by M. K. Dawn
Just as I'm about to tell the girls not to be obvious, eight heads turn, and look straight at him. He crosses his arms, back against the wall, and smiles the sexiest smile I have even seen.
Chapter Four
Brady
I hate the concrete tomb that is the mall. In Nysa, we have open air markets. Vendors set up shops, trading with customers as they stroll by. It’s a place where you can eat, drink, and shop. The market is enjoyable with the fresh air and open space all around, unlike this place, which is suffocating. I can’t understand for the life of me why anyone from my realm would choose to live here.
Siple called a while ago and said Alaina was heading to the mall this afternoon, so here I am, waiting for her to show up. I’m certain the blonde will remember who I am. She shamelessly hit on me when I showed up at their workplace looking for Alaina. Now if they would just show up. A couple of girls whom she usually hangs out with are eating at the food court, so where the hell is she? Time is running out.
The clock reads twelve-thirty. They should be here already. Maybe something came up and she isn’t coming. Her session with the shrink might not have gone well. Maybe she’s upset. I grind my teeth. Why does that piss me off? Alaina, in her room crying because of what he told her, or what he made her remember. The need to beat the shit out of him overcomes me. Damn, I need to some self-control.
Ten more minutes. If she isn't here, I will head back to the school and find out what the hell happened.
Five more minutes pass when, out of the corner of my eye, I see the blonde bouncing up the stairs talking to a stunning brunette. The blonde laughs, and the brunette smiles. It’s the same smile that has made my heart race the past few weeks.
“Fuck me,” I say a little too loudly. The lady walking by with her kid gives me a nasty look. I shrug, then direct my attention back to Alaina.
She has never looked so good, in a skirt shorter than I have ever seen her in, and heels that make her already long legs look even longer. Even though her top is not tight, it’s unbuttoned enough that just the right amount of cleavage shows, that is, the right amount for a public place. In private, I would want to see a whole lot more. She has done her makeup in a way that highlights her already natural beauty but doesn’t try to cover it up. With all of that going on, it’s her lips that have stolen my attention. They are plumped up with a very sexy pink shade of lipstick that makes them so undeniably kissable. Desire rushes through me. It’s definitely not the hours spent watching her that pulls me to her now. If she was some random girl walking around, I would have wanted her immediately. Gods, I have to get a grip on myself. If my plan is going to work, I need her to want me, to come to me, not the other way around.
I lean against the wall and wait for the blonde to notice me. They walk up to the other girls at the table. She bites her lip nervously, sending another wave of desire coursing through me. I try to push away the image of me taking that luscious bottom lip between my teeth and sucking it until she moans.
Breathe man, you are losing it. I close my eyes and clear my mind of all things except for the assignment. When I open them, several sets of eyes are looking my way. I deliver my sexiest smile and give myself a mental congratulation for catching the attention of the only person that matters. Her face flushes. There is no doubt her friend told her about last night’s little encounter.
Alaina looks down, embarrassed by the attention. Her friend says something to her, making her face turn all shades of red. She shakes her head; she seems to want nothing to do with what her friend just suggested. Just when I think she isn’t going to come over, the blonde grabs her hand and drags her towards me.
I try, but can’t fight the smile hat tugs the corners of my lips. Alaina looks like she is about to die from embarrassment.
“Hi! I'm Gina. We met last night at the bar. You were looking for Alaina. Well, here she is. Alaina, hot guy from last night. Hot guy from last night, Alaina.”
“Hi.” I offer my hand, as I’ve seen others do in this realm.
Alaina keeps her eyes focused on the floor, her face bright red. This isn’t going well; she looks terrified. “Hi.” She hesitates and takes my hand. The instant we touch her eyes shoot up and lock with mine. Confusion forms on her face. Electricity runs through my body. We hold this position, eyes locked hands together, for what seems like an eternity.
“Well, now that you know who we are, how about telling us a little about yourself?” Gina interrupts.
Our hands drop, and Alaina looks toward her friend, uncomfortable again. I, on the other hand, can’t take my eyes off her. “Brady.”
Alaina turns her attention back to me. “Do I know you?”
I smile at her, and close the gap between us, so we’re only a few inches apart. “Do you want to know me?”
Shit. Wrong thing to say. Alaina rolls her eyes, grabs Gina, and turns to walk away. “Wait! I'm sorry. That was really stupid.”
She turns, ready for a fight. Maybe this girl is not so weak after all. “How do you know my name? She,” pointing to Gina, “said you came into the bar asking for me, but I don't remember ever meeting you.”
The intensity of her glare catches me off guard. In that instant, I want to tell her everything. Who she is, who I am and why I’m here. The thought of lying to her seems cruel. But if I tell her the truth now, she would laugh in my face, maybe call the cops, afraid that I'm some crazy stalker. I need to get her to trust me, or at least let her guard down a bit.
She raises an eyebrow, questioning my lack of response.
“At the nightclub, a few nights ago.”
Alaina’s face softens. “I didn't see you.”
“No, we never got to talk. I was about to come up to you when some frat boy beat me to it. I overheard you introduce yourself and tell him where you work, so I thought I would try my luck and find you.” Please, let her have talked about her job with him.
“So, it’s just a coincidence running into you here?”
I smile. “Must be fate.”
“Hmm...”
“Anyway, now that I’ve found you, would you like to go to dinner tonight?”
“Can’t, I have to work at 6.”
Shit, that sonofabitch bar manager.
“But you should stop by the bar!” Gina adds. “Fridays are always really busy, but I'm sure I can help out with Alaina’s tables. That should give you two some time to talk.” She nudges Alaina.
“That okay with you?” I ask, not that I would take no for an answer. I was planning on showing up anyway.
Alaina glares at her friend. “Sure. We have to go, lots of shopping to do.”
“See ya tonight!” I yell, as they walk away.
Alaina glances back, her eyes filled with anger. Yeah, Henry and Eric are going to be pissed, because there is no way that girl is going to come back with me without a fight.
Chapter Five
Alaina
“Gina! What the hell is the matter with you?” I bark.
“See ya tonight,” he hollers. I can’t help but turn around. The cocky expression on his face is infuriating. I look away, refusing to let him see the anger bubbling up inside of me.
We get back to our table, and all the girls want details. Gina starts back on her food as she fills them in on our encounter with Brady. I stare at my food. My stomach turns. What the hell is wrong with me? I have an overwhelming need to get out of this concrete tomb. I can’t seem to catch my breath. I fear a panic attack is coming on. I push out of my chair, stumbling as I to leave the table. I need fresh air. One of the girls asks if I'm okay. I nod, mumble something about the bathroom, but head towards the exit instead. My body screams at me to run, but I know if I do, my friends will freak. I hit the door just as the black spots begin to appear in front of me. Everything blurs as the world tips on its side. I grab for something to steady myself but miss and lose my footing.
Before I hit the ground, a set of very large arms wrap around my waist and help me stay upright. I'm immed
iately bombarded with images so similar to my nightmare, it takes everything I have to keep myself from screaming.
“Steady now,” a voice says.
I have to get away from whoever’s touching me. I push the arms away as hard as I can, but they don't budge. I can't take it anymore. Tears stream down my face. The emotions are so overwhelming I can’t stop them.
“Please,” I beg, “please, stop touching me.”
The arms guide me to a bench and, to my relief, let me go. My breathing steadies as the overpowering emotions fade.
“What the hell was that?” I demand.
“I'm not sure. I’ve never seen anything quite like that. It may have to do with who I am, and who you are, and where we’re from. With you not remembering, and my presence stirring up old memories, your body seems to be having an intense reaction to it all. Eric will probably know for sure.”
Recognizing the voice, I sigh, and look to see Brady sitting next to me, lost in thought.
“Who are you?” I ask.
“Well, that’s … complicated.” Something about the way he pauses intrigues me.
“Try me.”
“Fine, let’s go with the short version. I’m a warrior from the realm, Nysa. I was sent here through a full-moon-powered portal to protect you and bring you back home with me. Eight years ago, a war broke out. Your father, King Edward of Kardia, a kingdom of Nysa, was murdered; and your mother, Queen Sabrin, has not been seen since. It has long been feared she was taken hostage and then murdered by Lord Wright, who, by the way, started the war. When you were born, a prophecy was pulled that said you would wield the ability to destroy Lord Wright and restore our realm’s peace. For your protection, you were sent to the human realm, hidden away from Lord Wright, so that when you turn nineteen you could return, unharmed, to fulfill the prophecy.”
I stare at him, flabbergasted at the story he laid on me. “Wow. I mean, wow. I knew it.”
“You knew what exactly?”
I stand up, contemplating my next move. He watches me closely. “I told Gina!” I start backing up towards the entrance of the mall. “I told her you were fucking crazy.” I know I should run, but I don’t want to cause a scene.
He looks genuinely wounded by my words, and for a second, I almost feel sorry for him. He gets up and moves towards me. “Alaina, please, give me a chance. I can prove that everything I just said is true.”
Instincts tell me to trust him, but my brain tells me to use my common sense. “Stay away from me or I will scream.” I'm still backing away, almost to the door. He stops, looking unsure about what to do next. Then, as he holds up his hands in defeat, I turn and walk into the mall.
When I'm halfway towards the food court, I look back and see him standing, still watching me with that cocky grin splashed across his face. I know I should be terrified of him. He seems to be stalking me and living in a crazy fantasy world with me as the lead. But there is a feeling deep inside of me that urges me to trust him, to believe in him. Then an overwhelming need to run to him, fling myself into his arms, and let him protect me from whatever evil may be out there, takes over. Shaking my head, I chalk it up to hormones and force myself to turn back around. My body must be starved for attention if I'm getting all hot and bothered over some crazy guy.
I get back to the table and take my seat.
Gina gives me a funny look. “You okay?”
Am I okay? I don’t know. An hour ago, my life seemed to be moving in the right direction and now, within a span of thirty minutes, everything has changed somehow. Brady’s words are stuck in my head. I mean, he is crazy for sure, but there is something about his story that I can’t let go of. My head is killing me. I must be in shock.
“Alaina?” I look up, and they are all staring at me like I have lost it.
“No, I mean, yes, I'm fine. I have a really bad migraine.” Which isn’t unusual for me, though I'm not sure it’s a migraine causing my headache. “I think I'm going to head home and catch a nap before work. Sorry, Gina. Do lots of shopping for me.”
I don’t wait for a response before I get up and walk away. I head to the tram stop in front of the mall and get on, glancing back every few seconds to make sure Brady hasn’t followed me. I slide into the nearest empty seat and breathe a sigh of relief when the doors close.
It takes about forty-five minutes to get back to the school this way, which is why we usually drive. I lean my head against the window, suddenly exhausted. We seem to be going so fast, the town is whipping by me. But that can’t be right. The tram is slow. It makes lots of stops. I'm sweating now, trying hard to fight the waves of nausea that have suddenly appeared. I must be getting sick. All the people walking by are little blurry dots. I'm so tired I can’t help but give in to the sleep calling me.
Just as my eyes close, I'm startled by something, a feeling of being watched. I glance around the tram. There are very few people riding, and none are looking at me. Still, I can’t shake the feeling. We are only a few stops from the school. I contemplate getting off early and walking the rest of the way. That’s when I see him standing across the street, staring at me with the cruelest eyes I have ever seen, dressed like he just came from a Renaissance fair. When our eyes meet, a small smile creeps across his face. Without taking his eyes off me, he brings his arm up, and talks into a strange looking wristband.
The tram takes off, and I get up almost running to the back to see him again, but he’s gone. I sit down confused. Could it have been my imagination? He couldn’t have just disappeared. I had just fallen asleep; maybe my mind's playing tricks on me? I lean back in my seat, unable to shake the feeling that something is terribly wrong.
At last, the tram makes it to my stop. I'm exhausted and am barely able to drag myself out of the car. I head up the long dirt road towards the school. Halfway there, sweat begins to stream down my forehead. I have been so preoccupied with the events of today, I didn't realize how hot it’s become.
“I'm definitely going to need another shower before work,” I say out loud.
A branch snaps somewhere behind me. Normally I wouldn’t give it a second thought, but with my day, I jump a little.
“Hello, Princess,” a sinister voice says. I hate that nickname more than anything. I turn around, ready to chew the guy out who said it, but stop when I see his face. It’s the guy I saw from out the tram window. He’s smiling the same unsettling way he did earlier.
He looks around like he expects someone else to be with me. “What, no warrior with you? What a pity. I could use a good fight right about now.”
I stare at him in utter disbelief. What the hell is wrong with people today? Is this some kind of sick joke?
“Listen,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady, “I don’t know what you and Brady are up to but you are both fucking nuts. Where are you from, the Renaissance fair?” With a white tunic shirt, and pirate looking pants and boots, where else would he have come from? “Are you trying to engage people in town so they will show up? Well, let me tell you something, it’s not working.”
I can tell he is processing what I'm saying. “Hmm.” He stalks towards me. “You really have no memory of who you are. We thought this could be the case. Lord Wright will be very interested to know this. Come now, child.” He pulls a knife. “Your destiny awaits.”
No fucking way. I take off, running toward the school.
The guy laughs a satanic laugh. “You think your little school can save you?”
I don’t slow down. If I can make it onto school grounds, I’ll be safe. They have a security system that, when armed, locks all the doors and calls the police.
When I reach the gate, I chance a glance back, relieved he hasn’t followed me. I pull out my school ID, scanning it to unlock the gate.
“Don’t you want to hold the door for me, Princess?” he says. I push the gate shut, thankful the one-inch metal bars now stand between us.
“You think that’s going to keep me out?” he brags, then takes his knife, jams it
into the scanner, and pushes open the gate with a disturbing smile. I take a few steps back towards the school, shocked that it was that easy. He goes to walk through the opening and stops abruptly, almost like an invisible force field is keeping him out, but that’s impossible.
His smile fades. “Well played, warriors, well played.” With a bow, he says, “Until we meet again, my lady,” then turns and walks away.
I stand there, too shocked to move. What the hell just happened, and who the hell was he talking about? Brady said something about being a warrior. This guy had called me ‘Princess’ which is also what Brady said. For a split second, I let myself indulge in their little delusion. My headache fades, letting me think about all that has happened. The words ‘what if’ cross my mind.
“Shit.” I can’t get caught up in their fantasy. Maybe they’re in a cult. But how did I get involved in all this? Why did they pick me to play the lead in their little world? My headache reappears, but now in the form of a full-blown migraine. But it doesn’t stop me from taking one peek down the old dirt road, which is now vacant.
I turn around and sprint to the school, not wanting to take any chances. The sun is excruciating. I can barely stand for my eyes to be open. Stumbling up the stairs, I fall into the door, scan my ID and head inside.
“Alaina?” a familiar voice calls out. I look up to see Dean Meel heading towards me.
“Hi.”
“Are you feeling okay? You look pale.”
I smile, but it doesn’t do much to relieve the concern written all over her face. “Yeah, I just have a migraine. I was at the mall with Gina and it came on pretty fast. I took the tram home, and as I was walking up the road …” I stop, not wanting to deal with what just happened. If Dean Meel found out, she would call the cops, and I would have to answer all sort of questions.
“Alaina, what happened on the road?” she demands.
“I thought I heard something, maybe a wild animal or something, so I ran back up to the school. It was nothing, I'm sure, just an overactive imagination.” She so wasn’t buying it. “You know, from the all-night scary movie marathon we had last weekend, must have hit a nerve or something.”
