human present, so who boosted my energy? The only person who was there long enough was Nyssa and the tree, but the tree’s energy is slow and it would have taken days for me to recover.

That only leaves Nyssa but her energy status wasn’t obvious. Maybe my energy is so damaged that I could not pick up hers? I have to get close to Nyssa, so I can investigate further.

I catch a glimpse of my hair in the rear-view mirror. Did you do this? It looks ridiculous.

Aphra gives me a like-I’d-go-anywhere-near-your-hair look. I pat it down, then give up when I realise it looks stupid. Time for another haircut, I mumble to myself.

* * * * *

Chapter 4 - Nyssa

Are you serious? My words echo around the empty classroom. I hate double maths, particularly first thing on a Monday.

Ms Brooks, the Maths teacher, from the far side of the moon, glares at me with one perfectly plucked eyebrow raised. The deal on offer is definitely not worth the grief it would cause so I’m wearing a you-need-to-do-better face.

If you tutor Harland Woods in Maths, I will give you extra credit, she sighs reluctantly.

Bingo! She’s said the magic words. Fabulous! I reply sarcastically. When do I start?

I’ll arrange for him to meet you in the library tomorrow straight after school. She turns her attention to the papers she’s shuffling on her desk.

How wonderful, I mutter as I leave the classroom with a scowl on my face. I’m not happy about this at all.

Being below the bottom rung on the social ladder at a school, where almost everyone thinks poverty is contagious has afforded me a lot of anonymity. I’m a ghost in the hallways. No one speaks to me, or notices me and I like it that way after my last school. Tutoring a popular kid is a threat to my invisibility.

Something makes me look up. Harland is chatting to a girl - lining up his next conquest, no doubt. From the expression on her face, she’s basking in his attention. He looks up. His eyes hold mine for a few seconds before he sends a flirty smile in my direction. I smile back, for an instant then hide my face before it turns bright red.

I’m still embarrassed because I played with his hair and nearly kissed him while he was unconscious. I suffer from extreme stupidity sometimes. At least there were no witnesses or I’d be the laughing stock of the school.

After school I sprint, as usual, to the bus stop, wondering what it would be like to be popular, to live in a good suburb and not be such a screwball. I create a world in my mind where I’m pretty and rich, my mother Hannah is alive and my father, Moris, is not an alcoholic douche-bag who makes me support myself.

I make it to the bus stop in time to catch the express. It will take me almost an hour to get home. Closing my eyes, I lean my head on the glass and lose myself in the imaginary world. It feels so good, I want to stay there.

My eyes bug out of my head, as a jolt of adrenaline pulses through my veins, waking me from a deep sleep. Still drowsy, I yank the call bell and by the time the bus stops, I have overshot work by three stops. Shoot. Now my usual tardy has become late. I tumble off the bus and sprint towards work.

The ancient automatic sliding doors of O’Neil Family Supermarkets aren’t quick