Kindred: Book 1 A Realms of the Otherworld Book Read Free Page B

caught checking him out and I blush furiously as I stutter, “Wh…What?”
    “Ashlinn, continue?” his smirk grows larger.
    As I get a grip on myself, I say, “I think I need your help. I’m in a hospital somewhere in the vicinity of the Jellico Mountains in Tennessee; we were on our way back home from the beach when there was a terrible accident. I saw myself die but they were able to bring me back but I’m somehow disconnected from my body and trapped in a void. I can travel here but I cannot wake up. I’ve tried. I fear that without your help I will cease to be.” I continue to ramble on, “I have vague memories or dreams, of you, but they are disjointed and unfocused as to who you are to me. I know that I know you but I don’t know how. I know in my heart I trust you and only you to help me. Please, I beg of you, Alaric I need your help.” My cry sounds softly around the meadow.
    As I look up, I see that that Jasmine is hovering just left of my face and she reaches up as if to wipe my tears. I lean in toward her for a moment and allow her to comfort me. Then, as I turn my gaze upon Alaric I see that he is deep in thought. “Alaric?”
    Those brilliant blue eyes of his connect with mine, “You’re unable to wake? That can only mean one thing. Your necklace, your talisman, has been removed. You were to wear it until your awakening. Your premature death has jump started your awakening and without your talisman you’re stuck in limbo. By the goddess, I need to get to you! I need to know exactly where you are!” He demands.
    “I cannot give you exact details. I only know that we were traveling along the I-75 corridor north bound on our way back home. The accident took place close to the Tennessee Kentucky state lines. My niece Alexia is the only other one of my family to survive and she stays with me. I need to come back to her. Lexie is all alone now. Alaric, can you find me?” I ask as my tether pulls taunt signally that my time is almost up. I look around me and what I see is utterly otherworldly, I have never seen anything quite like what I’m seeing before me and I’m humbled to be surrounded by such beauty and majesty. I gaze upon Alaric and reach my hand up as if to touch his face but then hesitate because I want more than a ghostly touch and then my attention is pulled to the tree once more. She is stunning but I can feel her life force ever so slowly ebb out of her. Sensing that she is not well, I don’t ask myself how I know this I just do. I reach an ethereal hand towards her trunk and lean into her. I whisper, “Don’t worry, I’ll make it back to you and once I do we will fix whatever is afflicting you.” Then as I turn towards Alaric I plead, “Please find me. Do you think you can?”
    “There is a portal to the mortal realm near where you describe. I need to gather my men and we’ll find you. I promise! Ashlinn, do you hear my vowel? I have waited eighteen mortal years for you, I will find you.”
    My tether pulls taunt and I feel myself being pulled backward, I want to stay but know I cannot. I look towards Alaric with desperation in my eyes as I plead, “Find me! Please?” I beg. His eyes meet mine as he smiles.
    “Always. I will always find you. I’m your Guardian, your kindred soul, our destinies are intertwined. I need you to trust me” He declares.
    “How will you find me?”
    “Ash, I have watched over you from a far for some time. I will find you, I know you’re scared but I need you to trust that, I. Will. Find. You. It is my solemn vowel.” He says.
    “I don’t know why but I do.” I look into his eyes as I’m suddenly being pulled backwards and I reach out to him as I’m pulled away from the meadow and Jasmine and Alaric. My tether pulls me back to what I now call the Mortal Realm and not Earth, back to my physical body, back to my prison for the time being.

Chapter 4
    ( Alaric )
    “Jasmine, you’re coming with me.” I command. “The rest of you know what