I turned around and was taken by surprise when I found another hundred or so spectators had joined us on top of Cadillac Mountain. I hadn’t even noticed their arrival. It was even more amazing that no one had spoken a single word. People snapped pictures, but a respectful silence continued for several more minutes.
Madison was the first to speak in our group, and I was surprised but delighted by her words. “I feel bad Jessica missed this sunrise. She lives for stuff like this, and I know she would have loved it.” While I tended to judge Madison harshly and pick away at her faults, I certainly appreciated how deeply she loved those who were important to her. Her ferocity for protecting those she loved was another quality meriting respect.
“I’m glad she wasn’t here,” Max said honestly, rising to his feet and running a hand through his jet black hair. “Just think if the Ray-pacs had discovered her, too.”
“That’s true,” Madison said. “We want her kept safe. She’s the best of all of us.”
Sienna and Izzy both jumped to their feet. Looking at Madison, Izzy said, “Why didn’t Jessica make it out for this visit?”
Madison stood and stretched. She looked amazing in a form-fitting, hot pink Icebreaker shirt and a pair of comfy-looking Denali pants. Even without make-up she was beautiful. “You know Jess…she had a prior obligation to some charity benefit, but she’s planning on joining us at the Ranch. Now that you’re going too, you’ll get a chance to catch up with her.”
“We should head back to our camp and gather our things,” Michael suggested, wrapping his arms around Sienna. “What time did you guys say your flight leaves for Montana?”
“Five o’clock tonight,” Max replied.
Later that evening, we were saying our good-byes outside the Bangor International Airport, when Jason’s brother pulled me aside. “Lexi, can I talk to you for a minute?”
“Sure,” I said, a little bewildered as I followed him a few feet away. People scurried past, pulling their suitcases. Horns honked as cars weaved in and out of the drop-off lane.
Michael’s blue eyes were direct, and he ran a hand through his blonde hair like he was worried. His hair was a darker blonde and a bit longer than Jason’s. Earlier in the day, I’d noticed that his softer facial features, fair skin, and light blue eyes bore more resemblance to Hannah. With olive-toned skin, a chiseled face, and aqua-marine eyes, Jason didn’t even look like their sibling.
“This afternoon, Jason talked to me about your relationship. You knew that he had, right?” I nodded, and he continued. “First off, I want you to know your secret is safe with me. I haven’t even told Sienna. I agree with Jason that the less people who know, the better. That being said, I want you to know that I love my little brother more than anything, and I would do anything for him. Knowing him like I do, I can see that he is head over heels in love with you.”
“I feel the same about him,” I said passionately.
Michael cracked a smile. “I know. I can tell. And while I support you guys one hundred percent, I’m concerned about how you’re going to keep your feelings hidden. I hate to say it, but every time you look at each other, it’s beyond obvious.”
“Is it really that bad?” I asked.
He nodded. “Yes, but I can read Jason’s emotions pretty well, so I might be a little biased. I don’t know.” He shifted his feet. “What I wanted to say is that there’s bound to be drama at the Ranch. There always is when that many Guardians get together. I’m concerned other people will notice, and then even more rumors will start up.”
“We’re planning on keeping our distance at the Ranch,” I reassured him. “Actually, until we can figure out a solution or a plan of how we can be together, we intend on keeping our relationship a secret.”
“I know. But a lot of people are curious about you, so you’re going to be watched, scrutinized, and even approached by those who are bold enough to start a conversation with you. If the Senior Council gets wind of your relationship, I can only imagine the repercussions. I don’t want to see anything bad happen to either one of you.”
I crossed my arms. “It’s so unfair. I don’t understand why the Senior Council has so much power. It’s like they’re the Supreme Court, but instead of hearing arguments between the petitioner and the respondent…”
Michael raised his brows, “The who?”
I huffed, “That’s similar to a plaintiff and defendant. Anyways, it’s like the Senior Council represents themselves and the petitioner doesn’t even stand a chance.”
Michael blinked and smiled. “Oh yeah, you and Jason are perfect for each other.”
That stopped me short, and I cracked a smile. A little boy walked by, rolling his Avengers suitcase behind him. I stopped to catch my breath, but only for a moment. “Besides that, I’m not an Amethyst, and it drives me nuts they treat me like one. I should have different rules, ones that allow me to date Guardians,” I said, feeling like a rebellious teenager and clenching my fists. “I’ve been given the green light with Ash, of course. I realize we seem to have this everlink thing going on, but why were they so fast to promote our relationship?” I stopped and rubbed my temples. All this stress was causing a headache and I needed to take care of it.
“Umm…offspring.”
My eyes popped open and my hands fell. “What?” I said a little too loudly, and a lady walking by turned and gave me a dirty look. Her flowery perfume hit the air, and I covered my nose.
Looking uncomfortable, Michael glanced down and then peered up at me. “That’s one of the rumors we’ve heard. I don’t know if it’s true.”
I swallowed hard. “So, people I don’t even know are talking about me and they’re saying the Senior Council wants me to have children?” Dumbfounded, I dug my heels into the pavement. Anxiety rolled over me and sat like a rock in the pit of my stomach. “I’m only nineteen years old. Are you kidding?” Before Michael could respond, I sputtered, “Could this get any more screwed up?”
He gave an elegant shrug. “I’m sorry, Lexi. I know this is all totally overwhelming. But remember, you’re the only living Dentelle.” He reached his hand out like he was going to comfort me, but then dropped it when he remembered he’d get burned. “If we had a magazine dedicated to Guardians, you’d be on the front cover every week. So, of course everyone is talking about you.” I was still too appalled to reply. “Even though we agreed to live by the Guardian code, I do think the Senior Council goes overboard. Especially with you. And especially if they’re giving you the green light with Ash so you can have kids right away.” He sighed and glanced over at our group. Sienna was watching us with a rather puzzled expression, so he grinned and waved.
“Kids?” I repeated dumbly. “Kids with Ash? This is un-be-lieve-able!” I said, slapping my hands together. These thoughts had never crossed my mind. Was the Senior Council really that audacious? And was I really that naïve?
“Did I just hear my name?” Ash’s voice intruded my mind.
I could feel the heat spreading across my body, until my toes and fingers were tingling. I had to be blushing furiously. “Nope! You didn’t. Never mind. Must have been a mistake.”
Getting up in Michael’s face, I said in a hushed voice, “Did you tell Jason about this rumor?”
“No,” he sighed. “Never had the chance. Better you tell him about this one, than me. Besides, this should be the least of your worries right now. The Senior Council can’t force you to marry Ash and have kids. The bigger issue is them pushing you to move and join a different Circle. I’m not sure what Jason would do if that happened. I worry about him breaking code and being severely punished for it. Then there’s the little matter of my dad being a Senior Guardian. Jason thinks he and all the other adults are completely oblivious to your relationship, which I find hard to believe. My mom is a pretty perceptive woman. Besides that, I’m surprised you were able to talk Max into keeping your secret.”
“Yeah, well, Laci had a lot to do with that,” I said. The roar of a jet caused me to cl
ose my eyes and cover my ears for a moment. When I opened my eyes again, Jason was strolling toward us, a golden summer tan already prominent on his face. In faded jeans and a snug white t-shirt, which didn’t leave much to the imagination when it came to his broad, muscular chest, he was gorgeous. A black sports watch and the silver chain around his neck somehow added to his masculinity, and for a moment all I could do was stare.
“Hey, you okay?” he asked when he was standing next to me.
I blinked and looked over at Michael. “Yes. No. I don’t know,” I said with exasperation. “I’m just worried about our trip to the Ranch.” Jason raised his eyebrows skeptically and looked at Michael. “Are you trying to freak her out, bro?”
I put my hand on Jason’s shoulder. “I’m okay, really.”
“Absolutely not,” Michael shot back. “I’m trying to prepare her for potential drama.” He gripped Jason by the shoulders. “Because, despite all this pretending there is nothing but friendship between you, sparks fly every time you’re near each other, and I don’t want either one of you getting hurt. Which could easily happen at the Ranch with so many watchful eyes and perceptive minds.”
Jason and I looked at each other, our eyes smoldering with fear, love, the need to protect….
Michael slapped Jason on the back. “See, that’s exactly what I’m talking about.”
“Okay. Enough said. We get it,” Jason said, his words long and drawn out, as if trying to erase his fears with each syllable. “We’ll be careful, right?”
“Yes.” I nodded and smiled reassuringly, knowing it was a lot easier said than done.
Our conversation with Michael came to an end, and we said our final farewells to Sienna and Izzy. An hour later, the seven of us from Bellingham were boarding a plane bound for Montana.
CHAPTER 3 – FACE TO FACE
The airline employee scanned my boarding pass, and after his electronic scanner beeped, he motioned me forward. Hastily, I shoved the ticket into my pocket and followed Jason down the jetway. I pulled my small suitcase, with attached feather-down pillow, behind me. I was sad our time in Maine had ended. A tour of Husson University, a coastal hike, a kayaking trip, explorations of Acadia National Park, and a gourmet lobster dinner had quickly eaten away our four day stay. Our only knockback had been the kidnapping attempt, but even there we’d come out victorious. A few more days would have allowed time to get better acquainted with Jason’s brother, Michael, as well as take in more sights. As a result, my “next time” list for Maine was growing: investigate lighthouses, sample more seafood chowders, take a Puffin tour, and catch a lobster. But at the moment, we were Montana bound.
Traffic came to a standstill in the jetway as the long line of passengers backed up, so I rested my head against Jason’s shoulder. He smelled of sunscreen and laundry detergent. People chatted around us, and their voices droned together in the enclosed space. I suspected our excursion to the Ranch was not going to be as pleasurable as the one we were leaving behind. Emotional challenges – that’s what I was anticipating for Montana.
We were planning a one week stay, and my conference with the Senior Council wasn’t until Thursday – five days in. Plenty of time to stress. Hopefully, the Guardian competitions would demand my time, command my thoughts, and provide an outlet for my nervous energy. I knew I was terrified, because after debating the issue in my head, I’d decided a run-in with the Ray-pacs was preferable to one with the Senior Council. Realizing I had a vice-grip on my suitcase, I let go and flexed my fingers. I’d seriously psyched myself out and needed to chill! Luckily, the line started moving again, and my thoughts of gloom and doom were suspended. Before long, I boarded the plane and exchanged greetings with an enthusiastic flight attendant and a welcoming but more subdued pilot.
A moment later, Jason said, “Alex, scoot in here. Row five. Your seat is by the window.” He grabbed my suitcase and smiled broadly as he stowed it in the overhead bin.
I looked at him in confusion.
“What?” Madison demanded, halting in front of him. Whirling around, she put one hand on her hip, let go of her suitcase with the other and waved a finger in his face. “Since when do Guardian funds pay for first class?”
“They don’t,” Jason said matter-of-factly while waving me into my over-sized seat. “I paid for the upgrades with my own money. Alex and I need a little peace and privacy before we have to play it safe at the Ranch.”
“Would have been nice if you’d mentioned it to the rest of us. Maybe we would have opted for upgrades, as well.”
Jason sat down, stretched out his legs, and said, “No offense. But I didn’t want to. Just wanted to be alone with Alex.”
She wrinkled her sharp nose in derision. “Rather rude, wouldn’t you say?” But instead of waiting for a response, she held her head high, turned on her heel, and continued down the aisle.
I couldn’t stop myself from giggling. “Thanks. I needed that.”
“Oh no, believe me, I needed it more.”
“She’ll punish you, ya know?” I said, adjusting the air nozzle above me, which was “swishing” noisily and blowing a cold, steady stream onto my face.
“Probably.”
“Oh, she will. She’ll be talking in your head during the whole flight to Montana.” Pulling my legs up onto the seat, I turned sideways so I could study his profile.
He adjusted a pillow behind his head and said, “Doesn’t matter. I’ll be so focused on the beautiful woman beside me, I won’t even notice.”
“Ohhh, Mr. Walker,” I teased, running my finger along his jaw. “Flattery will get you everywhere.”
“That’s the plan,” he said, a gleam in his eye.
“Except in our case, it really won’t get you more than a little shot of Essence,” I said, my smile trickling away.
“Alex, just being next to you, talking with you, and gazing into your expressive brown eyes – that’s everything to me. Besides, the next full moon is only three and a half weeks away.”
“Only?” I sputtered, smacking the armrest. “Just another reminder I’m forever linked with Ash.”
“You don’t know that. Your link could break at anytime. Or maybe it will break after one full year has passed. You need to stay optimistic. Don’t lose hope.”
I shrugged, “Well, we’re only talking about one day! Only a 24 hour period you aren’t linked with Madison. And only one day in which you won’t get burned when you touch me.” I fiddled with my seatbelt – clicking and unclicking it – just because the irritating sound suited my mood. “Then after that one day is over, I’m untouchable, you’re bonded with Madison, and the waiting game starts all over again.”
He twisted sideways and leaned toward me until his face was so close to mine, our noses were almost touching. “Yeah, but just imagine how brutally passionate our kisses will be on that one day,” he whispered, his minty breath rushing over my cheeks.
“Jason…”
“Shhh…” he said softly, his eyes penetrating mine. “Envision us at the Retreat. We’re together but alone and the sun is setting on the horizon. My arms are wrapped around you. My hands are running through your hair. You are safe. And the heat between us is electrifying. Natural. Passionate. Not painful. Skin to skin contact.” He moved a fraction of an inch closer, if that was even possible. “Do you have that mental picture in your mind?”
“Mmm…” I mumbled under my breath.
“Now imagine me pulling your hair back and my lips on your long, silky neck. Kissing all those soft spots as I work my way around to your face. Where I kiss your eyelids. Your cheeks.” He paused and raised one eyebrow. “Now visualize my lips on your lips. Feel it,” he commanded, his irises flaring. “Think of all those many moments on that one day we will have to explore our passion. Satiate our hunger.”
My jaw dropped as heat rushed through my body and my heart beat madly. I could feel my skin tingling and my face flushing. “Jason, you’re killing me here.”
Smiling, he bit his
lower lip and leaned away. “Oh, Alex, those are just words. But I wish you could see your face right now. Even that cute little mole under your right eye is blushing.”
I gave him a sprightly shove. “You’re so not playing fair.”
“Oh, this…this is nothing. Just wait until it’s the real deal. No words. Just touch. I promise the expression on your face, on that one day, will be twice as memorable.” He laughed merrily.
“Better watch out. Madison is not the only one who can punish.”
“Yeah, I’m counting on it.”
I’d been so intent on Jason; I hadn’t even noticed our plane had wheeled onto the runway, and we were about to takeoff. Luckily, at that moment the “Fasten Seatbelt” sign flashed, the lights dimmed, and several beeps echoed throughout the cabin right before the flight attendant’s voice told us to prepare for departure. First class definitely had its benefits. Aside from all the extra room and attentive service, we were provided with heated blankets, free headsets, and laptop hookups, if we so desired. The built-in flat screens offered free movies, but Jason and I opted to spend our time in quiet solitude, absorbed only in each other without electronic entertainment. Having a face to face conversation was so refreshing. Our world was so inundated with social-networking and multimedia devices, I often wondered if people were losing the ability to interact in person and have meaningful conversations.
I sparked a discussion with Jason about that very issue as we lay facing each other in our comfortably reclined seats – reclined at what must have been close to 160 degrees. I told him about how, when I’d spent time at a middle school as part of one of my ed. class requirements, I’d noticed that almost every student had a cell phone and many used them during class while the teacher was talking.
Dentelle #3 Guardian series Page 4
