Unimaginable Lover Read online

  UNIMAGINABLE LOVER

  A WARRIORS OF LEMURIA NOVEL #3

  ROSALIE REDD

  Copyright © January 2017 by Rosalie Redd

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  All rights reserved. The uploading, scanning, and distribution of this book in any form or by any means—including but not limited to electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without the permission of the copyright holder is illegal and punishable by law.

  This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental.

  For permissions contact: [email protected]

  Cover design by Melody Simmons

  ISBN: 9781944419103

  United States of America

  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

  Sneak Peek of Undeniable Lover

  Also by Rosalie Redd

  Glossary

  About Rosalie

  CHAPTER 1

  DEEP IN THE CASCADE MOUNTAINS OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST

  PRESENT DAY

  The waterfall’s roar drowned out Tanen’s footsteps. Good. He needed to approach his target with the utmost care. With deliberate intent, he placed his palm against the rough bark of a cedar tree. The fresh scent eased into his lungs, mixing with the musty smell of damp vegetation and loam. As he glanced around the massive tree’s girth, his breath caught in his throat. He’d found his enemy—Mauree.

  Mauree was his responsibility, his burden to bear since he was council leader, and she’d escaped on his watch. For the past week he’d tracked her through the forests outside the underground Keep, hiding in small caves and dense foliage during the day, away from the sun’s killing rays. He hadn’t had this much exercise in years, and his jacket and trousers hung loose from his frame. The muscles in his legs ached, but he relished the renewed strength and energy coursing through his veins.

  His goal—to capture the renegade and return her to the Keep for her execution. The marking over his chest, the one for tenacity, burned to life, fueling his resolve. I can’t fail Noeh. The need to please the Stiyaha king ignited Tanen’s fury, and he clenched his hand into a tight fist.

  Mauree’s naked skin glistened in the moonlight. She stood at the base of the waterfall, sluicing water away from her face and through her beautiful blonde hair. Her full breasts bobbed as she moved, her nipples peaked from the cold water. His gaze tracked to her narrow waist, over her well-rounded hips and down her perfect legs. Not long ago he’d have paid any price to see her bare flesh. Now, she was nothing but a traitor.

  Her shower complete, Mauree headed for the shore. She squeezed water from her shoulder-length hair and picked up her ragged clothes. “Tanen, you can come out now. No need to hide.”

  Craya! His heartburn flared to life, and he swallowed the bitter taste in his mouth. Inside his coat’s front pocket, he gripped the cool, rough surface of the sacred blue sunstone. The tension in his shoulders eased, if only for a moment.

  For weeks he’d searched the ancient scriptures for the unusual punishment of treason. The pressure had gotten the better of him, and he’d given in to his kleptomania, stealing the magical blue sunstone from the Throne room. He’d eventually found the right text outlining the death sentence. On the way to deliver the news, he’d discovered Mauree’s empty cell. He couldn’t face his king on either count and had pursued the traitor on his own.

  A low, bell-like laugh echoed from the water’s edge. “Come now, Tanen. Did you really think I didn’t know you trailed me? It’s about time we talked, don’t you think?”

  He adjusted his collar and traced his fingers over his lapel pin. The engraved symbol stood for Lemuria or “Mu” and was his most precious adornment, signifying his status as council leader. He gritted his teeth and stepped into the open. “There’s nothing to say. For assisting the Gossum, our dark enemy, and for attempting to kill the queen and her unborn child, I’m taking you back to the Keep to—”

  “…face the death sentence? You’re not as smart as I thought you were.” Mauree’s ragged clothes were nothing like the fine garments she used to wear as a member of the elite class.

  He approached, his gaze locked onto hers. “How did you find out about your punishment?”

  “That little twit of a seer, Ginnia. She seemed to think I needed to live. Maybe you should have a chat with her.”

  Indeed, once he got Mauree back to the Keep, he’d do just that. He took a step closer. “You will return with me and face your execution or die here.”

  Mauree placed her hand over her eyes and squinted, focusing her attention on the forest. “Did you bring some warriors with you? Cause there’s no way I’m returning to the Keep with you.”

  “You’re not funny, Mauree.” He popped his knuckles. The idea of using force against her didn’t sit well with him, but he’d do what was necessary.

  An astringent smell carried along the breeze, searing his senses. Gossum. A bead of sweat dampened his brow. He hadn’t faced the real enemy in years.

  The branches of a nearby pine trembled, as if the tree feared the creature in its midst. The Gossum slid from his perch and landed on the underbrush in an eerie silence. Once human, the evil creature wore the remnants of an old sweatshirt and dirty jeans. His bald head reflected the moon, and his tongue snaked between his serrated teeth.

  Tanen eased the knife from his belt. As council leader, he’d never needed his sword, and it remained in his quarters at the Keep, unused, forgotten. He held out the weapon, but couldn’t stop the shake in his hand.

  Mauree’s shrill cry echoed off the trees.

  The Gossum glanced at her. A slow hiss eased from his lips.

  Tanen fought to control his voice. “Mauree, come…get behind me. I’ll protect you.”

  Mauree’s low chuckle sent goosebumps sliding along Tanen’s arms. She sauntered toward the Gossum and placed her arm around his shoulder. “Tanen, Tanen, you misunderstand. While you wasted valuable time tracking me, I made a new friend. Meet Jakar.”

  The urge to vomit roiled in Tanen’s gut, and he spit on the ground. “Your soul is black. There’s no hope for you now, Mauree.”

  “On the contrary. With Jakar, I have a new lease on life. One I intend to take.”

  His inner beast growled, eager to be set loose. Only King Noeh had recently reconnected the bond between man and beast, successfully transitioning bac
k from his animal state. Tanen wouldn’t take the risk and forced his beast into submission. “What do you intend to do?”

  Mauree’s smile spread across her face, and even in the dim light, her eyes shone with madness. “Get revenge against Noeh, of course. I should’ve been queen.” Her lip quivered for a moment before her features hardened.

  The muscles in Tanen’s shoulders tightened. He’d do whatever it took to protect his king.

  She glanced into the brightening sky, then peered at her cohort. “The sun will be up soon. We need to return to the safe house.”

  Jakar hissed. “My lady, what shall I do with him?”

  Mauree’s attention shifted to Tanen and her mouth curved into an evil grin. “Kill him, of course.”

  Tanen gripped the knife in his sweaty palm. He was a Stiyaha, placed here by his goddess Alora to fight for the right to claim Earth’s water for the dying planet Lemuria. The last time he’d tangled with a Gossum, he’d earned the scar that ran across his chest. His desire to battle with his enemy warred with his fear. Turmoil built within and his hand shook once again.

  Moonlight glinted off Jakar’s serrated teeth, and a drop of saliva slid from his mouth. A loud screech burst from his chest. He launched himself into the air. Claws extended from his hands. Razor sharp, they dug through Tanen’s coat and pierced his skin. The Gossum’s weight knocked him to the ground.

  Air whooshed from Tanen’s lungs. Even after all these years of non-use, his old warrior training resurfaced. Using the Gossum’s momentum, Tanen pulled Jakar with him. They rolled over the small rocks embedded in the path. The hard, sharp edges poked into Tanen’s ribs.

  Tanen aimed his knife for Jakar’s throat, but only nicked the Gossum on the cheek. Their tumble ended when Tanen rammed into the hard trunk of a cedar tree. A sharp pang and a loud pop echoed from his chest.

  The spiked tip of Jakar’s long tongue hit Tanen on the elbow. Numbness spread into his muscles. His knife slipped from his fingers.

  Jakar’s heavy weight descended on Tanen’s back, grinding his face into the ground. Bits of moss and soil raced down his windpipe. He coughed as he fought to gain leverage. Knife-like claws ripped through his coat and shirt, scraping his back, again and again.

  A harsh scream tore from his throat. He squirmed, but the evil creature had him pinned.

  Jakar’s tongue stung him on the face, the arm, the shoulder. Each lash was a reminder of his inability to conquer his enemy. His mouth went dry. He’d be lucky to get out of this alive.

  Jakar dug his claws into Tanen’s arms and hauled him out of the dirt. His limbs wouldn’t cooperate. The Gossum’s venom worked its way into his muscles, shutting them down. His knees wobbled, and his left arm hung loose at his side. If he didn’t act fast, Jakar would kill him.

  Tanen’s knife glinted in the path. As he reached for his only weapon, the blue sunstone tumbled from his pocket. A flash of light burst from the crystal then it went dark. Cool fingers of dread coiled around his heart.

  Mauree audibly inhaled, her gaze transfixed on the sacred, legendary sunstone. She glanced at Jakar. “Get the stone.”

  Tanen’s need to retain his treasure burned inside. His muscles remembered all he’d learned in his early warrior sessions. He’d never been a good fighter, but he’d use his intelligence and the knowledge he’d acquired over the years to defend himself.

  He grabbed a handful of dirt and tossed it in Jakar’s face.

  Jakar screamed and covered his eyes. Tanen took advantage of his enemy’s momentary distraction and punched him in the jaw. He landed a few feet away, his body motionless against the base of a tree.

  Tanen’s muscles gave out and he crashed to the dirt path. Pain ricocheted up his thighs and into his back. Mauree scrambled to retrieve the sunstone, but Tanen swiped the gem into his palm.

  “Hey, Jim, let’s go on this trail. It looks promising.”

  Human voices…

  “Naw, look. That trail leads to the river. This trail takes us up the mountain to the waterfall. If we hurry we can catch the sunrise.”

  …drawing closer.

  Tanen had never encountered a human before. His heart pounded.

  To interact with humans wasn’t against the rules, and the Jixies that assisted the Stiyaha in the Keep often traded with them, but if the humans discovered you weren’t one of them…discovered you were something…more, then they had to become players in the game or you forfeited your life.

  Mauree fled into the forest. Only the soft breeze echoed in the trees.

  Jakar roused and shook his head. He followed her, disappearing without a trace.

  Why had Jakar left instead of attacking the humans and turning them into Gossum? Tanen would take the bit of luck. Anything to get away from his rival. He remained still, hiding behind the thick foliage as the humans passed.

  The footsteps and loud banter slowly diminished. Now that the immediate threat was over, his adrenaline surge dissipated, and the numbing effect of Jakar’s venom coursed through his veins. A small twig dug into his bruised and broken ribs. He inhaled, sending another stab of agony through his body.

  His attention moved past the tree’s branches to the brightening sky. The first rays of the rising sun painted the scattered clouds a vibrant shade of pink. His chest tightened. Time to find shelter. He grabbed his dagger and placed it in his coat pocket.

  With effort, he compelled his bruised and battered body to stand. A steady drip caught his attention. He glanced at the ground. Droplets of blood splashed into the soft dirt, creating a small red pool.

  The world spun, the trees melding together into a blur. He’d never felt so out of control in his life.

  Mother Goddess, Alora, take me or show me the way.

  A soft melodic twitter pierced the pre-dawn sky. Not far away, a small bird perched on a nearby branch. He’d never heard its eerily alluring song before. Infatuated, he stared at the tiny creature. Nails skittered along the bark of a tree. On the trunk of a large fir, a chipmunk stopped and tilted its head. These were morning creatures, and he was the odd one here.

  He clenched his fist. Pushing against the fallen tree, he forced his injured leg to take the weight. His knee wobbled, but he maintained a steady balance. The putrid taste of bile filled his mouth. If it hadn’t been for the humans, he’d be dead.

  Humans. With a quick glance at the brightening sky, he lurched down the path. The brilliance of the day turned the world into a vibrant green. His beast growled, spurning him on, as if his alter ego knew what danger lay in that beauty.

  Between the trees stood a small yellow house with a dilapidated shed. The smells of fireplace smoke and domesticated animals filled the air. Occupied. A sense of unease rippled under his skin. His scalp tingled.

  The first rays of the sun pierced the tops of the trees. His beast screamed, and a low growl escaped his lips. He couldn’t chance it, so he headed for the small structure on the edge of the property.

  Despite his sense of urgency, he carefully opened the door. The last thing he needed was to call attention to his hiding place. With only a tiny squeak, the hinge gave way. The smell of dirt, grime, and oil filtered into his senses. Garden tools, an assortment of pots, and a large unfamiliar red machine with four wheels and a long handle filled the small shed. He could stay here for the day.

  With a firm tug, he shut the door. Darkness enveloped him, except for the tiny ray of light that pierced through a small hole on the south side of the building. He was safe, at least for now. At the realization, his knee gave out once again, bringing him to the floor. He pushed aside a few pots, advancing as far into the corner as he could. Coated in sweat, he shivered and leaned against the structure’s inner wall.

  A trail of blood tracked from the entrance to his location. Craya. He pressed his fingers against his back. Blood oozed through his shirt and onto his hand. A sharp pain raced along his spine. Lightheaded, objects in the shadows spun in a slow circle. He blinked, fighting against the tide that threat
ened to take him down, and a low howl tore from his throat.

  His gaze drew to the hole in the wall. Blue sky caught his attention, the color so bright, so alluring. So beautiful… Before he could complete the thought, the whirlpool pulled him under and darkness claimed him.

  CHAPTER 2

  Sheri leaned against the counter and picked up today’s list of residents at the Columbia Rehabilitation Center. Hushed voices, fingers tapping on a keyboard, and the subdued ring of a telephone formed the soothing melody of life at the nurses’ station. She scanned the list and her chest constricted. “Oh, no.”

  Mrs. Alton, one of Sheri’s favorite patients, had stood from her wheelchair unassisted, taken a tumble, and was now confined to a bed. Sheri shook her head. Helping the infirm rehabilitate back to health was a rewarding occupation, but there were just as many who ended up on the slow road to death.

  Olivia, her best friend and co-worker, touched Sheri’s shoulder and leaned in. “Hey, how’d your interview go?”

  With a quick glance around to make sure no one else was within earshot, Sheri focused her attention on her friend. “Great, I think. Panel interviews make me nervous, but at least it was a Skype session. The job sounds wonderful. They have state of the art equipment, almost no overtime, and the people seemed so friendly, so nice—”

  “Sher,” Olivia squinted, “you’re good at heart, but a bit naive. Are you wearing rose-colored glasses?”

  Sheri exhaled. “You’re right, I’m probably making it out to be better than it is, but I could really use the change, get away from here.”

  “Not that I want to see you go,” Olivia gave her arm a gentle squeeze, “but if moving to Seattle helps you forget, then I hope it works out.”

  Yes, forget. That’s what she needed to do. Forget all about the pain and loss she’d experienced in Portland. Her marriage to Ram had ended two years ago, and she would’ve left then if not for her mother. The familiar ache built in Sheri’s chest. Her mom’s recent death was still raw and fresh, like a scab not quite healed.