by Iesha Bree
I nodded my head in agreement, not fully understanding what he meant, but I just needed to feel close to him. It was almost a sense of desperation that washed over me as my heart began to speed up. It felt as if he was moving in slow motion, and the closer he got to the bed, my heart skipped a beat, almost as if my heart and soul knew home was near. I continued to watch him kick his boots to the side before pulling his shirt over his dreads, laying it across the foot of the bed before stepping up to lay behind me instead of in front of me as I had instructed. I closed my eyes at the feel of his length hardening against me as he wrapped his arms around my waist, making sure we were nice and snug. He laid his head in the nook of my shoulder, and I took a deep breath in and out as I let go of the breath I didn’t realize I had been holding.
Intimacy wasn’t something I was used to. Of course I knew what sex was and actually tried twice, but I couldn’t connect with the man enough to get past the physical. The only reason I tried twice was that I had heard many good things about it, and I wondered if having sex could fix me. Since I couldn’t seem to be attracted to anyone, until I met Topez, I couldn’t deny the fact that I felt things for him that I couldn’t entirely explain, not to mention the way he made my body feel just by his touch was more than enough. His fingers began to create small patterns on my thighs. The more he touched me, the more my body went up into flames. A low moan slipped through my lips as I moved my butt closer to him, almost begging him to put the fire out that he surely had to know he was igniting. Right on cue, I felt his lips slowly begin to make a slow trail of kisses down my neck. Tilting my head to the side to provide more access, another moan slipped through my lips. I felt his hand come across my stomach as he slipped his fingers beneath my waist. I began to rotate my hips, hoping to ease just a little bit of the tension that didn’t seem to want to let up, no matter what I tried.
Sliding his hands back up my waist, he brought his lips up to my ear. “Relax. I need you to be as still as possible.” Slowly he removed his hands from my body as he slipped out of bed.
I watched intently as he walked slowly over to the door, almost like he heard something that I didn’t. My hands instantly became moist, and it was almost as if something volcanic was building up in the center of my chest. Taking slow and easy breaths, I tried to calm down the feelings I was starting to get. They almost felt as if they were warning me of something that hadn’t happened or was getting ready to happen in the matter of the next few moments. Sitting up slowly in bed, I pulled the sheet slowly from my body. Dragging my now damp hands down the front of my shirt, I waited a moment until Topez turned to look back at me.
Although the look in his eyes was soft and affectionate when he looked at me, the smoky gray deadly depths had returned. “I need you to be as calm as possible, but I need you to put on your shoes and grab a jacket. Someone is here who shouldn’t be, and let me say this. They don’t have the best intentions. I already alerted my brothers.”
Dragging my curls from the front of my face, I took another deep breath as the storm I felt brewing earlier increased in strength. I closed my eyes for a moment to try and control my emotions. I knew Topez could feel how still the air in the room was getting, and it was almost as if I was taking up every corner of space we had without moving an inch.
“Who is it? Why can’t they leave us alone? Didn’t my mother say this place couldn’t be found, that we were basically off of the grid here?” I responded quickly, sliding out of bed, sliding my feet into the closest pair of sneakers I had near the bed.
I leaned down to loosen up my shoelaces to make sure I could get my foot all the way into the shoe. Tightening it, I tried to focus on something as simple as tying my shoes to take my focus off of everything that was happening around me. Once I was finally done, I felt more in control as I walked as lightly as I could over to where Topez was posted in front of the door. Waving his hand, he signaled for me to step to the side as he pulled back the door. Unable to contain my curiosity, I waited just a few moments after he stepped into the hallway to follow closely behind.
“You just can’t follow damn directions, can you?” he remarked over his shoulder, turning his attention back to the task at hand.
Shrugging my shoulder, I continued to follow him down the hall. I knew I had given him the impression that I needed to be saved at every turn, but what the hell would he have done if he found out that his whole life was a lie? He didn’t know what that felt like, and I was not going to sit around and explain it to him. I didn’t answer anybody, let alone a man I’d just met, no matter how fine he was or who he claimed to be.
Stumbling into his back, he turned around with a small smirk, almost as if he knew something I didn’t. Not wanting to question what had him so excited, I continued back at the same pace. In the midst of my thoughts running wild, I hadn’t realized his brother was right next to me now, with my mother right behind them. I really had to pay attention, especially with this dangerous life they had all placed me in. I glanced back at my mother, who gave me a small smile. I knew she was trying to reassure me, but I knew her better than that. I had a funny feeling that she would never be the mother I remembered again.
Not wanting to dwell on the inevitable, I leaned forward to whisper in Topez’s ear. “So what are we quiet for? I don’t see anything?” Not even a few seconds after those words left my lips, a fireball slammed into the wall above my head.
They watched as the ugly wallpaper melted like butter against the wall. Eyes wide, the breath I once thought I had under control began to come and go in rapid successions. It was almost like an action film as Topez jumped into action, or rather barrel-rolled into action. Immediately, the people we couldn’t see before were now visible; they almost resembled gold cat people. It was the weirdest thing in the world. I glanced behind me as my mother grabbed my hand, pulling me out of the line of fire.
“Hun, they’re after you. I have to get you out of here. I’m sure the boys can handle this. Just come with me.” She proceeded to drag me to what looked to be another hidden exit.
The further I got from Topez only caused an ache to settle into the center of my chest. I snatched my hand back from my mother. I knew she was shocked, but I didn’t give a damn. If these people were here because of me, there was no way I would be leaving Topez and his brothers behind to take care of my problem. I stroked the oval necklace that held a sapphire gem that my mother had given me when I was a kid. It was almost a compulsion to do so. As my hair began to start flowing near my face, it was almost as if a more confident and supreme being took the place of my body. My hips swung with a little extra spice to them as I made my way back into the living area where all the fighting was taking place. I watched a look of angst cross Topez’s face at the sight of me.
I could feel that he didn’t want me to be here. I knew he felt my mother was right about us just leaving them behind, but he would learn fairly quickly that I was not a kept woman and never would be. Still unsure of what I could do, I closed my eyes as I felt the buildup moving more rapidly in my chest. Letting the breath I had been holding go, sparks began to dance on the tips of my fingers. It was almost as if my body was being fed electricity from the electronics in the area. All of the lights went completely out as all fighting ceased. A look of fear crossed the guards’ faces as I opened my eyes again. I was no longer planted on the ground but floating.
Almost like a knee-jerk reaction, my hands shot out from the sides of my body as I began to lift all the guards at once from the ground. A manic laugh slipped through my lips as my hands imitated the same motions as a person tearing a piece of paper right down the middle. Immediately, the guards’ lifeless bodies collapsed to the ground in a heap. My eyes instantly snapped over toward Topez’s brothers, and it was almost as if someone else was controlling my body. I smiled seductively in their direction. I looked down to see the little sparks of lightning had returned. Before I could do anything else, Topez was now standing solidly in front of me. Gripping my chin, he tur
ned my attention back toward him as the storm that had settled in the center of my chest receded. I kept my eyes closed, mainly because this was the first time I was completely present, but I felt as if I couldn’t control a damn thing that was going on.
“Damn, we should have called her when this shit all started. I mean, I was a little concerned at the end, but damn,” his brother Raz stated.
I could hear his other brother scolding him about always having stupid shit to say at the worst times. No other words were spoken at that moment as Topez took my hand into his, and we followed my mother to that exit because we now knew this place was no longer safe.
Noemy shouldn’t have been able to do that shit, I recited to myself as we continued to make our way down the dark path. This tunnel seemed as if it had no end in sight, but this was our only option. I slowed up my steps, allowing Noemy to walk ahead of me as my brothers ran into my back. I knew they weren’t paying attention, but I had to make sure nothing out of line was going on. There should have been no way that those guards should have been able to find us. Turning to face my brothers, no longer were my features soft.
“Pez, man, we had nothing to do with them coming here! You have to know we would never purposely lead them here. Shit, we didn’t even know where dad had sent us until the door was pulled open,” Loren announced as Raz kissed the front of his teeth.
Unable to turn down the challenge I knew he was ready to present, I stepped around Loren in front of Raz.
“You got something you would like to get off of your chest?”
The sound of footsteps ceased as I felt smooth hands touching my shoulders.
“Unlike Loren, I am not concerned about shit getting out of hand. Why the fuck would we bring those men here? You’re allowing this woman to knock all the sense out of your head,” he responded as he shoved my chest.
Immediately, a scorching feeling settled in the center of my chest unlike anything I had ever felt toward my brothers. Closing my eyes tightly, I tried to take a few deep breaths when I heard a soft tone slip into my mind. I knew the only reason I was so pissed by Raz’s comment was that I had dropped the ball with Noemy the moment I stepped into her life.
“Relax. I can tell they’re not lying. We have to keep moving.”
The sound of her voice was clear, as if she had just spoken aloud. Turning to look over my shoulder, her bright eyes were shining up at me. It was almost as if I could drown in her eyes because of how deep of a blue they were, but it also worked in a way like a cool breeze, calming me down. I turned back around to face my brothers, looking over at Raz, who still looked as if he could care less.
“Next time, you watch your tone when it comes to her. I needed to know! Those guards should have never been able to find us.”
“You’re right. They shouldn’t have, but we also didn’t plan for your father to send them here, leading a trail of magic right to us. You know like I do that the use of magic leaves a stain to the trained eye. Now quit beating your chest and lead the way!” Asha stated as she nudged my shoulder before turning to continue out of the tunnel.
Sliding my hands into my pockets, I continued to follow her out the tunnel. No words were spoken; enough had been said at that moment. It seemed as if the tunnel expanded for miles before a cool breeze brushed across my face. The constant bickering between Raz and Loren only seemed to make the trip longer and irritate the hell out of me. When a small, soft hand wrapped around mine, I looked over quickly to see Noemy still looking ahead. As if this was normal, but not wanting to ruin the moment, I stayed quiet, tightening my hand around hers.
Stepping out further into the cool breeze, a howl could be heard in the distance as the stars danced in the sky.
“So where are we going now? Unless you have another underground tunnel somewhere,” Raz asked, stepping around Loren to Asha.
“That was the last place I had; no one should have been able to find that one,” she responded, staring out into the distance.
Clearing my throat, I stepped forward. “I have a place.”
“We can’t use magic to get there until the last minute. We obviously see how well it has done us.” I started pulling the lightning ball crescent from my pocket.
I carried this crescent everywhere. Since the day I came across it in a pile of rubbish, I had always been attached to it. Now I saw why; it was reminiscent of my soulmate. Laying the crescent in the palm of my hand, I leaned in and whispered to it to lead the way. Immediately, a map was visible to my eye only. I looked up, and everyone had a confused expression.
“It’s actually not far from here,” I responded, pointing in the direction of the light blue line in front of me.
“I hope you really know where you’re going. I’ve seen those human movies about the wolves that were as big as people,” Raz spoke up.
“Are you talking about Jacob?” Noemy asked with a giggle, only making me want to pull her closer to my side. She spoke of Jacob as she knew him personally. If she didn’t want this Jacob dude to be fucked up, she needed to bring that excitement out of her voice. Wolf person or not, I was ready for whatever over what belonged to me.
“How do you know him?” I asked with my eyes beginning to glow.
“Oh, calm down. He isn’t real. It’s a movie,” she responded with a roll of her eyes.
“Yeah, he better be. I didn’t want to have to show out in front of your mother,” I responded, stepping out in front of everyone to lead the way.
“Too late,” Asha called out, causing Noemy to snicker behind me. I shook my head as we continued further into the woods until I noticed the leaves on the tree branches were no longer moving. Most wouldn’t have found that to be an issue, but I knew better. I had been trained for moments like this. Setting my senses out further from my body, I immediately snapped back at the feeling of Noemy sliding her hands into mine once again, knocking my focus. Leaning her head against my shoulder, her sweet honey smell seemed to exude from her pores.
“Are you cold?” I asked in a low tone.
“No, just a little tired. Do you think we can stop for a minute? I want to be able to wash my face before we go too much further,” she asked with a poke of her lips.
Glaring down into her eyes, I looked back up, noticing the breeze had returned to the branches. Rubbing the back of my neck, I closed my eyes for a moment to check my surroundings once more. The natural whistle from the wind had returned, although it still seemed eerily silent. Opening my eyes slowly, Noemy had already started to make her way toward the river.
“We’re going to take a small break. Maybe we can make camp here for a moment,” I responded to them behind me.
“Break?” Raz called out.
“Topez, we do not have time for this! Where the hell did Noemy go?” Asha called out, looking around erratically.
I held my hand up to stop her pursuit in the direction of the river.
“I got it. Why don’t y’all relax for a minute, and we will be right back,” I reasoned.
“Don’t be all night! I’m not trying to die because y’all are playing around,” Raz called out, earning him a slap upside his head from Asha.
I threw my hands up to run toward the river, only to find pieces of her clothes thrown everywhere. My heart’s beating began to speed up the closer I got. Kneeling, I lifted her pink lace thong, soaked in her essence, causing my dick to become hard as hell, just knowing that she smelled as good as I had expected. Holding her thong between my fingers, I continued toward the river until I made it to the edge. Our eyes instantly latched as she dipped her entire body underneath the water, only to come back up a few moments later. Stepping over to the tree, I kicked my feet up against the stump with my hands tightly crossed against my chest.
“We really have to go, Noe,” I called out, only to see her dip back underneath the water. I waited a few moments for her to come back up, and she still hadn’t. Slowly, I moved away from the post and strolled over to the edge of the water.
“Noe, quit
playing. Where you at?” I called out once again.
When a high-pitched scream shot out, I immediately jumped into the water and began to swim toward the sound. Swiftly, I kicked my legs hard until I saw one of the queen’s guards trying to drag Noemy further down into the lake. Kicking my legs harder, I came up behind him as my hands gripped both sides of his head, quickly snapping his neck as he released his hold on Noemy. I pulled her body against mine as I swam back up to the top of the water, releasing the breath I had been holding underneath the water. Swimming over to the land, I ran my hands across her face to check to make sure she was okay.
“Are you alright?”
Sitting up with her curls slick against her face, she nodded her head, dragging her knees into her chest. Helping her to stand to her feet, I took her hand into mine so we could find everyone else and get the hell out of here. If one of the guards had been inside the ocean, I knew they had to be here on land. The moment we made it out into the clearing, it looked as if a clear war had broken out. I could see my brothers fighting tooth and nail against the other five guards while one of them held her mother, making sure to keep her hands contained. Turning to look back at Noemy, I grabbed her hand and pulled her along with me. Jumping into action, I snatched my blade I had tied around my ankle as I ran toward the two men Loren was fighting. I glanced briefly over at Raz, who seemed to be handling his own very well. Taking my blade to the man closest to me, I stroked the jagged edges against his neck in a quick, ragged line before another guard proceeded to go hand for hand, knocking my blood-soaked blade to the ground.
Lifting my head to meet the eyes of one of the guys from the GPP training, I laughed at the situation I found myself in. Loosening up my shoulders, I jumped from where I was standing with my eyes taking on their dark color, giving me the strength I needed to tear my opponent’s arms from his body.
