Son of Ra Read online

  Son of Ra

  lBook Twol

  Marked Like Me Series

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  Cyndi Goodgame

  Also by Cyndi Goodgame

  (Fey Court Trilogy)

  Deception Book One

  Tainted Book Two

  Betrayal Book Three

  Guardian (Companion to Deception)

  Mary Never Had a Lamb, She Was the Lamb (Twisted Paranormal Nursery Rhymes)

  (Goblin’s Kiss Series)

  Denial Book One

  Yield Book Two

  (Marked Like Me Series)

  Orion Book One

  Scorpion Book Three

  Daughter of Anat Book Four

  Shadow Queen Book Five

  Protector (Companion Novella to Marked Like Me)

  (Under Cover Series)

  Under Cover Book One

  © November 2012 Cyndi Goodgame

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without prior written permission of the publisher. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. Acknowledgements go to the various authors of classic fiction who wrote so eloquently that their words have become easy to quote in today’s written word. Without inspriration from you, one cannot hope to write their own ideas. Thanks goes to all those who made this book come together. You know who you are!

  ISBN: 1481018426 ASIN: B00A9LOZB0

  [1. Supernatural-Fiction. 2. Vampires. 3. Valkyries. 4. Werewolves. 5. Hunters. 6. Gods and Goddesses. 7. Constellations 8.. High School-Fiction]

  Email Cyndi at [email protected]

  You can reach Cyndi on Twitter at www.twitter.com/scgoodgame

  You can reach Cyndi at her website/blog at http://goodgamebooks.wordpress.com

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  Summary:

  Anastacia is on the precipice of a larger scheme than she could ever have imagined. The Hunter school proved she wasn’t just on a single mission to save her brother alone, but being led to a faction war that isn’t under her control.

  Or is it?

  Lord Cross of the Vampire faction is her savior on the night of her eighteenth birthday party where it has been announced that she will be taken or killed by the same enemy who kidnapped her brother. The same Lord Cross that is rumored to be a callus evil man.

  But feelings change.

  Acknowledgements

  Thanks to Madeleine L’Engle, Sir Walter Scott, E.B. White, Charlotte Bronte, William Shakespeare, Mark Twain, Yoda, Socrates, George Washington, Lewis Carrol, Thomas Edison, Henry David Thoreau, T.H. White, and Abraham Lincoln. Without the contributions and guidance of the great writers from the classics in my youth, I’d have never been privy to their wisdom in the trials and tribulations that life brings about.

  Prologue

  The futures we predict never ever turn out the way we planned…entirely.

  Chapter One

  …if I could be absolutely certain…

  Calum was my official superhero. I’d never have been here without him. This birthday party was going south in a hurry.

  I felt the anger of many getting closer and then I saw my father. He was here! His hands clasped together, he turned and I saw who was behind him. Szar!

  “What is going on? We saved him to have him brought by my own father. I just called him. He was safe at the court!”

  “Just stay still till we get a feel for what and who is here,” Calum hissed.

  I caught movement coming from both sides. I saw deep voice coming from the left and several eerie characters going right. A tall man, my age, pale and dark haired came towards me. He was a Vampire. He made my stomach twist up in knots emitting the signal of recognition. I should have never let him go.

  Common sense told me what and where to find more. I looked to my left. Yep! Weres!

  We stood there in a circle fashion surrounded by so many nonHunters. Weapons in every direction waiting to be drawn, some already. Swords, daggers, spears, bows, knives, slingshots, and I even caught sight of a whip device with little spikes covering it on one of the Were bodyguard dudes.

  Calum whispered to my ear, “How many can you take?”

  “If I'm hidden, many. If they move in stealth mode and attack from behind, then it is just sparring to me. I can take maybe two, no more than three at a time.” He nodded grimly. “Calum, I’m not that versatile.”

  “Even if our lives depended on it?”

  Well, put that way! I found Maze in the crowd handing Liz and several others various weapons. Lee, the same. My friends should not have to do this. I was reconsidering the stupid plan I thought would be just dandy, but now staring in the face of danger it seemed the absolute worst I’ve ever concocted. It seemed Maze hadn't kept the attack a secret. Not enough were screaming.

  “We are here to sacrifice the virgin princess. She will take her brother’s place or they will both die,” a voice from the dark spoke.

  Liar! The part about my being a virgin was thankfully true but hardly needed to be news for public display. I caught sight of Szar being hustled through the crowd. My father was off to the side, a forlorn look of dread across his face. I saw Dr. Green and Dr. Quinn both glued to a far corner and watching. Borgon, deep voice from the warehouse, and two others were now standing too close to me staring me down like I’m an animal. They want me to take his place, right! They want all of us dead so they can stop the prophecy and take our courts. This thought just slammed me in the face. The three men standing here. One, Borgon, who I know now is a defected Hunter. The other two with him were either Hunter humans and I was fast ruling out human, or some other mix. They both had the features of a Hunter and if I am not mistaken, Elf. I have only read about them. They all stared at me with a fire in their eyes like I might witch out on them and turn them to frogs.

  How in the world am I going to save us all?

  Calum moved to cover me. “And you too Hunter, your crown awaits but you’ll never see it.”

  “Crown?” several shouted. Apparently we were all thinking the same.

  Calum spoke to the rogue Hunter standing beside Borgon who’d just spoken, “What do you mean?”

  “You should ask him?” the younger looking rogue pointed to Dr. Green. Next thing I know, Calum was interrogating his father and finding out that Dr. Green himself was the rightful heir next in line for the Hunter court in front of all so that it was out in the open. I didn’t get it. Calum knew this. Was he stalling?

  I was preoccupied with the wrong parts of the crowd moving closer to me with every passing minute. I eyed my tall dark and Vamp dude in the shadowy sidelines where he was unnoticed by all but me. I could feel him. It was the same Vamp I’d tied up, I was sure of it. He was only five feet away from me now. My mouth quivered unexpectedly wondering just how close he could get. If he was a Vampire, he could run to his Vampire leader, Lord of evil, guy named Cross. Our factions could never be in unity if his cruelty led the way. No, I may not have witnessed such cruelty, but the girls at court spoke of it often in their gossip. They said he doesn’t tolerate rogues and wayward souls of his kind. I didn’t know their crimes, but from the rumors, he doesn’t always either.

  Dr. Green lost all color in his face. I saw his eyes scan Calum’s hand and then s
weep over to my ring that was tucked safely inside my top knowing I had it safe.

  “Fathers shouldn’t keep secrets, then again only a father who was true perhaps would tell the truth unless he is protecting something important to him,” Borgon sneered.

  Freaking riddles!

  “What is he talking about?” Calum asked Dr. Green.

  Finally he spoke looking at the ground at first, “I am not your father. I was told your father died before you were born and your mother came to me one night desperate for somewhere to go. They would have killed her and you if I hadn’t hidden you. I’ve helped to keep you protected all these years. That is until they found what they wanted involving the two of you. I just wanted you to be the one beside her so you could rule.” Dr. Green motioned to me.

  “If you were found, then she would be sought out. They found her four years ago. They found you this last Fall. The information was fed to them by none other than our own.” His eyes shot to Lee. “Now it’s all in motion.”

  Lee ratted me out all those years ago. Did he know? I searched the crowd for his face. I couldn’t tell if he was in shock from the truth being told or the announcement of his treason. I let out a slow hiss holding back my need to avenge myself.

  “You’re coming with me my little Kissa,” the dark haired vamp signaled the other Vampire goons and Were goons to move away. Vamps did. Were’s didn’t. One in particular looked like he was fighting him to get to me.

  They headed my way. I tightened my stance. Calum was beside me and moved in closer. I can’t fight like this. He’ll have to step forward. By now the crowd of Hunter students were most likely in a stunned silent at what was taking place. I’m sure it all appeared to be a staged performance except every Hunter in the place will have their Hunter spidy sense on guard. Not all of us are Hunters.

  A pain shot through me. Goon one was advancing and grabbing my arm. With surprise, I lopped him off a chunk of arm flesh in one fell swoop and doubled around side-kicking the other goon into the table. Calum was on the move now taking out several Vamp goons coming at us. It was like watching a group of rabid dogs lose their directional skills and being slaughtered.

  Head Vamp dude stepped closer to me. The corner of my eye caught Lee carting off a goon and lugging a now bad leg towards me now. Even Lee’s best shot slingshot were missing a few targets. He nailed another goon and fell against me on the table. I haven’t even managed to fight much from all the defending me business, and I wasn’t sure I wanted Lee defending me now.

  Calum was moving so fast he was nearly a blur in my eyes. Anyone else would be shredded by now. The Were Calum was fighting was like smoke. He moved in and out without a hair out of place while Calum showed signs of sweat forming on his brow, though clearly not tiring in any way.

  With Lee covering me like toothpaste, I watched as Calum swung the final blow down into the Were chest and it stilled. When will I get to fight? And who are the good guys and who are the bad? I can’t tell anymore from the way they were moving. My abilities were all built around stealth and surprise, not brawling.

  I heard my father telling and turned to see his face was red and aimed to the Vamp dude whom hovered to close. I decided to make my own moves regardless of who was ordering who. Years back, I received a gift for my birthday I still carried, but had never used. I countered Lee and struck the ground with my wonderful sharp little star given to me by my supposed friend of four years ago. Guess that was a lie too. I danced with him sideways, enjoyed his face at seeing the very item strike him, and hooked left wrapping my blade into a Vamp goon crawling towards me on the leg.

  His blood ran black against the night flames dripping from my #4 blade that struck the ground and I wiped it away on the grass.

  With two knives now, I waited patiently for the two opposite warriors, one Were, one Vamp menacing upon me with their razor sharp teeth and extended clawed hands. They kept their backs to me more than a set offense. Cold and calculative, every bit a threat. Except, they didn’t look like they wanted to attack me, but attack the rest. I thought it was strange.

  Blood was running down my cheek from the previous hit. With a snarled gargling laugh the Were renegade running amuck tried to grab me around the middle but crumbled in my blade dead while I swept my feet out landing the Vamp goon writhing beside me with a blade in his arm. I pulled it out quick not willing to sacrifice another blade. I heard a gasp from my still standing Were dude who watched me. He was in shock that I killed his Were friend. Only two had died so far, and that was by Calum and me. I didn’t know myself.

  I heard Dr. Green scream at the Were before me that I didn't mean to kill him. He sounded angry that I did.

  I wiped the blood from my face and glanced upward to the shadow above, but retracted my blade at seeing Calum’s saucer sized eyes. Close to me, the Were was foaming curses and yelling at Dr. Green.

  “Forgive me for ever doubting what you are capable of.” His voice mocked me now ignoring his father's shouts, “I can take three, maybe four. More like FIVE!” His voice boomed on the last words.

  I nodded. I’m in no mood for compliments.

  Lee flopped up beside me, “I’ve seen her take out more.”

  “You have no say in my life ever again.” I spit on his face. Presumptuous idiot. Not very lady like I’m sure, but under the guise of he turncoated me over to the enemy, I felt a small vindication in doing it.

  "You need to leave NOW!" Lee screamed over my head to someone behind me.

  I faced the circle again not wanting to face Lee's offer to help. The majority were down with only the so-called leaders still standing, whoever they were. The Vamp one I presumed as the leader, was missing. The one I thought was the Were leader was down. Good! I searched right and left. I’d let my anger for Lee distract me.

  My hand was bleeding, but it wouldn’t be for long. A bigger secret that would stay with me as long as I could keep it that way. I could heal without rhyme or reason from any wound. Why, I didn’t know.

  One Were dude came fast from the left yanking back a shorter dressed in black guy who was raising his long staff to me or at me one. His other hand and arm were cut up bad like a railroad track but still holding a small hand knife. His free hand wrapped around my arm faster than anything, then another one from behind me grabbed my neck leaving a slight tingle as he let go and Calum whipped the first guy backwards into an all out first fight brawl. All three fell to the ground in a solid guy fist fight. Lee was joining in, but I lost my voice to protest his help. My head was killing me with a shooting pain worse than any dog bite. A thought shot through my brain. A picture really. The Were boy in front of me struck something with a familiarity. Someone called him Scorpion. Hearing it said reminded me of a dream I had once. I felt myself falling almost asleep when something else pushed forward.

  I felt the fear and anger behind me but my feet betrayed me when I felt them being lifted off the ground. The fluttering feeling like with the rabbit took over my body shoving out the sting on my neck and the sleepy feeling. If the creature injected something, it wouldn't work. My body would heal it too.

  I was ten feet away before Calum and Lee could turn to find me lifted from the ground and being strangled under head Vamp man’s arm on the roof.

  Cassius! That’s my name, Kissa. But you can call me Cas.

  My head flicked up to his. Did I just hear him?

  Yes.

  His eyes were black as coal and full of anger, but the anger wasn’t for me. I didn’t know who or what for. I held my dagger stiffly. I couldn’t see his face, but for the eyes. They were reading me.

  For those who would hurt you.

  Why does he hate so easy? And to protect me? Isn't he there trying to kill me too? His eyes flashed to where he held a hand tight with something in it. It was a forced hold, but no pain came to me now. I followed the path of his gaze and saw the ring I had only gotten hours ago dangling in his hand under mine.

  Without this, your thoughts are unguarded, and un
fortunately so are mine.

  Why? How can I do this? And why are you taking the ring if it’s all so powerful?

  I had to make you know. Because, princess Anat, you are the one who has us all. You can contr—

  He cut off his thoughts.

  Control? I can control you. Tell me how so I can get back to my friends. And how do you freaking know my name? I struggled in his arm not really paying attention to the small clues that were inking around my mind and hulling up for later. My brother had trusted this guy for some ungodly reason. I had this unearthly feeling I could trust him, but hated it now because he took me against my will. I hissed at him and realized I’d spoken without speaking aloud. As freaked out as I was, I wanted to know more and he seemed to know more than me.

  His eyes darkened.

  Just give meant chance and I will tell you more later.

  He had no fear or anger coming from him so I tried to read his eyes again. His thoughts. Either he guarded them somehow, or I couldn’t feel his now. Why we were hovering in the air just watching the earth move away from us while my friends get hurt confounded me. I looked down again. All my allies are gone. My friends.

  Perhaps some deserted you. If you don’t go with me, Borgon will have the Elves and their warriors kill you. The Weres almost had you. You stay, you die Kissa.

  I made my eyes span the entire ground below me. Dying wasn’t always an option for me. And my friends didn’t desert me. He took me.

  I wanted to fight my way out of this. But the mind games had me puzzled. And this ring of all knowing reading minds gave me a new issue to deal with.

  I would love to sit here and listen to you puzzle this out, but I really must be going.

  “Stop that!” I yelled to the open sky of stars. I didn’t like him reading my thoughts. Or touching me this close. He had one arm easily holding me to him.

  No one is coming. I sighed heavily. I can’t take him, he’s too strong. He shouldn't be and I wanted to know why. This is a hold I should be able to get out of easily, though I can't fly like a flapass Vamp.