Primal Desires

Chapter One Las Vegas, Spring, Present Day One more show, and then two months off -- I can hardly wait!" Jason understood his assistant's enthusiasm as they waited backstage. During their hiatus, she was going to get married and honeymoon on Bora-Bora. He had no particular plans or destination in mind. Or he hadn't until a few minutes ago. "Of course, I'll miss the critters. Do you think they'll miss us?" The tigers and lions they used in the Beast Master magic show were going to be spending their holiday at a very exclusive private nature reserve. The wolves, of course, never left his side. "They won't want to come back to work after two months of running free," Jason answered. He fingered the talisman he'd put in his vest pocket. He'd recognized the gold coin instantly, even though only half of it had been sent to him. Out front, the applause was beginning. Even with his powers, it was never wise to be distracted during a performance. He wished he hadn't opened the padded envelope until he was alone in his dressing room after the show. He certainly wished he hadn't read the note. Now he had somewhere he absolutely needed to be, and an obligation he could not refuse to fulfill. But at this moment, the lure of the audience called him. Northeast of San Diego, Spring, Present Day Sofia Hunyara was aware of the weight of the pendant resting at the base of her throat. Nothing else felt like gold. It was heavy and rich, and there whether she could see it or not. The crescent-shaped half of an ancient coin, which she wore on a leather cord, was tucked discreetly beneath her blouse. She traced the coin's outline beneath the soft silk. Once upon a time the coin had been all she'd had, and she'd fought hard to keep it. In the last few years, she'd kept it in a safety deposit box and hadn't thought about it much -- not until the message arrived last week. She peered out of her windshield at the house on the hilltop and shook her head. The impressive mansion looked completely out of place in the California desert. Why am I doing this'she asked herself yet again. Probably because of her grandfather, and her great-grandfather. She pressed her palm against the pendant. And the fact that, except for a distant cousin, she was alone in the world and the world did not make sense. At least the past didn't make sense. "This should go to your father," her grand-father had said, handing her a small leather bag. "I am so sorry this burden must go to you." She tugged the bag open and spilled its contents into her cupped hand. It was what she expected, yet different. She looked at the dying man propped up in the hospital bed. "Where's the other half?" "Your father should be the one to teach you," he said. "He should be here now." Her father was serving three consecutive life terms at Seal Bay. She was never going to see him again, and she didn't want him teaching her anything. She'd seen what he'd done. But this was no time to take her bitterness out on her grandfather. All she could do was wait for the old man to go on. "Someday you'll know what must be done. Someday your teacher will be found. Until then, be patient. Someday..." His last word had beensomeday.Sofia had waited a long time. Much of that time had not been pleasant. She'd stopped expecting explanations, or even wanting them. But now here she was. Another vehicle pulled up behind hers at the end of the long drive. Sofia got out of her car at the same time a man exited the white SUV behind her. Tall and lean, he had very broad shoulders and lots of wavy brown hair. She was struck by the coiled energy and animal grace in the way he moved as he came toward her. She'd have to be dead not to stare, and she couldn't help but lick her lips. Okay, the guy looked deliciSizemore, Susan is the author of 'Primal Desires ', published 2007 under ISBN 9781416513360 and ISBN 1416513361.