Chasing the Storm Read online

  Table of Contents

  Legal Page

  Title Page

  Book Description

  Dedication

  Trademarks Acknowledgement

  The Prophecy

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  New Excerpt

  About the Author

  Publisher Page

  A Totally Bound Publication

  Chasing the Storm

  ISBN # 978-1-78430-043-2

  ©Copyright Aliyah Burke 2014

  Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright May 2014

  Edited by Rebecca Douglas

  Totally Bound Publishing

  This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Totally Bound Publishing.

  Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Totally Bound Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

  The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

  Published in 2014 by Totally Bound Publishing, Newland House, The Point, Weaver Road, Lincoln, LN6 3QN

  Warning:

  This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has a heat rating of Totally Simmering and a Sexometer of 2.

  Astral Guardians

  CHASING THE STORM

  Aliyah Burke

  Book one in the Astral Guardians series

  Sometimes all you get is a tiny flash…

  Cale Mattox is the first of the Astral Guardians to find his artefact. The woman who wears it has her own past she’s running from.

  Taylor Kenyon is tired—the family who wants her dead is beginning to gain on her. This man, Cale, gives her a sense of comfort she’s never had before and creates feelings no one else has. Together they will fight the approaching darkness.

  Can he protect her as well as convince her that he needs more than just the artefact?

  Dedication

  Thanks to Totally Bound for giving me the opportunity to have another series with them.

  To my readers, thank you for the amazing and unending support, it’s completely humbling.

  I hope you enjoy Cale and Taylor’s story.

  To my husband, who’s always there for me, I love you.

  To my parents who always encouraged me to follow my heart and believed in me even when I didn’t, thank you.

  And, as always, last but never least, my heartfelt thanks to the men and women who serve their country. God Bless you and your families for your unselfish sacrifices!

  Trademarks Acknowledgement

  The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

  Coke: The Coca-Cola Company

  The Hilton: Hilton Hotels and Resorts

  Jeep: Chrysler Group LLC

  X-Men: Marvel Comics

  Hogwarts: JK Rowling

  Wolverine: Marvel Comics

  Gambit: Marvel Comics

  Iceman: Marvel Comics

  Iron Man: Marvel Comics

  Batman: DC Comics

  Batcave: DC Comics

  Rogue: Marvel Comics

  Storm: Marvel Comics

  Jean Grey/Dark Phoenix: Marvel Comics

  Shanna the She-Devil: Marvel Comics

  X-Mansion: Marvel Comics

  Professor X: Marvel Comics

  The parts to waken the world’s hope have been scattered far and wide to the winds and throughout the stars.

  It is from there the chosen ones are marked, becoming Astral Guardians.

  Alone, their individual defeat has a greater chance than when paired with the amaranthine and genuine love of their mate.

  Those Guardians must find, defend and bind the pieces to call forth the hope of the world.

  It will take courage, strength, love and sacrifice.

  If the Guardians fail, swift death will arrive to the one who calms the beasts.

  With this outcome, the world shall descend into darkness, chaos and anarchy.

  Chapter One

  The cold winds bit into Cale’s skin as he careened down the mountain, barely missing the trees as they whipped by him. He loved it, the freedom of skiing. Above him, he spied the silhouette of the chopper that had dropped him off higher than the tree line. Just how he liked it. Cale loved utilising a chopper to carry him high up into the mountains—it assisted his adrenaline rush when he raced back down to the base. Seeing it as it flew away made him realise even more just how alone he was up here. He wouldn’t have it any other way.

  Some may prefer to vacation along the beaches and soak up the rays beside women wearing next to nothing. Personally, he liked the snow, and women who wanted to do something other than tan and have people deliver them drinks.

  Which could very well explain why he didn’t have a girlfriend. He zigged and zagged around the trees, waiting until the last moment to change direction, cutting it as close as possible.

  He was tired by the time he made it back down the mountain. In a good way, but tired. Skis in hand, he slowly strolled to the lodge, smoke rolling from its stacks reminding him how warm it would be inside. He put his things away then headed back down to the main floor where he went to the bar. Drink order in, he waited and looked about the room.

  There were two men in one corner who had him immediately suspicious. He was typically very easy going, but there was something about them that had him watching them with much more caution. They wore the correct things yet they still didn’t fit. He knew they were full humans and not demons, or the like which carried the rank scent of sulphur. His drink arrived and he promptly put them out of his mind.

  In a chair by the window, he stared out over the slopes and smiled. This was his last day of vacation and he had every intention of enjoying himself. And he held true to that. By the time he boarded his plane a day later, he was exhausted and looking forward to the long flight so he could get some rest.

  Those same two men boarded and walked past him. He didn’t like the warning ripples that exploded out from him. His instincts weren’t wrong about people, and not ignoring them had been his reason for survival more often than not as a teen. He wasn’t about to ignore his instincts now, either. Acting as if he needed something from his bag, he located where they were and memorised their looks. He again took his seat and closed his eyes, but he was as alert as he’d ever been.

  “You’re nervous, Cale. Everything okay?”

  The sound of his foster sister in his head calmed him instantly. “How do you manage to feel everything we do, Dracen?”

  A light chuckle echoed in his mind. “Thankfully it’s not everything, but you’re seriously on edge. Where are you?”

  “Flying home. Where are you? Hot date?”

  “Mind yourself, Cale. It’s l
ate here. Everyone’s sleeping.”

  “Except you.” A fact that worried him. Dracen, of all his siblings, seemed to sleep the least. Especially recently. There’d been dark circles beneath her eyes last he’d seen her and he would bet anything that hadn’t changed in the time he’d been gone.

  “Obviously not me if I’m talking to you. Now tell me why you’re nervous.”

  “There were two men at the lodge who didn’t fit and now they’re on the plane with me. I can’t explain why I feel it, I just do.”

  “You never have to explain it, Cale. We all understand.”

  “I will be just fine, Dracen. Don’t worry. You need to get some sleep. Or do I have to tell on you?”

  “We’re no longer teens, Cale. Tattling won’t have any effect.”

  He smirked and crossed his arms. “It will if I tell Tiarnán.”

  “Low blow.”

  “Yet apparently necessary.”

  Tiarnán was the eldest of the foster children who’d been taken in by Lian Yang who had stayed. Throughout the decades, Lian had sheltered many. Most of those had left when they reached eighteen or twenty. Of those currently there now, even ones who’d stayed past eighteen, he and Dracen had been there the longest, while Cale had been there seven years, arriving at age fourteen. Full of anger, mistrust and suspicion. It had been bumpy for a while but soon, something had clicked in his head and he’d realised this man, Lian, was different from everyone else he’d been sent to.

  They were his family now.

  “Be careful, Cale.”

  “Always am, sister.”

  The connection broke. It was odd to him, being able to talk with his siblings this way. He couldn’t do it other than with the other five who were different, like him. They were a unique bunch, whom Lian said had bigger challenges ahead. For the moment, there were only six of them who’d stayed after becoming of legal age. There were plenty of younger children, who they all chipped in helping with, but none older than eighteen except him and his five that he could communicate telepathically with whenever he wished.

  He smiled at the airline attendant when she served him his food. Thankfully there was no one seated in his row, so he took the seat by the window and angled himself to where he could see behind him more. He wasn’t about to be caught off guard.

  Cale ate slowly, watching the attendants move back and forth making sure everyone was looked after. One woman stopped before him and he didn’t realise he was staring until she cleared her throat.

  “I’m sorry,” he said with a blush.

  “Can I get you something else to drink?”

  Lord, she was pretty thing. “Coke please. With ice.”

  She flashed a grin. “Right away.”

  He could see himself spending some nights with her. With another flirtatious smile, he took his drink then watched her walk away. Nice legs. Another woman, a passenger this time, walked by and he couldn’t even begin to explain the punch to his gut that happened. As if all air had been sucked from his lungs, he bent over with a wheeze.

  She barely paused, just flicked a glance at him. Then she frowned and stepped closer. “Are you okay?” Her voice was low and melodic.

  “Choked on my drink,” he managed to say once he’d got some air back in his lungs. “Went down wrong.”

  Her smile lit up her face and he found himself returning it. “I’m sorry. Glad you’re feeling better.” She leant forward a bit and her necklace fell free from her shirt.

  He was riveted on the pendant. Gold, elegant in a way he’d never seen before. The symbol on it was one he’d seen before but couldn’t quite place. Everything within him wanted to yank it off her and keep it for himself. Keep it next to him, against his own flesh. His back burned and he shifted in his seat.

  “Have a great flight.” She moved by him and he craned his neck behind to see where she went.

  The woman had to pass the two men who made him uncomfortable. And the way they watched her and shared a look only increased his feeling. Possessiveness flowed through him—problem was, he didn’t know if it was towards the woman or the pendant.

  He leant back and barely moved when the attendant came by to take his trash. His heart rate wouldn’t slow and all he could see was that small gold disc, which hung on a filigree chain around her neck.

  Edgy the entire flight back, he got more antsy when they landed. Taking his bag, he was in the front of the pack to disembark. However, he waited against the walkway wall for the woman to appear. She did so, pulling a purple, leopard-print suitcase behind her. It was more like a backpack with a handle and wheels. Her clothing conservative, hair as well. There was nothing about her that screamed ‘look at me’, yet he couldn’t take his eyes off her.

  Behind her, the two men appeared and his gaze narrowed. Stepping before her, he watched her sidestep to avoid hitting him and carry on without looking up. It was then he realised she had earbuds in and was listening to something. So he fell into step beside her, cautious of where the two men were behind them.

  Her strides were purposeful and he liked that she didn’t take small dainty steps, as if her legs were in cuffs. That sent an image through his head, which he wasn’t so quick to vanquish.

  The moment they stepped out into the hall of the airport, she looked sideways at him. Her eyes grew wide and she slowed as she took one bud out of her ear.

  “Weren’t you ahead of me?”

  He flashed his flirty grin. “Guess you caught up to me.” He stared at her neck, wanting to see the pendant again.

  “Really? Guess so.” Her disbelief was palpable.

  Cale shrugged easily. The men behind them had stopped as well, talking amongst themselves yet obviously waiting for them to continue. Honestly, he hadn’t a clue which one of them they were after now. He couldn’t let her face them alone, though.

  “Care to share a taxi?”

  “You don’t even know where I’m going.”

  “You’re right. How about a coffee, we talk then share a taxi.”

  Her laughter made him smile even more.

  Taylor Kenyon wasn’t quite sure what to make of the man standing before her. He amused her. And given how he didn’t make her skin crawl, like those two following her did, maybe he would convince them she wasn’t an easy target.

  “Coffee sounds wonderful.”

  He raked a hand through his dark brown hair and gave her a nod. “Excellent.”

  They fell into step and made their way through to the concessions. She watched him out of the corner of her eye.

  An athlete. He was fit and had a nice movement to him. Looked good, too. Tanned skin, dark hair, killer smile. She almost shook her head but managed to stop herself at the last minute. A man wasn’t anything she needed in her life right now.

  “Preference on where to go?”

  We can definitely add nice voice to his list as well. “I don’t have one.”

  They settled on a place and she got some hot tea while he got a cappuccino. She picked a seat by the window where she could have her back at a corner and look out past the man with her to those milling about. It didn’t help her nerves when she saw the same two creeps hanging out.

  Stirring the sugar into her tea, she stared at the man sharing the table with her. He had incredible blue eyes which were focused intently on her. She blinked. “Something on my face?”

  “Just wondering about your necklace.”

  Warning spiked up her spine. But she didn’t lose her composure, it wasn’t in her to do so. “What about it?” She sipped the brew and wished she were able to truly enjoy it.

  “It’s unique. Where did you get it?”

  “My grandmother gave it to me before she died.” She touched the chain but didn’t reveal the pendant. “She told me it would bring me luck.” A sorrowful laugh. “I’m still waiting on that. But it’s part of her and I love it for that reason alone.”

  Her grandmother had said a whole lot of other things, but she wasn’t going to share them with this
man. He didn’t ask to see it, which had her wondering if perhaps he wasn’t another after her. A thought that was nice, although brief, for it vanished when he looked in the direction of the two men who’d definitely been after her.

  I have to get away from him.

  “What’s your name?” he asked. “Just realised we haven’t been introduced to one another.”

  “Taylor.”

  “Cale. Cale Mattox.”

  Another practised smile. “Nice to meet you.” She drank more of her tea and chatted with him about being in France. He’d been skiing, as she’d been. Same lodge, and how surprising it was they hadn’t run into each other there. “Excuse me, I need to use the facilities.”

  “Then we can get a taxi.”

  She stood and gripped the handle of her suitcase. “I still have to go to baggage claim. We could meet there.”

  He sent another glance to where she knew the men were. “Sounds good to me. See you in a bit, Taylor.”

  Not if I have anything to say about it. She gave a nod and walked to the nearest bathroom. She sank against the wall and rubbed her arms as she tried to figure out what step to take next.

  “You okay, sweetie?” A cleaning lady asked her.

  “No. There are two men following me and they’re making me really nervous. I also think another man is, but I’m not positive.”

  The woman’s face grew dark and thunderous. She pulled a radio off her belt and spoke into it. “What do they look like?”

  She gave the men’s description and after a brief hesitation, gave Cale’s as well. If it was only her imagination that had her thinking he was with them, well, that was her mistake. But she couldn’t risk it.

  A female officer showed up in the bathroom and they left together. She saw two more uniforms talking to the men. All three. One on the two and one on Cale. She didn’t make eye contact just allowed the woman to escort her.