The Nameless

The Nameless

Book 4 of The Gift Series

Barbara Cutrera

Copyright © 2016 by Barbara J. Cutrera

All rights reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the photocopying, scanning, uploading and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher is unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property.

Published by On My Way Up, LLC at Smashwords

www.onmywayuponline.com

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are the result of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

Visit Barbara Cutrera’s website at www.onmywayuponline.com to sign up for her newsletter, read her blog, learn about her other works, view links, and find out more about the author.

For Christine, my friendly and faithful sister-in-law who gives so much at home, at work, and in her community.

Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Epilogue

About the Author

Other books by Barbara Cutrera

Prologue

"No! Don’t make him do that! Don’t do that to him! Stop! Stop!"

Feeling helpless, disgusted, and heartbroken, Anya screamed out of rage and frustration. Her heart pounded; her stomach roiled; and her skin felt clammy. She clenched her hands so tightly that her nails drew blood as they dug into her palms. She wanted to use them to do something to help the boy, but she was powerless. He was suffering unspeakable horrors, and there was no way to stop it.

Anya! Anya, wake up!

Her eyes snapped open, and she stared into the worried face of her father, Alexi. The only illumination in the room was the light of the two moons that shone in through the gap in the curtains. Still, she could tell that his dark brown hair was mussed from sleep, and his bright blue eyes were narrowed with concern. He wore his black night pants only, and a part of her wondered why he wasn’t wearing a sleep shirt. She’d never seen him shirtless.

Anya! Are you all right? Answer me!

She wanted to say, Yes, but the nightmare was too fresh in her mind. To her dismay, she began to cry. She was twelve and had recently proclaimed to her three brothers, who were also twelve, that girls were not more emotional than boys. She knew if they came in and saw her now, they’d tease her about her hypocrisy.

Anya, are you ill? Are you hurt?

Now sobbing, she shook her head and then buried her face against her father’s chest as he pulled her into his arms. Her mother, Tabitha, appeared beside the bed. She switched on a lamp that rested on the bedside table, and soft light filled the bedroom with its fine furnishings and rich fabrics. Her long, blonde hair was tangled, and the buttons of her lavender-colored robe weren’t aligned properly.

Despite her distress, Anya suddenly intuited why her father was shirtless and why her mother’s robe hadn’t been buttoned properly. She had learned what making love involved the month before when her mother had explained it to her while her father had explained it to her brothers. Anya figured that her parents must have been making love when she’d screamed. She felt both embarrassed to know what they’d been doing and guilty for disturbing them.

Anya, what’s the matter? her mother asked softly, as she stroked her daughter’s dark brown ringlets. Did you have a bad dream?

"It was a terrible dream! she cried. The things that happened were awful, and I didn’t understand! What they did was…it was…disgusting and hateful!"

Anya heard movement near the doorway and saw Pavel, Pasha, and Pyotr, her brothers, standing in their sleepshirts and night pants just inside her room. They seemed unnerved and wanted to know what was wrong. As she looked at them, it struck her how unusual it was that the three looked physically identical although their personalities were so very different. Like their sister, the boys had their father’s dark brown hair and blue eyes. However, their facial features were masculine like his, while hers were delicate like their mother’s. Anya had always been petite, whereas her brothers were tall for their age.

Surely the nightmare couldn’t have been that bad? Pyotr speculated.

It was worse than bad! she sobbed. There were men and boys, and the men were making the boys fight to the death! The boys were about our age. One blonde boy with eyes the color of caramel and a scar on his neck refused to kill another boy when he won, and the head of the men…he…he…. Weeping uncontrollably, she went on, I could see only the boy’s face, but I knew he was being hurt in some awful way! He was screaming, but the man wouldn’t stop! When he finally did, he told the boy that the next time he refused to kill, he’d suffer the same punishment. I don’t understand! What did the man do and why? Before anyone could comment, she continued in a rush, "He beat the boy and threw him in a pit. The boy was naked, and the pit was cold and dark. Then the man covered the pit with something that blocked out almost all of the light. The boy was left, shaking and moaning in the dark on the dirt. Why would a man do that to anyone, especially a child? And why would I dream such a thing? I never imagined anything like what I saw existed before I went to bed tonight. I so wanted to help the boy, but I couldn’t! It was horrible! Pulling away from her father, she looked back and forth between her parents and asked, Is something wrong with me? Is my mind unbalanced that I’d dream such a thing?"

No, her mother said reassuringly and held out her arms to her. When Anya shifted to rest her head against her mother’s shoulder, Tabitha continued, Nothing is unbalanced about you. You’re still the same smart, beautiful, resilient girl you’ve always been.

Then why would I imagine such things?

I don’t think you did, Alexi said with deep sadness in his voice. There are many evil men and women in the world, just as there are many good ones. I don’t believe you had a nightmare; I believe you had your first experience as a medium. The Oracle proclaimed when you were ten months old that you’d be the last and greatest Oracle who ever lived. She’s taken you on trips to stay with her and learn from her since you were five years old. She said your powers would manifest themselves when you began to change from a girl into a woman.

"It is the right time," Tabitha said with a heavy sigh.

But I’m not ready! Anya declared, sitting bolt upright. I’m supposed to take over as the Oracle once the current one dies! I don’t want her to die, and I don’t know what to do to be a good medium yet! I’m too young to know how to give good advice or offer prophecies!

She’s not yet going to die, Alexi assured his daughter. She said she’d train you well before it was her time to go. That may be a while since she’s younger than your mother, who’s only thirty-three.

So, what Anya dreamed wasn’t a dream? Pasha asked hoarsely. She was seeing something that was actually happening or will happen someday?

Refusing to break down again, Anya allowed fat tears to slide down her cheeks before admitting, I don’t want to see things like that ever again! I didn’t think having such powers would be like this. I no longer want to be the next Oracle!

You don’t have a choice, Pavel pointed out pragmatically. The Oracle said we had great power flowing through us like our parents. She said you’d be the last and greatest Oracle who ever lived. Pyotr will become the king of our country, Veritas, when our father dies someday. Pasha will become King of Skye when our grandfather dies. And I’ll be a great inventor and businessman like our father. Those things are meant to be. We have to accept and embrace our destinies.

How can I embrace something that makes me see things like the vision I just had? Anya snapped. Perhaps you’d like to trade destinies with me?

Pavel stiffened, looked away, and said nothing in response. Pasha and Pyotr stared at the floor, shuffling their feet. Alexi rose and walked over to stand in front of his sons before ordering them all back to their rooms. He told them not to return to bed because he wanted to speak with each of them. All three obeyed, but Pavel was the last to turn and leave the room.

You’ve spent most of your life growing up between Veritas and our original home country of Skye, Alexi told his daughter. "The Oracle has taken you with her to her home and on trips to help acclimate you to her calling and way of life. She said when you began to change, it would be time for your life to change."

What does that mean? Anya asked with dread.

It means that you’ll spend most of your time living with the Oracle and visiting with us or your grandfather, not the other way around.

"No! I love my life the way it is! I love our country of Veritas and our country of Skye. We’re blessed to have a grandfather and father who’ve united two countries, one on this continent and one an island. I love the Oracle, but I don’t want to leave my parents and brothers and live with her now. Maybe when I’m older?"

No, her father said resignedly. We don’t want to see you go either, but at least you won’t be permanently separated from us. That’s what happened to the Oracle, who was taken from her family at birth and was raised never knowing them. You’ll still be a part of our lives but won’t live primarily with us.

We don’t want this separation either, Tabitha told her. But you need to be taught how to control your power, just as your father, grandfather, and I will teach your brothers how to control the power they have in them.

But –

Anya, Alexi interrupted quietly. This will be hard on all of us, but your mother and I know it has to be done for your sake and for the sake of others. The Oracle is kind and loving, and you know you’re happy when you’re with her. You’re comfortable in her presence and in her home.

But it’s not the same as living with my family!

Think of the boy, her mother said. You can’t see things like that every night. If you did, then it would make you unstable with good reason. The Oracle may be able to teach you how to block things out and use your power only when you want or need to. You’ll be safe if you allow her to guide you.

And what of the boy I saw? Anya asked, her eyes filling once more with tears. I still don’t understand what was happening and why.

Her father shook his head and said to her mother, I’ll explain it to the boys; you explain it to her. How I wish we had no need to explain the existence of such cruelty, but life is not always kind as you and I both know. Bending to kiss Anya on the top of her head, he said tenderly, Everything will be fine. You’ll be all right.

But that boy will never be all right, she replied earnestly.

Alexi looked pained, but he said, There’s always hope, Anya. Until I met and fell in love with your mother, I thought I was incapable of loving anyone. I was so…angry and hurt by life. Your mother taught me I could love without surrendering the control I so desperately needed in order to survive. Perhaps this boy you saw will be saved by someone and find his way in our world.

Every heart can be reached, her mother added. Where there is love, there’s hope. Never forget that, my beautiful Anya.

Chapter One

Happy twenty-first birthday to me, Anya thought dryly, as she lay in the midst of rubble on the city street. When icy raindrops began to fall through the smoke clouding the air above her, she added, Perhaps this birthday will also herald the day of my death. How ironic that would be.

Immobilized, Anya wondered why she wasn’t frustrated by her inability to rise or speak. Her family members and her predecessor had often told her she was strong-willed and independent, qualities that seemed to be virtual requirements for those who held the position of Oracle. Oracles didn’t simply lie on the ground, staring up at the sky while being pelted by frigid raindrops. If their circumstances were dire, they took charge and used their innate power to effect change. Yet, she didn’t feel the slightest inclination to take action. No, she felt…numb.

I should be cold, she thought. My purple dress may be long, but it’s not made of heavy material, nor does it have sleeves. My cloak is gone. Why aren’t I shivering?

Anya knew she should rise and check on the status of the Protectors, the ten guards of the Oracle. She knew that she was lying on the ground in what had been a busy street in Karan, the capitol city of the country of Taranda. She and the Protectors had been headed to a meeting with the nation’s ruler when the world around them had literally exploded. Now, she was in an almost dream-like state. Struggling to discern the voices and movements of her men, Anya heard only the screams and moans of strangers and the sounds of once-tall buildings continuing to shift and crumble. The smoke was thick as a result of the fires that followed the explosions, and she hoped the rain would extinguish some of the flames and clear the air.

Karan was an old world city. Only the wealthy had electricity and running hot water. There was no mass transit system, no rails with streetcars running on them. The people still used carts, wagons, and horses for all transportation of persons and goods. With its dirt roads and massive stone buildings, Karan was an enormous city where most residents lived as its inhabitants had for centuries. Anya and the Protectors had been enjoying their walk down the main street of the capitol when Karan’s busy but peaceful atmosphere had been shattered.

I’ll be moving you now.

Anya squinted up through the raindrops at a stranger, whose head was wrapped in a black piece of cloth that covered everything except his caramel-colored eyes. Unable to turn her head, she couldn’t see much else save that his shirt was brown. She wanted to tell him that she thought she was hurt and shouldn’t be moved, but her vocal cords still refused to cooperate with the directives her brain was sending them. Since none of the Protectors came forward, she deduced that they’d been temporarily incapacitated, captured, or killed. The thought both saddened and frightened her.

My men? she finally managed to ask.

All dead, the stranger answered in a matter-of-fact tone of voice, as he plucked from the mud some of the brown ringlets that naturally fell to her waist. They were killed in the explosions. You were thrown a few yards from where you stood and are in shock.

What happened?

Karan is under attack. Taranda has been in a state of unrest for some time, and I believe the war has finally begun. You were unlucky enough to be here when it did. Since I was following you, I’m caught in it as well. As he slipped one hand under her shoulders and the other under her knees, he added, Your men died during the explosions, so I didn’t have to kill them. That was fortuitous for me.

You were going to kill my men? she asked, aghast.

Yes, he answered, adjusting his grip on her before lifting her up.

You were following us so that you could kidnap me?

"Yes. A powerful, evil man wants you very badly, Oracle."

Are you working for him?

I work for myself.

Her efforts to push away from the stranger proved fruitless. Although Anya was now able to move slightly, her body refused to obey her mind by responding in any coordinated fashion.

What are you planning to do with me? she inquired, as he carried her through the chaos of the street.

I’m going to deliver you to the man who wants you so badly.

You want to give me over to someone who wishes to kill me? she asked in disbelief.

He doesn’t want you dead. He wants to keep you for his own amusement and to have your power all to himself.

His own…amusement? she echoed. He wants to rape me?

He wants your virginity. Whether or not he has to rape you in order to take it is completely up to you.

Put me down! You can’t do this! Squirming in his arms, she screamed, Help me! Somebody help me!

Do you really think anyone will listen to your pleas? Many are lying wounded in the street or are trapped in the rubble. They’re all crying for help. No one will heed your cries.

Gazing at the destruction around them, Anya realized the man was right. It was the perfect scenario for a kidnapping. Everyone needed help, and no one would pay attention as a kidnap victim was spirited away in plain sight. She redoubled her efforts to escape the man’s grasp, demanding, Release me!

"At the moment, you’re disoriented from the blast. If I put you down, others will find you and take you to him. Would you rather have that happen or be given a chance to prepare yourself for what’s to come?"

Neither, she thought. But I’ll bide my time until I can find out more about this monster. Squeezing her eyes shut, she wondered, Do I mean the monster carrying me now or the monster who wants to keep me for his own amusement?

Good choice, the man said when she remained silent. I’ll tell you later what you need to know.

Opening her eyes, Anya stared up at the stranger’s shrouded face and asked, Who are you?

Call me Nameless. After all, that’s who I am.

But what is your given name?

I’ve no idea. You’re the Oracle. You tell me.

Do you have amnesia?

No. I was taken when I was a small child. I have no idea who I was, where I lived, what kind of family I had, or anything else prior to when I was three years old. I don’t remember my name.

How horrible! But how can you forget your own name?

I’m sure it was beaten out of me, just as it was beaten out of the other children.

Not certain how to respond to his words, Anya asked, Where are you taking me?

Away from the city. I have a place in the forest waiting for us. I’ll keep you there until I’m ready to turn you over.

"You can’t mean to do this!"

I can, and I will. I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time.

The man fell silent but continued walking. Once they were no longer in the area of Karan that had been attacked, he kept to deserted streets until they reached the outskirts of the