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 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.