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The Valens of Legacy
Category:
Fantasy
Publisher: Sherrel Lee
Copyright: May 14, 2013
ISBN-13: 9780985249694
Price: FREE! (eBook)
Paranormal series based on the love of alternate worlds--exploring myth, legend, lore, and the possibilities they offer.
As Larinda Nix Thomas buries her adoptive parents, who died in a deadly echo of the accident that took her birth parents, hidden documents reveal that she is being threatened by a sinister force and that she shouldn't trust even her closest allies.
Fate demands she accept her place among the Valens as a shapeshifter, a unicorn, which brings more changes to her life than she could have imagined and puts her on a collision course with her ultimate destiny. In this prequel to the Valens series myth is rewritten, fantasy and science fiction blend to create a chilling story of death, loss, and discovery
Excerpt
Excerpt – Valens Remembered, Prequel (Novella)
Chapter One
Larinda Nix Thomas watched, eyes filled with tears, as her parents’ coffins were lowered into the ground. The rain took no pity on the mourners who had gathered. It blew in past the edges of the tent, dousing everyone who had come to say their last goodbyes.
Grant Mayfair and Griffin Hawke, senior executives with Legacy Protection Services and personal friends of Larinda’s family, stood sentinel beside her. Larinda struggled to hide how much she blamed them for her loss. Legacy, and all the resources at their disposal, hadn’t protected her adoptive parents. Grant and Griffin hadn’t been there to safeguard Boyd and Fiona, and now she was forced to stand beside their graves.
Larinda hugged herself, stroking her shoulder where the mark that resembled a unicorn was hidden under her jacket. Today the comforting habit didn’t work.
Grant reached out and drew her hand into his. “I know you’re hurting,” he murmured. “It’s so difficult to lose those you love to a senseless accident.” He gave her hand a squeeze and raised it toward the numerous friends, employees, and customers who had come to share her grief—and whose safety and livelihoods depended on the company her parents had built. “You can trust that I’ll be here for you,” Grant said. “Help take some of the burden off your shoulders.”
Reclaiming her hand, she gave Grant a weak smile. It didn’t last long.
Senseless accident? Or something far worse? The thought swirled through Larinda’s mind.
Ambassador Magellan came forward to shake her hand. “Larinda, please forgive me. I have duties to address, but I had to let you know Legacy’s services are not in jeopardy because of your loss. I’m sure Mr. Hawke is very capable of stepping in until you are better prepared for such vast responsibilities.”
Larinda stared blankly at the politician as he walked away. Step aside? I know I’m not completely prepared for this, but—just let Hawke take over? Looking at the faces of the men and women who gathered to comfort her, she suddenly wondered how many of them expected the same thing.
Her parents had carefully groomed her in preparation for the day she would take control of Legacy. She had been immersed in Valen culture and schooled in the obligations she would inherit from the day she had become a member of the family. Even at that young age, she’d understood that their pride and high standards were the reason for the success of the two hundred year old company. Boyd’s parents had established the global enterprise and built it into a world-renowned security firm celebrated for protecting presidents and kings.
They had depended on her to carry on when they were gone. She was a Thomas, even if not by birth, and as long as her family survived, they would remain in control of Legacy. It was the least she owed the people who had given her so much.
* * * *
The rain had stopped, but dense gray clouds still squatted over the house where friends, partners, and coworkers gathered to offer condolences and support. Larinda made her way through the crowded living room, accepting the hugs, kisses and heartfelt but inadequate clichés from everyone she passed. Her inability to think clearly made it easy for anyone who wished to detail their own tragedies, real or imagined, trapping her with their endless stories. Hawke seemed to know this, magically appearing at her side to rescue her from the latest chatterbox.
Larinda blew out the deep breath she had been holding. “You arrived just in time. Ms.—sorry, I don’t remember her last name—must be part remora. She stuck to me no matter which way I turned.”
Hawke gave a small bark of laughter. “I actually feel sorry for the wives of diplomats and power mongers. They have to perform as the dutiful spouse all too often, making an effort to comfort people they barely know.”
Larinda lowered her head. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. It just slipped out.”
“I wasn’t scolding you, little one. So, tell me how are you? Not this public Larinda, the one inside that’s mourning a terrible loss.”
“Scared. Lonely. Why am I destined to be orphaned?”
Hawke shook his head. “I don’t know, Larinda. It seems so unfair that you should lose two sets of parents.”
“At least I have my memories of Boyd and Fiona,” she said. “For my birth parents, I don’t even have that. I wish I did.”
“You don’t remember anything from your life with them?” Hawke asked.
She shook her head. “Fiona told me how they died. That they loved me. How she loved me.” Her voice hitched and she drew in a shaky breath. “I just can’t believe both my natural and adoptive parents were killed in car accidents. Isn’t that just too much of a coincidence? And to have no memory of my birth family? The accident? Nothing! Hawke, I was old enough to remember something!”
“Memory loss after a traumatic experience is not that uncommon,” he told her gently. “What you saw that day, what you heard—it was just too much for you to take in. There’s—” Hawke broke off and ran his hand through his hair, frowning.
“What? Do you know something Fi—Mom—didn’t?”
“No. I didn’t know Marcus and Vera and I can’t add to what Fiona and Boyd told you, but—you’re Valen.”
“I know,” she said, not sure why he was stating the obvious. They were all Valen—powerful shapeshifters born to guard humankind. Very soon now, Larinda’s fate—her nonhuman shape—would emerge. The unicorn. After that, she would be able to change forms at will, just as Hawke transformed into a gryphon and Grant Mayfair into the deadly manticore. That was one of the reasons Boyd and Fiona had taken her in—no Valen should be allowed to grow up ignorant of her heritage. “Mom and Dad said my first change should happen any time now.” She felt a deep stab of sadness, knowing they wouldn’t be there to share it with her.
Hawke still hesitated, looking awkward. Larinda didn’t understand why he was having such a difficult time expressing what was on his mind; it was so foreign to the man she knew.
“Yes,” Hawke agreed, before he stumbled on. “The day will soon come when you will change. And it’s possible—there’s a small chance—that when you do, you will heal and regain your memory.”
“What? I’ll remember by natural parents? Really?”
“That’s not what I said, Larinda. There is a minor chance you’ll remember something. But it’s not guaranteed.” He touched her arm gently. “Don’t hope too much. I don’t want you to be disappointed.”
Larinda was stunned. “I’d be grateful for any memories at all,” she said.
Hawke looked over her shoulder. “Seems we have a line waiting to talk to you.” He abruptly excused himself and walked away.
As soon as Larinda possibly could, she made her way toward the staircase and the second floor, where she hoped to escape the bevy of well-wishers. Just a few moments of quiet, she thought, glancing at the people who surrounded her. I suppose I should feel selfish and guilty for leaving, but I don’t have the energy. Just as she finally reached the stairs, she was stopped once more by Grant’s voice calling her name.
He came forward and briefly patted her on the shoulder. “I know how hard this is for you, Larinda, losing both of your parents. I wish now we’d never let them go to Lubbock.”
“You couldn’t have known,” Larinda said, praying he couldn’t see how much she agreed with him. “They did what they thought best, but I miss them so much and the pain seems to have doubled since the funeral this afternoon. I keep thinking about my birth parents, and how I’ve now lost both my natural and adoptive parents. It’s almost too much.”
Grant reached to take her hand. Then hesitated when she took a step back from him. She’d had too many people paw her in the last hour and she desperately needed to escape the well-wishers.
He ground his teeth briefly before he asked, “Still no memories? Dreams about the past?”
“No. Only my imagination about the things Mom and Dad told me when I asked. Did you know my birth parents also died in an automobile accident? It just doesn’t make sense.”
“A lot of things in life don’t have explanations we can understand.”
Larinda hesitated, then asked, “Can I get your opinion on—something?”
“Of course. What is it?”
“I spoke with Hawke.” Grant’s jaw tightened at the mere mention of Hawke’s name. Larinda barely held in a sigh of frustration. Grant’s jealously of Hawke was something that her parents had handled with skill and tact that Larinda didn’t know if she possessed. She hoped he wasn’t going to cause problems going forward. She went on, “He seems to think I might regain my memory when I change to unicorn for the first time. Do you think it’s possible?”
Grant raised his eyebrows. “Maybe. I was with you father when he talked to Dr. Brolan at Legacy Medical. It wasn’t too long after you were adopted,” he said. “Doc told Boyd temporary loss of memory can last days or years, but unlike the full humans, the transformation to a Valen’s fate has been known to heal. He’d seen it. A young man he treated who was disabled, unable to walk had his legs restored upon the transformation. I believe other neurological and psychological conditions have also been known to heal.” He went on, changing the subject almost without pause. Typical. Grant couldn’t stay focused on anyone but himself for very long. “Now, I have a question for you. I overheard what Ambassador Magellan said to you. You aren’t really planning on handing Legacy over to Hawke, are you?”
“It isn’t something I’ve considered. With all the details I’ve had to take care of since—the accident, I just haven’t put much thought into running Legacy at all.”
“Don’t get me wrong,” Grant said. Hawke is an intelligent man, but he treats you like a child. He’s not your father or guardian, Larinda.”
“No, you’re right. He’s not my father. I just buried my father today, Grant.”
A flush reddened Grant’s face. “I just mean don’t count on him for everything. He’s not always going to place your interests first if he has the power to run your company.” Grant gave her a peck on the cheek, turned, and walked away.
He didn’t hide his jealously well. She knew he wanted more power, but his jibes at Hawke were not as effective as he seemed to think. She had known him since she had been adopted by Boyd and Fiona. Perhaps, when she returned to the office, it would be time to finally put him in his place.
She turned to go upstairs before anyone else could interrupt her plans for some privacy. As she did, a tingle of electricity skittered along her nerves, and something she couldn’t define tugged at her memory. She rubbed her hands over her arms. Everything was changing, as if her world was sliding out from under her. All she wanted was to be alone with her memories.
* * * *
She’d planned to go straight to her room, but the open door to Boyd’s office beckoned her with memories of the days she had spent “working” with him when she had been a child. She ran her fingers across the glowing wood and studied the scattered piles of clutter that was—had been—her father’s only vice. One her mother playfully picked on in a mild attempt to get him to mend his ways.
Slowly she walked to his chair and sat down, opening the center drawer of the desk. As she suspected, there was a package of gum. He had never been without it, whenever she’d wanted a piece. She reached in and took one of the paper and foil wrapped sticks, noticing a large envelope with the logo and address of Jonathan Grey, the company attorney. Pulling the packet out, she was surprised to find copies of her parents’ wills.
She glanced through the pages before returning the documents to the drawer. Everything was as she expected, though she had forgotten that in the case she had no heir, Legacy would be turned over to a board of trustees her parents had named. It had been a difficult decision for them, but they wanted to be sure the people who depended on Legacy would not be left without the stability the company offered them.
Her hand drifted down to the bottom side drawer. Boyd had designated it as hers. How long had it been since she’d opened it? Years. She was surprised and touched to find it exactly as she had left it. She reached down and removed a pink feather-tipped pen, a palm-size solar calculator that no longer worked, and her “business journal” with the fairies on the cover. A folder she didn’t remember lay hidden underneath the journal. She could see there was a small stack of papers inside it. As she went to place it on the desk, a folded sheet of paper slipped into her lap. Unfolding it, she started to read. Her breath caught.
You have not taken heed of our warning. Stop your investigation immediately or you and your family will perish. Mankind no longer deserves protection and must pay for what they have done to us.
We shall reclaim our fates and our rightful place among the petty humans.
H
She stared at the note in disbelief. Was this the proof she had unconsciously been looking for? The reason her parents had died? Something in her had refused to believe it was an accident. She refolded the paper and set it aside, reviewing the notes that remained in the folder. Her heart stopped when she found a list of names marked only with minus and plus signs beside them. Precisely what the marks meant eluded her, but there was no doubt her father had been investigating the people named. Trust ?? was written along the top of the page.
An icy claw gripped her stomach and twisted as she read the names of the people he had been suspicious of.
Griffin H -
Grant M +
Jon G ?
Declan S -
There were a dozen more names that blurred as her eyes filled with tears. Had the writer of the letter murdered her parents? What did the marks on the list mean? Was there anyone she could trust?
Then there was the question she was most afraid to ask.
Was she the next target?
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