The Pariah Child- Sarafina's Return Read online

  Lyrica is at war.

  This is the message Sarah receives after having left the mythical world Lyrica nearly three years ago. She is no longer a timid thirteen-year-old and has learned to survive in her small town despite the hateful gossip her neighbors spread about her.

  But Lyrica and the friends she met there are never far from Sarah’s mind. So, when she begins to see children made of mist running through the woods and knights with odd symbols carved into their armor, Sarah wonders who these phantoms could be. And why would they reveal themselves to her?

  While Lyrica calls to her, Sarah’s family is suddenly struck by tragedy and she finds herself having to decide between two worlds: Does she remain on earth to help her family or does she return to Lyrica to end a war?

  Table of Contents

  Book Description

  The Pariah Child:Sarafina’s Return

  Copyright

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  About the Author

  The Pariah Child:Sarafina’s Return

  By Natasha D. Lane

  Copyright, 2019, Natasha D. Lane.

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means—graphic, electronic or mechanical—without permission in writing from the author, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.

  Cover Art by Kim Herbst

  Edited by Stephanie Diaz

  Formatting by Anessa Books

  Prologue

  Sarah’s cheek was cool against the well’s stone wall. She pressed closer to the structure, enjoying the contrast in temperature. While her front was cooled from shade and stone, her back was warmed by the morning sun.

  She felt steady.

  Sarah wrapped her arms around the well as far as they could go. She chuckled when they didn’t even make it halfway.

  Though her mother Lucille had told her to sleep in, Sarah had woken up with the sunrise. After tossing under her blanket for some time, she decided a walk in the woods would rest her. And it had, especially now that the woods were safe again. No wolves, dragons, or Lyrican faeries. Just all the creatures who had been there before.

  No Serwa or Alexander either. No Jacob.

  The well’s cold suddenly felt dampening. Sarah moved away from it, standing up to head home. She walked slowly from an exhaustion that tugged at her, as well as the thoughts which drowned her mind.

  Maybe she’d be able to go back again one day.

  When her home came into view, Sarah took a single deep breath, then marched inside. To her surprise, the house was quiet. There were no bacon or flapjacks on the stove. Apparently, her parents were sleeping in, too.

  Her heart swelled. They deserved it after spending a year searching for her.She had never meant to be gone that long. How could time in Lyrica be so different? But Serwa had warned Sarah. She just didn’t want to think it would happen to her.

  Closing her bedroom door quietly, Sarah fell onto her bed. She stretched out over her comforter, before pulling the blanket to her chin and propping Peter & Wendy on her chest.

  Since Sarah returned from Lyrica—or ran away, which was her mother’s only reasonable explanation—every day had been easier than before she left. Her mother still kept a wary eye on her, yet she was kinder, gentler with Sarah. And her father Paul had gotten into the habit of checking Sarah’s bedroom each evening and morning.

  There was a peace.

  Sarah wiggled her toes while she read the last page and turned to the back of the book. There, on the inside of the back cover, was a promise Sarah’s younger self had scribbled down so many years ago.

  “I promise that one day I’m going to go on an adventure, just like Wendy and Peter. And we’re going to beat all the bad men and save the day.”

  -Sarafina L. Wickeson”

  Sarah smiled. She traced her hands over her oath and on the last word, a strange tingling began in her finger. Golden spirals of dust appeared. There was a light “poof” before the dust vanished, leaving behind an imprint.

  Sarah looked between her tingling finger and the back cover.

  At the end of her oath there was a box with a golden check mark.

  Chapter 1

  (Two Years Later)

  Sarah’s hair spread over the water like wildfire, consuming her body, hiding the pale skin and freckles as she sunk. She took a deep breath before submerging herself, leaving only her blue eyes to stare at the vastness in front of her. She closed them and imagined her skin burning as it had done several years ago. But now she was consumed by water and water would quench the fire.

  She leaned her head back. All sounds became hollow; all movement was a vibration.

  Her skin had burned, her skin was burning, but she was not afraid for she was consumed by water.

  “Sarafina!” Lucille banged on the bathroom door. “Sarafina!”

  Sarah shot up in the tub, taking in a sharp breath. Her long hair was plastered against her back and her skin was covered in goosebumps.

  “Did you turn into a fish in there, girl?”

  Sarah’s hand shook as she gripped the rim of the tub and tried to steady herself. Her mind had sent her wandering again.

  “Hurry up and get dressed,” Lucille called. “We’re waiting downstairs with dinner.”

  “Yes, Mama.”

  Sarah waited until she heard retreating footsteps, then stumbled from the tub and grabbed her towel. She went to wipe the steam off the mirror but realized there was none.

  Did I fall asleep again?

  Sarah rubbed her eyes. The tips of her fingers looked like prunes.

  She sighed. “I’m surprised I haven’t drowned yet.”

  Sarah rung out her hair and headed to her room. She pulled a dress over top her head, not bothering with the buttons. She knew her mother’s patience was thinning.

  “Sarafina!”

  From her bedroom, she tottered down the hall, tucking her necklace into her dress as she reached the stairwell. Just as her mother placed her right foot on the bottom step, Sarah appeared at the top of the stairs.

  Sarah smiled at her mother. Lucille shook her head and returned to the table.

  “Hey, there, water bug!” Her father Paul greeted her with a grin as she took her seat.

  “Very funny, Daddy,” she replied, starting to fill her plate.

  “Not before we pray, young lady.” Lucille held out her hands to Paul and Sarah. The three clasped palms and bowed their heads.

  “Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this food you have blessed us with and the company you have blessed us with, Lord. We hope that we may continue to serve you on this earth for many days to come. Amen.”

  “That was beautiful, Lucille.” Paul gave his wife’s hand a squeeze.

  “Thank you.” She smiled. “Someone has to keep this family’s souls intact.”

  Paul slathered his cornbread in butter and stuffed it
in his mouth. “I think our souls are doing just fine, dear.”

  Watching him from the corner of her eye, Lucille stuck up her nose. “Well, you did miss church last Sunday, Paul.”

  “Yes, because I had to work.”

  “Working on your soul is more important,” she retorted.

  “It was your decision we should start going to church in town,” he huffed. “I was happy with the evening sermon you held for Sarah and I once I got home.”

  Lucille shook her head, gathering some peas on her plate. “It’s better to attend church with our neighbors. We can’t always stay out here. We need to get to know people, Paul.”

  “Oh, so now they’ll call us ‘friend’ when they gossip about us. I guess it’ll help ease the guilt.”

  Lucille glared at him.

  Sarah stuffed a piece of chicken in her mouth, preventing her laughter. Since Sarah had last disappeared, as her mother liked to describe it, Lucille had made it her mission to become an honorable town member. Along with going to church, Lucille attended any community event and even ran for official office. Of course, no one voted for her but that didn’t stop her from walking around with a smile plastered on her face.

  “Sarah?”

  “Huh?” Her mother’s voice pulled Sarah from her thoughts.

  Lucille frowned. “The proper response is ‘yes,’ Sarah. ‘Huh’ is what low-class folks use. God, we need to get you some etiquette courses.”

  Paul scoffed. “Is she auditioning to be the Queen of England?”

  Sarah took another big bite of chicken. The laughter was brewing in her throat.

  “It’s small differences like ‘yes’ and ‘huh’ that’ll get a girl a husband, Paul. Actually, I found out some news today.” She gave them a pointed look before taking her time spreading a slather of butter on her cornbread.

  Neither Paul or Sarah responded.

  Lucille continued. “Little Elaine, the one with the blonde curls and pretty eyes? Well, from what the ladies told me she may be married after graduation.”

  “Married? How old’s that girl?”

  “Fifteen, Paul. Same age as Sarah.” Lucille looked at her daughter. Sarah averted her gaze to her plate.

  Paul shrugged. “I guess it seems about the right age for her. She’ll be fully grown by time she graduates, ripe for marrying. Who’s the lucky boy?”

  “You know, Thomas Lanston? His father owns the shoe repair store and his mother runs the new bakery.”

  Paul nodded. “Well, they seem like they’ll make a fine couple. Give her family my congratulations if you see them.”

  Lucille turned to Sarah. She watched her daughter for a few moments, then moved back to her husband.

  “The news got me thinking.” Lucille scooted the food around on her plate.

  A shiver ran up Sarah’s spine.

  Paul was pulling off the last bit of meat from a chicken bone when he raised his brow and met Lucille’s eyes.

  Sarah’s heart had started racing. She wiggled her toes beneath the table as a sudden urge to leave the room, as well as the conversation overtook her.

  Lucille gave a shaky smile. “Sarah and Elaine are the same age. We need to start thinking about—”

  “Nope.” He tossed the cleaned bone on his plate.

  Sarah gawked at her mother. Had she really been suggesting it was time to marry her off?

  “Why is it fine and well for Elaine but not for Sarah?”

  The young woman blinked rapidly to ensure it was actually her mother in front of her speaking. They had never discussed marriage. She wasn’t even sure she wanted to get married though she doubted there’d be a line of suitors at her door.

  Missing for a year? Town crazy? Not very appealing to her male peers.

  If Sarah was being honest, however, they weren’t very appealing to her either.

  “Sarah is my daughter. Elaine ain’t,” he said. “She just needs to focus on school and being a kid.”

  Lucille dropped her fork, narrowing her eyes. “You ever think maybe she spends too much time worrying about school? She has perfect scores and spends all her time alone.”

  “I don’t like the kids at school,” Sarah replied, finally breaking her silence. Dozens of retorts, much better than what she had said, raced through her mind. Each response hoped to make it first to the tip of her tongue. She could feel the air heating in her chest while she debated how best to continue.

  Paul added, “And I don’t want any boys barking around my daughter.”

  Thank God for dads. Sarah sent her father the most thankful grin.

  Lucille threw her hands up. “Is she going to spend the rest of her life alone?”

  “Mama, I’ll be fine.” She pressed her forehead into the palm of her hand. “I don’t mind being alone. Other people are troublesome.”

  Lucille leaned across the table with widening eyes, forcing Sarah to meet them. She hesitated.

  “You don’t even know what that means, Sarafina,” she said. “To be alone…”

  Paul placed a hand on Lucille’s shoulder. “Honey—”

  She shrugged him off and turned back to her food. “You’ll be an old maid, young lady.”

  Paul’s blue eyes twinkled. He tossed his fork onto his plate, the metal clattering breaking the moment. He glanced between his wife and daughter before placing two old, wrinkled hands on his full belly.

  “Oh, you don’t gotta worry about her being an old maid, honey,” he said. “I heard they have the most fun.”

  He winked at Sarah and this time she giggled right through the chicken.

  Lucille snatched her plate from the table and tossed it into the sink, where she began scrubbing the dish like it was a skunked dog.

  Paul pursed his lips and nodded toward the stairs. Sarah quickly finished her food before moving from the table. A quick peck on her mother’s cheek and Sarah was up the stairs. She didn’t have the strength to hold against her mother’s approaching storm.

  The door clicked shut. Relief washed over Sarah. Alone in her room, she could breathe. She stood on her tippy-toes and stretched her arms up high. Her muscles ached from working on the farm and her bones cracked from sitting in school all day.

  Sarah found her way to her bed and fell across it, her feet hanging off the side. She heard some muttering downstairs but pushed her mind from the hushed voices. It would do her no good to listen to their arguing.

  Instead, she pulled out Peter & Wendy from under her bed. She flipped to the back cover. The golden checkmark still glittered.

  “It’s kind of like it was only yesterday, not nearly three years ago.”

  She traced her fingers over the rest of the unchecked cover.

  “What about the rest of my adventures?” she asked. “Will I have a chance to finish them, too?”

  Sarah waited a moment, hoping the tingling would return to her fingers and another golden checkmark would appear.

  None did. She pressed the book to her chest, her eyes burning some. Images of Lyrica raced through her mind. So much of the experience was still fresh but several memories were fading, slipping through her fingers when she tried to grasp them.

  What color were Abelard’s eyes again? Green or blue?

  And what flowers did Serwa have painted on her cottage walls?

  What did Gan like to call her?

  A knot built in her stomach.

  Sarah untucked the necklace she wore and grasped its trinkets. Alex’s ruby and Nettle’s small sword always brought her comfort. They were hers and hers alone. Reminders that she hadn’t imagined the entire thing.

  “Will I ever get to see them again?” She turned to the book once more.

  It held no answer.

  Chapter 2

  Sarah tucked her shirt in and tiptoed down the stairs. The first plank of wood creaked beneath her weight, causing her to pause before the next step. Knowing the third step was the loudest, Sarah took a breath and jumped. She landed on the fourth step, making sure to hold herself s
traight by the end of her toes.

  The house remained silent. She looked behind her, adjusting her bow and arrow as she peered into the darkness. No lights flashed and there was no movement.

  With a precise grace, Sarah zig-zag jumped down the stairs, until she landed on the floor of her kitchen. She tugged her weapon around her and headed outside to the stables.

  The stars were bright in the mid-spring sky, spread across the dark cover of night like a jeweled blanket. Sarah took in a deep breath. She enjoyed the freedom the early morning provided her. The quiet and peace it gave her soul.

  In the stables, Nancy was already up and stomping her hooves in her stall, while the cows slept away. She housed the same fiery spirit as her mother Nelly.

  Sarah’s chest constricted a bit at the thought. If only she had returned from Lyrica a bit sooner…

  She shook herself. Nancy’s neighs were growing louder, so Sarah opened the stall and mounted her. She was a young horse but strong. Her muscles were solid under Sarah’s weight and she carried the girl like she was nothing.

  Sarah balled her hands into Nancy’s mane. She kicked her sides and they started toward the forest. When they had crossed the first line of trees, Sarah urged her forward and suddenly Nancy was off. The banging of her hooves broke the early morning silence. Aside from the strands Sarah held, Nancy’s mane swung wildly around her, bouncing along with Sarah’s red curls.

  Sarah rested low on Nancy. She arched her back and narrowed her eyes, which were watering thanks to the wind. She could feel Nancy’s muscles tightening and loosening as her legs kicked up dust from the ground. She could feel the horse’s heart beat quicken, right along with her own.

  A smile spread across Sarah’s face as she imagined how she and Nancy would look to someone else. Two heroes in the night racing on to another adventure, one black, one red. Fire and darkness. Her mind whirled with a tale.

  Gradually, Nancy’s gallop slowed until they came to a halt.

  Sarah eyed the quiet forest surrounding her.

  “It is when things are most quiet one must be most cautious.”

  Alex.