Rescuing Cedar - Kylan's Heartache (Book 4 in Cedar's Series)

By Lori Meyer

When Reed proves to be a far more dangerous enemy than the Komodans ever were and does the unimaginable, Kylan's physical, magical, and emotional strengths are put to the ultimate test. In the dramatic conclusion to the Cedar Series, Kylan faces his most challenging ordeal ever . . . and the stakes are inconceivable.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lori Meyer
• Release date: Aug 5, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370038176

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

When life handed me so much more than I could ever feel deserving of, it just made it all the more difficult to let it go. Cedar was, by far, the most important and incredible thing that had ever happened to me. And with her, came the two most precious children a man could ever hope to be blessed with to earn the title of father. I had already gotten more out of life than I could have ever imagined being worthy of receiving. Yet it was still so difficult to accept the fact that my time was over.

My time with the Komodans had cursed me. I just wish it wouldn’t have doomed my family too. Powerless to prevent it, I could only stand by in utter horror as things unraveled and then offer no reassurance to our children as to what our future would hold.

Although we had – with the help of our son – destroyed the Komodans, the fact that something even more sinister lurked in our not so distant future came to light much too late, rendering us powerless to do anything to stop it. And now we were left to deal with the burning aftermath.

I don’t believe Cedar realized what was happening to her even though she had given me her half of the spell with the reason she didn’t have her abilities anymore. She feared that without them it would be next to impossible for her to prevent the spell from getting into the wrong hands. Whether she noticed anything before it got to this point was anyone’s guess. She never let on; maybe she thought she was protecting us. She was good at doing things like that.

My heart broke every time I thought about the turn our lives took.

Even after all we had been through over the years, I could never have anticipated heartache like this.

Would we be strong enough to endure?

I didn’t really feel very confident we’d prevail. And if I’d had a Magic 8 Ball, I would have asked it; I was that desperate for any type of answer.

However, I did know one thing for certain – this was sure to leave its mark.

New Nightmare

Oh, thank God I found you, Cedar. I’ve been so worried. What are you doing in here? As my eyes traveled around the interior of the cave, my brain tried earnestly to come up with reasons she would have had for returning to this place.

Was she trying to get her abilities back? I mean this is where it all began so long ago and she had been immensely concerned about getting them back.

Rushing over to her, I pulled her into my arms.

However, instead of her normal cuddling into my chest, she pulled away and took a few steps back. We’ve been over this, Kylan. I don’t love you anymore.

What are you talking about, Love? A stabbing pain sliced through my heart. I didn’t understand what she was saying.

Unexpectedly, Reed materialized from the cave walls.

When I glanced over at him, a triumphant expression crossed over his features.

Cedar cut her eyes at me, a hint of pity in their midst. I warned you I was falling for him but you couldn’t protect me from it. You can’t protect me from anything anymore and I can’t live like that knowing I can’t protect myself either. I need someone stronger.

Her words ripped at my heart, splintering it into a thousand pieces.

I glared over at Reed. His smugness was enough to send me over the edge.

Returning my gaze to Cedar, I struggled to keep my voice calm. Cedar, I know you love me. You told me there was an attraction to Reed but that it wasn’t love. You can’t be serious about this. What about our children? I offered her my hand but she maintained her distance.

Reed put his arm around her and she returned the gesture.

I’m sorry, Kylan. It’s over. You had to have seen this coming. She stared at me with apologetic eyes, sympathy swimming in their depths.

After offering me a sad smile, Cedar diverted her gaze to Reed and the two of them walked away.

As a parting gesture, Reed glanced back over his shoulder in my direction and he shot me the most sinister smile, pure glee shining from his eyes.

In the next instant, I tore after them, not really knowing what else I could do.

But it didn’t matter, I had no plan and they disappeared through the cave walls.

No, Cedar! I screamed after her vanishing figure.

However, the only response that came was a huge THUMP!

Ouch. What did I just hit? And where the hell was I?

I quickly scanned the area.

When it struck me that I was in my bedroom, I laughed at myself for being an idiot. And it was dawn because dim sunlight was beginning to crawl across the walls.

Kylan, are you okay? Cedar’s face popped up at the edge of the bed, concern crinkling her forehead. You were tossing and turning and yelling. What were you dreaming about?

I stared at my wife from my position on the floor. When I had leapt after Cedar in my dream, I must have flung myself off of the bed and ended up in a heap on our bedroom floor.

After crawling back into bed, I curled her tightly into my arms. I needed to feel her body tight against me as I shivered uncontrollably. My blood had run cold when Reed strolled off with Cedar like it was the most natural thing in the world. It was a nightmare that I lost you to Reed.

You’re trembling, Kylan. She pulled my face to meet hers. How many times have we been through this? Reed is not going to take me from my family. You and our children are my life.

I brushed my lips across hers. It was only temporarily reassuring that she didn’t pull away.

Instead she tightly pressed her mouth to mine.

However, I still couldn’t shake the horrid feeling from my nightmare. If I didn’t need to be concerned with this, why had it been invading my dreams?

Yes, dreams – plural. This was not the first one I had had – the others just hadn’t awoken her. But they had plagued mine – and disturbed my sleep – since Reed had brought Cedar home on that ill-fated day after she had had that unplanned confrontation with Slade.

I ran my fingers lightly across her face, staring into her eyes.

She studied mine in return, concern clouding their beautiful green depths. I was pretty sure she could tell I was trying to dismiss my nightmare. She knew all too well how debilitating they could be.

There is just something off about Reed, and Cole senses it too. I have to protect you. I pressed a kiss to her forehead.

She wrapped her arms around my neck and wound her fingers tightly into my hair, securing herself to me. You do protect me. But how about right now you protect me from internal combustion? She giggled then pressed her lips firmly against mine again. And then there was no more talk about my nightmare.

When I woke up for the second time, Cole and Jade were already carrying on outside in our back yard. School was out for the summer and the warm sun was playing in the morning sky, inviting my children to come soak up some of its fun.

After taking a cool shower in the hopes of propelling me out of my sleep deprived funk, I decided it was time to wake up Cedar.

She had been sleeping in late since school had let out – so tired all of the time. It concerned me and I grew more and more anxious for Gram to turn up some answers. The injuries she sustained from her altercation with Slade had us all worrying. Effects from that day weren’t just as simple as her losing the use of her abilities. She hadn’t really been the same since that battle.

After kissing Cedar gently on her forehead, I tried to nudge her awake. However, she didn’t move a muscle. While most mornings she would stir like she had been awoken from a drunken stupor, today that was not the case.

Cedar, love, wake up. My voice grew increasingly uneasy as my chest constricted in panic.

Her breathing was incredibly shallow this morning.

What’s wrong with mommy? Cole’s question startled me from my intense studying of Cedar’s state of unconsciousness. He and Jade had come in to see if we were up yet, hungry for some breakfast no doubt.

When I didn’t respond, Jade squeezed in between Cole and me and placed her hand on her mom’s cheek. In the next instant, Cedar’s breathing returned to normal. Mommy, please wake up. A few tears spilled down Jade’s little cheeks.

Body shudders and eyelid fluttering preceded Cedar finally opening her eyes. She glanced up at the three of us, confusion crowding her features. Well, good morning to all of you. To what do I owe this greeting?

Cole, quick on his feet as usual, pointed outside. It’s another warm day. We’re ready to go do something.

Give me a few minutes and I’ll come make us some breakfast. Then we’ll discuss what we’re going to do today.

Unsteadily, Cedar rose from the bed. However, a split second after her feet planted onto the carpet, she went limp. But before she could slump to the floor, I grasped her around the waist.

Whoa! Head rush. She raised a staying hand before throwing me a reassuring smile. I must have gotten up too quickly. I’m okay now. Then she patted my chest before breaking from my embrace. Let me freshen up in the bathroom and then I’ll start breakfast.

I needed to talk to Dr. Bradley again. This was growing more serious each day.

Once she was out of ear shot, I turned to Cole. "If anything unusual happens with your mom today, any little thing at all, call me at work immediately."

I will dad. We’ll take care of her. Cole fixed me with a determined look.

This was not fair to our young children; it was too much responsibility for two seven year olds to have to bear.

Even having the knowledge that my children would take care of their mom, it was still incredibly difficult to leave for work.

However, after the four of us ate breakfast and had our routine goodbye kisses, I headed out to the office.

All’s Lost

About forty five minutes later, while I sat at my desk – my mind wandering as it usually did anytime I was away from Cedar – my phone buzzed in my pocket. At least it was only me in my office at the moment.

My heart froze in my chest when I retrieved my phone and saw my home number flashing on the screen. I tapped on answer. What’s wrong, Cole?

Mom collapsed. Cole’s words came out in bursts. Neither Jade . . . nor I . . . can get her . . . to wake up. She’s barely breathing, Dad. His voice choked for a moment. I’m really scared. We won’t leave her side until you get here. I’m calling Gram too. Cole’s tone was about seven degrees away from sheer panic.

I didn’t even bother to power down my lap top but instead jumped from my seat and raced out of my office. While listening to my son, I managed to keep my composure long enough to tell my boss there was an emergency at my home and I was leaving for the day. I was already on my way to the car before I hung up with Cole.

Was this it? The end?

I wasn’t ready to accept that.

The city streets contained hardly any traffic; which was a good thing considering I drove like a maniac.

Mere minutes later, I slammed on the brakes in my driveway and possibly shoved my car into park. Without even caring if I actually shut off the ignition, I rushed into my house.

When I reached the kitchen threshold, the scene before me stopped me cold and shattered my heart: Cedar collapsed on the floor and Gram holding Cole and Jade in a tight embrace.

As I shuffled through the doorway, my two children looked up at me through tear filled eyes. However, my expression gave them no reassurance. I had none to offer.

After rushing over to Cedar’s side, I dropped down beside her and took her into my arms. Wake up, Love. Come back to us. Rocking her back and forth, I kissed the top of her head.

We tried everything, Dad. Jade and Gram tried too.

I know, Son. It’s okay. It’s going to be okay. I’ll take her to Dr. Bradley. He’ll know what to do. I offered my children empty words of comfort. It was all I could do, considering when I last had Cedar at the hospital, the doctor too had no words of encouragement. I could only hope he had dug up something in the time since then.

Bundling Cedar gently into my arms, I hurried back out to my car. I tenderly placed her in the passenger side of my car and buckled her in before carefully peeling out of my driveway. The entire way to the hospital I prayed Dr. Bradley was on duty.

Long minutes later, I pulled into the back of the emergency room where Dr. Bradley’s office was located and jumped out of the car. He was the senior medical doctor of the emergency department so he had his own office.

Scooping up Cedar, I rushed to his door and yanked on the knob.

Sending up a quick ‘thank you’ that the door was unlocked, I barged into his office. Dr. Bradley, I need you. I yelled.

His head jerked up from studying a pile of notes resting on his desk. As soon as he saw the load in my arms, his face grew as pale as mine. Oh shit! He rose, skirted around his desk, and met me. What happened, Kylan?