Awaken (The Goddess Incarnate Book 1) Read online

  The cable holding me broke; I heard it snap and was thrown backward, landing on the ground. The Soul Eater’s hands erupted in flames as the russet line was flung back into their palms.

  “Consider this a forewarning of misfortune, if you stay and persist in this failed harvest.” She told them.

  The woman glanced down at me from where she stood as if I was an afterthought, and she thrust her hand towards me.

  Suddenly I was flying, screaming through the windstorm carrying me away. I tried to grab onto something – anything – and stop, but there was nothing to hold.

  This body was ethereal, made of jade smoke.

  I was thrust back into my real body as the three Soul Eaters disappeared into nothingness.

  Wake up… A melodic voice murmured through my head. Open your eyes and breathe…

  I felt heavy, disoriented, and indisputably hungover. My arms and legs refused to obey my commands to move, my eyes wouldn’t open. My chest was tight with pressure as if I wasn’t breathing correctly. I was lying down on something soft – a bed? What the hell had happened to me? My mind was swirling with strange images just out of reach, taunting me. I could hear muffled voices somewhere nearby, it sounded like people were arguing, but the words didn’t make sense.

  “You let her drink! What were you thinking?”

  “Soul Eaters… “

  “Do you think it’s just a coincidence?”

  “Who else would have known where she was?”

  I could see a crimson light in my mind, small at first and flickering like a candle until it exploded behind my eyes.

  Wake up…

  I knew that voice – how did I know that voice? Why did it sound like little musical bells? My eyes still wouldn’t open. I couldn’t do as the beautiful voice asked, and I started to panic.

  Relax ceann álainn, you will be fine. What do you remember?

  Flashes of grotesque men, fear, intense pain, and the feeling of flying coursed through my vision. A beautiful woman with dancing tattoos.

  This is all just a…

  Good, your mind is intact. The voice interrupted and began to fade. Now open your eyes…

  I felt a push behind the words, forcing its way through the heaviness, and my eyes burst open. I sat up, gasping for air.

  “…Bad dream…” I whispered, hand over my heart, the pressure on my chest easing even as my heart still thundered erratically.

  I looked around, taking in the mismatched furniture, the little trinkets placed lovingly along the top of the dresser. I was in my bedroom, the curtains drawn. I could see faint sunlight sneaking in through the gaps. There were piles of clothes still folded in the armchair where I had left them and the pictures of long-gone loved ones hanging on the off-white walls.

  I frowned, running a heavy hand through my long golden blonde hair. There was a sticky lump on the back of my head, and when I touched it, shockwaves of pain rippled through my nerves. My fingers came away with traces of blood. My mouth was dry, and I could smell alcohol on my breath. Had I fallen over in my drunken state? I scolded myself for drinking so much. It was never a good idea when I drank myself stupid. Like most nineteen-year-old girls, I became a clumsy fool, finding it impossible to walk without falling or running into inanimate objects.

  “Never again….” I muttered, swearing a silent oath that I wouldn’t touch another drop. My head throbbed as if to agree.

  The arguing voices that I thought I had heard earlier had ceased when I spoke. Silence filling my house. Had I dreamt of them too? No, I could hear faint footsteps coming my way. There was someone else in my house. I sat up straighter under my sheets, eyes on the closed door.

  The footsteps paused.

  My breathing got heavier, fear rising to a lump in my throat. What if those grotesque men weren’t just a bad dream? What if they were real and standing on the other side of my door?

  A quiet whimpering sound escaped from my lips, my hands closed into fists around my sheets as I panicked.

  There was a soft knock at the door. Did scary things knock on doors?

  “Sapphira?” Fallon’s voice, soothing from through the wood.

  I sighed, relaxing. “Yeah, come in.”

  The door opened slowly, Fallon stepping through before closing it again. “I’m going to turn on the light.” She warned me. I hissed as the light exploded, excruciating against my sore eyes. “I did warn you,” Fallon said, coming to sit on the edge of the bed. “How do you feel?”

  I thought about it. My head hurt, my eyes hurt… just about all of me ached. My heart still pounded, as though it knew something was wrong here.

  And I was so drunk last night that I saw monstrous men trying to take my soul.

  “I’m fine.” I lied. “What time is it?”

  “It’s just after two. You’ve been asleep for fifteen hours.” Fallon was studying me intently, her eyes piercing holes through my skin. “Are you sure you feel fine?”

  I frowned. “How strange is it that I slept for fifteen hours after an alcohol bender – I mean, I fell and hit my head, right?” I paused, watching Fallon, who was still observing me closely. “That’s why I’m so sore? I could have had a concussion or something.”

  It was Fallon’s turn to frown, and unease flittered through her eyes. She opened her mouth to say something but was interrupted by a knock at the door. I jumped at the sound, my heart hammering in my chest. If it didn’t calm down soon, I’d probably have a heart attack.

  Fallon didn’t move, her eyes still focused on me.

  “Who else is here, Fallon?” I asked quietly, nervously pulling at the sheets.

  “It’s okay,” She reassured me with a soothing smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Ari called a… friend.”

  “Fallon, a word?” came a deep, commanding masculine voice from behind the closed door. There was an accent in his voice that I couldn’t place. Who the hell was in my house?

  Ari - none of my friends actually - had ever invited anyone over before. Even Colte, who had moved in a while ago, had never invited anyone over. And I’d thought that they would have at least asked me first.

  Fallon sighed, anger swimming across her expression before she stood gracefully. “I’ll be right back.”

  “Do you mind turning off the light?” I called softly as she reached the door. “It’s too damn bright in here.”

  The light shut off as the door clicked shut behind her. I sunk back down into my bed and closed my eyes. At least it was dark again. That was a good start.

  “She’s confused. It could be from the injuries – or it could be something else.” Fallon’s voice came softly. “I can sense that something isn’t quite right, but I can’t tell what that is yet, Moroi.”

  “We need to move quickly, the window of opportunity on this is closing rapidly.” The masculine voice replied firmly. His tone suggested that he didn’t like the conversation he was having. Or maybe it was Fallon that he didn’t like? The thought surprised me for a minute. She had looked angry when he had asked to speak to her. “For her safety, she needs to be taken to-“

  “Don’t you dare finish that sentence!” Ari snapped. I thought that this mysterious man was her friend – isn’t that what Fallon had told me? Why did she sound so angry at his words? “You cannot for one second think that I would allow her-“

  My mind was foggy, and it felt as though there was something that I should be remembering. Something important – but every time I got close to knowing what that something was, it slipped away again. Like little eels swimming in murky water.

  “Allow her?” A barked laugh from the masculine stranger, “They know that she’s here – and that she’s hurt. It would be better if she wasn’t here if they came looking. At least if we move her to a Safe House, she would be better protected. The defenses are well equipped to fend off an attack. You know this.”

  I sighed. “You know that I can hear you, right?”

&nb
sp; I spoke loudly, ensuring that they would hear and stop arguing, even though every word out of my mouth was like a sledgehammer against my head.

  I could practically see the tension through the door. Nothing but silence answered me.

  “I think if you’re discussing me, I should have a say,” I continued, anger and frustration continuing to rise. I could almost picture the emotions spinning like little dark-colored whirlwinds through my body.

  The door flung open, and Ari stormed in.

  She turned on the light, without warning. I suppressed my hiss and blinked rapidly as my eyes readjusted. She managed a tight smile in my direction as she took her seat on the bed, smoothing her jeans with dark hands.

  “You let a stranger into my house?” I asked her in a hissed whisper, eyes narrowed.

  The stranger in question waltzed calmly into my bedroom before Ari could answer. His bright brown eyes took in my room intently as if he were memorizing every single personal possession I had. He was tall and made of muscle, a human mountain. His skin was dark brown, an obvious hint that he hadn’t been born in this country as if his accent hadn’t let you in on that fact already.

  “Who are you?” I asked as his eyes finally rested on me. “What are you doing in my house?”

  Fallon stepped back into the room, closing the door quietly behind her. Her eyes went from Ari – who was still fuming – to the stranger. She was frowning, her lips pressed together in a thin line.

  The mountain smiled. “I am Abhijay. I am here to protect you, Sapphira.”

  Ari snorted, rolling her eyes, but I ignored her.

  “Abhijay?” I frowned at him. “Why do I need protecting?”

  Abhijay opened his mouth to reply, but Ari grabbed my hand. “Maybe this should wait until you’re feeling better.”

  I pulled my hand away from hers, anger rising again. I wanted answers, and I wanted everyone out of my bedroom. “I’m fine. And I want to know what the hell is going on!” I was yelling, my voice shaking slightly. I felt weak, as though my outburst had drained the small amount of energy I had, and my head started swimming.

  “We don’t have time to coddle her. She needs to be moved to a safer location.” Abhijay said as if I hadn’t spoken. His eyes went from staring at me to Fallon, who still stood in the doorway.

  “I already told you,” Ari hissed, glaring at Abhijay. “She isn’t going to one of your freaking Safe Houses.”

  Their voices started to blur together as Ari and Abhijay argued. Fallon turned her eyes from me to watch them with a tired look.

  There was an ache in my chest, and I closed eyes that weighed a ton. Maybe I could sleep while they sorted out whatever the hell was going on in my life. Perhaps the answers could wait. Yeah, sleep sounded good…

  “We don’t have another option right now.”Fallon sighed. “While you two are arguing over Sapphira’s wellbeing, she’s about to code out.”

  “Shit!” Ari cursed. “Sapphira – open your eyes!”

  Abhijay said something in another language that didn’t sound polite, and I felt cold hands lifting me from my bed.

  “The wound on her head is bleeding again,” Fallon said quickly, her voice sounding a million miles away. “I can’t heal this properly here. Ari, if you could get the car ready. We need to get her to the healers. And tell Colte that he should pack some of Sapphira’s things – we won’t be coming back here for a while.” Her words were peculiar. It sounded as though she had said ‘healers’ instead of doctors.

  “I’m so tired.” I murmured, my voice sounding strange. “Let me sleep. I’ll go to the doctors later.”

  “No, Sapphira, if you sleep now, you will probably die,” Fallon told me calmly. “Open your eyes and talk to me.”

  I forced my eyes to open, fighting the heaviness they held. Abhijay was carrying me, the room spun with each step he took. He wasn’t looking at me, although I could see the dead calm look on his face, his arms held me tightly, as if he were afraid that he would drop me.

  “You’re freaking me out, Fallon,” I whispered. She was walking just ahead of us, and she glanced back as I spoke. She was frowning again, a worried look in her strangely beautiful eyes.

  “And you are freaking me out.” Her eyes flickered to Abhijay. “The wound should not be bleeding. It was already starting to heal an hour ago.”

  “Her blood smells strange.” He replied, his grip getting tighter. “It smells wrong.”

  “What the hell are you talking about?” I had intended to sound firm, to express the anger I felt at the liberties my friends were taking. Instead, my voice was a murmur, something a tired child would have used.

  I knew I was hurt. But how could these people think that I would be okay with them coming into my house, making decisions about me, ignoring my questions?

  The warm summer air, mixed with the fragrant wattle and lavender from my garden, hit my nostrils as we reached the front door. I grimaced as pain burst through my body as he went down the two steps leading towards the carport. I whimpered as the sunlight hit my face, sending starbursts of agony through my eyes and head.

  “It’s okay, Saph,” I heard Ari say as my eyes closed again. “Their car has tinted windows, it’ll be dark in a second.”

  “Who?” I whispered, my mouth not letting the question come out correctly.

  “Abhijay and his friends,” Ari replied sarcastically as I was placed carefully into the back seat.

  “Yeah, and its Abhijay’s friends that’ll be saving your life.” Snapped a new, female voice in my ear.

  “Cut it out, Leilani. Just make sure Sapphira stays breathing until we get there.” Abhijay told her firmly.

  “Yes, Maharishi…”

  Except for screaming as my head exploded every time we hit a bump in the road, and someone cursing loudly each time, I don’t remember much of the drive.

  Actually, I don’t remember much of reality over the next few days. I was in and out of consciousness for most of it, waking only to scream in pain and throw up.

  I’d had hundreds of nightmares involving monsters and death while I slept. Each time I woke, Ari was there with a cold washer for my face, and a glass of putrid silver liquid she practically had to force down my throat. She’d sarcastically called it ‘medicine from the Djinn.’ I thought I had been delusional or still dreaming.

  It wasn’t that much of a stretch in imagination, really, considering everything that had happened.

  I was contemplating this as I lay in an uncomfortably hard bed, my eyes closed. I could hear Ari breathing from the chair beside the bed, but I feigned sleep. I didn’t want any more of the horrid silver crap. My stomach did summersaults just thinking about it.

  No more throwing up for a while… It seemed to beg. My mouth agreed wholeheartedly.

  Ari cleared her throat, somehow making the noise seem elegant - if that was even possible.

  I concentrated on making my breathing relaxed, getting into the even rhythm of sleep.

  “I know that you’re awake.” She said softly. “You’re not snoring obnoxiously anymore.”

  I sighed, opening my eyes. “Please,” I begged desperately, my stomach tying itself in knots. “No more of that putrid poison.”

  “No, no more.” Ari chuckled. “You don’t need any more of that putrid medicine.”

  “Thank god for that!” I said, relief flooding my voice.

  I looked around. I was in a large room, the walls made from massive grey stone blocks that curved around, giving the room a circular feel, like a castle tower. There was a single, small window high on one of the curved walls that let in the sunlight, and a large chandelier hung from the roof high above my head. A steel door dominated the wall to my right – a vast, bulky monstrosity and the only exit. The bed I was in and Ari’s chair were the single pieces of furniture.

  Ari was watching me with calm blue eyes, her short black curls rested on her shoulders like a dark halo around her head. Her clo
thes were casual; jeans and a black T-Shirt. I’d never seen her in anything so laid back.

  “Where are we?” I asked slowly, trying to sit up. I saw that under the sheet, I was wearing a hospital gown. And nothing else. Embarrassing.

  “Take it slowly, Sapphira.” She said, sitting forward in the chair. “You could still be weak.”

  I managed to prop myself up on my elbows and looked at her, frowning. “You know, that wasn’t answering my question,” I said, frustrated and on edge.

  “I know.”

  “Are you going to answer?”

  Ari sighed, sitting back in her chair. “You are at a Moroi Safe House. You have been here for three days. You were attacked by Soul Eaters and were contaminated.” She was matter-of-fact, counting down the sentences on her fingers, speaking in a quick, short rhythm.

  “I – What?” I was frowning again. I was going to get permanent creases across my forehead – I could tell.

  “You were contaminated. When a Soul Eater attacks someone, they take that individual’s soul, and they die. If they, for some reason, are unable to finish their harvest, the individual is infected with what we call the wasting sickness.” Ari explained slowly, as if to a child. She saw my question coming before I asked it. “This sickness makes the person fall into a coma-like state in which most never survive. They are unable to heal, to acquire sustenance and eventually… just stop breathing. ”

  I was confused and terrified, but at least I was getting answers – even if they didn’t make any sense at all.

  Ari usually hated horror stories – refusing to even show up to movie nights in that genre – and typically had a better sense of humor than this.

  “So, how did I survive?”

  “You had help.” Ari paused, cocking her head to one side, as if she was listening to something that only she could hear, before continuing. “And you were strong enough to fight back.”

  “Why was I attacked?”

  Ari shook her head at me, shutting down the conversation, just as a loud metallic squeal cut through the room, and the door began to open. Abhijay, the man-mountain, entered the room, leaving the door ajar. So he had been real too.