She cleaned up her lunch and told her friends she would see them in class. I hoped she’d finish the school year before he could get his king wannabe clutches on her and ruin her life but it wasn’t in the cards.
Just when the bitter truth was about to win, I had it. I knew what to do to make this work.
Behind the gym, I convinced her I would take her to find out more about herself this weekend, but she had to promise me one thing in addition to her tamed power. Not be too appealing. When she looked at me funny I begged, “I just mean I want you to not be so friendly with him. Rather, make him not like you.” And the other king wannabe too. But he was a different totem pole to climb in the hierarchy of problems to solve.
She was on to me but I would deal with one checkmark at a time.
“You want me to act rude?”
I smiled wide with satisfaction. “Yes.”
“No.”
My face fell.
“Why would I do that? You’re not telling me something and it won’t help your cause,” she groaned with annoyance. She folded her arms over her chest just like she had before knowing I would probably give in. She was good.
“He aims to keep you there.” I closed my eyes waiting for her to retreat.
“And you were going to take me right into the lion’s den?”
“No, you were. That’s why I told you.” I was frustrated now with her and myself. Secrets were too hard to keep...from her. I’ve lied for years to many, but not to her.
Her face changed, “And you want me to make him dislike me so he will send me back home?”
“Yes.”
“Okay then. I trust you.”
Famous last words of a fool. I shouldn’t have ever taken this task. I would see my death before she was harmed.
For now, I had research to do. Something’s changing in me since meeting her. My body reacts to her in some weird freaky way. First the emotions, then the kissing idea, then the disturbing higher impact emotions. That kiss may be the answer I need since, lord knows, I want it. And I couldn’t ask anyone, so to my parent’s underground library I go. No one would know or miss me. They haven’t yet.
EMMA
Friday came and we left school stopping at the gas station for soda and snacks. He told me we would return to the practice grounds I’d been to before that would lead me to the path of where he was from. I was from.
I dressed in my hikers with my dark tights and a mini-skirt. I wanted to be comfortable but not a slob in jeans and a tee. I was nervous for sure, but somehow being with Ames calmed me. He seemed to make me remember where I was headed and that he would be with me. My past told me I was being foolish and naive, but my gut told me Ames would get me out of it. I just hoped my gut was the more educated of guessers.
“Hello, princess.”
“Don’t call her that,” Ames snapped looking straight to me. His hand positioned on my back sending me into a quiet calm.
“Why Cahn, it is what it is?” Wicker, the guy from before, was looking me over like a piece of poisoned candy.
I leaned in and whispered a question, “What is he?” He moved too close to my ear and said real low, “Same as you.” He had yet to say if he was the same or different though I had a pretty good guess. It’s just a vibe, but he crossed me as something more.
I ignored Wicker’s taunts and focused on the practice grounds. I wanted another crack at it. Maybe even kick some goblin butt if they needed a reality check. Unless, they were more powerful than me. They did practice more!
Ames was spatting off at Wicker in a not so nice tone so I wandered over to the spot I stood at before setting up a shot. No one was around to stop me and Ames seemed...busy.
I pulled up the strongest amount of buzz my body could conjure enjoying the sweet hum of the magic inside my head when I knew it wasn’t going to hurt someone. It was exhilarating. I loved every second before the bomb exploded inside my body.
It was close. I wanted to close my eyes like I did when I was younger, but it was just too exciting to see the full outcome of my own ability to affect something I never touched. The rock started to crawl in the air and at twenty feet up, it suspended for the amount of time I willed it and then...
A thousand tiny pieces of rock shards fell to the ground like a shower of sparks. I was so awed by the show that I forgot it was I that did it. And the two who watched.
“Big friggin’ A man. She is a friggin’ hot piece. Joshlin will not let her get away.” Wicker’s odd comments didn’t escape my attention, distasteful or not.
Then he added, “This is not a good idea, Ames.”
Hearing him talk out of character right after his He-man talk made me think he was sometimes acting a part that he really didn’t want to play.
I turned to see both their faces watching my waterfall of rock and quite enjoyed the attention. If I’d known the outcomes of what it might mean to show others and refrain from doling out pain, I’d have tried out more tricks in the past. And even more amazing, I didn’t seem to have lost any energy. I’d not even realized it till right now.
“What boys. Done arguing? Who is Joshlin?”
I saw Ames act differently toward me saying the name compared to Wicker. He didn’t like it. Don’t ask me how I knew it. I just did sometimes with him. He said to Wicker, not me, “She will know soon enough.”
He took my hand and headed to the path he talked so much about. I asked to see each of their powers, but he ignored me. Five steps in and away from Wicker he stopped and faced me, forcing me to see how he shook all over. “You have to promise me something again.”
“Anything.” Maybe.
“Don’t show him the amount of power you hold. Store your energy so he can’t see how much you have. Wicker will not leak, but showing anyone else could prove a danger.”
He already told me this yesterday. “Who is the him you want me to appear weak in front of?”
“The king will want to use your amount of power for his own use. It is one reason he is bringing you there. If you're weak, then maybe he will put you on watch and we can stall.”
Did he even hear what he leaked out? “First you just told me there is now more than one reason for me going to this hidden away place that I’m now doubting I should go to. And you also just used the word ‘bringing’ insinuating that I am being led there and not volunteering. Are you the Labrador retriever taking me into the devil’s snare?”
Powers or no powers, I think I made a bad decision.
His boiling anger and hard edged fear coiled and sprang at me at once. He opened his mouth to answer or maybe to protest, but instead he said. “It’s true.”
He lowered his head and led me on. I felt like a capital B and add the itch.
AMES
If she could’ve done her worst, that was it. Reality was always a slam in the face. It just wasn’t always easy to swallow.
I stepped to the boundary of no return. They knew we were here meaning we could not turn back. Nor could she. I told her so she wouldn’t run.
“An agreement was made concerning you. A treaty of sorts. I vowed to bring you to him if...” Uh oh! I can’t tell her I was assured freedom only to leave her a prisoner.
“If what?” she questioned suspiciously. And rightfully so.
“Never mind what it is. I won’t let him hurt you.”
“Hurt me? I thought I was just meeting the guy.” She blinked her eyes rapidly and bit her bottom lip realizing she did, in fact, make a bad decision to come here.
“Yes. That’s exactly right. Just don’t give him cause to...don’t chew your lip like that. You should have worn more clothes. And don’t walk like that either.” Her butt was swaying just right.
She flipped around to face me. “Ames Cahn, get a grip. Being over critical of what you don’t like about me doesn’t help my confidence walking in there. I will walk how I wish. If you don’t like it. DON’T LOOK!”
Don’t like? Don’t like? Who said I didn’t like?
&n
bsp; Jones met us at the gate just past the hazed entry located outside Johnson City where the mountainous roads met the beginnings of a world I belong to. Humans can’t see past the mist, or haze as we call it. It is a kind of shield that keeps our world invisible to them. We have many places around the world, but the mountains are where we originated long before the humans came to the Americas. In fact, it was the humans who forced us underground.
Knowing I could count on Jones in a pinch, I had already warned him of the task the king had sent me on. I came back last night between watching her and allowing Wicker to watch her for the hour it took to come tell Jones what I needed from him. The backup plan. He wasn’t happy with me or the plan. And he would only help if it meant he wouldn’t be caught in the web. Fair enough. This was my downfall. I would go down alone or with the best girl in the world by my side. The odds were stacked against me but did I care?
“This is Emma,” I presented her like the princess she was. She just didn’t know it yet.
Emma reached a hand out for my man Jones. He looked at it thinking only of what was expected of him for her status. So when he took her small hand into his and kissed the back of it, her sweet lips parted and created a big, round O.
“It is more pleasing to meet you than any other.”
That was subtle. I scowled in his direction. He cleared his throat and made it into a joke.
“What Cahn? You didn’t treat her like the jewel she is. She should be clad in fine lace and fed strawberries like the breath of fresh air she is.” He winked at her. He was such a flirt.
She sighed some with the way swoony moaning girls did when guys spouted off gooey stuff like that. Maybe I would try it on her. Later. Alone.
When we’re both not dead meat walking into the tenderizer of doom.
I rolled my eyes and said, “Okay, Romeo. We are leaving now.”
He winked again at my girl and I had to push her into the door. Maybe I really would try some of that poetic stuff. She was severely distracted.
However, when she found out what I know about what would happen if I were to shove a kiss on her, she might change her mind. Last night’s research was fruitful, but worse than anything I feared. If I could only keep my face off of hers we weren’t all doomed. Why did no one ever tell me how to fix it? Why, because they were all dead. Anyone left alive grew in the same realm I did and we all knew the older ones would never talk about the past.
Inside the compound as I called it, the first of many snaked their way to her. They knew who she was so they would keep their boundaries.
Greeted, a kiss of the hand, and off again. Each one gave her their undivided attention and she was even more severely distracted than with Jones. I hoped like heck I could get her out of here in one piece.
The door to the open courtyard finally emerged and the first of her “future” servants were standing at the ready. Would she see the resemblance in uniform with me and them?
Katelyn stood by, but was silent and patient. I think Emma would like her, but the situation was too weird for new friendships inside the realm just yet.
Ellen was first. She was a sweet girl. After weeks of preparing for Emma to come, she was the most excited. She wanted everything to be perfect. I didn’t think Emma would hate this life initially. It’s just not what the girl I’d met a few days ago would want. She wouldn’t want to be caged and used as a weapon like the man she would soon meet wanted for her. I had to protect her from him.
“Hello, Emma. We are so excited to have you here finally. My name is Ellen and I will help you with anything you need.”
Emma guarded her smile and replied, “Thank you. I am glad to be here. I am anxious but will have to be gone by eight to be home in time.”
Ellen crossed her face sideways, “But we’ve waited so long for you. You can’t leave. He won’t let—
“That’s enough for now Ellen and Katelyn. She just arrived. Let’s let her get acquainted with her surroundings before we scare her with future plans.” I begged her with my eyes and she complied reluctantly. I watched her kind face fall with what she’d hoped would be a long afternoon of pampering for presenting her to the king.
Ellen opened her mouth once and closed it before saying, “Well, can we at least change her clothes?”
This was when Emma’s tiger struck first. “What’s wrong with my outfit?” She placed both hands on her hips and stuck her chest out in Ellen’s direction. I worried she might just strike.
Ellen stuttered out with a hurried glance to me, “Nothing, princess. I just meant...that you might want to be more...presentable for the king.”
Great. Emma would turn and run now and I would have to chase her being expected to lock her up for him until he could get his hands on her.
“I think she looks perfect,” I gave Emma an appreciative glance over. Though I wasn’t sorry for her blush, I would remain a gentleman. The king would most likely make up for that. When Emma saw what she had coming, she would think I was a saint.
Emma let Ellen walk behind the interior garden path with a slip to the bathroom and managed to perfume her up and slip a diamond hair clip of some kind in her hair. I’m betting my butt off that Emma didn’t know the diamonds were real.
Emma would now be taken back to the room where he would be perched upon a chair in leisure and enjoying his treats. I hated this. I hoped she was horrified and would see him for the scum that he is.
We ascended the stairs and walked in spirals. For the time being, I was thankful to be the guard chosen to bring her to this fate because I was near enough to stay with her every where she went. I wasn’t to leave her side.
Ellen left us at the entry door and would stay right inside. Emma didn’t know she was her personal attendant who would never leave her side.
I was suddenly aware of what was taking place and could see all manner of scenarios in my head.
He would tell her she had to stay, no choice. She would say no and refuse him insisting to go home with her tiny arms crossed over her chest and her hip sitting sideways. He would fume red sparks and lock her up. And...I would be the one to do it.
Brilliant.
Two guards, friends of mine, bowed her in the door and matched her steps as she moved forward. Awkward as she felt, she continued towards the inevitable goal.
It was now that I finally took my eyes off her and saw him up there. Alone. With no bimbos. And he had...chocolates and soda pop. Did he think she was five?
EMMA
Ames was quiet while we walked through the areas that I couldn’t identify or give name too. The girl in the gorgeous blue ball-like gown with an apron around her waist to cover its lacy bodice I could see peeking out followed me everywhere. I almost thought she might join me in the potty room, but she stood outside of it. Thank goodness.
I could see inside the next room where we stood in wait.
Everything here was elaborate and decorative to a large extent with a primitive dome-like ceiling covered in colorless art. The picture depicted a cave with stacks of gold and only two figures. With crowns on their head, I assumed them to be the king and queen. A small baby with stark green eyes was sandwiched between them. The walls were even a gold color and matched the benches in the open area with the tons of flowers. I loved that place most of all.
The path paved with good intentions. I’d heard that once. Well, someone lied. Cuz’ the next room I entered had not so good intentions.
The guards followed my every step after Ellen dropped off. I was starting to think the royal treatment was too much. If I was just this lowly relative then why all the droolfest attention.
Suddenly Ames bowed in my direction and then to some guy.
The most gorgeous guy I have ever seen in my life stood in front of me, two steps up, and holding his hand out to me. I wanted to pick up my teeth that fell out and slam them back in. I just stared at him. His dark eyes were narrow and sexy. His matching dark hair was cropped short and a little bit of stubble sprinkled his chin.
I took in the whole package like a stalker girl would. I found him strongly built and well fit. He was wearing some kind of midnight blue that was a few shades shy of black pull over shirt that matched his eyes and black slacks of some kind. Combat boots and a ring. The ring caught my eye last. It sparkled in the light though it wasn’t a shiny kind of ring. Thick and wound around his right hand ring finger. He was quite the hotness and I was panting more than I should.
Joshlin greeted me with a sexy smile to go with the look. The girl named Ellen told me the king's name. It was who Wicker had mentioned. Things were getting odder.
“Jem.” His voice fit the rest of him. I was drawn in instantly. “I hope you found your journey a happy one.” His eyes slid off me for a small second to Ames before returning to me.
I, however, was in search for freckles. I really wanted to know if it was a few or all of us who were part of that freak club.
Careful observation told me no, but I could only see so much skin.
Finding my voice I finally managed to say, “Ames was very helpful.” Now that I thought about it, the king looked nothing like what I’d pictured. He was all smooth like silk where Ames was all rough around the edges. They kind of resembled each other in mannerisms, but nothing else. Here I was comparing them like it would amount to something other than a teenage lustfest.
I looked to Ames for the first time since coming in the room with Mr. Holy Distraction. His face was expressionless but before I turned back to the guy waiting for me, I thought I caught a glitch of anger in his eyes. Checking his emo meter I found the same. What was that about? His warning about the man's intentions?
“Jem—Emma. Will you join me?” his voice drew me back in. It was like a spell but not nearly as mesmerizing as Ames. Where Joshlin was all suave, Ames was rugged and tough. They were both sexy in their own way holding a singular affect on any girl they encounter. Comparing them yet again, I couldn’t help but get a feeling coming from this Joshlin.
Denial (Goblin's Kiss Series Book One) Page 10
