by Jaymin Eve
Amused eyes lowered to meet mine. He lifted a hand and brushed his thumb across my cheeks. “You’re blushing. What have you been thinking to put pink in these cheeks?”
I shook him off with a huff. “Uh, it’s really rude to read people’s thoughts. I did not give you permission for that.”
He laughed then, his head tilting back. I glared at him until he finished, flashing me another dimpled smile. “I can’t read your thoughts. You have your hand pressed to your stomach, and I can hear it grumbling. I also haven’t seen you eat since New Orleans.”
The box we were in slowed and another ding signaled that we had reached our destination. I waited for the door to open in front of us, but when the whoosh sounded, it was the roof that slid across. I stared up at the emerald sky before turning to the Daelighter.
“I’ll go up first,” he said, striding toward a metal ladder built into the side of the wall, a ladder I had not noticed until then. “To make sure it’s all safe.” He scaled the side in about a millisecond.
I waited with one hand on the ladder, and the second his head reappeared, I was already moving. Climbing was easy. I could scale the rope all the way to the top in my gym, also vault and hurdle … I loved stretching my muscles and using my flexibility.
When I pulled myself over the top, I stood to find we were back on the huge metal platform, the one with the sparkling transporter. “So this permanently exists between my world and yours?” I asked him.
He nodded and held a hand out to me. “Yep, for some reason this transporter is allowing Earth to power our network. Which is why the treaty cannot fall.”
With a deep sigh, I took the proffered hand and then we were off, heading back to Earth. The journey was longer than the last time I’d been in a transporter, but I enjoyed it more. Knowing what was going to happen made it less scary to watch the streams of energy zipping past. An experience I knew I’d never forget.
At the end we landed in a stone courtyard, then we walked along a rose covered walkway. There was an early morning feel to the sun when we stepped out onto a pretty street, and it was actually colder than I expected. “What’s the date?” I asked. It kind of felt like a million years had passed since I found my mom missing.
“It’s October 30th.”
Disappointment hit me. I tried not to let it show, but I must have failed, because Daniel was giving me a look of inquiry.
“Tomorrow is Halloween,” I said. “I thought I would be in New Orleans for it this year. I wanted to see all the crazy.”
Understanding blossomed over his face. “Maybe we can go next year, if the worlds are still spinning.”
I chuckled. This was definitely one of those “laugh or you’ll cry” situations. As another burst of cold air hit me, I shivered. Daniel surprised me by reaching out and running a hand along my bare skin. A trail of heat followed his touch.
“How can you use your power here?” I asked him. “Away from the network.” He’d been strong even in New Orleans, but I didn’t understand how. My understanding was that their powers were directly linked to the network. Which was on Overworld.
He sent more heat along my body. “The network does cross into Earth, thanks to the permanent transporter. But we’re much weaker here. In fact, most Daelighters have no power on Earth at all. Overlord families carry a lot of their own energy inside. As long as we connect with the network on occasion to recharge, we’re always pretty strong.”
“Does everyone in your house have the same fire power?”
“A small measure of it,” Daniel told me. “But it’s nothing compared to the energy I control. Each of the houses has a specialty, something which ties them closer to a certain part of the network. Darken can control electricity and storms, like lightning. Royale has control over legreto; the water is theirs to call and shape. Leights are all about nature. They have a hybrid side that they share with the trees – which is a formidable weapon…” I was trying to picture how they could “hybrid” with the trees, but I had no idea what he meant. Hopefully one day I’d get to see it in person. “And Imperial is all about the fire. As you’ve seen.”
“So, overlords are very strong, but the rest of your house has only small amounts of power…”
He nodded. “Pretty much.” His hand lifted to run across his marks. “These symbols give us extra power. They allow us to channel much more of the network without being overwhelmed.”
That explained the strength and lethality that Daniel exuded. Before I could ask anything more, he steered me further down the street, picking up our pace.
“We should stop at my house and grab you a coat,” he said, his fingers wrapping around my forearm, branding more heat into me. “Keep you warm until you get a uniform.”
I nodded, even though I was feeling quite heated all of a sudden.
My coffee was long gone, but I still held the cup in the hope it would be refilled at some point. We continued along the most picturesque street I had ever seen – rose bushes, chirping birds, pruned hedges, huge mansions with gates and landscaped gardens.
“This is Daelight Crescent,” Daniel told me. “This is the spot where humans and Daelighters coexist. It’s actually the location which is closest between our two worlds. That’s why the permanent transporter is here.”
As I opened my mouth to ask which mansions were occupied by humans, I noticed the tiny rundown shacks. They were grouped together, starting about halfway down the street, on the opposite side to the mansions.
I jerked to a halt; his hand released me. “Please don’t tell me that you make the humans live there?” I said, pointing, anger giving my words a ragged sound.
His gaze flashed across there for a beat, before it came back to me. “Yes, it’s not something I agreed with, but this was all put in place long before I was part of the world. As you’ve already discovered, it’s not in the best interest of humans to interact with Daelighters. It’s dangerous, but part of the treaty states that we must mingle our two people. This was the compromise. We rent to those who will not ask too many questions, who will obey the rules, rules which are in place to keep them safe. We’ve never had an issue with this until Emma moved in. She’s not a fan of rules.”
Something else I had in common with my fellow secret keeper.
“You’re trying to tell me that part of the reason you treat humans like shit is because you’re protecting them…?”
Daniel shrugged. “Sounds bad when you put it like that.”
I snorted, amused despite my irritation. “It’s bad, whatever way you put it. But…” Now it was my turn to choose my words carefully. “But … I do sort of understand. Most of the time, I feel like I’m way out of my league, living in a dream world. Once you get a taste for that sort of life, it’s hard to walk away.”
Daniel acknowledged this with a nod. “There have been cases of addiction,” he confirmed. “The energy within us is attractive to humans. Some of my fellow Imperials have had to be reprimanded about overstepping boundaries with human girls. Obsession can get ugly fast.”
He wasn’t kidding. “Would that happen to me?” I asked, suddenly wondering if that might explain my thing with Daniel.
“No,” he said without pause. “You’re not a normal human. You can hold your own with us.”
Well … relief on one hand, but on the other … still feeling a little obsessed and no explanation for it. Turning back to the mansion side, I had to shake my head at the sheer opulence. Did these aliens understand the meaning of overkill?
“Are you all rich?” I asked with a sigh. Logically, I knew money wasn’t everything, but did they have to have money, amazing looks, height, intelligence, cool light transporters, everlasting life…? Come on, share the gifts, people … aliens.
“In terms of human currency, then yes, all Daelighters have millions. The overlord families have billions. We could literally buy the human world, which is something your leaders do not realize. We have investments and interests in almost every industry. We h
ide them within shell corporations.”
I blinked a few times at him. Not only did he just say billions, which was a number too big for me to contemplate, he was also sharing the sort of information that Daelighters would no doubt kill to keep.
“You trust me?” I blurted. For the first time, I wondered if this pull I felt to Daniel went two ways. Did he think of me as more than just a burden he’d been stuck with? A forced friend?
Daniel captured my hand, pulling me to a stop. I stumbled into him, our bodies pressing close, and I almost closed my eyes at the delicious warmth seeping into me. When I realized he was speaking, I forced myself to pay attention.
“I do trust you. I can feel your intentions through our bond.” Say what? I didn’t know he could do that; I certainly didn’t feel his intentions or emotions coming back. But maybe that was a good thing. I was pretty new to this “feelings” thing and was barely handling my own.
“I won’t lie to you about anything,” he continued. “I hope that even when we’ve reached the point of being able to be separated for long periods of time, you’ll still always rely on me … come to me when you need someone in your corner. We’re going to be tied together forever.” He paused, and I held my breath waiting for his next words. I needed to hear them. “We’re still getting to know each other, but … I’ve been alone most of my life, never able to rely on another Daelighter. It feels a lot like fate that this bond fell in my lap.”
My chest was really tight; we had grown up so similarly. Always alone. Always searching for something. “You can rely on me, Daniel. You can trust me.”
As soon as the words left my lips, I felt the real truth behind them. Daniel had done everything to prove he was an honorable being, and I would make sure I lived up to that in my actions with him. His thumb brushed my cheek and my body trembled. He broke contact with me, almost roughly, before he turned to walk again. But he kept hold of my hand.
As we passed another beautiful mansion, I caught a glimpse of towering white turrets through gaps in the fence. “That’s where Lexen and his family live,” Daniel said. “My house is next door.”
Next door turned out to be like a block away, but technically he was right. Daniel’s fence was at least twenty feet tall, shiny and reflective, no way to see in at all. He keyed in a code to a small pad by the entrance and the gate swung silently in.
“Whoa,” I whispered, completely enthralled by my first glimpse of his home. Daniel pulled me through, because I was too busy gawking to walk.
“It’s one of my favorite places in both worlds,” he said quietly. “I had it built when Laous decreed that all overlord minors had to spend a two-year term at the school here.”
“They must have built it quick,” I said breathlessly. “Seriously, it’s amazing.”
I was catching more glimpses of his house through the trees, the full picture getting clearer as we walked closer. It was a log cabin. Well, cabin was a vast understatement, but I couldn’t think of another word. Two or three stories high, with dark timber panels and wide wraparound decks on the lower and upper levels. Surrounding it was a forest worthy of a fairy tale: tall trees and a trickling creek. It was perfect. I was instantly in love with this cabin in the woods.
“I dreamed of owning a home one day,” I told him breathlessly. “A place which was just mine. Didn’t have to be huge, as long as I could put my own touches on it. Make it feel homey.” And there I went, over-sharing again. Before he could say anything, I segued to a random question: “How many Daelighters live here on Earth?”
He paused on the front porch, just before the main huge, wood door. “A few hundred thousand live out in your world.” I was surprised; I would have expected far less. “And about a hundred live here on this street. Daelight is generally reserved for those attending the school here. Or those wanting to slowly transition to Earth within a safe, controlled environment. Overlord families have their own territories here, and the rest share all the mansions near the back of this street. Keeping to their respective houses, of course.”
He released my hand, opened the wide door with a click, and then let me step inside first. Part of me mourned the loss of his touch. It was getting harder and harder for me to remember that we were just friends. My “newness” to this emotions thing had to be the reason. Surely this was too soon to care so much?
The cabin interior did distract me nicely though; it was as opulent and stunning as outside. It held a rustic charm, but the kind of rustic charm only a billionaire could afford. There was a lot of wood, broken up with accents of slate and tile and brick – of the old red and whitewashed variety. There were wide beams across the ceiling, open rafters, and so much charm.
Everything on this floor centered around a fireplace; barn doors led to a kitchen. “Can I live here forever?” I asked, jokingly.
Daniel didn’t laugh as I expected. He nodded. “What’s mine is yours. You don’t even have to ask. We have a bonded soul. My houses and money are nothing in comparison.”
I coughed, trying to figure out which of my emotions was strongest right then. Confusion, elation, fear … and something thick and warm which was wrapping around my heart.
I decided to share something of myself with him. Because he had shared so much with me. “Until recently, I was very alone.” I didn’t look at him, because I was nervous. “I shut my emotions down and never felt anything. It just seemed easier than hoping for a different life.” My mom’s haggard face flashed across my mind, and the familiar pain I associated with her flared with it. My voice was rougher now. “Life was just about running and training. Fighting was my only escape … until we moved to NOLA.” I sucked in a deep breath. “That city … it set me alight. It made me feel. The music touched my soul. The people filled my heart. I haven’t been able to shut myself down since. And almost dying only made it worse. My world before all of this was very black and white, maybe some gray at times, but it was always dull.” My voice was shaking, and for the first time in years, I was going to cry. “You brought colors and life to my world. You made me realize that if I had died at Laous’ hands, then I would never have lived at all. I wasted the first eighteen years. I won’t waste the rest.” Hot tears slid down my cheeks, and I choked on the last words, letting my head fall forward. Gravity stole my tears, pulling them down to land on the polished wood at my feet.
Movement had me lifting my head slowly, and my breath fled in a huff when I realized Daniel was standing right in front of me. His expression was fierce but somehow tender. He raised his hand and tilted my chin up with one finger, his other palm cupping my face as our gazes remained locked. My lungs were screaming at me, but I couldn’t make myself suck in any air, lest I break this moment.
Something had changed between us, a fundamental shift. I suddenly couldn’t wait to see what he did next.
“You’ll never be alone again, Callie,” he told me. It was a promise, I felt that in every word. “Your mom didn’t deserve the bright, smart, funny girl she got. But I won’t make the same mistake with the woman who fell into my life.”
I wanted to kiss him. The urge came at me so hard that I actually rocked toward him. His arms wrapped around me and I sank into the hug. It was the perfect thing in that moment, drying up the tears and sadness in my heart. Sure, no kiss, but that was okay.
In truth, we were going to be in each other’s lives for hundreds of years … or more. There was a real chance that a romantic relationship could lead to hurt feelings and resentment. In that case, logically, we were better off staying friends.
If I kept telling myself that, maybe one day I’d believe it.
After that, things felt lighter between us. Daniel led me up to the second level of his home, explaining the artwork on the walls as we passed. He was a big fan of industrial era paintings, teamed with lots of handmade metal work. Outside of the multiple art pieces, there were three open doors on this level, each of them leading into a huge bedroom.
When we finally reached Daniel’s r
oom, it took up almost half the entire floor. My shoes squished into the thick rugs draped over wood floors as he led me into a large walk-in closet. It took him about five seconds to pull out a sweater for me; it was thick, warm, and dark gray. I had to roll up the sleeves multiple times, but otherwise it was so comfortable I could have snuggled into it and gone to sleep.
And that had nothing to do with the fact that it smelled like dark spice and wood-fire, just like Daniel. Absolutely nothing.
Back downstairs, we stopped in the kitchen, so Daniel could grab us some food. He whipped up a few grilled cheese sandwiches. “It’s my go-to breakfast,” he said, putting the plate in front of me.
I practically snatched it up. “My favorite,” I moaned, already anticipating the cheesy goodness melting in my mouth.
Just as I took my first bite, he placed a newly-filled mug of coffee down for me. I was starting to think I was becoming more than a little addicted to having Daniel in my life. Seriously.
“How do you know the way I like my coffee?” I asked between mouthfuls.
He took the seat next to me at the kitchen bench, his own plate full. “I remembered from New Orleans,” he said simply.
He started to eat, and I just stared at him. He remembered that? Remembered and made sure he brought it just the way I liked it. Daniel was too good to be true. I was starting to worry that one day, when my soul was strong enough to be without him, I would find that another part of me couldn’t be separated from him.
My heart.
Chapter 8
After breakfast he led me down into his underground garage. This was the only section of his house, so far, which wasn’t “rustic billionaire.” Under here it was all chrome and stainless steel, every inch shiny, including the twenty or more cars he had.
“Let me guess, you’re a bit of a fan of motor vehicles?” I asked drily, staring at the gleaming machines filling the space.
Daniel grinned, running his hand across the smooth lines of a dark purple Mustang. It was one of those old school ones, ‘69 Fastback, I was pretty sure. I wasn’t a big fan of classic cars, I liked mine modern and sleek. He had a few of those scattered about too. I saw an Audi R8, a Rolls Royce, and a lime green Lamborghini Aventador … which was one of my favorite cars.
