BEYOND THE END: BOOK ONE OF THE EXISTENCE SERIES by Allred Tara C

Author:Allred, Tara C. [Allred, Tara C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Patella Publishing
Published: 2020-11-20T06:00:00+00:00

THIRTY-THREE

Mariana

the airship swayed back and forth like a lullaby, calming and soothing, moving them along the tranquil sea. The vast lake of external placidness was a direct paradox to the internal chaos erupting inside Mariana.

Everything had turned inside out so fast.

She glanced toward the lit boardwalk that led down the short hallway to where Leilani rested. It was her right to check on Leilani, ensuring she was okay. But fear lodged deep inside Mariana, telling her that if she said or did anything wrong at this moment, she’d only drive her daughter further away.

She looked down into the center of the airship. Foster stood alone in the descended deck area. His elbows rested in opposite palms. Occasionally, he would lift a hand and his fingers would tangle around his beard. He stared out, his mind appearing lost in thoughts, worlds away from her right then.

So much of her wanted to join him, to ask what the plan was. How would he fix this?

Or they? How would they, as a team, regain control of their lives, their family, of all that was happening?

But again, fear kept her from moving anyplace other than where she stood.

Near her, a large leather chair with a saddle seat and spindle armrests offered her a place to sit to observe the spectacular scene before her. But with Ashyr so near, she couldn’t relax.

Past him, the captain sat in a half-arch station of computers. Large earphones covered his ears. His round spectacles angled down as he scrolled back and forth between monitors as if engaged in an eager hunt.

Her arms crossed over herself, squeezing her body into a hug. If she could not control anything outside of herself, she needed to at least control what was happening inside.

She closed her eyes and listened to the swaying of the ship. Her exhales felt trapped, caught against the lumps inside her throat, turning the simplest task of breathing into something difficult and laborious.

Again, she focused on the ship’s movement, letting it work a soothing motion on her heart as if the craft offered to cradle her through the vast blue skies. When she felt the slightest sense of composure,

Mariana opened her eyes to find Ashyr looking at her.

“Ashyr,” she said his name calmly.

He nodded, giving her a simple smile.

Since Foster seemed unable to deliver them out of this mess, perhaps it was Mariana who would save their family. Perchance, if she appeared pacified, less volatile, she could create her own negotiations with him.

She used her mothering firmness, which had worked numerous times with her older children especially during their teenage years. “Ashyr,” she repeated his name, observing her sound of sanity, the monitored anger, the controlled tone. “You won’t be able to win this.”

“Win?” He let out a charismatic laugh, his eyes dancing in play at her. “Is that what you think this is? Some game between you and me?”

Her gaze locked on his light blue eyes. She felt a pull from him, calling her back to a time so awfully long ago.

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