Pendulum (Kingdom of Night Book 1)

by L. C. Davis

  “It's fine, just making sure the school didn't screw up your email,” he said. “Mine is still PoulticeWinter@ewu.edu.”

  I burst out laughing, relieved I had sat my coffee a moment sooner. “I-I'm so sorry.”

  He laughed, too. “Don't be, it's hilarious. Anyway, I can tell this class is gonna have a lot of trouble with what we're covering on Monday, so if you could be available for a few hours after class, that'd be great. I kind of sprung all of this on you short notice, so if not-”

  “No, it's fine,” I said, eager for the distraction. “I'm happy to do it, I love tutoring.” Time to put wolves and doms and lodges out of my mind. The classroom had always been where I felt most at home anyway.

  “Great to hear,” he said, taking a sip of his tea. “Well, that went easier than I expected. I usually get resistance once I mention after-class projects.”

  “Not from me,” I assured him. “Honestly, I'm kind of hoping to throw myself into academics since I lost so much time at my old university. I kind of took it for granted.”

  “That's an admirable attitude,” he said. “Just don't forget to relax a little. Socializing is just as much a part of the college experience. I neglected it and look where I am,” he teased.

  I laughed. “I think you've done alright for yourself, Pro-” I aught myself. “Prentice. The students really seem to like you. Even if they do say your grade harder than anyone else in the department,” I added wryly.

  He looked genuinely proud. “Do they now? How about that,” he said with a triumphant little nod. He glanced at his watch and sighed. “I hate to skip out on you, but I have to meet with a student from another class. Do you mind taking the rest of the food? I don't want it tempting me in the fridge.”

  “Oh, I can't eat all this,” I insisted. I still hadn't finished my plate.

  “Share it with your roommate then,” he said, taking out a bill and slipping it under his cup. “Time got away from me, but thanks again for meeting me.”

  “Sure,” I said, wondering at his sudden frenzy. He really took his obligations to students seriously. It made me respect him even more, if that was possible. “It was fun. I'll be ready for Monday,” I promised.

  “Great,” he said, standing. “Let me give you my number just in case you have any questions before then. You should have it anyway. Here, I'll text myself if you let me have your phone,” he said, holding his hand out.

  I noticed a silver ring on his hand with a strange insignia. It looked more like a class ring than a wedding band, but there was no stone. Anyway, I was sure I had heard the students talking about him being the only hot, single male professor in the department.

  “Here you go.” I gave him my phone without a second thought and smiled at the waitress who had automatically brought over a couple of to-go boxes. She took the bill and started boxing up our food.

  I turned back to Prentice to find a rather perplexed look on his face. He caught me staring and cleared his throat as he hurriedly typed a few digits into the phone before handing it back to me. “There you go. Gotta run, but don't hesitate to call me,” he said with a wave.

  “I won't, have a good night,” I called, waving back. I thanked the waitress and picked up the bag of food with one hand and scrolled through my phone's limited contact list. Right above Prentice Winters was Master.

  I was going to kill Sebastian the next time I saw him. Well, probably not, but I was certainly going to fantasize about it between then and Wednesday.

  8

  I killed time in the library until long after it was dark and told myself it was just to make sure I really was prepared for class on Monday. When I finally made it home, Arthur was nowhere to be found. Truth be told, I wasn't in the mood to talk to him yet. I had a lot on my mind and didn't want to risk unloading it on him before I could process. I also didn't want to accuse him again without getting the facts first this time. I felt guilty enough.

  I couldn't find any clean pajamas. Friday night was typically when I did my laundry. I reluctantly slipped into Sebastian's T-shirt since I had to wash it anyway and climbed into bed. It was already getting late, so I slipped underneath the covers, secretly relieved that I had made it to bed before Arthur got back.

  The door swung open carefully and I shut my eyes tight and held my breath. I remembered that sleeping people breathed, too, and tried to sound as unconscious as possible.

  “Remus?” he whispered hesitantly into the darkness. I felt a twinge of guilt for the farce but stayed still as I listened to him move around the room.

  A bag hit the floor and he slowly slid out one of his dresser drawers, rummaging a round for a minute before he disappeared into the bathroom. When he came back out, I heard him walk over to his desk and unfold a paper. My note, probably.

  He gave what was probably a sigh of relief before flopping into his own bed. I felt even worse, but I was relieved as seconds of silence turned into minutes and his light snoring signaled that I was alone again.

  I reached out from under the blankets to grab my phone and quickly brought it under the blanket with me so the glow wouldn't wake him up. His moving around the room had reminded me that my phone wasn't the only thing I had left at the Lodge.

  I scrolled down to my strange new contact and changed the name immediately. Then I opened a new message thread to Wolf Stalker.

  Are you awake?

  Three dots sprang up immediately.

  Last time I checked I wasn't 7 or 70, so yes. Miss me already? ;)

  I rolled my eyes.

  I left Arthur's leather thingies in your brother's room. Have you seen them?

  More dots.

  Yeah, I saw those. You want me to bring them to you?

  I couldn't help but smile. He was so... helpful.

  Thanks, but I'll just get them when I come to see the Alpha. Any luck finding him?

  I knew it wasn't really my place to ask, but Sebastian didn't treat me like a stranger. Maybe I wasn't by now.

  No, but he'll turn up. More worried about Vic.

  I frowned. Even though I was pretty sure Victor was a creep, I still felt bad for Sebastian. He seemed like a dutiful brother.

  I'm sure he's OK. Anything I can do? I asked against my better judgment.

  Nah, but hearing from you is a nice distraction. I'm gonna go look for him if he doesn't show soon.

  Don't you go missing, too.

  A fresh set of dots appeared, disappeared and reappeared a few times. I began to wonder if my wording had offended him. I was about to clarify that I didn't mean they were really missing when his message popped up.

  If I didn't know better, I'd think that meant you want me around. ;)

  That was a lot of typing for such a short message, but I decided to let it go. He had enough to worry about without me analyzing his texts.

  I pursed my lips and tried not to smile as I typed, Concern and interest are two different things, MASTER.

  It's not a bad start, though. Just getting you used to the idea.

  I covered my mouth to stifle a laugh.

  How about we start with friends and see how it goes?”

  What was I getting myself into? I wondered too late. No unsending a text.

  I can work with friends.

  I bit my lip, staring at the empty message block for a moment as I thought of how to reply.

  Getting late. I should go. Work in the a.m..

  Have fun babysitting the books.

  I was surprised he didn't put up a fight.

  I will. Take care and text me when you find your brother.

  Why did I even care? The further away Victor was, the better it was for me. Then I pictured those big puppy dog eyes full of concern and had my answer.

  I didn't know either man very well, but I knew them enough to see that if anything happened to Victor, however much of a stalker he might be, it would devastate Sebastian.

  Thanks. Sweet dreams.

  You too.

  I paused for a moment, hesitating befor
e I added a smiley face at the end and hit send. I waited for the gray dots to appear again, but they didn't.

  Pressing the top button, I put my phone to sleep and snuggled back underneath the covers. Now I really was tired. What a crazy weekend, and it was only half over. I closed my eyes and slipped into the blissful half-conscious stage of early slumber. I remember thinking it was funny that the brain entered an alpha wave state in that stage, and that I could get used to the way the smooth fabric of Sebastian's T-shirt caressed my skin and smelled of his aftershave.

  It didn't take long before I was out to the world.

  9

  I awoke in Victor's room wearing only a thin white linen shirt that was far too big. To my amazement, the door was completely repaired. It was almost as much of a shock as the fact that I was there at all.

  I glanced over at the nightstand but the sketchbook was missing from the top of the stack of books.

  “Looking for this?” asked Victor, stepping in from the balcony. The curtains billowed behind him as he approached. He held the sketchbook in his hand.

  I cast a wary glance at the door, then back at him. He was in front of me, which shouldn't have been possible.

  “It was careless of me to leave it lying around,” he said, flipping through the pages until he landed on the one he wanted. I could guess which one it was. He glanced between me and the pages with a critical eye. “It does you no justice, now that I've met you in person. The proportions are all off. You're far more beautiful in motion.”

  “Y-your brother is looking for you,” I stammered, trying to change the subject. “He's worried.”

  Victor smiled, leaning in. He reached towards my face and I flinched, but he stroked my hair with extreme tenderness and control as if he were holding much back.

  “I'm sure he is,” he said, withdrawing his hand. I turned and he was on the other side of the bed, crawling towards me. “He worries about everyone. Sometimes I think he forgets that I'm the older one, if only by an hour, and I used to be the one looking after him.”

  “H-he's just across the hall,” I said warily. “If I scream, he'll hear me.”

  Victor laughed. “I brought you here precisely so he couldn't hear you scream or do anything else. Especially not him. But it's not for the reason you think. I'm no saint, but I don't deserve that look you're giving me.”

  “You've been watching me,” I said carefully, torn between fear and anger. “For a long time.”

  He paused for a moment. “Yes, I have,” he finally admitted. “But I've only been watching you so I could keep you safe.”

  I shivered and moved as far away from him as the headboard would allow. He made no move to draw closer, fortunately.

  “Y-you have to admit, that sounds like a dangerous thing to say.”

  He smiled at me and the look in his eyes made me feel like a child questioning an all-knowing authority. “You have a lot of ideas about what things should mean. What do you feel, Remus? Do you really think I'm a danger to you?”

  He reached out and pressed his hand against my chest. The tarnished image of his drawing flashed in my mind. His hand rested right where the sketch was so mortally wounded.

  “Please just let me go,” I begged, making a futile attempt to move away from him.

  He grabbed my shoulder with his other hand and pressed me back into the headboard. “Not until you answer my question. Don't think with your head, or your heart. Dig deep into the part of you that keeps getting pushed down, the one even your body resists when you try to access it. Does your soul tell you I'm dangerous, or is it your mind?”

  The intensity of his words and the fierce look in his eyes was enough to make me swoon with fear, but the tidal wave of dizziness I hadn't even realized I was brazing for never came. I couldn't take my eyes off his. They searched me, begging for an answer.

  “M-my head,” I finally stammered, shocked by my own words. It was as if a spell was broken, even if temporarily. With no small amount of shock I realized that, in spite of all reason and common sense, I was not afraid of the man in front of me. Instead, I was afraid of the new surge of chaotic emotion he had instilled within me.

  “Good,” he murmured, his tone gentling. “I'm sorry I frightened you. I had to break through, I had to shock you. I don't know how he put them up, but those are some of the strongest psychic blocks I've ever seen. At least without completely destroying the conscious mind.”

  I stared at him in abject confusion. “Who is he?”

  Victor smiled. “I can't answer that. Not here. Your mind won't let me, and in the waking world you don't trust me enough yet to ask the questions that need to be asked.”

  “The waking world?” I asked warily, looking at my hands. I had five fingers on each one. That had always been my test for whether I was dreaming or not. “You mean this is a dream?”

  His smile turned sly. “No, but close enough. This is the only place you and I can truly be alone. Your mind. Even here there are enemies, but I can't risk my brother seeing us together in real life. Not until I get some things sorted out.”

  “You have to go back,” I told him.

  He shook his head. “Not yet. Soon. When we meet again, I'll have all the answers you need.”

  I looked down at my arms. Every mark and scar was still there. “Why are the sketches so accurate? What am I supposed to think?”

  His gray eyes turned steely. “I've encountered you many times, Remus. Ever since we were children, in a place much like this. I watched as each mark formed, and vowed I would keep track so one day I could make the one who gave them to you suffer for every single one.”

  The chilled tone of his voice told me it was the truth, no matter how bizarre. A thousand questions sprang up from that single answer, but he silenced me from asking any more with a single look.

  “All in time. We don't have long, and I don't want to waste these precious seconds explaining things you aren't ready to understand,” he murmured. “It could hurt you. You're very fragile, more than you realize.”

  He took me in his arms suddenly. Whether I couldn't resist or didn't became a moot point under the intensity of his gaze, crushed between his strong arms and his firm chest.

  His lips crushed mine and I felt an entirely different kind of lightheadedness as his fingertips dug into my flesh. To my great confusion, I found myself returning the kiss, drawn under the spell of his lead. He ended the kiss and his hands fell away, but his gaze held me there without a touch.

  He stood up from the bed, one knee still pushing it down, and watched me. “Lie down.”

  His voice may have been low, but it was clearly an order. I struggled against the impulse to obey it.

  “Y-your brother,” I managed. It was a weak protest, but a reasonable one.

  His gaze flickered to the floor for an instant. When he looked back at me, his jaw was set and he wore a look of even greater determination.

  “I would give my life for my twin without a second's hesitation, but there is one thing I will not cede,” he said, taking a step closer. “Not even to him.”

  His hand wrapped around my ankle and yanked me forward so fast my vision whirled. I was on my back the very next instant and he was on top of me, unbuttoning his wine red shirt. I could see the faint outline of a white scar at least a decade old as he uncovered his chiseled chest.

  It was as if he had me mesmerized somehow. I knew why he was disrobing himself, yet instead of pushing him off me, I couldn't look away. The distinction between couldn't and wouldn't was blurred in my mind at the moment.

  My heart pounded as the scar came fully into view. It was a massive series of what appeared to be claw marks, as if something had been tearing desperately at his flesh in an attempt to expose his heart. I couldn't fathom how anyone could survive an injury so terrible, even him.

  He followed my gaze and the corner of his lips tugged slightly. He took my hand and pressed it against his flesh so I could feel the steady beat of his heart.

  “I
am very much alive, my love,” he said, startling me. “See? We're alike in more ways than you think.”

  I strained to pull my hand away and he snarled suddenly in pain. He had released my hand, but it was as if I was stuck to him. My palm started to burn as well, but I finally managed to rip it away from his heart.

  The unmistakable imprint of Sebastian's seal was left behind. I looked down at my trembling hand to see the seal carved more legibly in my own blood in the precise spot where the stamp had been. After countless sessions of scrubbing, I had finally worn it away over the weekend. I didn't understand how this could be possible.

  “He marked you?” Victor's tone was one of disgust as he recoiled from me and staggered away from the bed.

  My assumption that Sebastian was the one with the temper vanished as I watched in horror as Victor grabbed the end table, books and all, and hurled it through the balcony glass like it weighed nothing.

  “Victor-” I began, terrified.

  “NO!!” he roared as he continued to rip his room apart from one end to the other. Whether his rage was directed at me or some unfathomable cause I didn't care to stick around and find out.

  The trust that had only begun to form evaporated entirely as I put every ounce of fight I had into reaching the door. To my amazement, he let me go or was at least too distracted by his rampage to pursue me.

  I wasn't going to give him the chance to change his mind. My breaths came in fearful gasps as I searched for Sebastian's door. It wasn't where it should have been, right across the hall. In fact, when I looked back, Victor's door was the only one in an otherwise empty hallway that seemed to stretch on endlessly.

  I kept running. There had to be a way out. Sebastian would be here somewhere. The mark on my hand burned but it was oddly comforting, a stern reminder to keep running. Every time I thought of looking back to see whether my strange captor had pursued me, it burned more and kept me focused on the empty expanse ahead.