A Paranormal - Suspense - Thriller Novel
Several people’s lives are cosmically interwoven by a violent game. It brings destruction and death to anyone who crosses its path. No one is safe. Where does destiny end and when does fate take over?
Jonas had been on the run since he was thirteen. A group pursued him, but he didn’t know why. Yet, he knew that if they’d ever find him, he will die. He lived a solitary life to survive until his dreams began. Each dream revealed a new piece of an ever-widening puzzle. A mystery woman haunted his slumber, drawing him closer to the destiny he knew and feared.
Tammy's life was drastically altered by an encounter in a dark alley. She had seen what no one else in the world had lived to tell about. When it was time to act, she had faltered and feared for her life. Could she tell the world what she had witnessed, and would anyone believe her? How could she live with the knowledge that made her life a living hell?
Stacey had won the lottery, and everyone wanted a piece of it. The only person she felt she could trust was her best friend, Tammy. However, Tammy began having serious problems after the terrible night in the alley. Stacey had decided to hire a bodyguard to protect them. But, before long, she developed romantic feelings for their protector, which distracted them from their main concern... keeping Tammy safe.
What will become of these people whose lives are intertwined by destiny and fate into a fierce game? With lives on the line, and devastation on the horizon is anything or anyone safe? It’s only where destiny lands that you can find The Fated.
Jonas had been on the run since he was thirteen. A group pursued him, but he didn’t know why. Yet, he knew that if they’d ever find him, he will die. He lived a solitary life to survive until his dreams began. Each dream revealed a new piece of an ever-widening puzzle. A mystery woman haunted his slumber, drawing him closer to the destiny he knew and feared.
Tammy's life was drastically altered by an encounter in a dark alley. She had seen what no one else in the world had lived to tell about. When it was time to act, she had faltered and feared for her life. Could she tell the world what she had witnessed, and would anyone believe her? How could she live with the knowledge that made her life a living hell?
Stacey had won the lottery, and everyone wanted a piece of it. The only person she felt she could trust was her best friend, Tammy. However, Tammy began having serious problems after the terrible night in the alley. Stacey had decided to hire a bodyguard to protect them. But, before long, she developed romantic feelings for their protector, which distracted them from their main concern... keeping Tammy safe.
What will become of these people whose lives are intertwined by destiny and fate into a fierce game? With lives on the line, and devastation on the horizon is anything or anyone safe? It’s only where destiny lands that you can find The Fated.
A short snippet from the book
Both men stood, unmoving, unyielding, neither willing to be the first to look away. Only millimeters of free space existed between their noses, not even a slender sheet of paper could be inserted between them without touching one of their faces. Each man refused to relinquish any ground, so there they stood, locked in an infantile display of testosterone and ignorance. They physically hated each other, right down to the very core of their identities. Someone who didn't witness their previous arguments might have thought they were preparing to kiss. Even though there was no love painted across their faces.
No one would be passing out hippy love beads to those two men, in fact, they'd probably smack anyone who tried. Thor had worked with Special Agent Kyle Montgomery in the past. He used to be employed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. When he discovered the abuses of power and other downright illegal actions by several of the people in the FBI, he lost his love for the Bureau, as well as his respect. Kyle wasn't dirty, but he wasn't very competent; he was always too busy throwing his weight around to be effective. Thor never put up with Kyle's attitude and it rubbed Kyle the wrong way, every time.
"Boys, boys, please control yourselves! This is hardly the time, nor the place for this display! If the children see this . . ." Stacey allowed herself to trail off, letting the importance of the situation sink into their minds for a moment. "This is ridiculous! Agent Montgomery, you were leaving anyway. So, please do so, or I'll be forced to report your behavior to a superior. Thor, you are working for me and that means you are going to have to back off."
Thor smiled smugly while casually stepping back. However, his eyes never left Kyle's, they were locked in a deep, scorn-filled staring match. "You heard the lady, you were just leaving . . . schmuck."
"Up yours, Bernard! This isn't the last of this, of that you can be sure."
With an over-exaggerated yawn, Thor turned his back on Agent Montgomery and walked over to check the windows again. He didn't care enough about Kyle to let their argument bother him.
Agent Montgomery stormed out of the room and down the corridor, not stopping until he left the building. With his departure, the police and local law enforcement officials abandoned the school. The police chief had decided that since a former FBI agent was watching over Stacey and Tammy, their school would be safe without additional cops hanging around. Affording him at least two extra cops he would have had to assign to the elementary school. The police chief was relieved an ex-fed was working to protect the school.
"Thor, you have a minute?" Stacey asked quietly.
"Certainly." Thor nodded to one of his fellow bodyguards to take over checking on the room. "What can I do for you, Stacey?"
"What was that all about?" she demanded though she was reassured he would even stand up to the FBI; she viewed Thor as truly fearless.
"We used to work together at the bureau, he was always an arrogant . . ." Thor stopped himself, curbing his desire to explain Kyle with a nasty collection of four-letter words. "Sorry. We've never gotten along, and the fact that I wanted information from him made things tense. He grew very smug the moment he realized I had to rely on the work of his team for evidence."
"So, the school is basically safe right now?"
"As safe as it's likely to get around here. With the cops jumping around schools like jackrabbits, I don't think it's feasible any kidnappers nor murderers will be strolling in here," Thor explained though he didn't let his guard down for a single moment. "I requested that Christopher Andrews be placed on the night shift for you and Tammy. While I'm sure Randy is plenty capable, I think Chris is a better guardian."
"What makes him better than Randy? No offense, but we already know Randy; why should we use someone else?" Stacey wasn't trying to be difficult, she just wanted to know.
Keeping his voice low, Thor said, "For one thing, Chris is a Hell of a lot smarter than Randy. When I first met him, I was surprised how sharp-witted he was. Somewhat withdrawn, but an all-around good guy to have around. Let me put it to you this way, if I had to choose between Randy and Chris to protect me, I'd choose Andrews, which is why I want him assigned to your case," Thor paused for a moment. "I'm still not pleased with your decision not to tell the police about the killer."
"We've been through that, the media would hound us for months if not years. The entire time it would take to catch him, we'd be in the spotlight. The killer wouldn't have to stalk us to see what we were up to, he'd just turn on the evening news," Stacey explained as though she had done it a thousand times already. "Not only that but after he was caught, the press would hound us until his trial was over. Who knows how long we'd be under the microscope of the media."
"I understand all that, and I respect your choice. I don't have to like it, but I do respect it. Stacey, I'm just trying to keep you and Tammy safe. It's not my place to pass judgment on you or Tammy. With the police aware of this guy, and having a description of him, he'd be a lot easier to capture. That's all I'm trying to say." Thor shook his head slowly. "You and Tammy have been very kind to me. Not all my clients have been so kind, that's why I'm taking this case very personally. So, anything I say isn't to upset you but to help you see things from a different point of view."
Stacey's expression softened; her eyes smiled at him in response to his proclamation.
Thor recommended a steel shudder service for the windows; they could be rolled down over the glass to prevent any break-ins. She was quick to respond, calling the company and having them out to install them within the day. The only window that wasn't closed all the time was the front window where Thor stood watch. While they were at work, all the windows were covered by the thick steel, keeping out any intruders.
"Thor, one thing you have to understand is, these children mean the world to me. We can't have you fighting with the law in front of them. Tammy and I are trying to teach them to respect the authorities. These days, more than ever, children need fundamental respect for the law. Have you seen the news? Kids are killing each other, and cops, and anyone else who gets in their path. So, when you argue with an agent in front of them, they get the wrong impression. Especially since they all look at you like you are the greatest thing since sliced bread," Stacey explained delicately.
"I'm sorry. Really, I am. It was wrong and I know that. It won't happen again, I promise.
“Um, looks like Tammy is trying to get your attention over there," Thor said, nodding his head in Tammy's direction. "And I better get back to work."
Stacey gave his arm a reassuring squeeze, showing she wasn't mad at him. What was peculiar to Thor was he could feel the warmth of her hand even minutes after she had retreated to speak with Tammy. He was also more than a little surprised to find he enjoyed the feel of her touch, it gave him great pleasure. Forcibly, Thor pushed those thoughts aside, knowing it would be a detriment to his duty for both ladies. Until the case was over, Thor couldn't afford to think of Stacey in any way other than professionally.
No one would be passing out hippy love beads to those two men, in fact, they'd probably smack anyone who tried. Thor had worked with Special Agent Kyle Montgomery in the past. He used to be employed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. When he discovered the abuses of power and other downright illegal actions by several of the people in the FBI, he lost his love for the Bureau, as well as his respect. Kyle wasn't dirty, but he wasn't very competent; he was always too busy throwing his weight around to be effective. Thor never put up with Kyle's attitude and it rubbed Kyle the wrong way, every time.
"Boys, boys, please control yourselves! This is hardly the time, nor the place for this display! If the children see this . . ." Stacey allowed herself to trail off, letting the importance of the situation sink into their minds for a moment. "This is ridiculous! Agent Montgomery, you were leaving anyway. So, please do so, or I'll be forced to report your behavior to a superior. Thor, you are working for me and that means you are going to have to back off."
Thor smiled smugly while casually stepping back. However, his eyes never left Kyle's, they were locked in a deep, scorn-filled staring match. "You heard the lady, you were just leaving . . . schmuck."
"Up yours, Bernard! This isn't the last of this, of that you can be sure."
With an over-exaggerated yawn, Thor turned his back on Agent Montgomery and walked over to check the windows again. He didn't care enough about Kyle to let their argument bother him.
Agent Montgomery stormed out of the room and down the corridor, not stopping until he left the building. With his departure, the police and local law enforcement officials abandoned the school. The police chief had decided that since a former FBI agent was watching over Stacey and Tammy, their school would be safe without additional cops hanging around. Affording him at least two extra cops he would have had to assign to the elementary school. The police chief was relieved an ex-fed was working to protect the school.
"Thor, you have a minute?" Stacey asked quietly.
"Certainly." Thor nodded to one of his fellow bodyguards to take over checking on the room. "What can I do for you, Stacey?"
"What was that all about?" she demanded though she was reassured he would even stand up to the FBI; she viewed Thor as truly fearless.
"We used to work together at the bureau, he was always an arrogant . . ." Thor stopped himself, curbing his desire to explain Kyle with a nasty collection of four-letter words. "Sorry. We've never gotten along, and the fact that I wanted information from him made things tense. He grew very smug the moment he realized I had to rely on the work of his team for evidence."
"So, the school is basically safe right now?"
"As safe as it's likely to get around here. With the cops jumping around schools like jackrabbits, I don't think it's feasible any kidnappers nor murderers will be strolling in here," Thor explained though he didn't let his guard down for a single moment. "I requested that Christopher Andrews be placed on the night shift for you and Tammy. While I'm sure Randy is plenty capable, I think Chris is a better guardian."
"What makes him better than Randy? No offense, but we already know Randy; why should we use someone else?" Stacey wasn't trying to be difficult, she just wanted to know.
Keeping his voice low, Thor said, "For one thing, Chris is a Hell of a lot smarter than Randy. When I first met him, I was surprised how sharp-witted he was. Somewhat withdrawn, but an all-around good guy to have around. Let me put it to you this way, if I had to choose between Randy and Chris to protect me, I'd choose Andrews, which is why I want him assigned to your case," Thor paused for a moment. "I'm still not pleased with your decision not to tell the police about the killer."
"We've been through that, the media would hound us for months if not years. The entire time it would take to catch him, we'd be in the spotlight. The killer wouldn't have to stalk us to see what we were up to, he'd just turn on the evening news," Stacey explained as though she had done it a thousand times already. "Not only that but after he was caught, the press would hound us until his trial was over. Who knows how long we'd be under the microscope of the media."
"I understand all that, and I respect your choice. I don't have to like it, but I do respect it. Stacey, I'm just trying to keep you and Tammy safe. It's not my place to pass judgment on you or Tammy. With the police aware of this guy, and having a description of him, he'd be a lot easier to capture. That's all I'm trying to say." Thor shook his head slowly. "You and Tammy have been very kind to me. Not all my clients have been so kind, that's why I'm taking this case very personally. So, anything I say isn't to upset you but to help you see things from a different point of view."
Stacey's expression softened; her eyes smiled at him in response to his proclamation.
Thor recommended a steel shudder service for the windows; they could be rolled down over the glass to prevent any break-ins. She was quick to respond, calling the company and having them out to install them within the day. The only window that wasn't closed all the time was the front window where Thor stood watch. While they were at work, all the windows were covered by the thick steel, keeping out any intruders.
"Thor, one thing you have to understand is, these children mean the world to me. We can't have you fighting with the law in front of them. Tammy and I are trying to teach them to respect the authorities. These days, more than ever, children need fundamental respect for the law. Have you seen the news? Kids are killing each other, and cops, and anyone else who gets in their path. So, when you argue with an agent in front of them, they get the wrong impression. Especially since they all look at you like you are the greatest thing since sliced bread," Stacey explained delicately.
"I'm sorry. Really, I am. It was wrong and I know that. It won't happen again, I promise.
“Um, looks like Tammy is trying to get your attention over there," Thor said, nodding his head in Tammy's direction. "And I better get back to work."
Stacey gave his arm a reassuring squeeze, showing she wasn't mad at him. What was peculiar to Thor was he could feel the warmth of her hand even minutes after she had retreated to speak with Tammy. He was also more than a little surprised to find he enjoyed the feel of her touch, it gave him great pleasure. Forcibly, Thor pushed those thoughts aside, knowing it would be a detriment to his duty for both ladies. Until the case was over, Thor couldn't afford to think of Stacey in any way other than professionally.