Trouble no. 2 RavenCroft Collection

Okey, dokey.

I think that’s where I’m going to have to cut in.

And yes, in case you’re wondering both Kalabernus and Sareena are about to make a pretty bad choice as is implied, but we won’t be going into those details here.

Yeah, I know. You’re probably groaning, banging your head, and grumbling things like, “Come on, Vortigern! It’s just getting to the good part. Why do you have to cut that out?”

Well, here’s the thing. That danged author of this here story of ‘trouble’ and woe has insisted that this tale must be free of adult content, and therefore, inappropriate details of intimate exchanges are a big no, no.

I know, I know, what a prude, right? Believe you me, I argued on your behalf people. But the author was sure insistent. This here collection of mystery, thriller, suspense and romance books revolving around the RavenCroft family story must be free of what she deems as “smut.” Kind of harsh, don’t you think? I mean, really. What’s wrong with a little titillating snippet of intimacy between the sheets, I say? But… the author sure seemed to think it particularly inappropriate under the circumstances, because as she so irritatingly points out, Sareena isn’t in the condition where she should be making such decisions to begin with. And Kalabernus isn’t thinking right now with his head but with other parts of his anatomy which will remain nameless.

Can you blame him, though? Any red-blooded male worth his salt would be struggling at her bedside were he in Kalabernus’s shoes. Cause that Sareena Davis… Woohoo! She is a gorgeous lady, yes indeed!

I want to be real clear here, though. I’m not saying what’s happening is right.

By no means.

Nope, nope.

That’s not what I’m saying here. Even I would agree that this situation is simply wrong on so many levels. But let’s consider the facts of what we know that they don’t know.

Factoid one, they both find each other attractive. (Okay, obviously, they do know that.)

Factoid two, they both had a couple drinks. (All right, so they know that too.) But what you don’t know and isn’t shown here, is that Kalabernus does try to clarify from Sareena that she’s not drunk before he takes things too far. To which she assures him she’s not, thereby relieving him (he believes) of any potential wrong-doing other than sleeping with her out of wedlock.

Factoid three, neither of them are aware that she has been drugged as the result of her stalker. So, her amiable and complacent behavior is incorrectly construed as being flirtatious, inviting even, and therefore a consenting party.

Now before you get all huffy and stop reading because you’re disgusted that someone would “take advantage” of someone like that, let me ask you something. How many times in your own life have you taken advantage of someone? And I don’t necessarily mean in a situation like this. It could be that you ordered a more expensive meal and a bottle of wine rather than a glass when you found out your date had money. Or maybe you became “friends” with a co-worker to wheedle your way into their project in order to get in good with your boss.

Right now, you’re probably thinking something like, “Now, Vortigern, you can’t compare those things with what’s happening here. It’s not the same because no one is getting hurt in these instances.”

Are you sure about that?

Or maybe you get that part but you’re thinking this is an unrealistic scenario for a love story and that Kalabernus is a horrible human being.

Hhhmmm. Does one bad choice make a person a horrible human being? Or is it that good people can sometimes make bad choices? And before you consider this an unrealistic situation, how many times in your own life have you known people who have made bad decisions but in the end things turned out all right?

Shoot, I can understand and even appreciate their situation. Should they be messing around like this at all? Well, that depends on your beliefs and how you were raised. In the case of the RavenCroft’s, regardless of their lack of faith, Bastion and his late wife Inara did raise their children with some pretty high moral standards, all things considered. After all, just because a person isn’t religious, doesn’t mean they’re immoral. A person can be raised within an environment and with certain belief systems and yet still make poor choices in the heat of the moment. Wouldn’t you say? After all, we are human. And as humans, we make many, many bad choices over time.

But not me.

Because as I’ve said before, I’m perfect. No bad choices here. But you already know that.

Oh, there she goes again. The author is rolling her eyes at me. Huh. She’s sure been doing that a lot lately.

Anyway, some of you are probably thinking that Kalabernus is a clod of the worst kind, am I right? Because as far as you’re concerned, regardless of whether he’s aware of the drug or not, he’s taking advantage of a woman who appears to be maybe a bit tipsy. Now, I’ll give you, there may be something to that. And I’m not going to sit here and attempt to justify his actions. But the author did seem to think that I would be remiss in my duties as narrator if I didn’t point out that this man has been tortured by shadows all his life. That’s forty years of torment people. What would your response be if you were him?

Before we’re so quick to judge others, we need to be able to understand them and what they’ve lived through.

Regardless of being raised in a house with high moral standards, one could argue that the incessant badgering of the shadowy demonic creatures has worn down the man’s resistance in addition to his moral compass. More so at least than most. A person can know that something is wrong and yet not have a full grasp or understanding of the ramifications of what’s happening in the moment. I, Vortigern Black, personally feel that it’s a wonder the man didn’t wind up growing up to become a sociopath or murderer rather than a painter of fine art. In the end, though, it’s how an individual responds or acts after they’ve made a bad choice that shows the true nature of their character. But don’t take my word for it…

Kalabernus awoke to the sound of someone banging on the front door. Somewhat disoriented initially, it took a minute for him to realize he was not in his bed at the RavenCroft ranch, but for some reason lying in a bed in his cabin.

The initial surprise at finding he was holding a woman in his arms wore off quickly as the memory of being intimate with Sareena came back to him instantly. He would have laid still next to her, trying to decide the best way to unravel from her without waking her, but the incessant pounding wouldn’t stop.

Hoping he could get to the door before she fully awoke from the noise, he quickly threw on his jeans, barely managing to zip them before reaching the front door. Flinging the door wide Kalabernus found himself face to face with his brother Kalturek.

“What are you doing here?” Kalabernus growled, blinking in the bright lights of the Sheriff’s cruiser parked in the drive.

Taking in the sight of Kalabernus’s bare chest and partially zipped jeans Kalturek groaned. Fisting his hand against his forehead as he leaned against the door jamb Kalturek cringed at the sound of car doors opening and closing behind him. He sensed movement coming up the walk.

“Oh, Kalabernus! Please tell me you didn’t sleep with Sareena Davis,” Kalturek practically begged. He tried to keep his voice down so those coming up the walk couldn’t hear.

Becoming indignant Kalabernus scowled. “What business is it of yours anyway if I did?”

Head drooping, Kalturek groaned, having gotten his answer and not liking it a bit. “Because she’s been drugged,” he replied urgently.

“Is she there? Is she okay?” Angela called, hurrying past Kahner and Drayke. Stopping abruptly at the sight of Kalabernus’s shocked gaze staring back at his brother, she lifted a hand to her lips and gasped. Eyes widening in dismay at the sight of him barefoot and clad only in jeans, she understood instantly what had happened.

“Angela, stay back. Kalturek will handle this.” Drayke insisted, aggravated that she’d forced them to bring her along. It would have been better if Angela hadn’t been present.

“What do you mean she’s been drugged?” Kalabernus inquired, stunned.

“We think someone spiked her drink with ecstasy at the bar.” Kahner supplied, peering at his brother’s startled gaze with sympathy.

Eyes narrowing, Kalabernus’s jaw clenched angrily. “Oh, right. Because that would be the only way a woman like that would ever want to be intimate with me. Is that right? Is that what we’re saying here?” Shoving away from the door frame he spun away walking back into the living room. They followed him inside.

“Just listen Kalabernus…”

“Where is she?” Angela demanded, her gaze darting about the room.

“I buried her out back,” Kalabernus said snidely.

“That’s not funny!” Angela shouted, instantly becoming hysterical.

“Angie?” A weak voice called from down the hallway.

Kalabernus turned in time to see Sareena wobbling into view and completely naked. Horrified he leaped over the couch and rushed across the room, grabbing the knitted blanket from the chair as he ran. Covering her with the blanket so she couldn’t be seen he reached around and caught her before she began to slip to the floor.

“Whoa, there, honey. I got you,” Kalabernus said gently next to her. Gazing down into her confused and disoriented expression an uneasiness filled the pit of his stomach. Could he have just had sex with a woman who’d been drugged? Was that why she’d been so complacent? So unafraid and willing?

“You got me?” Sareena asked peering up at the man holding her in a daze. “Who’s you?” she asked, struggling to keep her eyes open.

“Who’s me? Wait. Wait, wait… you mean you don’t remember?” Kalabernus stammered, appearing both horrified and hurt. He searched her face. Pleading internally for her to remember. It couldn’t possibly have been just one sided.

Kalturek winced, baring his teeth as he exchanged awkward pained looks with his brothers. He noted Angela was watching Kalabernus shrewdly, her hawk-like gaze narrowing on him as her expression became pinched and angry.

Head bobbing dreamily, Sareena peered over at the people in the living room, unclear as to what was going on and who they were. Recognizing Angela, she latched onto her. Though sensing somehow she knew the man next to her, she was unable now to place him for some reason.

“He’s beautiful Angela. Who is he?”

“Uh, oh.” Drayke supplied awkwardly.

“No!” Pulling away from her Kalabernus leaned Sareena up against the wall. He wanted to make sure she didn’t fall but was more than a little upset she couldn’t remember him. Particularly after what had happened between them.

“Kalabernus, man. She was drugged,” Kahner interjected, trying to assuage the guilt he could already see emerging in his brother’s expression to no avail.

“By who?” Kalabernus raged. His eyes were fierce, fixing them with a dark stare.

Kalturek produced the card they’d found on the table. “It would appear she has a stalker. He’s been after her for nearly…”

“Five years!” Angela shouted. “What’s the matter with you Kalabernus? She was probably what? Stumbling about and slurring words, like a drunk maybe? How could you take advantage of her like that?”

Though alarmed to learn of the stalker, Kalabernus became defensive at Angela’s accusation. Whirling toward the front door his gaze shifted toward Sareena than back at Angela and his brothers.

“I… take advantage? No! But she wanted… She said she… I swear I didn’t…!”

Gasping audibly at the sight of her stalker’s calling card in Kalturek’s hand Sareena stumbled away down the hallway. Understanding was finally dawning on her. Her stalker was back and he’d done something to her - again.

“Angela? Where… where did that come from?” Sareena exclaimed with fright, pointing toward Kalturek with a shaking finger.

“Oh, honey. It was on our table and…”

“It was near you?” Sareena shrieked in distress. “Angela are you saying he was near you?” she cried fearfully. Her terrified eyes bore into her friend, desperately wanting what was happening not to be real.

“Yes, honey. I’m so sorry. And we think… we think he spiked your drink with ecstasy,” Angela explained uneasily.

Peering over at the very large and beautiful man standing guiltily in the entryway, understanding finally dawned in Sareena’s beautiful gray eyes. Frightened tears streamed down her cheeks. She stared at her friend, the woman she’d known since her college days and all she could see was the lifeless face of her roommate, Kami.

“You have to go,” Sareena demanded. Her voice was hollow, the sheer terror within alarming even Kalabernus. “Now!” she shouted at Angela.

Flinching, Angela stared back at her. Not fully understanding what was happening. “No, Sareena you don’t understand…” she began with a nervous smile. Grabbing the card from Kalturek she attempted to move toward Sareena.

“No! You don’t understand!” Sareena screamed in a blind panic. “It can’t happen again! I won’t let it happen again! Get out Angela, get out!”

“Sareena, honey, I know you’ve been hurt.” Angela cast an accusing glance Kalabernus’s way. “I’m your friend. I just want to help.”

“No! No, you’re not my friend,” Sareena said sharply, charging toward her. “Do you understand me Angela Powers? You’re not my friend! You can never be my friend!” she declared, enunciating each word clearly. “I don’t ever want to see you again! Do you understand me? Get out of my house!” Sareena continued to yell as she wobbled around the room her gaze shifting wildly from one wall to the next. “Do you hear me? Do you hear me, you miserable cur?! She’s not my friend! She’s never been my friend and she’ll never be my friend! None of you can ever be my friend! Get out! Get out! Get out of my house!” Sareena screamed. A mixture of resentment, anger, and terror fueled her voice as she shook violently, pointing all the while toward the front door.

Hysterical tears streamed down Angela’s cheeks as she fled the house into the yard, sobbing and clearly hurt.

Urging his brothers out of the cabin, Kalturek attempted to approach Sareena. Concerned by the woman’s reaction to Angela, his gaze shifted uneasily toward Kalabernus who simply stood in the entryway, staring back at her, a look of shock on his face.

“Ms. Davis. There’s still the matter of what happened here tonight.”

“No. No, there isn’t.” Sareena spoke in a deathly quiet voice. Shaking her head, she began to sob as she peered over at Kalabernus, a pained look on her face as she spoke into her hands. “Nothing happened worth mentioning,” she said quietly, her words clipped and void of emotion. But the tears wetting her cheeks and the fear in her eyes as she looked up at Kalturek said otherwise.

Kalabernus disappeared swiftly through the front door, not bothering to go back for his shirt and shoes. Staggering down the front steps, Kalturek on his heels, Kalabernus heard the door shut loudly behind them. The click of the lock and deadbolt signified an end to anymore further discussion.

Not paying attention to where he was going, Kalabernus bumped into Angela while attempting to sprint down the walkway barefooted.

“Why you always gotta be present when I’m in pain?” Kalabernus yelled at her angrily.

Flinching, Angela cowered initially, still attempting to recover from her longtime friend screaming at her and kicking her out of her home. Becoming angry at her cowardice and his belligerence Angela quickly recovered, pulling herself up to her full five-foot-five-inch height.

“Why you always gotta be present when I lose a friend?” she snapped back, instantly regretting her words. The look on Kalabernus’s face was of a man who had just been slapped. “I’m sorry!” Angela cried suddenly, realizing how cruel she’d been.

Kalabernus pushed past her, hands balling into fists at his sides. Clearly hurt and trying to pretend he wasn’t, he sauntered down the drive away from them.

“Wait, Kalabernus!” Kalturek shouted, glaring back at Angela.

“Was that really necessary?” Kahner growled, shooting her a dirty look.

“I lost someone that night too you know!” Angela yelled, becoming angry once again. They all acted like Kalabernus was the only one affected by Stacey’s death. “And I know you all know something you’re not telling me. So, don’t act like you’re all innocent! Especially you Kalabernus!”

“I never said I was innocent!” Kalabernus roared. Turning abruptly on his heels, he charged back toward her. “Stacey died because of me fourteen years ago just as sure as Sareena was violated by me here tonight!” he yelled, waving his arm toward the house. “You think I don’t know I’m a monster? You think I don’t know I’m feared by both women and men just for being in the same room?” The pain reflecting in his brilliant pale blue eyes was excruciatingly heart wrenching to witness.

Huddled near the window inside the cabin, Sareena could see the haunted look in Kalabernus’s eyes and knew she had caused it. She was the reason he was in pain. She was the reason everyone around her ever-experienced pain. Her nightmare hadn’t gone away after all. She couldn’t run from it. Shoot, she couldn’t even move half a dozen states away from it.

Sobbing uncontrollably, Sareena watched the giant of a man flee toward his vehicle. She’d seen and overheard it all. Trembling uncontrollably, she crawled toward the stand near the chair clutching at the blanket wrapped around her. With shaky fingers, Sareena reached into the small jewelry box resting near the lamp. Pulling a small item from inside she clasped it tightly within the palm of her hand.

She’d had it since she was a little girl. Whenever she was most afraid Sareena would hold tightly to it and whisper a fervent prayer. She didn’t know if anyone was listening or if God was even real. But what she did know of a certainty was that if she ever lost it she would lose her grip on reality. She held tightly to it with all her might and whispered her fervent prayer till sleep finally overtook her. The shadows swirled angrily about her as she slept eager to put their devilish plans into action.