Fandare (The Complex Book 0) Read online

  Fandare’s hiss of pain echoed mine, and I looked over at him clutching his wrist. Slowly he took his hand away and I saw the bracelet there, forged onto his skin. Blinking rapidly, I looked down at my wrist with an exact duplicate of the one that was on his.

  Panicking, I tried to pull the bracelet off but it wouldn’t budge. I looked up at Fandare with tears in my eyes. “Help me. I’ve got to get this off.”

  Fandare was next to me, and in an instant we were back in his quarters.

  “What are we going to do?”

  “Calm down, we just need a new plan.” He ran his hand over my wrist. “I don’t know what this all means, but I can tell you this.” He held our hands up. “It changes everything.”

  “Why did this happen to us?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe because we are bonded with the Tree of Life mark on both of us, it decided we were the right ones. I don’t know.”

  “How can I turn this over to them if it is fused to our wrists? And the fact that there are two of them now? They are going to want both—otherwise they are going to demand twice the price.” I shivered at the thought. “We could both end up being sold, and missing an arm.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  FANDARE

  March 19, 6 AS

  I tried to keep my frustration at bay. Cyn still did not want me to say anything to Lucian. I wasn’t sure how either one of us was going to hide the thing on our wrists for the rest of the time we were there.

  We decided to take matters into our own hands and meet up with Endara, from the Mishonnock Tribe. We were sure he was already in contact with his superiors and they were devising a plan to take the relics from us.

  When Endara said he wanted to meet at a different underground bar, I did not argue; it would help us keep Lucian in the dark a while longer. What he did not understand was that my magic could go anywhere, and the fact that both Cyn and I were feeling the effects of having the ancient relic as an additional magical conduit. The energy coursing through our veins was powerful. I had no idea how she was able to stay so still, considering it was all so new to her. She should have been bouncing off the walls. My beautiful Cyn was strong.

  I kept my hand on her back as we entered the bar and immediately walked to the back, where we sat down at a table with Endara. The hatred I felt for the man was powerful.

  “It’s about time you arrived,” Endara said.

  “We’re early and you know it,” I replied.

  “I do not even know why you are here, Strogi.”

  I leaned in close to him so he could see the flash of the red in my eyes. “I want you to know exactly who you are dealing with. Cyn is under my protection.”

  Endara barked out a laugh. “Are the Strogi’s numbers dwindling so much they have to look at helping half-breeds to make some extra cash?”

  Putting on a show of relaxing back into the booth, I shook my head. “You’re going to be re-evaluating your opinion soon.”

  Endara scoffed and waved his hand in dismissal. “What have you brought for me?”

  “Nothing,” I said, and watched in pleasure as his nostrils flared in anger.

  “What do you mean, nothing? That is not part of our bargain.” His lips curled back.

  “You may think that’s not the bargain,” I said, “and while it may not be the original bargain, things change. They aren’t the same anymore. I suggest you take what I’m offering you and call it good.”

  “I will take nothing from you, Procris.”

  Laughing without humor, I shook my head. “My brother and I have always lived as outcasts—that word is nothing new to us. But you, you and the trouble tribe have been wreaking havoc throughout the system for far too long, preying on the weak and vulnerable, the hopeful, so you can crush their dreams. It all ends now.”

  “I don’t know who you think you are—” Spit flew out of his mouth. “—but we are the ones in power.”

  “Oh, no, you’re not.” I was enjoying what was going to be coming next. I held up mine and Cyn’s hands so he could see the matching bracelets on our wrists. “I believe the relic has decided something else.”

  Endara’s skin went from orange to red, and he shook. “I don’t understand. That’s not how this works.”

  “It must be hard to let someone get the best of you. These ancient magics hold more power than you could ever imagine. It must have known how despicable your tribe is and how you were going to use it to wipe out Metas instead of giving life.” I held our linked hands up for him to see again. “All we wanted was to live our lives together and do what we could for our clan. But you…” I leaned in close to him. “…you wanted to hurt people. That isn’t what the Tree of Life is about. I guess we should thank you for that.”

  “This can’t be happening.” He moved his large girth to try to sit up straighter. “You know we can take that from you.”

  I smiled. “I’d like to see you try. I don’t think you fully understand the power that we have. If you or anyone from your tribe tries anything, you will not survive. You will leave us alone, and consider Cyn’s debt paid in full and never come anywhere near her again. The same thing goes for Duce. He will have his freedom.”

  I ignored the gasp that came from Cyn’s lips. Duce had looked out for her and he told us what we needed to know in order to find the relic. She was free, and it made sense that he would also have his freedom. Besides, I was a firm believer that no one should ever be bought or sold.

  Without showing any movement, I felt Cyn gather her magic and pin Endara up against the wall, and slowly she started sucking the air out of his lungs. He flailed around like a fish out of water.

  “I told you we were strong.” I nodded. “And that is Cyn on her own. I don’t even need to lift a finger to help her. This is a small sampling of what she can do. Combined, there is no match to us. Leave Duce alone, leave us alone, and leave our clan alone, because you don’t want to see us coming after you. We don’t need you in this system. Your only choices are to change or die. It really makes no difference to me. In fact, it has been awhile since I’ve killed, so please do push me.”

  Cyn pulled her magic back and Endara fell back into his seat, gasping.

  “Do we have a deal?” I asked.

  “Yes,” he whispered.

  “Oh, and by all means, I suggest you keep your nose clean for the remainder of our time here. Stay away from us and Duce—otherwise the Intra will find out exactly what’s been going on here and how you are behind it. You wouldn’t want to miss out on all that money so close to the end, now, would you?”

  “No.” He shook his head so emphatically his jowls flapped.

  “I hope to never see you again,” Cyn said. “But if I do, remember how it felt not to breathe? Well, you’ll be lucky if that is all that will happen to you.”

  We walked out of the underground bar together and up to the surface into the daylight, knowing we would be able to spend the rest of our lives together. Happily.

  Chapter Eighteen

  CYN

  March 31, 6 AS

  “I can’t tell you what this means to me.” Duce couldn’t look me in the eye.

  “Oh, I completely understand what it means. And you should know Fandare is the one who came up with the stipulation when talking to Endara. He was quicker to forgive than I am.”

  We were alone in my quarters for the first time since we’d found the relic and bargained for my freedom. Our freedom.

  “You have to understand, I was doing everything I could. I was trying to lead you down the right path, but they forbid me from telling you anything specific. They wanted to make you nervous. They didn’t want this to be easy for you, and in turn easy for me. It wouldn’t have been any fun if you had found the relic within the first few months you were here.”

  I sighed. I knew he spoke the truth. “Thank you. Thank you for being there for me.”

  “Anytime, Cyn. I’m serious—if you ever need help, just let me know. I’ll be there for you.”


  “What are you going to do now?”

  “I don’t know.” He shrugged. “Try to figure out what comes next, after our time is up.”

  “Do you know which planet you are going to go to?”

  “No. I honestly never thought I’d ever have my freedom. I don’t know what comes next.”

  I could feel his sadness and I knew I’d help him. “You’re always welcome in the clan. You may not be Strogi, but you helped us, so by extension you are part of it.”

  For the first time since I’d met him, Duce laughed. “Are you serious? You don’t understand what this means to me. I’ll have a place to call home. A safe place. My freedom. It’s something I never dreamed of.”

  “Oh, I know exactly what it means to you.”

  I was enveloped in a large bear hug, and his happiness warmed me.

  “You won’t regret this,” Duce said.

  Looking over, I saw Fandare and he nodded to me. He knew what I’d do before I even did it. I loved him, and couldn’t wait until we could come out of hiding and show the system how much we meant to each other.

  Epilogue

  FANDARE

  June 30, 6 AS

  I stood on one side of Halley, and Lucian was on the other as we made our way to the jetters to take us back to their planet of Creda. Cyn wanted to keep Halley in the dark until we were on our way home.

  “You know we’re leaving—nothing is going to happen to me,” Halley said.

  “Of course not, sister.” I patted her shoulder. “You know we’re protective of you.”

  “No, really?” She rolled her eyes.

  “Watch your step.” Lucian took her elbow and made sure she didn’t trip.

  Walking down the aisle, I saw Cyn sitting in the row ahead of us. I was able to maneuver us so I was directly behind her. Watching Halley rub her belly, I was amazed at how much had changed during the two years that we had been at the Complex.

  When Lucian reached over and grabbed her hand, I was filled with love for my brother and new sister. It was exactly what our clan needed, and she was exactly what he needed, and deserved.

  I settled back and resisted the urge to reach through the seat in front of me to play with Cyn’s hair. Soon enough I’d be able to let everyone know who she was to me.

  As soon as we were out of Lorn’s atmosphere, Cyn jumped up and turned around in her seat, smiling at me.

  “Ah, my beloved, so it is time?” I asked.

  “Yes, my bond, it is.”

  I stood up and grabbed her, pulling her over the seat, and wrapped my arms tightly around her. “I’m never letting you go.”

  Kissing her in front of everyone on the jetter, I knew my life was finally complete.

  The End

  -

  The Complex Book Series.

  A Lone Planet. One Complex.

  Unlimited Chaos.

  http://www.thecomplex.info

  About the Author

  M. STRATTON

  M. Stratton is an International Amazon bestselling author in the romantic suspense and mystery suspense categories for her Storm Series and Bender. She lives with her husband and son in Arizona, which is a big difference from where she grew up north of Chicago, Illinois. As an only child, she learned to tell herself stories to make the long winters go by quicker while dreaming of summer vacations. Now as an adult, she still makes up stories to pass the time, but now she writes them down to share with other people. Stratton is a self-proclaimed dork who loves to make people laugh. Her inner rock star is always on stage performing to a sold out crowd, but she’s quiet and shy on the outside. She spends her days plotting new ways to surprise her readers.

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  OTHER WORKS BY M. STRATTON

  The Storm Series (Romantic Thrillers)

  After the Storm – Book One:

  Alexia “Lexi” Hanson moved across the country to rebuild her life after the attack which almost destroyed her. She enjoys the simple things in her beach cottage. Life is finally complete.

  Noah Matthews is Rock & Roll’s hottest star and on top of the world. After years without a break, he finds the solitude he craves at his beach house. Enjoying his early morning coffee, Noah is surprised to see his neighbor sneak into his garden and crawl around.

  They never saw that fateful morning coming. Someone was watching them. Someone who thought Lexi belonged to him and would stop at nothing to have her.

  Lives are changed forever when they meet amongst the blooms in his garden. Even when things seem darkest, there is always light After the Storm.

  Eye of the Storm – Book Two

  Evie Taylor loves her life in Boston, running her bookstore and café, but an accident has made it so she needs to return home to take care of her grandmother. With extra time on her hands, she decides to start looking for the monster which haunts her best friend’s nightmares, and a chain of events begins which no one could see coming.

  When the last person she ever expected shows up and rings her grandmother’s doorbell, she finds herself in the middle of danger. Bound together in a common mission, they’ll search the world looking for answers. But can they find them in time, or will they end up paying the ultimate price?

  As the storm rages around them, they find each other and the calm in the Eye of the Storm.

  Caught in the Storm - Book Three

  What happens when the hunter becomes the hunted?

  Kat Snyder has spent years chasing after the man who attacked her and left her for dead. It is her one obsession, and she won’t let anyone stand in her way. Now that they are getting closer to finding him, she begins to doubt herself and her need for revenge.

  Jackson “Jack” Taylor lost the only woman he truly loved. Now that he’s found her again, he’s not letting go and will do everything in his power to make her see they can have a life together. Together they search for the monster who has hurt so many women.

  The closer they get, the closer they become, until they are both Caught in the Storm.

  The Storm Series Box Set

  Includes all three above books plus two short stories where you learn more about the darkness behind the books.

  The Dana Marshall Files - Volume 1 (Two short stories)

  Blown Away

  While Dana Marshall didn't have a perfect life, she did have a mother who loved her, a mother who encouraged her to be whatever she wanted when she grew up. They both had dreams of all she could accomplish, what she could do when she left this small town.

  Then her mother was killed and everything changed. What Dana Marshall wanted to do when she graduated was something completely different than what her and her mother imagined. Mama didn't have this in mind.

  Her life was destroyed when a monster killed her mother. Without protection, she fell prey to her alcoholic father. Taking her time, Dana did her research, saved her pennies until finally the storm blew in and scattered her problems to the other side of the county.

  The first kill is always the hardest.

  Kiss of Death

  After successfully killing two men and getting away with it, Dana Marshall had her next kill.

  Adrian Silva started beating his wife, Maria before the ink was dry on the marriage license. When his stepdaughter became a teenager, his eyes turned to her. After an unsuccessful rape attempt, Yara Rivera took matters into her own hands. She attempted to kill him by putting boric acid in his whiskey. He drank it, but lived. Sent to juvenile hall, Yara is unable to protect her mother. She knew there was nothing she could do but get her mother to leave Adrian.

  Successfully escaping from him, Yara protected her family with everything she had, leaving her listening for every bump in the night in their small apartment every night.

  With her file complete, Dana travels to Upstate New York to give Adrian her own kiss of death.

  Stand-Alone Novels – Romantic Thrillers

  Fade to Black

  Devlin Cross is one of Hollywood's biggest stars. He has his pick of the sc
ripts and his pick of the women. While on a break from filming his current movie, he takes a drive through the countryside and stops at a local art gallery. There, the owner isn't star-struck by having him in her shop.

  Lily Walker is a single mother who wants nothing to do with men. Her goal in life is to raise her son to the best of her ability and give him the stable home life she never had. With her failed marriage behind her, the last thing on her radar is a relationship, especially one with a famous movie star.

  Not every breakup is mutual. Some ex-lovers never let go. Some will do whatever it takes to have that person back in their lives. Dead… or alive.

  The Night Club Series

  Bender (Book One)

  Since high school, everyone thought Jake Bender would end up behind bars; after all, he comes from a long line of bad boys. He spent years away from the place he called home. When he finally comes back, everyone thinks he's just a punk kid all grown up who’s now running a dive bar called The Night Club. What they don't know is he heads a special task force which cleans up neighborhoods and makes them safe again.

  Stormy Ryan has always felt more comfortable with her books than with people, and she loves to spend her days within the pages. When her second-hand bookstore is robbed for the third time in as many months, her employees quit leaving her to run the shop on her own. With the pressure of having to deal with her shop and people, not to mention the declining neighborhood, she is at the end of her rope.

  When closing up her shop late one night, she is held up and the neighborhood bad boy saves her, putting both of them at the forefront of a psychotic’s obsession.