Vengeance's Fire

By Alaina Stanford

Treborel Series Book II

Kendra had not seen Cap in 6 months. As Kendra prepares to travel deep into the mountains with a group of Empathic Students Cap suddenly appears. Their journey will lead them toward an evil more dangerous than either could ever imagine. A presence that could bring an end to the Empathic way of life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alaina Stanford
• Release date: Mar 15, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301445431

Alaina Stanford

From the Author:Thanks to all my readers for your support and reviews! Please don't hesitate to email me with any questions or comments: [e-mail] I love hearing from my readers! Don't forget Book 1 of Hypnotic Journey, Archangel and the Rule Series are FREE! FREE! FREE!!About Alaina:Alaina lives a stone's throw from the Mississippi River in Missouri. Her first story was published in the local newspaper at age 6. She hasn't stopped writing since.As the mother of seven children she loved to play video games with her kids. One day it occurred to her to write an adventure that flowed like a video game. She added a touch of romance and Hypnotic Journey was born.The Fantasy Romance- HJ characters are like a family to Alaina. They are foolish, daring, resourceful and full of passion not only for life but for the friendships they have created in this world and the next.Alaina's been a Trekkie all her life, so her next series was Science Fiction. The Treborel Series is a paranormal adventure featuring a two best friend's as the hero's fighting to find the women they love and survive the chaos of a continental conflict while being stalked by a psychotic villain determined to destroy them.Archangel is a pre-apocalyptic series about angels fighting against the rising evil in a desperate attempt to keep humanity alive long enough to reach the end of days.Royal Duty is a new type of series. Each book is a different genre- Science Fiction, Historical Romance, Fantasy, etc. They all share a central theme of a royal heir struggling against their obligations to the throne.In the end, Alaina writes about how friendship and love can be the only thing keeping you alive long enough to defeat your demons. You will find Alaina's stories exciting and steamy, but she's not an erotic author. Her characters still fall in love and have sex, its just not that obvious.You can email Alaina at [e-mail] anytime. She loves to hear from her readers.

Book preview

Vengeance’s Fire

Treborel: Book 2

Alaina Stanford

©2013 Alaina Stanford

Smashwords Edition

No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without written permission of the author.

Copyright 2013 Alaina Stanford

Chapter One

The dim morning light trickled down through the dense layer of trees. The forest was silent from the woodsman’s interference. This was the fifth day of his search. He stared at the scene before him and scratched his head. The small clearing was surrounded by the giant trees. The tall grass bent in the wind as he moved toward his target. The carcass was exactly where he was told, but something wasn’t right. Instead of one sraeb carcass there were two, lying side by side. The larger sraeb’s dark gray fur was riddled with arrows. This beast fought to the end, clearly taken down in a fierce battle. Its huge maw lay open in a frozen snarl as if it reached out to kill its prey with its last breath.

The second was a younger beast, smaller in stature. Its soft black fur was unmarred by arrows. It has no visible wounds to explain why it lay dead at the feet of the first. This was very odd considering he’d been consigned to recover the body of a man. The woodsman searched the immediate area. It was possible a predator drug the body into the underbrush, but he found nothing. He shrugged and sighed.

That’s what you get for waiting all winter long to recover a body in the middle of the wilderness. Whoever he was, the mountains had taken him. The woodsman left the two beasts where they lie and moved back into the trees to begin his five day trek back to the hunting compound. He had a lot of work to do. The Empathic Healers would arrive in a few weeks. The hunting lodge would make an excellent wilderness survival training base for the colony. Its obscure location allowed for complete privacy and close access to the forest creatures.

**********

Andru’s heart still ached for his country's new princess despite an entire year of separation. Lysette had chosen Katar over him. Andru offered his heart too late. Lysette had already given it to the tall, handsome Prince of Treborel. Upon his return to the Empathic Colony, deep within the Treborelean Mountains, Andru tried to forget his heartache and concentrate on raising the twins. Arbus and Rey were almost 14 months old now. The small scar running from the base of each child’s collarbone to behind their one missing was the only hint of their conjoined birth. Andru was determined they were the only scars the boys would ever experience.

He was secretly grateful no one appeared to claim the tiny royal heirs to Bantor and Latria. The very nature of their conception and birth gave rise to the denial of their status and claim to the throne. The twin’s mother, Queen Elsebeth was brutally raped by Commander Connor, a psychopath bent on using the children as a wedge to gain the throne. Commander Connor was dead. All that remained of him was the sorrow and grief he caused so many from his rampage across the continent. Connor had single-handedly started a continental war. His savagery was legendary by its end.

Everyone expected the Bantorian and Latrian royal families to reject the twins. Not only were they bastard children, their father was the most vicious killer in the history of Bantor. Yet these two small treasures gave meaning to Andru’s life. They gave him purpose.

Andru had grown to love the rambunctious twins. He wasn’t a bit concerned about their bloodline. Arbus had grown as tall and strong as Rey and both children were always full of laughter. Despite the physical resemblance the boys bore to their father with their coal black hair and charcoal eyes, they shared nothing more.

Andru knew deep in his heart Connor’s childhood situation was the cause of his insanity. Arbus and Rey would be raised with love and kindness. He would see to that. They would never suffer horror and cruelty at anyone’s hand. Andru swore that on his life’s blood.

Arbus continued to grow stronger with the Empathic strength. Any bump or scrape he received healed almost instantly. Rey still showed no signs of any empathic ability, but many Empath’s strength didn’t become evident until puberty. Andru stood in the doorway of his small cottage watching the twins scramble across the grass. They staggered and fell constantly in their struggle to stay on their feet on the uneven soil as they searched for adventure. He pushed all thoughts of Lysette from his mind and walked slowly out to join them. They were nearly naked wearing only grass stained overalls due to the summer heat. But the heat would break soon with the approaching autumn. Soon they would see months of endless snow.

There was no doubt Andru was not the boys’ father. His light brown hair, blue eyes, and pale complexion stood out even more next to the boys olive skin. Andru pulled off his shirt and plopped down in the grass next to them. He glanced down at the winding dirt road that led to his small cabin hidden in the trees at the edge of the Empathic colony. Kendra’s figure appeared in the distance. There was no mistaking Kendra’s silhouette; her slender yet well-defined figure could not be hidden beneath the Empathic robes she wore. But it was her long flowing chestnut hair that gave Kendra away in an instant. She was always a welcome sight.

Kendra scooped up both infants and covered them with kisses. She rushed forward quickly to kiss Andru on the cheek while juggling the twins. She said, It’s only been a few weeks, but I swear they’ve doubled in size!

Andru pulled Arbus from Kendra’s arms as she added, This little one has not only caught up with his brother in girth, but he’s passed him! What are you feeding these boys? Kendra reluctantly allowed Andru to take Arbus. It was hard for Kendra to release control of the smaller twin. He’d been so very small and frail at birth. Arbus barely survived the separation from his brother.

It’s not the food. It’s the fresh air and excellent parenting. Andru answered with a smile, Although I am beginning to suspect they are sucking the life force right out of me.

You do look a bit tired. Kendra said with a chuckle. What do you say I take these two sprites off your hands for the day, and let you get some much needed rest?

Andru didn’t hesitate, Agreed, as long as you stay for dinner. He spun and headed for the cabin to gather the necessary supplies.

When he returned, he tossed the satchel at Kendra’s feet and flashed a brilliant smile. I’m off for a ride in the woods. He called over his shoulder as he passed. Heading into the woods at the far end of the small clearing in front of the cabin he took a deep breath and relaxed for the first time in weeks. At first, he felt a bit lost without the twins to chase after. Then he smiled and headed for the small stable that sat a few yards from the cabin. Saddling his chestnut mare, Andru urged the horse toward the trail that led deep into the woods. He hadn’t felt this carefree in over a year; he was going to enjoy it.

**********

The Empathic Institute was everything Lysette had hoped. She and Katar had a lodge just outside the Institutes perimeter. It sat a short distance from the new medical center, whose construction was nearly complete. Lysette had kept busy during the past year documenting healing sessions and assisting with injuries that required her skill with invasive procedures. The Empaths were very accommodating. They allowed her access to their healing rooms and to accompany them on their rounds to the cabins and ranches scattered across the mountains. She taught the Empaths about healthy eating habits and preventive medicine. They gave her an in-depth look at the daily life of an Empathic Healer.

Lysette was surprised at how little assistance the Empaths needed from her. During the war, mounting casualties presented multiple opportunities for the Empaths to assist the surgeons during reconstructive surgery or to remove shrapnel. However, everyday healing appeared to be best left in the hands of the Empaths. It was a great disappointment that her skills as a surgeon were rarely required. Yet it was very exciting to learn the extent of the Empath’s abilities.

Deanna, one of the elder Empaths worked closely with Lysette. Tya, the wife of Prince Katar’s childhood friend Bosen May also worked closely with Lysette. They worked to discover ways to incorporate modern Medical Technology with Empathic Healing. Tya was a short, plump Empath in her mid-twenties. She had a pretty round face that never stopped smiling. Her high-pitched voice seemed to match her personality, which together created an entirely delightful atmosphere whenever she was near. She was the opposite of Lysette’s tall, delicate features, long blonde hair and deep teal eyes. Tya was both intelligent and dedicated to the Empathic way of life.

Katar and Bosen were traveling deep in the mountains on a hunting excursion. Lysette and Katar’s wedding anniversary was quickly approaching. This trip was Katar's last chance to trim the sraeb population before frenzy arrived next month. Frenzy was the time in early fall when the normally docile giant sraeb turned crazed with hunger and attacked every living creature in sight.

Lysette finished getting dressed as a knock came at the lodge door. She opened it to find a very excited Tya May.

Tya, come in. Lysette began stepping aside to allow Tya to enter. Would you like some breakfast? I’ve just finished baking.

I’d love that! Tya said practically dancing past her and headed toward the sofa, adding, But first I have some exciting news I just had to share with you!

I can’t wait to hear. Lysette followed Tya, sitting on the large sofa across from her.

Kendra was chosen to teach at the Northern Wilderness Survival Center’s Training Session this winter. It’s a great honor especially for someone so young! Tya was beaming.

They celebrated with fruit and scones, and then took the short walk to the institute to meet Deanna. The institute looked like a regal fortress. The stone complex sat nestled deep in the valley at the entrance to the canyon, which gave access to the northern territory. Its high stone walls separated into sections of stone and black iron fencing, giving an open air to the complex. The main building was a roundhouse. It filled the center of the complex. Tall stone towers sat at every corner. Lysette and Tya entered the large wooden doors that stood open to welcome all visitors, and headed through the courtyard toward the roundhouse where Deanna waited to greet them.

Deanna wore the same long tan robes as Tya. It was the traditional garb of the Empath. Deanna was a tall, dark-skinned woman with long black hair speckled with gray at her temples. Her lithe, athletic figure and strong continence gave her greater stamina than most of the elder Empaths her age. Her big dark eyes smiled at them as she reached out to embrace Tya then Lysette.

We have been blessed with a cool summer day for our relocation into the clinic! Deanna declared as she stepped aside to reveal a room filled with baskets of supplies. I borrowed Atia’s cart. We can start whenever you wish.

They spent the day moving the baskets of supplies to the institute. The small building housing the medical center sat one hundred meters back down the road toward Lysette's cabin. It felt good to begin stocking the basic supplies. Cap was to stop by the capital city of Borel on his way back from the Northern Colony. Lysette’s father had supplies waiting. It was the final shipment of supplies from Lysette home country of Lon Tesse. Once Cap returned, the center would be equipped with all the basic necessities of a small hospital. Lysette felt confident that, between the Empaths skills and her own surgical knowledge, there was very little chance of coming across a situation they could not handle.

As the sun sank behind the thick layer of clouds that hovered over the mountains, Lysette began the short walk back to her cabin. Her thoughts went to Katar. This was his favorite time of year. He cherished the days spent deep in the mountain wilderness. She knew it was difficult for him to relocate to the institute so Lysette could complete her research. Lysette was determined to work as quickly and efficiently as possible to discover the best way to combine modern technology and Empathic Healing techniques. Once a basic process was determined, she planned to begin the process of setting up a series of Empathic Clinic’s across the continent. In the past, the Empaths were labeled as charlatans and shunned by the rest of the world. All that changed during the war when surgeons and Empaths were able to work side by side in the medical units, saving more lives together than they ever could have alone.

Katar was due back in a couple of weeks. He would be pleasantly surprised to find the Medical Center up and running. After Cap delivered the last of the equipment, he would join Katar at the hunting lodge for one last hunt before the season ended. Lysette was pleased when Cap accepted the position as head of security for the Empathic Colonies. Not only did it allow him to travel between the Institute and the Northern Colony to see Kendra, but it kept him in constant contact with Katar. The two had been inseparable since childhood. Cap was like a brother to Katar. Lysette wondered how Kendra would take the news that Cap was settling down.

**********

When Kendra arrived back at Andru’s cabin, she insisted on putting the boys to bed. Covering Arbus, then Rey, with a thin blanket, she sang a soft lullaby from her childhood. As she sang, Kendra heard a knock at the door. Male voices talked and laughed as the boys fell asleep. She closed the bedroom door behind her and headed back to the living area. A rush of air left her when she entered the room and found Andru sitting on the chair next to the sofa talking to Cap. She was thankful they didn’t notice her at first allowing her time to recover. Six long months had passed since she last saw Cap. They hadn’t spoken since the night Cap announced his assignment at the Southern Air Force Base on the opposite side of Treborel from the Colony.

Kendra remembered the night he’d asked her to relocate to the Institute. His face was so full of hope thinking they could still be close enough to see each other on weekends. It broke her heart to refuse, but she’d just been assigned to the Colony High School with a teaching position. It was her dream to become a teacher within the colony. She’s worked toward that goal her entire life.

A pot of stew bubbled on the small stove and the smell of fresh baked bread filled the room. As Kendra allowed herself to admire Cap’s long legs and wavy blue-black hair. His chiseled features were accented by his dark brown, nearly black eyes. Those dark eyes suddenly turned and gazed into hers. Cap stood slowly and smiled at her. He didn’t move or speak. Cap was at a loss for words. He’d thought about this moment for the last 6 months, playing it over in his mind, but now all that was lost at the mere sight of her big blue eyes.