reflection 02 - the reflective cause Read online

  CONTENTS

  Dedication

  Series by Tamara Rose Blodgett

  Directives of The Cause

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  TRB News

  Series by Tamara Rose Blodgett

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  THE REFLECTIVE CAUSE

  Book Two: The Reflection Series

  Copyright © 2015 Tamara Rose Blodgett

  All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system without the prior written permission of the publisher.

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer's imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.

  All rights are reserved.

  Cover art: Phatpuppyart.com

  Editing suggestions provided by: Red Adept Editing

  Dedication

  Beth Hill

  You mean so much to me~

  Series by Tamara Rose Blodgett:

  The BLOOD Series

  The DEATH Series

  Lycan ALPHA CLAIM 1-6

  The REFLECTION Series

  The SAVAGE Series

  Vampire ALPHA CLAIM 1-6

  &

  Marata Eros:

  A Terrible Love (New York Times bestseller)

  The DARA NICHOLS Series, 1-8

  The DEMON Series

  The DRUID Series

  Lycan ALPHA CLAIM 1-6

  The SIREN Series

  The TOKEN Serial

  Vampire ALPHA CLAIM 1-6

  The ZOE SCOTT Series 1-8

  Subscribe for an email notification HERE , and never miss a new release!

  Directives of The Cause

  Fourth: Reflect only when unobserved

  Fifth: Protect the young

  Sixth: Take life only in defense of another

  CHAPTER ONE

  Beth

  Waves lap gently at Beth's feet as she wades into the cold, unfeeling water that is her portal to Papilio.

  Merrick's hand grips hers as the water level rises to Merrick's shins and just above Beth's knees.

  Beth shivers at the contrast of warm air and cold water.

  She glances over her shoulder at the unforgiving faces of Reflectives who've never accepted her.

  The very thing they loathe about Beth is now their collective redemption.

  Her ability to jump is all that matters.

  The lake stills in the breezeless heat of high noon. Blood and grime covers everyone. Beth's jaw still throbs from the hit she took in the illegal fighting ring on Sector One.

  Ryan is nowhere to be found. And searching for that loose end is not as important as returning to reclaim the ravaged Papilio. Merrick has not elaborated on the severity or type of compromise, and Beth's speculations have run rampant.

  At least a hundred Reflectives converge behind her and Merrick; their weight presses on her shoulders.

  They wait.

  Beth steadies herself, centering her energy for the jump, trying not to think of the why and how to come.

  I just want home.

  “Salire verum, Beth,” Merrick encourages.

  Jump true. Beth nods, not trusting her voice because the heat from her body makes her feels as if she's on fire—as though she always has been.

  Merrick's hand convulses in her own. In her peripheral vision, Beth sees his head tip back, mouth agape as he groans against the rush of warmth created by her reflective energy.

  The heat ripples away from her as if she were a thrown stone, sending shock waves of fire-tinged water behind her across the surface of the lake. A soft chorus of acceptance, revelry, and want surrounds her as the Reflectives are uplifted by her jump.

  Home.

  *

  She and Merrick land in perfect synchronicity then jog for several meters before slowing.

  Merrick spins Beth into his arms, burying his face in her hair. He pulls her more tightly against his frame.

  “I thought I'd lost you.”

  No, Beth thinks, I lost me.

  Merrick pulls away, scrutinizing her face. “Beth, we're here—in Papilio. You're safe.”

  Beth was safe with Slade, too. She covers her face with her hands as a choking sob bursts from her at the traitorous thought of the Bloodling. How can she think of her captor as anything but someone she survived?

  Because I can still feel his lips on mine.

  Beth covers her mouth to keep the words from forming.

  “Wait? What is this?” Merrick gently removes her hands, and thumbs away the wetness.

  “I have abandoned the Bloodling.”

  Merrick's expression darkens. “The one who fought Reflective Ryan?”

  She nods. “Yes. He saved me—protected me. I don't know what has happened to him.”

  Merrick steps away, surveying her miniscule expressions. “I'll tell you what happened—he and Slaver Dimitri must find a new battalion of people to abuse. We have brought our fellow Reflectives home, Beth.”

  Instantaneous rage fills her. Merrick doesn't know what happened on One. Only Slade knew. And how did she repay him? She left him to die.

  Beth doesn't dare touch the memories of Reflective Ryan and how he'd almost killed her in the ring.

  She walks away from Merrick as chaos ensues all around them and Reflectives begin running to The Cause headquarters.

  “Wait!” Merrick bellows, gripping Beth's upper arm. She jerks it away.

  He easily swings her to face him, his face stern. “Beth, hang on. It's volatile right now. I've not had time to recount… on what Papilio has become.”

  Two dozen Reflective warriors pause, their heads whipping in Merrick's direction.

  Merrick's words are grim as he addresses them. “Use caution. We were unable to locate Reflective Ryan while on One.” His eyes land purposefully on each face. “He could be anywhere. Iver and Quaker are in cahoots with him, as well as up to a dozen others—from what Calvin and Kennet report. Be vigilant.”

  Several people nod, their eyes moving curiously over Beth.

  Some expressions are neutral… others, not so much. Merrick opens his mouth to add something, clearly thinks better of it, then clamps his lips.

  “Go!” he commands harshly.

  The Reflectives scatter, and Merrick wraps a strong arm around her shoulders. “Beth,” he says, cupping her chin. Pale gray eyes storm into hers and Beth blinks back sudden tears. She feels nothing but pain. S
he's in control of nothing. Her life as she's known it is over.

  “Do not feel guilt, Beth. You were dragged to One by Ryan, from underneath my nose. Thrust into a world the likes of which you've never seen. The Bloodling proved honorable. But”—Merrick dips down to catch her gaze—“a male of that integrity would never hold you responsible for his safety.” His eyes thaw. “You are female, Beth.

  She jerks away, stomping off with crossed arms.

  Female! Gah!

  Merrick chases her down.

  Beth doesn't even know where she's going—she just has to move, get out of here. Her vision blurs, then Merrick's whirls her around, fingers digging into her shoulders. Eyes that were gentle seconds ago are hard pewter discs. “Beth!” Merrick shakes her gently. “I love you.”

  She hangs her head, trying to escape the intense revelation. “It's because I am your soul mate,” she whispers.

  Merrick tips her chin up, his thumb feathering her jaw. “No. Deep down, I always knew. But I resisted. I tried to not be your partner, remember? I tried to let you defend yourself against all comers. You are Reflective, a warrior as much as myself.”

  Beth's eyes search his. “Then why don't you trust me to be the keeper of my own safety?”

  Merrick tugs her against him.

  His heartbeat thuds against her cheek. “Because you are my female—you always were. When the timepiece slipped away, the gear of your position in my life fell into place as if I were an engine that wasn't running perfectly without you. I can no more choose another female than I could stop my next breath.”

  Beth squeezes her eyes shut against the truth of his words. They are real.

  Devastating.

  Merrick deserves her honesty. He went beyond the call of mere Reflective partnering. “I do not feel as you do, Jeb.”

  He strokes her hair. “I know. It will come.”

  Beth retreats from the comfort of his arms and looks into his face.

  Jeb Merrick stares back, his golden brows pinched together.

  “All I ask is that you entrust your well being to me. I must—I have to protect you. Please allow me to.”

  Beth opens her mouth to restate all that she understands to be true. Fifteen years of military training, her skills of blending in all sectors, her unparalleled jumping abilities—Hades, I’ve just focused a jump for over a hundred fellow Reflectives—that should be all the proof needed to show that she doesn't need protection.

  But as Beth gazes up into Jeb's face, she knows she can't tell him those facts. Her training as a Reflective also made the significance of the soul mate bond absolutely clear: it is unbreakable. When a Reflective finds a mate, that person knows it with the deepest fiber of his or her being. It was not happenstance—but providence.

  Beth nods. She won't swim upstream in this. “Yes.” Jeb would not take no for an answer; he's incapable. Leaving her to her own devices would go against his every instinct.

  Jeb draws her to him, and she looks up as he looks down. He threads his long fingers into her undone hair. He grips the strands, tightening almost to the point of pain, and reverently kisses her forehead.

  Hot kisses slide like satin over her face as Beth closes her eyes, accepting the intimacy, letting it move her.

  With a quiet moan of consent, she winds her fingers around his thick neck, and Jeb lifts her against his body, kissing her closed eyes and her cheeks.

  When he finds her mouth, she opens it to his gentle demand, and their tongues meet in a twining embrace of desperation and rightness.

  Warmth bleeds from the kiss, shooting sparks of tingling need and uncertain desire through Beth's limbs. She hangs loosely in Jeb's embrace.

  A throat clears and Beth gasps, completely disorientated in the moment.

  She has never kissed anyone before.

  No male from her world would have her.

  Now this male will have no one else.

  “Can't you two figure out more important things to do? God, chill out with the hump fest.” Jacky cocks a sandy eyebrow.

  Beth blinks, sliding down the front of Jeb’s body, feeling his hardness, her face flushing like a coal from the fire.

  Beth opens her mouth to rebuke him—and can't manage it. Instead of the nearly thirteen-cycle youth Beth remembers, Jacky looks like a young man. His appearance causes Beth's shame to burn more brightly than ever.

  He caught us making out in the middle of a revolt.

  However, Jeb glares at Jacky. “You have the worst timing of any creature in any sector.”

  Jacky grins, stabbing a thumb at his chest. “Creature? Hmm…” He palms his chin and gives a slow nod. “I dig that.”

  “How—” Beth chokes, feeling her face reignite. “How are you?” Beth sweeps a hand toward Jacky, who is now suddenly a Three teen on the verge of manhood.

  Jacky preens, spinning in a languid circle. “You can say it.” He makes a show of blowing hot air against his fist and shining it on a worn-out Reflective uniform. “I look hot.” He waggles his eyebrows.

  Beth blanches, clearing her throat. “Uh…” She takes in the six-feet tall, strapping, and suddenly muscled young man then manages to sputter, “You look very grown up now.”

  “So awkward,” Jacky chimes, “but that's cool. There's plenty of chicks who are going to dig my swag.”

  Beth ignores him. “Ah.” She turns to Jeb. “How is this possible?”

  Merrick tears his fingers through his messy hair. “Five years have passed since our mission.”

  Beth blinks, stumbling back.

  Jeb's strong hands arrest her momentum. “Shhh, it's all right.”

  Adrenaline kicks through her system. “Fuck that!” Beth screams, swinging wildly out of his grip.

  Jacky makes a contemplative noise. “Remember what that twat waffle Ryan said at my place?” Jacky asks.

  Beth backs away from them both. She knows how long she's been gone: Days.

  Not years.

  Jeb scowls warily at Jacky, who is eyeing Beth. “Jacky—cease that.”

  He shrugs, flinging his palms wide. “Nope. I'm going to do me all the way, Jeb.”

  Jeb stalks toward Jacky, who wisely retreats, matching the older man’s steps.

  “Wait,” Beth says, holding her hands up. “Jacky, shut up. I'm thinking.”

  Jacky smirks. “Think away. Papilio is falling down around our heads, but let's stand around choking the chicken while we think it out.” He nods as though answering himself. “Yeah, I'm on board with that plan.” He rolls his eyes.

  Jeb ignores Jacky, walking back to where Beth stands.

  “Jeb—tell me what has happened in five years?”

  His eyes fall to the side, and Beth draws nearer, gripping his biceps, her fingertips clenching against the roughness of his uniform. “Tell me.”

  He covers her hand fisting his shirt.

  “You will not like it.”

  Their eyes lock.

  “Now that's a no-shitter,” Jacky pipes up in the background.

  He's right.

  Beth didn't like it. Not one bit.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Merrick

  Jeb scrubs his face, frowning at the stubble peppering his jaw. Every nerve he possesses is raw and exposed.

  Beth is his soul mate. And that one thing, so pivotal—so unavoidable—has irrevocably changed their relationship. She knows there is no way Jeb would claim her unless it were so.

  None.

  Her status of soul mate is not predicated on whether Papilio is on its ear from a tyrannical regime of perverted Reflectives.

  Some prejudices run bone deep. His claim of her should be proof that Beth is pure enough to warrant the tie of a Reflective.

  But those who hold to the old beliefs will try to make their lives miserable, whichever regime rises from the ashes after the last five years.

  However, Jeb has too many current variables to worry about. His first order of business must be protecting Beth—against her express will. Yes, she'd
conceded to the idea that she would allow his watch care. But in practice?

  Never.

  Jeb glares at Jacky. He should be returned to Three.

  He'll never go. Not as long as Madeline DeVere is unaccounted for.

  “Jeb,” Beth calls gingerly, and he swings to face her. “We need to go to the TCH.”

  Jeb sighs, planting his hands on the hips of his dirt-encrusted uniform.

  “I say negative to that, Jasper,” Jacky says in crisp mockery, cocking his head toward TCH. “There’s some shit going on. And I'm not down with whatever that nasty little catastrophe is.”

  Beth's face scrunches with determination, and Jeb knows Jacky has lost before he does.

  Jacky ignores Beth. “What I really wanna do is get Maddie and get the fuck outta Dodge. This place—old utopia? Not so cool anymore. Reflectives turned into pimps, killing each other. And One was fun, just sayinʼ.”

  Jeb strides to Jacky, who remains where he stands. Jeb pokes his chest and Jacky stumbles back a half meter. “Thank you so much for your enlightenment.”

  “Jeb!” Beth shouts.

  Shove.

  Jacky staggers again then roars like a lion and attacks Jeb.

  Jeb is a trained Reflective, but he's never had a Three, whose not quite a man, come after him, and he’s utterly unprepared.

  The boy feints to the left, and Jeb deflects automatically with a raised forearm.

  Jacky takes Jeb's forearm in both hands, sinking his teeth into it as if it were his favorite drumstick.

  Jeb howls, moving to backhand him.

  Beth is suddenly there, hanging off Jeb's arm.