Ray of Light: Conquer the Darkness Series, #1

By Kelly Jean Taylor

A nurse from the local hospital; Raylynn Bormarlian provides comfort and love to the patients she treats. But something inside keeps her from accepting the same love and comfort from others.  As memories of the nightmare she experienced long ago return, Raylynn is forced to confront a man that created so much misery, pain and anguish to her younger self in order to find what is hidden deeper in her soul.

Jynx Luminar is a top operative in an elite force determined to protect those with unusual powers and are in need of assistance returning to society after traumatic events. Assigned to protect and train the woman he once caused so much pain, he must find a way to tell her his secret before he loses her forever.

From their first scent, Raylynn and Jynx could not resist the attraction simmering between them.  Yet, Raylynn must face what has become her worst nightmare to forge forward with Jynx without fear of the past. Will they overcome their demons once entering the lab of a man who haunted her dreams and caused a terror so great she no longer willed to live? Will he find the courage to tell her of his past?

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Schedule

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• Language: English
• Publisher: Kelly Jean Taylor
• Release date: May 8, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386458708

Book preview

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Author’s Note

Free Book Opportunity

More From the Author

About the Author

Copyright © 2017 Kelly Jean Taylor

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form whatsoever without written permission from the author–except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine, newspaper, or on the web. This novel is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events; to real people, living or dead; or to real locales are intended only to give the fiction a sense of reality and authenticity. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and their resemblance, if any, to real-life counterparts is entirely coincidental.

Visit the author’s website at www.kellyjeantaylor.com

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I dedicate this story to my wonderful husband and twin sister who stuck by me and encouraged me to keep moving forward and never quit!

The cool night air penetrated her skin thought the thin jacket as she walked her usual route home from her shift at the hospital. Her position required long hours, which didn’t bother her since returning to her empty apartment held no appeal. What she wouldn’t give for a roommate, a welcoming smile or loving arms to wrap her in a warm embrace when she returned from a hard day. It sounded... not so lonely. With the way things were going, her outlook in the relationship department drove to an all-time low after her recent breakup.

A shudder raced through her body as thoughts of her ex-boyfriend’s terrified expression flittered through her mind. Not to mention her own reaction to what occurred that fateful evening when everything she thought she knew of life shattered.

The sound of aluminum skidding out from a nearby ally caught her attention. Her pace quickened to avoid any confrontation with who knows what lay in wait within its cold darkness. The sensation of eyes burning into her back forced her to turn facing her pursuer.

Who’s there? Her stance ready for whatever may appear, but no menacing force appeared from the shadows.

Just get home, Raylynn. Her steps pounding her quick pace as she resumed her walk home. With a sigh, she arrived home safe.

As she strode though the main entrance of her apartment building, stopping at the box to grab her mail. She trudged up the stairs while glancing at the bills and junk she pulled from her box, hand in her pocket she dug out her key. As she inserted the key to her door the sound of a throat clearing caused her to jump.

Sorry, ma’am Dressed in a UPS uniform, the young man seemed sorry for her fright. Ms. Bormarlian?

It’s all right, I’m a little jumpy. Yes, that’s me.

A package for you. Can I get you to sign here, please? His demeanor professional, his smile pleasant as he handed her the clipboard to sign.

Oh, sure. She relaxed as she took the board, signed her name and handed it back in exchange for the package.

Thank you, have a nice day. He tipped his hat before swiveling to return the way he came. With package in hand, she unlocked her door entering the darkness of her living room. A tattered loveseat, creaky chair, unsteady coffee table, and an old tube tv the only items present. It worked fine and since her schedule provided little time to rest before her next shift, she didn’t use it much. No adornments graced the off-white walls and the small adjoining kitchen contained only what she required. Only a small area provided a porch table and two chairs her brother insisted she keep for when he visited.

The area leading through the hall led to her one bedroom and a bathroom. She’d love to believe everything remained safe and secure enough to hand decorations, but for the longest time the sense of an unknown and unseen presence plagued her senses. Even now awareness of eyes boring into her invoke a shiver to race down her spine. She put her paranoid nerves aside as she placed her coat on the lone hook near the door. Her purse, keys, and phone she stashed in her room near the fire escape. It became her habit since living on her own to place her things where she could get to them quick if in need of a hurried escape.

As she returned to the living room, she recycled the junk mail and glanced at the bills before tossing them on the table. She picked up the package delivered moments ago and tore the edge pouring its contents over the table’s surface. Out dropped a DVD and letter on Conquer Enterprise and Security letterhead. Her knowledge of the company was limited and she never understood what they did as an organization other than commercial security.

Dear Ms. Raylynn Bormarlian,

We at Conquer Enterprise and Security have been monitoring your progress since your ‘accident’ fifteen years ago. Due to recent events, we have determined the time for you to learn the details of what happened those many years ago has arrived. Please accept our sincerest apologies for keeping this information from you for so long. It was in your best interest that the information on the included disk stay a secret until such a time it became necessary to reveal its contents.

This video, shot the night of your ‘accident’ remains the only item we retrieved from the facility where we found you. I regret to say a few things escaped our detailed sweeps of the building - or what remained of it. One such detail includes  the man involved which brings us to the reason for contacting you. The information contained here has been confidential even to the higher officials here at Conquer Enterprise and Security. Therefore, we deemed it necessary to keep the travel of its contents as discreet as possible.

One of our operatives, Jynx Leminar, will arrive shortly following this package to explain the situation further. I ask that you refrain from viewing the disc without him present to prevent any confusion or concern. His travels should not keep him long after the delivery of this package. Again, I ask that you await Mr. Leminar before viewing the contents of the disc.

Our genuine and deepest regards,

Maximum Rathalium

CEO/Founder of Conquer Enterprises and Security

She set the disc and the letter on the table and went into the kitchen to start dinner. Her knowledge that a visitor was due to arrive wouldn’t stop her from her routine. Her stomach growled in protest of going so long without nourishment. As the evening wore on, she found her eyes landing on the disc more and more.

Her mind raced with the possibilities of what the disc might contain. She argued with herself over whether to wait for this Jynx to show up or watch it without him.

Why send it if they wanted me to wait, don’t they realize this generation wanted everything now? She paced the limited space from one end to the other in a few brief strides. She grabbed the disc from the table tapping it against her palm, weighing the consequences of what she might find on the disc.

And it pertains to the time I can’t remember, the accident her family told her stole memories from her. The suspense of waiting too agonizing to bare. Questions filtered through her mind. If this pertains to my accident, does that mean it’s worse than the car accident her family relayed it was? Was what they told her a lie? Could further information be presented to what occurred those many years ago? Andrew and I are so close, he couldn’t have hid something this important, could he?

Maybe I should call him. She ran to her bedroom and grabbed her phone, feet gliding across the carpet as she paced the room. Fingers sliding over the smooth surface of the phone as she entered his number. She waited as ring after ring greeted her impatient ear. Come on, Andrew. Pick up the phone! A growl left her throat as his voicemail resonated through he speaker. Andrew, we need to talk! I received a disc from Conquer Enterprise and Security concerning my accident. The letter instructs me to wait for one of their representative before viewing it. It was just a car accident, right? A hit and run like you and mom said. What information could this disc contain that I need to view with someone present? Should I wait for this man, should I watch it without him, or should I toss it and forget it? I could really use your help right now Andrew. Emotions running high, she continued to babble until the thought his voicemail may end. Call me, Andrew. She tapped the screen to end the call then tossed her phone to her bag. Debating what she should do next, she backed up until her legs hit her bed. The soft comforter felt cool wrapping her in security.

What am I going to do? I can’t sit here and wait for this man to show up. This is more of a need to know than a want to know. Does this mean her inklings that something wasn’t quite right with her were correct? Did her accident change her, morph her into some type of monster?

There is no tie like the present to find out. You have need the information on that disc, get out there and look at it. Seriously, what is that guy going to tell you that you won’t learn from the disc?  Hesitant for a moment as she rose to pace her room once more, she stopped in front of her mirror debating if she should wait for him. Catching her reflection she noticed the color of her eyes flash orange, thinking it was the sun coming in through the window. A sense of calm flooded her.

Her steps sure as she returned to the living room, her mind made up. She would view the contents of the disc with or without Mr. Leminar present, her patience waning with every passing moment.

Disc in her DVD player, she pressed play and sat on the couch to view the precious contents Conquer Enterprise and Security desired her to know with someone present.

At first, the screen remained a dark void, until the picture cleared to show a woman strapped to a gurney. No, not a gurney, it was a large metal table with restraints made of durable leather. The woman struggled within her bonds, tubes and lines running from her to machines that beeped and screeched in protest to the information they received. One tube contained a mysterious orange liquid. Once it disappeared into the woman’s arm, she began struggling more as screams tore from her throat.

What in the world is this? Frantic, she stumbled for the remote to turn it off when she caught the gruff sound of her name coming from the speakers of her old, worn television.

Heart pounding, attention on the screen once more as the frame zoomed closer to the patient. The man standing beside her as her screams echoed the open space. She struggled with her bonds as he laughed, speaking as if enjoying pleasant conversation.

Raylynn, you must stop struggling. There is nothing you can do now. The serum is in our veins and it’s only a matter of time before your body accepts my little concoction. You’re the only one! The only one I’ve found who accepted my serum without to much difficulty. It’s only a matter of time before you notice the effects of my hard work.

She gained a slight reprieve from the pain as the vial emptied the last of the liquid. She found her voice raspy as she questioned her lunatic captor, Why are you doing this?

The woman’s breathing ragged as she continued to struggle against the bonds that kept her strapped to that table.

My greatest accomplishment! The cameraman stumbled a moment before righting himself. I will create hybrid warriors, ones with so much power they will be unstoppable. I will sell them as weapons to the highest bidder.

Her screams continued as the serum worked it’s way through her system. An orange glow raced down her arms and back up as the serum traveled its path through her veins outlined in the purest white. You won’t get away with this. When I get out of these bonds, I’m gonna kill you!

She sat frozen, eyes glued to the screen as she viewed herself confined to that table, struggling and spewing threats like a madwoman. Tortured, injected and ridiculed by a lunatic who’s goal was to create a super weapon, a hybrid army.

No my dear, you will not. There are more like you out there and I will find them. Once they see what you can do, my funding will continue for years to come.

No! was all the woman could say before her screams echoed once again.

She knew deep within her soul the woman on the screen, strapped to that piece of metal, was her. Although bolder in words, through the blood and hard features, Raylynn saw herself in the woman’s eyes.

The camera panned to capture the entirety of the situation, now closer than before. There! She saw it again. Hands shaking, she rewound and watched again, pausing where she’d seen the object. A loud clatter as the remote hit the table sounded as she ran to her room. Her knees hit the floor as she reach beneath her bed, she pulled out a duffle. Sliding her hand within it’s secret pocket low under the panel, her hand closed around plastic as she pulled out the object. Careful to not disturb anything else, she peeled the plastic back lifting the cloth from its package. Nothing prepared her for what followed as she ran back to the living room holding up a blood stained tee-shirt. A glittering fox stared back at her from two positions.

It can’t be! The blood, they said I cut my hand.

You know that’s not what really happened. You saw no injury to your hand.

I was in a car accident. I had amnesia. My family said...

She crumbled to the floor as memories flooded her brain, rushing in like a wave over rock with the force of a sledge hammer. She cradled her temples as memory after memory returned. The screaming, the serum scorching as if it were burning her alive from the inside out, the words that lunatic said to her ever day of her captivity. How she ended up with that man she still couldn’t remember, but she spent days with him, no months! Day after day she endured that torture! Everything on that disc was true!

When she returned home, nightmares plagued her to the point of near insanity. Her family researched and tried everything they could think of to ease her nights and calm her during the day. Her bouts of anger and frustration became so severe she agreed to hypnosis as a last resort.

Crystal drops trailed over her cheeks as she recalled the sorrow, hurt, and anguish on her mother’s face. She destroyed another couch because of the memories and pain. Andrew showed up to calm her, but nothing would help.

A hard knock brought her out of her memories and into the present.

Hands shaking, she wiped the tears from her streaked face. It was a good thing she didn’t wear makeup or her face would look terrible. She stood, debating whether to allow him entrance. The shuffle of her feet along the carpet and whispers as she spoke the only sound to penetrate her preoccupied mind.

What am I going to do?

The knock sounded again, a wave of rich dark chocolate invaded her senses. Inhaling, she let the delicious scent flow through her body relaxing it from its tense state.

Miss Bormarlian... Raylynn, my name is Jynx. You received a package notifying you of my arrival. May I come in?

No!

Raylynn, If you open the door I can help you though this. Allow me the chance to at least explain.

Explain what? Help me through what? Nothing is happening other than the knowledge some crazy lunatic performed experiments on me and my family kept it from me. Not to mention, I receive a mysterious letter in the mail that instructs me not to view a disc that contains information about my ‘accident’. Using quotations to emphasize even though she knew he couldn’t see through the door. The existence of said disc itself a temptation to watch. Now a man with a sexy British accent is standing outside my door asking permission to explain everything! How do you explain an event of this magnitude? Could you even explain it? How can someone hypnotize you into forgetting an event of this size?

Raylynn, I promise I can help you through this. Please allow me to assist you. A deep breath, she finished her rant and took in more of the comforting scent, zeroing in on the fragrant air. The aroma created a calm that slid down her spine. If she was hoping to find any answers, she would need to remove the barrier between them. Slow to unlock the mechanisms, she turned the knob easing the door open.

Surprised, she gazed at the delicious piece of male standing on her doorstep. He stood patient, waiting for her to allow him entrance. Long shaggy hair threatened to cover eyes the color of soft chocolate, kissable lips curved into a saucy smile.

She didn’t miss his inhale when he caught sight of her or the small twitch in his ears. The man was strong, firm everywhere she looked and his clothes didn’t portray that of a company representative. Leather jacket covered a well-worn tee, jeans hugged well defined thighs. His boots appeared worn, yet well-maintained. From the state of the worn laces, soles, stains, and scuffs, they must be his favorite pair; comfortable, trustworthy, lasting. Her expression turned to one of mystified curiosity as her visitor continued to stand awaiting to be invited in.

Jynx cursed his sensitive hearing as it fought chaos beyond the door. She watched a good portion of the disc and her muttered cursing brought a smile to his lips. She paced the floor, carpet if the sound of shuffling feet weren’t a dead giveaway. Her heartbeat racing, voice raising to a fevered pitch with every angry word. He needed her to open the door before she had a full-blown meltdown, which may cause so many more problems than what he was willing to deal with.

This was the reason CES sent him, why he loved his job. His unique power allowed him to instill a calming affect on anyone near him. The Talent, as he liked to call it, helpful in circumstances such as this. It enabled him to communicate as no other could. His talent involved emitting a scent the person enjoyed or detested on an emotional level while providing information on movement and layout within the room without needing to see it.

Miss Bormarlian... Raylynn, my name is Jynx. You received a package notifying you of my arrival. May I come in?

No!

Raylynn, If you open the door I can help you though this. Allow me the chance to at least explain.

His senses on high alert as she paced, weighing her options. The marching paused as he spoke, then started up faster as she yelled to herself and him how anyone might explain circumstances such as hers.

He needed to persuade her to open the door before she did something they’d both regret. Raylynn, if you open the door I can help you through this. Let me clarify what is happening to you so I can help you discover what you can do and how to control it.

That got her attention as his Talent picked up her movement. Slow in her approach she opened the door enough to look out. From her surprised expression, it mirrored his own.

Mine!

Not now.

She is ours.

I said not now. I have a job to do.

He glanced at the photo from her file and back, she didn’t appear as he remembered from their last encounter. The thought that she dyed her hair and wore contacts to cover her features flittered through his mind.

He recalled locks of a bright, brilliant red and amber eyes. Her waves now fell to her waist, a chocolate brown as