Each Endless Universe: Dual Decisions

By Krista Gossett

The second book in the Universe Trilogy (Heroes, World Universe Chronicles), those with Diviner blood and their allies struggle to gather and eliminate the ignorance and violence surrounding cult beliefs. The Shadows, an elite group of assassins trained from birth, and the mystery of the First Ones becomes pivotal in finding peace for the Diviners. Darien knows that in order to help them, the most powerful among them must help themselves.

An adult epic fantasy containing strong themes of sex, violence and morality.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Krista Gossett
• Release date: Jul 13, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463201435

Krista Gossett

Krista Gossett is a professional graphic artist/illustrator as well as an author. Her first love was comic book art and video gaming which helped her develop an interest in creating her own worlds. Krista has two degrees in graphic design and would love to teach someday. Artists never retire. She also raises her two awesome nephews and hopes to always be a role model that encourages them to follow their own dreams as well.

Book preview

To laziness,

Without you there would be no

Chapter 1: Safe Place

One advantage to always having your fingers on the pulses of those around you was that no one was feeling for yours. It was how Merik lived his life avoiding the radar. It was otherwise impossible for him to blend in—even though the Kitfolk had joined the world population in favor of eschewing government imposed isolation, their brilliant bushy tales and prevalent resemblance to their animal ancestors made them stick out like a neon sign. Merik loved attention but he also treasured his privacy so he knew how to draw and distract on a whim, slipping away or stealing the spotlight with minimal effort. He never knew his uncle Fenec, but apparently, he was a lot like him in that respect.

He had been content with his bachelor’s life in every way that Cole had only pretended to be. Cole drowned himself in woman to forget the one he really cared about. He loved the ‘new woman’ smell, the new tastes and the little noises that they made when he found their secret spots.

When he had seen Anisa on the news, the game had changed. Anisa was the woman he never touched and despite how intensely sexy she was, he was never tempted to. She would always be Ellory’s wife to him. Ellory had been as much a brother to him as Harlok was. Protecting Anisa would always be a priority reserved for his heroic side.

It had been a thrill to find her, to spirit her away from capture, to pretend he hadn’t known his old friend Aisen who was conveniently a lawyer wasn’t heading into town. Nothing was ever coincidence where he was involved.

He had intended to orchestrate their little fling, to watch the drama unfold, but lo and behold, something happened outside of his watch. Lyric’s call had been unexpected, but extremely clear: he had to deliver the message to Shiori in person. Of course, she knew to add that she didn’t trust anyone else. Lyric always knew the right thing to say.

Of course he had to. As luck would have it, all the others were conveniently off the radar. He hadn’t expected the little vixen to listen to his warning, but she had been acting strange and secretive and had surprised him by agreeing. Shiori, agreeing to anything readily, was immediately suspicious.

Merik had a really bad feeling about all of this. It was a sort of doomsday of its own when the little hellcat purred like a kitten.

Suddenly, the wild thrill of Diamond Casino felt stale to Merik and he wondered if it was already time to move around. One thing he felt for sure, he needed to find out what the hell Lyric was up to. He absolutely hated being left in the dark. She liked to use her position of authority as a shield against anything she didn’t want to talk about, but Merik had his ways too.

Merik looked at his watch. He hadn’t bought it to tell time because most of the time, he didn’t care. Either the sun was there or it wasn’t and that was the most he needed to know. To him, it was mostly a vain show of status and fashion. The little chips on the face were suits on a deck of card, real slivers of black diamond and blood rubies. Now he looked past the ostentatious display to the hands themselves. Today was different. Today, he was meeting up with Aisen and Anisa to make sure Anisa was getting out on bail. If not, he’d tear down the walls himself to get her out. He hadn’t liked playing by the rules, but he trusted Aisen. To a point. Where his friends were concerned, he didn’t stand by and let things pan out. Too much else wasn’t connecting these days and Merik wasn’t taking risks.

His heart had plummeted to his feet when he saw the scared, sunken look on Anisa’s face. Anger boiled in his blood, but he hurried over and pulled her into a hug, kissing the top of her head tenderly. It was something he would have done anyway, but as far as he knew, Anisa hadn’t told Aisen that they weren’t together so not showing his affection first might have sparked a fight with Aisen. Suspicion if he was in a lukewarm mood. Merik intended to start the fight, so that wouldn’t do.

I asked you to take care of her! Why does she look like she’s been beaten? Merik growled at Aisen.

I hope you’re speaking figuratively because you know I would never lay a hand on her. I had to prepare her for court. You know that can be brutal, Aisen explained, looking annoyed and bored. He probably had to clarify that more times than he cared to in his life, but Merik could tell he was enjoying it. Aisen ran from more in his life than Merik ever had and it was about damn time that Aisen started admitting there were some things worth keeping around.

Merik felt Anisa clutching at his shirt to get his attention and he looked down at her.

It’s okay, really. He’s done so much for me… I’m just scared. Aisen will do everything in his power to help me. There’s just no telling how dirty Heydn’s going to play, Anisa told Merik and he kissed her forehead once more, surprising her by laying a soft chaste kiss on her lips to follow.

I promise I’ve prepared for the worst, Aisen said flatly, his blue violet eyes icy and hooded.

Merik tried not to smile. Aisen was jealous. It wasn’t an easy thing to catch in someone who schooled their face as much as Aisen did, but Merik had caught that Aisen’s eyes flicked from time to time to where Merik’s hands touched Anisa. Merik ran his hand over the small of her back to her hip and tilted her head up to kiss her nose, all the while keeping his eyes on Aisen. It became clear also that Aisen knew Merik wasn’t with her. Merik smiled cruelly, challenging Aisen to take her. The two of them glared at each other at an impasse, the air electric between them.

I have to take her in now. Say your goodbyes for now, Aisen said, folding his arms, his lips tight with anger as he looked away. It wasn’t like Aisen to back down, but when Merik saw the troubled look on Anisa’s face, he was aware that Aisen was trying not to spook her. For once, Aisen was considering someone other than himself.

Merik pulled Anisa closer and murmured in her ear.

You need to tell him the truth, Merik whispered, laying a noisy kiss on her neck to further irritate his dear friend Aisen.

Anisa pulled away, biting her lip shyly and looking into Merik’s eyes with doubt scrawled on her pretty features. She knew what Merik meant, but she didn’t think she should. She was still convinced that the moment she told Aisen directly, he’d pull away. He seemed to need that lie to help her and she needed him too much to test the strength of the dissolved illusion. As long as they could pretend she was Merik’s girlfriend, both of them could avoid the things they feared the most. It was silly, even childish, but it worked. She nodded anyway and touched his chest, frowning all of a sudden.

Anisa undid the top buttons of Merik’s shirt with a skilled yank and pulled out the ring dangling from the chain on his neck. Her already red eyes grew glossy with tears again.

Why? Anisa asked, unable to say more when even that word caught on a hitch. She didn’t need this right now.

You know why. Until I know you’re safe… Merik told her and it was all that needed to be said, prying her hands away and tucking it back into his shirt.

Anisa threw her arms around him in a quick embrace then tore herself away, heading for the station with her head held high, a walk far too sexy for where she was headed (as if she could have done it any other way).

Aisen’s cold eyes still bore into Merik. Merik grinned as if to tempt the wrath of the devil.

I leave her to you. I wouldn’t trust anyone else with that girl, so be good to her, Merik said. He wasn’t talking about the case or the job. Aisen would be more than a good fling for her.

Where are you headed? Aisen asked, knowing his friend too well.

Merik sighed and smirked, throwing his hands up in surrender.

There’s a certain detective that owes me an explanation. Not too keen on phones right now, that one, Merik told him, winking before he headed back over to his flashy car to give chase.

Merik made a face once he finally stepped out of the car into the heart of the city that Lyric called home. He loved big cities and the nightlife especially, but Lyric’s version was much grittier than his tastes. He remembered Lyric had been such a sweet girl and he was one of the few that also liked the tough bitch she had become. He didn’t know any more than anyone else as to why she changed so drastically, but Merik didn’t care either. People often protected their pasts until they were ready and it was far more chaotic to force it.

He knew better than to think she was at her apartment. Merik had been told that she had fought tooth and nail just to sit down for a meal and had left as soon as she’d had decent rest and that one obligatory meal with the Skyloft families. Merik had always mused that it sounded like a mob organization more than a group of friends and their children. No, once left to her own devices again, she’d be buried in whatever investigation brought her to Skyloft. Whatever had happened, all of them had been strangely tight-lipped and even more oddly saccharine or suspiciously blasé while changing the topic. Although they had mentioned Lyric had worn a dress and he had scolded every last one of them for not stealing a picture of that.

Merik headed into the police station in Lyric’s precinct. It had been a while since he had paid her a visit, but no one ever forgot his face once they saw him. All that red and white fur and big bushy tail, among other things. He reclined on the edge of the reception counter, peering flirtatiously down at the hard-as-nails Officer Nela. She was a rigid, heavy-set woman that always wore her dark brown hair in a tight bun at the nape of her neck. She didn’t swoon over Merik and that only made him that much more aggressively flirtatious.

Ah, Officer Nela, you get more lovely every time I see you, Merik drawled with his most charming smile.

Stuff it, fox-boy. Detective Lyric isn’t here. Did she finally get some sense and block your number? Nela countered flatly. As abrasive as her words were, her tone was irritated but conversational, which is exactly how she usually said everything.

Merik laughed, but pouted playfully and held her gaze, swishing his tail behind him. He had no intention of letting on that she would avoid him if she knew what he was after.

She insisted we don’t communicate in any way that could be traced. Could you let her know I’m staying at the Firelight? I’ll be using a pseudonym she knows, Merik asked wiggling his eyebrows.

Nela rolled her eyes but nodded.

I’ll tell her. Only if you get out of my face, Nela promised and Merik winked at her before swinging away to check in at the motel.

The sharp pounding on the door woke Merik immediately and he groaned but leapt to his feet. He left his shirt hanging on the chair, one pant leg riding up the muscled calf as he made his way over to the door. The pounding started again and he opened it mid-assault and caught Lyric’s wrist and pulled her in before she could react, closing the door behind her.

He drew her closer with his hand on the back of her neck and kissed her passionately. She allowed it for a moment then pushed him away with annoyance. She and Merik were friends with benefits in the past but she didn’t have time for this.

This better not be why you called me here, Lyric said through clenched teeth. His arms were still around her, but her forearms were pressed against his chest just in case he was entertaining the idea.

Merik grinned down at her.

Did your boyfriend chauffeur you here too? Merik asked and Lyric laughed shortly, not surprised he had already heard she was traveling with Alder. He didn’t need an investigative team to find that out.

You know he’s not my boyfriend and Alder has a job too. I haven’t spoken to him since we got back into the city. He has patients to see and I’m tangled up in a case, Lyric told him evenly. He raked a hand through her wind-blown mass of hair. Of course, she had taken the motorcycle; he just liked teasing her. Women were always sexier when they were real, even if it meant getting them really angry.

I need to know why you made me warn Shiori, Merik pressed, his voice soft with both adoration and demand, a touch of his usual promise of lust. He pushed her jacket off of her shoulders and threw it onto the chair where his shirt was sitting. She smelled like sweat and fast food, which he liked too. So often women covered themselves in false scents that masked their own. He cupped her breast, feeling the thin lacy barrier underneath. He wasted no time reaching around to unhook the bra.

No, and I can’t tell you, Lyric said half-heartedly as she reached behind her to refasten it, but he was quicker and had her bra and stained t-shirt over her head and on the floor before she could.

Merik’s mouth latched on her nipple and she gasped, grabbing his hair as if she meant to push him away but arched her back and held him there instead. Her pants soon followed and she stood there with her eyes closed as his lips traced over her flat stomach and he sniffed noisily at her underwear.

Gods, you’re like a dog, Merik. Only you wouldn’t be turned off by two day old underwear, Lyric scolded, a short lived protest when she felt his tongue pressing on her through the thin barrier. Lucky underwear, maybe, since she had Alder touching her through it and behind it as well. She had been too rushed to change her underclothes before rushing back to her work, another sleepless night of dead ends.

Merik tore the underwear away and she cried out when he lifted her leg over his shoulder to bury his face into her. She had no idea when he had removed his pants but when he had flipped her back onto the bed, she felt the tip of his cock at the ready. His eyes burned with lust and concern, a strange combo for him.

If you’re in danger, I need to know, Merik whispered as he nibbled at her jaw line. If he thought withholding would make her change her mind, he was gravely mistaken.

You don’t because there’s nothing you can do that isn’t already being done, Lyric said stubbornly. It had been a long three days for her, recently calling the girl’s family while avoiding the press such a high profile family indubitably brought with them. Alder knew, it had been unavoidable and she wished she could tell Merik, wished she could do more than just tell the others to be careful, but it was far more dangerous for them to be too aware. Right now, she just wanted Merik to bury himself in her, ease away the tense knots in her body with his skillful thrusts.

Tell me, Merik insisted and groaned as he teased the bud with the press of his shaft. He was playing dirty and she should have known better.

If you want to help, look after Shiori. Although I already know you’re going to tell me you aren’t a babysitter, Lyric scoffed.

She’s really filling out lately… Merik said, watching Lyric’s eyes squint in aggravation before continuing. How the hell is your keeping this secret protecting anyone?

Because whoever it is doesn’t know about my family yet, but if they make the connection, it’s going to be bad. Zephyr is finally living his own life and I won’t have him rushing back to play big brother again. Kerys is already high-strung as it is. And keep your hands off my little sister, Lyric added, digging her nails into his shoulders to reiterate.

Merik laughed, delighted that she took the bait and plunged into her.

I can’t promise anything, Merik teased, letting her anger make the sex even hotter.

After Lyric had taken a shower and left, Merik laid naked on the bed staring up at the cracks on the ceiling. He smiles at the discarded and torn panties she left behind.

He couldn’t go too far with Anisa’s situation where it was. Shiori would be going back to school so how the hell was he supposed to be looking after her anyway? He supposed he knew a few women that could pull off being students, but none that he trusted. The teachers were allowed to be male. The only reason why the schools had been divided was because they boarded students and letting young men and women live together, well, you needed only look at Skyloft itself to tell what a clusterfuck that could be.

Merik sighed unhappily. He had a master’s degree in English Literature that collected dust. He could tone it down to look like a respectable teacher and Darien could easily pool his resources to get Merik in. It seemed like a huge hassle but he would never be able to sleep at night without doing something. If anything happened to her, he’d really never forgive himself. It had nothing to do with the casual sexual relationship he had with Lyric. He genuinely liked Shiori and she had so much potential in this world. She had the sort of fiery spirit that most of the people in this world sorely lacked. Kerys and Lyric both had it to some degree, Zephyr himself ran hot and cold, but Shiori was ablaze with it.

Lyric would shit if she knew what he was planning, but she had asked for it. She might have expected him to bail, but she had been sorely mistaken.

Chapter 2: In Session

Melancholy descended over Shiori the moment she had set foot back in her dorm. As a top-ranking senior student, she didn’t have a roommate and the room had collected a layer of dust in her absence. She kneeled on the chest in front of her window and plopped her chin down on her forearms where they rested on the white wooden windowsill.

She missed Reyn. He had gotten much better at pleasuring her and it had built such a hunger for more. He was gentle and attentive, shy and eager to please. In bed, at least, because the moment they were back to studying the strange metal, he had been an insufferable ass again. He rarely let her near it and he wasn’t getting very far with finding anything new. She had to admire his sort of mad scientist fervor when it came down to it, but it didn’t win him any social points. She had needed to say goodbye to him the night before school would be going back in session and when they parted the next morning ushered into different cars, they had sent each other loaded looks and that had been that.

She wished he had let her take a piece of the metal since she had felt a strange connection with it that felt empty now too, but Reyn had insisted it was far too dangerous for anyone to find out its reaction to her. She couldn’t disagree with that, but it didn’t entirely feel right either. Her first reaction had been bad, but she seemed to have more control over it after the fact. Still, perhaps it would be easier for him to learn more with as much of the sample material as he could muster, which admittedly was very little at the moment.

She held her cell phone in her hand, the cherrykin dangle jingling with her anxious grip. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard. It seemed trite just to send him what was on her mind: I miss you. Still, she couldn’t think of what else to say. She didn’t dare ask him about the metal and they really had so little in common. If the schools caught wind of them being lovers, their parents would be the next to find out. She typed out Don’t study too hard and sent it. It seemed like a lame message and she groaned aloud, knowing he’d just take it literally and scold her or ignore it altogether.

Shiori nearly jumped when the text bleep sounded and fumbled to read the message: I miss you too. Her eyes blurred with tears, her heart aching as she clutched the phone to her chest.

Turning off the tones on her phone and shoving it into her school bag, she slung the bag over her shoulder and hurried off to her first class. She didn’t start the day as early as most of the students since first period was a free period for her and she had already been reprimanded by the dean for the incident at Scryshaw Caverns. The dean had been kind enough to ask if she were feeling better. He had known about her passing out for nearly a full day.

She headed to her civics class when her cheerful best friend, a pretty lion Felisfolk named Kasha, bounded up to her, that tawny hair of hers still bouncing in its ponytail when she had come to a stop.

Oh, Shiori! I was so worried about you! I must have texted you a thousand times, but you didn’t reply. I guess you were in trouble though, huh? Kasha said in a breathless rush.

Shiori smiled and nodded. 437 times, to be exact, but she had been preoccupied both with her strike and then sneaking into Reyn’s bedroom to tempt more trouble. She would have loved to giggle about how she wasn’t a virgin anymore, but Kasha was a gossip and Shiori couldn’t bear for it to make the rounds. Not that Kasha would intend it to spread, but she was a little too trusting with the wrong sorts of people.

Civics class was more of the same. Duties and obligations were Shiori’s cup of tea if you were to ask anyone that didn’t really know her. Knowing how convoluted history really was as opposed to the toe in the water layer of gloss that was taught in schools made this class insanely boring for her, although she had sat up straight and answered the bullshit questions like a good little girl.

In truth, Shiori had spent most of the class debating whether she should tell Kasha about Reyn or not. It was extremely lonely not being able to share anything with her best friend and realizing that there was not one little bit of her break that she could talk about left her feeling miserable with it. When the bell finally rang, Kasha had grabbed Shiori’s arm and leaned close to talk quietly.

Hey, we’ll talk at lunch. You really look bummed out, Kasha promised and Shiori nodded numbly, forcing a smile. She wondered if she would be any closer to figuring out what to say after her Calculus class. Kasha headed off to her Social Sciences class and Shiori waved at her before taking off for her next bell, her mind everywhere at once.

This class had passed by in much the same fashion and Shiori had only been able to summarize her break with minimal success: after she had been caught at Scryshaw, she had gone on a hunger strike. She had been sneaking out of her room and eventually had called an old family friend about a job after college. Remembering that, her mood had picked up. Yes, she could definitely talk about that a bit more. She would have to lie and tell Kasha she would be working at Galek-C Corporation to fulfill her educational scholarship requirements, but it was definitely off-limits ever bringing up the shadow corporation with anyone. Hell, double lives were becoming second nature to her, so why stop there?

When the bell rang, she had fled down to the cafeteria to meet up with Kasha. Once they had both purchased their lunches, they took it out onto the Commons and ate under the shade of a tree.

You’ve been bottling something all day, Shiori. Are you ever going to tell me what’s bugging you? Kasha asked, looking hurt.

Shiori smiled and patted Kasha’s hand and naturally poured through the allowed topics, which had relieved her friend immensely. She felt a little better by the time they split off to their separate classes again.

When she decided that she needed to be in a better mood and with her head out of the storm clouds, she finally noticed that a few of the girls seemed to be shooting her nasty looks. She tried to make some sense of that. Shiori was always careful not to cross anyone and she had very few problems with classmates, but she couldn’t help but feel that these girls seemed overly dissatisfied with her in