The Gile

By K. Newman

Jessa finds her desire to explore the other Lands is not as strong as her fear of being in the presence of the infamous Cade. Everything is unfamiliar again, as she tries to flee the new dangers of being in one of the other Lands.

Teagan has finally gotten the opportunity to formally meet her mate only to be interrupted by the need to find her sister. Would her luck run out as she embarks on the journey to another Land?

Tristan realizes much too late that his mate has been taken from Water Land, and by the one person he least trusts, Cade. Will Tristan find Jessa in time or will it be too late? Will Jessa finally get what she has been searching for, or will her search turn into the need for survival?

• Language: English
• Publisher: K. Newman
• Release date: Jul 17, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310883361

Book preview

The Gile

K Newman

Copyright 2014 K. Newman

Smashwords Edition.

Table Of Contents

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Acknowledgments

For Doris Newman, a strong force and a woman of courage and strength. I hope to, one day, be blessed to have even a fraction of her amazing gift in caring and loving others. Doris has always encouraged my writing and provided resources to help grow my passion. You are missed and loved, Doris Newman.

Loved and Inspired

Cover Photo by Steve Huffman of Rogue Media and Bright Light Photography.

Prologue

If someone had warned that her life would be in the hands of The Land’s most dangerous man, she never would have guessed. Jessa knew that was an impossible expectation; The Lands had not offered anything in the way of clarity, and she certainly could not expect a warning either.

Her eyes were opened to things beyond reason, without an explanation to cling to. She was just starting to accept the new world of Water Land and adding to her immediate family. Grace, with her knowing smile and kind heart, was a perfect stand in for her real mother. She was accepting that her real mother, along with her father, decided to settle in Valley Land while their children explored this world on their own. Jonah, Grace’s spouse, was the calm presence and had an inflexible loyalty. Jessa felt intimidated by the father he was to his children. Omni was a beautiful young child growing into a girl with attitude, which reminded her so much of her own sister Teagan. Micah, Teagan and Jessa’s brother, had settled in Tech Land. Royce had been pushing through teen years into adulthood, living in the shadow of his older brother, Tristan. Ah, Tristan.

The storm on Water Land was nothing compared to the storm in her heart at the thought of not being able to see Tristan. He was her mate, and as much as she tried to fight it before, there was no one she would rather be tethered to at this moment. It seemed she would have to wait longer; she had no idea when she would see him again. She shivered at the thought that she may never see him. That thought solidified when she turned to look into a pair of cold, dangerous, light-green eyes.

CHAPTER 1

Where are we? Jessa asked groggily.

Mythical Land, Cade answered.

Why am I here? Jessa asked.

We have to get moving. C'mon, little bird, Cade evaded the question.

I’m not going anywhere until you start explaining. Jessa stood stubbornly, ignoring the weird nickname she’d acquired from the stranger.

Cade looked back at her, and her breath caught in her throat. He was breathtaking even when irritated. It was clear that he wasn’t interested in sticking around. Jessa’s heart rate increased, and she found it difficult to argue further as he grabbed her hand and guided her quickly through the dense foliage. His hand dwarfed hers, and she could see the ribbons of muscle ripple through his arms. If he wasn’t careful, he could rip her arm off without even trying. But he was careful, almost to the point of being gentle.

Trees were spiked up all around them; she couldn’t see anything around her but foliage and bright colors. She was admiring the movement of Cade's back muscles through his shirt when a loud roar ripped through the trees and echoed around them. That roar was accompanied by crashing sounds through the forest. The sound of danger and the ground trembling instantly switched her attention.

What was that? she screamed.

Not the time to walk now, sweetheart; any chance you can pick up the pace? Cade said as he pulled tighter on her hand.

Jessa did not get a chance to enjoy her surroundings; if she did, she would be astounded at the almost blinding sight of bright colors. The leaves were almost any color she could think of. Not only was their purple, but there was a full spectrum of purple. She almost pulled Cade back when she saw the tree trunks were streaked with green, blue, red, brown, and a dark purple from top to bottom. They did not have the typical rough bark; instead it looked smooth and polished. The sounds of different creatures filled the air, at times making it difficult to know if they were still being followed.

Once the sounds were growing louder and louder, she could tell they were not out of danger. The trees were either being bumped by large creatures, or completely toppled over. Sounds of snapping twigs and swooshing brush filled her ears. Her heart felt like it was in her throat. The sounds propelled her forward, somehow keeping pace with Cade's long legs. She wanted him to move faster, even though she knew she would not be able to keep up.

Cade! Cade! What is that? Jessa asked as she heard another loud roar.

Whatever you want it to be, Cade huffed cryptically.

What in the heck is that supposed to mean? Jessa asked, nearly out of breath.

Can we pick up this conversation later? Cade asked as they continued running.

He ducked under a large leafed branch—not the kind that can be swatted out of the way. Jessa barely had time to get out of the branch’s path when her stomach collided with a toppled tree. Air rushed out of her lungs, and her legs protested at the strain. She realized quickly she wasn’t moving forward; she would have to climb over the fallen tree. Cade looked back at the sudden stop and helped to lift her over. It slowed them down considerably. He sighed, shook his head, and increased their pace again.

Good efforts on trying to move the tree. Cade chuckled.

Very funny, Jessa snapped.

This was the fastest and longest Jessa had run in months since being shut in an underground cavern for so long. Cade jerked to a stop, Jessa ran into him and almost stumbled back on her butt. She didn’t know why he stopped until she looked around him. There were black, slimy, panther-like animals with tiny snakeskin scales that oozed a greasy substance. They were circling them, huffing, and growling. She tightened her grip on his hand.

That’s the idea, little bird; hold tight, Cade said, and lowered his stance, and then sprung up and caught a low hanging tree limb.

She dangled from his hand. Her arms protested the jolt, but she didn't think to complain at the time. Quickly, he lifted her up and pulled her over his shoulder; she hung over his back as he began to climb the thick tree. She felt like a monkey hanging there and wondered how Cade could make this seem easy. She figured adrenaline had to be the reason. The panthers below were nipping at his feet, trying to get a bite to bring him down. Jessa screamed for him to hurry, but he didn’t need any encouragement as he strained his body to push further. She didn’t weigh that much, but he was used to only having to carry his satchel.

Cade! Hurry! Jessa yelled again.

Tristan, you can’t really be thinking of leaving. She might come back soon, Grace argued.

Grace was surprised when Tristan told her Jessa was no longer on Water Land. He made his intentions clear: he was going to find her and see what her reasons were for leaving. He was hoping to persuade her into coming back with him, but his plans had only stretched as far as making sure to find her.

Teagan said Jessa might be visiting her parents; I will go to Valley Land, he paused. Do you really think she will come back?

I’m not sure, but you will have to use your rope to get to the ship since you do not have a token from that land. It will take much longer since you will have to wait for it to make a stop at each land, Grace continued to argue.

I guess I have to wait, don’t I? I don’t like it, but I have no other choice, Tristan said.

Grace shook her head in response, knowing she would not be able to talk him out of it. She wanted him to think about what he was doing before acting. There was another option, but she wanted to make sure he knew what he was doing. Tristan sat down on the nearest fallen tree, shaking and exhausted from everything running through his mind. He was worried for her safety. She could be anywhere. She could be in danger, and he wouldn’t be there to protect her.

Come on—let’s rebuild the village. I think that will give you a chance to think about a good plan, plus you could bring Royce. He is almost done with his training, and he is just about coming to his adult age, Grace reasoned.

Tristan sighed in defeat. Where are we building the village this time?

I believe the elders of the group are looking for the next best spot. So I’m sure they are going to be back soon, she answered.

I suppose I should go work on the underground safety dwelling that the females have been staying in for the last few months; I could restock it and repair things. Where is Royce? he asked.

He is washing off at the waterfall—not Lake Avery, the other one. We should think about naming that one, too, Grace swiftly changed the subject.

Grace decided to follow him; she knew Omni would also be at the waterfall with her friends and brother. She was happy that the family was finally able to get back together, but those feelings were mixed with concern for Tristan and what he was going through. She’d had no idea that Jessa would leave without warning. When Grace thought back to her bizarre attitude in the cave, though, it made her pause. Perhaps this life was too much for her; perhaps she needed more answers than what could be offered.

They reached the waterfall when it started to get a little dark. There wasn’t any concern among the younger crowd about where to sleep, even though the village no longer existed. They were laughing and playing in the water. Grace saw Royce swing on a tree vine and release once he was over the water. He landed with a giant splash. She realized that in the short time they were parted, he had grown into quite a young man.

Omni was splashing around with some of her friends and giggling as they looked over at a pack of younger boys. It appeared that the little ladies were forming crushes and gossiping about who liked whom. Grace remembered the age very well, but she also remembered being in a far different place than the Lands. She constantly worried for her children, though she tried to hide it. There were many times she didn’t have answers for their inquiries into life and the Lands. She wished there was an easier way for her children to go to schooling, but Beneath Land was the only option and would mean she would not see her children until their education was completed.

She was tearing up at the thought of her children growing up so fast. It seemed much faster at Water Land because time was measured differently—or technically not at all. Time that could not be measured by a clock or watch was a very difficult concept for Grace to wrap her mind around when she first came to the Lands.

Tristan yelled for Royce, and he swam over to them. He climbed the rock, and it was easy to see that the training classes and the hardcore workouts were paying off. Tristan could see, as Royce straightened up, that he was the same height as him. Months ago, when the males were first summoned by Beneath Land royals, they didn’t really communicate or see each other very often. Only for a short time did they work side by side toward the end, otherwise they were stationed in different areas.

We should go work on the safe dwelling, Tristan said.

Hello to you too, bro, Royce said.

Grace gasped; his voice had gotten deeper! She had only had the opportunity to hug him when they first got back before he took off to the waterfall to wash up.

Oh, my boy has grown up so fast, you are likely going to be mated soon, Grace said tearfully.

Ha; thanks for reminding me of my impending doom, Royce responded and then turned to Tristan, well, let’s get this over with.

If you need anything mother, you know where we’ll be, Tristan said over his shoulder as they began the walk over to the tunnel.

With their age difference they really didn’t have much in common, therefore, conversations were short and to the point. Royce was always trying to be like his older brother, but he felt like he fell short. Tristan was ‘perfect,’ according to everyone, it seemed. Royce began to resent his brother over time, and as he had been getting stronger and bigger, the resentment grew along with it.

The training sessions were hard work for Royce; his father was relentless, and it seemed all of his time was consumed with training. There was a time when Royce felt like he was just a little boy, but at some point along the training he had become a young man.

Once they arrived at the safe dwelling, they both got to work immediately. Tristan had been thinking of upgrading the water system that he had originally put in. Since he was gone for so long, he had the opportunity to think of several things, and improving the safe dwelling was one of them.

Royce started to clean up and organize the things that were left behind. All the bedrolls they’d used were going to have to be washed and repaired—even though the females were diligent about keeping things clean. Tristan could not distract himself enough; his thoughts continued to go back to Jessa, and something was nagging at him that things were not right. He ran a hand through his hair and down his face and sighed. Something definitely wasn’t right.

CHAPTER 2

After out-climbing the slimy, black panthers, Cade was able to settle her in one of the many trees and then find one for him to get comfortable in across from her. She was perched on a tree limb, focused on not falling down. Her heart rate was starting to return to normal as her body was trying to balance on the uncomfortable seating arrangement.

I wonder if there is a point to asking what the heck those were. If I had a quarter for all the times I have wanted an explanation, I would be a millionaire. Jessa pushed her hair out of her face. Her voice echoed among the trees.

So you decided that we were being chased by some black, greasy version of the creature from Water Land? Cade chuckled