The Legacy

By Yvette M. Scholl

Leading the things which go bump in the night
is Sam Bauers job. She unwittingly inherited
this task from her Uncle Lawrence almost a
year ago. As her powers and knowledge grow,
Sam must find a way to keep the clans unified
against a terrible ancient enemy which has
returned from the past. The decisions Sam has
to make become even more dangerous than
the fangs and claws she sees on a daily basis.
The balance between her personal and public
life is also blurring. Sam must choose what
she will allow herself to become, without losing
her humanity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 1, 2008
• ISBN: 9781469114729

Yvette M. Scholl

Yvette grew up in a small town called Cheektowaga, New York. Her parents instilled in her the love of learning, especially reading in particular. She discovered a love for science fiction, fantasy, and horror stories. She began to stay up evenings, catching the late night horror movies on Fridays and Saturdays. Flash forward years later to Houston, Texas where she works as a middle school Language Arts teacher. Yvette joined the Greater Houston Area Writing Project. Here she met other teachers who provided her with the encouragement and support needed to write a full length book.

Book preview

Copyright © 2007 by Yvette M. Scholl.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2006907078

ISBN:  Hardcover  978-1-4257-1789-6

Softcover  978-1-4257-1790-2

Ebook  978-1-4691-1472-9

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing

from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

31252

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

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Chapter 52

Other books by Yvette M. Scholl

The Inheritance

The Legacy

The Destiny

For: My loving parents, Ronald and Astrid, and my most excellent brother, Joseph.

Glossary of Terms, Characters, and Other Proper Nouns

A.G.—(pr. n.) Anything Goes: Neutral meeting place for all walks of Submerged World life forms. As the name suggests, any form of entertainment is allowed and tolerated provided payment is served. Also called Neutrals.

Lawrence Bauer—(pr. n.) Great uncle to Sam Bauer. An ardent researcher of the bizarre, occult, and ancient. An eclectic man who willed his findings to his great niece.

Breed—(pr. n.) Large group of beings with mixed-clan DNA. This group of creatures is shunned by most clan members as they are thought of as a blight instead of a true family within the world of monsters. Breed members are created from either the union of two Breed members, a byproduct of an attack from one clan to another, or the willing transformation of one clan member by another.

Besaurus—(pr. n.) Clan that consists of all types of wereanimals. Most stay in human form and only revert to animal forms when angered, aroused, or seeking contact with their other selves. Besaurans are forced to take on their animal shape once every thirty days. The moon has no bearing on this change and is different for each individual. Some members within this clan also have healing abilities, which can be used to save the life of any living creature within or outside the clan. Blessed with animal reflexes and immense strength, most work in security or enforcement for the Tribe. Life spans are anywhere from three to five times that of a human.

Devorn—(pr. n.) Period of mourning for lost mate.

Ebon Trillo—(pr. n.) Master vampire and head of Nethyian clan.

Farn—(pr. n.) God of death and the dead.

Frepoli—(pr. n.) Challenge given to mate for right of courtship

Folio—(pr. n.) Clan, which consists of elves, fairies, dwarves, pixies, nymphs, gnomes, and sprites. Ruled by a council of elders and the Fairy Queen, they are noted for their love of knowledge and book learning. Most cling to their culture and try as much as possible to avoid direct contacts with other clans. The only exceptions being small children, or those who are in trade with the clan.

Gregor—(pr. n.) Leader of the riders, a Hobgoblin intent on destroying humanity.

Guardian—(pr. n.) Higher-plane being who is capable of bonding to an earthbound creature in the hopes of providing guidance, power, and protection in a symbiotic relationship.

Guide—(pr. n.) Higher-plane being who can also attach to earthbound creatures, but not as powerful as a Guardian. Often their host gives off a scent, which alerts others as to the intentions of the actions of the host.

Hawke’s Nest—(pr. n.) Nethyian-owned restaurant, which specializes in foods only creatures from Tribe would enjoy.

Kamdar—(pr. n.) God of punishments to the dead.

Kurl—(pr. n.) God of light and day.

Mylynn—(pr. n.) Goddess of war.

Nants—(pr. n.) Remnants of smaller and lesser clans, which have banded together due to low numbers. They have a variety of creatures who have banded together for protection and representation within the Tribe.

Nedan—(pr. n.) God of the hunted.

Ned-Fariens—(pr. n.) One-of-a-kind creatures who have outlived all other members of their race. Considered sacred entities by most, they are treated with great respect and reverence. Most live solitary lives, waiting for their demise, or live for the hope of some last-minute salvation.

Nethys—(pr. n.) Clan of energy, blood, and soul drinkers, which consists mostly of vampires, wraiths, ghosts, succubae, and ghouls. They are sensitive to feelings in other living creatures. Nethyians become more powerful with age and feeding from strong prey. It is possible for Nethyians to live for millennia but rare due to their volatile and predatory natures.

Pirel—(pr. n.) God of love.

Queen Astrid—(pr. n.) One of the heads of the Folio clan.

Retaliators—(pr. n.) Any Breed or Rogue who temporarily loses control of his emotional state. Often their rages are subdued or squelched by wild fights, periods of destruction, or shows of aggression.

Riders of the Apocalypse—(pr. n.) Group of creatures whose goal is to destroy humanity and the Tribe. Their viewpoint is that humans should pay for their past transgressions. Currently, the majority of members are goblins and werewolves.

Rykon—(pr. n.) Amplification Demon and Guardian to Sam Bauer.

Sam Bauer—(pr. n.) Former college librarian and current leader of the Tribe. Mistaken for a man, she was willed the leadership of the Tribe. Upon receiving her uncle’s gifts, she unlocked many secrets and powers currently unseen in the world of creatures she now inhabits. She fights for the survival of the monsters, justice in rulership, and the remnants of her humanity.

Sebastian Hawke—(pr. n.) Former co-ruler of Nethys clan.

Seg—(pr. n.) A small close group of Breed members, which go out together. They are surrogate family members for young or new Breed members. Best friends and lovers are often found within a Seg, but it is not uncommon for those creatures in a Seg to act like brothers and sisters.

Sekor—(pr. n.) Final stages of pregnancy.

Sekora—(pr. n.) Goddess of birth.

Sekoran—(pr. n.) Rumored/mythological Setee thought to be capable of giving birth to children.

Setee—(pr. n.) Marked human who has been chosen to be transformed by a Nethyian into one of his kind. The amount of time taken to transform the human decrees his strength. Only a Master vampire (over two hundred years of age or more) is able to transform a human. There is a limit to five Setees at one time, as it drains the strength of the Master. Quickly made Nethyians are created for muscle in difficult times or used as a punishment for enemies. While transformations do change the human intended, Setees are rarely capable of having or bearing children.

Shengal—( pr. n.) Trial separation, which warns males they may not be invited to a female’s chambers. May be used prior to a real divorce or as a warning to a male who has upset his mate or consort.

Simone—(pr. n.) Former werewolf coleader of the Riders.

Sokul—(pr. n.) God of rewards to the dead.

So’Loren Shi’firan—(pr. n.) One of the heads of the Folio nation.

Stiern—(pr. n.) God of darkness and night.

Submerged World—(pr. n.) Secret underground and nighttime world of all clans.

The Great Cleansing—(pr. n.) Period of lost ancient Earth history where creatures who were not human were vilified, hunted, tortured, and killed in massive holocausts. Extinction of many clans was from this period of time. Hatred and mistrust of humanity spawned the Riders of the Apocalypse organization. This terrible time in history also made many creatures go into hiding for fear of their lives.

The Others—(pr. n.) Name used by Tribe members for humans who wish their demise. Ron Knight is their leader. He currently lacks proof of his suspicions but is determined to rid the world of all Tribe members.

The Tribe—Group of creatures who seek to save themselves from extinction and live in harmony with humanity by slipping under the radar of most humans’ eyes. Control of group is held by one leader who is appointed both by predecessor and approval of clan leaders.

Tainted Circle—(pr. n.) Name used by enemies of the Tribe. Most are exceptionally skilled and well-researched human scholars who are on the verge of discovering the truth behind the Tribe’s membership. Many hypotheses exist; but due to skills and natures of creatures involved, there is a lack of concrete proof.

Jim and Steven Vali—(pr. n.) Former Besauran leaders.

Wee folk—(pr. n.) Fairies, pixies, sprites, and other small woodland creatures from Folio clan.

Wyld Thyngs—One of many disco clubs owned by Besaurans—source of great revenue for clan and Tribe. Open for humans and for any clan members, who wish entry and keep their identities hidden.

Chapter 1

Fiendish black mists began to swirl up around Sam’s ankles. Like two coiled snakes the eerie substance twisted, traveling up to her waist. Her legs failed to move, her feet seemingly cemented to the unseen ground beneath her body. Panic swiftly moved up from the pit of her stomach, lodging in her chest, and made breathing difficult. Her fingers grasped at the mist, attempting to remove it from her body. All the while, there was the knowledge if the vapor completely enveloped her, it would equate to a slow and agonizing death.

As the mist reached her chest, it was accompanied by a very low and unpleasant whining noise. It made Sam push her shoulders back, and she felt a wave of instinctual fear travel down her spine. Through her parched throat, Sam began to yell as loudly as she could, forcing herself to wake.

Once awake, she immediately lit the room with the small lamp on the nightstand. She found the sheets had twisted around her legs and the T-shirt and shorts she wore as pajamas were soaked with her perspiration, even though she was in a heavily air-conditioned motel room.

To make matters worse the headache, which had first appeared a few days ago, was now gaining strength. At first, Sam had tried to heal herself; but her powers had no effect on her dull head. It seemed every time she woke, the intensity of throbbing in her skull had climbed just a bit up on the getting-worse scale. Over-the-counter remedies proved equally unsuccessful. This nightmare had only served to make the pain more acute. Suddenly, any kind of movement accelerated the symptoms of her malady. A wave of nausea rocked her body.

The wind was racing outside. The rain, which was now falling, sounded like buckets emptying onto the roof of the motel. Several flashes of lightning broke through the top of the blinds, followed by angry cracks of thunder. One boom was loud and close enough to shake the ground. It made the-already-unnerved Sam Bauer jump yet again.

Shit, she said to herself, as her trembling hands began to unwind the material around her legs. A dog’s head popped up over the bed, startling Sam. She cried out loud once more, frightening both herself and the dog, who whined shrilly.

Oh gods, Buster. I’m sorry, boy, she said gently, extending her trembling hand over to the animal’s head. He licked her arm, and Sam took this action as an acceptance of her apology. She took several cleansing breaths, forcing her stomach to calm.

Once free of the sheets, Sam grabbed the wristwatch she had left on the nightstand. It read three thirty in the morning. As her free hand absently brushed her long brown hair away from her forehead and up from her neck, she counted the number of times she had woken similarly this week. As she redid her loosened ponytail, she stopped counting when she reached double digits. Gathering her knees up toward her body, the frightened woman thought about what she should do. She was trembling now, because the room temperature had finally cooled her system.

Sam’s shaking hands were still damp with perspiration. She was nervous, edgy, and not sure if she was about to do the right thing. The nightmares of her childhood had returned with a vengeance. At first she accepted them, thinking they were a product of the unbelievable situations she had recently experienced. But now the bad dreams had multiplied to three or four a night. This was becoming more than she could handle alone.

At one time Sam was fine with going solo, a nobody to the outside world except for her work at the library where she was the head don’t-mess-with-me librarian for a local college. It was where she was queen bee. No one bothered her; and as long as the students and the campus thrived, no one bothered Sam while she catalogued or purchased new books. It was a calm and dignified position, which let Sam do her work, yet stay under the radar of the world.

Now, she was involved with some pretty wild characters, all of whom were strangely drawn to her and the unique powers she had recently inherited. Sam had to decide just who she would ask to be her current Good Samaritan. There were several options, but they were almost as bad as the dreams she was experiencing. She chuckled at the irony as she thought to herself quietly. As long as she didn’t move her head, thinking cleared the pain in her mind and neck. She stroked the fur along the top of Buster’s head. The animal also served as a vehicle for composure.

If she barely uttered his name, Ebon would appear in the room. In the past she had felt safety in his arms, but recently her trust in him had deteriorated. The Master vampire had tried to change her into one of his kind, without her consent. Had it not been for Buster, he most likely would have succeeded.

As much as Sam craved to have his strength and assurance near her, she knew in this state she would be vulnerable. He would sense her uncertainty and use it to his advantage. She didn’t doubt he cared for her, but it was an all-consuming devotion that Sam felt was on the verge of obsession. Mulling the last few months through her mind, she decided he was terrified at the chance of losing her. They had a very strong connection; and Sam knew if she wasn’t careful around him, she’d lose her will and give in to all his desires.

The next time she met with the self-titled Black Rogue, Sam wanted to make certain she was at full strength. She couldn’t afford a chance for him to make any more undesired advances. Perhaps, if there were others present when she next saw him, she would have witnesses if he had tried anything funny. She knew time alone with him would be the most dangerous.

But she wanted to have him in her arms again. Holding him close to her made her feel so terribly safe. She loved it when he rested his head along her breast and held her as their hearts beat in unison. Just the thought of this sexy vampire’s kisses drove her temperature up a few degrees. It was getting to the point where thinking just his name would make her physically ache to be in his presence. Lately, it was all she could do not to break out into a sweat of desire and lust for this man. She thought of his hands along her hips, his lips teasing hers, and his muscular body. Sam had to literally shake her head and break out of the trance she was putting herself in. Her head throbbed at this motion and the headache roared through her skull. She ignored it as best as she could.

Avoiding Ebon had been more difficult than she was willing to admit out loud. His presence was a physical entity to itself. She had barely escaped being discovered three times this week. Each time, she had to use her magic and her wits to outmaneuver the Nethyian, who was determined to find her. She had heard him talking to his guards and knew he was willing to find her at any cost. He offered money, promotions to underlings; and once when he knew she was near, he had threatened to kill if she was not found.

She is vulnerable to attack without protection. I will not rest until I know her whereabouts, and she has Nethyian guards. Our future rests in her hands. Gods help anyone or anything, which harms a single hair on her head. Double your efforts, backtrack, keep posts at the other places where she has stayed in the past. Find her! The verge of madness and desire danced in his voice. Each command he barked out was more vicious than the last, almost making Sam feel bad for his men. It seemed every time Sam slipped between his fingers, his appetite to locate her became more and more insatiable. Like excited bloodhounds, the vampires spread out in an all-consuming need to return Sam to his presence. Cloaked and disguised, she walked past them unnoticed. They had found her room, and a maid had been enthralled to let them inside. Ebon emerged with one of Sam’s shirts. He had brought it up to his face and inhaled deeply. She saw his black eyes grow angry red pupils. She was here within the hour, he barked at his companions. They fanned out. He sighed and then whispered quietly to himself, Gods, woman, you will be the end of me. The vampire’s eyes softened, and a single tear escaped down his face and onto her shirt. His raw emotion was so true and agonizingly beautiful it almost succeeded in making Sam reveal herself in order to comfort him. However, she knew she couldn’t do that. As badly as it seemed he needed her, the Tribe as a whole needed her more. Therefore, Sam found the reserves to walk away and escape the troop of Nethyian searchers one more time.

A raw need began to well up in her gut, making her bite her lower lip; and at times she prayed to whichever deity was listening for strength. Not that she was a weak woman by any means, but Ebon was no weakling either. He was determined to reclaim her. He wanted Sam by his side as his dark queen. These thoughts sent shivers through her spine, picturing him standing tall and stark as they hunted down whatever crossed their paths. She felt a tug of power in her chest. It seemed to agree with her that a lifetime with Ebon would fill up the feral urges that rested below the surface of her skin. Feeding off the fears of others, using a combined will to kill those who would cause harm, and nights of passion between the sheets weren’t the worse way to spend one’s lifetime.

Envisioning his curly black hair, his beautiful, inky black eyes, and the smile he wore when Sam healed him in the past brought a playful smirk across Sam’s face. The first time she had met the vampire there had been a pull toward him. It was more than lust. She studied his face, and it haunted her like the fragment of a melody of which the name could not be recalled. He was familiar yet a stranger at the same time. He was a fantasy, which became a walking, breathing dream for her. She never would have imagined the pull she felt went both ways. The vampire wasn’t supposed to even notice she existed. She deemed him as lovely eye candy but something way out of her league—a fantasy to enjoy privately over a glass of wine.

Sam remembered the night he had seduced her. It was right after she had completely healed him, and he felt whole for the first time in decades. He held her, kissed her, and slid his hands along her full-figured body. Even though she had already taken a lover from the Tribe, he whispered how she was allowed to have as many as she desired. Sam put up a pretty good defense to his advances, but in the end he had tricked her into willingly giving him one kiss. It was the catalyst to fueling the power between them. Their lips touched, her mouth opened, and his tongue searched ardently for hers. The kiss was electric. Her mouth claimed a second, a third, and yet more kisses from him. Unable to stop, he had whisked her away to a night of sexual ravishing, which Sam had never imagined possible.

Pain broke Sam’s recollection. Her skull felt as if there was a knitting needle piercing through the left eye socket and its tip poking out the back of her temples by the base of her neck. Saying a quiet and hopeful prayer, Sam lifted her fingers up to her head and whispered a cooling spell. The pain was still present, but at least the heat produced was alleviated. What to do? What to do? She asked herself mentally.

If Sam had her druthers, she would have called Jim. She sighed heavily. A few tears fell down her face as she envisioned the handsome young man who affectionately called her partner. He too had been one of Sam’s nonhuman lovers. Jim Vali was a Besaurus clan member. He had the ability to morph completely into a huge tiger, appropriately named Trouble. Three weeks ago, he had been taken as a captive during a fight. He had been tortured and poisoned. At the very least, Sam was able to free him before he died. They were able to say good-bye before he left this world and entered the other. The results of her emotions, especially when she had found out who was responsible for his death, were quick, violent, and lethal.

Within a few minutes Sam had found Steven, leader of the Besaurus clan, Jim’s older brother and the traitor of the wereanimals. She had used the power of her raw emotions and her untamed magical powers to burn him alive. The action still made Sam’s mind swirl as she thought how easily she had acted as judge, jury, and executioner to someone she had once considered a trustworthy friend. Her senses could still see and smell the burning flesh and fur as Vali’s body crumpled to the ground, screaming at first and then growing painfully silent. It was not a cherished memory.

Rykon, an amplification demon and Sam’s Guardian since she had been exposed to the strange, bizarre, and secret world of monsters, was also unavailable. His essence had been accidentally pushed and effectively trapped into the body of Sam’s nemesis, Gregor, the Hobgoblin and leader of the Riders of the Apocalypse. They were the sworn enemies of humankind and fought against the Tribe’s initiative to remain out of the public eye and live in the shadows of the real world.

Now confined to a corporeal form, Rykon was slowly eating away the remainder of Gregor’s essence. The demon had assured Sam he was thrilled at having physical form again in this realm, but Sam had been mortified. She had taken an invisible, powerful, and ethereal creature and effectively caged him into a most unwanted shell. Part of her wept because she had fallen in love with him. Now she was not sure if she could still have the same feelings. The very idea of Gregor’s hands touching her, made her skin crawl. Would she ever feel comfort with the body of an enemy wrapped around the spirit she had loved so? She would have to wait until she saw him in person. And that meeting would have to tarry, until Sam felt she was stronger both physically and mentally.

Throughout her self-imposed vacation, Sam had left and mailed notes for the Tribe members to read. She assured them she was fine and that she had felt the need for privacy and time alone to grieve for the loss of Jim. She promised to return to her station as leader in a few weeks when she had recollected her thoughts and felt able to return to her full capacity as leader.

In her absence, she had requested that So’Loren be in charge of any life-threatening emergencies. She also indicated any major changes in Tribe policy had to be decided on by all three leaders of the major clans within the Tribe. Therefore Sol, Ebon, and whoever had taken over for the Besaurus would have a fair chance at agreeing or vetoing a change in their unique community.

She never mentioned the disagreement she had with Ebon. That was a private affair. If she had said anything, it would have been a stain on his leadership and would have caused more internal warfare within the Tribe. They couldn’t afford that luxury right now. There were too many enemies outside of the Tribe waiting to strike, and Sam would not let a personal problem embroil into a civil war.

With a deep breath, Sam picked up the cell phone and called the only remaining Tribe member she believed could help her. It rang three times and then she heard a sleepy and concerned voice answer the phone, By the gods, child, is it really you?

Sam made no immediate answer. She was still shaken and almost pushed her finger on the button to end the call.

Please speak with me . . . There was a pause and then he said very lovingly, Tell me it is really you, Niece.

Her voice was slight whisper. Yeah, it’s me, Uncle Sol.

Where in the name of all the gods have you been? Have you any idea how worried we’ve been? Then he thought better of berating her and changed his tone. The important thing is you finally called. Now tell me, where are you? Have you any idea how dangerous it is for you to be out alone without any protection from what is truly out there? The Tribe is responsible for your personal safety. We can’t protect you or provide you with guards if your whereabouts are unknown. Even with your unique gifts, Niece, you are vulnerable to attack from so many things; it makes my head spin. Please, tell me where you are.

Sam shook her head as if Sol could see her answer him as she spoke over the phone. I’m in a motel room. Buster is here with me. I had to get away, Uncle Sol. After the fight, all the deaths, the things I did . . . , she let the sentence go unfinished. I need your help. I can’t stop having nightmares. I can’t sleep. I’ve a headache I can’t cure, and it’s getting worse instead of better. I’m slowly losing it. I need time for thought, and I need peace of mind to do it with. She yawned audibly.

Have you any idea how many of our people are looking for you as we speak? he asked her. Why don’t you have Ebon—, he began, but she wouldn’t let him finish the thought.

Can’t. We had a fight, and I don’t think it’s a good idea to ask him for help right now. I won’t go to the Besaurus either. And I know what you are going to say. I had a right to kill Steven as I did; the Besaurus clan holds no ill will toward me. But I just can’t look them in the eye right now.

Part of me wants to cry nonstop, and the other half wished I had never met them. She swallowed hard as she felt her throat getting tighter. My Guardian is also out of the picture. I need sanctuary, Uncle Sol, sanctuary. Please, oh please help me. Her voice cracked. She raised a hand over her forehead and across her eyes as she waited for his response. She was fighting the part of her personality that hated her weakness at this moment. It took all her reserve not to hang up, now that she had admitted she couldn’t handle things on her own.

Yes, child, of course I will help you, he paused a moment and then said, you know of the park, near the woods past what you humans have called the thruway? It is about twenty minutes from your house, going south.

Yes, I know it.

Can you be there late this afternoon?

Yes.

Then, I will have some of my elite warriors meet you there. They will take you to a safe place where you and I can sort everything out. All right? he asked her with care in his voice.

All right, Uncle Sol. But please, make sure you only tell those who need to know. I’m not up to a full Tribe family reunion just yet, she explained.

Heavens, child, your secret will be as safe as long as I can manage it. But you must remember you are the leader. Eventually, word will get out whether it is a secret or not. I won’t be able to conceal having located and helped you for very long.

I will make this brief, but know this. Both the Nethys and Besaurus clans are eager to find you. They are concerned for your safety, and they are impressed with your growing powers. Respect from creatures like them is both a thing to be admired and feared, Sam. It means they not only accepted you, but see you as an equal or greater beast than they are. You will eventually have to come face to face with both clans and make some kind of peace for you and them. You must learn to drop your human coil; you are no longer bound by manmade laws or traditions.

Even the Folio acknowledge your powers, Sam. My people are in awe of the way you have successfully joined ranks with that which you had no knowledge of in the past. The speed at which you’ve made the transition has astonished many. You are a force to be reckoned with.

Sam was nodding her head and even rolled her eyes. You haven’t told me anything I don’t already know, old elf. She teased him. Partially to annoy him and partially to make light of the things he spoke about. But just for now, I am in need of quiet. Where in the park? When? She moved her free hand over her neck, trying to massage the current pain away.

She heard him, Hmm, as he thought of the answers. Be in the park just before sunset. Find your way around to the south end’s entrance, where there are benches at the edge of the woods. You’ll see a trail marked closed by the park department. When no one is looking, start walking on the path. I will see to it you are guided and protected by those whom I trust with my life, archers from the evening you fought to save Jim and the other hostages.

Thanks, Uncle Sol. I’ll be there, and Buster will too, she acknowledged him.

Good-bye, child, he said as Sam hung up the phone. She turned on the television. It was now a little after four thirty in the morning. She would watch the morning news, shower, get dressed, take Buster for a walk, and then slowly drive back to the park. If she drove leisurely and stopped for lunch and dinner along the way, she would make it in plenty of time. Then all she would have to do is slip into the woods, with no one watching. That would be the tricky part, however; as Buster hopped onto the bed with Sam, she decided not to worry about it. There would be enough time to think about it later in the evening.

*     *     *

Sam had disguised herself in plain sight. She sat on a park bench and didn’t even flinch when those who were searching for her walked by. Of course they would have never recognized her. Her regularly long brown hair and deep, piercing blue eyes had been masked and by much more than simple cosmetics from a drugstore.

She had performed a glamour spell. The necklace and ring she wore warned her someone was near. Looking to her left and right, Sam had made her hair appear short and blonde. Her eyes were now a simple shade of brown, and her skin was a golden tone of dark honey. After she had morphed into the likeness of a young man, she placed her hand on her canine companion.

Buster was seated on the bench next to her. She calmed her mind and then altered his appearance too. The beautiful black-and-white-furred husky slowly took on the looks of a young golden retriever. The final act of protection was to create a masking spell, which removed both their scents from around them. With her free hand, Sam reached into her bag and sprayed a newly purchased bottle of aftershave. This gave those pursuing her something to smell, but nothing that would tell them it wasn’t a man they were sensing.

As she returned the bottle to her bag, Sam saw two men in jackets walk past her bench. They appeared human, but she knew better. Both of them walked with a subtle kind of elegance, which suggested they were too graceful in their steps. When they looked her way, the dog at her side growled. Sam patted the animal speaking with an altered voice, It’s okay, girl. They are just walking, good dog.

One of the men turned and smiled. Without walking any closer he began a conversation.

I see you have a good watchdog there.

Sam nodded. Yes, I sure do, she agreed in a voice much lower in pitch than her regular one.

You wouldn’t have happened to have seen a woman walk this way with a Husky, now would you? he asked.

Sam shook her head. I haven’t really been watching who walks by. I just sat down a few minutes ago, myself.

The man nodded as his companion tugged on the sleeve of his jacket. Thanks, enjoy your evening in the park, he said as he followed the direction his partner had headed.

Sam sat still and watched them until they were out of sight. She knew these men. They worked at the nightclub, Wyld Thyngs, as bouncers. They were also members of the Besaurus clan. They were shape shifters.

Sol was right—many in the Tribe were searching for her. It was kind of a perverted scavenger hunt, but with one unwilling player. Sam did not want this kind of attention. No one in the Tribe wanted to leave her alone. She wondered if the Besaurus had tracked her from the motel or if word had slipped out that Sol was granting her request for asylum.

According to the elf, this animal clan wanted to make amends with Sam for what they considered their fault. Sam thought otherwise. However, she would need to think in terms of the Tribe she was now the new leader of. If she ever hoped to get a handle on what was happening, she would have to accept their laws and make them work for her. Perhaps with more study she’d find the loopholes within their system.

She used her powers to feel the park out for anyone else who might be searching for her. A second wave of Besaurus scouts walked by, but they were farther away from Sam. They looked over her direction only once and then left the area rather quickly. When they could no longer make out a clear image of what she looked like, Sam left the bench and headed for the woods behind it. Once covered by the trees and nearby foliage Sam dropped the cloak on Buster. The dog whined. He shook his body forcefully, as if trying to shake the remnants of the false image from him by his actions. This made Sam laugh quietly to herself.

The sun was setting. Sam could just make out the orange and purple sky as she trudged deeper into the now-forgotten path. She inhaled the sweet smell of newly fallen leaves and the late summer flowers, which now permeated the air. It was a calming walk. About twenty minutes into the trek, Sam knew she was no longer alone in the woods. The others were very good at camouflage, but Sam expected them to have perfected these skills. When she had the comfort of an old tree for support behind her back, she spoke out loud.

I trust you are the warriors Uncle Sol told me about. She looked at Buster and smiled.

Suddenly, the woods erupted in male laughter. Sam saw five men seemingly emerging from the trees. Their faces were covered in camouflage paint. They were archers, with bows and quivers slung at the ready across their backs. They wore light brown leather tunics with matching fringed pants. Supple brown leather boots finished the ensemble. Sam knew the names of the warriors who stood before her. Not because she had been introduced to them before, but because of a magical book given to her by Queen Astrid of the Folio. It gave her the power to know anyone on sight from the clan, once she had read their names on the pages.

Let’s see . . . forgive me if I mispronounce anything . . . Ta’reen, Felgurd, Kosshirn, Jah’deen, and Shay’myr. Their green-blue eyes sparkled when she called out their names. Sam noted they looked almost human except for the sixth finger on each of their hands. She knew underneath their long hair lurked slender and pointed ears just like Mr. Spock from Star Trek. It is a pleasure to meet you, gentlemen.

Felgurd answered first, It is also a pleasure for us to meet you, Sam Bauer. I saw you last at the fight with the She-wolf, Simone. I am glad you are a friend and not a foe of the Folio Nation. However, you looked different then. His head tilted as if he were wondering what had happened.

Sam looked down and remembered she had yet to undo the glamour spell cast upon herself. Ah, yes. You are quite right. Forgive me. She undid the magic. It was as if a bucket of water had been tossed over her head, as the phony image gave way to her true form. You are not the only Tribe members running around the park this evening. I did not wish for the others to find me, just yet.

There was an awkward silence as the elves seemed to look at Sam for the first time. Although they didn’t show their uneasiness—Sam saw with her gifted sight—their auras spiked. Apparently, they were not used to or comfortable with such demonstrations of her talents.

Ta’reen spoke next. We should move while we can. The Besaurus scouts will return to the area when the trails they are on run cold. The more distance we place between them and us, the better. Then he smiled and added, So’Loren is most anxious to see you since your—, he stumbled for the right word.

Sam said it for him, My disappearance? She smiled. Yes, I know I have caused a bit of a stir. I just wanted some peace and quiet. So I took a vacation and failed to give anyone notice about it. Then she shrugged her shoulders. I am eager to see Uncle Sol too. Let’s be on the way.

You Bauers and your terms of affection, smiled Kosshim as he shook his head from side to side. This made Sam smile wider. It was not part of the elves culture to shorten names. Both she and her great uncle had separately come up with the same nickname for So’Loren. It made her feel a connection of sorts to the man whom she had never known. The man who was directly responsible for giving her a new life with the inheritance he had bequeathed to her.

This way, I fear the Besaurus are not alone in pursuit of you was Ta’reen’s warning. Shay’myr will lead the way, he said, ushering Sam to fall in step with the party.

As she began her escorted journey, she made inquiries. How far is it?

We will be there in two hours, perhaps less, Shay’myr answered.

How are the little folk who live in my woods? Are Pirth and Deander well? she asked.

Jah’deen walked in step with Sam. Ah yes! You are the one who has managed to keep the wee children of Queen Astrid busy! You must have made some deal with them in order to accomplish that task. Many are intrigued by your negotiating skills.

Sam laughed. I assure you, the deals I’ve made with the fairies are mutually beneficial to both me and them.

I am sure was Felgurd’s response. But whatever the case may be, you have made more friends than you know, Sam Bauer.

I’m glad to hear it. I am in sore need of friends right now. Sam admitted with a bit of sorrow in her voice. She felt a shot in her head, reminding her that she still wasn’t feeling right.

The men nodded their heads as they continued walking. Sam found the need to be quiet as her mind turned to more somber thoughts.

What exactly was she going to do? She knew she wanted to continue her work with the Tribe. This was clear. What nagged in the recesses of her mind were the sudden changes, which had affected her life recently. Would the rest of her affiliation with these creatures and monsters be as wild and unpredictable? How would her eventual reunion with Ebon go? Would he pull his support out from the Tribe?

How was the Besaurus clan going to make peace with her? Sol had told her she was in the right to kill Steven; no one from the clan was upset about it. In fact they felt they still had to make things up to her. As they saw it, she had lost her lover Jim from the clan and had been betrayed by his brother. The question that pestered her was, what did they think was proper compensation?

Sam steadied herself over a tangle of twisted tree roots and let her mind continue its journey. What was her Guardian, Rykon, up to? How would he react if she could not accept him in his new form? If not, could she find a way to remove him from Gregor’s body? If she did, would the Hobgoblin still be inside? Sam had avoided telepathy with her Guardian; in fact she had shielded her mind, fearful of any conversation with him. There were so many variables, which were out of her control. At least, for a short period of time, she had been alone in her thoughts. No one could stop her mind from working through all the stimuli it had been given. But poor Rykon must have been shocked to find he could not contact her. He hadn’t done anything wrong.

She had hidden from him as much as the rest of the Tribe. To his credit, perhaps to the work he had to do with the goblins, he too had managed not to call out to her. At least Sam never felt her shielding spark, and maybe he had known it was best for her to contact him first. In the past they had discussed her need for privacy, and the demon had been more than considerate of her need for time alone. Perhaps now was the time to begin a conversation again.

Her eyes never leaving the path cut out by the elf in front of her, Sam dropped some of her shields and opened her mind. She pushed her thoughts out to the entity who she wished to hear from.

Rykon? She began softly. Rykon, can you hear me? May I talk with you?

The answer was almost immediate. The voice in her head was filled with excitement. It brought a gentle shot to her head. Sam’s hands rubbed her temples as his rich, melodious voice invaded her mind.

Mistress! You may speak to me whenever you wish! I am so very glad to hear from you! Where are you? Are you well? My Mistress, my love, I have worried about you so!

These words made the smallest of smirks creep over Sam’s stressed face. I am all right Rykon. I am safe. I would ask more about your well-being. How are you doing?

I have been very busy. I have solidified the relationships between the goblins and the remaining rogue werewolves. They have buried their past differences and are eager to follow me.

Do they still think you are Gregor?

Yes, Mistress, they do, he answered her.

Good. Now tell me, specifically, how are you, Rykon? She was very direct with her question this time. The past has taught her, even though her Guardian could not lie to her, he would sometimes not tell her precisely what she wanted to know. He tried to shield her from information, which he knew would bother her. Caring for Sam more than he cared for himself, he tended to opt out of truths by changing the subject or just giving Sam the tip of an iceberg when she asked him about something she was curious about.

I am still trying to adjust to the confines of this body, Mistress. I find myself easily fatigued. Gregor is stronger than I gave him credit for. I had thought at this point I would be completely alone in his shell. However, I have not completely driven him away. Every day, I manage to drain energy from his essence, yet he lingers. I think he will be here on some level with me for a long time to come. Sam heard him sigh mentally. I do not think he will ever die in the traditional sense. His life is still connected to his physical form, which means I shall always have to be vigilant against his presence.

Speaking telepathically was beginning to add to Sam’s headache, but she chose to disregard it for now. I thought as much. Thank you for answering my question, Rykon.

Mistress, I still am concerned about you. Where have you been? So many have been looking for you, yet you elude them to this very moment. I worry because I am not there to protect you like I should. I haven’t been able to strengthen you through feedings either. There is much I wish I could do and change for you, yet I find my hands literally full. I so wish to see you, to touch you, to be with you. His voice was strained at the end of his thoughts in her head.

I know, Rykon. I know. I have missed you too. I am not telling you where I am. You’ll know soon enough. I just need some time to think and recoup. My relationship with the clans within the Tribe are not exactly as I’d like them to be. Just trust me when I say for the time being, I am okay.

Very well, Mistress. I understand. I shall not disturb you unless you call to me. I will also call off the goblins and werewolves who I have sent out to search for you.

Thanks, Rykon. If the others who are out searching for me see them leaving, maybe they’ll think you’ve found me or know of another location where you might find me. I’ll take whatever help I can get.

There was a pause and then she heard him question her. Mistress? The word was said with a great deal of feeling and almost sounded like there was a physical aching to hear the answer to whichever question he might pose next.

Yes? Sam’s shoulders clenched. She knew what her Guardian was about to ask, yet she didn’t want to let him know how disturbed she was by the asking of it.

When you are rested I would so love for you to see me. I dream of this meeting more than I care to admit. I long to really touch you, my love, to see you with real eyes.

I know, Rykon, I know, Sam sighed quietly and then added with a hopeful expression to her thoughts, I will tell you when I am ready, my dearest. Sam suppressed a tingle running up her spine.

Yes, Mistress. I just wanted you to know I am ready, when you are, he explained to her.

I’ll let you know. I promise was her reply. But at this moment, I can’t say when it will be. Soon, Rykon, but just not as soon as I know you’d wish for it.

Sam heard a smile in his voice. When you are ready, Mistress, my love. I will wait an eternity if need be, to be near you once more. Just let me know when you are ready.

A smile widened on Sam’s face. She was always amazed at Rykon’s ability to be so very patient. He had a true unconditional love for her. It was the most beautiful thing Sam had ever experienced. I will. Thanks, Rykon.

I am always at your service, Mistress, always.

Take care.

You do the same, my beautiful Mistress.

The sun had completely set. Sam and her companions were deep into the woods.

Chapter 2

The small group had traveled in almost complete silence for about an hour and a half when Sam felt a familiar tugging sensation in her gut. She didn’t have to tell the elves someone was in the woods with them. They stopped moving about a second or two before she had her sensation. Sam tried to stay calm. She knew within a matter of moments, Ebon Trillo, the leader of the Nethys clan would appear out of thin air. Meeting him now would be disastrous at best.

Jah’deen motioned for Sam to come over to a clump of bushes close to where they were standing. The others in their party found similar hiding areas and within seconds, succeeded in hiding their presence in the forest. Sam was not taking any chances. She placed protection cloaks around her, Buster, and Jah’deen. She made them blend in with the surroundings by making them all have shades of green and brown to their clothing and skin tones. A second cloak masked their scents. The final shield was literally a dome around all three of them. Should Ebon or one of his minions find and try to touch them, they’d find an invisible wall preventing them from doing so. Only Sam could break this shield by touching it from the inside.

A sudden hush fell over the woods and Sam watched to see who was heading their way.

True to the feeling Sam had, Ebon and two others appeared along the path where they had just come from. Her heart skipped a beat seeing him. It had been nearly three weeks since Sam had anything to do with him directly. He was looking better than she remembered. His dark hair had been cut shorter, close to his head; and it looked as if his upper body had filled out more. He wore blue jeans and a white cotton T-shirt, which made his chest muscles stand out. His jet black eyes were looking around wildly. A pure ivory moon now provided illumination for Sam to watch him. Its reflected light upon the lead vampire added to the eeriness of the situation.

His eyebrows were knitted in a scowl, and his fangs were showing as he spoke. I know the Besaurus are also searching for her. Find her before she reaches the Folio lands. As he told the others what he wanted, he walked closer to Sam’s hiding place. This is the edge of their grounds. I smell something familiar. They’ve been here, recently too. Gods! I can smell her. We are close, very close.

There was a spike of pain in Sam’s head, which almost made her cry out and give away her location. It was so intense her knees buckled; however, she caught herself before she fell to the forest floor. A cold sweat poured down her back, and she prayed for strength until the current danger was over. Leaning on a nearby tree gave her the support she needed.

She stopped breathing for a moment. Ebon was moving in her direction. He practically was face to face with her and didn’t realize it. Her fingers could have reached out and touched his shoulder if she had wished it. Something about the way he was walking made her uneasy. I can hear the heartbeats of four elves in this wood right now. He turned and faced where the others were hiding. Come out and speak to me, he spoke to the trees.

Felgurd stepped out from his hiding spot first. What do you wish from me and my men, Black Rogue? he asked.

Ebon turned toward the elf and walked a few steps toward his position. Don’t play the fool, elf. You know exactly what I wish. You aren’t deaf either; you heard what I told my men. Where is she? he asked impatiently.

If you refer to the doe my party and I were hunting, you have succeeded in scaring her off. The hunt has been ruined for the evening. Felgurd sounded agitated.

Ebon laughed, but it was easy to see it covered his frustration. The two men he was with were now approaching the Folio member. Felgurd spoke quickly, Call your men off, Nethyian. Mine have their bows drawn. They might be angry with you for spoiling their sport and decide your kind will do in place of the deer. I remind you, we Folio use good, old-fashioned wooden arrows.

He tilted his head to the side, saying, It would be a shame to have a misunderstanding after you have gained so much recently. His eyes seemed to turn a deeper shade of green when he made his threat.

Ben, Michael, let him be was Ebon’s command to them. They won’t tell us anything. Come, I want to search these woods myself. I have a feeling they were buying time. Let’s walk this way, perhaps they doubled back in attempt to throw us off their trail. He plunged into the area of the forest where Sam and the elves had just come from. Felgurd walked away. The others followed him quietly. Sam felt Jah’deen began to stir from their hiding place, but she shook her head and pulled him back. She placed her finger to her lips as she continued to study the section of woods they could see from where they were hidden.

In no less than two minutes, Ebon reappeared. He was alone this time. Sam saw his eyes were wild. He let out a yell, which was anything but human sounding. The hairs on the back of her neck were standing at attention. Sam could see his aura was most erratic. After he had caught his breath, he spoke aloud, Gods of dark and light, hear me! Do not take her away from me! Grant me a favor! I offer you blood! He opened his arm with his clawed hand. The blood seeped into the forest grounds in large dark red splashes. It gave Sam the chills when she saw how crazed he had become. Whether she liked it or not, she began to shake as she continued to watch him.

She envied the dirt, which was sprinkled with dark crimson drops. Sam had tasted this precious liquid and knew it had power. She fought the urge to move and settled for absently licking her lips. She remembered how Ebon had also gotten strong from her vital fluid as well. It was a disturbing and calming high for both of them.

Beloved, my Chosen One, my life returned to me! Come back! I am your servant! I am not complete without you! His voice was filled with emotion. His body trembled with what appeared to be rage and misery. I need you, Sam, I need you. He whispered to the trees as his head hung down low.

Sam gripped on to the nearby tree she was using as part of her camouflage. Then she stood ramrod straight as his words sank into her brain. She almost allowed herself to gasp out loud. Ebon had shared part of his life essence with her. It now resided inside of Sam’s body. Whenever they came in contact with one another, there was a blue illumination, which showed others they were joined in this fashion. And if that one aspect wasn’t enough, Sam’s right shoulder bared a permanent tattoo of a black rose. It was to warn others she had a most powerful ally at her beck and call. To mess with her was to mess with him and vice versa. Only problem now was Sam felt cornered by this relationship. Ebon wanted more than she was willing to give. She had trusted him implicitly in the past, but now Sam wasn’t sure if he was capable of controlling his desires.

The smell of the blood suddenly wafted into Sam’s nostrils, its fragrance trying to coax her out of her hiding place. The essence in her chest heard Ebon’s commands. It was beginning to pulse inside of her body, begging her to return to the arms of the vampire. Sam painfully shook her head. Her brain began to argue with her body’s impulse to jump forward. Her mind fought her mouth’s desire to salvage the blood, which was now being soaked up by the dry leaves and dirt on the ground. Ebon’s self-inflicted cut in the arm had brushed up against his T-shirt. Even in the light of the pale moon, the red was brilliant. Sam thought of placing her lips on the fabric and licking it clean. Her mind jumped to ripping the shirt from the Black Rogue and simply drinking from his chest and arm. Hearing his groans as she leaned over him and fed would be so decadent. The image began to get more graphic, and Sam felt color rush to her cheeks.

Something in the nature of Ebon’s stance suddenly changed. He turned now, calling out to the forest. Sam wondered if, while she daydreamed of things to do, she had made some kind of noise. Or was his own body tingling as much as hers was right now? Could he sense her through all the spells and camouflage?

His voice was low and it seemed to brush up against her ears in a tickling vibration. If you can hear me, Beloved, know I am here for you. I worship the ground you walk upon. I’ll protect you. Allow me the luxury of talking with you. Allow me the chance to rest in your sweet arms once more. No harm will come to you. You have this pledge for all eternity; I will always keep you safe. There was no answer. But the forest was silent. Not a single animal or insect made any kind of noise. This seemed to tell the Master vampire he was correct in thinking. Sam was close enough to see the glint of hope in his eyes.

"Surely, you will allow me to speak with you as I have no doubt you are accompanied by at least one warrior from the Folio clan. You could instruct him to shoot me if I move without your consent. I ask for