by H. D. Gordon
Please don't see me Please don't see me Oh God PLEASE
In my panic, that muscle in my mind seemed to charge out of its cage, bursting through the bars like an explosion. It was Gavin who was approaching the door, but the others had all taken to their feet as well. What happened next was so amazing that I still can't fully believe that I did it.
My mind had latched onto all four of the souls that stood in the room outside of my hiding spot, grabbing all of them as though they were nothing more than pawns in a chess game. Its invisible fingers wrapped around them in a vice grip, and though I knew without a doubt that I could control them now, I still couldn't think of anything useful.
Don't see me Just don't see me Don t. See. Me.
The door to the closet swung open, and if my eyes hadn't adopted a deer-in-the-headlights type manner, I would have squeezed them shut with enough force to make my eyeballs recede into my head. Gavin stood in the doorway, staring directly at me where I sat on the floor. Now, I did squeeze my eyes shut. The broken-record, desperate thought continued in my head.
Don't see me You can't see me None of you can see me
Huh, Gavin said, and I opened one of my eyes a crack. He was staring right at me! The other three in the room were leaning around him and looking at me as well. I sat as still as a statue; frozen in terror. No recognition or surprise or & anything went across their faces. Gavin's eyebrow quirked, and I held my breath. When he finally closed the closet door, I had to slap my hand over my mouth so as not to cry out in relief.
No way that just happened. No. Freaking. Way.
I heard Gavin return to his seat on the coach. No one spoke for what seemed to me to be a very long time. I had no doubt that they all had huh, that was weird looks on their faces. I had no doubt because I hadn't yet released their minds.
I slowly began to withdraw my hold, unwrapping the grip finger by finger. It was harder to do than I had anticipated, and I sat sweating bullets as I did so. At last, I was back in my own being, and it was Patterson who spoke into the silence stricken air. Gavin, you know that the Warrior has left? he said, hopping back to the topic at hand. I released a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding.
Ms. Baker spoke before Gavin could. Left? What do you mean she left?
Yes, I know, said Gavin. I was at the eastern watch station when she left. I lowered the wall for her.
You lowered the wall for her? Ms. Baker's voice was incredulous.
Was I supposed to lock her up in the dungeons? Gavin replied. I thought I heard him sigh. The Warrior will return. I don't know where she was going but I could tell by the look in her eyes that I would have been hard pressed to stop her. Anyhow, she is not our prisoner. So, yes, I lowered the gate, but she will be back. She left her sister.
Ah, yes, Ms. Baker said. I have Nelliana in one of my classes. Bright student.
And, Gavin's right. There's nothing Alexa cares more about than her sister, Patterson added.
Exactly, said Gavin.
Marty sighed, and from my spot in the closet, it sounded like she stood up. Her helpless worry was still so clear in her voice. What about my brother? How am I supposed to protect Mark if things are the way you say?
Between the four of us we need to try to keep as close an eye on his as we can, offered Ms. Baker.
Marty seemed to accept this. Then what? she asked. We just hope that the Warrior returns and decides to lead us in a war?
That's about what we hope, said Gavin. I'm not sure what other choice we have. But, there is one thing I do know, a war will find us either way. With a true Sun Warrior leading us, we may stand a chance at defeating King William's army.
Patterson sighed, and spoke quietly. She is just a girl, though & I'd hate to see her & you know of the toll that kind of battle is said to take on a Warrior. If she does defy the Prophecy, and lives, she & she might become & lost.
No one spoke. Finally, Gavin said, You know Alexa as well as I do. Even though we only met her a few weeks ago, it's impossible not to see the light that radiates from her. If ever there were a savior, she's it.
I know, it's just & Patterson trailed off.
I don't want to see her damaged either, said Gavin. But, to save so many & Well, we'll just have to wait and see. Like I said, the decision will be hers.
I had begun to shiver a little on the floor of the closet. I felt the urge to throw open the door and yell at these people for even thinking of asking my sister to do what they were suggesting. The worst part, the part that none of them seemed to care about, was that I had no doubt in my mind what Alexa would do if she learned what was going on here. I know my sister better than anyone in this world, and despite the fact that many times Alexa thought of herself as some evil monster, I knew that not to be true at all. She had an incredibly strong sense of altruism, a trait that I knew for a fact to be extremely rare among humans and supernaturals alike. If she thought these people needed help, and they made her believe that she was the only one who could deliver it, she would fight for them. And, if she were to lose her mind, or even her life because of it, they were just fine with that. Well, I most certainly was not. Forget the greater good, I wouldn't allow them to use my sister that way. I would suck the souls right out of their selfish little heads if I had to.
Well, Ms. Baker said. I think we've said all that needs to be said right now. Marty, we'll take turns visiting Mark as often as we can manage. Between the four of us, someone should be able to be with him at most times. I've got classes in the morning. I think I'll be heading back now.
They all agreed, and I heard Ms. Baker and Patterson give their farewells before exiting through the two rear doors. Gavin did the same, but he must have paused in the first doorway. I could tell that his words were only meant for Marty. Have faith in the girl, he told her in a quiet voice. And, with that, he left.
It was time for me to get the heck out of here. My head was full of questions and concerns, and there was no way I could concentrate on them while I was hiding in this closet. I needed to get back to my room so that I could think about things, and figure out an accelerated game plan to find out what in the world was really going on here. The more information I could gather, the closer I would be to saving my sister from whatever screwed up destiny these people had planned for her. While I'd sat in this closet and listened to this senseless conversation, a feeling of thick dread had settled over me. My predetermined tasks had taken on a new sense of urgency.
I was also getting extremely tired. Today was beginning to feel endless.
I reached out with my mind to Marty, who hadn't seemed to move much since Gavin shut the door. She was thinking that she was going to visit Mark right now, and stay with him every possible moment. I suddenly was happy that it wasn't cold outside, so she would have no need to open the closet and retrieve her warm coat. Then, I remembered that it had been raining off and on all day, and that what was probably her only umbrella lay on its side next to me. Looked like there was one more thing I'd need to do to get out of here unnoticed.
I didn't end up not having to do it. Marty went into her bedroom to retrieve her purse, and I used the opportunity to slip out of my hiding spot and out of the two doors that led to the outside. I cringed a little when the first one creaked again, but I made sure to keep my mental eye on Marty the whole time, so I knew that when she returned to her living room, I was already out of the house. I dashed around the corner and stood behind the thick tree that I'd used as my vantage point earlier. When I peeked around it, and saw Marty taking the path toward the hospital, I stepped out cautiously and began making my way back to my dorm room.
When I got there, I plopped down on my bed, kicked off my shoes and climbed under the covers without changing into my night clothes. When I pulled the blanket up and tucked it under my chin, I noticed that my hands were trembling slightly. There was so much going on in my head that my mind seemed to be overloaded. I was so worried about Alexa that my stomach ached a little. I had been wanting so badly for
her to return to me, but now, I kind of hoped that she wouldn't come back here at all. Whereas before I'd been worried that Lamias might attack her because she didn't have the protection of the running waters that surrounded Two Rivers, now I was more convinced that the real danger lay inside its walls.
I wished that she'd just taken me with her.
Maybe I should be more concerned for my safety. I was the one who seemed to be living among a city of sheep-skinned wolves.
Alexa
After Manny explained his plan to us, I felt only marginally better about my odds of success in rescuing my Mother. He'd managed to find a blank sheet of paper among the clutter in his apartment and drew us up a pretty decent map of Dangeon. He even put an x on all the places where he thought a guard would be, and a compass on the corner of the sheet so that we would know exactly where we were going. But, even with all this Intel, my confidence in my ability to do what I'd set out to had faded by the moment. It just seemed so entirely impossible.
I'd sat silently, trying to absorb everything while Manny had explained it to us. Kayden had leaned forward in his seat and asked what seemed like dozens of questions, and I was suddenly doubly glad that he was with me. I wouldn't have thought of the questions he did, and they were all pretty important ones.
When nothing was left to be asked or told, Kayden and I stood up to leave. I wasn't nearly as uncomfortable as I was when we'd first come into the apartment, but I wanted to get back on the road again as soon as possible. If the things Manny had told us about Dangeon were true, and my Mother was there, every moment counted. We thanked Manny and Mel for their help and they both walked us down the stairs to where the door was to reenter the bar.
Manny surprised me by grabbing my arm before we could push open the door that led into the bar. I'm not sure what my face looked like, but he released me immediately. Sorry, he said.
It's okay, I replied. Just a little on edge right now.
He nodded. Understandably so. You've got a rough path ahead of you, Warrior.
I nodded in return. I know.
His voice lowered. You know of the Prophecy?
Yes. I know.
He nodded once more and gave me a look that could only be called sympathetic. Well, I want you to know that you won't be alone if you decide to take on that task. There are others, many others, who have been waiting for the war for a long time. Some will be too scared to step forward, but many of us will fight with you.
Thank you, I said.
He shook his head. No, Warrior. All the thanks belongs to you.
They all think I'm going to die.
Maybe we are & but we'll go down swinging.
You're right about that.
I'm right about everything.
I stopped myself before rolling my eyes. Manny would have thought I'd meant it at him. Well, thank you for your help, Manny, I said, smiling. You're not as rude as people say you are, you know.
Manny laughed out loud at this, leaning forward and gripping his belly again. He slapped me on the back, and I was proud that the force didn't make me wobble. Well, you're a lot prettier than people say you are.
This brought a smile to my face. I knew he was just messing with me, but I had to wonder if he had in fact heard through the grapevine somehow that a Sun Warrior existed. The way he'd taken my proclamation of my race earlier had been too easy. For whatever reason, the thought made me cringe a little. Was there really a whole entire world out there with people who thought I was going to liberate them? With lay ahead of me at Dangeon, I hoped that they weren't getting their hopes up.
Kayden and I left after that, saying goodbye to Mel as well. She gave me a genuine smile and told me good luck. I decided I liked her, but I would be lying not to admit that they way she smiled at Kayden made my hackles raise a little.
When we got back in the Mercedes, Kayden turned to me. You sure you want to do this? he asked.
I bit my lip, then, I nodded. But, I want you to know that I won't hold it against you if you don't come with me. This isn't your problem, Kayden. I don't expect you to go risking your life for me. And with the way Manny described it, I'm not sure if I'll make it out of Dangeon alive.
Kayden put the car in drive and pulled out onto the street. He kept his gaze straight ahead. Where to, Warrior? he asked.
I sighed. I mean it-,
Alexa, I already told you. I'm coming. Do you want to get a hotel room, or drive through the night?
Drive through the night. It's not that far.
I'll be exhausted if we do that.
No. If you rest tonight and then drive all day tomorrow you'll be exhausted. Drive now. Sleep during the day tomorrow. Tomorrow night, we go get our Mother.
Let's drive tonight and rest during the day tomorrow, I said. We'll take turns.
Okay, Kayden said. Alexa &
Hmm?
When Kayden didn't say anything, I turned toward him. He was still staring straight ahead. I thought I saw him give his head a small shake, then, he said, Rest now, too. I'll wake you when it's your turn to drive.
I reached over and rested my hand on his leg, the touch making my fingers tingle and heat up. Thank you, Kayden. I'm sorry I was so shitty to you before. I know now that you've only been trying to keep me safe.
He smiled, and I felt my tongue flick out across my lips. What else would I have done? he said.
I tilted my head back against the seat and closed my eyes. Despite all of the messed up things that were going on in my life right now, I had to be thankful for Kayden. I felt like I was a completely different person than I had been a few weeks ago. Somehow, I felt like I'd & grown up a little. And, I was no longer naÔve enough not to recognize when I had a good friend by my side. If Kayden was willing to do this for me, there was probably very little he wouldn't do for me, and whether or not that was because of what we were, it didn't really matter. I was thankful to have him with me. I loved him for it.
I just wasn't ready to tell him that yet, so hopefully, my thanks said enough.
I fell asleep faster than I would have thought possible. If I dreamed, I didn't remember it. When I came to again, my neck was a little sore and I had to use the restroom. I sat up and rubbed my eyes, noticing that the sun hadn't risen yet. I glanced at the clock on the dashboard. It was four am, and Kayden was pulling into the parking lot of another hotel.
We here already? I asked, stifling a yawn.
We're only fifteen minutes from the Outer Banks, he confirmed.
Why didn't you wake me?
He shrugged. I wanted to let you sleep.
Kayden parked in a spot near the hotel lobby. I reached into my pocket. Let me give you some money, I said.
He opened his door and got out without acknowledging my statement. Be right back, he said.
I sat back in my seat and shook my head. I was glad that he'd come with me, but it didn't feel right to let him pay for everything. I wondered briefly if it was because he figured that we weren't going to make it through this mess I'd gotten us into, or if it was because he was just that kind of man. I guess it didn't matter. I'd given two hundred dollars to Olivia for the broken window, and spent most of my other money on food or gas before Kayden had showed up. Most of what I had left was Tommy's money, and I didn't feel right about owing him either, so either way, I would be uncomfortable. Either way, I owed them both.
I hated owing people.
When Kayden returned, he pulled the car around to where our room was located and we went inside. Just like the last place, the room was generic, and there were two queen-sized beds. Kayden didn't bother with the television this time, probably having learned his lesson last time. He just sat down on one of the beds and pulled off the hoody that he'd been wearing. I went over to the other bed and threw myself across it. Despite the nap I'd taken in the car, I was exhausted, and extremely happy to be on a real bed.
I rolled over onto my side and looked over at Kayden. My teeth snapped together with an audible click when he pu
lled his t-shirt over his head. I bit my lip.
He's doing that on purpose. Stop looking at him.
Yeah, okay. You stop looking at him.
Let's both stop looking at him.
Nope.
In my head, my monster rolled its eyes. I smirked. When I finished my examination of his midsection, I looked up to see Kayden staring at me with both eyebrows raised. I'm pretty sure the smirk was still on my face. My cheeks went red. Kayden didn't move.
What? I asked.
What? You were staring at me, he said, a small smile playing at his lips.
I ran my eyes down his chest, arms and abdomen. With a sigh, I flipped to my other side. Sorry, I mumbled.
I sleep in my boxers, he replied, and I heard the zipper of his jeans slide down.
I flipped back over, not caring that a silly smile was on my face. Kayden paused his undressing, and I let out a sound that was like a low growl. He laughed. I gestured with my hand. Well, by all means &
Oh God.
Hater.
When Kayden shrugged and pulled off his jeans, I did shut my eyes. It wasn't that I didn't want to see him, it was just that I wasn't sure I could stand to. When Jackson's face flashed through my mind, I cursed in my head and sat up to take off my shoes. It was a better distraction than nothing.
I was just playing. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable, Kayden said in a quiet voice.
I flipped my shoe off. I know. Stop saying that. You know damn well you don't make me uncomfortable . I didn't mean for my voice to come out in a growl.
Kayden sat down on the bed next to me, dipping the mattress and causing me to fall into him a little. I tried not to think about how warm the skin on his arm felt against mine. I flipped off my other shoe, considered scooting back on the bed so that we wouldn't be too close, and stayed put.
You're upset, said Kayden.
I sighed, ignoring the tingling that was beginning to make my chest swell. If my presence made him feel the same way his did me, I didn't know how he could stand it. Of course I'm upset, I whispered.
