Read Online Time Masters Book One; The Call (An Urban Fantasy, Time Travel Romance) by Geralyn Beauchamp - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Geralyn Beauchamp
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the one my heart loves.
So I looked for him, but did not fi nd him.
Song of Songs 3:1-2
CHAPTER FOUR
Shona crossed the soft grass, her mind oblivious to everything but what lay ahead, her heart all but screaming with every step. She had no way to describe the emotions which welled up from inside her whenever he was near, nor could she think of any logical explanation why she needed him so much. But she knew that without him, she would surely die.
The little boy jumped and chased several hounds in the grass behind a two-story stone house, just where she knew he would be. His black hair g listened in the sunshine and fl ew about as he played, his bright green eyes shining with mischief and laughter. Thankfully no one would come out of the house to d isturb him. No one ever did. Th ey would be alone.
Shona was perfectly content to stand and watch him, not allowing her presence to be known. Not yet. But o h how she wanted to join him. He was having such a good time. Perhaps if she eased toward him slowly he would not be as frightened of her as she sensed he would. Perhaps if she gave him just a tiny glimpse of her, he would not feel compelled to run away. He might even speak to her, if she were very lucky. She took another step in his direction and willed her presence upon him, the dogs able to sense her immediately.
The boy looked around himself, turning a complete circle as he tried vainly to see what had ups et his grandfather’s hounds. Th ey barked wildly at a spot to his left, yet nothing was there , nor did he see anything emerg ing from the trees beyond the house. What could be bothering them? What had they sensed?
He spoke to the dogs soothingly in an attempt at calming them, and they quieted except for an occasional whine or two as he again searched his surroundings. He continued talking to them in his mother tongue, its pleasant rolling sound calming not only the animals but capturing Shona as well. Its lilt embedded itself in her soul and settled to take root, as if committi ng her to its sound.
She willed her presence forward, asking him to come.
The boy flinched slightly before he turned around slowly to face her, his features frozen in place. Afraid to look him in the eye, she stared at the grassy glen instead, her long hair blowing all about her. Carefully, with as much restraint as could be mustered, she looked up at him.
A fi erce possessiveness came over Shona as she gazed at him and it reached the boy in a gentle caress. She knew the sensation frightened him, though he didn’t show it, his eyes fi lled with curiosity and wonder instead. She aff orded him some reassurance by channeling the possessiveness into need. Let him feel her need for him, she thought. Perhaps he would be more receptive and allow her to play with him. She just wanted to be his friend and she was lonely. Could he not come to her?
But something told Shona that now was not the time. Danger lurked nearby. She could suddenly sense it and reminded herself s he had other things to do. She must get what she came for or suffer later. She too had to survive, to be protected, or she would die. Hunted down by the horrible emptiness and the master that drove it. Again, she didn’t know how she knew, she just did. She had to do what her heart told her and do it quickly; time was running out.
The boy took a hesitant step toward her. She smiled. Hurry, she thought, please hurry. There is little time and I must go soon.
He took another step, still indecisive. Hurry! Shona hoped her urgency did not frighten hi m, but she could feel the fi rst twinges of a dark searing pain , p ain that would consume her if he did not give her what she needed, quickly. Please …
She fought the urge to bolt into the nearby forest. To run from t h e emptiness as it now began to deepen, pulling her into it ever so slowly. Hurry…
The bo y quickly glanced around, sensing the danger as well, then took another step, more confi dent as
So I looked for him, but did not fi nd him.
Song of Songs 3:1-2
CHAPTER FOUR
Shona crossed the soft grass, her mind oblivious to everything but what lay ahead, her heart all but screaming with every step. She had no way to describe the emotions which welled up from inside her whenever he was near, nor could she think of any logical explanation why she needed him so much. But she knew that without him, she would surely die.
The little boy jumped and chased several hounds in the grass behind a two-story stone house, just where she knew he would be. His black hair g listened in the sunshine and fl ew about as he played, his bright green eyes shining with mischief and laughter. Thankfully no one would come out of the house to d isturb him. No one ever did. Th ey would be alone.
Shona was perfectly content to stand and watch him, not allowing her presence to be known. Not yet. But o h how she wanted to join him. He was having such a good time. Perhaps if she eased toward him slowly he would not be as frightened of her as she sensed he would. Perhaps if she gave him just a tiny glimpse of her, he would not feel compelled to run away. He might even speak to her, if she were very lucky. She took another step in his direction and willed her presence upon him, the dogs able to sense her immediately.
The boy looked around himself, turning a complete circle as he tried vainly to see what had ups et his grandfather’s hounds. Th ey barked wildly at a spot to his left, yet nothing was there , nor did he see anything emerg ing from the trees beyond the house. What could be bothering them? What had they sensed?
He spoke to the dogs soothingly in an attempt at calming them, and they quieted except for an occasional whine or two as he again searched his surroundings. He continued talking to them in his mother tongue, its pleasant rolling sound calming not only the animals but capturing Shona as well. Its lilt embedded itself in her soul and settled to take root, as if committi ng her to its sound.
She willed her presence forward, asking him to come.
The boy flinched slightly before he turned around slowly to face her, his features frozen in place. Afraid to look him in the eye, she stared at the grassy glen instead, her long hair blowing all about her. Carefully, with as much restraint as could be mustered, she looked up at him.
A fi erce possessiveness came over Shona as she gazed at him and it reached the boy in a gentle caress. She knew the sensation frightened him, though he didn’t show it, his eyes fi lled with curiosity and wonder instead. She aff orded him some reassurance by channeling the possessiveness into need. Let him feel her need for him, she thought. Perhaps he would be more receptive and allow her to play with him. She just wanted to be his friend and she was lonely. Could he not come to her?
But something told Shona that now was not the time. Danger lurked nearby. She could suddenly sense it and reminded herself s he had other things to do. She must get what she came for or suffer later. She too had to survive, to be protected, or she would die. Hunted down by the horrible emptiness and the master that drove it. Again, she didn’t know how she knew, she just did. She had to do what her heart told her and do it quickly; time was running out.
The boy took a hesitant step toward her. She smiled. Hurry, she thought, please hurry. There is little time and I must go soon.
He took another step, still indecisive. Hurry! Shona hoped her urgency did not frighten hi m, but she could feel the fi rst twinges of a dark searing pain , p ain that would consume her if he did not give her what she needed, quickly. Please …
She fought the urge to bolt into the nearby forest. To run from t h e emptiness as it now began to deepen, pulling her into it ever so slowly. Hurry…
The bo y quickly glanced around, sensing the danger as well, then took another step, more confi dent as
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