Rune Gate: A Tabula Rasa Book 3

By Janelle Peel

Something sinister lurks in the shadows of Chessa’s mind. Slowly, her reality begins to slip. To make matters worse, her sight has completely abandoned her. Lost and afraid, she turns to a Vampire who’s lived on the fringes of the Clutch.
Sasha prefers the life of solitude she’s been given. It’s better than the lingering looks of pity that come from every direction on a never-ending loop. Jake’s death feels as if it were just yesterday.

This series changes POV's.

Tabula Rasa
Tidal Magic
Blood Origin
Rune Gate

• Language: English
• Publisher: Janelle Peel
• Release date: Jun 30, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463019207

Janelle Peel

Janelle is a Military Spouse and mother of two gorgeous girls. She loves to read and loves to write. Want to become a member of the Clutch and get the official newsletter? Signup here! http://eepurl.com/cYZlBf Not a fan of emails? Follow her on facebook! https://m.facebook.com/clutchmistress/

Book preview

Rune

Gate

A Tabula Rasa Book

Janelle Peel

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2018 Janelle Peel

Illustrated by Ke Sneller

To be notified when Janelle Peel’s next book is released, follow her online at https://m.facebook.com/clutchmistress/

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All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without prior permission in writing from the author, except for brief quotations used for promotion or in reviews.

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any persons, businesses, locales, or events is entirely coincidental.

Everyone needs a little bit of fantasy now and then…

Table of Contents

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

Glossary

Summary

Something sinister lurks in the shadows of Chessa’s mind. Slowly, her reality begins to slip. To make matters worse, her sight has completely abandoned her. Lost and afraid, she turns to a Vampire who’s lived on the fringes of the Clutch.

Sasha prefers the life of solitude she’s been given. It’s better than the lingering looks of pity that come from every direction on a never-ending loop. Jake’s death feels as if it were just yesterday.

Sora repeatedly tries to open the Rune Gate, but the Goddess’s silence is a constant reminder of those she must lead.

Little does everyone know… time is running out.

Dear reader,

This is the third installment of the Tabula Rasa Series. It is recommended that you read the series in order. Important events have been skimmed over, but not detailed. I have included a Glossary at the end of the book for your convenience.

Happy reading,

Janelle

Chapter 1

Chessa

The whispered hiss shattered the pleasant dream with the subtlety of a hammer.

Chessssssaaaaaaa…

Rolling to my side, I groaned and ducked my head beneath the covers.

The voices began the first time I tried to sleep after Ruby’s demise. No matter what I did nothing seemed to help. Even the loud thump of Sublime’s bass coming through the speaker beside my bed couldn’t drown them out.

Open… it…

I bit my lip. Answering them would only confirm the crazy thoughts bouncing around inside my skull.

Chesssaaaa…

Cringing, I sat up. First my sight had disappeared, and now I held a multitude of voices that refused to shut the hell up.

What was happening to me?

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I sluggishly padded to the bathroom. The nightlight beside the vanity did nothing to bolster what I already knew.

I looked like shit.

Dark circles highlighted the tender skin beneath my lids and made my grey eyes look pale in comparison. Small wrinkles of exhaustion lined the ever-present frown on either side of my lips.

My mind produced an image of the hit TV show Viv had begged me to watch with her, The Walking Dead. All I needed was a set of holey clothes and a shambling walk.

I snorted. And blood. Lots of blood.

Turning away, I snagged a brush from the marble counter and began working the tangles from my navy tresses.

Chessa!

The handle snapped near my temple with a loud crack at the intrusion.

Fuck! Ripping the bristles from my hair, I chucked both pieces into the wastebasket. Just great.

Chessa?

I startled. Was that voice real or imagined?

Inhaling a deep breath, I replayed the sound. The air exploded from my lungs in relief. It was Riva. I hadn’t seen her for days. She’d probably come to see how I was doing.

I’m in the bathroom! Give me a sec!

Flipping on the faucet, I splashed a handful of cold water on my face. Even though it was filtered it felt heavenly. Maybe I’d make use of the lagoon later on. Grabbing a towel, I inspected my appearance.

Christ, how could I look even worse?

Is everything okay in there?

Pinching my cheeks, I figured it was as good as it could get. What I really needed was rest. Heaving a sigh, I stepped out. Yeah. What’s up?

Lifting a pink brow, Riva glared at the speaker beside my bed.

The lead singer proudly sang, I don’t practice Santeria, I ain’t got no crystal ball. I had a million dollars, but I’d, I’d spend it all. If I could find that Heina and that Sancho that she’s found. I’d pop a cap in Sancho and I’d slap her down…

Bending at the waist, she tugged the cord from the outlet. The shelled wrap tied loosely around her hips tinkled with the motion. How can you listen to that? It’s abhorrent.

I chuckled. Bradley Nowell was amazing back in the day. His voice soothes me.

Frowning, she settled herself on the foot of the bed. He can’t be that perfect judging by the luggage beneath your eyes.

A sharp sting lanced my heart. It was one thing to hate on myself, but for it to come from her?

Regret flashed across her gorgeous features. I’m sorry, Chess. You just seem so grown up it’s hard to remember you’re just a little girl.

Anger replaced the pain at her dismissal despite its truth. I was eighteen on the outside, but my soul was quickly catching up the ways of the world. However, Riva didn’t deserve my ire. Swallowing the sharp retort begging to fall from my mouth, I diverted. It’s okay. What’s up?

Her shoulders drooped. Um. Well, I was wondering if you’d…

I jerked my head. No. The last vision I had of Faerie, you were pregnant. I don’t know anything else.

A single tear trickled down her cheek. It’s been weeks, Chess. I know it’s a lot to ask, but Luna is already showing. I was hoping—

OPEN IT!

The shriek dropped me to my knees. Digging my fingers into the plush black carpet, I waited for the echo to diminish.

Riva rushed to my side and touched my hand. Chess?

The scream intensified as others joined in. My brain felt as if it’d be crushed under the strain.

She is Fae!

Elemental!

Take us home!

Commandingly, a feminine tenor rose above the others. My son has found a Mate.

Blissful silence settled at her words.

Taking advantage of their distraction, I scrambled away from Riva on all fours.

Her blue eyes squinted. Are you all right?

I couldn’t form a coherent thought, much less figure out what it all meant. Needing a distraction, I grunted, I’m fine. This headache just won’t go away. Sleep has become impossible.

She nodded, and a skeptical expression flitted across her face. Should I get Sora?

Whatever was going on inside my head, I did not want to risk any contact with someone else. No. I just need to be alone.

Pursing her lips, Riva stood. Can I at least send Julian in with some tea? Rumor has it the Head of House is exceptionally skilled in such things.

I smiled gratefully. That would be fantastic.

Though she left, I knew she didn’t believe me. Unfortunately, the only alternative was to drag her into my psychotic break.

Regardless, I couldn’t live like this. I needed to find something to busy myself with. Hopefully that would keep my inner demons at bay.

Sasha

Mason and Mina’s happiness was too much for me to bear.

Soft whispers, small touches.

Their love was palpable… and I hated every minute of it.

Shaking my head, I focused on the recipe laid out on the counter.

Chocolate. Yes. Maybe this time I would add an extra dose of cocoa.

I pulled out the proper ingredients, my mind running rampant.

Jake’s laugh. His deep bass rumbling inside my ear. The feel of his ivory skin pressed against mine. His piercing sapphire gaze as he worshipped every inch of my body.

The chime strung over the front door tolled and froze me in place.

I mentally berated myself. Damnit! Focus, Sasha! He’s gone!

Looking through the pass-through window, I called out, We don’t open for another hour!

Tugging the cuffs of her black hoodie over her hands, Chessa let the door slam behind her. Hey, um. I was hoping I might be able to… help?

My brows rose. You’re a Seer. Shouldn’t you already know the answer to that?

Her cheeks heated. I guess.

She looked so lost, and here I was being an asshole.

Heaving a sigh, I nodded. Sure. I’m just whipping up a batch of froyo for the freezer. Come on back. My lips twitched. That is, if you don’t mind the pay. All-you-can-eat sweets, etcetera.

Tucking a few strands of navy hair behind one ear, she grinned. Deal.

The soles of her borrowed pink Chucks squeaked across the tiled floor. Dark jeggings encased her slender legs. Her knees became lost in the folds of an oversized sweater that stopped near the middle of her calf.

Briefly I wondered if Viv had dressed the young Mer in a mismatch of her and Jackson’s clothes.

Shrugging it off, I tipped my chin to a hook on the wall. Aprons are over there. You can start cleaning the tables. Once you’re finished the floor needs to be swept.

She hesitated. Okay.

Grabbing a mixing bowl, I snapped, Okay? Okay what? If you have something to say, spit it out.

She turned on her heel, and her lower lip began to quiver. Um. Do you have any music?

I just couldn’t stop myself from being a dick, could I? Bracing my palms on the counter, I muttered, Sorry, Chessa. I’m kind of in my own head right now. Tell you what. I’m a no-nonsense type. I don’t mess around. I say what I mean and mean what I say. My advice is to try and not be offended. Now, what would you like to hear?

She smiled. You can call me Chess, and I can live with that. Do you have any Def Leppard?

I guffawed. You’ve been here for three days and Sora’s already corrupted you?

Forty-five minutes later I watched her dance across the storefront with the broom while singing at the top of her lungs.

I kissed a girl and I liked it-it, the taste of her cherry Chapstick. I kissed a girl just to try it…

Why she wasn’t with Riva was beyond me. She doted on Chessa as if she were her own child.

Yet she’d chosen to come here and work.

What was she hiding?

Immediately, I squelched the thought. I was being paranoid. She might look eighteen, but she was clearly still very young.

Maybe she just needed a friend. Sadly, so did I. With Allie taking a break to recover, things had become quiet. I missed the crazy redhead. She alone was able to pull me from my past.

One should never outlive their Mate. Sure the madness threatening to consume me was gone thanks to Sora, but more than centuries of memories lived on.

Striding to the freezer, I settled the next batch behind the old machine. Double-checking the hoses, I closed the door. Hey, Chess? Have you ever had double chocolate?

What’s that?

I snorted. Possibly the best thing in the entire world. Grab a bowl and I’ll show you.

Crossing her legs on the metal stool, Chessa attacked the frozen treat like a wild animal. Brown streaks ran down her chin before dripping onto the polished steel.

I snickered. That good, huh?

Her cheeks heated. Lifting her arm, she dabbed at the corners of her lips with her hoodie. Yes. It really… hit the spot.

Grinning, I glanced at the clock. Good. It’s time to open. You’d better run along. Unless you want to be a spectacle, that is.

Her brow furrowed. Spectacle?

I sighed. Yes. The borders of Tabula Rasa are open again. People flock to the city in droves. The humans want a glimpse of Vampires and Shifters. Magic mesmerizes them. I can only imagine what they will do when they see you. Your hair is a dead giveaway.

Dropping her spoon, she frowned. As?

Leaning back, I whispered, Other.

Her eyes glazed over. Seconds later she shook her head. I’d like to stay, if that’s all right.

Wondering what her reaction meant, I hooked a thumb toward the register. It’s fine with me. There’s a ballcap under the counter. It’ll hide most of the color. I’ll show you how to pour a few more times. Once I take the orders I’ll slide them along the counter. All you need to do is fill them, okay?

She beamed. Yes, ma’am.

I sucked in a sharp breath. Jake used to call me that.

Recovering, I ran my fingers through the short lengths gracing my scalp. Sasha is fine.

Mason

Sora stormed from one end of the underground garage to the other. On her third circuit, she glared at the Gate, as it would open by her will alone. "What else did She say to your Wolf?"

Mina cringed at Sora’s tone. Overcoming the slip, she bared her teeth. My Mate does not lie. What he’s told you came straight from the Goddess’s mouth. She has not abandoned you, and you are still Her Chosen!

Pride ran through Mason and his twin in tandem. She’d been through so much, yet she was far more formidable than any born Shifter he’d ever seen.

Fisting her hands, Sora stepped onto the Gate’s pebbled platform. "It’s not his honesty I doubt, Mina. I’m just having trouble understanding Her meaning. Why would the All Mother decide to leave this in my hands? Every attempt we’ve made to open the Gate has proved fruitless. Hell, I’m beginning to doubt whether it should be opened at all."

Mina nodded in understanding. "If you weren’t meant to open it, why would you have been able to find it at all? You have all four Elements standing with you. Riva came from the sea and found love with Skye, a half Angel, for fuck’s sake. Then there’s Bex, who is Mated to Hell’s offspring, Kai. His father literally rules Hell, Sora. Add in Nat, and it’s my understanding you single-handedly saved her from becoming a blood slave to a sadistic Vampire. You have defeated your