by Amy Freeman
“Then you press graph,” he continued. “From there, you type 2nd trace and arrow down to step seven, which is the integration button. The calculator will prompt you for the upper and lower bounds to help you evaluate the problem.” He handed her the calculator. “Got it?”
She took it from him. “Sure,” she lied. She had no idea what he had just said. She began the calculation the way he had instructed her to, struggling against his intensely provocative everything.
Halfway through her calculation she glanced up at him. He waited, muscled arms folded across his chest. She drew in a breath, looking back to the calculator. She finished the process and stared at the screen, still hesitant, even though the calculator had done all the work for her.
Trin tilted his head. “Did you get one hundred forty-four meters?”
Sam looked up at him, a disgusted glare on her face. “Did you just do that in your head?”
Trin smiled, reaching for her notepad and pencil. “This is not hard, Sam.”
“For whom?”
“For either one of us. Look.”
He began writing out the process, when his focus shifted to the other side of the room. Sam looked up, confused, and followed his gaze. On the opposite end of the library a young couple stood up to leave. Black energy saturated the young man, spilling out everywhere around him. The same energy forced its way into the young woman’s submissive and insecure element. Sam watched as the young woman collected her things in a rush, the man jerking his head impatiently toward the door. He started for the stairs without her.
Sam glanced back at Trin and blinked. His aura had changed from regal blue to black. She stared. The guy was a jerk, and the girl could do without him for sure, but the exchange between the young man and woman seemed a personal affront to Trin, as if he were encountering an old enemy. A shock of gleaming white energy rippled down Trin’s body and disappeared. Sam gaped.
Trin stared, vigilant, even after they had gone.
“Are you okay?” Sam asked.
He continued staring. “I’m fine.”
Sam waited, unsure what to say. Trin inhaled with renewed focus, the intensity in his aura subsiding. “Okay,” he said. “You ready?”
“Yeah,” she nodded.
He began explaining the process, which fell on deaf ears. Even with a lifetime of “odd”, Sam had never witnessed anything like this.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
T hey followed the concrete path out of the library. Colored leaves swirling here and there in the breeze as they made their way to the parking lot. The setting sun cast a fiery glow to a carpet of gold, orange, and red that crunched beneath their feet.
Sam stared ahead. “Do you ever have visions?”
Trin glanced down. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t know,” she began, “like something in real life happens when you’re awake...but it’s...something that really should only happen in a dream?”
Trin studied her. “Describe it to me.”
She stopped walking. “Don’t think I’m nuts, okay?”
He stopped, cracking a smile.
Sam exhaled. “Okay...so a few nights ago...something pretty bad happened.” She looked to the sidewalk. “I was attacked after rehearsal at the dance building. I’m okay, he didn’t do anything, but...I don’t think he was really physically there,” she said. She looked up at Trin who remained silent. “I mean, I felt him,” she said. “But then...something happened...and he disappeared.”
Trin stared, squinting, unreadable. “He didn’t hurt you?”
“Well, I mean he tried at first, I guess. He grabbed my throat and squeezed pretty hard...”
Something shifted in Trin’s eyes as he listened, but he remained quiet, composed.
Sam glanced away. “He was...chanting...I think.” She shook her head. “That’s what it sounded like anyway.”
Trin lowered his head. “What was he saying?”
Sam shook her head. “I don’t know,” she said. “It wasn’t English. Then he disappeared.”
Trin looked to the ground a moment. “Do you think you could repeat what he was saying?”
“Um...I can try,” she said. She exhaled, glancing up. “Okay...yeh veez der? Veez deh...and something else I can’t remember.” She shook her head. “I don’t know. I’m sure I’m saying it wrong. It doesn’t matter.”
“Trin raised a brow dismissively. “Just curious.”
“There’s something else,” she said. “I have this recurring flash. I see these huge stone monoliths, seven of them on a plateau somewhere. I know the place exists,” she said. “I can feel it.” She gazed at the sidewalk. “There’s a woman too, in a red dress, with some sort of beaded cap over her hair. She seems to be trying to tell me something...The monoliths are always...bleeding.” She looked up to get his reaction. “I’m not psycho, I swear...at least I don’t think I am.”
He didn’t flinch. “You’re not psycho,” he said, distance coloring his demeanor.
“Honestly, I feel like I am,” she said. She gestured toward the lot. “I swear it’s this campus. All of this started when I moved here. I mean, I’ve always been kinda freaky, but things happen to me here that I have never experienced before—things I can’t even begin to explain. When I was little, I could tell you who was calling or who was at the door, I have always been able to see energy—see future events, but that’s it, you know? Well...I guess there is one other thing.”
Trin looked down at her.
She sighed. “When I was eight, I nearly crushed myself, and Anna, in a landslide I caused to stop a serial killer from attacking us.”
Trin glanced forward, a glint in his light eyes—not disbelief or shock—he was impressed.
Sam looked at him under a furrowed brow. “You’re taking this all really well.”
Trin looked down at her and then laughed a little. “Sorry,” he put a hand through his hair.
“Not that I want you thinking I’m psycho...”
He shook his head. “Sam, clearly you’re a powerful medium,” he said. “That’s not weird to me.”
“Okay, but why here?” she asked. “Why now? The only thing that’s changed is my location. I don’t know as it’s me so much as this place.” She stared ahead. “You know, I really feel like the attack the other night was some sort of vision,” she said, “like a premonition or warning.” She looked up at Trin. “But I think I made it stop...the same way I stopped the killer from hurting Anna and me when we were little. That bit I can’t explain. It has happened in my life only twice,” she said. “Only when I felt...real danger.” She looked away. “I never told my parents,” she said. “My abilities freaked my parents right out. I stopped talking about it early on and it sort of stopped happening.” She shook her head. “But ever since I moved into my dorm, it’s like a switch flipped. Everything I spent my life shutting off suddenly reactivated somehow and all of it is seriously scary.” she said. “I feel like I’m losing my mind.”
Trin took her hand. She flinched at the unexpected touch, which he ignored. “You’re not losing your mind.”
Sam stared at the ground, reeling at the penetrating heat flowing through her body as his large hand held firm to hers. “It will all be okay,” he said. “You’ve got me now.”
She glanced sideways at him. “Yeah?”
“Yeah, you do.” He stopped and turned, squeezing her hand. “What are you doing tonight?”
Sam’s heart warmed, lighting her eyes. “Sunday night,” she said. “Movie night with Anna and Vig...and you.”
He cracked a smile, paused and nodded once. “Sounds awesome.”
He pulled her under his arm and walked her to his truck, shuddering chills flooding her core. “I’ll drive you to your car and follow you home, Okay?”
She nodded, trying to summon a coherent response. “Okay.”
He kept her close as they crossed the lot, disregarding the subtle yet increasing light between them.
Sam pulled out onto S
outh Campus Drive and turned left at the green light. She checked her rearview mirror watching for Trin. The expensive truck pulled up right behind her, his attentive glacier blue eyes focused, keeping a perfect distance from her little car. She forced her gaze from his beautiful face and tended to the road.
She contemplated his cool demeanor. She had just divulged some fantastical elements of her bizarre life and he just listened. He believed what she told him, she could feel it. Instead of doubt or mockery she felt empathy. That look in his eyes after the story about the landslide...he wasn’t afraid for her...he was proud of her. She began wondering about his life, his family. Were they aware of his abilities, and if so did it scare them like it did her parents? Did he have to hide his gifts from everyone too?
The blaring of Trin’s horn ripped her from her thoughts, his high beams flooding the interior of her car. Gripping her steering wheel her eyes shot to the rearview mirror finding the large truck right up against her bumper. A voice she knew sounded in her head, a voice like thunder, in the same foreign language. She swerved into the left lane, just missing a minivan as it veered out of her way shooting ahead of her, the driver leaning on the horn. Her whole body went ridged as she jerked the wheel to the right, eyes wide, terror and confusion shattering her insides as she pulled with a violent lurch to the side of the road and slammed on the breaks.
Breath left and refilled her lungs like furious waves as she commanded her heart to beat again. Trin was at her door before she could even think to kill the engine and get out. He pulled her back door open with such force she expected it to snap off in his hand. Lifting her arms over her head she jerked around to the back seat. Trin’s broad back obstructed her view, mammoth muscles working beneath the fabric of his T shirt as he dug through the rear of the vehicle. She watched in shock as he pulled back. He paused—supporting his weight under his palms against her back seat. He stared at the floor, breath labored, eyes ferocious. “This man that attacked you...” he lifted his eyes to hers. “What did he look like?”
Caught between confusion and shock Sam said, “I...I don’t know. It was dark...um, really big, dark hair,” her eyes shot to his. “Green eyes,” she said. “Like glowing green...“Why Trin?”
He remained still a moment, his intense gaze locked on hers. “Helping you through these visions will be easier than I thought.”
Sam stared a moment and shook her head, eyes frantic. “What do you mean,” she asked. “Why?”
Trin blew out a deep breath. “Cuz I can see him too.”
Sam jumped out of her car as if it were on fire, leaving the door wide. Trin backed out of the rear seat, moving to her side in one brisk step, taking her shoulders in his large hands. “It’s okay, Sam,” he said. “You were right. He’s not really here.” He pulled her into an embrace, his strong hand cradling her head to his chest. A stunned huff escaped his throat and he said, “You got some wicked powerful visions, girl.”
She trembled, burrowing deep into his chest. “Is that really all it is?”
“Yes.”
Sam let out a sharp breath. “What does it mean? Why is this happening to me?”
He towered over her, holding her in his arms for a moment. He moved his hand from her hair and looked down at her. “Like I said, you’re a powerful medium. We’ll figure it out. There’s a reason, yeah, but he’s just a projected image. That’s all,” he said. He moved a tendril of hair from her face. “It’s important you remember that because,” he huffed again, “It’s gonna feel real,” he said. “You already know that. But the amount of damage he can do will depend on how much you believe he’s really there in front of you.” He lowered his head, looking into her eyes. “He’s not.” He placed a finger to her forehead. “There’s a lot of power here,” he said. “Your mind can protect you—and it can make you a meal for the beast—it’s up to you.”
Sam’s expression shifted from terrified to appalled. “Why...why would you say it like that,” she said.
Trin paused, caught off guard. “Sorry?...Just the way I talk, I guess.”
Sam nodded, brow furrowed in discontent. “Maybe we could work on that,” she said. “I’m already scared to death.”
Trin’s light eyes glinted with suppressed amusement. “No reason to be.” He took her face in his strong hands and leaned in—only a few inches between them now. “I won’t let anything happen to you, okay?”
She thought she caught the tail end of something he had said—a promise shining in his heavenly eyes. He held her, waiting for a response that wouldn’t come—her words buried somewhere beyond her reach. She struggled to reply, but lost all interest as his soft lips pressed into hers—a warmth igniting deep in her lower abdomen, everything around her ceasing to exist but him. His strong hand rested at the back of her neck, pulling her to him—so safe, so protected; with a core of carnal power so intense it nearly obliterated the feeling of safety.
His lips lingered—just one soft kiss. He disengaged. She gasped as he forced her attention with his lethal blue eyes. “I need to know you heard me.”
Sam breathed in and out, then in and out again. “I heard you everywhere,” she said.
A beautiful smile lit his masculine face. “Yeah, me too.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
T he autumn night closed in around them with the first rain of the season. A light misty sprinkle floated down from the darkened sky, growing in strength by the moment.
“Eeeeek! Hurry, Vig!” Anna shrieked, squeezing him from behind, burrowing into his back as he pulled his motorcycle into the Sage Point parking lot. He had barely shut off the ignition when she scrambled off the bike. She scampered to the porch, still wearing his passenger helmet.
“Geez, Anna—it’s water,” he said, pulling off his helmet.
“It’s pouring, Vig!”
He held his hand out and turned to Trin who had just climbed out of his truck. “It’s pouring,” he said.
Trin shook his head, laughing. As he pulled Sam’s door open, she too darted underneath his arm, running for the porch, squealing. Vig raised an eyebrow. “...Pouring.”
Trin lifted his chin, letting the rain mist his face. He glanced at Vig. “Totally sucks.”
“Will you two get over here?” Anna stomped her foot on the porch.
Vig climbed off his bike with a sarcastic grin. “Did you seriously just stomp your foot?”
“Viggo!”
Trin threw Vig a wary glance. “Viggo.”
Vig put his helmet on the back of his bike. “I’m in trouble.”
Trin clapped a hand on his shoulder, grinning as they walked toward the door. “Sorry, bro.”
“I’m always in trouble.”
Trin didn’t stifle his amused chuckle.
Vig pulled the door open and they all headed inside. Anna hit the lights and went for the fridge as they made their way into the front room. Sam glanced at Trin, only to find him watching her. She flushed, lowering her head and led him to the couch. Vig sat down, adjacent to them and began searching for the movie they wanted.
“Does anyone want a water bottle or anything?”
“I’ll have a beer,” Vig announced with enthusiasm.
“We don’t have beer in this house.”
“Freakin’ athletes,” he mumbled as he messed with the TV.
“Hey,” Sam said, kicking him in the leg.
“I know,” Vig said. “I’m surrounded.”
“Just find the show, movie boy.”
Vig looked at Trin with his hands in the air. “See what I mean?” he said. “I get no respect.”
“That’s wrong, bro,” Trin replied.
Anna waltzed in with a water bottle for herself and sat down next to him.
“Stop whining. You know I love you.”
Vig shook his head, finished the set up and pressed play. Anna curled up into him. Sam pulled her legs up underneath her and leaned against Trin. He put an arm around her and pulled her close. A euphoric thrill zipped through her and she
snuggled more deeply into his sculpted chest.
The movie began to play. Both Sam and Anna had wanted to see this film since it came out in theaters, never having the time to go see it. But Sam’s mind was so jammed with the events of the past twenty four hours she no longer cared what was happening on the screen. She noticed nothing but the intoxicating flush of contact with Trin’s body, the feeling of security, the overwhelming sense of protection, the sensual thrill dancing in her abdomen and traveling downward from there. His strong arm tightened around her shoulder, pulling her closer, drenching her in a healing electric charge and she wondered how she would ever let him go home.
He knew how to deal with the traumatic events she continually experienced. He could see what she saw and he had nearly destroyed her car to protect her from it. Yet he was also able to discern what it was and the accompanying level of threat. Sam spent the movie contemplating discreet ways to keep him from leaving once it was over. Now that she had found him the thought of being away from him didn’t seem to be an option.
Before she realized it, the movie was over. Anna sat with a smirk on her face. “That sucked,” she said. “What a total let down.”
Vig threw a hand up. “I told you it would. You never listen.”
Ignoring him, Anna leaned in front of him toward Sam. “The ending totally sucked. It was great until the ending—what was that all about.”
Sam shrugged. “They botched it for sure,” she said. She hadn’t seen a minute of it.
Anna pushed herself up from the couch as Vig said, “These ‘scary’ movies aren’t scary,” he said. “They’re stupid and unrealistic.”
“They’re fun to watch,” Anna said crossing the room to the hallway. “...well, not that one. But every now and then you get a really good one—and you don’t know if that stuff’s real or not.”
She entered the bathroom and closed the door. Vig turned to Trin, rolling his eyes. “Well, I’ve had my share of ‘scary’ for one night.”
