Lightning Strikes Twice

“Oh, my god! There’s a kid in the road!”

People screamed.

Tires screeched.

And a set of powerful arms lifted Rayne, preventing her from continuing her adventure. The stranger’s suit was soft, and she rubbed her cheek against it. His hair was sandy brown, and just long enough for Rayne to twirl a strand around her finger.

“Hee.”

Golden eyes peered down at her. “Hello, Rayne.”

Rayne sat up in bed, haunted by dreams and memories of familiar faces—Tameka, Kyle, Andrew, and Sagan—but not really them.

Nor their lovers with strange and beautiful eyes.

Nor Rayne’s lover, for that matter.

With a sigh, she committed to her mundane morning routine. Like the fantastic places Rayne had visited in her dreams, she’d decorated her room in gray, black, and white with pops of blues, purples, and reds. After a shower, Rayne gathered her long black hair into space buns, staring at her bright blue eyes in the mirror. Cargo pants, a cropped tank, and a smock with her name sewn on it comprised her work uniform. There were plenty of pockets for pens, and Rayne’s bare midriff both increased her tips and drove her mom nuts.

Two birds; one major workout routine.

Said disciplined diet and exercise was also courtesy of Rayne’s haunting second life. Her sparse eating habits and insane running regiment had sparked many conversations with her mother involving a therapist. A shrink poking about her psyche was the last thing Rayne needed. So, despite her lack of appetite, she choked down Michelle Callahan’s otherwise delicious three-course meals.

Like today’s breakfast.

Waffles, eggs, bacon, and fresh-squeezed orange juice covered the breakfast table in a meal fit for a king—

King.

King of Cinder?

Rayne shook her head and walked down the stairs to the kitchen. “Mom?”

“Whoa, sweetheart! Look out.” Ray gave his daughter a side squeeze before rushing by to pack up breakfast to go. “Today’s my last day as a resident. Wish me luck.”

Wow.

Ray Callahan, M.D.

Inspired by her hardworking father, Rayne kissed his cheek and promised, “I’ll finish my applications today, and we can celebrate for dinner. My treat.”

Ray’s eyes, as blue as her own, sparkled as he grinned. “I’ll hold you to that, sweet pea. Your mother already went to the bookstore.” He tossed her a set of keys. “I guess you get to drive the Jag, today.”

“Hey, how come you never let me drive it?” Jack frowned the entire way down the stairs until he sat at his place at the table.

Rayne scoffed and laughed all at once. “Did you forget what happened last summer?”

Her brother sighed as he plopped in his chair, saying, “It’s not my fault the Escalade was like driving a land yacht. I didn’t see the pole in my blind spot.”

Ray gave his son a fatherly pat on the back. “Maybe next year, sport.” A car horn honked outside. “That’s my carpool. See you two for dinner.”

“Bye, dad!” They shouted in unison before Ray closed the door on his way out.

While Jack piled his plate full of carbs and fatty proteins, he grumbled. “You’re the favorite. I don’t know why they bothered having me.”

Rayne laughed and snatched a grapefruit without bothering to sit. “Because we live in a patriarchy, and they needed a boy to pass on the family name.”

Still grumbling, Jack stuffed a huge bite of waffle into his mouth, chewed, and swallowed before saying, “It’s almost 2010. Surely, women can do that by now.”

Unable to help herself, Rayne shook her head incredulously. Sweet naïve little brother.

They ate in silence for a bit before Jack asked, “Hey, Rayne, why didn’t you want to go to college like all your friends?”

Ah.

It was a perfectly reasonable question for an eighteen-year-old, fresh out of high school, to ask of his twenty-one-year-old sister. After thinking on it, Rayne said, “I felt like you, mom, and dad needed me more. I mean, sure I feel a little left out.” Like right now with Andrew, Tameka, Sagan, and Kyle all abroad together for a summer English-teaching program. Their smiling group photos littered social media, giving Rayne missing-out vibes. But… “I don’t regret my decision. Like I told dad, I’m filing my applications today and so should you.”

Jack nodded. “I know. I know.”

About three years ago, Rayne’s little brother had fallen into a dangerous crowd. Jack even promised a dealer he’d sell drugs for him once, but on the same day he was supposed to initiate into their group of bad influences, a miraculous thing happened.

A local airline hired Jack as a marketing intern as part of a new co-op program at their high school. After one day working at Iona Airlines, he dropped the tough-guy act and lost the dealer’s number.

It helped that dad was around more than in his nursing days. Back when mom first bought the bookstore—her one true passion in life—Ray Callahan had worked sixteen-hour shifts to support the family. Michelle once told Rayne he was hardly ever home and often forgot big events like mom’s birthday and their anniversary.

But the Callahan family were prone to miracles.

A man had saved Rayne from a speeding car when she was four. The same one she’d dreamt about last night. It was funny how he was on her mind lately. She could remember what he said to Michelle when he returned Rayne to the bookstore.

“This is a lovely establishment you have here.”

Mom had blushed, as one was wont to do when an attractive man said something nice about your life’s work. “Thank you. We hope it’ll fill a missing role here in the community—Sorry. Can you help me with this box?”

Rayne remembered the man had lifted it with ease and held it for Michelle while she took books from it and lined the shelves.

After they had filled one stack together, the kind stranger observed, “You could use some help around here.”

Climbing onto a step stool to reach the top shelf, Michelle nodded. “Yes. Maybe once we take off, we can hire a helping hand or two.” She laughed. “Why? Are you in the market?”

The golden-eyed man smiled, and it was so familiar to Rayne. He said, “No, but I would like to contribute. I could take on a silent partnership, if that sounds reasonable to you?”

Michelle had gaped, and Rayne recalled it distinctly because the four-year-old had said, “Mommy, you look silly,” before running into the back room. She hadn’t heard the rest of the boring grownup talk. As Rayne grew older, her mother often mentioned their mysterious benefactor and how, without his help, they never could’ve afforded this middle-class lifestyle.

And Rayne would be out of a job. Which reminded her… “I gotta go help, mom. I’ll make you a deal, Jack. I’ll fill out three applications today, and you do the same. Then tonight, I’ll cover your dinner.”

Jack beamed at her. “Deal.”

Rayne ruffled his hair, inciting more grumbling, before rushing out of the house. It was a beautiful June morning, and just hot enough to warrant the skimpy attire without her mother’s complaints. Okay, maybe with fewer of her mother’s complaints.

The Jag was nice and all, but similar to Jack’s issue with parking the Escalade, it was much easier for Rayne to maneuver her Honda sport bike on the quaint narrow roads to the bookstore. It’s funny. Rayne hadn’t liked motorcycles until the one dream with Sagan and…

Why couldn’t Rayne ever remember their names?

Anyway, sharing the story of how the guy had shown up to take Sagan for a very spicy ride had gone over well with the other girls. Even Tameka admitted it was fanning-worthy. She’d kindly stopped needling Rayne about being a twenty-one-year-old virgin, despite all the sexy stories in her head. Because who in real life could compare to…

Black eyes, black hair, and a firm grip on her hips flashed through Rayne’s eyes, almost making her run a stop sign. Fortunately, it was quiet on this Friday morning, and no one was around to witness her slip up.

These were happening more frequently. They felt more vivid than daydreams. Like Rayne could almost smell the warm bakery scent and honeysuckle. Feel soft lips on her skin and sharp teeth in her neck.

Rayne sighed and drove the rest of the way to the bookstore. Despite the lack of traffic throughout their neighborhood, Kavanaugh Boulevard was bustling for a local festival. It meant Rayne had made the right call with the sport bike and easily parked it on the sidewalk.

Rayne wasn’t even one step into the back entrance before Michelle called her name, prompting Rayne to say, “I’m here, mom.”

“Oh, I know. I heard the racket you made, scaring off my customers. That’s not why I called your name.” Michelle came around the corner, stern and gently admonishing. “Young lady, where is your helmet?”

Much like the man from Rayne’s dream had observed, the helmet would kill her space buns. But that wouldn’t fly with her mom. “Sorry, I won’t forget it again.”

Michelle’s “mhmm” said she was unconvinced as she swept back around the corner, with her long, practical braid following behind. “It’s your turn in the coffee shop. We’ve had two people buy books today, but twelve people came in for iced lattes. Lucas was right for suggesting we expand.”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Lucas.

It was the first time mom had ever mentioned his name. Lucas. Aegis. Icarus. Cinder—

“Honey, are you all right?”

Rayne looked up at her mother and smiled. “Yeah. Just ready for the tips to roll in. I promised dad and Jack I’d buy them dinner tonight. I suppose you want in on it, too?”

Michelle’s brown eyes glittered with appreciation. “No, I know how much you want to save up for that ridiculous ‘training course.’”

Even though her mother had called the training course ‘ridiculous,’ Rayne was glad she understood.

After the mention of tips, her mom gave Rayne a once over before saying, “The hair is cute, but I wished you’d wear a whole shirt for once.” Then Michelle went back into the stacks, muttering about tips based on merit and not on looks.

Rayne shook her head, smiling all the way to the coffee counter. After half an hour of sorting the space, she laid out her application packets on the counter. Mom was right: the store was busy. In that short amount of time, Rayne had waited on two customers, and one of them actually bought a handful of books.

Now that it was lunchtime, there was a lull for Rayne to work on her entry essays. She wished she’d tried harder at school, so she wouldn’t be tailing behind her friends. But, for as long as Rayne could remember, a sense of imminence had cast a shadow over her life. Like she was waiting to serve a purpose.

But surely, that wasn’t unique? Everyone probably felt important at some stage in their lives—

Words and phrases whispered in Rayne’s ear, spoken by a rich baritone.

“Once I’m gone. Will things go back to the way they were? You? A fighter, a killer serving coffee to strangers and writing college essays on your lunch break?”

The man from Rayne’s dreams had taunted her in a beautiful observatory about the mundanity of human life on Earth. After which, she’d accused him of breaking promises. Then asked him to keep one and dance with her.

Rayne shook her head, trying not to recall the rest of the scene or risk daydreaming her down time away. But how could she concentrate on where she saw herself in five years when all Rayne could think about was golden weapons and unbreakable glass chains? And what about the Cult of Night? They were real as day and under investigation by the FBI after an anonymous tip had connected them with recent abductions.

How could some of Rayne’s dreams be real but not all—

The little bell over the entrance chimed.

Michelle called, “Rayne, do you have that?”

“I got you, mom.”

She hugged the papers to work on them at the front counter and left the break room to find an unusual sight. There was a car parked on the curb in the ‘no-parking zone.’

No.

It wasn’t a car. It was a limousine with diplomatic flags. On them was an emblem: a heart with a dagger piercing it. Two words came to mind.

Pretiosum Cruor.

Curious, Rayne called, “Hello. Can I help you find anything—”

Through a gap in the stack closest to the storefront, Rayne could see the considerable build of a male figure. With no idea why, her heart picked up in tempo, stealing her breath away.

Then he spoke.

“Good afternoon, I’m looking for a book—”

The man’s words died on his lips when his black eyes found Rayne through the gap. Her heart stopped beating altogether as every word ever spoken by the man’s beautiful baritone filled Rayne to the brim and overflowed.

Nox.

Lucas was an Aegis, who’d manipulated the Probability Matrix to unite the Eternal Bind.

Rayne and Nox were at the heart of it.

When the man across from her didn’t speak, Rayne swallowed and stepped around the stack to face Nox. Did he not recognize her? This was the reality the other Rayne had declined, and Lucas—sweet, wonderful Lucas—had saved her from the accident, anyway. After dinner tonight, Rayne would drive her bike to Iona-01 and confirm everything with the Aegis. But first…

Nox watched, paralyzed by destiny, as Rayne walked up to him until the height difference forced her to tilt her head to maintain eye contact. He didn’t pull away or freak out. But he also didn’t know her.

This wasn’t Rayne’s Nox, not technically. Celindria had chosen this Probability because here, she and Nox were together. Their happiness and combined ingenuity meant Cinder was saved from famine and war. There was no need for Nox to ever violently invade Earth. So why was he here?

“Is there anything here you want?” Okay, so Sagan would snicker at Rayne’s choice of words, and Korac would smirk, but Rayne had to try.

The sound of her voice broke the spell on Nox, and he shook himself before smiling.

It melted Rayne, made even more painful because she had to hide her reaction to it.

“Sorry about that…” Nox glanced at her name on the smock. “Rayne.” The way he said her name… It affected Rayne all the same. Something close to recognition flickered in Nox’s eyes, and she wanted to latch onto it.

Instead, Rayne forced a smile to hide her disappointment, saying, “Welcome to Callahan Books and Coffee. How may I help you?” On the last, she took a step back, and it hurt so badly she nearly choked on the words. To hide it, Rayne walked over to the counter and set her papers down. When she really wanted to drop them on the floor and jump into his arms.

Or something like that.

Nox followed. “I’m looking to buy a book for my wife.”

It was a good thing Rayne was looking down because there was no hiding that wince. The reminder of Celindria in Nox’s arms twisted Rayne’s heart and wrung it dry. After a second to collect herself, Rayne asked, “Well, what is she like?”

When she looked up to memorize Nox’s features, Rayne found him once again transfixed as if he was doing the same. On a breath, he whispered, “Perfect.”

Rayne wanted to cry. She knew without a doubt Nox was talking about her, but for the sake of preserving the multi-verse arrangement, Rayne fought to say, “Sir, we don’t have perfect books here for perfect wives, but I’m sure I can help you find something. Would like a coffee while you look?”

As if startled, Nox shook himself again. “Forgive me. Yes. Thank you. A plain latte will do.”

“Coming right up.”

Rayne was both grateful and heartbroken to turn her back on him. She didn’t want him to see the tears burning her eyes and threatening to ruin her mascara. Plus the repetitive task of prepping espresso and steaming milk would ease some of this pain.

But how could Rayne move on from this? She was aware of everything as if she’d lived the other life. Faces and smells, wounds and orgasms—

Yeah.

Maybe ignorance was bliss—

“What’re you planning to major in?”

With her back to him, Rayne closed her eyes and prayed to Elden for strength. Surely, the Icarean deity could still hear her in the Source. After plastering on her best smile, Rayne faced Nox with his coffee and answered his question. “History or English.” Don’t keep the conversation on her. Change the subject. “Here you go. Now, let’s see if we can find your wife a book.” Because if Nox stayed in this store any longer, Rayne would throw herself at him, despite aforementioned wife.

Nox nodded sagely. “Both are worthy endeavors for someone who wants to go into education. Is that what you want, Rayne?”

The way he said it made Rayne look up into his eyes and stare. All she wanted in the worlds was Nox. And Xelan… and everyone she loved to recognize her.

Rayne swallowed the emotion again before saying, “I want a lot of things, as most people do. But education certainly made the list.” She forced another smile.

Nox sipped the coffee, tipped it at Rayne as a compliment, and set some cash on the counter. A lot more than it cost, for sure.

Books. Books. Think about books.

With a grateful nod, Rayne walked around the counter and went to the Greek classics. Celindria would appreciate a good tragedy. As Rayne passed the stacks, a book fell from the top shelf. She caught it with ease, replaced it, and kept moving through the books.

Nox followed, cleared his throat, and said, “If you don’t mind my asking, are you into martial arts? You move with the grace of a warrior.”

Rayne’s reflexes had always been excellent, and yes, she liked to kick box. Again, those little influences from her other life had bled through the Source. But Rayne couldn’t explain all that to Nox, so she said, “Yeah. I dabble. Do they practice martial arts where you’re from?”

“From?”

The lilt at the end made Rayne glance up at Nox. “I saw the flags on your limo. You’re not from here.”

Again, a rich chuckle rumbled in Nox’s massive chest. “It’s not very subtle, is it?”

She had to smile at his sheepishness. “Especially in a ‘no parking’ zone.”

They smiled at each other for a quiet moment where Rayne recalled how soft Nox’s skin felt under her hands and how it had always surprised her that someone as battle-hardened as he would be so gentle with her. Until she begged him to be rough.

Darker curiosity flickered in Nox’s eyes, as if he knew the direction of Rayne’s thoughts. Guilt quickly replaced his desire.

The bell over the door chimed again.

“Darling?”

No.

With the breadth of Nox’s stride, he took one step back and crossed two aisles of stacks away from Rayne. When Celindria peered around the corner, the two looked completely casual, despite the moment which had left Rayne’s heart pounding in her chest.

“There you are. Hello, was my husband bothering you?” Celindria’s tone was playful, but Rayne’s instinctive reaction to her voice was not.

A storm raged inside her, begged to be unleashed on the woman who knew better. Celindria had accepted the same deal as Rayne. Both of them had chosen a Probability and retained their consciousness of the other. The slight amused glimmer in Celindria’s eyes confirmed it.

The bitch was toying with Rayne.

And fuck, if it wasn’t effective.

Despite the unrest beneath her careful surface, Rayne managed to say, “No, ma’am. Your husband was asking for help to find a book for you.”

Celindria crossed the space and kissed Nox’s cheek. “Thank you.” All the while, she ignored the slight slump of his shoulders, proof of his shame for flirting with Rayne.

When the bell chimed again, Rayne almost walked over and ripped it off the door.

“Celindria, are you in here—Oh, hello.”

Xelan.

The most wonderful man in the worlds walked in, dragging the most confident man in the worlds behind him. Since Celindria never came between the Icarean trio, Xelan and Korac were still together. And it suited them. Both men glowed.

None of them blended in. Not really. Celindria, Nox, Xelan, and Korac had an energy about them which was larger than life. But their features weren’t terribly distinctive. How were Korac and Celindria hiding their hair color—

Oh. Right.

Lucas and perception filters.

With an agitated glance at Celindria, Rayne addressed the other happy couple. “Hello, welcome to Callahan Books and Coffee. Can I get you something to drink?”

Celindria fucking winked.

Nox peered between her and Rayne, picking up on the vibes.

Korac narrowed his eyes, looked Nox over, and then Rayne, as if the brilliant General had puzzled it all together.

But Xelan was so charmed by the store, he simply grinned. “Yes. I’ll have a latte, and this one will have a cappuccino.” He patted Korac’s chest, widening the other man’s eyes, before immediately perusing the wares with glee. “Nice selection of leather-bound journals.”

Elden, Rayne had missed Xelan without even realizing it.

The brothers browsed the shelves while Rayne set about making their drinks.

Celindria followed and leaned on the counter. Before Rayne could confront her, Celindria said, “I was the first. I consumed the first outsider and with him, I consumed a wondrous gift.”

By heart, Rayne recited, “I was alone in my gift. Surrounded by my people, but they couldn’t understand me.”

Elden’s Verse.

“I knew it.” Celindria slapped the counter in triumph. “I knew with so few Probabilities, the veil couldn’t separate those of us who’d witnessed the Source. Not permanently, anyway.”

Celindria’s delight astonished Rayne. What the fuck was this about? What did Celindria hope to accomplish?

The First Progeny tsked. “Don’t look at me like that, child. Despite my curiosity, our coming here was serendipitous. Well, mostly. Lucas is behind it.”

After having this life dumped back into Rayne’s head, she felt a little tired at the sudden awareness. But after battling her instincts to take Nox in the middle of the bookstore, Rayne was exhausted. “What are you doing here, Celindria?”

Celindria ignored the question and gestured at Nox, saying, “Look at him.”

Rayne leaned to see around Celindria and caught Nox glancing at Rayne.

“Even now he’s hiding his attraction to you from me. How can he resist the Eternal Bind? For love of me, he will try. And I fear he will fail. This may complicate matters.”

As Rayne frothed the milk for Korac’s cappuccino, she couldn’t help herself from gritting her teeth to say, “Celindria. Tell me. Now.”

Celindria turned back to Rayne and smirked. “That spirit. We need it. Razor is helping Remorse harvest the planets Silence seeded for the breeding program. They know about my daughter, Hope—your ancestor—and they intend to enslave her as they did Silence so long ago. Now, you don’t know this, but one of the first acts I committed upon entering this world was awakening the Mother. She’s in this city, exploring it with Lucas. We’re searching for warriors from each of the worlds to ally against Remorse. Rayne, be our warrior from Earth.”

It wasn’t a question or a request, but it wasn’t exactly an order. And damn. It made for a tempting offer. But…

Rayne glanced over at Nox to find Korac whispering to him. Both men spared a look toward her, raising her body temperature almost to a flush. “You don’t want me to come with you, Celindria. I’ll take Nox the first chance I get. You don’t know what it’s been like to be without… Everything…”

Her intended purpose.

Nox’s admiration and devotion.

Xelan’s hugs.

“Please… Don’t ask me to say ‘yes’ to only half of my life.”

Celindria’s eyes flickered with understanding and maybe even pity. After a moment of consideration, she said, “I went eight millennia without Nox, and it devolved my sanity. I do understand, so I’m willing to share.”

Share.

Share?!

Rayne blinked at Celindria, who continued, “I know it’s sounds counterintuitive, but we have an open relationship. By that I mean, I see other people, and he doesn’t see the need to do the same. Until today, I believe.”

This was weird.

But…

“What about my family?”

Celindria beamed. “Lucas will see to them. We’ve already discussed it. Not only has he planned a front of which you’re on an internship abroad for him, but he also has a nacre ready for you. We’ll even contact the other Progeny. We need the Shadow.”

Rayne looked over at Nox, who was swatting Xelan on the head with a book to Korac’s delight. All her life, she’d wished for these people in her dreams, and she could see them all again. The adventures and the long nights. A significance born in purpose.

Fulfilled.

Ready for the rest of her life to finally start, Rayne asked, “How about after dinner?”