by Valerie King
Throwing his keys on the table, I watched him walk into the light of the picture window overlooking the madness that still hung in the air outside – voices barreling through the walls, muffled. Turning around, he faced me. The light of the sun, tracing the outline of his perfect frame, intensified the golden hue of his being. The attraction that I felt for Evan was deeper, more magnified than ever before.
I moved within my shadow, allowing myself to fall forward, slowly revealing myself to the intrigued eyes of the one I wanted so immensely. The ambience that wafted within the room left me feeling as if I was undressing in front of him for the first time, baring my body not my soul, as I drifted outside of the darkness that I hid within. The way he stared at me made me slightly uncomfortable, but I knew that his feelings for me were strong and sensual.
“You…” he said softly, shaking his head. A smile fell across his lips, lightening the mood slightly. “I knew you’d come back, Macy.”
I grew dizzy as the blood drained from my head and into the tips of my toes. The sheer power of my devotion towards him was immeasurable and undoubtedly…indescribable.
He took a step towards me, and I followed suit until the two of us stood only inches from one another. His hands reached for me, intertwining his fingers with mine. The heat that pulsed from his palms passed over me like a crashing wave, causing my heart to flutter rapidly within my chest.
Without a single word or explanation spoken, he leaned down, our lips meeting in the same succulent way as they had only a few weeks before on the bridge. My eyes closed, I leaned in, pulling my hands from his and wrapping them around the nape of his neck. I felt his hands running along the back of my silk tank top, eventually entangling in my hair as he devoured the woman who had saved his life…who he wanted, needed so badly.
Evan guided me slowly towards the wall of his apartment, pressing me up against it as his lips left mine and began kissing my cheeks, my neck…my shoulders. My hands wove themselves into his hair as I held him close. Sharp flickers of light, images springing forth as he continued to caress my skin with light kisses. Images of being pushed up against the brick wall of Evan’s apartment brought my nightmare alive. Aaron pounding my side with his fists, my head hitting the pavement; it took hold of my memory as I tried to stall the darkness of the one I feared.
A gasp escaped my lips, causing Evan to rise from the nape of my neck and stare into my eyes with bewilderment. “What is it, Macy? Did I do something wrong?”
I shook my head, unable to answer, as I looked deep into the eyes of the one who I craved so violently.
“Evan–” I was unable to finish what I was trying to say, tears filling my eyes.
He stepped away from me, his golden hue growing brighter. Walking away from the wall, I paced the floor in front of me, my hands running wildly through my hair as I fought for the words that I needed to say to him.
“Macy, what’s wrong? Is it–”
I cut him off before he could finish. “I’ve put your life in danger…my life in danger, Evan. There are things you don’t know about me, but that I long to tell you. But I’m not sure you’d ever believe me if I spoke of them.”
His eyes grew soft. “I told you I’d never tell anyone about you, and I never have.”
“I believe you. I know you haven’t.” I struggled to continue what I needed to say.
“Then what is it?”
“Someone saw. Someone saw us – he saw what we did, I did. And he threatened me. I revealed myself to you…for a Guardian to reveal him or herself to anyone is perversely wrong. The sentence for doing so is heavy.” I stuttered my words as terror took hold of me.
He sighed aloud, grasping my hands tightly within his. “I’m willing to accept any sentence if that means you’ll stay with me. Will you quit hiding from me, Macy?” He leaned in once more, his lips brushing gently over mine as he spoke. “What are you other than perfect?”
“Your angel, Evan. Your guardian angel.”
His eyes grew cordial, piercing my heart as my feet melted within the floor beneath me. Here I stood, in front of a man who knew me and accepted me for who I was. I was rendered speechless as his hand wandered to my cheek, caressing it sweetly.
“Are there more of you?” he asked dryly, his eyes boring into mine.
“Yes. Many.” I watched his stature as he walked away from me and over to the window, peering outside at the world below us, his back to me. “I spoke a vow to protect you for life. You’re my Shomer. That means I am to guard, protect and watch over you…forever. That’s why I appeared on the bridge that night. I know when you need me.”
I pulled the strap of my tank top down, revealing the feather tattoo that hung just below my right shoulder blade. “This is how I know, Evan.”
He turned around to face me, taking slow, steady steps to where I stood. His fingers lightly traced the outline of my mark. Then his lips landed on top of the symbol that labeled who I was.
“I don’t understand,” he said, his hot breath hitting my shoulder, causing goosebumps to rise.
“There’s not much to understand. Only that I vowed to protect you. And I always will.” His gaze rose to mine as I placed my right hand over his heart. “I can hear your heartbeat.” Closing my eyes, my ears were suddenly filled with the steady beat of the life inside of him. I felt his hand cover mine.
“What is my heart saying, then?” His voice was airy, causing a smile to tug at the corners of my lips, my eyes still closed.
“It’s saying…that you desire me, want me.” My eyes slowly fluttered open.
His lips fell to mine once more, the two of us coming up for air only a few moments later.
“I hardly know you…or what you are exactly, Macy. Am I dreaming when I see you, or are you really real? I don’t even know your full name, or where you’re from, or who your parents are.”
I placed my hand across his mouth and read the history of who I was in a matter of a few simple sentences. “Macy Louise Milligan. I’m almost nineteen, I’ve lived in the city all of my life, my parents are Carl and Helen. I learned that I was a Guardian at age seven but I didn’t speak my vow of guardianship until just a few short months ago. When I look at you, I see a golden hue, sparkles that surround your being. There are many individuals who walk this earth that share the same outline as you, but yours is more pronounced…beautiful.”
He pulled my hand from his mouth, kissing the inside of my palm before letting it fall. “My turn. Evan Samuel Williamson. I’m twenty-two, an architect, and I’ve lived in New York for almost two years. My mother lives in New Jersey, and my father passed away suddenly…”
“That’s why I found you on the bridge, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” he said softly. His eyes swept over mine. “You saved my life. I’ve always believed in a higher power, but until I saw your alluring face, I had begun to question my faith. What was I living for? When I saw you standing there, I just knew…there was never fear. There was…complete peace.”
I was completely smitten with the man who stood before me. Never in my life had I ever been so attracted to or tuned in to another living soul like I was with Evan.
“Evan, there is so much more to tell you, but it isn’t safe here anymore. That’s why I came today. To see you, but also…to take you with me. We have to leave the city. Tonight. That is, if you love me like I do you.”
About the Author
Valerie King has always possessed a vivid imagination and a mind full of stories waiting to be told. As life moves forward, her pen has finally hit paper and incandescent sagas are being written. Her passion has transformed itself into the Fatum book series, the Unseen Wings trilogy, along with a number of short stories that can be found on her website. Welcome to her journey…
Valerie lives with her husband and their three children in Dallas, TX.
Also available from Valerie:
The Gift of Fate
(Book 1 in the Fatum Saga)
Seventeen year old Jil
lian Marie Mathers uncovers her true calling in life one cool autumn night. With the belief that she is veritably crazy, she soon discovers she holds a very special gift instead.
A twisted story that is beautifully woven with petals of romance and dangerous corners, The Gift of Fate is a page-turning love story and dark thriller that will leave you wanting more.
Visit Valerie online at www.valeriekingbooks.com
Back to CONTENTS
Table of Contents
Dedication
Chapter One
Knowing
Chapter Two
Induction
Chapter Three
Namesake
Chapter Four
Passion
Chapter Five
Introduction
Chapter Six
Encounter
Chapter Seven
Plea
Chapter Eight
Praise
Chapter Nine
Secrets
Chapter Ten
Summon
Chapter Eleven
Convene
Chapter Twelve
Warning
Chapter Thirteen
Departure
About the Author
