Desiderium: The War Within: Desiderium, #1

By Katherine Frances

   How do you run for your life when your pursuers can feel your footsteps from miles away?

   In a world where powers of enhanced senses are a normal part of life, a girl without powers is dragged into a rebellion. Myra is ripped from her reality and into the world of Verhas by a power hungry king who wishes to twist a prophecy to work in his favor. Ibadeken, a young man charged with Myra’s safety, expects the king’s constant pursuit across perilous lands to be his biggest obstacle. But he must also convince Myra to let go of her past and accept her future as leader to a divided people. Will Myra choose this world she barely knows over the desires of her own heart?

   Desiderium: The War Within is the First Book of the Desiderium Trilogy

• Language: English
• Publisher: Katherine Frances
• Release date: Dec 31, 2014
• ISBN: 9781507007549

Book preview

Verhas

Chapter 1

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Delicious

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Myra Kemberly slapped her alarm, eyes half open. The clock told her it was time to start a new day. She sat up, looking out the window by her bed. The sun was barely beginning to gleam on the horizon of the Northern Virginian trees, vaguely illuminating the fog that whispered to the dew spotted grass of the fields. She stood and got undressed to take a shower, staring at herself in the mirror as she waited for the water to get hot. She pulled her hair out of its ponytail and flicked it this way and that. It was dark brown and grew a little past her shoulders. She looked forward to the summer when streaks of auburn would appear, but as for now it was somewhat bland. Her eyes were light green and iridescent in the morning sun that shown through her window, her skin thankfully clear and glowing. She brushed her teeth and then showered. She got dressed in her usual attire, which mostly consisted of things unusual, but stylish. That particular day she wore light green pants with multiple tears up and down them, and a white tee shirt. Simple, but effective. She was too tired for anything more elaborate that morning. She pulled herself through the rest of her morning routine as her little brother Sam and her mother were just awaking, and made her way to the bus stop. After a dark, bumpy ride they pulled into Sharment High School. As she walked through the front doors, the one thing that made her morning worth the hassle strolled up to her. 

Hey hunny, said Dale Jidmar as she leaned in to kiss him. He bent his head down to hers and their lips grazed.

Hey, she answered. Myra and Dale had been together for nine months, and were well known throughout the school as one of the ‘cutest’ couples. Myra disliked all the attention, but only half-heartedly. She gazed into his cold blue eyes and ran a hand through his thick black hair. In response, he pulled at the hair band in Myra’s brown hair, letting it swing loose down to its full length.

They walked together through the halls, hands clasped, looking like a rather stylish young couple. Dale was dressed much more simply, but cleanly. He had a large chest and upper body, his arms thick with muscles, but not excessively so. He wasn’t tall or short, but still stood taller than Myra at her quite average five feet five inches. Myra was average in height and average in size. She had a strong build, sturdy bone structure. Her thighs and hips were full and made for a womanly curve. Her waist was thin however, and her upper body as well, something she always believed to be disproportioned, though it would go unnoticed to anyone else.

When they reached Myra’s locker she commenced in stuffing in her swollen backpack, filled with the malignant puss that was homework and textbooks, into her locker. She struggled with its size and Dale reached over her and gave it one forceful shove and shut the locker for her. She smiled at him and turned, leaning against the cold metal. Soon her friends converged at the spot, but Myra was paying more attention to Dale, as usual.

Their lips touched for those irreplaceable moments. The whole world did not exist at all. Then their lips parted and forged together. She felt the tip of his tongue touch hers briefly. They slowly pulled away again and sounds and sights began to filter back into her mind.

The moment was broken by a crash from down the hallway toward the entrance to the school. A large brutish man entered. He was dressed simply, his hair a scraggly mop atop his head, his clothes freckled with the occasional hole. More men that looked similar to the first followed behind him. The woman at the front desk sniffed, Are you going to sign in?

The man bellowed a cruel laugh and glared at the woman, then decided against answering. He took a few steps in and called down the hallway Myra and Dale stood in.

This is how things are going to work. We’re going to try and do this quickly and cause no trouble. But if you want complications, he grinned, exposing gray teeth behind large tan lips, we’ll gladly give ‘em to ya.

With that the men started down different hallways, the one that had spoken being the only one left at the end of Myra’s hallway.

Excuse me, the woman huffed.

Shut up, he snarled. She withered into her seat and began to dial the phone, shaking slightly with fear. The man started slowly down the hallway.

Dale had moved himself in front of Myra, blocking her from the direction the man was coming. They held each other’s hands tightly. Everyone seemed to be stuck in shock. Myra could read the same questions across all of their faces with the shiftiness of their eyes. What are they going to do? What are they looking for? Are they going to hurt me?

What’s going on? she whispered. Dale shook his head, saying he didn’t know. The hallway had fallen mostly quiet, with only small murmurs sweeping through the people in the hall. The man lifted his head and sniffed the air. Myra frowned, confused. He continued to sniff and seemed to be following a scent, like an ugly bloodhound. He drew closer and closer to Myra and Dale, and with each step she became more and more tense.

The man seemed to catch something in the air and drew in a deep breath, leaning over Myra. He was so close now that she could see the multiple stains in his shirt, and that it was made of a fabric that seemed untreated, like it had been homemade, each thread thick and not all evenly woven. The man closed his eyes and smelled her, humming in approval. And pretty too, he said, now looking her over like she was a prized animal in a show. He reached out a hand to touch her, but Dale’s hand was there in a flash to stop him. She marveled at his quickness.

It seems we have a complication, the man said, grinned at Dale. To Myra’s horror she found that Dale was glaring challengingly back at him. Don’t touch her, he said coolly. She envied his bravery and then wanted to step on his foot to get him to stop. She knew it would do no good. His ego and his big mouth were going to get him hurt.

The huge man looked down at them, standing a good foot taller than Dale. He reached his hand up again to touch Myra and once again, Dale stopped him, this time grabbing the huge man’s wrist. The brute leaned in menacingly, his face screwed up with anger, Why you little—

Then, to Myra’s relief the door swung open down the hall and the voice of another man stopped the brute from continuing.

Leave the boy alone. We didn’t come here to play games. This man didn’t look like the others, rather he stood out among them. He was not so large, but still strongly built. He was more lavishly dressed in dark crimson and black, yet the clothes still had an air of another world that Myra didn’t understand. He had perfect red hair that fell evenly around his handsome face and wore a long thin sword at his waist.

The brutish man groaned angrily but obeyed and stepped aside. This one here, the man gestured to Myra, She’s somethin. I can smell it.

Myra looked at him alarmed, and Dale pulled her tighter to his back. The other men had begun to return to the scene and one came up behind them. Myra looked around franticly at these strangely dressed men that spoke of her as if they were looking for something she had, her instincts pleading for her to run.

Well let’s see her, said the handsome man. The first man that had been sniffing Myra grabbed her arm and yanked her away from Dale. One of the equally large men that had come from behind, gabbed Dale by the arm as he lunged out to save her. He turned angrily at his captor and almost landed a blow to his face, but his arm was caught by yet another man. Together they held him still, though he still yanked and squirmed.

Myra was relieved to see that they were not hurting him, but was then immediately distracted from her relief. She now needed to worry about herself. She didn’t fight the brute pulling her down the hall, her hand lost in his as he tugged her toward their leader.

Commander Reed, said the brute to the lavishly dressed man. Myra was pushed to stand in front of Reed. He looked her over for a moment before reaching down and tenderly picking up her hand. She let him, confused by the gentleness of the action. He slowly brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it. She could hear Dale shuffling behind her again with a new rage. She just stared in mystification, unsure whether to be flattered or disgusted. She felt his tongue touch her skin for a brief moment and then he pulled away, looking at her with awe.

Could it have been that easy? he murmured to himself. He seemed mesmerized and began to lean in closer to Myra. She was paralyzed, fearing he would kiss her lips next. But he leaned in farther still. His nose brushed softly against her cheek, making the hair on her arms stand on end, as he led his lips to just behind her ear. Myra could not find words to tell him to stop, nor the nerves that should mover her arms to push him away. She stood breathlessly, her heart pumping hot blood into every corner of her body and every hair standing erect.

She felt his tongue, warm and moist, press to the skin just behind her ear, and slowly travel along her jaw. He led it all the way down to her chin and moaned as if she were a delicious snack. He let his tongue linger for a moment on her chin, his eyes closed. He then pulled away, widening his eyes and taking a deep breath as if to steady himself. He seemed almost as surprised by his actions as Myra was.

I wasn’t expecting that, he marveled. She tastes so sweet, he said, his voice becoming hungry as he leaned in again. Myra pulled back this time, but the man behind her held her still as Reed drew ever closer. A slam from behind them broke his trance.

Dale had broken free and shoved one of the men into the lockers. The other man still had his arm and as Dale tried to break free, the one that had been shoved grabbed back hold of him. He was soon restrained again, but still didn’t cease fighting.

Now how did he do that? he asked his men angrily. When you are easily twice his size. They shook their heads, seeming scared of Reed’s punishment.

Perhaps he’s special too, one of the men suggested fearfully.

Reed squinted at the men and then at Dale. Perhaps. Take them both in case, he commanded and with that they were hauled out of the school.

War Chapter end.jpg

Chapter 2

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Blindfolded

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The school administrators tried feebly to save them, but failed, and received bloodied faces in a short instant of struggle. They had presumably called the police, but they didn’t come fast enough. Soon the men had dragged Myra and Dale out to the side fields by the high school.

Myra’s mind raced, calculating the possibilities, trying to sort out what to do in a very short amount of time. Obviously Dale and herself could not fight them. There were about eight large men and Reed, who could no doubt hold his own in a fight, versus Myra and Dale. And Myra hardly counted. Dale simply couldn’t do it, though he would not quit putting up a valiant, if not stupid effort. What was more discomforting was that Myra could feel the men sniffing at her as they urged her forward, some bold enough to press their noses into her hair. She tried to duck out of their way, but it seemed to do no good. She was then blindfolded with a thick black cloth pulled tightly over her eyes, making it so that all she could see was the red of her eyes being pressed harshly into her sockets.

All right, knock them out, and load them onto the horses, Reed commanded and before Myra could understand, there was a sharp pain in the back of her head.

She woke up on the back of a horse, or at least that was the only thing she could guess. She was still blindfolded, and she was even more lost and now utterly terrified. She had no idea how long she had been unconscious, it could have been days for all she knew, and the idea frightened her more than the fact that she had been kidnapped in the first place.

Dale? she called franticly over the clopping horses.

Myra, he called back, not far away, Myra, are you all right?

Yeah, I’m fine, are you?

Be quiet, grunted a man that was riding the horse Myra was tied down to. She dared not squirm, knowing that were she dislodged from her binds she would tumble to the ground and possibly be trampled.

Just leave them, commanded Reed, We’re almost there.

Soon they were lifted off the horses and shoved along a few paces where there was a whooshing of a large door. Next they were walking on hard floor. The air was closer here, and she could feel the enclosed space around her. Dale was still struggling behind her, so she noticed when the scuffling went off in a different direction. Only then did she begin to struggle. She tried to turn down the direction he had gone, but the man grabbed her and yanked her another way.

Where are you taking me, she yelped and her captor pushed her more forcefully forward. Dale now noticed that they were being separated.

Myra! he yelled, and his voice echoed. He was already too far away for her to touch him. She could hear the fear in his voice, though to anyone who didn’t know him it was well masked. Let go of me!

It’s going to be okay, she called, saying the only thing she could think to soothe him, though it was an empty promise and she knew it. I love you! she called and she heard his cry back, now very far away. The world seemed very quiet now without his rustling behind her, and she felt for the first time the fear in her stomach becoming hard to control.

She was brought into another room where they stopped her. Reed was apparently still in front of her for he began to speak. She recognized his smooth voice, different from the brutes that pushed her.

Great Salen, I’ve brought a girl. I can’t be sure this is who you seek, but she seems to have powers lying inside her. At this Myra’s head popped upright, unknowing of what they could possibly mean.

Hmm, she seems plain to me. What do you think? came a deep voice from across the room.

Oh my, answered another voice, she is very beautiful. She glows an iridescence that is surprisingly soothing to my eyes.

Let me have a look, said a voice that Myra was sure belonged to an old man. She felt somewhat naked, not knowing what they saw when they looked at her, or able to see who it was that studied her so. She heard the shuffling of feet come close to her, and the tapping of a cane.

Hold very still my dear, the old man asked nicely. I don’t wish to hurt you. Myra believed him for some reason and she did as he asked. He placed his hands on either side of her head.

Ah yes, she is very wise, this one. And power lies deep inside her, I think. Power that even I cannot foretell. It is safely guarded within her. He removed his withered hands and began to shuffle away. You will have to dig deep and coax the power out of her for the prophecy to be true.

Myra’s head was spinning. She could not make sense of what was going on. She only wanted to get back to Dale. That was her sole purpose at the moment. She would worry about sorting out what was happening to her later.

Take her away. We will talk and decide what to do with her this evening, commanded the voice that she assumed belonged to their leader, ‘Great Salen’ as Reed had said. It was hard to keep all the voices straight, but she was always very keen to sound, so not impossible.

Sir, answered Reed, We brought a boy back also.

A boy? Why? Your orders were to find the girl and no other.

He seems to be...with her, Reed said delicately. I thought he might be a problem, so we should just take him with us instead of try to lose him.

There was a tense moment of silence. Very well, the leader answered. We will deal with him later as well. And with that, Myra was led out of the room again and down another hallway. She couldn’t tell if it was the same hallway she had entered from or a different one, and her head ached from the effort to place herself in a building she had never even seen. She at least was reassured that Dale was still alive, and would remain that way for at least a little while. There had been a part of her already beginning to acknowledge the fact he could be gone. The rest of her shunned the idea, probably for the sake of her own sanity.

Suddenly she was unblindfolded and shoved into a pitch black room in one swift motion. As the door slammed shut behind her it rang through the dark, small chamber. She stood still for a moment, feeling alone. The tears began to well in her eyes. She could still see nothing, even with the blindfold removed. Then she heard breathing. The hair on her arms and neck prickled at the sudden sensation that she was not alone. She gave a small whimper as the person drew closer to her.

Who’s there? asked the voice and Myra felt it was very familiar. She was wary that perhaps she was hearing what she wanted to.

Hello? she said nervously. Lips locked with hers and she knew she had been right. His arms, his chest, his face became one with hers and she was at home again. Dale pulled away briefly for a breath and then joined their faces once again. He was holding her desperately, his hands finding their way around her, up and down her waist, like a blind man traveling a well known path. Their lips and tongues were furiously passionate as her hands found his face, holding him fast to her. They soon found the back wall and were sliding down it. She crumpled into his lap as he sat against the wall, cradling her, lips still meshing and snatching and caressing. Tears began to slip down her cheek and he felt them against his own cheek. His kisses became her favorite gentle smothers as his thumb wiped clean the tears, leaving room for new ones to follow. To her dismay he gently pulled away.

Don’t cry, he pleaded. I’m here. She put her hand on his face again and searched for his lips. She didn’t wish to think or talk. She let the feeling of his lips ease her, a warm drink sliding into the belly of a freezing child, caught out in a blizzard. When she finally released him she rested her head on his shoulder, her lips close to his neck, and simply let him cradle her. No words were needed for now. They would figure a way out when she could think clearly again.

War Chapter end.jpg

Chapter 3

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Separated

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Standing in the woods next to the castle of Great Salen, stood Ibadeken Cross. His dark clothes and long cloak helped him fade in and out of shadows, his long knife sheathed at his side, hidden from view by his cloak. He was a young man, barely considered a man at all, but very capable of the mission he had been chosen for. It was an honor to be selected for this, a mission that could very well change the fate of everyone. He flicked his dirty blond hair to the side, peering from underneath his hood at the large castle. Somewhere inside, he thought he would find the girl from the prophecies.

He sneaked ever closer, avoiding the watchful eyes of the guards that manned the spires of the castle. He could hear their steady heartbeats from where he hid. He counted five beats, five men. He dashed under the shadow of the castle and pushed himself against the wall. He listened for a place where there were few guards near. When he found a suitable spot, he drew out a rope. He swung the rope with its spiked metal end whizzing in a circle, then flung it forcefully up to the top of the castle wall. It clanged and hooked into a window. He held his breath, listening. Nothing stirred so he crawled up the side of the wall, stealthily placing his feet in the grooves, inching higher and higher.

When he had wriggled himself inside, he looked around the room. It was empty, as he already knew. He couldn’t sound an alarm, or the mission would be impossible. He crept to the door and tilted his ear to the arched doorway. He pushed his hearing down the hall where he could hear two men talking.

Yes, I heard the same thing. I wonder if she’s full, if you know what I mean. The man gave a hearty laugh.

I wonder how the king likes his wives. Thin or beefy. And that followed with another round of laughter.

"Well, it’s not like she’ll have any choice in the matter. Poor girl. She’ll be married off and bearing children in no time."

If it is actually her, the other man corrected. Ibadeken knew they spoke of the chosen girl. His sources had been right, then. She was being held captive here. Now all he had to do was find her.

He slipped out of the room and down the hall, away from the guards. He heard another one coming up the stairs long before he reached the top. Ibadeken quickly found a nook and stuffed himself noiselessly in it, becoming all but invisible. When the man passed, he continued down the hall and then descended the stairs.

He listened intently for a woman’s voice. He figured there would be few women in this place. His ears caught on nothing for a long while, but then they did catch a faint sound. It was light and beautiful, yet clear and powerful. It was like nothing he had ever heard. It was far away, the other end of the castle perhaps, and locked deep in a noiseless room. He quickly made his way along the castle, dodging trouble as it came. He continued unnoticed, but did not hear the magical voice again for a time. When he was halfway through the castle, it sounded again, closer and clearer. It seemed, each time he heard it, it became lovelier. He felt that, perhaps, even if he was on another mission entirely he would still seek to find the owner of the voice. As it was, this was surely the girl he was looking for, so he pressed on carefully but quickly.

Soon he had reached the corridor where he thought she was contained. He could now make out two heartbeats. He followed the sound to a metal door. There was no window into the cell and the wall was thick, muffling the sound. It was no wonder he had such trouble hearing it. But, Ibadeken had incredible ears and could now hear her sweet, rhythmic voice clearly.

I told you I don’t know, came the voice. She sounded distressed and he found himself desperate to help her. Her voice was a chant in his ears, circling his brain. I couldn’t see anything. And nothing they said made any sense. She sniffled, and then another voice soothed her.

I’m sorry. I’m just worried. We have to get out of here, now.

It was a man’s voice and to Ibadeken’s slight dismay, he heard the sound of what he thought was a kiss. He heard her heartbeat pick up in pace slightly. He shook himself clear of those thoughts and focused on his task, though her voice was distracting. He spotted a set of keys sitting on a stool and snatched them, beginning to try each one in the lock. He heard the voices catch with a start as they heard him entering the keys into the lock.

Soon he found a match and quietly opened the heavy door. Inside it was very dark, and as the dim light from the hall filtered in to the small chamber the couple squinted at him.

It’s all right. I’m friend not foe, Ibadeken assured them.

Who are you? Dale asked sternly.

Ibadeken, your humbled savior, he said with an elaborate bow. And I really suggest you keep it down. It wasn’t easy finding you here. They both stared at him hesitantly. Well don’t just stand there, come on. I told you I’m here to help.

Myra started for him, but Dale held her back by the arm. We can’t trust him, he warned.

Myra shrugged. Who can we trust? So far he’s been the only one who hasn’t blindfolded us and thrown us on the back of a horse. Besides, she said stepping to the doorframe and peeking around the corner, It’s not like we’re getting anywhere by ourselves.

She’s smart, you should listen to her, Ibadeken smirked at Dale.

Watch it, Dale warned and followed close behind Myra. They crept down the hall unseen. Suddenly, Ibadeken stopped, holding out his arm for them to do the same. He listened.

What is it? Myra asked after a long moment. He shushed her. There were very large men heading down another hall. They were sniffing the air. Ibadeken didn’t like that at all. He guessed they were probably the castle’s best Sniffers. He knew things had been going too easy.

Quick, he breathed and began down another hallway. He didn’t know these passages by heart, having never been inside. He was worried about getting lost. He’d be able to find his way back to the window he had entered, as long as the guards didn’t change station. But it was drawing towards evening, and he was worried they would do just that.

He rushed them down the hall and toward where he thought he had entered. When he reached the room, it had no rope attached to the sill. He looked down to the ground below the window. Nothing.

Damn.  He began to think and listen again.

What? Myra insisted.

This isn’t where I came in... He trailed off.

So...Are we lost? she asked.

Ibadeken scowled at her, though it was hard to be irritated by anything her beautiful voice said. No.

Ibadeken stuck his ear to the doorway, returning to his prior thoughts. The Sniffers were babbling to one another. Then one of them exclaimed.

They’re gone! Where the hell did they go? How did they get out of here? he demanded.

Shit! This way, Ibadeken said as he hurried them down the hallway. The Sniffers knew they were out, and soon they would find the scent trail Myra had left them. He had to be quick. He took them swiftly down passageways, but still the Sniffers drew closer and closer. Soon even Myra and Dale could hear them.

They’re going to find us! Soon the whole damn place is going to be looking for us, she snapped as they followed Ibadeken. Then the Sniffers came around the bend ahead of them. Ibadeken quickly turned and saw more of them coming from behind. They were trapped.

Ibadeken took Myra by the hand and pulled her into a room. He knew it was not empty, but there was little choice now. There were two men inside, armed with swords. Ibadeken drew his own long knife and blocked the men’s swings, Myra flinching back from the loud clangs of metal on metal. Dale slammed the door behind them and held it shut with all his might, grunting as the Sniffers rammed into the other side. Ibadeken swiftly disarmed the second man and hit him in the face with a tightly balled fist, knocking him to the ground, unmoving. Myra watched in astonishment as the young man before her took down two adult men with a knife and his fists. Ibadeken dashed for the window, Myra’s hand in his.

You’ll have to climb on my back. I’ll have to climb us down with no rope. Myra looked frightfully down at the height they would have to face.

Come on! There’s no time! he commanded. As she scrambled onto his back, her heart pounding in her ears, she realized that Dale was still holding the door.

Wait! she yelled, looking desperately at Dale. The two men looked at each other briefly and there was a moment of understanding between them. Myra saw the look but refused to comprehend its meaning.

If you let go, Ibadeken began.

I know. Go! He yelled as another slam on the door almost sent him flying.

What? No! Myra called as Ibadeken started to carefully descend the side of the wall, gripping desperately at the stone creases. Dale, come on! she cried, but she knew he would not come. He looked at her longingly as she disappeared below the windowsill. She was losing sight of him as they climbed.

Dale, please!

I can’t Myra, he said. His voice was unnervingly calm. I love you, he said as his face disappeared behind the stone wall she descended, and then she knew no more of him.

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Chapter 4

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Where Are We?

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Ibadeken’s foot slipped as they descended and they fell about ten feet, crashing to the ground. It hurt but adrenalin was alive in Myra’s muscles like springs, and she leapt to her feet. They ran to the forest cover as fast as they could as men clambered about the castle. Myra yelped as arrows whizzed past her head, snagging her hair. The forest did not slow Ibadeken. Myra struggled to follow him deep into the woods. She looked back every now and then, trying to ignore the fact that Dale was not there, forcing herself to focus on the black fabric of Ibadeken’s cloak as it swirled behind him. She had to get free, be safe, if that was possible in this place. She doubted how much farther she could run. Her lungs hurt and she ached all over. She had wrenched her ankles many times and was having trouble not tripping on the uneven forest floor.

Finally, they slowed to a halt.

You all right? Ibadeken asked her.

She nodded, still not able to breathe. She pressed her rear against a tree and bent over, propping herself up with her hands on her knees, trying to keep from falling to the earth with fatigue.

Here, he instructed, handing her a vial, take some of this and dab it all over you, he instructed. Myra squinted at it and took it, examining it for another moment.

We really don’t have time for you to stare at it. Put it on, he said urgently, his head flinching toward the direction of the smallest of sounds. Myra uncorked the vial and dabbed some of the liquid on her hands, rubbing it on her arms and then her torso.

What’s this for? she asked.

To camouflage your scent, he told her, taking the bottle back and shoving it in his pant’s pocket. Come on, he said as he turned. We can’t stay here. There’s a safe place to rest not far from here. We’ll be there in less than an hour.

Myra only managed to keep going out of sheer will. She was tired mentally and physically. The forest was hot and thick with strange tropical plants. Brightly colored lizards, birds, and the occasional mammal flitted around the edges of Myra’s vision, and of course there was an ample supply of bugs to buzz around her head. All these things would have been fascinating to her if she were not in such a state of mind and being. After a tediously long hour in which she could not stop herself from running through all the things that could be happening to Dale, they reached a small shack. It was tucked away very skillfully, so that anyone who didn’t know of its existence would probably pass it by. It was small, two rooms including the bathroom. It was stuffed into the nook of a hillside and its entrance was guarded by many tall, fat trees and vines. Upon entering, one would see a simple room with a cupboard, filled with a minimalistic amount of nonperishable food, a small couch that was torn and probably had small insects living inside its fabric, and a one person bed that was of the like nature, but still slightly better than the floor. There was a small bathroom of sorts with tiled floor, walls, and ceiling and a drain in its center. There was a toilet, which Myra was relieved for, and a showerhead that sat alone with no doors or walls. In fact the room itself was small enough to be the inside of a shower with a toilet stuffed in the corner.

Where are we? she asked Ibadeken.

It’s a safe house, hidden here for escapees like us.

Myra peered out the window next to the bed at the treetops up above. "Where are we?"

I just told you—

No, I mean, where are we? she gestured out the window. Where is this place, like what state? This doesn’t look like Virginia.

Well, I don’t know where Vergana is, he said, mispronouncing the name, "but we are in Leveckson. Home of the Great Salen." He made a snort, as if the thought disgusted him.

Where is that? Myra continued.

He looked at her oddly. You’re not from around here, are you? Not anywhere around here, he trailed off. You’re from the other side, aren’t you?

What? she said blankly.

The other side? The other realm. You know...Not this planet?

What the hell are you talking about?

Forget it, he sighed, You’re hopeless. She sat down and crossed her arms. He watched her from the corner of his eyes. He had a look of dissatisfaction, now that she was silent.

Say something, he said.

Something?

More, he encouraged.

What are you talking about? What do you want me to say? She was now snapping at him. He smiled. Her voice was just as enchanting when she was angry, if not more so.

Nothing, he answered simply, much to Myra’s frustration.

This was the first moment of calm the two had to actually see one another. Myra took in his disheveled appearance, with that essence of another world about him. His clothes were simple, he wore dark pants of a thick material, a thin gray shirt and a thick brown belt, where he kept his knife and an assortment of other things. Upon entering the safe house he had taken off his cloak and his belt, leaving him to look much less intimidating. His hair was sandy blond and his eyes were a warm brown. His cheeks were lightly freckled, and when he smiled they dimpled attractively. He was fairly tall and well built as well. Altogether, he was an attractive young man that Myra could determine was not much older than herself, if he was in fact older at all.

Say, I never caught your name, he said, distracting her from the thoughts that made her nibble on her lip.

Myra. Myra Kemberly. And you’re... what again?

Ibadeken Cross, he said with a small laugh. Yeah, I know it’s a bit of a mouthful.

That night she lay down, washed and with strange and unfamiliar food in her belly, but food none the less. She was in the bed, Ibadeken taking the couch. She stared at the ceiling. She had demanded more information from Ibadeken, but he repeatedly insisted that it was late and she needed rest, and that everything would make more sense in the morning. Myra didn’t quite understand how that was possible when he didn’t seem to plan on explaining anything to her until then, but she also was in no rush to blow her mind. Nothing was making any sense as it was, and she still hadn’t had time to face the fact that Dale was gone.

She tucked herself deep into the covers and tried to talk to herself logically. Once she had the chance, once she was rested, she would go back for Dale. She wasn’t leaving him, and he would be fine until morning. But no matter how many ways she explained this to herself, the burning need to just know he was okay ate away at her. She cried and cried, silently and fluently until she fell asleep.

She found herself slowly opening her eyes to the stark light of early morning. The air was thick and already warm, the night having not made a dent in the dense heat of the forest. The birds and bugs were already out in full force, calling their demands that she wake up and make sense of this world. She knew instantly where she was. It wasn’t like all the books she had read, where someone woke up somewhere they had never been and momentarily forgot their normal lives were over, only to have it rush back to them in a flash of recollection. Myra’s dreams had not afforded her the easy choice of forgetting, nor did the entirely