Kalerian: The Gatekeeper Series Page 2

the nightly meal. Kalerian hurried past the commotion of other clan members going to eat to see that Cherry Blossom tree. It made him feel whole and happy and he wanted to see it again on the first night away from my home.

  When he got closer to the tree, Kalerian ran his fingers through the tiny flowers, watching as some of them caught in the wind around him. It was a perfect, peaceful place. Something he never really felt.

  “So, you’re the new guy around here.” Kalerian turned around to face the woman he’d been eying from the minute he’d walked through the gate. She was dressed in a flowing dark blue gown that wrapped tightly around her middle. Her dark hair was pinned back into a loose bun on her head.

  “I guess I am,” Kalerian said without taking his eyes off her. “I’m Kalerian.”

  “Lynn.” She glanced around them.

  “How long have you been here?” He asked, fingering the pink flower in my hand.

  “Awhile. How did Manishi find you?” She asked.

  “My family.”

  “You did well in there. Raiden is a tough one to beat.”

  “Really, because he didn’t fight like he was hard to beat.” He smiled and took a step towards her. She didn’t move. Most women Kalerian met in his village were timid and shy, but not this one. She was full of spirit and fight. He wondered if deep down that was why she was here.

  “You haven’t met the best fighter here, not yet.” She said not taking her eyes off Him.

  “And who is that?” Kalerian smiled slightly.

  “You’ll see, but not yet.” She stayed still, but a part of him wanted to push her up against the tree and kiss her lips. He didn’t, but that didn’t take the thought from his mind.

  “I have to go,” she said and pulled away from him. Kalerian didn’t follow her, but there was something that told him, he should have.

  Kalerian woke up to the sound of the others rising from their beds. he didn’t really want to make the effort to get up, but he knew he had too in order to stay in the clan. His focus still seemed to shift to that woman and what she stirred up in her. When the clan attacked, he would have to try to keep her safe. It wasn’t even really a choice.

  He walked past the others and into the practice rings. They were set up for just one group, but Kalerian didn’t know why.

  The others smiled and took seats on the green grass around the rings, glancing Kalerian’s way once and a while. He just watched them until Lynn walked through the group. She was dressed like the others and smiled when their eyes met. He smiled back, but didn’t move from his spot.

  “We have removed the extra battle rings at the request of my daughter, Lynn.” Manishi came around his left as he spoke and placed his arm on Kalerian’s shoulder. “She has requested you as an opponent.”

  His first feeling was shock followed by an overwhelming need to prove he was better than her at fighting, and he would.

  Kalerian pulled his sword into a ready position and made his way to the fighting area. He watched her follow suit with a pair of Sai in her hand. This must be her chosen weapon. Kalerian eyed them for a moment and then smiled.

  “Is that what you plan to defend yourself with? They are not even sharp,” He cooed without taking his eyes off her.

  “Maybe not, but I’m the best with them and I can defend myself better with these than with any sword.” She flipped one around as if to show him she knew what she was doing.

  Kalerian didn’t wait for Manishi to give the start command and lunged at her. She dodged fast and sent the butt end of one of the Sai into his side as he passed. Kalerian turned fast enough to block the next blow aimed at his head and block her other Sai from piercing his side with his other arm. He pulled back and sliced down, aiming at her stomach area, but she jumped back causing the blade to miss her by inches.

  He almost didn’t see her lunge forward and hit the top of his downward angled sword with her Sai until she twisted it away from his grip. Now Kalerian was left with no sword and two dangerous hard metal objects barely missing his face.

  He blocked a blow from the left and grabbed her arm. She didn’t seem ready for it as she flipped the other Sai and charged it at Kalerian’s face with the butt end. He blocked it and spun her around, pinning her body to his.

  He wished they were alone having this fight under the Cherry Blossom tree he’d been so drawn too. The power she held excited and fascinated him to no end. Kalerian wanted to have it and control it. He wanted to feel the fierce fire she had within her and make it his own.

  “That is enough.” Kalerian heard Manishi say, drawing him out of his own thoughts. He released her and took a step back. When she turned to him and he could see a flicker of anger behind what looked like lust in her eyes.

  Kalerian couldn’t help but crack a smile at her reaction. When he turned back to Manishi, he didn’t look a bit amused. Kalerian quickly straightened his face and waited.

  “I think you have proven how great a fighter you are. It is unusual in such a short amount of time, but you have just beaten our two best students.” His tone seemed regrettable, but also proud. Kalerian wasn’t sure if it was because he had done so well or because Manish's daughter had been the best for a long period of time.

  “We will be ready when the dark clan descends upon us now that we have such a trio of great fighters. All of you must strive to become what you have seen here to keep our country safe from evil and sadness.”

  He flinched when they talked about this. Manishi really had no clue he was going to betray them any day now. Manishi honestly believed he was on his side of the line. He was very wrong, even if a part of Kalerian did want to be what he said he was.

  Kalerian made his way back to the cabins without eating the nightly meal. He had to check with his true master. He needed to know how much time he really had. Kalerian sat on his sleeping mat and closed his eyes, reaching for the connection with the other clan. He felt the connection take and waited for his master to speak first.

  “Have you gained the trust of the leader, Kalerian?” The voice was gruff and dark. It made the hair on Kalerian’s arms prickle in response, and a cold shiver run through him.

  “I have, master,” he answered.

  “Good. The attack will start tomorrow. You must not warn them and you must kill the leader. This is your penance to us. This is the way you prove yourself loyal.” The voice seemed to create blackness all around him.

  “Yes master. I will do this for you.”

  “This will ensure your spirit will continue for many lifetimes and you will get the power you seek.”

  “What about the girl?” He waited, wondering if he would have to take her life as well. He wasn’t willing to do this. He didn’t want to kill her, he wanted to own her.

  “You feel her power as well.” The voice almost had a smirk in it. “She is new to this world, but will come into her powers before long. You are tied to her soul.”

  Kalerian didn’t answer, but he felt himself relax. The voice faded taking the blackness that surrounded him with it.

  “We will be watching.” Was all Kalerian heard before he opened his eyes. He had only one real thought on his mind and that was to warn Lynn and get her to leave. He felt this connection to her even if he didn’t understand it and a part of him wanted her to survive. If she stayed here, she could die.

  Kalerian knew where she would be. He stood and walked with great speed towards the tree he’d fallen in love with along with her. She was standing in front of the tree messing with one of the pink flowers. It was almost like she was waiting for him.

  “I knew you’d come here eventually,” she said smiling, but not meeting his eyes.

  “I wanted to speak with you.” Kalerian said not stopping until he was in front of her.

  “What about, the practice fight we had in the ring?” She raised an eyebrow and turned to face him fully. “It was just that a practice. In a real battle, I would have won.”

  “Is that so?” he
said, almost laughing. “Then why choose to fight with me?”

  “You’re a challenge. I like a challenge.” She was so close Kalerian could feel her breath on his skin.

  Kalerian didn’t waste any time. He pushed her against the tree and kissed her lips without explaining. He had never wanted to tame a woman more than he did at that moment.

  She didn’t fight back, but sank into his arms and kiss. Kalerian was blind to the rest of the world and to the duty he had to his master.

  Kalerian tore at her clothes, pulling them open so he could feel her skin on his. Her lips never left his as he slid her clothes to the ground. He pulled away long enough to shed the clothes that remained between them and eased her down to the grass below.

  When he looked down to her, he could see her eyes were closed, waiting. Kalerian slid his hand over one of her breasts and toyed with the hard nipple underneath. Her body responded with an arch towards his. He licked at the other one for a moment, taking in every move she made with her body. It was clear she wanted him as much as he wanted her. Kalerian kissed a trail up her body until he was covering her mouth with his.

  He ran his hands up her arms till he was holding her hands to the ground. He wanted to be in control and would be.

  She moaned against his mouth as he kissed her hard. He slid his hands down her body long enough to slide into her. She raised her hips to meet his as they moved.

  Kalerian pressed his lips against hers and held her tightly to him as