Isaura
Ruth Silver
Table of Contents
Isaura
ISBN-13
-
978-1-61258-107-1
ISBN-10-1-61258-107-2
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Copyright © 2013 Ruth Silver
Cover art by Anthony Walsh
This book is a work of fiction. Any
resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, any events or locales is
purely coincidental. The names, characters, places and incidents are products
of the writer’s imagination and are not to be construed as real.
No part of this book may be used or
reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission from
the publisher LazyDay, with the exception of quotes used in reviews and
critical articles.
Silver.
CHAPTER 1
I wasn't good with waiting. I paced the length of the
atrium. My feet bounced along the tiled floor. Every few moments, I glanced
back at the closed doors. I wanted to be a part of the meeting, but I
understood my place. I wasn't a representative of any of the cities. I had been
there along with Joshua as an honorary member. Our work here had been done and
we had been told we could leave.
Clearly, Craynor had entered the city of Torv and had known
what was going on. Of course it hadn't been a secret! How could it have been?
The entire nation of Cabal had known about the upcoming election and
restructuring of the government.
I had hoped the bombing of the Governor's Mansion had ended
Craynor's life, but I'd been mistaken. I should have known he would come back
into our lives. My life was never that simple. How had he known to escape? Was
it sheer luck or had someone alerted him of our plan?
I didn't know what I could do. A madman had taken Joshua.
There was no other way to describe Craynor, who no longer acted as Governor.
Kidnapping Joshua wasn't about reinstating his position in the political
system. He wanted to get even with me. I just wasn't sure if it was because I
was aberrant or that he'd figured out I'd been Jacqueline in the mansion. He
did this to hurt me, because I'd caused him a great deal of trouble. My stomach
tensed as Chancellor Collins opened the wooden doors. I jumped from the sound
and came rushing in their direction to see Collins walking towards me. His face
looked solemn, grave. His expression added to the anxiety I already faced. My
fingers twitched and I opened my mouth to ask what would happen, when he spoke.
“They've asked for you.” Why didn't he relay me the
information on his own? I followed him back inside and stood there awkwardly,
wanting to know what they planned to do about Craynor and how we'd find Joshua.
“Olivia.” Someone at the far end of the table spoke up:
Isaura. I'd briefly met her at the meeting a few days ago. She was one of the
new delegates in Torv. She had dark green eyes, and jet-black hair against pale
ivory skin. “There is much for our new body of government to be involved in. So
much of the current system has remained in shambles for centuries. We recognize
Craynor is not the only enemy we must face. There are people who do not agree
with our ways and we fear they will demonstrate against us.” She sighed,
tapping her fingers together. “This doesn't come lightly in our decision. It
was not unanimous. Many of us recognize the effort Joshua has played in the
revolution. However, we can't afford to send any resources to look for him.
There are factions rising as we speak. For each day we spend forming laws, they
build stronger armies to retaliate. Not everyone believes in what we do,” she
explained to me. “Some wish us to fall as quickly as we rose. If we do that,
complete chaos will ensue. You understand that, don't you, Olivia?”
I recognized what they said but I didn't understand what
that meant for Joshua. “You're giving up, letting a mad man take refuge in the
city and kidnap anyone he chooses?” I was appalled. I refused to let Craynor
win. If I had to find Joshua on my own, I would.
“We understand you're upset, Olivia. We've decided to let
any law abiding citizens who volunteer aide in your search for Joshua,” she
explained. “These citizens will be under your command,” she informed me. “You
will be responsible for leading them. I take it you can handle a search and
rescue mission. We cannot, however, demand anyone to help you, nor will we take
away their free choice. Is that not what we've been fighting for?” she reminded
me harshly. “I understand Craynor is more than a subtle nuisance.” She glanced
beside her at another representative. “With time we will devise rules and
consequences for such actions he's partaken. Until then, you must act on your
own and do what you must to rescue Joshua.”
Relieved they didn’t forbid me from looking for him, the
truth was they couldn't stop me. Even if they tried. I was disheartened that
they wouldn't be assigning anyone to help, but I would go at it alone if that
was the case. Nothing would stop me from finding him.
“I wish we could offer you more, Olivia, but until we've
had our own matters settled and in control, this is all we can provide you
with.” They hadn't provided me with anything except the mere permission to go.
At least I wouldn't have them trying to stop me.
“It'll be fine.” I was better trained than most in Torv. Though
it didn't mean I felt any less nervous. Joshua was out there, with a man out
for revenge and I didn't even know where to start looking.
If Joshua was in Torv, I couldn't leave. Every moment I
wasted traveling between Torv and Shadow for reinforcements could mean his
death. I hated to think I had to wait for Craynor to make the next move, but I
was at a loss for what else to do.
After having met with the representatives of the cities, I
rushed back to Josh's room to make sure no other clues were left behind. I was
told at three o'clock, an hour and a half from now, additional members of Torv
would be on-hand to help search for Joshua. I didn't know what to think. It
wasn't going to be easy. At least in Shadow we had special talents, abilities
that might help us find and track Craynor. I couldn't use them, not with anyone
from Torv watching. Too much was at risk. Joshua wouldn't want me to, he'd made
it clear.
I walked through the small room, my fingers grazing over his
clothes. The small space smelled of Joshua. The perfect scent of masculinity
and warmth: of home even when I was far from it. I sat on his bed, wishing I
knew how to find him.
Joshua, please tell me where you are
. I didn't
expect him to answer. If he was capable of answering, he'd have contacted me
already. He could be anywhere.
I tried to think. Tried to reason where Craynor would go. We'd
destroyed his home. He wouldn't be stupid enough to travel back to Genesis. I
doubted he had a vehicle, unless he commandeered one in Torv. The nearest town
to Torv was Haven. It had been destroyed months ago, and though I hadn't been
back there, I couldn't fathom that anything remained standing. Maybe I should
consider checking it out.
“How?” I shook my head in confusion. He wasn't one of the
representatives of Torv. He was my father.
“You're asking for volunteers, right?” Gavin raised an eyebrow.
“You want me to come along?”
I didn't want him, but I also knew I needed all the help I
could get. Craynor could be anywhere and Joshua's life was in danger. “I am.” I
sighed. My fingers held one of his t-shirts. I swallowed the lump in my throat.
I would not cry. Joshua could still be alive. He might be fine, just asleep. I
was trying to reassure myself of the unknown. If he was awake, he'd have
communicated with me telepathically if he could.
“So, what's the verdict?” Gavin remarked watching me. “You
want my help or not?”
I would take anyone's help. Even if I didn't like Gavin, I
trusted he wouldn't betray me. I didn’t know why, but I knew he wouldn't. “Just
don't piss me off, okay?” I said. I was on edge. I already felt so much
emotion. Not only had Craynor taken my best friend but also my husband, the
love of my life. I could not imagine the rest of my life without him there,
beside me.
“I'll do my best,” Gavin agreed. “Come on, I've got some
other people I know who want to help.”
“You do?” I asked, feeling the slightest bit of hope as I
took Joshua's shirt with me. I shoved it into my bag and tossed all of Joshua's
clothes into his bag and zipped it. “Carry this for me.” I handed him Joshua's
bag. When we found Josh, he'd want his things returned to him. I'd have them
for him.
Gavin didn't object. He took the bag and slung it over his
shoulder. “Let’s go.” He gestured and walked towards the elevator. I didn't
waste any time. Once we stepped outside I saw what Gavin had spoken about.
Already two others stood nearby. I wasn't sure they looked the most capable of
soldiers but this wasn't a war. We only had to deal with one man. I doubted
Craynor had an army of his own. If I was lucky the fact Craynor was still
alive, someone would see him, recognize him.
“We're all here to help,” a female voice chimed in. “I'm
Rane.” She held out her hand. I remembered her. She had been the girl on
Joshua's bed in Haven.
“You're alive?” I was flabbergasted.
Rane laughed. “Seems I am.” She smiled. “Don't worry I'm not
here to steal away your husband. I heard you and Joshua got married.
Congratulations.” Rane shook my hand.
“Thank you.” I smiled politely, unsure how I felt about her
joining Gavin and the rest of the task force assigned to find Joshua. I didn't
hate her. I trusted Joshua enough to know nothing had happened between them and
at the same time, staring at her, she was the absolutely picture perfect
essence of real beauty. She was everything I wasn't. I had no reason to be
jealous but it was difficult not to be. I swallowed my pride. “Thank you for
joining us.”
“Of course,” Rane answered. “Joshua is a great guy.”
Gavin gestured towards Collins and Elsa approaching us. “Looks
like we have a few extra hands.”
“I can either stay and fight alongside of you,” Elsa told me.
“Or travel back to Shadow for reinforcements.”
The answer was obvious. “Go.” I didn't want her to waste a
moment thinking she'd be helpful by staying. The bigger the army, the stronger
chance we had against Craynor. I had no idea his end game, and that scared me.
“You'll have whatever you need from our end. Weapons,
transportation, you name it,” Elsa assured me.
“I'm sorry I can't join you.” Collins frowned. “With Elsa
away, someone from Shadow needs to remain in Torv.”
“I know.” He didn't owe me an explanation and I hadn’t asked
for one. “Thank you.” I felt my body shiver and glanced up at the cloudy sky. I
hoped the weather would cooperate. It was getting darker and grayer with each
passing minute. “Thank you all for agreeing to help.”
“Where do we start?” Another voice echoed. I didn't
recognize him and introduced myself.