by L. S. Darsic
“Yes, Egypt and I are very close. She is a great dog.” Egypt seems to agree as she nudges my hand to keep on petting her, she is an attention whore.
“Finn, I really need to pee soon….any chance we will be there soon?” I feel like I have been nonstop traveling for weeks rather than just 10 hours, I probably look awesome as well. Travel hair, wrinkled clothes and I probably smell, awesome. Way to make an impression.
“We have about fifteen more minutes to go but I can pull over so you can pee in the field if you like” Finn answers seriously. Yeah, like I am going to pee in a field, in a strange place, with strange people. I only do that when I'm drunk, which I'm not, sadly.
“Ahhh, no thanks, I will hold it” Hopefully Egypt feels the same way cause I don’t want to stop.
After fifteen more minutes of tense silence we start to see street lights and homes. Well, this was not expected. Here I thought they would live in little straw huts and have no indoor plumbing and use candles for light, how modern of them! Alright, so I am stupid and not well traveled, I get it. I guess in my mind I thought they would still be living in the dark ages since they live in a castle and all.
“S-so do these homes belong to humans? We never usually live this close to them” I stammer. Well that just sounded stupid and stuck up. Great.
Finn looks over at me with a surprised face “we don't live by humans, these houses belong to the “others” or nephilim. There is a protective spell around the town to keep humans out. Do you not have that where you live?”
Huh, weird. Protective spell? I wonder who did that? And living with the “others” around? What the hell? We stay clear of the “others” and keep to ourselves as much as possible. This is just bizarre!
“Ah, n-no we basically keep to ourselves but we don’t have any spells around where we live that I know of.” I’m so confused.
“Well, I suppose everything is done differently in other places” Finn responds seemingly a bit confused himself
Finally we pull through the open gates. Holy shit balls. This castle is amazing! The whole thing is lit up like they could care less about the electric bill.
Whoa, it’s huge! Yes, I could insert a dirty joke or say “that’s what she said” but I am above that kind of humor. I am a lady! HA! Who are we kidding. I am just too amazed by this big ass castle to be clever enough to come up with something funny.
We drive for what seems like a mile through the castle grounds and more houses until we pull up right in front of the castle. I feel like I just went to Disney Land except instead of all white and pretty, this place is medieval style with dark bricks and ivy climbing the walls. There are so many windows and lights on in every one of them that makes the courtyard almost seem like its day time. The castle extends farther than I can see on each side, this place must have over 100 rooms. It’s bigger than a luxury resort! Stepping out of the SUV I can only manage to stare at the castle like I am some sort of simpleton.
“Big huh?” Someone says quietly by my ear which scares the bejesus out of me and makes me stumble forward and fall into Finn’s back. I turn around and find Finn's brother Ian, with a big grin on his face and so close to laughing. What is with these guys? Do they enjoy sneaking up on me?
“Y-yes, this castle is huge! Its far bigger than our home. I feel like I am at a dark Disney Land except minus the cartoon characters” oh shit, I am word vomiting again.
Finn turns around and laughs “come on princess, I will take you to your kingdom” Oh Mr. Snarky is back. Finn goes to reach for my hand and suddenly Egypt is in his way and looking like she is about to take his arm off. Finn throws his hands up like he is the victim of a stick up and smiles down at Egypt “settle down wee beastie, I willna hurt your mistress” to which Egypt’s response is to not move and continue to glare at him.
Sighing “come on E, let’s go with Finn and see the new digs”
Walking up to the castle I see people starting to file out of it, holy shit. There are even more nephilim! How did they get so many and we never knew? Oh right, the family doesn’t tell us shit.
“There are close to 200 nephilim between our two clans” Brennus says as he steps up to my side.
“Wow, we had no idea!” I am even more overwhelmed now. Looking back I see the mute twins and Anja are standing back by the cars staring, again.
“Hey guys, how about we go in?” I say as I walk back to them. “An, what is the matter? Why are the three of you so quiet!?!” I whisper in her ear
“We’re just nervous and not used to all of our kind. I guess I just froze up. Why aren’t you nervous?” Anja whispers back at me
“I am nervous but someone had to talk and since none of you were, that left me to do it. I even had to ride with the stranger! Thanks for that by the way.”
“Well you are the leader now so no point in me stepping up with you are doing such a bang up job!” Anja chirps back. Oh, now she decides to talk?
Rolling my eyes and shaking my head is the only response I can muster up for her. Looking over at Jace and Xander I see they are staring likes cats after a canary, as I follow their line of sight, I see they have zeroed in on female twins! Beautiful, bright blonde hair twins, well lookie there, not the only set of nephilim twins anymore! I wonder if they are as pervy as my cousins are. Suddenly Jace and Xander make a b-line right to them and start talking. Again, why are they now just talking. It’s like their mute buttons suddenly turned off. Turning back to Ajna I see several good looking guys in courtyard looking between An and I. Well, well, where do I begin? It’s like a nephilim mixer!
A throat clearing catches my attention and I turn back to see Finn and Alec standing side by side glaring at the other guys around us.
“Ah, yes?” not knowing what else to say
“I will show you to your room. I am sure you are weary from traveling. Alec here, can show Anja to her room” Finn states gruffly
“Alright, good idea. I could use a shower, maybe some food and a comfy bed? You do have beds here, right? I don't have to sleep on straw or something do I?” welcome back to snark-fest
Finn laughs at my comment “ah Alex, you and I will get along just fine” and walks through the castle doors.
Chapter 7
After gathering my suitcase and motioning me to follow him, Finn takes Egypt and I into the foyer of the castle and I immediately stop and stare all around me. It’s like a cathedral of a frickin church! There are at least 4 fire places throughout the room and a side of the room set up for a sitting room with massive portraits of nephilim hanging around the walls. On the other side of the room is a huge staircase that looks like it goes all the way to heaven. Ha! Stairway to Heaven! Nice. Sometimes I just can’t help some of the shit that pops into my head. How the hell do they clean this place?
“Alex? We have a whole lot of castle to get through so if you take this long in each room to stare, we are going to be at this for days. Trust me, there are many other things I would rather be doing for days” Finn says with a wiggle of his eyebrows and a devil smile. And here comes the blush creeping up my neck and into my heated cheeks. Great.
“Lead on Captain” I reply hoping he won’t see how affected I am, doubt it works cause that smirk remains firmly planted on his beautiful face
Room after room Finn drags me through all the while explaining what the room is. Pfft. Like I will ever be able to find my way back again anyway.
“Is there some sort of map I can get?” I ask seriously and the only response I get from Finn is a laugh and a shake of his head as we trudge on. I think even Egypt is getting sick of the tour because she stopped glaring at Finn about 20 rooms ago and is now walking next to me with a bored look on her face.
“A-ah Finn? I’m really need to pee. I think the tour can wait till I have a few days to get through it all”
“Alex, this isn't really a tour, this is just the quickest way to your room which is this door right here” Finn says as he stops and opens a door. Thank you lord! Who knew cas
tle walking would be so tiring?
Stepping into the room Finn opened the door to I take a quick look around. Why is it so small? Isn’t this a frickin castle? Where the hell is the bed? I knew it! I am going to have to sleep on straw in a corner or something. I am sure Finn sees the confused look on my face because he walks over to a door on the other side of the room
“That is your sitting room, your bedroom is through here” he says as he walks through the door, leaving me in my “sitting room”. Who the heck has a sitting room in their room?
Egypt and I walk through the sitting room and over to the door Finn just went through to find a huge room full of windows with a bed in the center that can only be classified as a California king. That sucker is HUGE! Am I supposed to have slumber parties in here or something? As I walk around the bed I notice a smaller bed in the corner that looks like it would fit me better than the monster bed in the middle of the room.
“Ummm what is this? I get two beds?” I ask Finn
A loud booming laugh makes me jump and turn quickly around and see Finn bent over laughing his ass off at me. Well come on, it was a perfectly normal question! In my confusion, I see Egypt walk over to the small bed and plop her ass down on it. Seriously? A dog bed that big? God I feel like an idiot. I don’t think my red cheeks went away from my last embarrassing moment, now I probably look like a fire engine.
Finn finally stops laughing at me and is wiping the tears from his eyes when he says “seriously Alex, I had no idea you would be like this! Here I thought I would get stuck with a boorish child who wanted to play with dollies all day” Finn blurts out.
What. The. Hell.
“Just because you are an OLD MAN, doesn’t mean I still play with dolls!” I reply through clenched teeth. The nerve! Why does everyone still act like I am a kid? I am a grown woman, nephilim, whatever. Twenty five is not THAT young damn it. Yes, its young compared to old man river Finn but not in human years and that is how I live my life! I am so close to stomping out of this castle and taking my ass back to America!
“Alex, I am sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. You were just not what I was expecting” Finn says quietly as he is walking over to me and grabs my hands. Well I guess he does have more to his personality besides the ego of the GQ model. Egypt must be tired because she only can manage to lift her head and glare at Finn for touching me now instead of hauling her lazy ass up to protect me with her life.
Sighing “its alright Finn. I’m just tired and overwhelmed and probably a touch too sensitive” I reply as I look into his ice blue eyes. Alright, I am looking into his eyes, he is still holding my hands and I am just staring at him like an idiot
“Hello?” I hear someone say from my “sitting room”
“In here!” I reply too quickly and see Anja walk through the door as I am prying my eyes and hands from Finn who suddenly is looking quite pink himself. Hmmm maybe he didn’t realize he was staring at me?
“Hey An, did you find your room? We totally took forever to get here, its like we need a people mover to get here! Does Phoenix have a monster dog bed in your room too?” Word vomit is making its come back to cover my nerves
“Yes, it took us forever to get here too. Phoenix is already crashed out on her bed as well. This place is huge!” Anja replies excitedly
“Where did Alec run off to?” Finn asks Anja
Anja face immediately turns as red as mine probably is “oh, um, h-he said he was going to get us something to eat” Anja replies quietly.
“Shit. I am being such a shit host! Alex, would you like something to eat or drink before we turn in for the night?” Finn asks “umm I didn’t mean WE as in WE turn in, I meant everyone in the castle….. damn it, you want something?” Finn blurts out
Well, well, look at what we have here. Tongue tied GQ model. I really should revel in this moment but I don’t. I take pity on him and ignore the comment because I am SO hungry.
“Sure Finn, that would be great. I am starving. I’m not picky so whatever you grab will be fine”
“Alright, I will be back soon” Finn responds as he walks through the door
“HOLY SHIT!” Anja yells jumping up and down
“Right?!?! This place is crazy and HUGE!” I yell back
“No you idiot. I meant Finn and Alec! Oh my gosh they are SO hot. I totally need to come here more often. These hotties have been hiding out for far too long. Alec is so sexy with his dark hair and hot body!” Anja says excitedly while jumping around like a monkey on crack
“Yeah, they are pretty hot” I mumble as I wander around the room looking through the other doors. Oh, found the closet, which happens to be massive!
“Alex, Finn totally wants you! He couldn’t stop looking at you! And I saw the way Ian was looking at you as well. How could you not notice?”
“Oh, I don’t know maybe cause I was too busy word vomiting because none of you would even speak up, I was so nervous I couldn’t say much but sound like an idiot the whole time!”
“It wasn’t THAT bad, drama queen.” Anja replies as I make my way to the next door. And behind lucky door number 3, behold! The glorious bathroom! Tah Dah! Alright, so maybe that was a bit sarcastic but that bathroom is the best damn bathroom I have ever been in. It’s so big that I could have a house party in there and looks to be brand new . The shower is a miracle of its own! All marble with glass doors and a bazillion shower heads, it’s like a spa in here.
“I picked this room specifically for you, I am guessing you thought we didn’t even have indoor plumbing or we used candles to see our way around” Finn whispers in my ear causing me to jump sky high
“Jesus Finn! Do you enjoy sneaking up on me or something? I won’t even make it to 50 at this rate! Good lord! Warn a girl” I shriek at him as I whip around to face him. Damn it, the hot smirk is back.
“Where did Anja go?”
“Alec came back with me so she went to eat” Finn responds smoothly as if I didn’t just shriek at him
“I brought you a tray of food, it’s in the sitting room. Would you mind if I ate with you or would you rather be alone?” Suddenly he is very unsure of himself. This man is like a roller coaster, a very hot ass roller coaster.
“Sure, you can eat with me…… but I can’t promise I will be awake long enough to swallow, I am beat” I blurt out. Ohhhh noooo. Did I just say that? Maybe he doesn’t have a dirty mind and won’t catch it. I look over at him and see his face is red and his cheeks are puffed out looking like he is trying so hard not to laugh. My damned luck
“Anyway…..let’s see what you got” I say as I stomp by him, once I get into the other room I hear him break down into a fit of laughter. Stupid jerk.
Well, at least he got a lot of good food. Now if only I can keep my mouth shut long enough to not embarrass myself further we will be super. I load up my plate and as I sit down I look up to see Finn walk in looking cool and composed. I pretend that I didn’t hear him laughing his ass off at me a few minutes ago.
“Good, I see you found something you liked” Finn says as he loads a massive plate of food up for himself
“Mmm-hmmm, I found some things, others things I had no idea what they were so I played it safe” I mumble with my mouth full. Yes, I am miss manners. Finn looks at me with a full smile on his face, for what reason, I have no clue.
“So where is everyone else’s rooms at? Will I even be able to find them?” I’m feeling a bit weird, he keeps eating and smiling at me. Maybe I have food on my face? I try to discreetly wipe my face but damn, he is still looking at me.
“Anja is down the hall and around the corner to the right. Jace and Xander are a few doors down on the left from her and Alec is on the right of Anja. I am the next door down from you on your right. In fact, this door here leads directly to my room so if you need anything you can come to my room.” Finn gets up and opens a door that looks like another sitting room on the other side. Holy shit, he is just on the other side of the ever loving door from me?!?! Ok, don’t p
anic, it’s not like he is going to just barge in anytime he wants without knocking. Right? Suddenly my face flames again as I remember my sleeping attire. Nude. Shit. I might have to change that plan while I am here.
“Alex? Hello? Did you just space out? What is going on in that pretty little head of yours?” Finn pulls me out of my internal debate
“O-oh, sorry. I’m just tired, I guessed I spaced out on you” I respond dumbly. God I am an idiot. “Heeey! Did you just say I have a small brain?”
Finn laughs, “no, I said pretty little HEAD, not brain. If you had a small brain I don’t think you would be nearly as entertaining as you are”
“Oh, well I am glad to keep you entertained but I am sadly all out of jokes and feel like I am going to fall asleep any minute now, so I am going to head to bed” I stand up mumbling and staggering over to the bedroom door as Finn stands up and follows me. What is he doing? Is he going in there with me? In the bedroom?
“Well then I bid you goodnight. I will come over in the morning to bring you down to breakfast when you awake” Finn says as he keeps getting closer and closer to me. Panic is causing my brain to misfire and I can’t even utter a reply so I numbly nod my head and hope he understands idiot speak.
