by Cameo Renae
“Well, we can hand you over, Courtney,” Caleb said. She shot him an evil glare.
“That’s not what he meant. He meant it’s not fair…for the rest of you,” I said.
“Oh, I see how it is. Just diss your BFF’s while they visit,” Lia rolled her eyes. “Well, for your information, my fabulous friend, we have brains and brawn,” she said flexing.
“Bring it,” I said. I pulled my shorts back on, and threw on my t-shirt. I didn’t want a wardrobe malfunction, or to see body parts flying about. That would have been embarrassing. Kade also put on his tank top, and I was glad. His abs would have been a major distraction, especially for Lia.
The four of them set up on one side, and Kade and I on the other.
“We got this,” he winked. I nodded.
Caleb hit the ball over the net and it went right between us. I ran, he ran, and when he saw that I was coming, he stopped. I missed the ball and fell forward, landing on top of him.
“Yes! Our point,” Courtney squealed.
“I’m so sorry! Is your back okay?” I asked.
“Yeah right! You totally did that on purpose,” Lia yelled.
“I’m fine,” Kade laughed, placing his hands on either side of my waist.
“You guys can get up now,” Jeremy huffed.
I jumped up.
“I think I’ll let you get the next one,” I said.
Caleb hit the ball and right as it came over the net, Kade jumped up and spiked it down, right between Caleb and Jeremy. Sand flew everywhere and they stood frozen, wide-eyed at the power.
“What just happened?” Lia said.
“Point!” I exclaimed, high-fiving Kade. “Take that!”
“Do all the people who live in Alaska play Olympic-style sports? I didn’t even see the ball after he touched it.”
“I need some water,” Jeremy said.
“I’ll go grab the cooler,” Kade said, running toward the cooler at the other end of the lake.
Caleb was teaching Jeremy how to serve, when he whacked the ball into the trees.
“Great, Jeremy!” Lia scolded.
“I’ll get it,” I laughed.
“No, I’ll get it, Emma,” Jeremy said.
“Jeremy, you’ve had enough adventure,” Lia blurted. “You’d get lost and we’d have to search for your lost butt.”
“I know where it landed. I’ll be right back.” I laughed. I watched it land about twenty feet back. As I made my way into the trees, I didn’t see it. I swear I saw it land in this spot.
Then, when I looked further back, it was another fifteen yards in.
“Dammit, Jeremy,” I breathed, pushing past some thick brush. When I was about ten feet away, a dark figure stepped out from the trees, his back facing me.
My heart dropped, and a cold shiver rushed through me.
Fallen.
How the hell did he get past the others? This place must have been too big to cover.
His back was still facing me as he bent over and picked up the ball. When he stood, he held the ball out to the side of him. “Are you looking for this?” His voice made every single hair on my body stand.
“What do you want?” I asked, my voice shaking. I had nothing on, or around me, to defend myself.
“You know exactly what I want.” His head snapped around. My breath hitched. His eyes were completely black.
“No, I don’t,” I said, slowly backing up.
“Take one more step back, or scream, and I’ll take your head off,” he threatened. His words dripped with malice. He was tall and thinner than most Fallen I’d seen, and his features were angular and sharp. Stringy dark brown hair hung over half his face, and down past his shoulders. In one hand, he held the ball. In the other, a very sharp, long sword.
“I haven’t done anything to you,” I said, trying to keep myself alive as long as possible.
“Not yet… Nephilim,” he hissed, spitting out the word like it tasted bad.
There was a rustling in the trees to the side of me, and when I turned, another dark figure stepped out of the brush. As I opened my mouth to scream, a large hand flew over my mouth, stifling my cries. His other arm wrapped around my chest. He was big, and brawny, but I was not going to die without a fight.
I kicked my legs, thrusting them against the trees and against the knees and thighs of my assailant, and dug my nails into his hands and face, struggling to free myself.
I tried to bite him, but his hand was locked so tight I couldn’t open my mouth.
He cursed and squeezed until my lungs ached and my ribs cracked. Pain shot through my chest.
I suddenly froze as he raised a dagger and placed it to my throat. He pressed hard enough for me to feel a sting, and then I felt a warm trickling drip down my neck.
Bastard.
I dared not move, because if I struggled, the blade would slice through even deeper. I felt my eyes water, but I held it back. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of watching me become weak.
The one holding the ball stepped forward. “Lucian wants you alive, but it will be so much easier to take you dead. We could say it was an accident. But, before we leave, maybe we can have some fun.”
He was vile and repulsive. His teeth were corroded and when he came close, his stench burned my nostrils. I fought to keep the bile from rising in my chest, but I couldn’t turn away from him for fear the blade would slice deeper.
He stepped even closer to me, placing his nose near the nape of my neck and deeply inhaled.
What the hell was up with the smelling? Freaking freak.
“Your scent makes my mouth water. Makes me want to taste you,” he hissed.
He stuck out an abnormally long tongue, and licked his lips. He then lowered his head and pressed his slimy serpentine tongue to my neck, sliding it upward, leaving a trail of nauseating wet across the side of my face.
You freaking disgusting bastard! I’d like to wrap that tongue around your neck and squeeze the life out of you.
His blackened eyes felt like daggers as he glared at me. A sudden dark, sickening feeling of horror filled my insides. I closed my eyes, wishing it would end.
“Open your eyes, Nephilim,” the Fallen exhaled in a wicked whisper. “There is nothing like watching a life extinguish from one’s eyes.”
An instant wave of dizziness rushed over me as he raised his sword to kill me.
Death. I knew it was inevitable, but not now. Not this way.
Kade, Ethon, where are you?
My thoughts went to my Guardian, who was unable to save me. He would be heart broken.
I blinked as the Fallen thrust his sword forward to pierce my heart, but the blade never met its mark. Instead, it stopped and fell to the ground, along with a severed arm.
Before the Fallen realized he had lost a limb, his eyes widened. He tried to speak, or scream, but nothing, not even a whisper left his lips. His words and breath were trapped inside of him.
I watched as a cold, white frost writhed its way from the edges of his eyes until they were fully changed. His head fell forward, off his shoulders, and tumbled to the ground. His body was not too far behind, dropping with a thud. As it did, electric warmth blanketed me, filling me with a sense of hope.
Standing in place of the Fallen, holding a blood-covered sword, was Ethon. His eyes were blazing with a rage I’d never witnessed before. They were savage and blood-thirsty. His face was hard-set with murderous intent, dark and fixed on my attacker.
“You hold my mate in your grasp, Fallen. Release the blade from her neck, or I will cut your fingers off, one by one, and feed them to you before I rip your head off,” he slowly threatened.
My heart thrummed as I focused on him, but his eyes never left his target. He was beautifully terrifying. The way he stood and held his sword – angled downward but slightly tilted to the side; the way stray strands of his raven hair wisped over his fiery eyes; the way he spoke – with a quiet intimidation.
My dark knight had arrived.
>
“Ethon. Traitor…” the Fallen growled, holding the blade in place. “If your father finds out what you’ve done—”
“My father sent me,” a wicked sneer grew on his lips.
I could feel the thunderous beat of the Fallen’s heart against my back. His breath became ragged, but I remained frozen, knowing with one quick press, my life would end.
Ethon remained cool and motionless. The calm before the storm.
“Now…one last time. Release her, and I’ll make your death quick and painless. Fail to do it immediately and you will die slowly and painfully. It’s your choice,” Ethon stated, matter-of-factly.
I was suddenly released from the Fallen’s crushing grip. Excruciating pain shot through my chest and ribs as I inhaled. My weak legs gave way. But before I hit the ground, Ethon flew forward, decapitating the Fallen, and catching me in his arms.
The flame in his eyes instantly extinguished, as his attention aimed on my injuries.
“Emma, why are you here unprotected?” he breathed, dropping his sword to the ground.
“I was getting the volleyball.”
“The what?” he questioned.
“Never mind,” I breathed. “Thank you. For saving me.”
“It was nothing,” he said, his eyes suddenly narrowed with concern. “Your neck. It’s bleeding.”
“It’s fine. It’ll heal, eventually.” I placed my hand to my neck and when I lifted, it was soaked with blood. I exhaled and a sharp pain radiated through my side. “I think I have some broken ribs.”
“I can help. It might burn a bit, but it will stop the bleeding and mend any fractures,” he said.
“Okay,” I nodded, knowing that if anyone saw seeping blood from my throat, it would be a freak-out fest. “Please, do it.”
Ethon carefully laid me down, and moved directly to my side. He closed his eyes, and put himself into some sort of trance. Smoke started to smolder from the crevices of his eyes. When his eyelids snapped open, they were burning…actual flames danced around in place of his eyes. He raised his hands in front of him, and they began to glow like red hot coals.
I braced myself, remembering how painful it was when Malachi fixed my broken ribs in the airport.
First, he gently placed his right hand over the wound, and heat instantly spread through the opening. I endured the pain, but it was only for a few seconds. He then moved to my mid-section. Heat filled the area and soon the sharp pains diminished to a dull ache.
He closed his eyes again, and when they opened, they were back to their normal color. He glanced at my neck and a slight grin formed on his face as he appraised his work.
“It’ll be a few days before the scar goes away, but at least the wound is closed. Your ribs will be sore for a while longer, so try to keep activities to a minimum. Okay?” He bent down and placed a light kiss over the new scar on my neck, and then left another one on my nose, as he sat back up.
I smiled, admiring his tenderness. “I have to say, you’re pretty incredible.”
His crimson eyes raised and met mine, and a look of playfulness flickered.
“Incredible enough to bond with?” he smirked.
“Don’t push it,” I laughed. “I’m in complete awe of everything you did for me. I’m really glad you were here. And I also wanted to say thank you, again, for saving my friend. He could have been badly injured.”
His grin grew a little larger. “You knew it was me?”
“Of course. No one else could fly that fast,” I said.
He puffed. “I only did it for you. I could care less about your dimwitted friend.”
“He’s not dimwitted. He’s actually very book smart. Just not very…outdoorsy.”
We were both snapped back into reality with loud yelling.
“Emma! Emma!” Lia and Courtney’s voices were frantic calling out for me.
“Let’s get you out of here,” Ethon said. He stood and bent down, lifting me up, cradling in his arms.
It felt like I’d been here for a very long time, but in actuality, I’d been gone for no more than a couple minutes. Both of the Fallen’s bodies had burned, incinerating themselves into ash. I should have been going crazy at this point, but this was my new life.
As we exited the woods, everyone was already rushing in our direction. I saw Samuel step out from the trees, but Alaine motioned to him. She must have reassured him everything was okay, and then I watched her give him a signal to keep watch. He ducked back into the trees and Malachi followed.
“Oh my goodness, Emma. What the hell happened to you?” Lia asked. Her eyes went wide as she looked up to Ethon. “Where the hell did this guy come from? And why the hell is he carrying you? Is that blood? How did you get hurt?” She gasped, and almost started to hyperventilate.
“Slow down, Lia. I’m fine,” I put my hand back around his neck. “This is Ethon.”
She took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “So, is Ethon another neighbor?” she questioned, shaking her head in disbelief.
“I am,” Ethon answered. “I live just down the way.”
“He actually lives way further down,” Dominic said, coming up from behind him and slapping him on the shoulder. “Like, way down.”
Ethon shot him a fiery glare.
I watched Thomas and Alexander quickly slip into the trees. They were probably going to make sure it was all clear.
“Whoa. Do you have red eyes?” Jeremy asked, immediately taking notice of Ethon.
“They’re contacts,” Ethon quickly responded. “It’s the newest thing. The red completely blocks the UV out, and makes everything look pretty freaking awesome.”
“Whoa, I’m totally going to get some of those,” Lia said. “You should get some too, Jeremy, but you’d probably scare everyone. The geek-creature, complete with bushy hair and red eyes.”
Jeremy rolled his eyes at her.
Ethon set me down, just as Kade reached us.
“Emma, what happened?” His brow was furrowed with concern. “I went to get the cooler, and on the way back they were yelling your name. You were just gone, and I had no clue where you went.”
“Yeah, some Guardian,” Ethon huffed. “But don’t worry, I kept her safe. She doesn’t need you anymore, not that you’re very effective in the first place.”
“Bastard,” Kade cursed, his eyes narrowed as he stepped forward, challenging Ethon.
“Stop, please.” I stepped in between them and pushed them apart. “It’s no one’s fault but mine. I shouldn’t have gone in the woods alone. I should have told someone. It was a stupid move. I was just going to get the ball, and it ended up being further away than I thought.”
“Emma,” Kade breathed, shaking his head. I could tell he was crushed he wasn’t there to protect me.
I lifted my hand and placed it over his chest, then looked into his pained eyes. “I’m sorry. I promise never to do anything stupid like that again.”
He laid his hand over mine and exhaled. “I’m just glad you’re safe.” He then turned to Ethon, “And for that, I thank you.”
I knew it took a lot for Kade to speak those words. But before I could see Ethon’s response Alaine stepped in and pulled me away.
“Emma, you should never go anywhere unattended,” she said, wrapping a towel around me. “What happened?” Her fingers ran across the area the Fallen placed the blade.
“Did he touch you?” Kade asked. I wondered if Ethon’s hand had left a mark.
“No. It’s not like that. I promise. I’ll tell you the entire story when we get home, okay?”
“What story? What’s going on?” Jeremy questioned.
My heart sank and my head started to ache. This was the very thing I was trying to avoid.
“Yeah. Emma, why do you need protection? What happened in the woods?” Lia questioned.
Courtney and Caleb stayed in the background. They knew to keep quiet, but I could tell they were just as confused.
I had to come up with some kind of story. “W
ell, there were…two bears in the woods, but Ethon killed them.” Oh for the love of God...bears? My explanation was so weak, and I sounded like an idiot attempting to make up a campfire story for five-year olds. “I’m fine. Really,” I assured them.
“Bears? Are you kidding me? No one said there were bears here,” Lia exclaimed, her eyes became wide in terror as they shot to the woods. She quickly moved to the opposite side of Jeremy.
“What did he kill them with? I didn’t hear a gun,” Jeremy asked. He looked at us intently.
I hesitated too long. “His…sword,” I said very slowly, my voice going up at the end.
But I had no choice. I couldn’t keep lying to them.
“A sword? He killed two bears with a sword?” I could tell Jeremy was having a hard time trying to wrap his mind around that explanation.
“I did,” Ethon confirmed. “I slayed the beasts with my sword. It was quite impressive.”
I exhaled and grinned, happy he came to my rescue, again.
“Don’t tell me. Olympic fencing?” Lia questioned.
“Excuse me?” Ethon looked at her blankly.
“Don’t mind her. She’s obsessed with the Olympics,” Courtney muttered.
“I think we should pack up and head home,” Alaine said.
“Yes, I think we should leave, like five minutes ago,” Lia said, quickly making a beeline for her things.
Malachi returned and helped us load the car, while Dominic, Thomas, and Alexander questioned Ethon. I watched as he told his story and pointed to the area, and then they all followed him into the woods.
As I was placing my backpack in the back of the car, Malachi came and stood beside me, shaking his head.
“I know, I know. You don’t have to rub it in,” I said.
“I wasn’t going to. Just be sure to let one of us know if you ever feel the need to wander. We can’t protect you, if we don’t know where you are.”
I glanced up at him, but was met with his dark glasses. “I will. I promise.”
He placed his hand on my shoulder. “Glad you’re okay.”
“Thanks.”
We were all accounted for as we loaded into the Hummer, but we weren’t home yet. Courtney, Lia, Caleb, and Jeremy seemed to find an easy friendship. I was happy for them, but became sad as I started to feel a bit of disconnect. I knew it was inevitable. I was different now. They were one hundred percent mortal, and weren’t prepared for my new world. How could they be, when I still wasn’t?
