The Embers of Artemis (The Titans of Earth Chronicles Book 1) Read online

  The Embers of Artemis

  The Titans of Earth Chronicles Book1

  Vivian Worden

  Galaxy Publishing

  Contents

  Dedication

  Quotes

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Thank You

  About the Author

  Sample - The Cursed Canyon

  42. Sample Chapter 1

  43. Sample Chapter 2

  Copyright © 2020 by Vivian Worden for Galaxy Publishing

  ISBN: 978-1-7346666-0-1

  All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author and publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

  Cover Design by Maria Spada

  Created with Vellum

  I dedicate this book to all the strong women who raised themselves upon the pillars of determination.

  Who rose to great heights on the wings of perseverance.

  And who continue to rise on the fire of their dreams.

  “Do not be afraid of your difficulties. Do not wish you could be in other circumstances than you are. For when you have made the best of an adversity, it becomes the stepping stone to a splendid opportunity.”

  -Madame HP Blavatsky

  “Though the modern world may know a million secrets, the ancient world knew one - and that was greater than the million; for the million secrets breed death, disaster, sorrow, selfishness, lust, and avarice, but the one secret confers life, light, and truth.”

  - Manly P. Hall, The Secret Teachings of All Ages

  1

  Earth 2185

  Tired, bloodshot eyes stung as they fluttered open for the first time in decades. Above, the ominous reds and purples of nighttime’s shadowed hand claimed the sky from the remaining rays of the sun. Her head turned to the right; a strong-looking, middle-aged man stared down at her. With blurred vision, she squinted, trying to remember his face.

  “Hello, young mistress.”

  She only heard foreign words from a language that should have been familiar to her. His lips moved again as her head pounded, struggling to understand. The haze of long-term brain inactivity held on as she fought to move against a stifling wave of dizziness.

  She inched her arms away from her as smooth round walls blocked further movement.

  The stranger held her arm, pulled out a pen-shaped, silver device, and rolled up her right sleeve.

  “This will make you better; it may sting at first, followed by a warming sensation through your blood. It won’t hurt you.”

  The young woman resisted, but in her weakened state could only stare in terror. Involuntary trembling took over as the tip glowed red and came near.

  The device made contact; her hand tightened into a fist feeling the searing heat burn as it pierced her skin.

  Light, frequency, and vibration flowed into her organs and systems, allowing her to relax and let go.

  Pieces of her memory and who she was returned.

  The man that stood above her was Brunel, her father’s Sergeant of Arms.

  Her hands drifted up to touch and feel his face, not quite believing it was him.

  “Did I age that bad?” he grinned down at her with that twisted smile she knew him for.

  A slight curve crept across her lips. She looked at his prominent jaw and high cheekbones. The majority of his shoulder-length hair was brown peppered with gray. The eyes that stared into hers shone with the unquestionable laser-like intensity found only in a warrior. He had stayed awake without the advantage of hibernation. He had sworn an oath to keep her safe until it was time to release her from the secret dimension her mother had sent her to.

  Brunel grasped her hand.

  “You’ve been asleep almost eighty Earth years. Quite a long time.” His voice tightened as emotion welled up inside his throat.

  They had been through so much. How she missed everyone.

  “Can you sit up, miss?”

  She nodded.

  He scooped his hands underneath her, lifting her into a seated position.

  Noel’s world spun. She pushed him away and flopped over the edge of the pod to vomit. A stream of clear, thick residue expelled from her. Brunel jumped to the side, keeping the splatter of animation gel from hitting his feet. Her back arched as she retched and coughed up the last of the solution in her system. Her limp body hung over the edge, too weak to get up.

  “Nasty stuff, eh? It’s a necessary evil when going in for a long time. Let’s try again.”

  His enormous hands wrapped around her and lifted.

  Noel sat and held on.

  “Turn and look at me.” Brunel held out the device. “Follow this with your eyes. Don't turn your head.”

  She tracked the item's movements. From the left and then right.

  “Clear, but groggy. At least your face looks just as plump and youthful as I remember. The gel did its job of keeping you hydrated. Can you speak?”

  “Yes,” Noel whispered in a raspy voice. “I’m okay now that I got all that junk out of my lungs.”

  “You think you’re able to stand?”

  “Yes,” she whispered.

  Brunel began to help her out of the pod, then out of the corner of his eye, he noticed something wiggling and coughing down by her feet. He paused and peeled back the blanket. A bulbous, hairless head of a two-month-old canis popped up. The little guy was a miniature version of what he would grow up to be nine hundred pounds from now. Brunel watched the animal cough and spit out the same clear gel. The pup shook its head and looked up with its small, wrinkled, leathery face.

  The creature widened its stance in defiance and stumbled. Little paws scrambled to steady itself for a fight.

  Brunel picked him up and laughed. “Look at the wee war beast, already full of gumption and trying to protect his mistress.
”

  He wiggled and snarled. Then sensing Brunel as a friend, licked his nose.

  Noel reached up to touch the leathery skin of this canine-lizard-looking creature.

  “His name is Kai. He came with us the night we fled, remember?”

  “I do, mistress.”

  Noel stared off into the distance. Her body was still coming out of deep sleep. “Where’s my mother? My father? The other members of the Brotherhood?”

  Brunel’s face darkened as he looked at her. He put the canis down, and Kai peed out a healthy fountain of urine without issue.

  “One thing at a time. Let’s get you out of the pod and inside my home.”

  Brunel helped Noel out and into a standing position.

  She faced the sky and inhaled. Her lungs had lived off the nasty mixture of oxygen, water, and plasma for about eighty years. Her body craved the lighter air element.

  As her strength returned, she struggled to get away and stand on her own. Brunel eased his grip as she swayed to gain equilibrium. He was familiar with the detoxification process and stayed near just in case. Noel leaned against the pod and put her fists to the sides of her head.

  “Everything is spinning,” she said with sweat beading up on her forehead. “I need to urinate,” she spewed.

  “Let me help—”

  “No,” Noel cut him off and rolled her eyes at him. “I can do it myself.”

  “Don’t be stubborn. You just awakened from deep sleep with no food, no water. . .”

  She forced herself away from the support of the pod and stood straight, focusing on a tree in front of her, and took a step, then another. She was bound and determined to at least relieve herself without help. It wasn’t a big accomplishment, but it meant the world to her now.

  She stepped into a patch of rocks, loose dirt shifted, and her ankle buckled. She stumbled then caught herself. Brunel was right there waiting to assist. Noel looked at him and shook her head. She braced herself and stepped again. She exhaled and moved the other foot forward. Noel paused as she drew energy from the crystalline layer of the Earth and continued the epic journey to empty her bladder.

  She walked, eyes never leaving the visual security the tree offered. Her goal was within feet, but it might as well have been five miles. She moved like a woman six times her age instead of the sixteen-year-old teenager she was.

  “I’ll be right here, lass, to help. Don’t wait until you topple over into the mud.”

  Taking a cue from Kai, she crept behind a bush to relieve herself. Her hands lifted the cotton shift she wore to get access to the oversize, matching trousers underneath. The drawstring untied with ease as she stepped one leg out, letting it fall to the ground. She kicked the crumpled pants out of the way and began to squat. A nearby apple tree offered much-needed support as she eased into a seated position. She placed her right palm against the bark, and stared down at the dirt, willing her body to start working again.

  “Is everything okay?”

  “Yes!” Noel snapped just as the flow of urine began.

  Brunel rolled his eyes and waited.

  Noel returned, looking more awake than she had earlier. Kai scrambled toward her as his slinky tail danced in the air behind him.

  She bent down and picked him up. He licked her face like he hadn’t seen her in years. She tried her best to avoid his well-meaning tongue as she shifted him around to find a comfortable way to hold him.

  “Ready to go inside my home? I got to warn you; it’s not much.” He shrugged and turned toward the cave.

  Noel followed as Kai snuggled tightly against her.

  Brunel paused at the entrance and lit two oil lamps. Noel put Kai down while she took one light.

  “Watch your step; the tunnel is the darkest part until we get to the living section.”

  They walked in about thirty yards and came to an open circular area. Brunel touched a set of stones on the wall that lit up parts of the cave. The light revealed a barren room with modest furnishings and salvaged items from around the empire.

  A fire burned inside a small hearth near what appeared to be Brunel’s bed on the other side.

  It saddened her to see this man who was such a close ally to her family all these years living this way. They weren’t dirty or foul, but the accommodations were just a few notches above primitive. So different from the life of royalty they were used to.

  “I have leftover stew that I started heating before I released you from the pod. I wasn’t sure if you would be hungry.”

  Kai barked and stood in front of Brunel, as if to confirm that at least he was.

  Brunel let out a deep laugh. “Well, we know the war beast would like some. How about you?”

  Noel smelled the rich seasoned aroma. “I’m still in shock you can cook, ole man. If it’s as good as it smells, that will be surprise number two.”

  Brunel looked at her and smiled. “Haven’t changed a bit, you little sass. Well, you better sit down, my dear. You’re in for a surprise.”

  He walked to the hearth’s red-hot coals and removed the lid from a cast-iron pot. With a huge metal ladle, he scooped up the savory mixture of meat, rice, and vegetables, just enough for two big bowls and a small one for Kai.

  Brunel kept Kai’s portion until it cooled and motioned Noel to a seat as he handed off a steaming bowl with a spoon. He sat down in the chair on the other side of the table. All were quiet as they ate the much-needed sustenance.

  Noel finished her meal. Feeling better, she was up for more conversation. She wanted answers.

  “Brunel, please, can we talk more now? Where is everyone? Where are Mother and Father?”

  Brunel looked over at her. Without saying a word, he grabbed the dishes off the table. He picked up Kai’s bowl, walked behind a stone wall, and disappeared. Noel’s heart sped up. She didn’t want to panic. Panic was not part of the warrior class of Artemis.

  He came back in a few minutes with her royal family’s weapons. Plasma powered these weapons, each emitting fiery bursts of light that penetrated and burned with laser speed. He laid out the TOZ01, the legendary Thunderbolt of Zeus 01, the larger of the two and known to destroy vehicles and tanks without a problem. Noel then glanced at the smaller gun, the BOS01, the Breath of Solaris 01. Her mother’s weapon was smaller, the logical one for concealed carry.

  “Here, miss,” Brunel said as he handed over the TOZ01.

  Noel took it from his hand and held it, hoping to find presence or connection to her father. Her heart sank. She felt nothing.

  Jaws clenched, she asked Brunel again, but this time as a command, “Why haven’t you answered my question?”

  A shadow crossed Brunel’s face.

  “I think I already know the answer. Everyone’s dead, including my mother.”

  Brunel closed his eyes and hung his head.

  Noel held the gun to her chest and stared at a wall as she trembled in silence.

  “Miss Noel, I was hoping you would have taken some ether first, but you’re not stupid and sense the lack of energy tracers attached to these weapons.” He took his hand and rubbed his face. “My apologies for not coming out and telling you. Please forgive an old man who was stalling for his own sake because I didn’t have the heart to tell you.”

  Brunel reached for her hand, and Noel jerked away.

  He sighed as helpless frustration filled him. He got up and walked outside to give her some space.

  Kai, sensing his mistress’s discomfort, nuzzled up to her and brushed her calf twice with his paw.

  Noel looked down at the canis pup. Then she looked at the gun in her hand. One of the crowning jewels of the Artemis arsenal. If her father couldn’t win with it, how could she?

  She thought of killing herself. One quick pull of the trigger and this nightmare would end.

  The pup whimpered and looked up at her.

  She placed the weapon down and reached for him. The texture of his skin dampened the despair growing within her. It was a unique mix of soft and r
ough, like someone’s leg in a stocking. Strange how one could find comfort in something so unusual. But her life was odd now, wasn’t it? She looked at him. His gold eyes shined with a pure love only animals could give. Here she was all alone, unsure of her future even a year from now. She worried for this creature’s fate as she held it in her hands.

  She wrapped her arms around him and cried.

  After an hour, Brunel returned from his walk. Noel sat numb, not saying anything as he walked in the room. She continued to hold Kai as he slept.

  Brunel feared this day would come. He had rehearsed it often in his head, yet he was still unsure of what to do next. The girl had lost everything. What was he supposed to say?

  There was no time to waste. The empire had been quiet the last twenty years in their search for Noel. He wasn’t sure if Emperor Marcel had given up or if he was running out of energy himself.

  Brunel walked over and sat down.

  He cleared his throat and stuck out his chest. He relied on his experience as a military commander to get him through this awkward moment.

  “Your first lesson starts now. I’ll show you how to go into a trance to absorb energy from this weapon. It’s charged with eons’ worth. I’m unsure of the amount, but it has kept me alive without partaking in the ritual since they cut us off from Titan. I tried to use it sparingly as you can tell by how much I’ve aged.” He chuckled.