“Hey, let’s watch a scary movie,” Glen suggests.
“You want to?” Nathan checks with me.
After what I’ve experienced, nothing scares me anymore. “Yep, that’s fine.”
Nathan and Scott move the couches around so they’re in front of the TV. They choose to watch The Strangers and that dang clown movie. It had to have come out in like 1818, and they are just as excited to watch it as if it was released yesterday. I despise clowns. They freak me out, all happy and mysterious acting.
Nathan comes back from getting the movies, and Taylor and Justin are behind him with blankets and bowls of chips.
“Hey, Tracey. You feeling better?” Taylor asks.
“I’m fine. Hey, Justin. You two okay?”
“We’re good.” He looks over at Scott and Glen.
“Oh, hello. Are you Scott’s girlfriend?” Taylor asks in a nurturing voice.
“Hey, Taylor. Wassup, Justin? This is Glen.” Scott introduces. “Glen, this is Taylor, Nathan’s sister, and her boyfriend, Justin. My cousins,” he follows.
“Hi, nice to meet you two,” Glen happily greets.
“You as well. I’ll be right back. We only grabbed two blankets,” Taylor says. She runs back up the stairs.
Justin lays out their blanket in front of the couch Nathan and I are on and hands me one. “So, you two are doing okay today? Taylor’s been on edge and won’t let me breathe without doing it for me.” He lifts his dark eyes up to the ceiling, thinking. “Honestly, this is the first time she’s left me alone all day.” He titters.
“And that didn’t last long,” Taylor says, coming down the stairs with another blanket. She hands it to Scott.
I laugh when Justin turns, and mouths see.
“No,” Nathan cuts in. “Tracey’s been on edge too. But she’s getting better with us being back together.” He situates himself so I can lie against him. Getting comfortable, he rests his head on the armrest and drapes an arm over me.
“What happened that has you two on edge?” Glen asks.
Everyone looks at Scott.
“What?” he blurts out. He kisses Glen’s temple, and she says nothing else about it.
Justin puts the movie in and turns off the lights. He and Taylor settle on the floor, and Taylor leans on his shoulder or chest, having a hard time keeping still.
Previews play through and the option to hit play shows up on the screen. The remote’s sitting on top of the speaker next to the TV, yet somehow the play option’s selected and the movie starts.
“That was convenient. I usually have to press play,” Glen states, getting shushed by Scott.
I’m not in a movie-watching mood, and with Nathan rubbing up and down my back, I’m no longer in a napping mood either. He squeezes my side. Meeting my eyes, he mouths stop. I give him a smug smile, turning back to the movie. Then, his hand snakes down and grabs my butt. He drags his hand back to my back when I glare at him.
I move nearer his ear, but I change my mind about whispering, assuming everyone will hear me. Yeah?
What are you talking about, love?
Hmm. Two can play that game.
I lift his earlobe with my tongue and pull it between my lips. He grunts and grabs my waist, trying to push me back down.
So you can dish it out, but you can’t take it?
You do not want to play this game with me.
I move down to his neck.
Don’t do it, Tracey.
I haven’t done anything.
But you were going to.
Say you’ll quit and that you’re going to just lay here and watch the movie.
I never quit. And you need to just lay here and watch the movie. I’m telling you, baby. You’ll lose this game.
I’m definitely taking it there. I let the palate of my tongue press to his neck and slowly replace it with my lips. Satisfied, I draw back when his hardness pushes against my leg. That didn’t take much.
He smiles, biting his lip. You’re going to regret that.
Never, I sing.
I lie under his chin, pleased I won the battle.
Nathan tucks his arms behind his head. He catches my notice and smirks.
What are you up to?
His smirk grows into a mischievous smile. Hands push across my back. I lift my head more, making sure I saw both arms behind him. The invisible hands sensually glide down my back and roughly grab hold of my butt. I lift completely, sure, I’ve missed something.
“What’s wrong, Tracey? You got scared?” Nathan says tantalizingly.
I scowl at him, fighting my grin.
“If you want, Cey, we can change the movie,” Glen offers.
“I’m not scared.” I lay my head back down, saying, You play dirty.
You started it.
You better sto― I gasp aloud when I’m suddenly grabbed by my inner thigh, a little too close to my lady bits.
Taylor and Justin turn around with high brows and wide eyes. Nathan laughs.
“Sorry,” I respond to their scowls, and they turn away. I pinch Nathan’s side.
Ow! Tracey, that shit hurt, he says, dying laughing.
Don’t do that again, I warn. It was way too real for it to not be.
He pulls me up to his face. I’m sorry, baby. I couldn’t help myself.
I raise an eyebrow. That was not cool.
He lifts my chin and looks down at me. I’m sorry.
Un-huh.
Nathan turns us into the couch and kisses me softly. He pulls back without it making a sound. I lick my lips, unprepared for his taste to leave. I lean in, and he drives our caress, so it’s soundless.
In this kiss, I’m the only person in his world, and I dissolve like pearls in vinegar. I place my hand against his on my cheek, enjoying being embraced.
I love you, Tracey. Through anything, for anything. You’re mine, and nothing will change that or take you from me. I’ll lay down my life, and others’ lives, for you. I’ll give you all that life holds and still remain deeply indebted to you. That’s how strong my love is. Never doubt my love for you, he says in his language I’m able to understand. And I fall for him all over again.
Breaking away, he tells me, Little Nathan’s coming. He has a girl with him.
I rub my finger over my lips. Something was in that kiss I’ve never felt before. . . I can’t place it, but the closest I can come is serenity.
“Hey, what are you guys watching?” Little Nathan descends the stairs.
Everyone straightens from their couple positions, recognizing his company.
“Hey, Little Nathan,” everyone, except Glen, greets.
Little Nathan introduces Cindy, and they sit at the other end of the couch from Nathan and me.
Cindy’s cute and has the same towering height as Little Nathan, and short, white-blond hair. She seems shy, clutching her jean jacket tightly around her, but relaxes when she’s no longer the center of attention.
The movie ends, and everyone disperses for a bathroom break or to stretch. Scott, the commander-in-chief, instructs everyone to be back in fifteen minutes, in time to start the next movie.
It’s family movie night down here. Everyone’s gathered around, crowding the floor and the couches, ready for the next movie. Roseland and his wife took their kids and Nicholas out of state to a water park for a week. Besides Nathan’s mother, aunt, and grandparents, they’re the only others missing.
Us crowded in the basement isn’t as overwhelming as I’d thought it would be, being with so many people. To my surprise, I’m quite comfortable, chilling with lax Newcombs, enjoying the night.
This is how it is sometimes. Nathan intercepts my thought. We gather around and chill, or will go somewhere as a family. It usually starts as a small group and then, somehow, everyone comes together.
So this is what I’ll be getting? Nice, calm Newcombs.
Pretty much, except around the summer. It can get pretty crazy. But yeah, this is it for the most part.
I can do
this.
Everyone stays quiet while watching the next movie, unless someone does something stupid. Seems like everyone is aware of Glen and Cindy’s obliviousness to everything, and no one talks about anything specific or does anything not normal, besides the movies playing without needing to hit the play button.
The psycho-intruders movie ends and Little Nathan runs upstairs to grab a few more, telling Cindy he’ll be back.
“All of you are a part of Nathan’s family?” Cindy asks, attracting all the looks to her. She shies away, flicking her bright green eyes to the floor.
“Yes. All except for me and Tracey,” Glen starts but is cut short.
“Tracey is a part of our family,” Little Nathan corrects, coming back down the stairs. “You’re the new face.” To Cindy, he says, “Tracey is my sister. She’s sitting with my brother.” He points to us. “She”―He points to Glen.―“must be with my cousin, Scott. I’m not sure what’s going on with that. I’ve never seen her before.”
I sit up, awed by everyone’s lack of knowing who Glen is to Scott. “Glen is with Scott, Little Nathan. She’s his. . .” My words stick. What do I say?
His mate too? Little Nathan’s voice echoes in my head. I nod at him, and his eyes widen in astonishment.
Nathan sits up behind me. “Did that just happen?” he asks.
Little Nathan looks at his brother and then back at me. “You meant what you said. You did it!” he exclaims.
“Okay, what am I missing?” Taylor faces us. Is what he’s saying true? she asks.
I smirk, twisting my lips to the side, and nod. She squeals and hugs me.
“Not cool, guys,” Scott says, noting Glen’s confused expression.
“Your fault, Scott,” Nathan returns.
“What’s your fault, Scott?” Glen asks.
Scott shakes his head and turns his attention to Little Nathan. “She is to me what Tracey is to Nathan, which makes her family too.” It sounds better coming from him. “Now, can you put in the movie?”
Little Nathan gives Scott a look that asks a question. Scott shrugs and turns back to confused Glen. He kisses her and her confused expression morphs to happiness. He is going to give that girl a bad case of brain damage.
Tracey, you accepted my family, Nathan says, smiling so proudly I accommodate it.
I did, huh?
How could you get any better? He lays his head back on the couch. Sitting with his feet next to Taylor, she has one arm wrapped around one of his legs and the other wrapped around Justin’s back.
I lay my head against Nathan, comfortable with my acceptance. Probably by living with you.
Yeah, but one step at a time.
Yeah. I’m going to doze off for a minute. If you leave, take me with you.
He adjusts himself so I’m more comfortable. I close my eyes to the darkness of my lids and see black liquid leaking from tortured, broken walls with clown faces painted on them. My eyes shoot open. Umm.
You’re scared of clowns, but demon-tainted Sephlem are no problem? Nathan jokes.
Don’t start, Nathan. You already have something coming for you.
You’re right, baby. And because I’m so afraid of you, I will clear your head, he chaffs, full of sarcasm.
You had better be afraid of me. I’ll toss your butt like I did this morning.
He laughs aloud, drawing attention to himself. “Sorry,” he mutters to the scowling faces, eyes locked on me. Lay back, Tracey. I’ll take care of it.
Thanks. I pull the blanket over my head.
uninhibited
I blink, remembering where I am. Nathan’s shirt is clutched so tightly in my fist, it’s badly wrinkled when I release it. I sit up, trying not to wake him. Everyone’s sleeping while another movie on the TV demands someone presses play. Without windows down here, I can’t determine what time of the day it is, but I assume it’s late.
“What’s wrong, Tracey?” A callous, feminine voice asks. Cindy frowns at me.
“Nothing.” My hands heat, alarming me to something.
“You should lay back down then. If you’re fine and all.” The thin film, like the one that slid over my eyeballs earlier, covers them again, and her appearance changes like Nathan’s did. I swallow hard. A . . . Jackal? Like the monster without the cage, scarred and slashed gray skin covers her body. Every other tooth is skin shredding sharp, sticking out from blood-red gums. Long, claw-like nails are a darker shade of gray, waiting to dig into something. Me? I blink, and Cindy’s back with her pale skin tone and ash blonde hair. “You sure you’re okay?”
I ease out the breath I was holding. “I’m fine.” I blink again, and the jackal lurches forward.
Crap!
I flip over the edge of the couch, escaping her attack. Everyone jumps to their feet, muttering and questioning me. Panting, I look back at Cindy. She’s still lying across Little Nathan, as if she never moved, staring at me as if I’ve lost it―much like everyone else.
My heart pounds. She scared the hell out of me! It had to be her.
At my side, Nathan asks, “You okay? What happened?”
“Can we go?” I’m not comfortable being down here with her and her attacking me but not attacking me.
“Yes. . .” he drawls. A studious squint is in his eyes, one I’ve learned he uses when he’s studying my thoughts. I don’t mind. He needs to see what I saw to make sure I’m not losing my mind.
“You okay, Tracey?” Glen asks from behind me.
I nod at her, hearing Nathan tell everyone we’ll be back later.
That Cindy girl. She looked like a Jackal, and I’d swear she tried to attack me. I couldn’t have been hallucinating. It was as real as I saw it.
“Let me know if you need anything,” Taylor tells us.
“We will.” Nathan grabs the blanket, and we leave the basement. He stops me at the top of the stairs and pushes his hands over my head before cupping my face. I sigh from the relief as he’s asking, “Are you okay?”
“What was that?” I whisper.
“Just what you thought.”
“They exist?” I ask in awe.
He rubs my neck furthering the comfort. “Yes. Just in a different sense than you’re familiar with.”
“So, I’m not losing my mind. It actually happened?”
“Yeah. . .” he drags as if a thought is crossing his mind. “You want to go somewhere? We’ll talk about it.”
“Yes. I need some fresh air. Did you see her―?”
“Shh, wait. Let’s get out of here.”
We leave the house in his truck, and he drives for about twenty minutes before backing up on a dock that overlooks the lake.
“Come on.” He helps me out from his side.
Nathan lets down the tailgate of his truck and spreads the blanket out on its bed. From a cargo box, he retrieves a duffle bag and props it in front of the box after removing two twelve pound plates. Offering me a hand, he helps me climb up, and we lounge under the clear night sky. It’s peaceful tonight, even the water’s quiet. The wind is calm, providing a gentle breeze to the comfortably warm air. The moon is full, and I watch the stars circle it. They always remind me of Nathan’s eyes.
I close my eyes, and Cindy crowds my mind. “Did you see her attack me? Why did it seem so real for me? All I did was blink, and she was sitting in the same spot like she’d never moved.”
“It may have been her intention to attack you, and it seems your gift showed her actions to you before she acted on them.” He pauses. “Um, I realize bringing this up may make you uncomfortable, but you don’t have to be embarrassed.” There’s another pause. “Your hallucinations, when you were a kid, you think they’re resurfacing?”
I pull at my fingers, hearing the pop of my knuckles clearer than I’ve been able to before. Yes, discussing this is uncomfortable. Those thoughts and hallucinations were the bane of my existence. They tortured me, and I don’t want to bring any more light to it than it has brought to itself lately.
“We’ll have to talk about it, Tracey. I get you don’t want to today, but we’ll have to discuss it eventually, especially with it this intense.”
“Then eventually.” I shoot him down. Now, back to the true matter at hand. “Why would Cindy want to attack me?”
Nathan sighs, and then answers, “That’s what I need to figure out.” He goes quiet for a while. “To be honest with you, what I had said about if my father tries to kill you wasn’t only meant for him. That goes for anyone. So, Cindy might not be around for much longer.”
“Nathan―”
“I’m being honest. Jackals don’t hold back. They don’t care about anything. I don’t know why she wants to hurt you, but since you saw her intent, I’m not ignoring it.”
“Why do you think I saw her actual self?”
“I think that ability lies within your black eyes. Something like the way you were able to see me earlier.”
“Have you ever had to go up against a Jackal before?”
“A long time ago. I barely remember it. But for whatever the reason, I didn’t waste any time getting rid of it. They aren’t like the movies or the animal. They, like Hybrid Sephlems, can portray themselves as human if they want. What you saw is how they look in their true form.” He rubs his chin, adding, “They live to cause torment and kill.”
“Before she tried to attack me, she insisted I lay down because I told her I was fine. That’s when the film covered my eyes.”
“Maybe your eyes help you see what people actually are, those who aren’t human.”
If Cindy did want to attack me, my body knew it. But she wouldn’t have tried it with the entire family there. That’d be like asking for a death sentence.
“Relax, Tracey. I’ll take care of it.”
“No, we will take care of it.”
“We?”
“Yes. You doing things without me is over.” I grab his hand and look head on. “After losing you, saving you, then you saving me, we’re in this together.”
Plight: A Dark Paranormal Romance (The Sephlem Trials Book 1) Page 35
