by V L Friends
He just stood there glaring at me with that blank expression.
“Answer me! Where are you going by yourself?” he snapped at me.
“I am going for a run,” I said, turning my back to him and stepping off the stairs.
“No! It isn’t safe!” he called out.
“Are you worried about me then? Careful now, you might reveal a feeling,” I said with sarcasm.
I heard a low growl with a few choice curse words.
“Suit yourself, but I am sending Clarence to watch over you,” he called after me.
I turned to protest but was almost knocked over by a flash of feathers in my face, along with a loud screeching sound before the cluster of black feathers swooped upward.
“Let me guess, you’re Clarence?” I said, feeling very annoyed. Yep, Julian had a pet crow stalking me now.
Chapter 4 - Julian Speaking
He reclined back on the roof of the two-story home he now shared with his brother and stared out into the woods of their property which extended two miles in every direction.
As he watched the redhead disappear from his view beneath the trees, he groaned.
“It’s no wonder that some animals eat their young.” He let out a sigh as he puffed out the smoke from his cigarette.
This was not supposed to happen, he thought. He had done everything to assure that his daughter stayed far away from him. He also made sure Caleb never found out about her existence. He just knew that Caleb could not resist pulling her into his life and adopting her as his own without hesitation. It was like she was this lost little puppy that his brother could not turn away.
It had been nearly fifty years ago when Julian had to disappear, so he turned over all the family wealth and holdings to Caleb. Caleb was considered the family head now so whatever he said went. Julian sometimes made a show of bucking his decisions but in the end both brothers knew Caleb would get his way.
He had not counted on Anaya finding them. Sarah, Shane, and Julian had agreed that Anaya must never find out who he was and who she was. It was for her safety. What the hell happened?
Julian made a mental note to find that angel, Shane, and make him pay for this oversight. Where the hell was he, anyway? Wasn’t she supposed to have an angel army looking out for her as well?
It was when Julian was in China tracking down his next job (his next victim), that he made the discovery. They had found out about her. The dark walker army led by the most cunning, evil son of a bitch ever to walk this earth was looking for Julian’s daughter. “The half breed,” half walker half human. The dark army wasn’t supposed to know about her existence. That bit of information was what prompted Julian to come to America and join his brother. He soon found Anaya and had been tracking her movements, watching over her. After learning of Sarah’s death, Julian discovered Anaya left her home. Julian knew it was the dark army who had killed Sarah and was relieved to see that his daughter fled. Last he saw she was in Africa. He dared not get near her but had ordered three tiger shifters he trusted to watch over her. They owed him a favor. Of course, Julian had not seen her himself for many years, so it came as a surprise when the lovely young woman that turned up at his door, whom he had flirted with, turned out to be his daughter. Julian cringed at the idea. He should have known it was her but he didn’t until he took the time to look, really look into her eyes.
Julian took another long drag of his cigarette.
How did she get past his radar this time? He never saw her coming.
Julian grinned to himself at her cleverness and her strength. The little sass was smart as a whip and insightful. She impressed him. She had his number, though, that was for sure. He cringed a little, thinking of her words earlier. He didn’t deserve to have a daughter like her and for sure she did not deserve to have such a terrible person for a father. This was why he had avoided her for so long.
No one knew more than him what danger she was in. Of course, many wanted her dead, out of fear of what she may become, but if that sadistic demon from his past got his hands on her she would suffer a fate worse than death.
Julian flicked his cigarette butt on the ground and pulled out his phone, searching his contact numbers. He would need to bring in the big guns for help. Caleb could be deadly if he was fighting for someone he loved, but he was just far too naive about the dark walkers to understand their true danger. He had lived with the humans far too long to grasp the real danger. The problem was Anaya would now listen to no one else. Julian’s attempt at emotionally manipulating the girl had failed miserably. He knew he could not gain her trust now, but Julian needed to gain the upper hand somehow.
He needed someone who could block her gifts. Someone smooth and cunning. Someone manipulative that could ease his way into her trust. Someone powerful and deadly as well but who looked innocent.
Julian’s lips twist with a sly grin as he keyed the name into his phone. Lucian.
“Perfect,” he mumbled to himself.
Chapter 5 – Cousin Lucian
Pushing through the brush proved to be more work than I thought. I was suddenly rethinking this entire exploring nature kick I was on. It was supposed to be a simple jog along the trail in the woods but I could not resist. It was like the woods were calling to me. As I tracked my way up the mountain, full of thick foliage, I was on a mission to get to the top. Earlier I noticed, as I jogged around the small tranquil lake, a trickling waterfall flowing down from the mountain cliffs. I had not expected to find such a display of amazing natural beauty here. This was still Caleb Alexander’s land so I wondered if he had made the natural sanctuary himself. It was well hidden from the main road and there was only one trail in and around the lake, a lake that was attached to a narrow river. I only circled the lake and used a beautiful wooden bridge to cross the now low-rising river, which was more like a creek.
Finally, I was on top of the mountain and standing just above the waterfall. This place was amazing. There was a clearing which contained a few large flat stones to sit on. This was too perfect. My new sanctuary.
A shift in the trees made me turn. Two large grey eyes looked out from the green and yellow bushes.
“Hello there,” I said softly.
Instinctively, I searched for any signs of hostility from the creature. I listened for any growling sounds. Nothing. It just stared, remaining frozen. It seemed low to the ground, so I figured it was lying down on its side. The white panther looked to be relaxing as it basked in the warm sun. This was a very rare animal indeed.
“Would you like to join me?” I said, trying to maintain a soft, non-threatening tone.
It blinked and turned away, looking bored.
I had encountered many different animals in Africa and learned to share their space, so this was no big deal. The panther was content and I would leave it alone. I turned back to my view as I sat hugging my knees and rocking slightly. My thoughts drifted to my mother, to Shane, to my uncle, my father, to God.
I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I did not notice the furry creature that had sauntered up next to me, until I heard panting in my ear. I gave a sideways look first, being careful not to startle it. Then, without moving, I spoke as I hid my shock and awe at a wild animal getting so close to me. Maybe it was somebody’s pet?
“This view is incredible. Is this your favorite place? Do you mind if we share it? It will be just your and my secret,” I said.
As if to answer, the panther lay down next to me and began licking its paw. For some reason, I began talking to the giant white cat as though it were my best friend. I chatted on and on about my life. Occasionally, I would glance in its direction and, to my surprise, it was looking at me as though it hung onto every word I was saying. From this close I could see that the panther’s eyes had hints of silver color sparkling in them. I had never seen such eyes. We must have been there for at least an hour. I felt a little ridiculous going on like I was with this animal that didn’t understand a word I was saying, but still I felt strangely co
mforted. Lying back against the warm rock, I sighed deeply, feeling utterly at peace.
Suddenly the creature got up to leave.
“Am I boring you?” I chuckled.
Just then, without warning, it turned and walked over to face me and the silver specks seemed to glow. How weird. This panther was just a few inches from me and, to my utter shock, it leaned in and licked my face and nuzzled me. Slowly, my hands reached up and ran my fingers into the velvet soft fur on its head. Just as fast as she came, she turned around and ran off into the brush.
Still dazed and confused but smiling at the encounter with the exquisite wild cat, I strode back down the mountain and back onto the trail. This may have been the highlight of my day, my week even.
I lost track of time and how far I was from home but I knew I was on the right trail. A tree limb snapped above me, bringing me from my daze.
“Hello there, beautiful,” said a rich, sultry male voice. I looked up into the tree branches for the intruder.
Above me, I saw a young, good-looking man perched on a branch. His back was resting against the tree trunk and his legs were dangling, as if he hadn’t a care in the world. His tousled short white-blond hair added to his wild, carefree demeanor. He was wearing black jeans and white T-shirt and black biker boots. Those sparkling eyes were up to no good. I just knew it.
I jumped back in surprise.
“Wh– What are you doing here? Who are you?” My voice trembled and I winced at the display of my fear.
In an instant, he leaped from his position and landed with such grace and ease it was like he had flown.
“Precious, did I startle you? You seem upset,” he said, stepping toward me with a slow, seductive motion. He reminded me of Julian, with his strange confidence and overall constant look of boredom. They even had the same French accent. Maybe they were related.
“Stay back!” I backed up, and my legs trembled. He was not human. I could feel it.
A wicked grin passed over his face as he still inched his way slowly toward me. I continued to keep the distance as I moved back with his pace.
“What will you do to me if I don’t?” he said teasingly.
Yep, they had to be related.
“You are trespassing on Alexander land,” I said, looking for any reaction from him that he recognized the name.
“Are you sure about that, precious?” He continued to step towards me, stalking me like prey.
I dared not run. If he was a walker, there was a chance that he would consider it a game if I ran and I would become his prey.
“What do you mean by that? Who are you?” I asked, trying to hold a conversation, as if it mattered. He stopped, now just a foot away. He held out his hand to my chest and backed me up against a tree.
He reached out and twitched his fingers to my hair and, to my shock, off came the clip from my hair that had been holding my ponytail in place, allowing my long auburn hair to fall back down my back and over my shoulders. He then took one of my long curls and played with it between his fingers, as the other hand rested on the tree behind my head. He leaned in closer. I could barely hear him speak, as my own heart was pounding in my chest so loudly.
“I was invited here, so therefore I am not trespassing,” he said, looking at the strands between his fingers. The wicked grin was gone and he now looked serious. His gaze looked up slowly to mine and I felt a chill. His eyes were familiar. I squinted to study where I had seen them before. To my surprise, the color changed from sky blue to grey with silver sparkles within.
I couldn’t be sure, but he seemed to be contemplating something.
“And who, pray tell, might you be?” he said with a voice that seemed to echo through me.
“M– Me?” I stuttered, frozen with fear. I could not tell him. He could be here searching for the half human half walker and it could be worse for me if he knew who I was. Caleb had warned me earlier that I was in danger and that some dark ones, as he put it, were looking for me. Caleb wasn’t specific about what would happen if they got their hands on me but I knew it would be bad.
He now was staring at my mouth as he closed the distance between us and pushed his body against mine, pinning me to the tree.
“Mmhmm,” he said, his hips digging into mine. A tear slipped down my cheek.
“What are you going to do to me?” I choked out.
“I promise you won’t entirely hate it,” he whispered. His arms were closing me in and his lips were now centimeters from my ear.
“Stop, please!” My eyes closed with terror as I begged.
Suddenly, he stiffened and pulled back slightly to look at my face but still held me against the tree.
“So that’s your defense? To beg?!” A look of fury shone in his eyes. “That is so pathetic, Anaya!”
He cocked his head, studying my face.
“Are you crying? That’s even more pathetic!” He scoffed as he pushed off me and strode a few yards away with his back to me now, looking up.
“Julian, are you serious? You are going to protect this stupid little human girl?!” He was yelling at the sky.
“That’s enough, Lucian, we get your point!” yelled back Julian from somewhere nearby. I looked around at the trees but could not see him.
I blinked back more tears. Confusion swam in my mind. Julian came into view now next to the blond stranger.
“Julian, what the hell is this?” The words bounced out of me, as I tried to steady my body, which was still shaking from the threat.
“Sweetheart, this is my cousin, Lucian. He will be staying with us for… well, at least a few days, maybe longer, depending on if he thinks you’re a lost cause or not. I invited him to come and help us with your protection.”
Stepping forward, I could feel my rage building.
“So this was a test?” I spat out, barely able to contain my temper. My fingers were now touching a pocketknife I had in my jeans. When Lucian was stalking toward me I thought about pulling it out and using it but I realized it would not likely work. I knew I would not be able to stop his advancing on me so closely, so fast, before I could get it unfolded, so I decided I would be sneaky about it and wait for my moment, when he least expected it. I may have been overdoing it a little on the terrified act. Oh, I was terrified, but I may have overplayed it just a little.
“We needed you to see the danger you’re in and Lucian wanted to see how much you knew about defending yourself,” Julian explained. “You are far too careless, Anaya. This was for your own good.”
I could feel my head getting hot. He had done it again. He was humiliating me once again by zeroing in on my detested human traits. I had enough of him! I let go of all control. Taking out my pocketknife and unfolding it quickly, I threw it at the blond stranger named Lucian. I was an expert at knife throwing. It was one of the skills I had picked up in the jungle. Of course, the walker had extremely fast reflexes, so it never pierced his thigh, just an inch from his manhood, where I was aiming. Instead, he caught it at the last second with his now-bleeding fingers.
“Was she aiming for my…?” Lucian asked, his eyes wide as he shot Julian a look of surprise.
Julian nodded with equal shock. “I think so,” he said.
“You two are lowlife walkers,” I said, still very angry. I wasn’t done with them. I walked over to both of them and slammed my fist into Lucian’s jaw. His hand went up to rub his jaw but he mostly just smiled at me with a look of smugness. Damn walkers, anyway!
Then I turned to look Julian square in the eyes and with a finger on his chest, I spoke: “Stay the hell away from me!”
As I strode away I could hear them discussing me.
“Sorry, cousin, she is a bit of a hothead,” Julian said, but his voice seemed to trail off in bewilderment. “I must admit, though, she is not normally this violent.”
“Well, I will say this for her, she throws a hell of a punch,” Lucian said.
“Where did she learn to throw a knife like that?”
I wen
t straight to the kitchen when I arrived home. I must have been loud as I came in because Caleb called out to me from his den. I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I was afraid I would see the disappointment in his eyes when he heard what I had done. I had lost it, again. For some reason, I had trouble controlling my anger. When I reached the refrigerator, I swung open the freezer door and pulled out a bag of frozen peas and held it on my now-swollen hand.
“I thought I heard you; is everything okay?” he said, strolling into the kitchen, witnessing my slamming the cupboards and refrigerator around as I looked for what to make myself for lunch.
Rosa, Caleb’s housekeeper, came in and began pulling some items out for me. I gave her an apologetic look and she smiled sweetly.
“You go sit; I make you something,” Rosa said with her accent.
Caleb stared me down in silence, his still expression asking for an explanation.
“It’s your cousin, Lucian,” I said. “He’s here,” was all I could spit out. “Did you know he was coming?” I looked at Caleb, feeling my face grow hot.
Caleb’s eyes narrowed. “Lucian? What did he do to you?”
Shaking my head, I didn’t answer. I turned away to go out to the back porch. I heard the front door opening and decided I did not want to be here when they came in.
“Ask him,” I said quietly, nodding toward the approaching pair as I left the kitchen.
As I sat outside enjoying my sandwich and iced tea, I could hear voices shouting inside for some time. I was calm now. My mind was on the white panther and my time over the waterfall.
The sound of a door opening caught my attention. The almost white-blond, curly-haired familiar figure slowly stepped out onto the porch. Caleb followed. Julian was not among them… Good!
“Anaya, can Lucian and I talk with you for a minute?” Caleb asked as he cautiously approached.
“Yes,” I said eyeing them both. Lucian looked uncomfortable. He turned back to Caleb and whispered something.
“Is this really necessary, cousin, the girl is obviously fine,” Lucian said.
