by Abby Wood
"Open it."
She fiddled with the clasps, and it popped open on its own accord. Magazines, pictures and papers filled the case. She turned to Jared, not understanding what he wanted her to do.
"Look at the cover of that magazine." Jared's fist slammed against the steering wheel.
She picked up the magazine and flinched when she read the headlines. Her mouth fell open, and she lowered her gaze to the bottom right side, studying a very clear picture of her in all her glory, spread out on a rock. Oh god, this is from the first day I met him. He did get a picture of me.
"I'm taking you back to your family. You must tell them to hide, or better yet, leave the area. The forest is not going to be safe for them to wander in after everyone reads that magazine. It'll hit the newsstands in less than an hour, and once it's made public, scores of people are going to go hunting for the wood nymphs, all because of that damned picture."
She shoved the evidence back in the briefcase, closed her eyes against the threat to the future safety of her people. Had it all been a lie? Had he been searching for her to uncover the truth about the Dryads like those who had tried in the past? Had he used her? Betrayed her?
Maybe it was all for publicity? Maybe he didn't care if he disrupted the peace they'd gained by successfully hiding for thousands of years. Maybe he didn't love her, or want a future with her? If that was the case, the Oaks were terribly wrong. He wasn't her life mate.
"Do you understand what I am telling you, Melanie?" He lifted the briefcase off her lap and tossed it on the backseat. "I don't know if we are beating anyone to the forest, but you've got to explain to the other nymphs the terrible danger that will come to you all. We don't have much time."
She nodded. Her tears dried up, and she turned her head to stare out the side window. Where would they go?
They'd lived there, found safety there, for generations. Deep down, she understood her people wouldn't want to leave. Their whole history belonged in the forest. They'd become part of the trees, embedded deeper than any other relationship they'd have the chance to experience in their lifetime.
She had no one to blame but herself. She had brought the outsider in, told him about her people and shared with him every little detail of her life. This was the worst thing any Dryad had ever done. She squeezed her eyes shut. How could she go about fixing something outside of her control?
Jared pulled onto the gravel logging road that lead to the turnout area where they'd have access to the forest. "Son of a bitch . . . ." Melanie turned to the front and gazed at six cars already parked on the gravel. Despite the presence of a couple of police cars attempting without success to prevent them from entering the restricted area, photographers with their cameras looped around their necks and hunters with guns strapped over their shoulders blocked their way. They'd arrived too late.
"I've got to think." Jared whipped his car around and headed back down the road. "Do you know any other way to gain entry into the forest without everyone spotting us?"
For the first time, she found herself hesitant to answer him. She didn't know of another entrance, and why should she help him at all? Hadn't he already brought ruin to her people? How could she ever get over knowing her decision to leave with a human would put her family in harm's way? Jared had given away her secret. The same secret he urged her to hide from his friends and colleagues the other night at the barbecue.
She shook her head. No, she'd not give out any more information. She'd save her family on her own.
Jared turned the car and entered a dirt road, but a few cars blocked this road too. He put the car into reverse. Gravel flew up and peppered the underside of the car.
"Damn it, this situation is getting out of control. There are more people coming." A powerful, calming sensation came over her limbs and worked its way into her head. Instantly, she recognized that the Oaks were giving her the gifts they bestowed on all nymphs. The magic she lost at Jared's house came back full force. Oh, bless you, Oaks. Melanie wasted no time finding out if the power to make herself invisible worked. She must remember that others might disappoint her, but the trees never would.
Without a second thought, she cast one last glance at the man who she'd believed the Oaks gave to her for a mate, closed her eyes and vanished out of the car. In a flash, she arrived deep in the forest.
"Arian!"
"Felicity!"
"Nymphs!"
Melanie hovered over the ground and glided through the forest with more power than she'd ever received. Thank you, Oak tree. Thank you for helping my people. I will never turn my back on them again. Just help me to be there in time to save our forest.
"Arian! Anybody!"
Arian appeared under the tree in front of her; she hovered a foot above the ground for a few moments before setting down in front of him. Tears soaked her cheeks, and she struggled to gather enough breath to warn him of the humans who came in search of her people.
"Thank . . . thank you for coming." She fell into his arms. "Oh, Arian, I've made a terrible mistake."
"What is it, nymph?" Arian gently set her back from him, but held firmly onto her shoulders. "What has happened? Are you alright?"
"Humans. They are entering the forest in search of us. They have cameras and guns. I'm afraid we are going to have to leave our homes, and it's all my fault." She reached up and grasped his arm. "Please, you must order everyone to leave. Jared exposed us, and it is no longer safe here."
Arian shoved her away and stepped over to the tree. He laid his forehead on the bark, closed his eyes and inhaled. She stayed silent during his commune with the tree. He'd come up with the answers to save them all. With his higher power, he always did. Melanie gazed down at her body, shrouded in clothes belonging to Jared. With a disgusted sigh, she hurried to strip them off. No longer did she have to hide herself from others. From now on, she'd remain with her family.
"Come, we will form counsel in the common area." Arian held out his hand for her to join him on the walk.
Ashamed and terribly embarrassed at having to face the others, she clasped his hand. "Arian, I am so sorry. I didn't know. I trusted Jared, and he let me down, I . . . ."
"Shh." He gave her a squeeze. "You love him. Don't say another word against your mate. It makes the trees angry."
"He doesn't love me! How could he let other humans know of our existence? It was our secret."
Arian stopped and turned toward her. "I am asking you to trust the trees, to believe in what I am telling you. They do not lie. I know Jared is your mate for life. You have many years with him still. You know what will become of you if you turn your back on the one that has been chosen to love you for the rest of your life, don't you?" She pursed her lips and remained silent. Her family's lives were in peril. She did not want to talk about what would happen to her if she cut ties with Jared. She'd take the punishment, especially if it saved her family in the meantime. The others were already gathered under the Great Oaks, awaiting their arrival. The next few moments swept her up in a frenzy of welcome hugs and senseless babbling regarding her happiness. She held her head high. She'd do whatever it took to see them all safe. Even if in the end, she lost everyone's respect. Arian paced back and forth before the crowd. "I have gathered you all here today because I have learned of a terrible thing going on outside the forest boundary. Even as I speak, there are humans armed in ways to hurt us, gathering at the bottom of the mountain. They come to take us away from our homes. They will take everything we hold dear. We can't let that happen."
"Please, Arian, just tell them. We must hurry." She shifted from one foot to the other in a desperate attempt to hold back from screaming that they needed to hurry. The humans were coming!
He shot her a glare. It was wrong to interrupt a council meeting. Damn, I can't do anything right.
"Sorry." She sat next to Felicity on a fallen log.
"I suggest we go into our homes and stay until the humans have tired of searching and have left empty handed." Arian stopped an
d swept his gaze over the crowd. "If you must leave your dwelling for any reason, or you are caught, use your powers to make yourself invisible or wipe their minds of any remembrance of their encounter with the people of the Dryads.
To Melanie's dismay, everyone nodded in agreement and headed off in separate directions to hole up while the strangers invaded their land. She sat with her head bowed and let the sense of failure radiate throughout her body. They'd never had to hide from a group of humans this large, and the number of people would grow even more once the magazine hit the newsstands.
"Go back to the cave, Melanie. I will be by shortly to visit with you." Arian turned and disappeared.
She headed toward the only home she'd known, besides Jared's house. The troubles hanging over their heads weighed solely on her shoulders. She stayed visible. It didn't matter if the humans caught her.
She'd kill herself before they obtained proof of her existence. Once dead, she'd vanish into smoke and join the others who had gone before her. Not even Arian could stop the mad rush of people willing to do harm to the Dryads this time. Her life's worth reduced to nothing now that she had walked away from Jared. The laws stated if a nymph left a life mate, the nymph would either live the rest of its days in solitude, mourning the loss, or would end their life, thus freeing the mate they left from a binding contract issued by the Oaks. At this point, she'd rather end up taking her own life than dwell on the destruction she brought her people. She entered the confines of the cave. Keeping the lights off, she sat in the chair she remembered her mother always sitting in and closed her eyes. With her choices now stripped away, she'd bide her time to learn the outcome.
Her stomach seized at the thought of Jared finding her gone from his car, but she pushed the pain out of her mind. He deserved her desertion. What he did . . . she'd never find it inside herself to forgive him.
The nymphs now hid in their homes unable to enjoy their woods. On a typical day, they'd flit about, enjoying each other's company, pleasuring themselves and giving thanks to the Oaks. An aura of calm and serenity would fill the forestland and there was seldom a reason to hurry. Time stood still, people existed in harmony, and even the creatures that lived alongside them benefitted.
How long would they survive if they couldn't move freely? Even if they survived today . . . .
A blast reverberated off the walls of the cave, piercing her eardrums. She covered her head, but remained in the chair. The opening of the dwelling remained well hidden to the naked eye and provided enough security to keep out danger. Although the hunters came closer, she didn't think they'd find their way inside. Hopefully Felicity would remain safe in her tree and not disregard the danger simply because she had a wild urge to visit one of the male nymphs for comfort. A voice yelled out near the cave's entrance, and still she refused to leave the chair. Numb from everything happening so fast, she pushed her safety to the back of her mind. Hadn't she just moments ago been sitting in a tree at Jared's house, dreaming about the vacation to the forest they planned for this weekend? How had things gone wrong so fast?
No crack from a gunshot or voices entered the room. She rubbed her face. More than likely, the strange men already moved deeper into the trees in their hunt. She sent up a prayer to the Oak tree to keep her people safe.
A scraping sound came from inside the entrance. Startled at how near the noise seemed, she froze. Holding her breath, she dared not move an inch to give her location away.
They must be blinded by the darkness. She braced herself. As soon as they turned a light on, they'd find her. She reached out and ran her fingers over the end table in a search of a weapon.
"Melanie?"
She sucked in a breath. Jared!
"Are you here?"
She refused to answer. If she remained silent, he'd have no idea she sat only a few feet away. He'd have to walk in front of her to reach the lanterns, and if she sensed him making it that far in the dark, she'd simply vanish. Whatever excuse he wanted to give her for his part in their troubles . . . well, she didn't want to hear.
"Damn it. Where are you?" His big feet stubbed the log she kept to the left of the door and he bit off a stream of curses.
She sucked her lower lip between her teeth and clamped down. Just leave me alone, Jared. If she thought it would work, she'd swoop around him in a frenzy and clear his mind of everything he remembered about her, but alas, the magic did not work on someone destined to be your mate.
Minutes passed, and she heard no more from him. She exhaled and shifted in the chair. He must have left the cave.
Not wanting to waste time sitting and waiting for the next person to advance farther into the cave, she walked the familiar floor into the kitchen area and removed a stone off the ledge where she kept her tools. This will work well. The rock was shaped and chiseled to a flat point, sharp enough to cut sturdy vines and small branches; it might work to further her plans if necessary. If it came to no other choice, this weapon was what she'd use to end this nightmare. Strong arms surrounded her, pinning her arms to her side. Lips touched the side of her neck, and she waited for her chance to lift the weapon and slice her throat.
"Stop," a voice hissed in her ear. "It is I, Arian." She jerked out of his arms. "What is the meaning of sneaking up on me? I was on the verge of . . . ." She trailed off.
"Do you think I don't know what you are planning to do, my nymph? I know what every member of our clan thinks, feels, wants, needs . . . and you are no exception." He pushed her into the outer room. "Sit. I want to speak to you." She laid the weapon on the end table beside her chair and crossed her arms.
"Your mate did not betray us to the humans."
"I saw the proof with my own eyes. Whatever Jared has told you is a lie!" She clamped her teeth together. Her body hurt from all the stress and the desire to lose her anger through touching herself didn't show up in its usual way. Right now, even the thought of pleasuring herself sickened her.
"I have talked with him. He tells me a co-worker, who saw the picture before Jared even knew you existed, stole the photo and put it in the magazine. Jared didn't find out about it until it was too late to stop the other humans from seeing it." Arian kneeled before her and rubbed her thighs. "I believe him. The trees believe him."
"Why did Jared not tell them a lie? He could have told everyone it was me. His friends think I am human. I fooled them, Arian. I had all of them laughing and talking to me like I was one of them." She sniffed.
"I don't know, Melanie." He continued to rub along the length of her thighs. "You must go to him. Together you will figure out how to solve this problem. You can bring peace to the people who are trying to tear apart our family and steal our happiness."
"What if I fail?"
"True love never fails." Arian lifted her from the chair. He placed a soft bundle in her hands. "Here, these are the clothes you wore into the forest. Get dressed, and I will fetch Jared. He wanders aimlessly like a clumsy bear, making loud noises and screaming your name." Arian snorted. "I don't see what you nymphs find so appealing about these big humans."
She giggled. "Thank you, Arian. I will find Jared and do my best to save our people. I have learned a lot outside of the forest. I must think like the humans because they do not have the ability to understand us. I'll make you and the other nymphs proud of me."
"Good nymph. Travel safely." He kissed her on the forehead and disappeared from the cave.
She dressed in a hurry, and although she'd lost her flip-flops along the way, her bare feet flew over the forest floor. This territory she knew by heart, and she put all her faith in the trees and in her life-mate. She'd judged him too quickly. Now, she must make it up to Jared, for all their sakes.
She believed Arian spoke the truth. The Oak trees would never let her down, and in return, she'd trust Jared about the mistake with the picture. She should never have run off so fast without getting an explanation first.
Jared's voice boomed over the raised voices, trying to gain attention and failing
miserably. The others shook their fist at him and shouted for him to move out of their way. He stood on a fallen tree, wielding a branch much too large for a normal man, and it brought a smile of wonder to her face. He appeared determined, even against a multitude with guns and axes, to protect her family's home territory. She must perform her best imitation of a human to convince all these bloodthirsty men. Placing her hand on her stomach to quell her nerves, she inhaled deeply through her nose. She prayed they'd believe her. If they'd already formed an opinion, it'd take a person with great strength and talent to pull off the feat she planned. These people must be convinced to give up chasing the myth.
Strutting out of the forest with her arms swinging and her chin held high, she approached the group. "Jared! There you are! Why did you leave me at the waterfall? I thought you wanted to take my picture again?"
The crowd elbowed each other and moved closer, their cameras clicking away and almost blinding her with the flashes. A giggle of silliness threatened to work its way out of her chest, but she held it at bay. Thank the Oak she spent a lot of time watching television while Jared worked during the day.
"Jared, I'm not getting paid to stand around and swat bugs. My agent is going to be pissed if I don't make it back for my other photo shoot. I have a chance of scoring the cover of Sports Illustrated, you know, and if getting covered in insect bites and scratches screws that up, I'm suing you!" She planted her hands on her hips and tossed her hair in a pure diva move.
"Ugh, there's another one of the beasties." She grabbed a handful of her hair, brought it in front of her face to inspect it carefully and shrieked. "I'll never get them all out without ripping out my hair extensions."
She glared at the man she loved more than anything in her life. "This is your fault! You are going to owe me big time!"
"Babe . . . ." Jared stumbled his way over to her and whispered, "Keep it up, beautiful, it's working."
"I demand you take me back to the city." She sniffed and wiped her arm across her forehead. "I've had too much sun; I'm not feeling well. You can forget about making me sit out there naked, this . . . this hellhole is intolerable. Take me back to the city now!"
