by CATT
“God Lana you have no idea, how long I’ve waited to do that.” His hands are still wrapped around my bod. His eyes are blazing with desire. Without another word he bends down taking my lips again kissing me with such passion it takes my breath away. This kiss doesn’t last as long as the first one did but it holds more power to it. It feels as if he’s trying to suck my very essence from my soul. When the kiss ends Case puts his forehead against mine as he whispers “I am so happy you are here. You are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. I swear to you right here, right now I will be by your side through everything. You are not alone Lana you have me, everything will work it’s self out just give it time.”
Cain come’s flying in the room like a bat out of Hell yelling the King and Queen are home. I pull away from Case as fast as I can while sending up a salient prayer Cain didn’t see us kissing. I know he saw Case hugging me but if that’s all he saw I’m sure he thought Case was only comforting me because of everything that’s happened. However, by the twinkle in his eyes and the little smirk on his face, I know he saw a lot more than the hug.
CHAPTER 6
I can tell from the expression on Case’s face I hurt him when I vaulted from his arms the way I did. But right now I can’t be worrying about him. I have bigger problems to freak out over. I am about to have a total melt down my heart is racing, my breathing is erratic I have to get out of here. I can’t see them right now I’m hanging on by a thin thread as it is. If I have to meet them in this moment I will completely lose it. "I don’t want to see them” I scream to both guys. “I can’t deal with this on top of everything else.” As I’m yelling this I can hear the panic in my own voice but I can’t stop it.
“Come on" Cain says taking hold of my hand “I'll take you out the kitchen door.”
Giving Case one last glance I take off running with Cain. We run through the kitchen Douglass is bent over loading the dishwasher. He never even lifts his head to see what is going on, That tells me he is used to people running though his kitchen at mock one. Hell for all I know he does the same thing. Cain opens the kitchen door. We sprint out and keep going, eventually stopping some distance away. The first thing I take notice of is a gigantic flower bed filled with flowers of all colors there is a mountain rock walkway leading to an old wishing well which is also constructed of mountain rock. It has a wooden “V” shaped roof on it with ivy growing up the sides almost completely covering the rocks. Like everything else I have seen it this place it is beautiful.
“You’ll be safe here. I’m sorry, but I have to go back in to see the King and Queen.”
“Why? Will you get in trouble if you don't?" I question only halfway playing. For all I know my birth parents might have you beheaded if you don’t greet them the proper greeting.
“No I won’t get in trouble.” He says Laughing. “See unlike you, I want to see them. They are good people Lana. They have always been there for me anytime I have ever needed them. I love them like they were my own parents. I know you’re hurt right now I completely understand that. But don’t let your hurt turn to anger and take away your chance of getting to know two truly remarkable people. Take your time deal with this shit however you need to then let it go and move forward.”
Cain gives my shoulder a squeeze then I watch as he walks away heading back toward the house. Well, it’s really more of a castle than a house. Wow I can’t believe I am seeing a freaking castle. It’s not like castle’s play apart in my everyday life, but I sure the hell am looking at one right now. My life continues to become more bazar by the second. I shake the freaky castle thoughts from my mind before walking over and looking down into the wishing well. I would give anything if I could wish the last week away. I begin strolling around the beautiful green landscape marveling at the splendor I am surrounded by. Before I know it I am standing on top of a hill in front of dogwood tree. Its stands all alone not another tree in sight it’s in full bloom with beautiful white and pick peddles springing fourth from every branch; making it appear as if it is superior to anything around it. You can tell the tree is proud to be standing here alone it’s strong and prideful in looks. It is an awe-inspiring sight to behold, almost humbling. I know without doubt this is going to become one of my most favorite spots, for some reason I feel a connection to it.
Maybe it’s because like this dog wood I am alone too but I stand strong and proud. I have always been resilient nothing ever keeps me down; I’ll bounce back from this and come out better for it. I turn around beholding the huge castle below me. After several minutes of contemplating it I have to admit it is pretty incredible. The place looks like something straight from the eighteenth century England. I look beyond the castle only to have my eyes bugging out of my freaking head, while my breathe catches in my throat. I can’t believe my eyes. It’s my freaking bedroom wall. Of course I’m not literally seeing my bedroom wall pre say, but it’s as close to it as it gets.
I’m gazing upon the city I have seen every day for the last eighteen years because it’s painted on my bedroom wall. I’ve always loved that painting even when I got older and my mom updated my bedroom I refused to even deliberate with her about painting over my dream world. To me that was exactly what the painting in my room had been. When I was younger I would pretend I lived in the picture. In my imagination the angels would pick me up flying me anywhere in the city I wanted to go. I guess I understand now the reason I have always been so drawn to it. Shit my life just keeps getting better and better. The painting I called my dream world has now turned into my worst freaking nightmare instead shit, shit, shit.
Leaning against the dogwood I slide down its trunk sitting there I stare out over the city. I see Case when he comes out the kitchen door he’s going around in complete circles searching. I know he is trying to locate me, but I can’t call out to him. I need some time alone to process everything that has taken place. I know he is going to find me that both excites me and scares the shit out of me at the same time. I don’t want him to come up here possibly to tell me my birth parents are demanding to see me. I am not in the right mind set to deal with them right now either. I know the exact moment spots me from the electricity shooting through my body. He sets out walking up the hill it doesn’t take long until he reaches the top. Without saying a word, he puts his back against the tree sliding down next to me. Neither of us speak we both sit there lost in our own thoughts staring out at the city below. You would think the silence between us would be awkward but instead it’s comforting in a strange kind of way. After what feels like an eternity he finally speaks.
“Lana about what happened back at the house I know it was too soon. I never should have kissed you like that with everything else you are dealing with right now. I know I should be apologizing to you but the thing is I'm not sorry it happened.”
“Case; I'm fine with the kiss I wanted it just as much as you did.” I watch his face light up as he gives me a heart stopping smile. He leans his body towards mine preparing to kiss me again. Before he gets the chance I back away from him. I don’t want to hurt him, but I know I shouldn’t be kissing him again right now my head is in a mess with all the shit that’s happening. “I like you, I really do but right now a guy is the last thing I need to get involved with. That’s complication I can’t handle right now I’m sorry Case.”
Case puts his hand on mine “don't worry about it. It's not like either of us is going anywhere I've got nothing but time to wait.”
“Thank you I’m glad you understand. Right now I could really use a friend, one who’s honest with me and will tell me what the hell is going on?” Case squeezes my hand his striking blue eyes watching me. I can read sympathy in them but what I don’t see is pity which I am eternally grateful for. Case’s hold tightens on my hand as he commences telling me the same story he told me in the club last week. The difference is I paid attention this time, to every word springing from his lips. I not only listened to what he is telling me I also believe every word of it.
“S
o you’re saying my family never knew I wasn't theirs?”
“That’s what I’m saying Lana.”
“Why did my birth parents give me away just because war broke out here?”
“They did it to keep you safe. They didn’t have another choice.”
“How old are you Case?”
“I'm twenty, what's that have to do with anything?”
“Your only two years older than me, did your family give you away like mine did?” I question. He is making it sound like my birth parents are martyrs of some kind.
“Lana’ it was different with me.”
“Why Case? Explain to me what made you so damn different. Could it be the fact your parents loved you and wouldn’t part with you for any reason? While my parents saw me as a burden. The war gave them the excuse they needed to be rid of me.” I can hear the hurt and anger in my voice so I know he can as well but damnit to hell, I have every right to be hurt.
“The differences between you and I is simple Lana, you are the only daughter of the King and Queen of the Keepers' World. You are the heir to the thrown one day you will rule everything but until then you are still the Princesses. God I’ve just realized you don’t even know your real name shit this is so fucked up.” Case screams while scrubbing his hands over his face in frustration. “Shit Lana I am so fucking sorry no one deserves to be put through what you are going through right now. Lana isn’t even your real name. Your real name is Rain Summer Livingston. You are the future ruler of the Keepers World therefore you are to be protected at all cost. If a Neither or demon ever got their hands on you, the consequences would be unimaginable. On the other hand, I’m not a prince I’m nothing but a keeper if a neither, or a demon took me. They would simply kill me without giving it a second thought. When war broke out here it was bad I mean really bad. Your parents wanted to protect you they did what they had to do. Both of my parents were killed in the war by demons when they broke through the shields. Lucky for me, my dad and your dad were best friends so your parents took me in, gave me a home they raised me. I will always be grateful to them for that.”
“Why did they wait until I was eighteen to want me back? Why didn’t they come get me after the war ended?” I feel tears gathering in my eyes so I turn my head pretending to cough using the time to wipe my eyes.
“They didn’t want to pull you away from the only people you knew when you were a child, but when you turned eighteen, you became an adult which meant like all other keepers once you reach adulthood you gained your powers nothing could stop that from happening. Your parents are the most powerful keepers of all, but even that was beyond them. They didn’t want to hurt you or take you away from the Parkers. They knew you loved them but they also knew once you turned eighteen there would be no other choice but to bring you back. That’s the reason they made the Parkers forget who you were so it wouldn’t hurt them when you disappeared. They couldn’t make you forget because you’re not human like the Parkers are.”
We both grew quiet for a while. I was trying to rationalize everything Case had told me I think he realized I needed some time to grasp everything I heard but I’m not exactly positive reasoning or analyzing of any kind in this situation is going to make it any better. I will analyze this shit closer later on right now I have more questions. Case speaks before I get the chance to.
“It's hard for me to get used to calling you Lana, your parents, well anybody that knew about you, really have always called you Rain. It’s weird calling you Lana. I mean we all knew that was the name you went by on earth but whenever we talked about you, we always referred to you as Rain.”
I didn’t know how I should reply to his statement without sounding mean, so instead I asked another question. “I know what humans are, hell I was one until a week ago. What I don’t know is what the hell a damn Neither is you keep talking about? Is that what you call demons?”
“No of course not a Neither hate's demons as much as we do. Remember when I told you everything you always thought was make-believe was real?”
I nodded my head yes.
“A Neither is all those things like vampires, wear wolfs, fairies they are shielded from coming into the Keepers' World. However, that didn’t stop them from trying to eighteen years ago when the demons broke through.”
“No shit. Are you telling me vampires and wear wolves are freaking real? Holy shit I’ve entered the freaking twilight movie. Okay I have to ask…why can’t they enter here and while you are answering that you might as well go ahead and explain to me where the hell the Keepers world is exactly?” While I’m asking him these question I’m still trying to digest the fact vampires, wear wolfs, and fairies are real. Wow my life is totally fucked up.
Case chuckled, “Well the here part is simplest to explain. The Keeper's World is on earth, but it’s in a different dimension. We can leave this dimension and enter the earth’s dimension with our minds. You will be able to do it to after you are shown how. As for the reason a Neither can’t enter our dimension it’s because they are not holy and without that you can’t enter our world. Well not as long as the shields are up anyways.”
Now he’s got me completely enthralled I am so spellbound I’m not sure what to ask next so I go with whatever comes out of my mouth. “What do you mean they're not holy?”
“God created us, we are part him, part angel. We were created us to fight demons to keep all raises safe from demons, That’s what makes us holy, Neither’s aren’t bad, well you do run upon rogues every now and then but for the most part they aren’t bad. They only want to live out their lives like humans do. But as you know not all humans are good it’s the same way with neither’s the only difference is we are never a loud to take a humans life no matter what the circumstances is. But if a neither is caught trying to harm a human or a keeper we kill them on the spot no questions asked. We are peace keepers between humans and neither’s it’s our jobs to make sure humans never find out about the neither’s but at the same time we are warriors against Hell we protect all raises against demons even it means giving our own lives to keep them safe.
“Wow…um…shit…I don’t know what to say I mean this is a lot to take in to say I am dumbfounded would be putting it mildly. How is it even possible for all of this to be going on and humans never know anything about it?”
“When human does stumble upon something their minds are wiped so they can’t remember it’s been that way since the beginning of time.”
Deciding I’ve heard enough to keep my head spinning for the next million years. I raise my hands stopping him midsentence I ask if we can move on to lighter subject while I process everything he’s told me. He laughs shaking his head yes so I jump to a question I have been dying to know about. “What kind of powers do I have?” I question feeling excited about the possibility of having super hero powers. How badass is that? Hey don’t judge me for my crazy ass thinking until you have been in my shoes.
“I don't know…every Keeper is different. We all have certain things that we can all do but at the same time we each have our own powers unique to only us.”
“What powers do you have?” I inquire.
“Let's see I'm strong but all World Keepers are in case you haven’t noticed that yet. We were all created to be ass kickers.” Case laugh’s knocking his shoulder against mine.
I lean over giving him a shove back while snorting as if I am not completely impressed with everything he is saying. Case laughs at me as rolls his eyes, he continues speaking. “We all have the ability to see at night of course you already found that one out. Those are the powers all keepers have. I have unique powers as well belonging only to me. Like I can speak to people telepathically I can do the same thing with animals. You’d be amazed how smart animals are. Did you know cats and dogs really have plotted ways to take over the world? The problem they keep having is they can’t get along with one another long enough to come up with a plan on how to do it.” He busts out laughing pointing at my face “Oh my god if you could
see your face right now your eyes look like they are going to pop out of your head. You are to fucking easy. I made the whole animal thing up.”
I bust out laughing I can’t help it. I can’t believe I fell for something so stupid but come on let’s examine the last week of my life. After the shit I’ve seen and heard why wouldn’t it be possible cats and dogs plotting to take over the world? I mean really think about it. When I eventually stop laughing I am holding my stomach with one hand while wiping tears from my face with the other. I know I’ve been laughing like a freaking hyena but I couldn’t help myself. I am being completely irrational but given the week I have suffered though I’m blaming it all on insanity. “You are crazy” I tell him still trying to control myself.
“No I’m not crazy I’m awesome and you Lana…are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.” He says as he cups the side of my face tenderly while staring at me.
