Touched by Light Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Acknowledgements

  Glossary of Terms

  ONE

  TWO

  THREE

  FOUR

  FIVE

  SIX

  SEVEN

  EIGHT

  NINE

  TEN

  ELEVEN

  TWELVE

  THIRTEEN

  FOURTEEN

  FIFTEEN

  SIXTEEN

  SEVENTEEN

  EIGHTEEN

  NINETEEN

  TWENTY

  TWENTY-ONE

  Teaser chapter

  PRAISE FOR THE NOVELS OF CATHERINE SPANGLER

  TOUCHED BY FIRE

  “Touched by Fire is a blazing-hot romantic fantasy thriller that is impossible to put down. Catherine Spangler puts her readers into the twisted mind of a psychotic killer right along with her heroine. It is an experience that one won’t soon forget.”—ParaNormal Romance Reviews

  TOUCHED BY DARKNESS

  “Dark, edgy, and incredibly sensual, Touched by Darkness is a spellbinding contemporary fantasy thriller . . . A unique and enthralling series debut that is not to be missed!”

  —ParaNormal Romance Reviews

  “I loved the entire concept . . . and give this author high marks for originality and creativity. Fans of Spangler’s sci-fi fantasy are going to be mesmerized by this sensual new series.”—The Best Reviews

  “The talented Spangler returns in a complex and intriguing new series about the Sentinels.”

  —Romantic Times (four stars)

  Berkley Sensation Books by Catherine Spangler

  TOUCHED BY DARKNESS

  TOUCHED BY FIRE

  TOUCHED BY LIGHT

  Anthologies

  DEMON’S DELIGHT

  (with MaryJanice Davidson, Emma Holly, and Vickie Taylor)

  THE BERKLEY PUBLISHING GROUP

  Published by the Penguin Group

  Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

  375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA

  Penguin Group (Canada), 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M4P 2Y3, Canada

  (a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.)

  Penguin Books Ltd., 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

  Penguin Group Ireland, 25 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland (a division of Penguin Books Ltd.)

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  (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty. Ltd.)

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  (a division of Pearson New Zealand Ltd.)

  Penguin Books (South Africa) (Pty.) Ltd., 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196,

  South Africa

  Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

  TOUCHED BY LIGHT

  A Berkley Sensation Book / published by arrangement with the author

  PRINTING HISTORY

  Berkley Sensation mass-market edition / June 2009

  Copyright © 2009 by Catherine Spangler.

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

  For information, address: The Berkley Publishing Group,

  a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,

  375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

  eISBN : 978-1-101-05848-0

  BERKLEY® SENSATION

  Berkley Sensation Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group,

  a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,

  375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

  BERKLEY® SENSATION and the “B” design are trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

  http://us.penguingroup.com

  This book is dedicated to, and in memory of, Janet Underwood. Jan, you’ve been one of my “bestest” friends for most of my life. I miss you so much. I know you’ve found a song to sing, a glass of good red wine, and some great—if slightly off-color—jokes in heaven. Love always.

  Acknowledgments

  If you’re wondering why I always have such a long list of acknowledgments in my books, it’s because so many wonderful people generously give of their time and knowledge to help me make the information in my stories as accurate as possible. You didn’t really think I knew all this stuff, did you? My deepest gratitude and thanks go out to the following:

  Nikki Duncan, fellow author, for doing a follow-up on the San Antonio Zoo and for providing additional pictures.

  Edward Heasley, for once again sharing his gun expertise and for being such a great uncle.

  The real Tami Lang, for inspiring the same-name character in this book and for her kindness to my father.

  Craig Mallinson, owner of the real Red Lion Pub in Houston, for sharing the pub’s amazing list of single malt liquors.

  Angi Platt, fellow author, for scoping out the San Antonio Zoo and area cemeteries and for taking lots of pictures.

  Melissa Schroeder, another great author, for answering questions about SeaWorld and San Antonio in general.

  Linnea Sinclair, still another wonderful author and a former PI, for her great course on private investigators and for answering my questions.

  Hank Stern, my brilliant father and math professor, who helped with math terminology.

  My awesome support group: Angelica Blocker, Linda Cas tillo, Robyn Delozier, Beth Gonzales, Jennifer Miller, Carole Turner, and my wonderful husband, James. Some of you read pages and kibitzed, others offered encouragement and wine. Thanks!

  Roberta Brown, for friendship and expert career guidance.

  Cindy Hwang and Leis Pederson, for their unending patience and editing brilliance.

  Thank you all. Walk in Light.

  Glossary of Terms

  Atlantis—A mystical, magical culture that some believe actually existed in the North Atlantic Ocean, bordering parts of what is now the eastern U.S. coast. It is also believed that Atlantis had an extremely advanced culture, and destroyed itself through civil war and the misuse of its great Tuaoi stone.

  Belial—The cunning, evil leader of a rebel Atlantian faction, Belial advocated human slavery, human sacrifices, and the dark side of magic. His group gained control of the Tuaoi stone and orchestrated the destruction of Atlantis.

  Belian—A follower of Belial (also known as the Sons of Belial). Adhering to their leader’s original dark practices, Belians are now reincarnating in human form on Earth, and wrecking violence and havoc on its inhabitants. They thrive on chaos and terror and blood offerings to Belial. Although they occupy mortal bodies, they have superhuman abilities. They operate from the four lower spiritual chakras, and can shield their presence from Sentinels.

  Belian Crime Scene (BCS)—The scene of a Belian crime. A Sentinel investigates the scene, absorbing the psychic energies left behind by the Belian, in order to track it down.

  Belian Expulsion (BE)—A forced exile
of a Belian soul to Saturn for spiritual rehabilitation. It requires the joint efforts of a Sentinel and the High Sanctioned.

  Chakras—The seven spiritual centers of the human body, starting in the lower abdomen and moving upward. Each corresponds to a physical part of the body and also to a specific color. The first four are the lower chakras and are grounded to the Earth. The last three are the higher chakras and are linked to the Creator and the spiritual realm.

  Conduction—The process in which a Sentinel and a conductor link spiritually through the seven chakras; most specifically, the sixth chakra and third eye. This amplifies the psychic energy the Sentinel has absorbed from a Belian crime scene and helps to identify the Belian. The process also raises powerful sexual energies and has a physical component—sexual intercourse, which further enhances the psychic energies. Often several conductions are required before the Belian’s shields are breached.

  Conductor—A regular human who is psychically wired to link with some Sentinels, and to magnify and enhance the Sentinel’s psychic tracking abilities. Conductors are relatively rare, and a good conductor/Sentinel match is even rarer. A matched conductor is always the opposite sex of the Sentinel, and there’s a powerful sexual attraction between them.

  Crystal Pendant—A pink quartz crystal edged in silver, it’s worn by many Sentinels. Attuned to the great Tuaoi stone and to the Sentinel’s personal energy, it helps focus and magnify psychic energies, and with shielding.

  High Sanctioned—Those entities (souls) that were the high priests of the temple of The One on Atlantis. Generally, they don’t occupy physical bodies, but act more as spirit guides for Sentinels. They assist with Belian expulsions.

  Initiate—A fledgling, a young Sentinel who is still learning how to shield energies and use the Sentinel powers.

  Law of One—The spiritual law and belief followed by most Atlantians, it acknowledged a higher Supreme Being and placed the focus on the Light, and positive energies.

  Psychic Signature (PS)—The energy patterns left behind by a Belian, more pronounced if a violent crime has occurred. A Sentinel collects and absorbs these energies, and pieces together clues and mental pictures to help identify the Belian.

  Sanctioned—Spiritually advanced Atlantian entities who served the high priests in the temple of The One. They occupy human bodies and are the overseers and the decision makers in the day-to-day Sentinel operations on Earth.

  Saturn (Burning/Experience)—Saturn, the “grim reaper,” rules the moral and karmic lessons souls must experience and overcome. Also called the “karmic initiator,” Saturn is where Belian souls are sent until they learn their spiritual lessons. It is not a pleasant experience—more like purgatory.

  Sentinel—An Atlantian soul reincarnating into a human body to track down Belians and dispense karmic justice. Like Belians, Sentinels are mortal but possess superhuman powers. They operate out of the three higher chakras, making it difficult for Belians to sense their presence. They often use conductors to help them identify Belians.

  Sexual Surge—The raw, powerful surge of sexual energy that occurs at the beginning of a conduction, when the lower chakras open and pull in earth-based energies—which most resemble the vibratory levels of Belians. This surge helps the Sentinel get a better fix on the Belian.

  Shielding—Using psychic energies to create a spiritual shield that blocks the presence of either a Sentinel or a Belian.

  The One—The Atlantian term for God/Supreme Being.

  Third Eye—A spiritual center that is linked to the sixth chakra and the pineal gland, and represented by the color indigo, the third eye enhances “seeing” and “hearing” on an ethereal level. A Sentinel, often with the aid of a conductor, works through the third eye to track Belians.

  Tuaoi Stone (The Great Crystal)—A huge spear of solid, multifaceted quartz crystal, the Tuaoi stone was housed in a special temple on Atlantis. It provided all power, as well as a means of communicating with The One, and was ultimately used to destroy Atlantis. It now lies at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, its power undiminished.

  White Brotherhood—(Does not refer to race or gender.) This was the Atlantian priesthood established for the perpetuation of the Law of One. They had the ability to transport themselves in thought or body wherever desired. Many of them have incarnated as Sentinels, the Sanctioned, and the Higher Sanctioned.

  PRELUDE, BOOK 3

  To love is to live love—not the answer of desire or of amorous affection, but is all in one—for love is law, law is love.

  (Edgar Cayce Reading 900-331)

  Corpus Christi, Texas, Current Day From the private journal of Sanctioned Adam Masters

  BUDDHA said, “Everything changes, nothing remains without change.” Even though the pattern created in Atlantis has endured for thousands of years, it’s now shifting, as is the balance of power—and not for the good.

  The Darkness is growing stronger. The Belians now entering the Earth are more dominant, more cunning. If I’m right about this current situation, it is an alarming sign that the Belians are finding new ways to entrench themselves. It will become increasingly more difficult to cast them from the Earth, into the fires of Saturn. We’ll have to find new ways to fight them. We must change, or become nothing.

  I believe the Light will prevail, but it will require a new infusion of energy. It’s no longer enough for Sentinels and conductors to come together for the sole purpose of tracking evil. They must do more than ride the sexual explosion through the base chakras. They must bond, and create a wave of love that will reverberate out into the Universe. For the Divine Law is love. Love will empower the Light.

  My meditative visions show I have my own role to play in this, and not solely as a Sanctioned. I must deal single- handedly with the current threat. Asking my Sentinels to take down one of their own, especially one whose powers encompass both Light and Darkness, is not an option.

  An unprecedented occurrence in the history of the Sanctioned has provided one person—a human conductor—who can help me. She’s brilliant, courageous, obstinate, highly uncooperative, and would rejoice if I vanished from the Earth. She is my match in every way, and adds another level—a very intriguing one—to this unexpected challenge.

  It’s crucial to act quickly, so I’ll be seeking her out this week. I pray for the divine intervention that will be necessary to convince her to help me. Quick thinking will also be essential to stay one step ahead of her. Ah, but I’m looking forward to seeing her again.

  Until then, in my meditations I will continue to visualize the Earth and all the souls who dwell on it surrounded by the Light.

  The Sentinels will prevail.

  ONE

  Yea in thine experiences through the earth ye, too, have seen the light and lost thy way.

  (Edgar Cayce Reading 1301-1)

  THE phone call came at 3:37 that afternoon. It truly didn’t qualify as one of those life-altering calls, Julia told herself. Not really, not compared to . . . say . . . the unexpected death of a loved one. Or a major catastrophe—like an earthquake, or a tsunami, or 9/11.

  Yet the call had tilted her mundane world off its axis. Worse were the nightmare memories it had resurrected . . . “Don’t resist me, Julia, or I’ll kill you,” William Bennett said as he rammed himself into her. Not that she could have fought at that point—he’d beaten her too badly. . . .

  Julia jerked herself back to the present. And here she’d been thinking she was finally putting it all behind her. She slugged back the rest of her bourbon. Managed to set the glass back on its paper coaster, despite the Herculean urge to hurl it against the wall.

  “Can I get you another one, Dr. Reynolds?” Miriam, who happened to be both the bartender and one of the top students in both Julia’s number theory and thermal physics courses at the University of Houston, took the empty glass.

  Miriam’s hair was styled into stiff spikes, the color du jour alternating sections of green, red, and blond. Heavy eye makeup accentuated her green ey
es; one pierced eyebrow and multiple silver rings in each ear added to her distinct style. Julia just wasn’t hip enough to know if it was Goth or punk, or whatever the latest look was.

  Not that Julia was up with any of the current trends. She’d buried herself in teaching, with a strong minor in the art of becoming a hermit, in twelve short years. She certainly wasn’t a spokesperson for the stylish and fashionable.

  “Yes, I want another one,” she told Miriam. “Make it straight up.” No melting ice diluting this drink. Maybe then the bourbon would deaden the pain.

  “Sure.” Miriam turned to make the drink, hesitated. “Are you okay, Dr. Reynolds? You seem . . . upset.”

  Upset? Julia battled back the hysterical urge to laugh. Try terrified . . . panicked . . . barely holding on to her sanity. What would Miriam think if her staid, unemotional math professor suddenly lost it in the middle of the Red Lion Pub? Could make for an interesting story.

  Get a grip, Julia told herself. She drew a deep breath, managed to shake her head. “I’m fine, Miriam. Just enjoying a few drinks.”

  Miriam’s disbelief was clearly etched on her face, but she turned and walked off behind the polished mahogany bar. Julia raised a shaking hand to her throbbing temple.