HEARTS OF STONE - Preview

A Tulsa Immortals Story

By Audra Hart

Copyright © 2018 Audra Hart Publications

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Unedited preview subject to revision

This story is tentatively scheduled for publication in the Fall of 2018.

PROLOGUE ~ Sylvie

My Crossroads

“Why?” I croak from a suddenly dry throat.  I know he doesn’t miss the genuine bafflement on my face and in my tone as I stare at the object in his extended hand.  No doubt, my expression is much like one might peer at a cobra poised to strike.  Terrified.  Confused.  Bewildered.  Terrified.  But mostly, confused.  “Why me?  Why after all this time?”

My life, as all lives are wont to do from time to time, has reached a crucial crossroads.  The decision I make right now will affect the rest of my life.  Not only my life, but in one way or another, the lives of everyone I love and consider my family and friends.  Actually, the effect may even be much more far-reaching than I can possibly anticipate. 

Due to hard experience, I’ve learned that Destiny often seems fickle.  That seemingly heartless bitch has her hands in so many lives at any given moment that it is impossible for a mere mortal such as myself to appreciate the ramifications of free will.  The simplest act or smallest decision can often leave us mere pawns in this cosmic ping pong game called fate.

I look down at the man kneeling patiently before me, and a wild mixed bag of memories from my lifetime flash through my mind.  Moments of unceasing loneliness and feeling out of sync with the rest of the world.  Unspeakable days, weeks, and months of terror, degradation, pain and humiliation at the hands of Anarchy’s Rogues.  Unfettered exultation and experiencing a rush of tender feelings and the beginnings of love at the time of my rescue, and the subsequent moments of heartbreaking rejection.  The boundless joy at the birth of my daughter.  The pride and deep satisfaction in the life I worked so hard to build for us.  And then I knew true terror when the cold, cruel hand of fate threatened to take my baby from me.

Choices!  Choices!  Even stalling in making this decision is a choice of a sort… 

The Shaman’s words from earlier today whisper in my head, urging me to make my choice wisely. “The male who owns your heart may be able to turn to stone, but you have allowed pain and fear to erect a stone wall around your heart.”  Her dour look had scalded my pride and made me duck my head in something closely akin to shame.  “What is your destiny to be, young one?”  Her blunt question and unwavering tone made me feel as though I was backed into a corner.

In a way, I am backed into a corner.  Caught between a rock and hard spot. Or as my gramps used to so eloquently say; it is time to piss or get of the pot.  Yep.  The Fates, Destiny or just pure random chance has given me another shot at the very thing I once thought I wanted most in this life.  But after all that I have endured, do I dare take the risk?  

As though the ancient Shaman is reading my mind, she demands; “Are you brave enough to live a life filled with risk at the side of those who love you or will you play it safe and watch life unfold from the confines of a heart of stone?”  The words of the wise and ancient woman echo in my mind as I bite my lip in indecision.

How can I waver now? I ask myself.  My daughter needs me. I cannot let her down.