by Aleah Raynes
Reed, who was sitting on the back of the sofa, reached for me and tugged me into his arms. “She knows she’s bound to us. It just came out when we were discussing the change in her summoning/conjuring powers.”
Sawyer briefly filled my dad into our conversation before I summoned my father like a demon. Ugh!
“I see,” Dad said and sat at the kitchen island. “You might as well tell her everything. No use in keeping anything from her. Everyone knows who she is.”
“Already?” Cal jumped to his feet. There was panic in his eyes. “How did it spread so fast?”
Dad shrugged and took the beer Sawyer offered. “She looks too much like her mother. But I really think we are dealing with spies.”
Dalton met my gaze briefly and frowned. “Lucia has spies everywhere. That’s not news. The whole race has been waiting for Michael’s prophecy to come to light. That includes Lucia. We all knew that once Rylee stepped foot in the school, her life would be in danger. Then there’s her powers. I’ve never met a Capissian with a magical signature as strong as Rylee’s. Not even Joel can touch her.”
“Joel?” I stepped out of Reed’s embrace and stared at Dalton. “My uncle?”
Dad nodded. “Joel is the strongest of the Thornehart bloodline. He’s the oldest, living descendant of Michael. I’m not caught up on the family drama, but rumor has it, he isn’t happy you are here to claim the Thornehart Estate.”
The way Dad said family drama made me think it was much more than the run of the mill sibling rivalries. “So, Joel likes his throne and power status?” The guys, Dad included, nodded at the same time. “Then he can keep it. I don’t want to be at the top of the Capissian food chain. All I ever wanted was to go to college, study science and mathematics, then live a normal life.”
I stormed off toward my room. From the kitchen, I heard my dad ask if anyone could drive him home. Releasing a sigh, I dropped onto the bed, then rolled to my back. Guilt teased my senses for conjuring my dad in the first place.
What if I refused to claim the estate? I did have a choice, right?
The angel wings mark on my hip tingled and I rubbed the spot. Odd. It’d never done that. I was afraid to ask what it meant. A new power? Or worse?
Rolling to my side, I closed my eyes and tried like hell to push away all the thoughts racing in my mind. I just needed a few minutes of calm, of nothing.
Chapter 10
Movement on the bed woke me. I flung my eyes open, meeting Cal’s honey-colored gaze. His smiled. “Morning.”
With a frown, I rose and glanced at the clock on the nightstand. Then I rolled my eyes and pushed at his shoulder. “Good evening, maybe.”
He shrugged and lay on his back, linking his fingers behind his head. “You must have been tired.”
“I needed some quiet to clear my mind. I guess I drifted off to sleep. How long was I out?” I sat up and stared at him, taking in his lean, muscular frame stretched out on my bed.
“About twenty minutes. Sawyer wanted me to get you for dinner.”
I nudged his hip with my foot. “Then let’s go eat.”
My stomach stole the moment with a loud growl. Cal laughed and gripped my ankle. He pulled, making me fall backward, my head dangled off the edge of the bed. Before I had a chance to get up, he rolled on top me, settling his hips between my thighs. Flutters of sensations swirled in my belly and I sucked in a breath.
Cal lifted my head so I met his gaze. We both stilled and stared at each other. His features mirrored my confusion. It felt right to be with him, yet I was scared at the same time. I’d never had a boyfriend, so I didn’t know what was normal and what wasn’t.
Right. Nothing in my situation was normal.
“We should go eat.” Cal spoke but didn’t move.
I nodded, not wanting to leave. Something unraveled deep inside me. A feeling…no, an acknowledgement that Cal belonged to me. We were connected. For the first time since learning about them and then our bond, I actually felt the magical threads that linked us.
Me to him and us to the others.
I cupped his face and he turned into my palm, kissing it. His lips were soft and I wondered what it would be like to kiss him.
Then his gaze fell to my lips and my heart sped up, thumping wildly. He lowered his head. I closed my eyes as his lips pressed to mine. Tingles skittered through my insides and across my skin.
Wrapping my arms around his neck, I needed to feel him closer.
The bedroom door flew open and Cal jerked, rolling off me and onto the floor with a thud. I sat up and met Sawyer’s narrow-eyed, stern gaze. I didn’t sense jealousy.
Sawyer broke the eye contact to glance at Cal, who was standing at the French doors, looking out them. “Peyton is here. You two have to replace Drew and Tyler at The Club.”
Cal gave a short nod and turned to leave. When he reached the door, Sawyer stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. “We all have to adjust.”
Cal’s shoulders dropped before he brushed by his brother.
I eased off the bed and straightened my shirt. I really had no clue what I was doing. How was I supposed to act?
“Come here.” Sawyer held out his hand to me, his tone soft.
Crossing the room, I couldn’t shake the feeling of having done something wrong. Like I was about to receive a lecture about having boys in my room. When I reached Sawyer, I stopped a few feet from him. He gripped my hand and drew me even closer, then lifted my chin with a finger so I met his stare. “If any of us do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable—”
“Cal didn’t.”
Sawyer smiled. “I know.”
We fell into a comfortable silence. After a few moments, I asked, “What’s The Club?”
“It’s a hangout for our kind. Recently, Lucia’s minions have been showing up causing trouble. We keep agents visible and help security.” He linked his fingers with mine and tugged me out the room.
In the hall, I glanced toward Kent’s room. “How is Kent doing?”
“Sleeping. He will most likely be out until tomorrow sometime.”
I nodded and pushed my worry aside, trusting Sawyer. After all, he had the healing power and would know if there was something to worry about.
Sawyer directed me to the living room. “I’ll bring your plate to you.”
Frowning, I made my way to the sofa where Reed and Dalton sat, already eating. Reed motioned to the spot between them so I sat. My thighs brushed against each of theirs. The contact sent a jolt of a low electrical current. It was similar to the feeling with Cal.
The bond.
Now that I knew about it, I recognized the connection to each of them.
I released a sigh and sat back. “Is there anything else you guys aren’t telling me?”
The guys glanced at each other, but it was Reed who spoke. “The bonding was the big one. We weren’t sure how you’d react. Dalton and I are staying here tonight to go over everything. Answer your questions. Brief you on what to expect.”
“We’re not going to lock you away until the danger has passed.” Sawyer handed me my plate, then placed a napkin on my lap before taking a seat in the La-Z-Boy.
Dalton added, “What we will do is prepare you. Lucia has more than the thistia at her disposal. She has black magic and demons and whatever else Lucifer gives her.”
I nodded, took a bite of baked chicken and chewed. The thistias were bad, but something told me there were much worse things out there. “So, what are the thistia, exactly? Did you know they had abilities?”
Dalton nodded. “It doesn’t surprise me that they do. Lucia created them with her own DNA, demon bones, and embers from the deepest parts of Hell. Not to mention a lot of black magic.”
“No wonder they are so gross.” I shuddered at the memory of staring one of those creatures down.
Sawyer asked, “What ability did you see?”
“One of them camouflaged itself with the forest around him. In my vision, he was waiting until we were di
stracted. Cal said they were there for me. If that’s true, then why bother with dragging Cal off?” The whole situation didn’t make sense to me. “If they were created with magic, then they possess powers. Right? Then why not kill Cal and grab me before they made their presence known?”
Sawyer stared at me for an intense moment then flicked his gaze to Reed and Dalton. When no one looked interested in speaking, I stood with my plate in hand. I wasn’t going to put up with them keeping crap from me. “I’m not a baby you need to protect from the dark truth of our world. I’m the prophesized child, blessed by Archangel Michael. That would make me sacred or something. Right?”
Dalton nudged my leg, then patted the sofa. “Sit. Please.” When I did, he began to explain. “You are right and way too smart. Because you are a descendant of Michael and prophesized to end the war between the Capissian families, you will, one day in the near future, possess powers that will rival Michael and God himself. Lucia wants nothing more than to kill you so the prophecy doesn’t come true.”
I worked my jaw and stared down at my plate. “That doesn’t answer my question.”
Dalton placed a hand on my knee and I stilled. The last time he touched me I saw his mother’s death. I could feel the low hum of his dark power. Lucifer’s power.
I lifted my gaze to his then removed his hand and continued. “Lucia can’t kill you. No one can.”
A soft growl-like noise came from Sawyer, but Dalton ignored him. “When my aunt went on her murdering spree, searching for you, Michael added a clause to the prophecy. Your death would bring on the apocalypse.”
The room got so quiet, even the AC shut off. Okay, I knew that was a coincidence, but still. I took another bite of chicken and shook my fork at the guys while I chewed. “Isn’t that what she wants?”
Reed spoke next. “Yeah, but on her terms. If you die, Lucifer would be free from Hell. Lucia would get nothing.”
“Right.” I scooped up a forkful of mashed potatoes and savored the creamy, roasted garlic yumminess. “This is really good, by the way,” I said to Sawyer.
He nodded. “Thank you. You eat, we’ll talk. To answer your earlier question. Lucia could use any one of us to get to you. It is no secret we are bound. Also, the more you connect with us, the stronger you will become. We don’t know how fast your powers will increase, but my guess is Michael wouldn’t hesitate to escalate them if he sees it necessary.”
Pursing my lips, I stared at Sawyer. His bald head was slightly darker, like he hadn’t shaved it in several days. The silver hoop in his right brow caught the light as he spoke. He was handsome in that rough biker-ish way. Averting my gaze, I asked, “Why doesn’t Michael just do that? End it all now.”
Dalton snickered. “You can ask him that when you meet him. And don’t ask when that is, because we don’t know. The angel has a habit of showing up at the oddest times. But my guess would be he’d give you a lecture on the balance of Universe and how things have to follow a certain path, blah, blah.”
“Wow. Sounds like my dad every time I asked him about my powers.” I wasn’t getting anymore from them at the moment, which was fine. There was enough information buzzing in my mind now. “Our goal is to keep me alive so the world doesn’t end and keep Lucia from kidnapping me for my power. I guess I need to train to fight and shoot.”
The guys glanced to one another, but Reed said, “That and educate you on the society and what it means being a Thornehart.”
“Speaking of,” Dalton chimed in. “Peyton will be by tomorrow to go over what you will wear to your homecoming dinner.”
“Homecoming? I thought it was supposed to be a family dinner.”
Sawyer rolled his eyes. “First lesson about your uncles and aunt, they never do anything intimate or private. They have every intension to show you off and announce your place in the family.”
“Great. I’ll just practice calling Reed’s force fields. I could try to conjure Lucia and kill her. But somehow I doubt that would work.” I lifted my plate so I could stand and take it to the kitchen, but Sawyer beat me to it. He took my plate, along with the others, and disappeared into the kitchen.
“That’s not a bad idea. Practicing calling to our powers and using them as your own. I think conjuring your Dad was a product of your emotions running high. Besides I really don’t want to face Lucia right now.” Reed handed me a video game controller.
Nodding I took it. I wasn’t much of a gamer, but I decided it would help direct my overactive mind to something else besides rogues, thistias, and ending the world. “You’re right. When I called your ability, I was scared and didn’t know what else I could do. With Dad, I was mad.”
Reed leaned into me. “All this is new to you. And there are limits to what we all can do. You just need to learn what your limits are.”
“So, stay alive and don’t end the world. Easy” I laughed nervously, then focused on the game. Tomorrow, I prepare to face my future when I really just want to hide under a rock.
Chapter 11
I woke with a start, the sense of not breathing washed over me. Panic and pain reached out to my acknowledgment. Then I heard it, a soft moan. It was so faint, I wasn’t sure if my mind made it up or not.
My first thought was Kent. I had to check on him.
I eased out of bed so I didn’t wake Sawyer and Reed, who lay on either side of me. A quick glance at them made me smile and wonder if I’d ever get that big bed to myself.
The feeling of being afraid hit me again, and I rushed to the door. When I reached Kent’s room, he tossed and turned in his bed, groaning. And his breathing was off.
I rushed to him, climbed on the bed, and touched his face. He calmed as if knowing it was me. However, his eyes didn’t open and his breathing was still labored. “Kent, it’s me Rylee. I’m safe. We’re safe.”
I lay next to him, laying my head on his chest. “I’m here.”
I wasn’t sure why I said the words, but I sensed he needed to hear them. Cuddling into him, I linked my fingers with his. He calmed even more and wound his free arm around me, hugging me close.
Another moment went by and a blanket was pulled over us. Lifting my gaze, I saw Sawyer. He nodded, then kissed me on the forehead. “Go back to sleep and take care of him.”
I nodded. My heart swelled at the love and compassion Sawyer had for his team. They didn’t even know it. Soft spot. It was getting bigger and bigger.
Smiling, I cuddled into Kent and drifted off to sleep.
Movement on the bed jolted me awake. My body jerked and I flung my eyes open. Warm, large arms tightened around me, pulling me closer into a body. It took me a little bit to remember where I was.
Kent.
I relaxed and closed my eyes again with a soft sigh.
“Why are you in my bed? Not that I’m complaining.” Kent’s teasing, sleepy tone brought a smile to my lips.
“You were having a bad dream.”
He was silent for a long moment before finally speaking. “Are you okay?”
“Yes. How do you feel?”
“Better, thanks to Sawyer’s healing magic.” He squeezed me closer and kissed my temple. “I thought…I was worried the thistias had gotten you.”
Turning in his arms to face him, I studied his features. The color in his face was back, and if I wasn’t there to witness his wounds, I’d swear there never were any. “I was worried too. I heard Reed call out to me and I wished I could call a shield.”
“And you did.”
I nodded. “You don’t seem surprised.”
“I’ve wondered if your conjuring gift would do more than you believed it did. You’re a descendant of Archangel Michael.” He kissed my forehead, my nose, then hovered his lips inches from mine.
My heart pounded wildly. Would he kiss me or pull away? How would he react if I tugged him in and claimed his full lips?
I didn’t get any answers to my questions because the bedroom door flew open. “Kent, get your lazy ass up…”
Cal
’s words faded as he stared at us. The muscle in his jaw worked. Kent fell to his side on the bed next to me, but didn’t let go. Just then Peyton skipped into the room, throwing an arm around Cal’s shoulders, which was easy for her to do because she was at least an inch taller than Cal.
It was my turn to stare at them. I’d never felt jealousy before, but I was sure that was why I started to tremble and my breathing became deeper. They’d been at The Club. “Are you two just getting in?”
I tried to keep my tone calm and free of emotion. I failed.
Kent whispered in my ear, “No need to be jealous of Peyton. She likes girls.”
Oh. Oh! Embarrassed, I turned into Kent’s chest and buried my face. What was wrong with me?
A heavy sigh reached my ears right before the bed dipped. Cal combed his fingers through my hair. “Sorry. We all haven’t been very open to you from the start. This is new to us too.”
Rolling to my back, I stared at the ceiling. “Can I skip the dinner party tomorrow night?”
“I’m afraid not.” Peyton held out her hand. “We need to go over what you are wearing before I crash for the day. And Dalton said something about gun play…I mean, training.” She smiled wildly and winked at me.
I laughed and sat up, which put me nose to nose with Cal. He closed the tiny gap with a quick kiss on the lips, then stood. My cheeks heated.
When I moved to stand, Kent touched my arm, drawing my attention back to him. I met his green stare. He leaned forward. “I liked waking up with you. Thank you.”
He kissed me. And it wasn’t quick like Cal’s. Kent’s tongue pushed past my lips, tangling with mine. Heat traveled over my flesh.
“That’s hot,” Peyton said, then added, “Can I join in?”
Kent broke the kiss and lunged for her, grabbed her by the arm and pulled her onto the bed between us. She squealed and laughed. Then Kent began to tickle her. I helped him.
Cal stopped at the door and shook his head. “I don’t see where she gets all the energy. I’m going to sleep.”
“Night,” I called to him as he left. “Or, morning?”
