My door breezed open and Mum smiled as she peered around the corner. She spotted Silvie first then arched a brow as she caught sight of Davio. “Hello, we have a visitor. I’m Kate, Faith’s mother.”
All I could manage was a squeak of sound.
I had a man in my room.
Thank goodness, I had Silvie in here too.
“I’m Davio Loveria, Ms. Stryker, a friend of Belle’s.” Davio bowed so damn politely. Why couldn’t he be that polite to me, and preferably all of the time? “Belle sent me to collect the girls.”
“Nice to meet you, Davio, and call me Kate. All Faith’s friends do.” Mum turned her eagle-like gaze on me. “I didn’t even hear you come home. Let alone hear anyone else enter. You’re as quiet as a mouse these days.”
“I don’t mean to be.” I kissed her cheek. “I’m still staying at Belle’s. I used the back door, but I was coming to see you.” Or I would have after I’d finished arguing with Davio. “Anyway, Belle and a few of our other friends are getting together at the Domain. Belle’s organized dinner and a fire on the beach.” I brushed another kiss against her cheek. “I can’t miss that.”
“No, you can’t.” Her answer was a little slow and she squeezed my arms then glanced at Davio again. “Look after my daughter.”
“I certainly will.” He inclined his head. “Thank you, Kate. We were on our way.”
“Yes,” Silvie said and hugged my mother. “Belle has Zac and Viv with her. They’re new to town and we’re showing them the sights.”
“Oh right, then you shouldn’t keep them waiting.”
“Thanks.” Silvie hooked her arm through mine and propelled us both out the door. We walked down the front step and marched along the pathway toward Belle’s place. “Well,” Silvie said once we’d walked far enough so Mum couldn’t see or hear us. “Let’s get a couple of things straight. You’re not alone in all these changes you’re going through. I’ll always be right here, and there’s a reason these protectors are around and even I can see their aid is necessary. We have an unknown Dralion warrior to contend with, one who hurt you.”
“You’re right.” Of course she was, and I understood that this wasn’t all about me. I hugged her. “I’m sorry.”
“I appreciate the apology, but you also owe someone else an apology too. I agree Davio shouldn’t have said that about your father, being scum and all, but honestly he has only your best intentions at heart. He wants to protect you from being hurt again, and you two can surely sort out this issue instead of arguing about it. Just remember we’re all fighting on the same side.”
“I hate it when you’re always right.” Flippin’ hated it, but still, Davio had said some careless things and even though he followed five steps behind us so my temper wouldn’t rise, I still wasn’t yet ready to give into him so quickly. It wouldn’t hurt him to stew for a bit more, to realize I wasn’t going to get straight into line just because he’d commanded it. For our mated bond to work, our relationship needed to be fifty-fifty.
“I can see that look on your face.” Silvie groaned. “No giving in yet, huh? ’Port us back to the beach.”
“The beach sounds great.” Right now I would concede to that much.
With the image fresh in my mind, I took us both there, just twenty feet from where the others had built a fire in a pit. The flames glowed orange and red and chased away the oncoming dark.
A swirl of wind, and Davio ’ported in too.
I stalked around the fire-pit and eased down next to Belle where she sat cross-legged unraveling a large square of heaped newspaper.
“Ooo, that looks good.” Viv lifted her nose to the air and sniffed from the sand where she sat. “Smells good too.”
“Mmm, there’s nothing quite like hot fish and fries on the beach.” Silvie smacked her lips together and dropped down next to me.
“’Bout time you guys got back.” Zac pulled bottles of water out of a bag and tossed them to us where he sat seated on a log behind Viv.
I caught mine and Silvie’s bottles, handed hers to her while Davio took hold of one of the other rounded logs, stepped back a few paces and dropped it with a loud thunk, the distance a perfect five feet between us so the pain I endured disappeared. At least he was learning.
Inside, I logged my small win. Sure, I felt a little bad. He’d only been trying to protect me earlier, except those awful words of his kept reverberating through my mind. Just how many skills my mate holds could be anyone’s guess considering the Dralion scum who fathered her is clearly one of their most highly skilled.
I met his gaze and unscrewed my cap, raised my bottle in a salute of resistance, and he returned the gesture by lifting his own bottle. Then suddenly, with a slow shake of his head, a troubled look flickered in his gaze and he murmured, “I don’t want to fight with you. It’s not good for mated pairs to be so at odds.”
By the drooped set of his shoulders, he clearly meant it.
Silvie bumped my arm and handed me a small paper plate of hot food. “Here, have something to eat, then the two of you can make up afterward.”
That was Silvie, forever mothering me. I sighed and pulled the hot fish apart and slipped a morsel between my lips. My taste buds danced at the delight of such fresh fish, which would have been caught that morning by the local fishermen out in the bay.
Within our group, Zac pulled Viv closer into the V between his legs as he settled their joint plate on top of her knees. He encircled his arms around her, warding off the brisk breeze. How cute. They relaxed together, Zac running one hand through her dark locks. He tucked a few flyaway strands between their bodies where his chest was pressed to her back, and she turned her head and smiled at him. Zac tapped his cheek as if requesting a kiss and she giggled, popped a kiss where he’d indicated, then they whispered something to each other which was far too low for me to hear, even with my attuned hearing.
My mother had never had a man to care for her in the way Zac did with Viv. Nope, she’d been a teen mother who’d had to dedicate her life to raising me. Yet witnessing Zac holding Viv touched me. I hadn’t exactly seen any real relationships between men and women as I’d grown up, and the obvious dedication in Zac’s eyes toward Viv was certainly something special.
Letting out a slow breath, I faced the ocean as the last rays of the day disappeared with the sun dipping below the horizon. The night sky spread out across the heavens, a vast and brilliant midnight-blue with a myriad of twinkling stars blazing within. Somewhere beyond all that blue another world existed, one where my father had been born and now lived. Stunning, and shocking. It was also a world that intrigued me more and more with each passing minute. Davio’s drawing in the sand had answered some questions, yet had also opened up a whole lot more.
“This firewood isn’t quite dry enough to burn well, although it’ll have to do.” Zac snagged another log and nipped Viv’s ear as he tossed it onto the flames. “You’re almost as tasty as this meal, my mate.”
Viv laughed and squeezed his leg affectionately, their attention zooming right back in on each other, as if the rest of us weren’t even about. For certain Zac and Viv weren’t just protectors with the ability to battle and fight—they were close, their mated bond shining through for all to see.
Was that what Davio and I were supposed to have?
Belle spoke up, breaking the tortured train of my thought. “So, Davio, what are our orders now that Faith can teleport?”
He cast his gaze out to sea where the moonlight touched the creamy white surf as it rolled in. The fire crackled and a thin trail of smoke wafted up and swirled away on the wind.
Taking a swig of his drink, he braced his elbows on his knees. “I have to admit I’ve been sitting here considering my mate’s primary concern—that of the warrior who attacked her and perhaps I’m being too harsh with her regarding her security.” He turned his gaze to me. “You can teleport and well. I can see that more clearly now, as I didn’t before.”
“About time.” I gnawed on a fry.
With his steely gaze boring into mine, he continued, “I believe that because your father didn’t attempt to take you with him after he first attacked you, or for that matter, any time these past eighteen years, he might very well have turned up because of me. I am my father’s sole heir.”
“Are you saying Dralion’s warriors would do anything to ensure your capture?”
“My capture, then my death.”
“I won’t let my father hurt you.” I meant that too, with every fiber of my being.
“Neither would my protectors, but I digress. It’s likely not your life on the line, only mine, which means I need you to consider abiding by certain safety precautions I put in place for you, but we’ll hash those out together first. Sound good?”
“That depends on what those precautions are.”
“Quite simply that you inform me, at all times, of your plans.”
“So I can ’port wherever I please?”
“I’d rather you didn’t. My earlier request regarding that should still remain in place. No ’porting without a protector.”
“That is hardly a concession on your part, or a proper hashing out, but I take it I’m allowed to walk wherever I please?” I frowned and rose to my feet.
“Where you go, I go.” He stood too.
“No, that’s another bad concession. How about I go for a walk to calm down, and you stay here?” I set my shoulders straight. “You’re not allowed to say no.”
His jaw flexed.
“I wish to get rid of this foul temper you’ve heaped on me tonight.” I didn’t wait any longer. This was my chance for some much-needed space, and I intended on taking it.
Stepping over the log, I strode off. What I needed to do was take control of my life again, because I sure needed some time and space to come to grips with my very new, and very dominant, mate. Davio was in my life now, and I understood that.
I had accepted our bond, and even though we’d fought, I wanted him and all the bond entailed. I certainly wasn’t the sort to just give up simply because we’d yet to sort these niggles out. We would, after I returned. Calming down was imperative.
I walked through the dark, the solitude easing my discomfort and soothing my mind.
So too I wanted what my mother had never had, a man who’d be there to protect me, which Davio clearly wished to do, and sadly I also wanted to know more about the father who’d given me life and then walked away from me. I had a past to put to bed before I could truly embrace my future. Davio was undoubtedly part of that future. He was generous and attentive—obviously too attentive, but I no longer wanted to quibble over that. We could work things out.
Weaving in and around the sand dunes, I continued to set my thoughts in order. I had so few people in my life. There was Mum of course, Silvie and her mother, Seriah, but next to them, that was it. To think I had a father who came from another world still shocked me. He may be a warrior and Davio’s enemy, but he’d also left instructions in my mind to recall our conversation, one which wasn’t as bad as it had all first appeared. Yes, I definitely wanted to meet him in a secure place and just chat. There was so much I wanted to ask him, so much to learn.
I pressed the small light on my wristwatch and illuminated the time. Seven sharp. I should go now, while the time to make my escape was so easy. I had the image. The safe location. A crunching from back near the fire traveled to me, like the sound of a water bottle being squeezed.
“Faith!” Davio’s voice, his tone a tight mix of demand and worry. Footsteps thumped along the sand. He was coming, and I had no intention of allowing him to follow my ’porting airstream.
Swiftly, I brought the image of the safe room the warrior had left embedded in my mind to the forefront then ’ported. Through the dark, I gasped. Oh hell, how had my father known to give me this image? He must have known I’d have the ability to teleport.
Only the treacherous thought came too late.
I had arrived.
Chapter 6
From darkness to darkness, I was here. Wherever here was since I couldn’t see a damn thing. My heart thundered. Should I really have come?
“Yes, you should have.” A sliver of light chased in under the door, the answer coming from that direction. From someone who’d clearly just read my thoughts.
“Come and join me, Faith. I’ve been waiting a lifetime for this moment.”
I’d always considered myself brave, only right now my legs shook. I tapped my feet on the ground, and fidgeted from side to side. “H-how can I trust you?” I clamped down on my stuttering tongue, the sudden giveaway of nerves not what I wanted him to hear.
“You’ve always been able to trust me, only you’ve never known me.” His voice was that of a stranger, a man I should have known for eighteen years and hadn’t.
This had to be the most defining moment of my life, and somehow I found my courage and set it in place. I could do this. I had to do this. Enough with the indecision. This was my only chance for answers and I intended to get them.
I stepped forward, the sliver of light guiding my direction.
Squinting though the darkness, I clutched the cold steel knob. Get it together. Open the door. “You’re clearly reading my thoughts,” I muttered to him.
“I am, and I’ll explain all you wish to hear if you join me.”
I wished to, and I tugged the door open an inch, then stopped as steel scraped loud over steel. The hairs on my neck pinged up. Why such thick steel for a door?
“I’ll explain that as well. Your strength skills have come from me. Your ability to read thoughts, and soon the full force of forethought and forewarning will be upon you. I have seen your ability will rise to the same strength and precision as mine.” He gripped the door from the other side and the knob slid out of my fingers as he hauled the door open. Standing before me, his violet eyes so like mine, he nodded his approval. “Thank you for coming.”
He was real and solid.
“You’re truly my father?”
“Yes. Your mother is bound to Earth, whereas I am bound to Dralion, although from what I’ve seen, Carlisio’s grandson has enlightened you to at least that much. Now come out of the dark and stand before me.” He lowered his hands to his sides.
“The door is made of steel. You’re not leading me into some kind of cell are you? Let’s not forget, the last time we met, you hit me on the head.”
“It’s no cell.” He clipped his heels together and walked toward a metal-legged table with two chairs tucked under it, light beaming from the single bulb flaring from a lone lamp in the corner.
Such a sparse room. Gray walls. No furnishings other than what I’d already noted.
“Close the security door after you and ensure you block your mind against the protector known as Belle. It would be unacceptable if she chose to telepath you right now. This time is for us alone.”
“Belle can’t reach me. I’m already blocked.” Yet I still couldn’t seem to block him from reading my thoughts, not as Davio could do with me. I closed the door as requested and got assaulted by the metallic odor of fresh paint. I touched the wall with one finger and came away with a coating of icky gray paint smudged on the tip. “No more harming me. I might fast-heal, but I don’t care to keep trialing that new skill out.”
Gripping the back lip of the metal chair, he looked at me, his black coat dropping stiffly to the floor over a vivid blue shirt and black leather pants. “I would never harm you.” He lifted a brow. “That is again. You are my flesh and blood and the thought of distressing you in any way is abhorrent to me.”
He angled his blond head, which I mirrored since I only hoped he meant “again” the same way I’d mean “again.”
“I speak only the truth, for you should never fear me.” He tugged a chair out and sat.
“I’m staying put for now.” Patches of silver reflected here and there within the gray of the paint. “Are these steel walls?”
He scrubbed a hand across his jaw, edged one booted foot o
ut from where he sat and scraped around the second metal chair with his foot. “This entire room is steel reinforced. The walls are freshly painted since I saw your initial distress, and wished to eliminate it.”
“Saw? You mean with your forewarning?”
He rubbed his large hands on his knees as he leaned forward. “Sit with me. There’s a chair, and I will explain all.”
“I can see the chair.” I frowned. “Let me read your thoughts first through my forethought.” I’d barely made the demand when his thoughts opened fully to mine, the surge of information and images taking my breath away.
I clutched my racing heart.
He’d made the quick decision to try and disguise the steel walls by painting them in the half hour before I’d arrived. He’d been “forewarned” that I’d be upset and he showed me the forewarning.
He saw—so brilliantly, and with crystal clear perfection. It was like nothing Davio and Belle had told me it would be. His forewarning was real, vivid with colors, and like a live feed in real time.
“It’s impressive, isn’t it? I have to admit I saw Davio explaining Carlisio’s forethought to you. His grandfather wasn’t born to parents who both held the mated bond, whereas you and I are. The strength of our forethought is unequalled.”
I itched to know more, my interest so piqued.
I walked across and sat in the chair he’d offered me. This man was my father. He had passed skills onto me I needed to learn, and I wasn’t leaving until I knew more.
He smiled, having followed my movement with his gaze. “Our forethought is strong.” He leaned across the small table and gently gripped my forearm. “Your skills grow fast. They are cementing and strengthening just as your powerful lineage demands.”
“How do you do that? You’re reading my thoughts and I can’t seem to block my mind to you.”
“We are one and the same. You can block your thoughts from me if you wish to, only you’re not currently doing so due to our close ties.” His fingers tightened. “Look for yourself within your mind.”
I did, and gasped as I saw the truth.
Protector: A Young Adult / New Adult Fantasy Novel Page 10
