Free Garda - Welcome to the Realm by Stacy Eaton Page A

didn’t, Mitch, they did.”
    There was no voice of reason I would listen to. I knew in my heart that I had killed her. I buried the heels of my hands into my eye sockets and bent over. I choked on the spit in my mouth and started coughing. The coughing turned to a strangled yell, and I dropped to my knees. With my hands on the ground in front of me, I hung my head as the tears began to fall.

Part 3 – The Realm
    ~ Corey ~
    Lights flashed around me and people ran past. All of their faces displayed shock of one degree or another. A woman held her hand over her mouth while she tucked a child’s face into her stomach. A man dressed in dark blue pants and a light blue shirt ran past to a body lying on the ground. The items wrapped around his waist made him wider than he was. He seemed familiar, but I couldn’t recall his name.
    My attention turned from the familiar man to the person lying on the asphalt. Who was lying there so still? There were too many people around, and I could not see the face. As I stood there, I felt like I should be doing something, yet I had no idea what.
    I panned the area; cars with flashing lights were parked haphazardly on the roadway and shoulder. I realized then how quiet the area was. The people before me appeared to be talking or even yelling, yet no sound came to my ears. It was disconcerting to know that I should be able to hear something, and yet the only sound that came was a deep husky voice from behind me.
    “Welcome home, Coralenna.” The sound shocked me; I spun to face the voice.
    Two men stood about twelve feet away. One of them was about fifty with gray hair and a friendly but concerned expression on his face. His shoulders were broad, and his body displayed a solid athletic build.
    Intense light green eyes stared back at me from the other man who appeared to be in his thirties. I had the distinct feeling that I should know him, but again I could not place him. He was shorter than the other man, with wide shoulders and short, wavy light brown hair.
    “Do I know you?”
    “Not really.” His deep voice was calming, although I felt tension coming from him even at the distance where we stood.
    “Then how do you know me?”
    “Because I have been watching you for years,” his voice was smooth and very masculine.
    “Stalking me?” I glanced to my side as someone ran past.
    “Protecting you. My name is Brock, this is Montgomery.” He motioned to the older man beside him. I glanced at his companion and nodded.
    “Coralenna, come with us, and we will explain everything,” the older man said.
    “Why are you calling me that?” I cocked my head to the side as I spoke.
    “It is your God-given name at birth. Come, we have much to teach you.” His voice was soft and kind. He held his hand out to me, but I wasn’t ready to go just yet.
    I turned to study the scene behind me. “How come I can hear you, but I can’t hear anything else?”
    “You are on the other side now. You will learn to hear them again soon; it is one of many things we will teach you.”
    A tremor passed down my spine as I realized what he must mean, “I’m dead.” I spun back to the younger man, his fierce sea foam gaze observing me closely.
    “Yes, you are.”
    I swallowed and turned away. I watched a man fall to his knees, the pain on his face so evident that I wanted to comfort him. I felt like I had to help him, and I took a step forward.
    Brock materialized in front of me, blocking my path. “Not now, Coralenna. We must go.”
    I jumped back into a fighting stance, my arms up, my hands lightly fisted. “How did you do that?”
    A small chuckle came from behind me before Brock answered, “I just can, you will be able to soon, too. It is time to leave.”
    “Where are we going?”
    “Home, Coralenna, we are taking you home.”
    Montgomery stepped up beside me and smiled pleasantly. Without thought, I returned his easy smile, feeling at peace until I glanced over the scene again.
    “Did anyone