Kin to the Asuras

By Alica Mckenna Johnson

Normal people don’t vacation in India during the monsoon season. Sapphire is anything but normal. Still, vacations are supposed to be fun and all she wants to do is relax, sort out her confused heart, and wait for her cousin to be born. But the Asuras and magical beings of India have been waiting for the Jewel of Akasha and they don’t want to go home; they want power.

To heal the benevolent, Sapphire can’t separate out the evil — all will have access to the energy of Akasha. An event that will draw Cartazonon right to them on his sinister quest for unlimited power.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alica Mckenna Johnson
• Release date: Mar 9, 2018
• ISBN: 9780999829318

Alica Mckenna Johnson

Alica McKenna Johnson lives in Southern Arizona with her kids, her cats, and the many voices in her head yammering for their stories to be told. Fueled by her love of people, travel, and cultures Alica writes emotionally rich stories. Snark, humor, and magic are woven through her books.When not writing Alica supports other people's writing dreams. Through individual and group coaching programs she gives back the support, skills, techniques, and passion that other writers gave, and continue to give, to her.During her free time, which you need a magnifying glass to find, she can be found binge watching Netflix, at the movies with friends, or getting her yoga on.For a limited time, you can get a FREE Children of Fire short story! Visit here to find out more: http://eepurl.com/bc5bznFollow and chat with Alica at her Website (http://alicamckennajohnson.com/), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AlicaMckennaJohnsonAuthor), Twitter (@AMckennaJohnson), Bookbub (https://www.bookbub.com/authors/alica-mckenna-johnson) Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5755438.Alica_Mckenna_Johnson) or on Pintrest (https://www.pinterest.com/alicamj/).

Book preview

Chapter One

Silver white hair flowed around me like a curtain. The silky strands tickled my cheeks and neck. Taliesin’s sky-blue eyes focused on mine. I couldn’t look away. Warmth burned through my veins. Our breath was linked deep and steady. I ran my hands over his shoulders, the muscles solid under warm soft skin. Clasping my hands behind his neck, I pulled him closer. His forehead touched mine as his arms banded around me, holding me safe in his embrace. Closing my eyes, I breathed in the spicy and slightly sweet scent that always surrounded him.

Taliesin’s body tightened as the music changed and we were lifted into the air, the silk fluttering around my legs. A wave of happiness, awe, and longing burst from the audience and washed over me as they clapped and cheered. The aerial silks piece Taliesin choreographed had astounded audiences since the very first time we had performed it. Tonight was the last time I would be held by him like this.

Sapphire, Taliesin, let’s get you out of this and onto the stage, Philip said, helping us unwind from the silk. His two-foot-tall salt and pepper Mohawk was fastened into a neat queue and his clothes the solid black of backstage crew.

Once I was free I ran down the catwalk to the ladder, Taliesin close behind me. I climbed down and joined the rest of the Cirque du Fue Magique. Taliesin clasped my hand as I grabbed Kayin’s. Once we were linked as one, the troupe walked through the parting curtain and bowed before the brightly dressed audience in Mumbai, India.

I relaxed my empathic shield, enough to energetically scan the audience, but not so much that I would be overwhelmed by people’s emotions. Electric energy hit my shield, sliding around it looking for a way in. The familiar hum of Akasha plus a deep thrum of ancient power let me know an asura, a powerful magical being was in the audience. Squinting, I looked through the bright stage lights and searched the crowd. We bowed a third time, dropped hands, and began to wave and blow kisses to the crowd. I walked forward to get a better look.

An attractive middle-aged Indian couple stared at me. As one they blinked. For a second their facade opened to me, showing a man with blue skin and a woman with black, their beautiful androgynous faces grim. They glowed with an ember of ancient power full of destruction and creation, judgment and mercy, death and love. Then the illusion returned and the couple stood in the gods’ place, clapping as they made their way down the aisle.

Yay, this will be a fun.

We had just arrived in India and already the Akashic beings were angry with me. Do they not want to go home to Akasha? Do they think I would force them to leave Earth? Are they upset I took so long? How can you tell with powerful immortal beings? The house lights came on and the music lowered, bringing my focus back.

We waved and blew kisses to the audience as we backed up and headed behind the curtain. Once the curtain fell, everyone began hugging each other and crying. Sadness and excitement swirled around me like dozens of tiny tornados. The troupe was taking a three-month break. Some would come back, others were moving on, and a few of us were staying in India.

I laughed as the acrobats hugged me then spun me away from them. Strong arms caught me before I fell.

Thanks, Taliesin. I turned in his arms looking up at him. I saw two magical beings in the audience, both gods. Did you sense anything?

I was aware of them, powerful, not evil but not pure goodness either. There were tiny sparks of power in other people’s auras, but they were so small I doubt they know they have a magical heritage.

Okay good. Thank you for helping me check the audience. I know it can be overwhelming for you. I hated that I needed him to open up to the audience’s energy, but he could sense things that I couldn’t.

As if it’s easy on you.

We all do what we have to to stay safe. I looked away not wanting to talk or think about the emotions I picked up on as I scanned the audience.

Taliesin stepped back putting physical and emotional space between us. I wanted to thank you. You were great putting up with me while we created Love at First Sight. I know I was ….

Demanding? I offered, knowing the truth was he had been an ass.

He tilted his head down, and if he hadn’t been wearing thick stage make-up, I would see him blushing. That’s very kind of you, and, really, you were great.

You created it, I just followed directions. I smiled softly. What are you doing …

Taliesin, are you ready to go? called one of the trampoline performers. You’re still coming, right?

Sorry, I promised to hang out with them. They’re leaving in a few days. Taliesin glanced at me then looked away. The same awkward no-contact he’d been doing for the last few months. But I’ll see you at the wrap party later, right?

Yeah, sure. I turned so I wouldn’t watch him walking away from me yet again.

Tuning into the energy around me, I reached out but was unable to feel the power of the god or goddess from earlier. Hoping they had left, I relaxed a bit and turned to say goodbye to one of the clowns who had stopped to talk to Kayin.

I’m going to miss everyone, Kayin said, his Zimbabwean accent filling me with a sense of calm.

Me too. I hugged my best friend even though his black skin was beaded with sweat.

Sapphire.

I turned to see my Uncle Gavin and Aunt Anali headed towards us. Anali was weeks away from having her baby and unable to run to me as I could tell she wanted to. I squeezed Kayin, then turned and ran to them. It’s so good to see you, I said, wrapping my arms around Anali who clung to me and started to cry.

I’m so sorry, she said.

For what? I looked up through her dark brown hair to find Gavin. His peridot green eyes were filled with tears, and his bright red hair covered my face as he wrapped his arms around us.

Taking a deep breath, I tried to block their emotions but touch broke through any barrier I could create around my empathy. Their happiness and guilt surrounded me. This again? Adults can be so tiring.

Anali and the baby needed to be safe. You needed to bring her home to her family, Uncle Gavin. I’m not upset. I don’t feel neglected. And Philip took relatively good care of me.

Anali gave a hiccupping sob and squeezed me tighter. My cousin kicked. He was probably not any happier at being squished than I was. It was weird being kicked by an unborn baby. I wiggled, and they let me go a little, each of them grasping onto a hand as if I would try to leave them.

Let’s go to dinner, Gavin said.

Yes, I want to hear everything that you’ve been up to.

Anali, I’ve Skyped with you all the time. And I think I need to wash all this off first. A thick layer of stage makeup darkened my light copper skin, which made Taliesin’s moonlight white skin contrast brilliantly against mine. I shook my head, and my black curls streaked with ruby red scratched against my shoulder blades because there was so much product in my hair.

Anali smiled and wiped at her tears. Okay. You go get cleaned up. We’ll wait for you here.

Gavin wrapped an arm around his wife tucking her into his side. See you in a bit.

As I walked away they were surrounded by other performers wanting to see them.

* * *

No matter what country we were in, eventually we wound up at a pizza place. I smiled as I read over the menu. There were traditional pizzas, like the Margarita, and ones unique to India like plain paneer, corn, pineapple, and capsicum. So what should we get?

I feel bad bringing you out to pizza, but I’ve been craving it like crazy. My mom gets offended if I want to eat anything other than her cooking, Anali said.

It’s fine. Pizza is always good. I sipped my Duke’s raspberry soda, the glass bottle cold and dripping in condensation. The fans hummed above us as they tried to cool the thick humid August night. You know me, I’ll eat anything. So how are you feeling? You look good, all glowy and stuff.

I can feel him now all the time. She closed her eyes. Right now he’s sleeping and content. As long as I have Gavin or family near me I’m able to use them as a shield from other people’s emotions, but without them I cannot protect myself.

I’m so glad you guys came back here. I shuddered. I can’t imagine you being raw and vulnerable like that as we traveled around.

My aunt wiped her eyes.

No more guilt, I said. We’re together now.

The waiter came over and said something. Anali smiled and ordered several pizzas in Hindi.

So what’s up with you and Taliesin? Gavin asked. He forced his voice to sound casual through his clenched jaw.

Nothing, why?

Well, your performance was very sexy. Anali fanned herself. Lots of UST, unresolved sexual tension.

Gavin growled.

Unresolved being the key word. Nothing is going on. After Japan and the trauma of the Kitsune controlling him, Taliesin and I talked. While we have, or had, feelings for each other, he asked for time to heal. And he hasn’t approached me yet. I’ve told you all this.

Yes, but I guess seeing the two of you tonight we thought things might have changed, Gavin said.

No, it’s just for the routine. I think that whatever he felt for me was short lived, and he’s over it.

I’m sorry, sweetheart. Anali placed her hand over mine.

Thanks, at least he didn’t figure it out after we were dating or something. Right? Having him walk away from me would be even harder after dating him, wouldn’t it?

The waiter set down salads. Thankful for the break in conversation, I picked the raw onions off my salad and hoped food would distract my aunt and uncle. The door opened letting in the symphony of the street: voices, bells on bikes, car horns, and a variety of music.

Anali smiled looking over my head. Kayin, Shin, come and join us.

I turned to see Kayin and his boyfriend Shin standing in the doorway, their hands linked. Shin always looked up local customs before traveling to a new country and was happy when he found out it was common for male friends to hold hands.

We wouldn’t want to intrude, Kayin said.

Please, said Gavin, getting up and adding another small table to ours. You two are family.

Kayin was family. We had the same ancestor from four thousand years ago. We both descended from Shamash, a Phoenix King. His magical blood ran through our veins and changed us on our fifteenth birthday, making us Children of Fire. Kayin had woken with the same red streaks I had. His tight black curls looked to be studded with rubies, making him look regal.

Shin is not a Child of Fire, but a close friend, and observant enough that our attempts to hide our phoenix powers failed. He was brought into our group, for which we are all grateful. His easy-going strength often grounds us, and he is teaching us Hwa Rang Do, a Korean martial art passed down in his family.

Come on, Big Brother, come and sit down, I said. Kayin was six months older than me, and a lot taller. I’d started calling him Big Brother when we bonded in San Francisco over how difficult it was to suddenly find yourself with powers and a destiny.

How are you feeling, Anali? Shin asked, as he sat down.

I’m fine. She rubbed her belly. The doctor and midwife are both happy, and I am set to have our baby at home in the next few weeks.

I am pleased to see you looking so well, Kayin said. You both have been missed.

Oh, we missed you too. Anali blinked back tears. Let me see your tattoos. Sapphire told us about them. It’s so romantic.

They each held out their left arm showing the inked I Love You tattooed in their own handwriting and language, Shona on Shin’s wrist and Korean characters on Kayin’s.

So how are things? Gavin asked Shin, after he ordered more food from the waiter.

Shin sighed; his sadness felt cool and resigned against my empathic shields. My mom kept wanting to know why I wasn’t coming home during the break. She had several nice Korean girls for me to meet. I tried putting my mom off, but finally I broke down and told her about being gay and being in love with Kayin.

Kayin shifted closer to his boyfriend.

I’m so sorry, Anali said.

What happened? Gavin asked.

She started crying then began cursing at my dad saying how this was all his fault. The decades of us ignoring my father’s affairs with men came crashing down, and she kicked him out of the house. Shin blinked back his tears. My brother emailed me once to tell me what an awful son I am and how I have dishonored our entire family. My father has talked to me a bit, but right now he is so wrapped up in what is going on with him that I don’t want to bother him. Shin’s voice cracked and he picked up his soda.

His mother won’t talk to him, Kayin said. At least not yet. But his brother’s fiancée emailed him. She’s lovely.

Yeah, she said they were being old-fashioned and she’d do her best to fix things and that she couldn’t wait to meet me and Kayin.

Gavin smiled. So, she’s not the proper Korean woman that your mom had hoped for.

No, not at all.

And what about your father, Kayin? Anali asked.

Well, I sent him a letter while we were in Bali, telling him about Shin. I gave them Anali’s address so I suspect there is a letter with his response waiting for me. Kayin smiled his round dark brown eyes softened as he gazed into Shin’s thin black eyes. "I don't expect it to go very well.

At least this way only one of us is freaking out at a time.

Well thought out boys, Gavin said. The key to a relationship is only one of you freaking out at a time.

And which one of us is freaking out right now? Anali asked her tone sharp.

Oh, dear, pregnancy hormones. I scooted away from her in case Gavin answered wrong.

Me, of course. You are going to be the most beautiful and perfect mother, ever. I still need to finish the last two chapters of the parenting book you asked me to read. Gavin picked up her hand and kissed her palm. You always support me.

Oh. Tears filled her eyes. The waiter cleared his throat as he set down four large pizzas. Anali chuckled. I forgot how much you guys eat.

I placed three slices of pizza on my plate. You should have seen us in Thailand. The street vendors ran out of food.

We did go with the entire circus, Shin said.

After our second show of the day, Kayin added.

Oh, I missed you all so much. But Philip has been taking good care of you, right?

Yes, Anali. Philip is great, and he does his best, I said, around a mouthful of pizza.

His best? Gavin stared at me, looking me over. I sat still, giving nothing away, a skill I learned growing up in the foster care system. Gavin turned to Kayin, who was taught to respect his elders and not lie. Biting his lip, Kayin looked at me.

With a sigh, I caved. I got a little scratch at one point.

You didn’t say anything? Gavin sat down his half-eaten slice of pizza. He looked over my arms, his eyes stopping at the four starburst scars on my upper arm, where a dragon’s claws had punctured me. I also had a white scar of Cartazonon’s handprint on my wrist I got in a dream.

I did tell you, it was nothing. Anyway, Cartazonon has been very quiet, no dreams or run-ins with his minions, I said, trying to change the subject. I hoped bringing up the ancient evil that hunts us would distract my uncle.

Yes, that’s great, but what about this ‘scratch’? Gavin asked.

Wincing at his use of air quotes, I forced a light tone as I told the story. Gavin and Anali felt guilty enough for leaving me behind. I didn’t want to add to it. We were hiking through the jungle to get to the gateway stone hidden in an ancient temple.

Gavin arched an eyebrow at my carefree tone.

So as we get closer to the gateway stone, it puts out the call for magical beings to come to the portal, so they can go home. And this Leyak jumps onto my back and bites me. Then it was swatted off and everything was fine.

Anali sighed the ‘mom sigh’. My story not fooling her one bit. Gavin growled and turned to Shin.

Shin cleared his throat and leaned on the table. So this huge tiger roars and jumps from a tree. Anali gasped. Gavin clenched his hands, making his pale skin turn white at the knuckles. His claws shine in the weak sunlight, and he swipes his huge paw knocking the Leyak off Sapphire’s back and cutting out where it bit her. Which turned out to be a good thing because the poison bled out of the open wound.

And why didn’t you tell us this? Gavin asked.

We haven’t talked face to face since then, just texted, and it was only a week or so ago. Plus, I told you I got hurt, but Miu fixed it. The scar over my shoulder blade tingled and ached with the memory. Rolling my shoulders I attempted to release the feeling. I didn’t want to tell you the whole detailed story until you could see that I was really all right.

Gavin narrowed his eyes.

That does make sense, Anali said. It’s a rather frightening story, and not being able to see if you were truly okay would have been difficult.

Miu was able to heal you right away? Gavin asked.

Well, no. You know how healing takes a lot out of her, and there were poachers in the area. So we had to hurry and open the portal first. But the tiger shifter who scratched me …

Clawed you up, Gavin corrected.

Scratched me. The tiger shifter and Miu worked together to make a poultice to help heal the marks and draw out the poison. And you saw me perform tonight, my shoulder is fine.

Gavin looked at Kayin.

She has two new scars, he confessed.

Rolling my eyes, I picked up a slice of pizza. It’s nothing and anyway how many people can say they were scratched by a tiger? It’s a great story.

You say that every time you get hurt, Gavin said.

I shrugged, the motion pulling on the new scar, the pain and fear I felt when I was attacked flashed through me. Somehow I managed to keep my face neutral. It keeps being true. So what’s the plan for the next few days? You said we aren’t leaving for Anali’s village right away.

Anali and Gavin shared a look. Before we make any plans how are you doing emotionally in Mumbai? she asked.

Are you okay? If we need to leave, that’s fine with me, I said.

I’ll be fine for a day or two, as long as Gavin is close by. But how are you? Anali’s brown eyes looked into mine, demanding the truth.

The emotional energy here is thick and intense. It’s layers of emotions and history one on top of another. The energy is like the food. Rich, complex, and at times overwhelming. I ran my fingers through my damp curls. The humidity was not allowing my hair to dry. Most of what I feel is pleasant: happiness, connection, tradition, like the saris bright, beautiful, and with a sense of belonging.

Anali ran a hand over the parrot green sari she wore and smiled softly. And what about Dharavi? I’m not as emphatic as you are, but as the second largest slum in Asia, I can feel Dharavi’s presence.

I’ve been worried about Dharavi too, said Gavin. I wanted to get you in a hotel that was further away, but the Trident is one of the newest and being on the coast I was hoping it would help protect you.

Once my uncle realized how sensitive my empathy was he had booked us in the newest hotels he could find and on the highest floors. It helped a lot and made sleeping easier. Dharavi is there. I mean, it’s ten miles away and huge. I can feel the emotions of the people there. They are as much a part of the emotional energy of the city as the millionaires and billionaires in South Mumbai are. It’s . . . I paused looking for the right word, disconcerting to have such a large population of both extremes within one city, but I should be able to manage it.

For how long? Gavin asked.

I took a large bite of pizza while I figured it out. I should be okay for several days, if nothing happens to make my shields crash. And yes, I will let you know if something happens or if anything changes.

Okay. Well, we have a surprise. Anali smiled her face glowing with happiness. "We