The Timekeeper

THE TIMEKEEPER

BOOK ONE OF THE ALIIS MUNDI SERIES

Jordana Barber

The Timekeeper

Book One of The Aliis Mundi Series

Jordana Barber

Copyright © 2012 Jordana Barber

Smashwords Edition

FOR ALL THE PEOPLE WHO TOLD ME I COULD.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I couldn’t have done this without my friends and family to remind me constantly that writing was my dream. To my husband, Rob, you are the only man to ever put up with my attitude. Thank you for the support when I needed it, and the kick in the ass when I needed it even more.

To my mom! This wouldn’t have been possible without your endless support and patience. I love you. You have always been and will always remain my best friend and hero.

To my good friend, Rory, you made an awesome sounding board. I hope that someday you are able to fulfill all of your dreams, crazy or not. WAR BANANA (See I didn’t forget).

To Mr. Mark Sherman, I’ve never forgotten all those times you told me to get my ass in gear and write. Thank you for pushing me all those times and making me a better writer. I’ve never forgotten you.

To Dalvin and his remarkable speed editing and confidence that made this possible. I don’t think editors are supposed to make you laugh while your obliterating mistakes. You’re truly a wonderful soul and your enthusiasm helped make this possible.

To Greg, we’ve been friends for so long, I couldn’t possibly come up with all of the thanks needed here. Much love to you!

To all my friends at Elk Creek Sand & Gravel and the contractors in Bailey, Pine, Conifer, Evergreen and Indian Hills for the good times and great laughs while suffering through the grind. You guys know who you are.

To James, for the support the confidence and the use of your middle name. You’re a honey! For the record, the character wouldn’t have worked with any other name.

To my party girls and guys, SISSCORS! Crystal, Chris, Kim, Jackie and the rest of the crew, you guys rock!

A shout out to: Michael, Hunter, Austin, Jayden, Auntie Sherri, Auntie Drue, Terry, Tiffany, Ally, Grandma Winnie, Grandma Rene, LaShon, and everyone else who supported this labor of love. I salute you!

-Jordana

CHAPTER ONE

When I got up this morning I had no idea today was going to be the day everything began to fall apart. An impressive turn of events, most of which I should’ve seen coming, managed to creep up and surprise me. It was my job to know such things, and it became completely apparent someone was slacking. Yeah, that someone would’ve been me.

If I’d had the foresight to see that not paying attention would’ve caused this mess, I might have reconsidered leaving the house on my day off, and avoided the forty-five minute drive on one of the most dangerous highways in the state of Colorado. I could’ve stayed in bed with the covers over my head. Needless to say, this isn’t what happened.

In truth, I didn’t have anything better to do besides hang out at my usual haunt in downtown Denver. The hubby appeared to be busy doing whatever it was that he did, and I wasn’t prepared for dealing with his hovering. Too bad I had no idea what was in store for me when I arrived downtown, the overshadowing might not have seemed so terrible.

I could’ve passed on dressing up in leather and heels. I certainly wouldn’t have left the house without my trusty bodyguard. The only good thing about today, I would later find out, the sun was shining. Yeah, that’s right, the weather. Not an exceptionally high quality consolation prize.

I walked into Club Payne, which was nothing more than a bar by day and BDSM showcase club by night. I should fib and say that I never stuck around for the after hours show, but well, that would be a lie.

I got freaky, I wasn’t embarrassed in the slightest to admit it. Lord knew I always seemed to look the part. I wasn’t interested in black leather and whips at the moment, well at least not the whips anyway. Leather was a habit I couldn’t seem to shake.

Ah, but let me introduce myself, how rude of me. This will be far less confusing later if I lay everything out in the open for you right now. I, Ilana Rose Purcell, am not your ordinary person. In fact, this is not my real name, nor do I currently reside in the body I was born in.

I am Azriella Carnadine, Demon-Djinn Premier Princess of the Deep Desert. I did ask for only the last name, rather than the lengthy title, but they would have none of the whining. My lineage allowed for my mother’s family name, since my father never had a surname. Demons and last names don’t mix, go figure.

You’re thinking right now that you have never heard of me, or of the kingdom my father rules. I didn’t expect you to, the royal family isn’t well known in this part of the world and it’s got nothing to do with the assumed name. We can safely say, I’m not from around here. If you are aware of me, then you’ve got a serious problem on your hands. Not to mention the chances are you’re not from this locale either. I should clear some things up about myself, I’ve been told I don’t explain things well, usually by my second husband.

There are two distinct worlds, taking up the same space and time, directly under your noses. Similar but different dimensions, one overlaying the other like a transparency. The first domain, the mortal state of existence, is the sphere that you’re in at the present. I plan on introducing you to a world interchangeable in climate and topography, but different from everything you’ve ever encountered.

I doubt this book is going to make it as an inter-dimensional bestseller, this life’s too complicated for that, and everyone in Aliis is already well aware of the story. You, however, don’t have a clue about me and mine. Dear reader, you are in for quite a treat.

Overlapping this world you reside in, right next door in the next dimension over, is Aliis Mundi Idem. That isn’t the actual name for this different land, so we refer to it as the old Grecian’s used to, ‘Others of the Same or, Aliis Mundi Idem. This is the home of fairie tales, where anything imaginable resides. A place where long forgotten Gods and Goddesses, mystical creatures, and the things of legend took up residence at the beginning of time. Even Angels and Demons made the journey over from the mortal world seeking refuge in Aliis from God and the Devil’s abuse.

A thin layer of fabric separates the two worlds, called the Veil. This sparse stratum of invisible mesh is made of space and time woven together in a complex fashion, with small holes and voids in the cloth. Creatures made a habit of sneaking in and out, traveling from one world to the other. The humans with the second sight, people who could see the microscopic openings in the shroud, wandered their way through to Aliis, finding it more appealing.

Critters from Aliis, either sent by a governmental entity or received Visas to inhabit the mortal world, had been seeking sanctuary from oppressive political structures for ages. Others are banished to Aliis as punishment for crimes committed in this world. Both planes of existence have their issues, and decent leadership seemed to be the most common between the realms.

Now that you have some background, you’ll have a better understanding of why I’m here. I’m sure you’re asking yourself, why in the world would a Princess be in this realm rather than ruling her own kingdom? She must have better things to do. Truth be told, I’ve got more advantageous things to do, but this is my job. I’m a Princess by birth, not by choice.

The King has little need for me right now, as he is alive and well, and will be for as long he can avoid being murdered. There wasn’t a living soul who would come after him while my mother was still free to roam about, so the kingdom would remain safe. The Queen of the Assassins, like everyone else in the family, wasn’t someone you want to piss off.

I’m heir to the throne of the Deep Desert, a large country in the middle of the continent you would call Africa, I’m the proud owner of a different occupation. The Council, a governmental agency that controls several colonies around the world, is the current holder of the damn contract I can’t seem to get out from under.

The High Council found me when I was still young and recruited me. I should’ve said no thanks, being as the Council are mortal enemies of the royal family. I was in a bad way when they approached, emotionally unstable, and my judgment could’ve been considered compromised.

Around a hundred years of testing and trials as a means to prove I was capable of what was required, kicked off my career. Those bastards were informed of my capabilities, and I’ve never been able to discern why they believed such long and ridiculous evaluations were necessary.

The Council could’ve cut the period down quite a bit, just shy of a century seemed a little excessive. I suppose they needed to make sure their investment lived up to the expectations of what the government of the Colonies planned on paying for, not that the pay was anything to write home about.

I’m called the Timekeeper, one of the Fates, although I don’t weave the strands of life, nor do I cut them. In a nutshell, I’m one of the few who can read the threads at all. I’m the sole person responsible for ensuring the pesky piece of textile stays in its place, keeping the two dimensions separate.

I monitor activities on both sides, making sure everyone is playing nice and no one is sneaking around trying to tear the Veil apart faster than it’s been scheduled for according to the Fates. Yeah, I hold the schedule. I’m the only one with access, and hold the only position in existence to keep the Council informed. Well, sort of.

The Veil will fall in the future, causing anarchy in both dimensions. I’m trying to prevent it as much as I can, despite my feelings for the pompous jackasses in charge. We don’t always agree on things. I might be lying if I said I didn’t have my own agenda. The Veil is coming down and I hold the deck of cards that Fate has dealt, the events that cause the fall. If I so desired, I could set everything in motion, and no one would be the wiser.

I’m waiting for the perfect moment, to exercise my control of the situation. In the event those arrogant buffoons try to screw me again on anything, they will find themselves in more trouble than they can handle. They are the poster children for idiocy, and they are clueless about the events I control. We should keep this between the two of us, I trust you.

Since you are aware of my situation’s surrounding circumstances, I will continue with the tale of the beginning of the end. Like I said before, had I known this day was going to foul me up in ways I couldn’t imagine, I would’ve stayed in bed. Let’s fast forward to the interesting part. I can’t think of a reason to bore you with the mundane details of my existence. I get up, I shower, I dress, I leave, the activities that are obvious necessities in everyday life and need no explanation. Where were we, ah yes, Club Payne.

I sat myself at the bar, a plush establishment catering to the off-beat, adorned in black, deep red and silver. The walls were the color of coal, the counters and table tops were a shiny ebony lacquer, fixtures in brushed nickel and furniture upholstered in carmine. I took my place in the middle of the long midnight bar and struck up a conversation with the bartender, Drake.

There are three interesting things about Drake many aren’t aware of. Well, two lesser recognized tidbits and one item was quite obvious. One, he never seems to take anytime off and seemed to live in the bar. The second minor item, he’s a Demon, one who owed me his freedom. Not that I ever held his carte blanche over his head. The third thing, he was absolutely gorgeous.

Drake was a darkly beautiful man. Skin as black as midnight, his broad shoulders only added to his massive six and a half foot height. No one had ever seen his eyes. He wore mirrored sunglasses all of the time and the lights glared on his smooth, polished baldhead. The man was built like a tank. Typically adorned in a long blood-red duster and a raven black turtleneck, Drake was the ideal example of a creature of the damned.

Tattoos inched up his arms, and if you were ever lucky enough to sneak a peak at him shirtless, you would see they crept up his throat and well-muscled chest. That accursed shirt hid the brands and scars littering his body, but those are things we aren’t going to get into, it’s his business to share, not mine. Scuffed combat boots and tight leather pants made him a favorite with the ladies. To top everything off, he’s easy to talk to and always polite. The perfect bartender.

Hey, Drake. What’s new in the world? He raised an eyebrow and continued to wipe down the counter, one of his typical activities. I smiled as I thought about how well he fit into this establishment. The black and red interior of the club suited the large, leather clad Demon. His deep voice rumbled like an eighteen-inch subwoofer. Barry White took lessons from this guy.

I assume you don’t mean this one. In truth, I’ve been waiting for you to show up, Princess. I received a message from the Aliis with your name all over it. Must be a big to do going on. I tapped my fingernails on the black lacquer bar top and rolled my eyes.

I didn’t need to ask him what was moving and shaking before the Demon snorted, Same shit, different day. You’re going to fucking love this. Drake did a lot of message taking for me. I’m sure he didn’t appreciate being my secretary, but he would never say so, like I said, he owed me.

What’s shaking big guy? I don’t want to hear any nonsense to do with political fallout. I’m not in the mood to listen to a damn thing about who those moronic muffin-heads are in a pissing contest with now. I’m also not interested in who my father has decided to wage war on either. However, I am willing to entertain some of my mother’s conquests as of late. Those are always so entertaining. He gave me a pearl white grin, which appeared whiter against his ebony skin.

Apparently, he muttered as he started to prepare my usual rum and coke, The Goddess Hel, from the Norse Pantheon placed a contract out on a Seer’s capture. I gave him a questionable look. I couldn’t put my finger on what seemed odd about the event, a scenario which happened all of the time.

Oracles were often traded by courts and kidnapped by others. Hot commodity in short supply, soothsayers were few and far between and led a dangerous life. It was beyond me why a Goddess would want a Seer when her pantheon already had one. Whatever, not my business.

"And? Nothing message worthy about that. A little strange, but not uncommon." He smirked and I knew there must be more to this than his simple assessment of the situation. If someone’s going to leave me a message with Drake, the situation was more important than a basic kidnapping. Who had relayed something like this to me in the first place? I was a pain in the ass to track down, most messages weren’t worth the effort, only the crucial ones.

A nabbing contract put out on the Seer isn’t pertinent here, Princess. It’s the who and why that are going to interest you. Lady Jaylynne Kwan is the target, and Hel intends to sacrifice her so she can be free from Helheim. He placed the drink in front of me on a little maroon cocktail napkin and slid a small stirring straw into the rum. Now he had my attention, far more than the clink of the ice in my glass.

You’re right, very interesting. I assume this is Lady Kwan, daughter of Oracle Meredith Kwan and Marquis Dante Nicolai? The girl who happens to be the Vala for the Norse Pantheon? He nodded, confirming it was in fact the same woman. This message came from my granddaughter as well? His head bobbed again.

I should’ve been aware something like this would happen. Jaylynne was vital in the future, I didn’t realize just how significant. Had I been paying more attention, I would’ve already figured this out. Unfortunately, I had my head up my royal ass. This situation was of serious concern. No one got to mess with my family and walk away unscathed.

How ironic, the Vala of the Norse Pantheon is a target of a Goddess in her own mythology. Regardless, I’m sure Aural will be able to take care of everything, or is there something else you need to tell me? You’re not being forthcoming with details today, Drake. I’m a tad bit disappointed. I continued to rap my fingernails against the counter, a habit that drove him crazy. I believe he was afraid I would scratch his perfect countertop. Like he didn’t wipe the bloody thing down enough to buff out all but the deepest gouges.

Princess, Aural requested that you assist her in tracking down a particular Fallen Angel and inform him of what’s going down. She seems to think the Angel might be of some use. They’re having a difficult time trying to locate him with their Dragons. Well, that didn’t surprise me.

Marquis Nicolai relied far too much on his Dragons, and gave them more credit than they deserved. Dragons are a wonderful group to keep around, but certain situations required a distinct skill which the race seemed to lack. Finding and tracking Angels was one, fitting the behemoths into small spaces was another. I would put finding him on my list of things to do as soon as possible.

Did she happen to say who they had assigned to be Jaylynne’s Guardian? I assume she still lives in Portlandia City. The Werewolf she works for is hardly going to do the job, he’s growing old and while he may be formidable, this is a little over his skill set. The whole West Portlandia Pack wouldn’t stand a chance against a Goddess and her henchmen. I watched Drake continue to wipe down the counter for no reason at all, it couldn’t get anymore pristine.

Aural informed me a certain Prince, Alston Halverson of the Northern Ice Colony had been assigned as her Guardian and yes, the young lady still resides in that shit hole of a city. Prince Halverson is an excellent and curious choice of Guardians, but more than qualified for the task at hand.

I felt bad for the girl, she hadn’t had an easy time of things. Her mother, Meredith had been a dear friend to me in life. I had been a part of her children’s birth. The personal issues I had with Dante, her father, never mattered when it came to their children. As the girl’s godmother, a title that I took very seriously, I put all difference aside. My own granddaughter had quite an interesting attachment to the young Vala.

When you speak to Aural, please let her know I plan on making as many arraignments as I can from over here. Maneuvering would be easier from Aliis, unfortunately neither of us has control over my present locale. I no longer wanted anything to do with this world, and I longed for my complicated life as a Princess, it wasn’t lax by any means. It was simply a different set of problems, ones I was more equipped to deal with, this woman wasn’t made for the mortal world.

I would get home soon enough and I could see no reason to rush. Besides, death could wait. I couldn’t bear the painful affair, and tried to avoid it for as long as possible.

I sat in my stool for a moment, lost in thought and dazing off as I watched Drake continue to shine the counter. He didn’t say anything to me, just carried on with his wiping, until someone caught his attention coming into the almost vacant facility. If his glasses hadn’t been in the way, I was certain the world would have been exposed to his glare, his stern jaw clenched, muscles twitching with tension.

I felt the Angels’ presence behind me and cringed. Splendid, I hadn’t seen an Angel in a month or so, and I was starting to enjoy the break. It appeared the winged monsters had decided to make up for the hiatus by doubling up on Angels at the table.

A pair of unreasonably handsome men surrounded me at the bar, one on each side. I glanced to the left at the taller of the two. Like all Angels he was lovely from head to toe with short, slightly curly, dirty blond hair, wide shoulders and broody, gentle green eyes. With a stern jaw, it appeared that he hadn’t laughed or smiled about anything in the past two thousand years.

His tight white shirt showed off every inch of muscle making up his torso, black angelic tattoos shown through the thin fabric and covered his entire upper body, except his face. If I had to guess, this guy had no sense of humor and had been God’s henchman for a small eternity.

I briefly looked to my right, expecting a carbon copy, and ended up doing a double take. To my surprise, this man was considerably less stoic. He had a shaved head and smile lines in the corners of his kind bright blue eyes. The men had identical builds, however this one was a bit shorter.

Angel boy’s lips appeared full and kissable, a quality an Angel shouldn’t possess. I