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The sun streaming through her bedroom windows woke Katerina. It was going to be another beautiful day, which was something she was still getting used to after the frequent rain and overcast days of the city she had grown up in. Indeed, the weather was the best part of their relocation, courtesy of her parents’ company.
She dressed quickly in an apple-green sundress, studying herself in the mirror as she tied the belt around her waist. Her new hairdresser had done an excellent job of dying her hair black and surprisingly it suited her, making her eyes seem darker and greener. She looked like a different person, which was the idea of course. They were still not sure if there was anything to worry about but her mother was continuing to insist on every precaution.
She looked tired, which was probably because she was. She was not sleeping well thanks to the dreams. Even though everything was ostensibly fine; her mother was recovering well, she had finally finished her study with good results, she had made some great new friends — and no one had tried to kill her in at least six months — she could not shake the dreams.
Mostly she dreamed about Noah. She missed him desperately and none of the dates she had been on in the last few months seemed to erase his face from her mind. But it was too late she reminded herself grimly yet again, applying concealer to hide the dark rings under her eyes. He was gone from her life. Even if she wanted to contact him she couldn’t, because although her family had actually re-located to his city, she had to assume he’d probably moved away to stay hidden. Besides, her parents believed it would be too dangerous to see him.
Her parents were out at Sarah’s physiotherapy appointment when she came downstairs. She ate her breakfast on the veranda enjoying the sun on her face. The mailman was new and she wondered idly where the regular one was as she took the letter from him. She was still preoccupied with her thoughts when she opened it so it took several moments to realize what it was. Then she had to sit down so she didn’t faint.
It was much shorter this time. It read;
Ms. Katerina Scott,
JADE ELEKTRONICS invite you to an all-expenses paid lunch at the Balmoral Club on December 20 at 12 noon.
Come alone — and make sure you remain that way.
If her parents had been home she might not have gone. They may have been able to talk her out of it. But with no one to dissuade her, the curiosity was too strong. So once she had recovered from the shock she grabbed a cardigan and headed for her car, leaving the letter open where her parents would see it when they arrived home.
{
Alice opened the letter in the middle of Jacob’s story about his run-in with his doctor. As she read the invitation his voice faded away until he dropped to his knees beside her and asked, “What is it? What’s wrong?”
She handed him the letter silently. As he read it she reached for her mobile. Noah answered on the third ring. He was with some friends at the beach.
“Noah, get in your car and start driving. We have to be at the Balmoral Club in forty minutes. And make sure you’re by yourself,” she said without preamble.
“I gave Ashleigh a ride, I have to...wait a minute — what is it Alice? What’s happened?”
“You’re going to get your chance to see her again. Katerina.”
She heard the sharp intake of breath on the other end. “How did you know?”
“You may be fooling everyone else with all your dating and socializing but you’re not fooling me. I know you love her. You need to fight for her this time Noah...See you soon — and make sure you’re not being followed,” she added and rang off.
{
At twelve sharp Katerina pulled up the sweeping circular driveway of the club. She had no idea if Noah would be there but her heart was racing frantically at the thought that he might. Inside she was led through the plush restaurant to a half-hidden alcove at the back. Alice was already there, alone. They embraced and started talking simultaneously.
“You first,” Alice laughed. “Tell me everything you’ve been doing the last six months.”
“We actually relocated here to stay safe. Mum insisted. She’s making a full recovery by the way. I finished my study and I graduate in a few months.”
“What are you doing next?”
“I’m not sure. I’ve been offered a job in my parents’ company. I can choose my location...I just don’t know whether I want to take it or where I want to go yet.”
“What are you waiting for?”
“I don’t know,” Katerina shrugged, glancing towards the door subconsciously.
“He’s coming,” Alice smiled knowingly, “he just might be a bit late. He was quite far away when I talked to him.”
“Who?” Katerina feigned ignorance.
“My brother. He misses you — all the time. He won’t like me telling you that though.”
“I miss him too,” Katerina admitted. “I keep wondering if I made the right decision...but it was probably for the best...What about you?”
“The best thing is that Jacob’s recovering well and we’re getting married,” Alice was beaming.
“Congratulations!” someone exclaimed. Neither of them had heard Aaron’s approach but there he was, standing before them.
“Aaron! What are you doing here?”
“I thought it was only fair that you know the outcome of all your hard work,” he leaned down to hug each girl then slid into the chair beside Alice. “I came to update you.”
Time passed quickly as he did so. He told them Wilhelm was dead, killed by one of Aaron’s men. “We intended to try him but Jack lost his whole family at Wilhelm’s hands. He got to him in prison. By the time we knew, it was too late to resuscitate him. Jack used some sort of poison to kill him — similar to the poison that killed Demetra. We’re not sure how but somehow, combined with Josiah’s efforts, it worked.”
“How is Josiah?”
“Dead. That’s why he failed to kill Wilhelm.”
“How did he die?”
“A car accident — a very suspicious one.” He was silent for a few moments but so were the two girls, so he continued. “Tobiah, Lyonel and Sybilla are doing extremely well at restoring Santtu and Zana. Their areas are flourishing — even the soil is becoming more fertile. There are still pockets of trouble but they’re systematically dealing with those. Zeke is also doing well with Eva and Sybilla’s help but there are times we’re unsure about him. There’s a lot of Zeus in him. Only time will tell whether he can be trusted with the responsibility of Velcharn.”
“And Eva?”
“We’re also getting married. And I’ve been helping Eva with the restoration of Cereise.”
“That’s great!” both girls exclaimed.
After they had thoroughly congratulated him he changed the subject. “Now, where is your brother Alice?”
“I don’t know,” Alice said nervously, glancing at Katerina.
“I can only wait a few more minutes; it’s too dangerous for me to stay longer. But please, you stay and have a meal — it’s already paid for...Kat, do you still have the truth-ring?”
“Yes, at home. I’m so sorry, I left home in such a hurry I didn’t think to grab it — should I have brought it back?”
“Have you used it?”
“No, I haven’t. I guess I just wanted to forget for a while, try to get on with my life.”
“That’s good. Don’t use it unless you absolutely must. We may need it again one day so it’s important you keep it safe and hidden until then. Don’t let anyone see it or find it.”
“Don’t you want it back to give to someone else?”
“I’m assuming that at the moment you’re the only one that can use it. Keep it for now. Someone will contact you if that changes.”
“Will we see you again?”
Aaron was already getting to his feet. “I can’t say for sure but it’s always possible. Until then — know you have my undying gratitude. I owe you...Kainnan owes you and if you ever need our help you’ll get it.”
“How can we contact you?” Alice asked.
“You can’t. But we’re always watching you, making sure you’re safe. If you need help I’ll know.”
“You know if we had had this conversation even a few months ago, I probably wouldn’t be saying this. But I think I can safely say it now,” Katerina said. “Thank you for the experience! It’s been amazing. It’s shaped my life forever. It’s shown me who I am and what I’m capable of. It’s shown me I’m loved by God and...”
“Kat!” someone called. Her heart skipped a beat instantly as she recognized Noah’s voice. She had obviously been subconsciously waiting for him.
They turned to see him running towards them through the restaurant. He stopped in front of Katerina seeming oblivious to the other two. Aaron said tactfully, “Let’s take a walk Alice,” and they backed away leaving them alone.
“Noah,” she greeted him, studying his handsome face, the gorgeous, dark blue eyes that she knew so well they felt burned into her memory. He was in a soft blue t-shirt and faded jeans which suited him well. He had a healthy tan and looked like he had come straight from the beach. Yet she could sense a tension in him that took her straight back to the intensity of their time on Kainnan.
“How have you been?” Noah was asking as she studied him. He sounded as nervous as she felt.
“Okay. It was a rough few months but things are coming right I guess.”
“Your mother?”
“She’s okay. Patrick...I mean Wilhelm did shoot her but she made it through. She’s almost fully recovered now.”
“Wilhelm?”
“Aaron said he’s dead. Josiah too.”
Noah nodded grimly at that.
“How about you? How have you been?” Katerina asked. She couldn’t look away.
“I’ve been pretty busy. Studying. Spending time with Alice and with friends. Trying to forget.” He couldn’t stop staring at her either. Despite all his attempts to forget her, he had wanted to see her every day since she walked away from him at the airport.
“Are you happy?” she asked, the words spilling out before she could censor them.
He looked away for long moments then shook his head decisively. “No, I’m not happy. I miss you too much to be happy,” he said bluntly, moving closer. It reminded her of standing hidden in the cave on Kainnan, listening to the men talking, so close they could have kissed then.
“Noah...”
“Please, just listen. I know I hurt you badly on Kainnan. I know I gave you mixed messages. And worst of all I just let you go! I let you walk away six months ago. I was so afraid of admitting to you or to myself how I felt...how I still feel about you. We have had our moments but Katerina, you are my perfect match. I know I could have an okay life without you, but with you, life would truly be worth living...” His eyes seemed darker with emotion now but he reached out to caress her face with a steady hand. “I don’t want to lose you again — ever.”
His touch sent memories flashing through Katerina’s mind. Meeting him in the airport, kissing him at Karvan Inn, how he saved her from the octopus at the risk of his own life, when he rejected her in front of everyone, their talks and fights, how she felt around him. He had saved her and supported her and he had hurt and confused her. She couldn’t stop thinking about him when she wasn’t around him, yet the strength of their personalities caused them both so much grief when they clashed. Yet despite all the pros and cons, it only took moments to make her decision, because really it had been there inside her all along.
“I can’t...” she began, her voice full of emotion. His face crumpled at the words, but she put her hand on his arm, feeling the warm skin and hard muscles under her fingers. She fought, and failed, to control her voice as she tried again to tell him how she felt. “Noah, I can’t live another day without you. I know we’ll have lots to work out, but I don’t want to go on without you either...”
She stopped to take a breath and Noah broke in quickly, “Thank God! Because I’m not letting you go ever again.” He smiled radiantly at her then, all the tension in him seeming to melt away. Before she could speak again he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her hard and passionately until she was breathless. It felt then like Kainnan was finally finished for them both.
From across the restaurant, Aaron was smiling. He had already said his goodbyes to Alice — now he walked out onto the restaurant steps. A sleek blue Ferrari pulled up immediately and he climbed into the passenger seat.
“Well?” Karim asked, pulling out again rapidly.
“She’s keeping it safe. And Noah finally won her over.”
“That will at least make it easier to keep an eye on them both.”
“It will,” Aaron agreed and sighed. “I just wish we knew they would be safe.”
“But with Wilhelm escaped...did you tell them?”
“I told them he was dead. Maybe I should’ve told them the truth?”
“They’ve done enough — faced enough,” Karim argued. “And for all we know he’ll leave them alone. I suspect he has other things on his mind.”
Aaron was silent for long moments then he sighed again. “Yes, I believe he does. Which is why I had better get back home now. But don’t let them out of your sight, you and your team. And let’s hope they never need you.”
“Or us them.” In his rearview mirror, he was watching the restaurant disappear from view. “I don’t like it that Katerina still has the truth-ring. It could draw attention to her if she uses it again.”
“It was given to her. We can’t take it from her.”
“But if she uses it again...”
“I don’t like it any more than you do. But there’s nothing we can do about it.”
“Except hope...”
“And pray,” Aaron said and smiled wearily, leaning back in the soft leather seat. “Because really, that’s the best thing we can do anyway.”
About the book
––––––––
THE KAINNAN SERIES has been written with two purposes in mind.
Firstly, I hope these novels will be entertaining! I love a good action-thriller-adventure myself and this is what I have sought to create on Kainnan.
Secondly, just as my characters need to improve their mental and emotional health in order to survive, my hope is to inspire my readers to desire the same. As a trained counselor working with young adults for many years now, I believe life is only sustainably good when our minds are healthy.
To this end I have explored the following concepts in Kainnan~The Prize:
Much of the above material is based on the concepts taught in Living Wisdom; a two week counseling school developed by New Zealand counselor David Riddell. This information has also been adapted by myself and my husband Matt into an intensive course for young adults (16-28 years old) named Soul Tour.
Belinda
