Mind of the Neví: Rise of the Neví, #3

By Lori Svensen

In a swamp in X'lea, Melia Dellan meets an old family friend. Investigating the destroyed Hailu Hoverbil factory, they end up trapped together, but who is watching them and who will be waiting for them when they get out? Will they get a happy-ever-after?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Viking Ventures
• Release date: Dec 8, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393879305

Lori Svensen

Student-of-the-world, jill-of-many-trades; mother and dreamer ready to share dreams with the reader.  Lori has never been able to follow everyone else, nor always follow directions or social expectations. Hence, her writing also tends to cross genres to create her own unique blend. A'mara Books are stories about personal relationships with strong flavors of fantasy, sci-fi, action and adventure, all wrapped into one plus a sense of social and moral responsibility that tends to be lost in today's world. 

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Pronunciation Guide – People

Groups

A’mara  - (uh-MAR-uh) - leya-talented people

Balan - (BAY-lan) - rebellious leya-talented

Neví - (neh-VEE) - organized gang

Uugli - (OO-glee) - dissolved organized gang

Yerdua - (yer-DOO-uh) -  evil/chaotic leya-talented

♥

A’mara & Allies in Irola

Ek-ul Forester – (EHK-ool) - student

Ja’tel Krijo - (juh-TEL KREE-joe) -  maqla to Lucao

Jerreck Mastin ** -Terrenden abári

Jilia Mastin** - (JILL-ee-uh) - 1st wife

Lucao Linden - (loo-CAO) - chola to Ja’tel

Marosio Muran - (mar-OH-see-oh)  - chola to Yewan

Saisha Sage - (SAY-shuh) - chola to Saraca

Saraca Ríau - (Sah-RAH-kuh) - maqla to Saisha

Stacie Isaik

Truji Lo - stella

Yewan Avicent - (YEW-an AV-ih-cent) - maqla to Marosio

♥

A’mara & Allies in Kri’enden (Joton)

Cruro Stóri - shaze trainer

Jessten Sipper

Laisen Toban - (LAY-sen)

Se-orna Jotoln - (sey-OR-nuh)

♥

A’mara allies in X’lea

Ceri Dellan - Kallen’s wife

Jana Savint - Yuri Sr’s wife

Jekkan Dellan

Julleon Dellan - Kallen/Ceri’s son

Kallen Dellan

Loti Savint

Melia Dellan

Savai - stella (healer)

Selna Dellan - Ceri’s sister

Siji Savint

Yuri Savint, Sr

Yuri Savint, Jr

♥

Balan/Uugli

Curator - head of everything

Cerástes Trodon - (sair-ASS-stees) - World #2, Towani #1

Espera Winters

Jasper Jarly - (YAR-lee) - World  #1

Loti Savint - X’lea #3

Lotten Bakker -  son of Vespera

Mirach Scuutti - World #9, X’lea #1

Stacie Isaik

Tilo Winters - (TEE-low) - X’lea #3, Espera’s lover

Uana Sistru - (oo-ANN-uh) - World #7, Irola #1

Veritate Tétouan – (TEH-too-ahn) - Irola #2

Vespera Bakker

Xanthine Dásav – (zahn-THEEN) - World #3, Kri’enden #1

Zidka Nembus - World #10

♥

Neví  & Assoc.

Drewen Wolfkin - (DREW-ehn) - founder of nightclub

Fashi Wolfkin - (FASH-ee) -founding Neví

Neeca Belatta - (NEE-kuh) - Neví recruit

Uana Sistru - (oo-ANN-uh) - Neví recruit

Yidal Sipper - (YIH-dall) - founding Neví

♥

Other individuals

Tarja E’liida - (TAR-zhuh) - pre-teen in Atrua

Vasana - (vuh-SAHN-uh) - Goddess of the leya

♥

Mentions (absent or deceased)

Jahn Jarly - ancestor of Jasper Jarly

Jessie Savint - deceased lover to Gov. Dellan, wife of Jahn Jarly

Juhn Jarly - ancestor of Jasper Jarly

Mero Dellan - deceased first husband

Skÿl Mikala - deceased abári

Valtýr Dellan, Sr - deceased Governor of X’lea

Valtýr Dellan, Jr -  son of Governor

Y’mera Dellan - deceased abári

♥♥♥

The Calendar

Terrenden operates on a 9-day week.

The days are named after gods except Terraday which represents the world or the void in popular mythology.

Muranaday (mur-AHN-uh)

Majanday (MA-JAHN)

Rinday (RIHN)

Terraday – midweek break – holy day for Faldur sects.

Fenjaday (FEN-ya)

Tharnday

Wirnday

Silnaday (SILL-nuh) – weekend – holy day for Silatians.

Vasanaday (vuh-SAHN-uh) – weekend – holy day for followers of Vasana and other Faldur.

The month is roughly 45 days always ending with the double full moon and beginning with a festival. Terrenden has 8 months in a year as follows:

Solstice

Brezanari

Kalinari

Equinox

Komanari

Lashanari

Solstice

Casminari

Tulinari

Equinox

Sebenari

Avrinari

Solstice / Year End

♥

Note: glossary and image credits at the end.

♥

1

(Majanday in Kalinari – early Autumn)

Hailu, X’lea

.

It was good to be back, Melia Dellan thought as she jogged along the coast path. Although the path had been repaved at least once during her absence, she still knew every recurring bump and crack along the trail through the Hailu Marshes. It was sort of weird though – days ago in Gesaria, it had been almost springlike. Here, the leaves were beginning to show the first signs of autumn. Despite that, the day had been almost too hot for changing hemispheres as she had.

A splashing noise sounded from the water near her. Still thinking of early spring, she half expected to see some dabblers fighting over a mate when she took a look. But no, it was an amber heron trapped in a discarded net.

Melia stopped and looked for a safe path down the bank to the stricken bird. Locating a gap in the brush, she stepped carefully, trying not to slip on the dirt and dry grass.

A moment later, she was sitting in the mucky shallow water at the edge of the swamp. Swearing softly, she got up and started wading towards the bird. The heron struggled in its panic to get out of the net and away from her. Melia slowed down, uttering calming words as she approached the large bird, almost as tall as she.

It’s okay, fella, she said as she reached the net. She pulled a small knife from her belt which blazed brightly. Protecting the heron from the blade, she carefully cut each of the strands away from the bird until at last, it flapped away through the shallows, then launched into the sky, its head folded back over its long neck.

Melia pulled on the net. It had to come out of the swamp! She noted other animals including some turtles who hadn’t been so lucky. Part of the net came loose suddenly, throwing her back into the water. She got up, spluttering. She heard laughter.

She looked in the direction of the mocking sound. A medium-height man stood where she had been – before slipping the first time.

You could help! she cried to him.

I’m having more fun watching you! he shouted back.

You moron! she retorted throwing a large clod of wet dirt at him. She was very tempted to cheat and make a fool out of him.

He caught the clod which splattered mud on his clothing. Just as quickly, he threw it back at her. It fell just short of her, splashing her with muddy water again. She looked at her wet pale pink patterned shirt, now splattered with mud.

That’s it! she cried, using the leya to pull him down the hill into the water before he’d had a chance to react.

The man stood up, drenched and muddy, head to toe. Melia burst out laughing.

I will get you! He rushed towards her.

Melia dodged him, but she was suddenly unable to move. She threw a leya blast at him to make him release her. Then she ran away from him, until she tripped over some unseen object, landing back in the water.

Before she could get to her feet, the man had grabbed her hand and pulled her to him.

Let go! she shouted.

Oh, come on. You enjoyed that! I know I did, he said, holding her.

I was helping an innocent bird and you make fun of me! she said trying to be angry. Suddenly, she burst out laughing.

I haven’t had that much fun in weeks!

She pushed him back in the water. Now, we’re even.

He motioned with his hand and she fell again. I think we need to stop fighting, he said, pulling her to him again.

Or what? she challenged.

Or... I might have to kiss you.

Melia was shocked by the answer, but didn’t have time to think beyond the lips that claimed hers. His kiss was hungry and powerful. And just as quickly, she was kissing him back, suddenly aware of the addictive nature of this stranger. She let his tongue claim her mouth, taken over by his scent and taste.

Wow, she murmured when he’d finally let her go.

Agreed. I need another taste. If the first kiss had been hungry, the second was starving, desperate with passion. You are addictive. I can’t just let you go again.

Who are you? Melia asked.

Yuri. And you?

Melia.

Maybe we should get that net out of the swamp now – if you’ll let me, that is.

They worked together to get the net out of the swamp. They carried it up the hill and put it down next to the path.

The maintenance crew will be able to pick it up later, I’m sure, Yuri said, taking his wet shirt off and hanging it on a branch. You can use the leya, Melia.

Yes, as can you, she replied, going with him towards the bank. I wish I had some clean clothes with me! She sat on the bench in the late afternoon sun.

You can take your shirt off to dry, he said, indicating his shirt. Surely, a bra is no worse than a bikini top.

Sure it is, if I was wearing one, Melia said.

I see! he said, looking at her chest. I’ll just stand here and enjoy the view.

Melia looked down, horrified at how much could be seen through her light-colored soaked top. She peeled the fabric away from her skin, her nipples hardened from the cold. You perv! she cried, using her arms to protect herself from his gaze.

I’m only taking advantage of the situation. How is that perverted? You expect me to be anything other than a cold-blooded male. That’s unfair of you.

I’ll just go home now, she said, getting up.

And let every other perv in the area look at your beautiful body? he challenged.

Melia blushed. Then she shivered.

Come, I’ll warm you up, Yuri said, sitting on the bench and indicating she could sit within his arm.

Melia thought about ignoring him, but she realized that he was right. He’d already seen all there was to be seen today. She peeled the fabric away from her skin again and sat next to him. His arm was around her shoulders as he’d indicated. His warmth felt nice, his chest smooth against her arm as he pulled a thin camera out of some pocket.

I caught the whole thing, he said showing her the video on his camera. You were very brave.

I was only doing what anyone should do. You should be careful taking videos of strange women though – it’s a good way to get yourself into hot water, she said. You should delete it. I look awful.

You seem to have problems with your eyesight, he replied. I only see a remarkably beautiful woman saving the life of a doomed bird.

She blushed, unwilling to argue about issues of eyesight. Clearly, he was delusional as well as ornery.

Did you film our little fight?

Unfortunately, I had no one to hold the camera for me, Yuri replied.

Good. Otherwise, I would have had to destroye the evidence, Melia said. So, why did you laugh at me?

Why did you use the leya to attack me?

You started it! she complained until his lips covered hers again. She felt herself melting into his arms, drugged by his taste.

I need to get back. I have a little dinner party tonight. Could I take you with me? he asked.

I can’t. I’ve got plans tonight as well, Melia replied, thinking that she’d rather be with Yuri.

Well, promise I can see you tomorrow, he said helping her to her feet. His lips reached for hers again, his hands running down her body as if sampling her through his fingers.

Okay, she whispered as the kiss ended.

Even as they pulled reluctantly apart, Yuri kept hold of her hand. You might run away, he explained.

Melia grinned as she thought about how ridiculous the whole thing had been. I can’t see myself running away from you.

Can’t be too careful, he said putting his arm around her waist.

They walked back towards Hailu together. Before parting ways, Melia made sure they had each others PCS codes. Then with a final kiss, Melia was left walking to her self-contained apartment in a haze, thinking of the man who had stolen her heart in a swamp fight.

As she reached the family home, Melia wondered if her brother was back from the countryside yet. She couldn’t wait to see Kallen, his wife Ceri and their children, but she didn’t really want them to see her like this, filthy with swamp-stained clothing! Not wishing to run into them before she cleaned up, she climbed up the back way, using the leya for a boost to her balcony.

Using her leya imprint to open the magna-locked door, she showered and readied herself for the evening, still dreaming of Yuri.

♥♥♥

2

(Majanday, cont.)

Irola – A’mara Complex

.

Ja’tel felt the leya imprint of his beloved in the atrium. The fair, petite form of the woman he adored stood, purple cloaked, on the bridge over the pond. Saraca didn’t often dwell in the doldrums, he had long noticed. Now her heart hurt and that cut him to the bone.

He joined her, put his arms around her and bent down to kiss her cheek. Do you want to talk? he asked softly.

She shook her head, but there were tear stains on her cheeks. This, on a woman that he had seen cry only one other time – when her sister died the previous summer.

Ja’tel swung her slight form into his arms and found a bench to sit on, her in his lap. "Saraca, I love you too much to let it go. You may not want to talk, but maybe it will help."

Saraca sighed. I hate being so weak. I didn’t become a gold shaze master in order to cry like a child like this!

I know, my love. Your incredible strength is one of the many reasons why I love you.

Saisha’s pregnant again, I think you know, Saraca said.

That’s not entirely surprising, Ja’tel said. As young as she is.

She’s a child, Ja’tel. Too young to be worrying about morning sickness and being put on bed rest as a matter of precaution!

She’s a young woman – biologically capable of having a healthy child. You know what Kri’enden tribes are like.

Even in Kri’enden, she’s too young to marry! Saraca retorted.

Only because experts got involved, Ja’tel said. My mother was 15 when she had me. It was normal in my tribe.

Your mother also had your grandmother to teach and guide her. Saraca sighed again. I know Saisha’s old enough, in my head, anyway. But that’s not why it upsets me.

You’re jealous?

She nodded. Like a child who sees someone else with the latest toy, knowing that you’ll never have one. Her tears fell again. I wanted to bear you children, Ja’tel. Maybe if we had started when we were cholas, we would have that thing to help cement us together.

But we were good cholas, Ja’tel said. We heeded the advice of our maqlas, except when it came to seeing each other, anyway.

She smiled weakly.

You’re worried that I won’t want you because you can’t give me children, Ja’tel said, suddenly understanding.

She said nothing, but the tears flowed faster.

I want to prove to you that I still want you – as long as we both draw breath, Ja’tel said. Marry me, Saraca.

It’s just a silly piece of flyppaper, Saraca said.

It’s so much more than that, he replied. It would be proof of my intention to be with you always – even with no children.

Saraca smiled through her tears. She nodded. I accept.

Ja’tel claimed her mouth, tasting the salty tears on her lips and vowing to make her smile whenever he could – for the rest of her life.

♥

Irola – Understory

.

In the dark, gloomy Understory, no one batted an eye as half a dozen cloaked figures stepped into a private zip-lift. They were well-wrapped in the leya, so that even a direct stare would leave only a vague impression on the observer.

The zip-lift opened into a room continually lit by Material lanterns. It wasn’t an overly bright room, and development of Irola had long hidden the building in shadow. Still the room would suffice their purpose.

I’m not sure what this meeting has been called for, Xanthine Dásav said irritably.

I called it to annoy you, #3, Jasper Jarly retorted, turning to look at the woman, her abdomen appropriately swollen for two seasons’ gestation. "The Curator and I find it useful to touch base occasionally. We are meant to be a team – at least from time to time."

Forgive me, #1, Xanthine replied.

Jasper looked at her sternly, not believing she was as genuine as she pretended. He did appreciate that she was providing new life for their order. Maybe hormones were to blame for her unusually terse manner.

"Where