Shiva (80 page)

Even Brandt cracked a smile at that.
“
I do.
”

Lopez turned to her.
“
Chica, I am not sure what he
’
s got that I don
’
t.
”

“
Ricky,
”
Rebecca warned.

“
What? I
’
m just saying you
’
ve got options.
”

She just glared at him.

He smiled broadly.
“
Al
l
right, al
l
right. Rebecca Elaine Monroe
,
do you take Mr. Pecs over here for your husband?
”

“
I most certainly do.
”

“
Cool,
”
Lopez said.
“
You many now kiss the bride.
”

Their lips met tenderly at first. So much had happened that they both seemed hesitant. Could one grieve and still love? Apparently
,
they could
,
as the kiss warmed. Brandt put his arm around her back, pulling them close. Her hands found his chest, gripping at his shirt
,
narrowing the space between them ever further.

“
Yeah,
”
Lopez announced
,
“
i
t
’
s like thirty
-
five miles to a find a room for you two
,
so why don
’
t you dial it back a notch
?
”

They
broke off the kiss, chuckling.
They should have known what they were getting when they agreed for the corporal to officiate.

Bunny embrac
ed her
.
“
Congratulations.
”

Davidson went to shake Brandt
’
s hand, but he p
ulled the younger man into a bear hug
, clapping him on the back. Behind th
em
,
the volcano bellowed
and
lava danced in the air, then slowly streaked down the side, cooling as it went, turning into black glass before their eyes.

She hugged Brandt. No, she hugged her
husband
.

As the rest watched the sight, Rebecca
’
s eyes slid to the east. To Vakasa. She hoped that the little girl was looking down upon them. Rebecca knew that she
’
d sworn off religious controversy before, but this time she was serious.

Now she had too much to lose. Too much to live for.

Epilogue

═══════════
═══════

Undisclosed Location

Undisclosed Time

Vakasa awoke slowly. She did not force her eyes open. Did the stars rush to shine at night? Did the sun hurry to rise? She let her senses drift, assessing her new abode. The smell of dirt was strong. Vakasa didn
’
t mind. She liked the scent. It reminded her of home. Her tongue
,
though
,
was thick in her mouth, dry and tasteless. She cracked her eyes open
,
to find complete darkness.

It did not scare her. She was born in darkness so was not surprised to awaken in darkness.

Her fingertips felt rough wood beneath her. They moved to her dress, a tightly woven cotton fabric. She hoped it was orange. Wouldn
’
t that be something? She smiled at the thought of an orange dress.

Taking another deep breath, Vakasa
relished
several oth
er scents. Flowers
,
she thought.

She was reminded of God
’
s grace. She had always felt His touch. Even as she was birthed, she
’
d felt it. Even as her mother gave up her life to bring Vakasa into the world, she had felt it. God
’
s love was in each lea
f
of a tree. Each breath of air.

The love of mankind
,
though
,
had not been so clear. The cruelty she had witnessed? The needless pain that man dealt to
himself
? She had always tried to see past it, to see t
hr
o
ugh to
their hearts. She had not been successful.

Until the man with the strong arms and the woman with the kind smile.

She did not have to search
hard to see their compassion.

Their love
,
though? Ah, their caring was tangible as her fingers moved to her side. The
presents the woman had given
proved that mankind
’
s love could be as precious as God
’
s.

Vakasa clicked on the first gift from Rebecca. A flashlight.

The secon
d?

A shovel.

Afterword

Thank you so much for reading the Betrayed series, hopefully it as every bit exciting to read as it was to write!

If
you enjoyed
Shiva
, I would ask you for a favor and go back to Amazon and leave a review. We indie authors live and die by our reviews

Want to know how married life is treating Rebecca and Brandt? check out The Betrayed Omnibus collection. There, the post-Shiva short story, Mayhem is exclusively featured!

Also be looking for the first book in the second cycle of the Betrayed series, Caught. It will feature Davidson, Bunny and Lopez. It should be out late Fall 2013.

In the meantime check out the next section for more of my thrillers to tide you over!

Other Works by Carolyn McCray

Have you read the entire Betrayed series? From the prequel short story, Ambush to the post-Shiva short story Mayhem?

Want them all in one place? Check out the omniibus collection - it is a $19.00 value for just $9.99!!!

Praise for the Betrayed series…

“
Carolyn McCray
’
s 30 PIECES OF SILVER proves that Dan Brown
’
s crown is up for grabs. Part minefield and all roller-coaster ride, here is a story as controversial as it is thrilling. Hunker down for a long night, because once you start reading this book, you won
’
t be putting it down.
”

NYT Top Ten Best Seller

James Rollins

Devil Colony

“
With twists and turns galore the pace of
Havoc
never slows down, you are propelled along like an avalanche.
Havoc
is an accomplished thriller. I sort of hate to use the word
“
interesting
”
which sounds like a book report, but this novel IS interesting as well as being a great read.
”

P.B.Sharp

Amazon Reviewer

I am hooked on this series …a great mix of religious history, action, and old fashion love. I know there is a sequel. I can nearly wait.

Niecy733

Amazon Reviewer

* * *

Praise f
or the Robin Hook Hacker Series…

“
Encrypted
by Carolyn McCray is a fast paced, hair-raising thriller with a cast of fascinating characters. The heroine, Ronnie, has Laura Croft's moves, Sherlock Holmes' intellect and Indiana Jones' charm.
”

Charlotte

Amazon Reviewer

“
From the moment I started reading this book, I was in awe.
Encrypted
is action packed from the first sentence. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. From hackers, special agents, to the plague, you won't be able to put this one down until the end!
”

The Book Goddess

Amazon Reviewer

“
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I couldn't put it down. The author definitely told a unique story that left me sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for what's coming next.
”

E. Smith

Amazon Reviewer

“
Could not put it down, Kept me up until 4:00 AM once. Just when you think you have it figured out as to what happens next you discover you are wrong. Cannot wait for book 2 in the trilogy, Cipher, due out late this year.
”

J. Benson

Amazon Reviewer

* * *

It's 2049 and it's not gold the prospectors are looking for, it's
“
Star Diamonds.
”
And these precious gems aren't in California but up on the moon!

Join Jarod and his team of treasure hunters, Rogues Incorporated, as they dodge a nefarious competitor, crazed moon-panning prospectors, and even their own government for the ultimate
“
motherlode.
”

Praise
for
MoonRush
…

“
Reading this book after taking finals at school was like taking a much needed vacation…to Outer Space! All the characters are so developed and unique and the plot twists and turns make this book rank so high on my list that I'm writing a review about it. Something that I don't normally do. So buy this book and get ready for some quality entertainment from some witty innovative writers!
“