Until the Stars Burn Cold

  Until The Stars Burn Cold

  By Nicole Hurley-Moore

  Copyright 2012 by Nicole Hurley-Moore

  ISBN# 978-1-938257-35-3

  Smashwords edition published by Pink Petal Books at Smashwords

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  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, places, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

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  When the rose is withered and the garden gone

  You will hear no longer the nightingale’s song;

  When the rose is withered and the garden laid bare

  In attar of roses the scent is still there.

  -RUMI

  Chapter One

  Ghost Gum Creek – Australia.

  “Okay Mia, pull in here.”

  A sigh of resignation escaped from Mia’s lips as she drove into the car park of the Community Center. It was busy, but she found a shady park beneath the spreading arms of a white barked ghost gum.

  Switching off the ignition, Mia Templeton turned to her best friend, Abbey and raised a delicate eyebrow. “And what are we doing here?”

  “It’s my birthday so therefore it’s my choice,” Abbey grinned.

  “Granted, but I thought you meant lunch at Serfinna’s… not this!” Mia said as she slowly shook her dark head and pointed to the large banner that hung over the dusty car park. Ghost Gum Creek’s Annual New Age and Metaphysical Expo.

  “Oh come on Mia, it’s high time you embraced your inner witch,” Abbey replied as she swiveled the rear vision mirror and began to fluff up her short feathery blonde hair with her fingers.

  “My inner witch is just fine, thank you very much. I shall leave all that sort of thing to you, since you’re the one that’s interested in all of this,” Mia said.

  ‘Hey, can I remind you that on your last birthday you dragged me around every dark, dusty and dull antique shop in town. And God only knows why, since you co-own the most successful antique shop and auction room in the area. It’s payback time, babe,” Abbey laughed as she stepped enthusiastically out of the car. “Oh come on, you know you can’t get out of it!”

  “Okay, okay… no need to be bossy, I’m not one of your students,” Mia said as she grabbed her oversized chocolate colored bag, got out of the car and shut the door with a bump. “All right, it’s your day, your rules.” She smoothed down her white cotton shirt and brushed an imaginary spot from her ink dark denim jeans before slinging her bag over one slender shoulder.

  “That’s right, it’s all part of the birthday codes and practices which was drawn up and signed when we were nine years old and amended when we were ….”

  “Thirteen,” Mia said, amusement glittering in her green eyes as she pushed a strand of sleek hair behind her right ear. She knew she wouldn’t win this argument; they had been best friends forever; from kindergarten to university. In fact they had shared everything; from Abbey landing the lead in the high school production of Romeo and Juliet, to Jason McCreedy first breaking Abbey’s doll and then twelve years later her heart. They’d even shared the black days of Mia losing her parents. But the image of two little girls sitting under the old peppercorn tree in her Grandad’s garden signing a birthday contract in pencil was what jumped into her mind. “You’re right I signed the damn piece of paper, therefore I’m bound by the rules.”

  “Exactly, besides it’ll be fun and a great way of spending a Saturday afternoon,” Abbey said, linking her arm through Mia’s and leading her towards the large box like building. “And just remember to keep an open mind; as Mr. Shakespeare once said, “There are more things in heaven and earth….”

  Mia allowed Abbey to pull her along, and reconciled herself to the fact that they would be spending the afternoon surrounded by crystals, amulets and touchy feely people with fuzzy ideas. Mia believed in what she could see, what she could touch, not a half dark world of enchantment and myth. Unlike Abbey, who had always been different and open to more unconventional ideas. Even when they had been little girls, it was Abbey who had believed in fairies and magic and happy endings, Mia on the other hand had always scoffed at such things.

  A trickle of sweat ran down her neck as she walked across the car park. The sun was hot and made the air swelter with the scent of eucalyptus from the gum trees which were dotted around the entire town. The community center may not be the most attractive example of architecture that Ghost Gum Creek had to offer, but it had a great air conditioning system. Eagerly Mia reached for the heavy glass door and as it swung open she felt a wave of icy air. She may not enjoy the expo but at least she would be cool.

  They spent the next hour as Mia had feared, walking up and down the aisles of stalls and booths filled with crystals, massage, stones, trinkets and jewelery. Several of the stalls had a small table covered with purple velvet and the owner sat, beckoning customers to have their fortunes read by Tarot or Runes or palmistry. Mia walked quickly by all of them, determined to avoid eye contact in the hopes that Abbey would not linger and demand that they have a reading. The community hall was crowded as people wafted from one display to the next and, the air was pungent with the scent of exotic incense.

  Mia felt on edge. She couldn’t explain why and even though she thought she was being ridiculous she just couldn’t shake the anxious and jittery feeling that hung over her. As time ticked by Mia found herself trailing after Abbey, who was intent on seeing everything. Putting on a brave smile she quelled her emotions and considered that the day had not been an entire waste of time. Abbey was enjoying the whole thing, and Mia had purchased a very pretty green silk scarf along with a pair of silver and amethyst earrings.

  Why should I be nervous? I’m in Ghost Gum Creek and nothing ever happens here. Especially in the Community Center. “Abbey, how about we stop and grab a coffee?” She asked hopefully.

  “That’s a great idea,” Abbey answered as she handed over the price of a fat moonstone ring to the now smiling vendor. “I think we’ve seen just about everything. Shall we go to Serfinna’s?”

  “It certainly sounds more than tempting.”

  The pair wandered back towards the entrance with Abbey only stopping twice over the tempting wares. Just as Mia thought she was actually going to get her friend out of the hall, a small redheaded woman with elfin features beckoned Abbey. She sat at a small wooden table devoid of diaphanous material and crystal balls. She was dressed simply in a pair of jeans and a mint green singlet top, and looked nothing like her fellow psychics.

  “Would you like a reading?” she asked with a smile.

  “Oh, I don’t know,” Abbey said. Both her voice and resolve wavered.

  “I can tell you your past and your future, and even maybe the love of your life,” She cajoled good naturedly before turning to Mia
and addressing her. “And I think I have something important to tell you. I’ve got some strange images swimming about in my head and I really think that they’re for you. Ah come on ladies, I’ll give you both a reading for the price of one.”

  “Oh no, I really don’t think that we…” Mia said, trailing off as she began to back away from the woman. But Abbey was holding onto her arm.

  “Well, if it’s important,” Abbey reasoned.

  Mia turned to her friend. “You’re not serious? What are you doing?” she asked in a harsh whisper.

  “Come on Mia, it could be fun.”

  “I don’t think…” Mia answered before she realized that she was talking to thin air, Abbey had already sat down at the redhead’s table and passed over several notes. She extended her hand with the palm facing up.

  The woman clasped Abbey’s hand and stared intently at her palm for what seemed like an age. “You are blessed and will have a long, happy and fulfilling life all centered around children. You work with them don’t you?” She smiled as she met Abbey’s eyes. “You’re a teacher.”

  “Well, yes I am.”

  “They all love you, but so does the tall man with the blonde hair.”

  Abbey wrinkled her nose. “Sorry I don’t know any blonde man.”

  “Yes you do. In fact you’ve known him nearly all your life,” she answered with conviction. “He loves you but he doesn’t know how to show it. He made a terrible mistake and doesn’t know how to atone for it.”

  “No, sorry I really don’t have a clue,” Abbey announced as a frown marred her brow. Her words didn’t ring true. “I can’t think who it could possibly be.”

  “He broke Annabel,” the woman said abruptly as she stared past both Abbey and Mia. It looked like she was watching a long forgotten event unfold. “He broke your doll.”

  Abbey sucked in her breath and quickly stood up from the table. “Thank you, Miss?”

  “It’s Serena.”

  “Thanks Serena, but Jason McCreedy doesn’t love me. He had his chance and he blew it spectacularly.” She said before pushing Mia towards the now empty chair. “I believe that you may see the past but trust me when I say, McCreedy will never be part of my future.”

  “Perhaps.” Serena said with a shrug. “I can only tell you what I saw, and what I see. If this big blonde man is indeed Mr. McCreedy, then he loves you. He regrets what he did and needs your forgiveness,” Serena answered.

  “I don’t believe it, if he loved me he wouldn’t have broken my trust,” Abbey said.

  “That is something you will have to work out for yourself. All I can tell you is that he wants a second chance, whether or not you choose to give him one is up to you,” Serena said before she swiftly turned her attention to Mia. “Now, it’s your turn, give me your hand.”

  Serena took Mia’s hand and began to look at her palm. Elongated moments passed before she stiffened and said in a monotone voice. “He’s coming for you.”

  “What?” Mia asked. She felt Serena’s hand tighten around her own. “I don’t understand what you mean, who’s coming?” Her green eyes narrowed as she tried to shake off the woman’s grasp.

  “What was once ripped asunder will be joined once more,” She answered cryptically, her eyes glazing over and she stared into the nothingness. “Remember, you must face the onslaught as one.”

  Mia tried to pull her hand from Serena’s vice like grasp. Something was wrong and she felt the tiny hairs behind her neck begin to quiver. “I don’t understand, and I think we had better stop this right now!”

  “Can’t you hear him calling to your soul from an imprisoned void? He suffers in darkness yet all he thinks of is you. He wants you Mia, he needs you. And he’s coming!” Serena said urgently as she clung to Mia, oblivious to her struggling.

  “No! I can’t hear a bloody thing. Let go!”

  “Let her go!” Abbey hissed as she tried to break Serena’s grip.

  After a few moments Mia was able to drag her hand from Serena. It throbbed, and she saw the white indents of Serena’s nails where they had bitten into her flesh. Standing up she took a deep breath to steady herself. The woman wasn’t acknowledging her, she stared straight ahead at nothing.

  “I don’t know what you want or what you’re playing at, but whatever it is it ends now! Let’s go Abbey.” She said quickly, grabbing her friend by the arm and running through the door into the clean air. Mia needed to get as far away from Serena as possible; the woman had managed to rattle her normally cool exterior. She knew that it had all been a show, a hoax to suck people in, but even as she stood in the dusty car park, warmed by the hot midday sun, a cold, damp shiver inched its way up her quivering spine.

  “Oh My God! Mia are you okay?” Abbey asked. “I’m so sorry. That woman’s absolutely mad!”

  “You’ve got nothing to be sorry for. The woman is a charlatan and we were part of her show, whether we wanted to be or not,” Mia reassured her. “Come on, I think we need a coffee.” Out of habit she pushed the front strands of her long black hair behind her ear and took a calming breath.

  “All right, but are you sure you’re really okay?”

  “I’m fine Abs, let’s just get the hell out of here.” Mia answered as she walked swiftly towards her parked car.

  The noisy expo continued on with the crowd moving from stall to stall, unaware of the small commotion that had exploded by the entrance a moment earlier. No one seemed to notice that the elfin faced redhead was slumped back in her chair in a dead faint.

  ~* * *~

  Adwan, 776 AD

  Ranjinn silently scaled the jasmine covered wall; the heavy scent from the small white flowers was intoxicating. The waning moon was obscured by dark night clouds, and a cool breeze wash over his strong shoulders as he pulled himself towards the softly lit balcony above. He paused, glancing down to the fragrant garden fifteen feet below. A large rectangular pool was its center piece, and around it the grounds radiated in four geometric designs that featured lemon and lime trees mixed with heady florals and pomegranates. The evening air was infused with the scents of Shuri’s garden, tempered by the salty sea that lapped at the nearby rocky coast.

  Ranjinn adjusted the coil of rope slung across his chest. Secure, he climbed swiftly up the remainder of the wall, pulling himself over the intricately carved stone balustrade. He stepped over the cool marble floor and pulled back the diaphanous silken curtains that led to Shuri’s chamber.

  She was seated at a small table, brushing her long, dark hair that fell far below her shoulders. Her gown was a pale blue and the room was scented with her favorite perfume, rose of Damascus. She was a beauty and he would never tire looking at her. She was the jewel of Adwan. But even though her loveliness captivated him it was her spirit that claimed his heart. Shuri’s hand stilled and her back stiffened as she sensed a presence in the room. She whirled around and the look of apprehension was quickly replaced by relief.

  “Jinn, you should not have come,” she said as she pushed herself from the chair and ran towards his open arms; the silky skirts flowing like water in her wake.

  “I could not stay away,” he replied as he buried his face into her fragrant neck.

  “Hush my love, there are guards outside the door. My uncle will kill us both if he discovers we have disobeyed his decree,” she said as she brushed a dark lock of his hair from his eyes.

  “Your uncle has never loved, for if he had he would allow us to wed. We will leave this place and find a friendlier shore,” he explained as he pulled back a little and searched her face.

  “Truly Jinn? Are you willing to leave all that is yours for me?” She asked doubt and fear clouding her green eyes.

  “You are my heart and by leaving Adwan, we gain everything,” he said, his lips capturing hers in a kiss filled with love, reverence and the slow burning passion that they had tried for months to contain. His hands slid over the silk of her dress, over her slim waist and the flare of her womanly hips. Jinn deepened the kiss and S
huri wrap her arms tightly around his neck, drawing him closer. His heart hammered as she quivered within his embrace, and fighting against his instincts, Ranjinn gently released her and stepped away. There would be time enough to savor their love. A lifetime. But first they must flee. “Come we must slip from this house and out of your Uncle’s grasp. I have a ship waiting to take us to Al Basrah on the morning tide.” He took her by the hand and brought it to his lips; before gently pulling her towards the door.

  “Wait, remember we cannot leave by this route. My Uncle is away this night, and he has doubled the guards. He even ordered two stay outside my chamber,” Shuri said. “He does not trust us, Jinn. He believed that we would try and escape and he was right.”

  Shuri jumped with fright as a loud knock pounded on the door.

  “Khanum Shuri, my lady open the door.”

  “All is well, why do you disturb my rest?” Shuri said with an autocratic tone.

  “I thought I heard voices, Khanum,” the guard called.

  “You were mistaken. Go away and do not disturb me again,” Shuri commanded but the guard on the other side of the door did not speak or move away. Shuri squeezed Jinn’s hand as the minutes seemed to drag by. He sensed her nervousness as her nails bit into his flesh.

  “My lady,” the man said before turning away.

  Jinn felt Shuri relaxed by his side as the heavy footsteps disappeared.

  The look of relief was etched on her face as she stared up at Jinn. She loved Jinn for many reasons; the way his eyes smiled when he said her name, his kiss, his touch and the way it made her feel inside. She loved the way he looked as well, with his almost black hair that felt thick and silky when she ran her fingers through it, his determined chin and the defined planes on his handsome face. In Shuri’s opinion he was the most beautiful man in Adwan. But tonight she loved him because she knew that he was willing to give up all that was his so that they could be together. Jinn was a merchant and as the town had grown rich so had he, yet because of her he would give up all that he knew – his house, business and friends to start over in a distant city of strangers. A cold shard of guilt stabbed at her heart. She should not run away into the night, but she should stay and face her Uncle and her responsibilities… and marry Farrokh. A shiver ran up her spine as she envisioned a lifetime married to man she did not love. She was being selfish, but how could she face life without her beloved Jinn? A life that would be harsh, brittle, uncaring and cold.