Beyond Cedar (Book 3 in Cedar's Series)

By Lori Meyer

Even though Cedar has learned to always expect the unexpected, nothing can prepare her for what the Komodans want next. And after a tragic accident shifts everything to a new level of dangerous, this might just be beyond Cedar.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lori Meyer
• Release date: Sep 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311549976

Lori Meyer

My name is Lori Meyer. I am a mother of two and an elementary teacher. During the 2008 – 2009 school year, through the enthusiastic encouragement of my classroom full of fourth graders and my own two daughters, I decided to create a story from a dream I had had one night. And from that dream a series grew and then a spin off.From the day I started on that journey of creating a story from a dream, I found I couldn’t help but become hooked. They say once you are bitten by the writing bug it becomes a part of you. I found that to be true and have been writing ever since.I have always been an avid reader, with my favorite stories involving sexy vampires and fierce shape-shifters. But now I find even more enjoyment in creating my own characters and stories.I currently have three short stories and nine novels available as e-books and at amazon you can get them in paperback as well.The novels in Cedar's Series are entitled DISCOVERING CEDAR, BREAKING CEDAR, BEYOND CEDAR, and RESCUING CEDAR. My spin off series (Cole's series) has three novels entitled SOUL OF SEVEN, SEVEN DEGREES STRONGER, and SEVEN'S END . The Worth Duet has two novels, WORTH THE RISK, which is currently available, and WORTH THE SACRIFICE will be published in August.

Book preview

Preface

Life is full of choices – good and bad. But so many times, I had a difficult time discerning between the two. When the first option saved a life but placed the capability of potential ruin in my enemy’s hands and the alternative destroyed a loved one but possibly prevented utter destruction; there was no clear cut right or wrong. How could someone be expected to make a decision like that?

So when I was forced to make that very decision, knowing either choice would bring me some form of regret, I chose to go with the one I could live with. But that left me no longer in possession of something that was entrusted to me to protect at all costs. And now with it in the wrong hands it could also bring about my untimely demise.

My forced decision put the two pieces of a spell – one that was concealing the way to an ultimate immense power – into the hands of the Komodans. But I had my sister back. It wasn’t that I didn’t care they had the key to possibly unleash destruction; I just couldn’t do anything about it. I didn’t know where to find them, not that I thought I could stop them anyways. That was a battle I wearily fought time and time again and although each time I did manage to get away, the narrow escapes never left me completely unscathed.

I hoped way down in the depth of my heart, the Komodans would never figure out the languages masking how to decipher the spell that would unlock the evils lurking in that unknown cave. But that meant there was a possibility they would be back for Kylan, whom they thought would be able to decode the spell because of all his father had taught him.

My family – Kylan, my twins, and I – had been left alone for seven years now. My life seemed to be back to normal, something I had missed terribly and desperately craved. I worked as a teacher aide in the school where my children attended, Albany Elementary, which was perfect. And Kylan continued working as an accountant for Biggs and Townsend.

Things seemed impeccable.

But then one day the Komodans returned to our life and what they wanted this time was unimaginably heart wrenching.

Sibling Rivalry

Cole, stop it! Jade shrieked; then followed up her demand with another blood curdling scream.

Groaning, I pulled the covers up over my head.

THUD! THUD! THUD!

Stop it now, Cole! I’ve had enough! Jade screeched. It’s not funny!

Cole’s answering laughter indicated he was up to no good . . . again.

I no longer needed an alarm clock. Cole tormenting his sister and Jade’s responding screams woke me every morning, assuring I was never in danger of oversleeping.

Kylan would occasionally step in and attempt to put a stop to the morning ruckus, but normally he’d just let them have their sibling rivalry.

Groggily, I crawled out of bed and padded to the bathroom to wash my face, in the hopes of some cool water completely waking me up. Too bad I wasn’t a coffee drinker. The caffeine would have been a welcomed start to my day and a great pick me up.

However, my caffeine dilemma would have to wait. Since the crashing of objects hitting the floor and walls and high-pitched squealing had yet to cease; it was time to step in as referee.

As I entered the kitchen to get Cole and Jade breakfast, I had to duck out of the way of an airborne apple. There were about a dozen of them scattered on the floor. Must have been what he was wailing at his sister this morning, while she was blocking them. That’s enough from the both of you. I narrowed my eyes at Cole. And, you, pick up all of these apples.

Cole bent down and began gathering the apples that were covering the floor like they had dropped from trees in an orchard. How do you expect us to practice our abilities then? I was just helping Jade out. Isn’t that what big brothers are for? Besides, our abilities need to become second nature.

I believe it is already second nature with you. But even so, it is not to be practiced on each other in my kitchen. Anyway, your dad takes the two of you out twice a month to practice. That is plenty of practice. I didn’t even practice that often. This here looks like you were just trying to rouse a reaction from your sister. I raised my eyebrow at my son. And not in school anymore either, Cole. I don’t want your teacher to have to talk to me about it anymore. I know they don’t suspect anything, but it’s still not right.

I grabbed two bowls and two cups from the cupboard, spoons from the drawer, and the milk jug from the refrigerator, placing the items on the bar.

Cole and Jade already had their favorite cereals out on the counter. That task had to have occurred before the apple throwing match.

The reason we didn’t need to be concerned with Cole demonstrating his abilities in public was the fact that the doctor who had made me feel so uneasy the last two times I found myself in the emergency room ended up being an ally and someone we could trust.

Dr. Bradley always seemed to be working when we ended up visiting the emergency room and acted like he knew something was up with me. After yet another altercation with the Komodans – this time to save my husband – Kylan wanted me to go to the emergency room to be sure I was alright and also the twins I was carrying at the time. Once again, like the time Kylan had broken my hand during the beginning of my senior year of high school, Dr. Bradley had made me feel ill at ease. But about five years ago, we finally found out what was really going on with him.

One day, when our children were two years old, they were sitting in the living room playing with their Little People sets. While playing, Cole started moving the characters and vehicles without touching them and the two of them laughed hysterically. The adorable scene melted my heart.

But then he got a little carried away with his clowning and accidentally threw Jade across the room and into a wall. At the time, we were just beginning to grasp the extent of his abilities and he hadn’t yet learned how to control them.

Dr. Bradley was the on-call doctor when we took her to the hospital. At first I couldn’t believe our rotten luck. But as it turned out, he instead revealed to us that all this time, he wasn’t sure if I was on the good side or the bad side. He knew there was something different about me but didn’t realize what it was until he met Cole.

Dr. Bradley had been a member of the Kayou until they befriended the Komodans. He told me he sensed there was something important about Cole; he just wasn’t sure exactly what. He speculated, perhaps he could be the one to stop the Komodans.

Well, I didn’t like hearing that bit of insight because I didn’t want Slade or any of his goons anywhere near my son.

The good doctor also provided for us a change in the medical records, making it that Cole – instead of Jade – had hit his head and now because of a slight brain injury would exhibit the ability to move things with his mind. This helped protect him from being deemed as different in school if he ever were to try out his abilities, which he had on many occasions. Fortunately, Jade did not have any injuries from the accident other than a few bumps, bruises, and scratches.

Cole brought me out of my reflections. I don’t see the big deal in having a little fun with my ability, especially if it helps improve Jade’s. What’s the point in having it, if I can’t use it?

I held out the basket for Cole to drop in the apples. It is for protection only, Cole. Someone could accidentally get hurt. We don’t quite understand the full potential of what you can do so it’s not to be used for fun and games. I placed the basket on the corner of the bar. Please eat your breakfast and then get ready for school.

Cole gave me a disgusted look, then sat down at the table to wolf down his breakfast.

I snatched a box of waffles out of the freezer and threw some into the toaster for Kylan and me. After my kids finished eating, I cleared away their breakfast dishes and shooed them off to get ready for school.

A few minutes later, Kylan came into the kitchen to join me for breakfast, giving me a kiss on the lips. His eyes twinkling like they always did when he looked at me. Did you take care of the mayhem this morning? His lips curved up into a smirk.

I couldn’t help but smile back. When will he outgrow the need to torment his sister? Because I don’t think he’ll ever bore of using his ability. I shook my head. You know I still think it is incredibly strange that the two of them can use their abilities without first having any outside influence. I didn’t even realize I had anything special about me until I met up with the Kayou my senior year of high school. Do you think we need to be concerned that the twins are this skillful already?

Kylan pulled me into his chest and wrapped his arms tightly around me. He rested his chin on the top of my head. His heart beat against my cheek.

My own rate quickened in response.

They are exceptionally gifted children. And, they are the seventh generation this has been passed down to. It’s bound to strengthen each go around. Besides, I think this just means they will be able to protect themselves even better than we can. That’s a good thing, Cedar. He brought my face up to meet his, looked into my eyes for a minute, then lightly pressed his lips to my forehead.

I hope you’re right. After Kylan let me out of his embrace, I snatched two plates out of the cupboard and set them down on the table. Then I placed the waffles on the plates, retrieved forks from the drawer, and snagged some syrup from the refrigerator.

I still agonized over the display of immense power I had demonstrated when I was pregnant with the two of them. It concerned me what they were capable of doing even before they were born. However, as they grew older, it became blaringly obvious that it was Cole who had been responsible for a majority of it. It gave me the aching feeling that no matter how positive Kylan was about this, I did in fact need to be worried.

Kylan finished his breakfast; then kissed my lips again before heading out to work. I love you, Cedar.

I love you too, Kylan. I cleared away the rest of the breakfast dishes from the table and placed them inside the dishwasher. While closing the door, I glanced out the kitchen window and into our backyard at Cole, who was whipping objects around at an incredible velocity while he was waiting to leave for school. Sometimes Cole would scare me with his immense power, speed, and intelligence. I was worried there would come a time when I wouldn’t be able to discipline my own son. It wasn’t like it was something I could read up on in a ‘Guide to Being a Better Parent’ manual. His abilities had already surpassed well past mine.

Cole looked just like his father, dark hair and eyes and incredibly handsome. But he frightened me more than Kylan ever did.

Mom, can you help me with my hair? Jade bounded into the kitchen with a brush and pony tail holders, interrupting my worries.

Jade resembled me – not to the degree Cole did with Kylan – only her long hair was a little lighter than my shade of auburn and her eyes were green with golden specks whereas mine were pure green. She was a beautiful girl, but of course I was biased when it came to my family.

Come sit down on the chair, Jade. I pulled a chair out from under the table.

She plopped down onto it and handed me the brush. This should get through my tangles.

I tugged it gently through her hair. If not, I have a bottle of detangler I can use. I won’t pull your hair.

She let out a huge sigh. Why does Cole have to torment me all the time? My friends at school have annoying brothers too but I don’t think it could possibly be as bad as this. Sadness saturated her voice and her bottom lip turned down into a pout.

I pulled her hair up into two pig tails and then knelt down in front of her to look her in the eyes. He loves you, Jade. This is just his way of showing you the ropes. He’s your older brother by seven minutes but to him that’s a big deal. My sister used to torment me too. She’s six minutes older than me and has never let me live that down. I laughed trying to soothe Jade’s hurt feelings.

Thanks for trying to make me feel better, Mom. But I still don’t like it. She hopped down from the chair and scurried off to get her things for school.

The car ride to school was quiet. Jade had reached her threshold for dealing with her brother’s teasing, Cole’s abilities were weighing heavy on my heart, and Cole – I was fairly certain – was busy developing a plan to use his ability in school without getting caught.

The school day passed by quickly; this tended to happen when one worked in a classroom filled with twenty first graders. I had finished college and had my teaching certificate but with everything going on in my life at the moment, I was content being an aide. Besides, working alongside Mrs. Smith could hardly count as work when so much enjoyment filled each day. Although, as I observed her deal with everything that came along with creating the perfect atmosphere for educating young children, it was quite obvious I definitely didn’t have the time needed to devote to running a classroom at that point in my life.

However, I had decided that once we were sure we had no threat left from the Komodans – something I couldn’t help but strongly doubt would ever happen – I would pursue a teaching career. It was nice to be able to leave work when my kids were done with school and leave it there. They were still young in my eyes and even though they both had abilities, I had an overwhelming desire to protect them. I could always apply for a teaching job when they were older.

I went to Cole’s