Chapter 1: Eleanor
“The seven characteristics of self-actualized people,” the counselor wrote on the whiteboard. “Who can tell me what they are?”
Tuning him out, Eleanor scribbled in her notebook, Who and what is Emmett Haderech?
And what the hell was he doing to his playmates to leave them so drained that they needed a day off to recuperate?
The Safe Haven enigmatic founder was a mystery that Eleanor was determined to unravel, and she had a feeling that she would have to take the lead on that.
With Leon gone, Peter naturally had assumed that he was in charge of what remained of their team, and she might have to let him believe that he was. But even though the guy was an experienced Guardian, he was a goofball who didn’t take anything seriously. If she didn’t steer him in the right direction, the two-week retreat would be over before they found out the truth about Emmett and his weird cult.
Eleanor had no intention of staying for so long, though. Hopefully, they would unravel the mystery in the next couple of days and hightail it out of there. If she had to sit through ten more days of the drivel the counselors were spouting she was going to lose it.
Leon, the lucky bastard, had bailed after suffering only through four days of the damn retreat, and he was on his way to a week-long romantic vacation with Anastasia, a potential Dormant who might also be his destined mate.
Life wasn’t fair, but that was old news to Eleanor.
If she could she would have bailed as well, but someone had to unmask Emmet Haderech, and it sure as hell wasn’t going to be Peter.
The problem was that the cult’s leader was nowhere to be seen. The only time Emmett had made an appearance was on the first day, delivering a ten-minute welcome speech.
He wasn’t scheduled to head any of the workshops or teach any of the classes. The next time they were supposed to see him was when he delivered his parting words on the last day of the retreat.
Obviously, that wouldn’t do.
She had to find a way to have a face-to-face with the guy. If she were beautiful, Emmett might have invited her for a private session, which would have been perfect, but Eleanor wasn’t the type men went after.
If they had any brains, they ran the other way.
Only Greggory had seen past the prickly exterior to the woman inside, and even more surprisingly, liked what he’d found.
But Greggory was a rare exception.
Most men gravitated toward the beautiful, soft, and malleable.
“Peak Experience.” The counselor’s words caught her attention. “I want each of you to take a moment to recall a time in your life when you experienced that state.”
Eleanor didn’t need to think hard to come up with a personal example of peak experience and the feeling of elation it produced. That was what she felt on the slopes. Regrettably, the only skiing she’d been doing lately was virtual, and not as often as she would have liked. Perhaps if she proved herself above and beyond on this mission, she would be allowed the same freedoms other residents of the village enjoyed and could come and go as she pleased. The local ski resorts didn’t have slopes challenging enough for her, but she would be ecstatic to go on them, nonetheless.
Except, nothing she’d done so far on this assignment could count as exceptional. Leon and Peter could have managed to get Anastasia out without her, and the information she’d compelled the staff member to reveal had been intriguing but not earth-shattering.
Finding out what the cult’s leader was hiding, though, would definitely count as a major coup, provided that there was anything to find. The guy could just be jacked up on Viagra and screwing his partners within an inch of their lives.
“Can you explain once more what you mean by peak performance?” Peter asked. “How would I know that I reached it?”
She threw him a glare.
Instead of participating in the class discussion, the Guardian should be thinking about ways to uncover Safe Haven’s secrets.
Shrugging, Peter whispered without looking at her, “We might as well learn something.”
“Certainly.” The counselor beamed. ”When you tap into a reservoir of previously untapped potential and utilize it to the fullest, you feel transformed and strengthened by the experience.”
“Got it.” Peter gave the guy the thumbs up.
The counselor walked in front of the desk and leaned against it. “Do you have a peak experience story that you would like to share with us?”
“Can’t think of one now. Maybe you can give us some examples? I’m particularly interested in what Emmett Haderech considered a peak experience. After all, you are teaching his way, true?”
Clever.
Perhaps Peter wasn’t as useless as she’d thought. Any information they could get about the cult’s leader could be one more clue in the puzzle they were trying to solve.
“There are many examples I can give you,” the counselor said. “But I’d rather hear your stories first. Everyone’s idea of peak performance is different, and I don’t want you to be influenced or intimidated by mine or Emmett’s. Every peak state, no matter how small, is significant. After everyone is done, I will gladly add my own experiences and those of others.”
Chapter 2: Leon
“Good afternoon, Master Leon.” Holding the limo door open, Okidu bowed. “Mistress Anastasia.” He bowed again.
“Good afternoon to you too.” She cast him a thankful smile before ducking inside. “First a private jet, and now a limousine. I feel like a celebrity.”
Leon got in and sat beside her. “Given your father’s wealth, I thought that you would be used to that.”
“I don’t know what your friend told you about my father, but he’s not that rich. He doesn’t have a private jet, or a limousine, or a driver.”
“Doesn’t he own one of the largest self-storage chains?”
She seemed surprised that he knew that. “My father heads a publicly traded Real Estate Investment Trust, the majority of which is owned by investors. Self-storage is just part of the portfolio, and the trust also owns office and industrial parks. My father is obviously an investor, but I don’t know how much of it he owns.”
“I didn’t know that.” Leon didn’t know much about Real Estate Investment Trusts either, but he didn’t want to appear ignorant. “I’m much more interested in his daughter than his businesses.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
As Okidu eased the limo onto the road, Anastasia looked out the window. “How far is it to the cabin?”
“About a one-hour drive.”
“I’m looking forward to spending an entire week with you.” She leaned her head on his arm and sighed. “I just wish that I had some decent clothes with me. It’s going to be difficult to separate myself mentally from Safe Haven while wearing their approved colors.”
Apparently, the talk about her father’s wealth had reminded Anastasia of the fancy wardrobe she’d left behind to join Emmett’s cult.
Leon still couldn’t understand why she’d done that. The more he’d gotten to know her, the more puzzling her decision seemed. So yeah, she heard random conversations in her head, and she feared a mental illness, but that couldn’t have been the only reason she’d decided to drop out of life.
Perhaps her mother’s death had traumatized her more than her father had realized?
It would have been a good idea to have Anastasia talk with Vanessa, but since her father had instilled in her a fear that a diagnosis of a mental illness would ruin her life, she mistrusted shrinks and would likely balk at the suggestion.
Still, now that she had confirmation that the voices in her head were real and not hallucinations, she might be more open to the idea.
The problem was that Leon had only a week to solve all of Anastasia’s mysteries, and antagonizing her by inviting a therapist to the cabin might backfire.
Providing her with a new wardrobe would be much easier and less dangerous. He was about to suggest that they make a detour and go clothes shopping, when he noticed the limousine’s windows turning opaque.
Okidu wouldn’t have done that of his own volition, which meant that they weren’t going to stop anywhere because Kian didn’t want Anastasia to know where the cabin was.
The place wasn’t a strategic location, but it had sentimental value to several of the couples who had fallen in love while staying there. The cabin also proved useful time and again for various purposes, and it would be a shame to lose it.
If Anastasia wasn’t a Dormant and had to be returned to the human world, it was best that she didn’t know where it was.
Leon pulled out his phone. “I can ask one of my cousins to bring you some clothes. What size do you wear?”
She shook her head. “I don’t want to inconvenience anyone. I was just thinking out loud.”
“They will be happy to do it. Remember the two ladies with the special paranormal talents I told you about?”
She eyed him suspiciously. “What about them?”
Damn, he’d forgotten Anastasia’s reaction when he’d told her about Mey and Jin’s talents. She hadn’t believed him and had even accused him of lying. He shouldn’t have brought them up, but it was too late now.
“They are working on designing a clothing line that they want to launch sometime next year. Maybe they have some samples that they can part with.”
That sparked her interest. “What kind of clothes are they planning to sell?”
“I have no idea. I know absolutely nothing about women’s fashion.”
She chuckled. “And yet you imagined me in a black cocktail dress and stilettos.”
“You remember that?”
“Of course. Ever since you said that I’ve been fantasizing about us going out on a date, you in a suit, and me in a little black dress. Are there any decent restaurants near the cabin?”
“The nearest one is about an hour and a half away. But since our only mode of transportation is a motorcycle, I doubt that you would want to ride it wearing a cocktail dress.”
“Why a motorcycle?”
He shrugged. “One of my cousins left it there to be used by whoever stays in the cabin.”
“That was nice of him, but there is no way I’m going on one of those death traps. I hope your driver will pick us up at the end of the week.”
“Okidu is not my driver, but I can ask him to pick us up.”
“Good.” She let out a breath. “I hate motorcycles.”
That solved the dilemma of getting groceries without taking her along, but he still needed to get her clothing that didn’t remind her of Safe Haven. “I don’t know if I can get you a cocktail dress or stilettos, but I can check about other outfits that are not white, pink, or pale blue. I will need to tell them your size, though.”
“Are you sure that’s okay? From what you’re telling me, the cabin is in the middle of nowhere. Who is going to deliver the clothes?”
“I can ask Okidu to make another trip. I’m sure he won’t mind.” Perhaps Kian would, but Leon would explain that it was for a good cause.
Anastasia hesitated for a moment longer. “I wear size eight.”
“What about shoes?”
“Also size eight.” She still looked conflicted. “But if their designs are form-fitting, then perhaps size ten in clothes would be better.”
“I’ll let them know.” He wrote a long text to Arwel, explaining what Anastasia needed and why it was important.
Even if she wasn’t a Dormant, and at the end of the week he had to part with her, Leon didn’t want her to return to Safe Haven and waste her life away. If nice clothing would help her distance herself emotionally from the place, then it was worth the effort to get it for her.
“What happened to the windows?” Anastasia asked.
He’d hoped she wouldn’t notice.
“I asked the driver to give us some privacy.” He said the first thing that had popped into his head.
Okidu must have heard him because a moment later the privacy screen went up.
Anastasia laughed. “Seriously?” She leaned to whisper in his ear, “We’ve just made love on the jet.”
They had, and once again Leon had managed not to bite her. But the only way he could pull it off again was to keep his pants on and just pleasure her.
“And your point is?”
“No point.” She pulled the pink scarf out of her coat pocket. “Do I need to put it on?”
Damn, he should have added a proper blindfold and restraints to the list of items he’d asked for.
“You know the rules.” Leon took the scarf from her hands. “Close your eyes, beautiful.”
“Yes, sir.”
Chapter 3: Anastasia
“We are here.” Leon’s soft murmur was followed by a gentle kiss on the lips.
Smiling, Ana opened her eyes. “We are? I thought that I only dozed off for a couple of minutes.”
The blindfold was no longer over her eyes, the limousine windows were no longer opaque, and they were parked in front of a cabin that was much more modest than what Ana had expected. After flying on a private jet and then being driven in a limo by a uniformed driver, she’d expected the cabin to be a rustic-looking castle.
“It was a little longer than that.” Leon held the coat up for her.
Somehow, he’d managed to put her clothes back on without waking her.
“You really are a sex god. I keep blacking out from bliss.” She chuckled. “I've had two firsts in the span of three hours. I joined the mile-high club, and I made love in a limo. I’m quite impressed with myself.”
Well, the limo part had been one-sided, but contrary to what a former President had claimed back in the day, oral pleasure given and received still counted as sex.
The strange-looking driver opened the back door, smiled his fake smile, and offered her a hand up. “Welcome to the cabin, mistress.”
“Thank you.” Ana took his hand not because she needed help getting out, but because she didn’t want to offend him by refusing.
“I will bring the luggage in, and then I will show you and Master Leon where everything is.” He bowed before pivoting on his heel and heading for the trunk.
“Do you have the key?” Ana threaded her arm through Leon’s.
“It’s a keypad lock. I have the combination.” He pulled out his phone and glanced at the display for a moment. “It’s the same number as the one for the gate.”
She looked over her shoulder, surprised to see that the property indeed had a gate. “I didn’t even notice the fence around the place. The bushes are so tall that they are hiding it.”
“Yeah. They have grown quite a lot since the last time I was here.” Leon led her up the stairs to the front porch.
Ana’s step faltered. He hadn’t told her that he’d been there before, and the idea that he’d brought other women to the cabin had her seeing red.
Calm down, girl. He doesn’t belong to you.
“When was the last time you were here?” She tried to sound casual but didn’t do a great job of it.
It had come out sounding like an accusation.
“My partner and I were tasked with guarding a couple who stayed here.” Leon punched the code into the keypad and pushed the door open.
“Your partner? Was it Peter, aka Devlin?” She hoped it hadn’t been Marisol, aka Eleanor, or some other female operative.
It was irrational, but Ana couldn’t help it.
Leon had probably been with scores of other women, and she was okay with that, but she wanted the cabin to be a fresh start for the two of them, and she definitely didn’t want to have sex with him on the same bed where he’d done it with others.
“No, I was here with Bowen, my former partner.” Leon left the door open. “So, what do you think?”
Ana hadn’t even looked at the interior yet. “It’s nice.” She scanned the open floor plan. “It looks like it was done by an interior designer. Everything matches perfectly, the colors, the fabrics, the scale.”
He seemed disappointed by her lack of enthusiasm. “I guess you are used to more luxurious accommodations.”
Ana laughed. “I’m not. Did you already forget where I've lived for the past three months? And before that I lived in an apartment that I shared with two other girls.”
“What about your father’s house?”
She shrugged. “The one I grew up in was sold a long time ago. But even there my room was nothing special. The only real luxury I had was the bathtub.”
“Then you are going to love this one.” He took her hand and led her to the bedroom. “We have a hot tub.” He opened the door to a bathroom.
Looking at the tub, all she could think about was whether Leon had used it with another woman. “Did you get to try it?”
He shook his head. “Bowen and I took turns sleeping on the living room couch, and we got to use the bathroom in the loft. It has an old-fashioned claw-foot tub that’s quite nice. Do you want to see it?”
“Maybe later. How many bedrooms are in here?”
“Two bedrooms that share the downstairs bath, and the loft.”
Things weren’t adding up.
“You said that you were guarding a couple. How come you and your partner didn’t sleep in the other room or the loft?”
He rubbed his hand over the back of his neck. “They didn’t start as a couple, and they each had their own room. We were also guarding a third person at the time, a guy who slept in the loft. Why all the questions, Anastasia?”
She shrugged. “It will sound silly to you, but I want this cabin to be our place, with no memories of past lovers.”
“Come here.” Sitting on the tub’s lip, he pulled her onto his lap. “I’ve never been here with anyone but Bowen.” Leon chuckled. “He’s a swell guy and quite handsome, but he’s not my type.” He added a wink. “Other couples had stayed in these bedrooms, though. Several of them have even fallen in love here, and I want to believe that these walls hold a residue of that magic dust. If we get lucky, they might sprinkle some of it on us.”
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for reading The Children Of The Gods Series.
I need your help.
Remember that nasty review on Dark Stranger The dream's page that I mentioned was gaining votes every day? It still does. Please don't let it ascend to the top spot on Dark Stranger The Dream's Amazon page again.
If you can spare a moment and vote as helpful several of the wonderful fan reviews that actually deserve that spot, you'll be doing me, as well as the Children of the Gods series, a great favor.
And please DON'T COMMENT on that nasty review. Doing so only increases its relevance score and pushes it up to the top.
You're welcome, however, to comment on the good ones.
To get to the book's Amazon page, click HERE
And if you haven't done so already, a review would be tremendously appreciated as well.
Thank you, love & happy reading,
Isabell
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
DARK HAVEN UNMASKED 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dark Stranger Trilogy
Includes a short story: The Fates take a Vacation
Get it on Amazon
Review Dark Stranger The Dream or the Dark Stranger Trilogy and get a FREE copy of the short story: The Fates Take a Vacation. Just email me at isabell@itlucas.com and mention that you've left a review for one of the above.
Dark Enemy Trilogy
Includes a short story: The Fates' Post-Wedding Celebration
Review Dark Enemy Trilogy and get a FREE copy of the short story: The Fates' Post-Wedding Celebration. Just email me at isabell@itlucas.com and mention that you've left a review.
DESIGNED FOR KINDLE UNLIMITED SUBSCRIBERS AND PRIME KINDLE OWNERS
Boxed set 1 includes books 1-6 and illustrated character lists
Boxed set 2 includes books 6.5-10 and new illustrated character lists.
Amazon Prime kindle owners can read this boxset for FREE without Kindle Unlimited subscription.
For instructions, go to amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=200757120
The character lists are also included in the new Children of the Gods Companion book Volume 1
The companion is not available for sale yet, but VIPs who posted reviews for the boxsets or for Dark Stranger the Dream can get it today! Just email me and mention reviewing.