Behind the Third Door: The Innocence Cycle, Book 2 Read online

  Behind the Third Door

  The Innocence Cycle

  Book 2

  by

  J D Abbas

  © 2015 by J D Abbas

  Editing by P.N. Hopkins

  All rights reserved.

  Published in the United States by Tamak Books.

  Tamak Books supports copyright. Copyright protects authors so they may continue to share their creativity, promote the free expression of thought, and be fairly compensated for their work. Thank you for purchasing an authorized edition of this book and for complying with copyright laws by not reproducing, scanning, or distributing any part of it in any form without permission.

  A Pacific Northwest Company

  Cover art designed by Maduranga via Fiverr.com

  Dedicated to

  the strong and compassionate

  men in my life who made writing

  these characters so easy.

  Table of Contents

  Names & Pronunciation Guide

  Foreign Words

  Trigger Warning

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Chapter 49

  Chapter 50

  Chapter 51

  Chapter 52

  Chapter 53

  Chapter 54

  Chapter 55

  Chapter 56

  Chapter 57

  Chapter 58

  Chapter 59

  Chapter 60

  Acknowledgements

  About the Author

  Names & Pronunciation Guide

  Alsimion – Al-SIM-ee-on – magical forest in the central Shalamhar Valley, offshoot of the ancient forest of Yabwana

  Anakh – AH-nukh – female survivor of an ancient race that has turned evil

  Athebria – Uh-THEH-bree-uh – in prophecy, a leader who would stand against evil

  Bardulah – Bar-DO-luh - realm to the east of the Shalamhar

  Borham – BORE-ham – Castellan at Greenholt

  Borok – BORE-ahk – the trade tongue of the Shalamhar

  Braiden – BRAY-duhn – Celdorn’s healer-in-training. Youngest of Celdorn’s group. Rogaran

  Bria – BREE-uh – Celdorn’s older dog. Like a Great Dane. Black and white

  Celdorn – KELL-dorn – Lord Protector of the Shalamhar. Rogaran.

  Charaq – KHAR-ahk – Second in command at Greenholt

  Celebriana – Kuh-LEE-bree-ah-nuh. Second name given to Elena

  Dahmid – DAH-mid – Silvandir’s second in command at Kelach

  Dalgo – DAHL-go – Celdorn’s healer. Rogaran.

  Domar – DOE-mhar – Elena’s father

  Drahmil – DRAH-muhl – Guardian serving at Kelach

  Drendil – DREN-duhl – Elbrion’s Ilqazar

  Dussendor – DO-sen-door - Guardian stronghold in the western part of the Shalamhar

  Elbrion – L-bree-uhn – the prince of the Elrodanar people. An empath, who left his people to partner and travel with Celdorn

  Elena – L-EE-nuh – Giara’s new name, given by Celdorn. It means “little light.”

  Elnar – L-nahr - language of the Elrodanar

  Elondhur – L-ohn-dhur – the realm of fullest light, a final realm

  Elrodanar – L-RAH-duh-nar – the light-infused race of empaths that live in Queyon

  Farak – FAR-ahk – a race of mountain people in the western part of the Shalamhar. Cave dwellers

  Garan – GAR-uhn - language of the Rogaran

  Giara (Gia) – Ghee-R-uh (GHEE-uh) – Elena’s given name. It means “useful.” Wallanard

  Giyon – Ghee-YOHN – a Guardian at Kelach

  Greenholt – Guardian stronghold in the eastern part of the Shalamhar

  Guardians – the overseers and protectors of the Shalamhar, mostly of the Rogaran race

  Haldor – HALL-dur – Travels with Celdorn. Former priest. Close connection with the hidden realm

  Ilqazar – ILL-kah-zar – an ancient equine species that serves with the Guardians

  Kelach – KELL-ahk – southernmost Guardian stronghold

  Keymar – KEY-mahr – young Guardian from Dussendor

  Khazamir – KAH-zuh-meer – mythical winged horse

  Khradak – KRAH-dahk – language used by Anakh and her followers

  Kyola – KEYE-oh-luh – Celdorn’s former love

  Lanar – LAH-nar – language of the Wallanard people

  Lazhur – LAH-zer – Mikaelin’s Ilqazar

  Liora (liorai, pl) – Lee-OR-uh (Lee-OR-eye) – woodland spirits, part of the middle realm

  Malak – MAL-ack – Celdorn’s Ilqazar

  Malqor – MAL-kor – a Guardian at Kelach

  Marach – MAR-ahk – Northernmost Guardian stronghold

  Mikaelin – Mi-KAY-lin – Serves at Kelach

  Mikard – MI-kard – second in command in Dussendor

  Mishon – Me-SHON – Borham’s son, from Greenholt

  Morah – MORE-uh – derogative and misleading name for the Guardians

  Nandhur – NAHN-dur – the middle realm between Elondhur and Umbradhur

  Nasara – Nuh-SAR-uh – the renewal. When Yabwana was destroyed and Queyon created

  Neldon – NELL-dun – sister village to Rhamal

  Penumbra – Peh-NUHM-bruh – the realm south of the Shalamhar

  Qabara – Kuh-BAR-uh – the earth

  Qalam – KAHL-ahm – Guardian from Greenholt, second to Charaq

  Qarhelon – Kar-HEY-lun – the written laws of the Shalamhar

  Qho’el – KOH-el – personal name for the Source of all Light

  Queyon – Key-YOHN – realm of light in the northern Shalamhar

  Raka – RAH-kuh – language spoken by the Farak

  Raphar – RAH-far – language of the Alraphim, from which Elnar developed

  Rhamal – RAM-uhl – Elena’s home village in the Wallan Valley, southern part of the Shalamhar

  Rogaran – Row-GAR-un – Race of people in the northern part of the Shalamhar

  Sasha – SAH-shuh – Celdorn’s younger dog. Like a Great Dane. Bluish black

  Shalamhar – SHALL-la-mhar – the realm governed by the Guardians and Council of Elders

  Shatur – Sha-TOUR – Serves at Kelach. Rogaran. Develops ability to see through guises/glamours.

  Silvandir – SIL-van-dur – castellan of Kelach. Rogaran. Can read Ilqazar’s thoughts.

  Tobil – TOE-bull
– Celdorn’s weapons’ master, a bard. Rogaran

  Toreno – Tor-EE-no – Wallanard priest that serves in Rhamal

  Umbradhur – UM-brah-dhur – the realm of deepest shadow, a final realm

  Vargona – Var-GO-nuh – Elena’s grandmother, of the same race as Anakh

  Wallanard – WALL-uh-nard – the people living in the Wallan Valley. Giara’s people.

  Wharndon – WARN-duhn – Guardian stronghold in the northeastern part of the Shalamhar Valley

  Windham – WIN-duhm - Silvandir’s Ilqazar

  Yabwana – Yuh-BWA-nuh – ancient land filled with light, destroyed by the first Nasara

  Yaelmargon – YEL-mar-gon

  Yolena – Yo-LEE-nuh – one of the liorai

  Zhalor – ZHAH-lore – prince of the Ilqazar

  Foreign Words

  *in Elrodanar, unless noted otherwise

  Ada (adai, pl) – daddy, informal form of Adamar

  Adamar, Adamari (pl) – father

  Alianthar – healing ointment

  Barah – ability to sense emotion and connect with the Jhadhela

  Barqhel, Barqhelon (pl) – brother(s) of the light

  Briella, Briellai (pl) – angels, bearers of light (brion – bear, el – light)

  Briochella, Briochellai – Elrodanar women, descendants of the Briellai

  Chiamad – Elrodanar brewers

  Diagmatz – presentation day, the naming ceremony for a child

  Doqajh, Doqajhi (pl) – little temple, a smaller, simplified version of the Qajh in Queyon

  Gille d’Zhajh, Gille d’Zhajhi (pl) – pleasure girl/giver

  Jhadhela – the power of the light, literal translation: straight toward the light

  Nasara – renewal, referring to a time when volcanoes and floods destroyed the world, due to evil

  Qabara – the planet, the earth they live on

  Qadhar – the council of elders in Queyon

  Qajh Dhorhelon – the original temple of Augmented Light in Queyon, appeared after Nasara

  Qarhelon – the law of light

  Qho’el – personal name of the Source of all Light - Jha Qhon - the source; Elon- of light, their deity

  Rahim (m), Rahima (f) (Raphar) – shifters, first race of Guardians

  Rakshad (Khradak) – stay

  Rhulmhon, Rhulmha – like godparents

  Sheya – precious

  Sheyshon – precious one

  Silothani – peace

  Tamag - elixir made by Chiamad in Queyon

  Yabeha – dear one

  Yadar – father (for a priest)

  Yaena – little one

  Zhadhar (Raphar) – life force

  Zhekhum – the power of darkness, literal translation: twisted or bent

  Trigger Warning

  This novel series deals with what we now call human trafficking, specifically child sex trafficking. There were no such labels or designations until somewhere around the year 2000, so you will not find those words in this series. But the construct is there. And it’s ugly. I exerted great effort to ensure there is no gratuitous violence or sex, but I did not shy away from truth. Well, I did at first, but my characters would not let me get away with it. This is their story, and it had to be told their way.

  So, I warn you, if you are a survivor of abuse—physical, sexual, verbal or emotional—this novel may trigger PTSD or rouse buried memories and emotions. If you choose to continue reading, please have a self-care plan in place—a soothing activity, a friend you can invite to sit with you, or a therapist you can call.

  While The Innocence Cycle, like life, is dark in some ways, it is also filled with light and love. It is my hope that the story will ultimately be empowering and healing for survivors and anyone else who may read it. Please know that every word was written with that intent.

  *Please read trigger warning before continuing.

  Prologue

  A boy stood before the gates of the Guardian stronghold at Greenholt, bloodied hands hanging limply at his sides.

  “Mishon, what are you doing here so late?” Charaq called from the far side of the iron bars.

  The boy’s eyes drifted to the sky. The sun was low in the west. He didn’t know the answer to Charaq’s question, didn’t remember how he’d gotten there, or why he’d come. Maybe to see his ada. He liked visiting his father while he was working, liked being among the Guardians.

  Charaq, his father’s second-in-command, hollered at the sentries. There was a blur of men running, shouts on the far side of the iron bars, and screeching metallic sounds as the gates swung open.

  The big man squatted low so he could look Mishon in the eye. “Why are you alone? What happened?” He lifted Mishon’s hands and examined them, then studied his face. “Are you hurt?”

  He didn’t feel hurt, but he saw what Charaq did: the blood, too much blood. He stared at his ada’s friend, but no words came.

  “You,” Charaq pointed to a Guardian, “find Borham. Tell him his son is here and we’ll meet him in his chambers.” Then Charaq’s massive arms scooped him up like he was still a little baby. Mishon wanted to object. He was six now. A trained warrior. With a sword.

  At least he thought he had his sword. He checked his hip. Not there. What had he done with it?

  Mishon shivered and snuggled into the big man’s chest, suddenly tired and grateful for the warmth of his arms. Charaq hummed a tune his father used to sing to him when he was young. Tears burned in his eyes, and he bit his tongue. Babies cried, not Guardians. There was nothing to cry about anyway—except maybe the blood. He looked at his hands again.

  As if from far off, Mishon heard the clank of metal hitting stone. When he looked up, a wall of blood appeared, like someone had thrown a bucketful at them. Mishon closed his eyes and curled into Charaq.

  But the blood never hit.

  Mishon peeked out. It was gone. He bit his tongue harder.

  When they reached his father’s chambers, Charaq put Mishon in the boy’s favorite chair by the fireside. His small body shivered, but he wasn’t cold. His father’s steward pulled up a chair across from him. “Did you walk here alone? Does your ama know you’re here?”

  Mishon blinked. Had he told his mother?

  Blood splashed. Screams filled the room.

  Mishon cowered into his chair.

  “What is it, little man?” Charaq was back, his warm hand on Mishon’s thigh, the blood gone.

  Mishon didn’t care if he looked like a baby. He scrambled down from his chair and into Charaq’s lap, laying his head by the big man’s heart. The steady thumping made the cold inside go away, and the tears came. He couldn’t stop them. Strong arms wrapped around him. “Tell me what happened, Mishon.” The words vibrated in Charaq’s chest.

  It was as if a curtain opened, and he knew. He wiped his nose on his sleeve and looked up at the big man. Charaq could help. He was bigger and braver and stronger than Mishon. He could save them.

  “Tell me,” Charaq repeated, his voice gentle.

  Mishon took a deep breath. “They… they hurt my ama. They hurt her and took her and the girls away.”

  Charaq’s eyes went wide, then he scowled, his face red. “Who, Mishon? Who took your ama?”

  Mishon cringed. Charaq was angry.

  More images came, all jumbled together. Mishon couldn’t remember, but he knew they were bad men, really really bad. And he knew he had failed his ama and his sisters. He wasn’t a Guardian; he was just a stupid, weak boy who lost his sword. Charaq had helped to train him and expected him to be brave. Now he was angry at him for being a coward.

  He shoved his thumb in his mouth, something he never did around big people, and curled into a ball. He stared at the fire that looked like blood, the flames like men with swords, swinging, chopping, hacking.

  Then he was gone. Hiding in some inside place where no one could find him.

  Chapter 1

  “Elena Celebriana,” she mused aloud, fingering the medallion that hung fr
om a leather strap around her neck, a symbol of her adoption and proof it hadn’t been a dream. Imprinted on the pendant was a warrior standing on a mountain peak, sword raised, light beams emanating from the blade. This was the crest for Celdorn’s family—her family now. The thought made her dizzy.

  Her fingers shifted to the ring on the first finger of her left hand, a token from Elbrion, her second father, once belonging to his mother. It was a Drondonel ruby, the deepest red she had ever seen. He had given it to her along with her second name, Celebriana, the birth of joy. He said it was they who had been given renewed joy, but the thought that these two men would choose her, adopt her, made her… expand inside, as if the place that had shriveled, the place where love dwelt, had come to life again.

  Elena gave a contented sigh and slowly spun, gazing around her small room. She was supposed to be dressing, but her mind was too busy. It seemed as if she had been cloistered away for months on end, though in truth, it had been little over two. Her physical strength was better than ever, and her will to live was increasing day by day. But…

  But what? She didn’t know. Maybe it was too quiet, too predictable, and that was—

  Dangerous.

  Elena hated that cynical voice that was always in her head, always foreboding, destroying whatever bits of hope she could scrape together.

  If you let your guard down, you’re dead. Don’t trust this situation. Look at you. Do you really think the Lord Protector over all the Shalamhar would stand in a father’s stead for you? A peasant girl? A whore? Why? So he can own you; that’s the truth of it. So he can do with you as he pleases—and you know what pleases.

  And Elbrion, the epitome of goodness, wisdom, and kindness. Surely, he wouldn’t choose one so dark and wretched as you for a daughter. Maybe it’s pity. Or maybe just a play for power. All men are susceptible to that drive. He sees something in you. Something he can exploit.

  Elena wanted to argue with the voice, but she had no rebuttal, other than she believed these men, maybe even trusted them… a little. They had saved her from the Farak, saved her from her father, from a life of torture and the bedding of strangers.