My Protector

By Lawna Mackie

Raven knows no one will believe her. Giant tiger-like creatures did not just leap from the clouds, and invisible forces do not just save your life during Sahara Desert sandstorms. Impossible, they always said, scolding her at the age of twelve. Ten years later, Raven knows the impossible is possible, and finds herself tormented with many unanswered questions concerning her birth and her mother's mysterious disappearance.

 

Perhaps falling in love with Nevar, an emotionless and bodiless Storm God isn't a good idea, but the attraction they feel for one another is impossible to deny. Soon it becomes clear that he is the only one who can unravel her puzzling past and perhaps save her life. But an evil Sea Goddess knows exactly who Raven is, and even more importantly…what she is.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lawna Mackie
• Release date: Dec 20, 2010
• ISBN: 9798201323691

Book preview

1

The Sahara Desert

But I did see it," Raven declared emphatically, hands just above her hips, and glaring defiantly up at the nanny.

That’s enough nonsense for one day, young lady. Your father would tan both our hides if he knew you’d wandered away unattended. You know better than that. Ms. Myles turned down the covers on the small cot and motioned Raven to the bed.

Why doesn’t anybody ever believe me? She pouted and stepped ahead, tripping on her long white cotton nightshirt.

Raven snuggled down into the blankets. She’d been wrong—being twelve years old was worse than being eleven.

Ms. Myles crouched down on the carpet that lay in the sand beside Raven’s cot. She pulled the covers up under her chin.

My goodness, child, you have the most overactive imagination of anyone I know. Perhaps you had too much heat today. The woman touched her forehead.

I wore my hat all day…just like every day. I’m not overheated, she grumbled, frustrated. When will Papa be back?

"I’m not sure when your father will be back. They are travelling quite a distance today.

It’s my guess he won’t be home until long after you’ve fallen asleep."

She looked up at the woman who had been her nanny for as far back as her memory would go. She always pulled her red hair back into a tight, neatly kept bun. Her hazel colored eyes stared warmly down at her.

Raven yawned. I don’t think I will go to sleep. What if I have a nightmare about what I saw today?

Like every night, Ms. Myles kissed her on the forehead before turning to the zipper on the netting that enclosed her bed from the outside insects. Sweetie, you’re yawning already. You won’t have a nightmare, but if you do, you know my bed is just on the other side of this piece of canvas. And your father is on the opposite side. You’re right in the middle. You only need to shout and we’d be here in a second. She smiled, pulling the zipper down and disappeared into the main room of the large tent.

Raven didn’t care what they thought. Stormcat was real. She’d already given him a name, certain that she would see him again. Why wouldn’t they believe her? Well, tomorrow she’d prove it. The only problem would be finding him again, and that would depend on the weather. Raven overheard her father’s men say a Haboob was brewing. The Arabic word meant strong wind. Would he jump out of the clouds again tomorrow?

She strained to keep her eyes open, not wanting sleep to come. Stormcat would be friendly…wouldn’t he? He had jumped out at her with a growl. With a giant yawn, her eyelids fluttered shut.

Well, sleepyhead are you gonna stay in bed all day?

Her father’s teasing tone roused her. Papa, you’re here! she squealed, stretching her arms up toward him. I missed you.

Her father pulled her into his embrace for a giant hug. I missed you too, sweet pea. Ms. Myles tells me you had quite the day yesterday.

She struggled out of his grasp and sat straight up.

Papa, I saw a giant tiger in the clouds. He jumped out of them straight at me, she explained, bubbling with excitement.

He pulled the glasses off his face and frowned, peering down at her. A tiger you say. Interesting indeed. He must have been very large to jump down here from the clouds. You know tigers don’t live in the Sahara Desert. Are you sure it was a tiger?

I knew you’d believe me! Nobody else would. I’ve named him Stormcat. I think he likes the stormy clouds. He was very large…as big as a car or bigger!

He rubbed his chin as he always did when deep in thought. Well then, you and I are just going to have to make a trip to go and find him, won’t we? But, I do have one request first.

Raven sighed in disappointment. What?

I’ll be gone for half the day, but this afternoon you and I will go find your…err, Stormcat, on one condition. I want you to stay in the perimeter of the camp until I get back. No ifs, ands, or buts. It’s only for a few hours. Do we have a deal?

I hate those types of deals. She whined.

Yeah, I know you do, but those are the terms.

Okay, I’ll wait until you’re back, Papa.

His large smile warmed her heart through and through. That’s my girl. He kissed her on the cheek and exited the room.

Raven swung her legs off the cot and onto the carpet. Running, she followed him unnoticed. She ducked out of the netting and carefully peered out the door of the large canvas tent so as not to be seen. Her father, the prestigious Professor Hill, stood talking to Ms. Myles. Raven tried desperately to hear the conversation, but she only caught a few words of her father’s speech. …don’t worry, she’ll listen.

She clenched her small hands into fists. What could she do? She’d made her father a deal. He may have arranged the idea, but she’d stick to her promise. At least he believed her—didn’t he?

The morning hours raced by and lapsed into the afternoon. Raven gave way to disappointment as she realized her father would likely not be home on time.

She stared down at the live habitat she’d created for the insects she collected. The glass aquarium bustled with life today. The Scarab Beetles scurried back and forth as if anxious.

A gust of dry hot desert wind teased the rim of her wide sage green hat. She didn’t need to wear it today. The clouds were coming and the smell of rain hung in the air. Raven took the hat off and set it on the arm of the chair. The hat had symbolic meaning for her because it belonged to her mother. She never went anywhere without it.

The wind continued to blow and Raven looked up into the sky. On the horizon, grey clouds swirled as they danced forward to cover the red sun. A storm was coming. Why hadn’t her father come back? Restless, she jumped off the chair to go in search of Ms. Myles.

The camp buzzed in a flurry of activity. The men were ensuring the tents were tightly affixed to the ground. She found her nanny closing up trunks filled with dishes and others with clothing.

I’m worried about Papa, Ms. Myles. He said he would be home by now and a storm is coming.

The woman bent down in front of her and smiled. You have nothing to worry about, Raven. Your father is well accustomed to being in the desert. Perhaps he made a huge discovery. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?

Raven sagged in defeat. Yes, I suppose you are right, but I am worried about him. The sandstorm is coming.

Ms. Myles stood and continued packing. You worry too much, my sweet. Can you please do a favor for me and make sure all your personal belongings from outside are securely put away or brought into the tent? We don’t have much time, so please hurry and return here.

All right.

Raven, exited the tent as the canvas flapped viciously in the wind. She peered way up. A wall of silver gray clouds towered high into the sky bringing the dark wall of sand. Was Stormcat up there? She knew he would be.

She carefully placed her aquarium in the metal storage cabinet outside the tent. Shielding her eyes, Raven headed to the door. Men were shouting orders over the howling storm.

She heard Ms. Myles yelling for her. Raven, hurry, the storm is almost on top of us.

Raven turned one last time, looking up at the sky, just as her hat flew off the chair and into the air.

No! She screamed, panicked, and bolted back into the gale force winds in the direction of her hat. Ms. Myles shouted at her to stop, but she didn’t care. The hat flew along the desert floor, Raven in pursuit. She was unaware that, with every step, the darkness descended.

She ran until she thought her lungs would explode. No longer could she see her mother’s hat. Tears streamed down her dusty face. Suddenly scared, she turned back from the way she’d come only to face the fury of the storm. She coughed and fell to the ground. Sand bit her sensitive skin.

Papa! She shouted into the deafening noise. Help!

It was as dark as the night. She buried her nose and mouth into her shirt, trying desperately to breathe. Raven remembered the stories she’d heard. Men could die in these dust storms or end up buried alive. She pushed herself to her feet and stumbled a few more steps only to get knocked to the ground by the wicked force of the blowing wind. She drove herself to stand once more, but, as she stepped, the ground disappeared from underneath her. Raven screamed and tumbled over and over down the sand dune.

When she came to a stop, she sputtered, wiping at her mouth. She squinted and rubbed her eyes, desperate to see anything. Then out of the blackness, she saw movement from the sky.

Orange, grey and white, the large cat pounced straight for her with fangs bared. Raven could only scream, Stormcat! before coughs wracked her body and darkness consumed her.

2

Enormous spiral monsters grew in numbers. Freedom, power, and dominance embedded in each particle of sand and dust that became who he was—the controller of all earthly elements. Born of wind, earth, and water, the planet was his playground.

He spun making giant spouts in the shifting sand, but stopped when he noticed the large creature that had torn himself from the clouds. The multicolor animal shared his realm in the sky, but had no particular usefulness.

The animal bore a similar shape to what mortals would call a tiger. He stood, staring down at the ground, carefully moving something with his giant gray paw.

He needed a closer look and dispersed into the individual blowing units of sand covering everything in the immediate area.

The tiger pushed at something buried in the sand. Long black strands of hair dulled by the red dust surfaced. The creature continued to paw until a small human lay unburied on top of the sand. The mortal was small with long dark eyelashes lying against the contrast of her dark skin.

He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so close to a mortal human. They held no interest for him.

---

The large animal continued to move the being. The mortal flopped from side to side, lifeless. Perhaps it was dead. For whatever the reason, he didn’t want the tiger pushing her around like a piece of food. Sand grouped and formed a solid mass and, within a split second, he hit the tiger sending him backward.

Leave it! You know the rules. We do not interfere or touch any mortal.

The tiger growled and slowly circled the girl from a distance. I found her yesterday. I want to keep her.

The wind roared, pushing the animal back once more. Her? He looked down at the helpless creature. Interesting. No, you can’t keep…her.

The cat snarled in anger and jumped toward the human, only to be cast aside by the spiraling wall of sand that now encased the female. Stop! I will not say it again!

Inside the tunnel of swirling sand came a silent calm. He became the gentle breeze that swept across her body removing the sand from her face. He’d never been so close to a mortal. They were interesting creatures. For thousands of years he’d watched them live, fight, die, and then do it all over again. They were capable of such pain and destruction. He bore no sympathy for the species.

Her size suggested she must be a child. When she coughed, it caught him off guard. The breeze ceased as he watched her continue to cough. Her eyes slowly opened. She whimpered and cried out the name Papa. Her small arms pushed her tiny body up into a sitting position. A gasp left her mouth with her eyes staring at the spiral walls swirling all around her and jutting high into the sky.

She spoke while shaking her head. Nobody’s gonna believe me…again.

The girl reached out, touching the moving wall, but yanked her hand back with a yelp. He could see how the tiger might have been intrigued watching the human’s actions. He’d made the sand sparkle red, which supplied light. She stood and carefully examined the swirling sand without touching it. She looked way up, then sank back down on her knees trying to look under the moving wall. He knew she wanted out. Normally, he would oblige but, once again, felt fascinated just watching her. It was wrong, but a discrepancy after ten thousand years should be acceptable. Besides, he made the rules.

The girl sat and crossed her legs speaking to herself. I’m sorry, Ms. Myles, you must be very mad at me by now. She grabbed a handful of sand. He halted. The sand stopped twisting and hung suspended in the air. He flowed through her fingers, feeling the warmth of her hands.

Never in his entire existence had he ever felt such things…but the warmth of her fingers penetrated every tiny particle of his immortal existence. He’d made a big mistake. He never should have let himself get so close to the human.

Her voice interrupted his thoughts. Stormcat, please let me go. A drop of water fell from the corner of her eye. Without further thought, he became a gentle breeze blowing up into her face and over the tear sliding down her cheek.

Instantly, he knew her thoughts. She was scared, she wanted to return to the camp, and she hoped her father was okay. She also believed the tiger—or Stormcat as she referred to him—was responsible for her entrapment.

He didn’t care about the little human. He would just leave her here in the sand. If she survived, so be it. The sand stood still while he gathered his strength to leave. The human stretched out resting her cheek in the sand. Her tears hit him like an atom bomb.

You just had to go and wreck ten thousand years, didn’t you? He continued to curse himself. His power shook the ground. The girl screamed as he lifted her on a bed of sand and into the air.

He carried her back to where she came from. On the outer edge of her camp, he unceremoniously dumped her out of the twisting cone and dissipated, scattering in all directions.

Raven landed on her backside with a thump. The tunnel of sand she’d been held in disappeared faster than she could speak. Stormcat was nowhere in sight. Had he brought her here?

Over her shoulder, she noticed the storm had passed and her father’s men were pointing in her direction shouting.

The strangled cry bursting from Ms. Myles’s mouth left Raven speechless. Her nanny ran faster than her feet would carry her. She almost fell twice.

Raven turned around to face her fully. She’d never remembered a time when Ms. Myles had ever looked so devastated and relieved at the same time. She crumpled to the ground grabbing Raven by the waist and sobbed.

Thank heavens. Sweet pea, tell me you’re okay. I’ve never been so worried in my whole life. The older woman’s hands cupped her face brushing away the dust.

Happiness flooded through Raven’s body. She was happy to be back in camp, safe, and the fact that Ms. Myles cried over her warmed her heart. Her nanny loved her.

Raven hugged her back. I’m okay Ms. Myles, really I am.

The woman pushed her back to an arms-length, looking her up and down to ensure no scratch was unattended. When the tender moment ended, anger flashed across Ms. Myles face, preceded by a shake. "Raven Hill, you of all people know better than run into a storm.

What were you thinking? You could have been killed."

Raven shrugged, knowing her nanny spoke the truth. She hung her head. I’m sorry, Ms. Myles. Mother’s hat was caught in the wind and I didn’t think. I just chased after it. I’ve lost her hat, she choked back the sob.

I know how much the hat meant to you, Raven, but you’re more important than a bonnet. What would I have done if something had happened to you?

Did father come back?

No, he hasn’t arrived yet, but the storm just ended. He’ll be okay, Raven.

She wanted to believe her, but the dreadful thought of losing her father was too much to bear.

Let’s get you cleaned up.

Raven followed along, looking up into the sky. What exactly happened out there?

A shiver ran over her skin. She felt as though somebody had been inside the spiraling sand with her. Her stories were becoming wilder by the day. Who would believe her?

As wind and sand, he raced across the desert. To hell with it, tomorrow this hellhole would be a distant memory. The events of today were not his fault. Stormcat, as she had named the tiger was the one who caused the episodes.

The animal broke the rules by making physical contact with the human.

His anger flared. Shocked by the emotion, he tore up through the sky, his speed increasing until he became a blur. Billowy clouds awaited his command, but there was no need. His destination loomed straight ahead. He hit Stormcat head-on, tossing the enormous creature tumbling across the horizon. The tiger roared with rage pouncing across the clouds as if they were stepping-stones.

Used up, the sand slowly drifted back to the desert floor far beneath the raging immortals. Now the clouds were the element of choice. He’d become the cumulonimbus cloud—towering black with unshed anger. Stormcat would hate this fight.

Turbulence within the cloud tossed the cat back, forth, and upside down. Of course, the tiger’s massive claws swiped through him but never had any effect. Rain began to fall. The immortal tiger was pummeled with water. The cloud continued to throw him violently around in a maze of entrapped wet softness.

Finally, the animal ceased to struggle, and Storm God spoke to the wet fur ball.

Stormcat…you now have a name.

Helpless the animal swiped his large paw once more through the air before speaking. I found her! She’s mine!

Thunder rang loudly through the sky. She is not yours! We do not interfere with mortals. What has gotten into you?

Stormcat sat on a cloud licking his long grey orange fur, shaking his head while he spoke. I’m sick of this existence. I’m bored. It’s always the same. There’s nothing to play with and I’ve decided you’re not much fun.

This type of conversation was highly unusual. He reflected on the thousands of years he’d spent controlling the storms of this futile world. Stormcat followed every step of the way…even when water became an issue.

The animal had become bored. Immortals didn’t become bored. Did they?

Suddenly, he remembered the small child lying in the sand, watching her try to find a way out of his spiraling spout. The mortal held him spellbound. Perhaps the time had come to remove himself from this realm. He was an ancient God, a rider of the clouds and commander of the earthly heavens.

Gods did not associate or interfere with earthlings, so why did he also feel a connection to the child? He was alarmed at what he’d just thought or…felt. He dismissed the impossible notion quickly.

Stormcat, is that it? Why now and why her? My boring mannerisms never bothered you before. Is there something else? He asked, searching for answers.

She’s different. The tiger’s tail twitched with irritation.

There had to be something to cause the cat to interact with the human. Immortal animals had the innate ability to sense oddities about other beings.

How is she different?

Stormcat stalked back and forth on the large cloud, which had stopped pouring water on him.

Never mind! He snapped back in response.

Well, no matter what she might be or not be. We will not have any close contact with her ever again. Got it?

Stormcat’s mouth pulled back into a snarl…an upset sign of compliance.

We’ve spent enough time in this desert. Where shall we go next?

He hoped to hell leaving would be that easy. The only thing he’d been able to think about since the incident in the desert was the small child.

3

Ten years later, Canadian Rocky Mountains

Candyman picked up his feet and carefully placed them on the narrow rooted trail leading to the pristine glacier-fed body of water. Amethyst Lake glistened in the evening light.

With a grateful smile, Raven reflected back on the long day. Nightfall came late in the Rocky Mountains at the beginning of August. Tonight she was alone, with the exception of her horse. And of course Whisper, the secretive Cooper’s hawk who’d been her constant shadow for nearly three years. She found the tiny baby abandoned on the trail and proceeded to care for the feathered raptor.

The day started bad. Her research partner, Trent, came down with a nasty virus and was unable to make the trek up into the Tonquin Valley with her. Their studies depended on reaching the lake tonight, so at the first break of dawn, she could gather her specimens from there.

Raven had made this trip alone many times, but she never truly felt lonely. Candyman, her faithful Appaloosa, accompanied her every trip. And depending on the weather…so would they. The oddities of what happened in the Sahara Desert ten years ago followed her every step.

In particular, the strangeness that came with storms…seemed alive with some kind of life. Raven knew Stormcat followed her across the continents. However, now she also knew something else was out there. Nothing could harm her, or at least not a storm. Each time danger approached in the form of weather, she would be saved. The only time she’d come close to dying was a near drowning in the Caribbean when she’d tested her theory.

Darkness ate up the remaining daylight. Raven and Candyman continued down the path toward the lake, hoping her shelter remained hidden and still standing. The trail was well used by tourists now and occasionally a rowdy bunch would ride their way up the track and make a mess of her camp, destroy her shelter and leave it a pile of garbage for her to take back. It infuriated her.

The clouds moved in, and along with them a thick dense fog, which slowly inched down the mountainside to settle at the base of the lake. The first few drops of rain tickled her nose. They had almost reached their destination. Candyman shook his head.

Oh, you’re such a baby. The rain won’t make you melt, she teased. We’ll soon be in the trees and hopefully unpacked before the downpour starts.

Now that the sun had disappeared, the cool temperature descended rapidly.

Let’s hope we don’t end up in a foot of snow tomorrow morning, Raven declared looking up at the sky.

Ahead in the distance, she spied a dense bank of spruce trees. Candyman knew exactly where they were heading. They’d arrived at their destination, and luck was on their side. The shelter remained untouched.

Soon enough she had her food secure, cached high up into a tree away from the camp. Candyman munched on green grass, and the fire outside her shelter snapped and cracked with life amidst the rain. Raven chewed on the granola bar and the remaining few pieces of dried apricots. It filled the gnawing hunger in her stomach.

The fire would need a bit of extra help tonight to combat the rain. She wandered a few meters away and returned with a large dry tree root, placing it onto the burning embers. Flames sprung to life dancing their way higher into the air.

Raven turned to the shelter. Her canvas-covered down bedroll looked heavenly. A large bolt of lightning echoed through the valley followed by thunder, which as always resembled a deep growl. The fog now formed a solid wall about a hundred feet from the fire. She shook her head annoyed and spoke directly at the grey thick formation.

Why do you always follow me? You never show yourself, but I know something is there. Candyman snorted, looking up with his ears pinned back flat on his head. The horse knew it too. And, thunder does not always sound like a growl! I know you’re up there, Stormcat. Whatever you both are, I’ve just about had enough of this. Stop following me!

Raven swung her legs around and crawled into the shelter, pulling the canvas flap down behind her. She turned on her flashlight and began to undress. The cool air felt like winter. She quickly pulled on her flannel pajamas and jumped under the covers.

The flames continued their seductive sway, forming shadows over the tan canvas door. The sound of the rain falling through the treetops and onto the ground relaxed her into a peaceful state.