Kairos

  KAIROS

  An Enmortals Series Novel

  K. J. Coakley

  This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and settings are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, names, locales, organizations, or persons living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2014 K. J. Coakley

  All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part and in any form.

  Cover photo by Aleshyn Andrei / Shutterstock

  ISBN 10: 1496039874

  ISBN 13: 978-1496039873

  Library of Congress Control Number: 201490445

  Table of Contents

  Front Matter

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgements

  About The Author

  Dedication

  To Dad, for always supporting me even though you know nothing about romance novels. I love our little chats…they always make me smile.

  To Mom, for giving me my first saucy book, and showing me that reading is HOT.

  To my amazing husband Jason, and my sons Triston and Eli, I’m sorry for the long weekends I was tucked away in my room. I hereby do solemnly swear to make dinner every night for an entire month.

  I love you guys to the stars and back.

  Prologue

  Text from the Tablets of the Templar Knights:

  There are omniscient beings among us. Ancient texts have referred to them as the Jumalat. It is said that they stumbled upon a beautiful universe during their worldly travels. The Jumalat fell so in love with its beauty that they created life to watch over and care for the lands.

  The first one hundred years were peaceful as humankind flourished and lived in the very essence of serenity. The Jumalat cherished their creation and gifted them with the tools necessary to flourish within their environment. Children were born, and families expanded their fortunes. Love blossomed, and kindness ruled. It was a land where fear and death had no place. But greed is an effervescent emotion, one even the Jumalat are not exempt from. Creation became the competition, and humankind was left to flounder in its wake.

  Elves were the first creation. Freya created them to be beautiful, intelligent, graceful, and one with nature.

  The second creation was the Fey. Loki created them to be deceptive, manipulative, beautiful, and superior to all others, or so he thought.

  The third Jumalat chose a different path. Balder fell in love with a human woman. He chose a mortal life above his immortal duties. In doing so he sacrificed his immortality and was cursed with the thirst. In his quest to feed, he unknowingly created vampires, the dark walkers of the plains. The woman he fell in love with, Lilleth, was turned into an immortal and sent to live in a secluded castle in Asgard for all eternity.

  Lilleth is the only human to reside in Asgard and is now known as The Fate. She alone determines the path that we follow and sets destiny in motion.

  The fourth to create a species was Fenrir. When he saw the creations of his brethren, he seethed with jealousy and anger. He decided he wanted to create a race worthy of conquering and subjugating all others. The Lycans were tall, strong, callous, and merciless warriors. Odin cursed them with empathy so they would feel tenfold what others around them felt, an act to counter their barbarism.

  War was upon the Jumalat and humankind. Greed for power and creation was the tool that divided the pantheons. In his quest for peace among his brethren, Odin created the Enkelit. These beings were gifted with divinity to watch over humankind. They were given the gift of enmortality, suffering no pain, hunger, or emotion beyond a pure and unwavering love of humankind. Unbeknownst to the rest of the Jumalat, Odin created them from the blood and bone of his own person. This alone made them the most powerful of all creations. For it is told that only they have the power to end the existence of the very thing that created them: Jumalat. They are justice personified.

  Chapter

  One

  Ever wonder what your life would be like if something monumental happened and changed the course of your future? Well, I used to fantasize about that until one day it did happen. The big it, the larger-than-life moment—and that was when my life completely changed. Nothing would ever be the same again, the simplicity of life and enjoyment that comes with living in the moment. Ah…I used to savor life like it was my favorite Popsicle.

  For a short while, I was the one in charge of my destiny. I had big plans to finish school and get my master’s degree in English. For as long as I can remember, I have had a wild imagination. I’ve dreamed of being a published author and reveling in the success of my first novel as it hit the bestseller’s list. Yeah, it’s a dream, but it’s my dream, and I fully intend to achieve it.

  So it came as a bit of a surprise when, as I was closing up the convenience store where I worked, my plans took a drastic detour to Crazy Town. You see, I had just locked the side door facing the pumps and turned to secure the main entrance when out of nowhere I see a bright flash of light. It is so bright that it damn near blinds me. I stagger back and throw my arms in front of my face. The piercing light sends a soothing wave over the surface of my skin. The tiny hairs on my arms stand up, and I gasp at the sensation. All the while a gentle whisper of wind caresses my skin as the light begins to dim and fade into nothingness.

  I step forward and lower my arms as the front parking lot comes back into focus through my squinty eyes. Although spots are dancing in my vision from the bright light, I can make out my car parked in the corner of the lot under a light pole fixed with a security camera. A girl’s gotta play it safe. Hopefully that and the can of mace on my key ring will deter any ill-minded attention.

  As I place my hands on the glass doors, I quickly slip the lock and stare out into the dark. There were four poles lit up, and now there’s only one: the one over my car. But the rest of them are dark, and I can’t see that well with the store lights casting a glare on the glass doors. I jog back to the main office and flip the breaker for the inside lights and then make haste back to the front door for a better view.

  The floor is still a little wet from where I mopped, so I nearly fall on the tile floor cutting a corner past the registers, but I catch myself midfall by grabbing the lottery stand and righting myself with as much speed as possible. As I reach the front door, I can see everything around the store. The ornamental pear trees are swaying in the warm spring breeze, but a slight movement to the right catches my eye. A person is walking through the landscaping and coming straight toward the front doors. When he steps onto the pavement and under the light near my car, it’s easy to make out his masculine form.

  He’s striding purposefully toward me, and my breath catches in my throat. He’s getting closer now, much closer, and I can make out his light-colored hair being tossed in the breeze. It looks long, probably shoulder length. He’s impressively built with a lean, muscled frame. His shoulders are wide and padded with muscle, but he doesn’t look like a neckless body builder. He’s perfectly proportionate and sexy as hell. I’m practically panting. What the hell is wrong with me? This man could be a serial killer, and I’m standing here like a bitch in heat gawking at his beautiful toned arms and narrow waist that tapers into deliciously sculpted thighs.

  His pants are snug in all the right places, and his shirt looks as if it’s painted on his perfect torso. I can see the chiseled outline of pecs and ab muscles peeking through the thin fabric of his short-sleeve shirt. It has a deep V in the neck, giving me a tantalizing peek of satiny s
kin. I can see more clearly the closer he gets, and it is strikingly obvious that he’s rather tall. I’d guess over six feet.

  He moves directly in front of me under the door lights, and I am glued to my spot, staring like a blubbering idiot at this god in front of me. I have never seen such a mysteriously beautiful man in all of my life. The lights cast gray shadows below his jaw and just under his eyes. But the darkness only seems to enhance his green eyes. They remind me of crystalline green seas from the tropics. They’re clear and intense.

  He cocks his head to one side as he runs his eyes up my body and then, with a lascivious gleam, back down before meeting my gaze again. My eyebrows crinkle with indignation, and I mentally scorn his bluntness. How dare he look at me like I’m some piece of street candy? He practically eye-fucked me. His visual intercourse stoked a slithering heat down my spine that pooled between my thighs like molten lava. My legs wobble, and I catch the door handle to steady myself. His mouth quirks an arrogant grin at my reaction before he speaks.

  “Hi.” His voice flows over my ears like warm honey. He’s still staring into my eyes, and I can’t seem to pull a single thought together. I am lost in the moment and the man standing so very close to me.

  My senses are completely overwhelmed, and my traitorous body is practically oozing with a needy desire I can’t quell. His presence is overpowering. Snap out of it, I chastise myself, fighting to rein in the effect he has over me. I exhale slowly and briefly close my eyes.

  When I open them, my mind is clear once more, and as I regain my composure, it finally occurs to me that I never responded to him.

  “We’re closed, sir.” What the hell was that? I cannot believe I just said that. Could I have sounded any lamer? Shit…shit…shit. I’m such a dumbass!

  He smiles a face-splitting grin at me, and I nearly have an orgasm. My god, he is beautiful! Where the hell has this man been all of my life?

  “Yes, I can see that. Would you mind if I use your phone? I need to call for a ride.” His eyes are gleaming with humor.

  He’s laughing at me! Damn it. He is really getting a kick out of me making such an ass of myself. Well, two can play at that game, mister.

  “I’m glad that the obvious doesn’t need further stating. Now, if you would kindly take your person elsewhere, I have shit to do here. The phone is not for public use, and as I mentioned earlier…we’re closed.” There, take that, Mr. Hot and Sexy. I don’t care how eatable you look. I’m not some star-struck idiot, and I sure as hell am not letting him in this store. He could be a rapist or a robber. I take an involuntary step back. The thought of being raped is enough to cool my overactive hormones like a bucket of ice down my pants.

  He looks taken aback by my rejection. I bite my lip to keep from smiling at his dumbfounded expression. His brows are screwed together in confusion or irritation—I don’t know which—and he is looking at me as if I’m a puzzle he’s lost a piece to.

  His face smoothes out, and his cool and unflappable veil descends once more. He’s decided on a new approach. I immediately set my defenses in place. My body stiffens. His eyes rove over my curves again and zero in on my shaking hands. My nerves are getting the best of me. I clinch my fist, and his eyes shoot up to mine.

  “There is no need for alarm, Miss.” He places his hands out, palms facing me, and proceeds to show me he is unarmed by patting his arms and legs down and emptying his pockets. “I mean you no harm. If you would let me in so I can use your phone, I’ll call my ride and be on my way.” He nods at the door lock and motions for me to open it. “You have my word I won’t hurt you.”

  I hesitate.

  “I really need to use your phone. Please?” The last word comes out as barely more than a whisper. It’s like a sour grape on his tongue, and he couldn’t get it off fast enough.

  I reach for the door lock and stand aside to let him in. He walks through the door with both hands raised and casually strides over to the counter. I step behind the counter and reach for the phone next to the register. I hand it to him, never taking my eyes off him. He looks completely relaxed; I imagine he is trying to appear that way to help alleviate my nervous tension.

  He looks down and presses the buttons and then pulls the phone to his ear. I lean back against the cigarette counter and watch him from under my lashes as I shuffle one foot over the other and stand with my legs crossed at the ankles. My nails have become incredibly interesting as I pick and push my cuticles back.

  “Thad. I need a pickup.” He is staring at me with those incandescent green eyes. Eyes that seem to see right through me. I shift uneasily and rotate my crossed feet. I glance down to the floor and break the stare between us. My ears tune into the clicking of the clock as I try to focus on anything but the man in front of me. Tick, tick…minutes pass.

  I’m startled out of my trance when his hand reaches over the counter, and I look up to see he’s finished with his call. I politely take the phone and hang it up, turning back to see that he’s walking to the front door as a pair of bright headlights pulls into the parking lot.

  “You’re welcome,” I mutter.

  He stops and turns with one hand on the door and the other to his side. A small smile tugs at the corners of his mouth. His good humor has obviously returned.

  “Thank you. Until next time, Miss Sulwen Macgregor.”

  “Wait. How do you…”

  He cuts a devilishly charming grin, spins around, and leaves. I watch as he climbs into the car waiting next to mine. It’s in the shadows, but I can tell it is a ridiculously expensive sports car. It looks foreign and flashy. With a squelch of the tires, the car pulls out of the parking lot. I watch out the store windows until the taillights disappear in the distance.

  How does he know my name? My full name. No one but family and close friends know my name is Sulwen. Everybody else knows me as Sully. I stupidly look down to my smock, as if there is a badge with a name tag on it, even though I know I’ve never had one.

  “Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.” Sheesh, I’m struggling to summon the simplest of thoughts.

  I stomp over to the door, click the lock, and set about my chores for closing.

  It takes me nearly an hour to finish the cleaning and paperwork, and then I practically drag my dead body to my car. I am so tired. School and work are just not mixing well for me this semester. I wish I could afford to quit and just go to school. My GPA would sure as hell fare better than what it is now. Not that I’m complaining; a 3.0 isn’t bad. It’s just not that great either. And it’s not like I can use my store experience as a bargaining tool either. After all, not many authors write about gas drive-offs, shoplifting preteens, or shirtless drunks. This job is just a means to an end. I can’t wait to graduate in the fall and never look back at this shit hole again.

  Working with the public should earn me, and the rest of us plugging away at registers, some sort of special rights. Nothing outrageous. I’m currently compiling a list of the very rights I feel entitled to for congressional submission.

  I walk out into the dark and approach my car. My tennis shoes squeak on the pavement because it has rained off and on all evening. I trudge through a puddle, and water splashes onto my shoes and my pants leg. “Damn it! Why do I always have to step in every puddle?” I grumble to myself. I shake my right leg out and then proceed to my car. I’m nervous tonight, and something in the air is putting me on edge. I glance around as my heart picks up speed.

  Someone is watching me. It’s an unmistakable feeling that creeps me out. I freeze and hold my breath without meaning to. Chills creep down my spine, and my body tingles with awareness. Trembling slightly, I try to shake it off and scold myself for being such a coward.

  I pick up the pace and unlock my door, hopping in with record speed and slamming down the locks. The engine slowly turns over, then finally starts, and my foot is burning to slam the gas down and get the hell out of here, but I shake it off and gather my wits as I pull onto the highway.

  Home—that’s where I w
ant to be. Home is my sanctuary from all the madness of the world. It’s a place where I can curl up on the couch for an entire day and get lost in a good book. I know it’s the easy way out, but I can’t help myself, so I gladly succumb to hours of enraptured reading. I’m into romance novels. Yeah, I know it’s cheesy, but it soothes me and gives me hope for whatever dreams I can conjure up. It’s one of the reasons I want to be an author. To create worlds with a happily ever after ending. To write about true love that never wavers no matter the circumstances. To just simply excise my demons by writing about a life I never had, but always dreamed of. After all, isn’t that what being an author is about—creating an escape for a reader so they can leave the real world behind?

  I drive in a bit of a haze down the highway, and I’m more than a little surprised to see my exit approaching. I don’t even remember driving this far. Damn, I need to get some rest and get my head screwed back on straight.

  I live in a relatively small community located in Johnson City, Tennessee. It’s not a bad place to live, and I’m attending college at East Tennessee State University, so it’s located right where I need to be. I couldn’t be happier.

  My roommate has been my best friend since kindergarten. Tonya and I have been through it all together. She has always been a shoulder to cry on and a solid comfort when I’m in need. Without her I don’t think I would have stayed in school when my dad passed away last year.

  Those were some of the most difficult times of my life. My dad and I were close, really close, and it shattered my world when he began to slowly fade before my eyes. I watched my handsome and robust father wither away to a shell of his former being, and it ripped my beating heart from the protection of my chest. I have never felt so vulnerable or distraught. When you lose a parent, everything you know changes. It’s like having a wall around your home suddenly crumble, leaving you exposed and raw.