Hidden Realms

by Dean Murray

  “Leave it to you to make this thing look good,” he said, running a finger under the strap on my shoulder. “By rights, it should be burned. Are you going to tell me why you insisted on wearing it?”

  “No.”

  He traced my collarbone. “Really?” In one fluid motion, I was in his arms, and he was carrying me deeper into the water.

  I hoped he couldn’t feel the thud of my heart beating against his chest. “What do you think you’re doing?” I asked, more calmly than I felt.

  “Changing your mind,” he said just as evenly.

  I could see where he was going with this, and over the edge of a cliff wasn’t my idea of fun. “Don’t.”

  He grinned. “Tell me.”

  I stiffened in his arms. “If you do this, I will leave — without you.” His exaggerated exhale tickled my neck, sending goose-bumps down my body.

  “Don’t you ever relax?”

  I gritted my teeth, hating what I had become in the past few weeks. If he had tried this back home, I would have protested, giggled, and screamed but loved every minute of his antics.

  Things were different now. I was on edge constantly. “I’m so not okay with heights. Let me down.”

  The set of his jaw didn’t give me any comfort. He walked up a ramp between the two converging rivers that made the waterfall. On sure feet, he stepped to the edge. I honestly didn’t know how he was still standing with the water blasting against his knees. He leaned into my ear. “Tell me.”

  I clung to his neck like grime to a barn cat. “I don’t want to.”

  He looked over the edge and back at me. The humor in his gaze died. He sighed, stepping back a few paces. My heart found its way back into my chest. He carried me to a lounge chair, setting me down gently.

  “You can’t possibly think the suit is pretty,” he commented after a while.

  “Pretty isn’t everything,” I said.

  He raised his brows, tucking his strong chin inward in mockery then looked at me sidelong. He smiled teasingly. “It helps.”

  I shot him a dirty look before giving him my back. He placed a timid hand on my shoulder. “Come, now. It can’t possibly be as bad as all that.”

  Why couldn’t he just let it go? I wasn’t all up in his business, so why did he feel the need to be in mine? “Drop it already.”

  Zach sat beside me, coaxing my chin upward. His voice was soft. “Aren’t you having fun, lass?”

  I wouldn’t look him in the eye. If I did he would see every insecurity I had. “I was before you decided to go all Tarzan on me.”

  He thumped his chest, doing a great imitation of the call. I tried to smile, but I didn’t think it helped.

  “You weren’t like this the other day.” He turned away, as if in thought before his gaze shot to mine. “Don’t you like swimming?”

  The other day I didn’t have four terrifying men after me. I would have liked to give him an easy out, but I didn’t want to lie. “I usually love it.”

  Cassie had an indoor pool back home. On the rare occasion I actually got to stay the night at her house, we would spend hours in the water. She taught me how to float first. I had progressively gotten better. I was an adequate swimmer now. The one thing I didn’t like was the high dive.

  He frowned. “Is it me?” His brows furrowed, as though he were really worried. “Have I done something to offend you?”

  I closed my eyes, inhaling sharply. “I’m sorry. I’ve had fun today, really. I just have other things on my mind right now.”

  He grinned, tucking my hair behind my ear. “I’m a great listener.”

  I didn’t like being such a disappointment, but I couldn’t snap myself out of it. I could just imagine how fast he’d be gone if I did tell him everything that was wrong with me at the moment. “I’d rather not talk about it.”

  He knelt in front of me and took my hands in his. “You can’t expect me to not be curious.”

  “It’s a free country,” I said. “Be curious all you like.” I was pushing him away when normally I would have been doing everything in my power to keep him interested in me.

  The sun had made its final descent. The haze of twilight settled all around us, with the stars spotting the barely glowing sky. In a few minutes, I would be able to relax a little.

  Zach tugged my hand. “Do you wish to go join the others?” He sounded dejected.

  Why was I acting like this? I needed to snap out of it. My mood wasn’t his fault. “If you don’t mind, I’d rather stay here for a while.”

  He nodded then, moved to a lounge chair opposite me, wasting no time in getting comfortable. “Why don’t you tell me of your home?”

  The subject seemed safe enough. “Have you ever been to eastern Utah?”

  He made an odd sound, sort of a half concealed groan. “It has been many years.”

  He wasn’t old enough for it to have been that long ago. I leaned back and put my arms behind my head, preparing to give him details.

  “I see,” he said in a sympathetic tone, his eyes soft with compassion.

  I followed his gaze down to my exposed torso. How could I have been so stupid? The bottom half of my scar poked out from beneath the fringe. I bolted up, pulling awkwardly at the fabric.

  He shook his head. “Everyone has imperfections, Rayla.” In an instant he moved to the edge of my chair. Calloused fingers caressed my shoulder before skimming down my arm. “Some are just more visible than others.”

  I turned away. Then, I got mad. “Really, where’s yours?”

  His face crinkled thoughtfully, while his eyes held haunted shadows. “You’d be surprised.”

  I gave him a look. “Enlighten me.”

  “There are certain things I want to change so badly about myself it consumes my life.” Unless he was a fantastic actor, he was being sincere.

  “Like?”

  He grimaced, only slightly, but it was enough to make me wonder. “I would rather not get into that with you yet.”

  I cocked my jaw, clicking my tongue. “It’s okay for me to spill, but not for you, huh?”

  He leveled his gaze to mine seriously. “If a scar is all you have to hide, you should be thankful.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  He shoved a hand through his hair. “Only that there are worse things to bear than a scar.”

  The truth burned me like a solar flare. I should have been able to put on a pretty bikini without so much as a second thought, but I wasn’t there yet. I hoped I would be some day. I felt ridiculous being so shallow. “You didn’t answer my question,” I said after a moment of hesitation.

  The lines of his face turned hard. “I know.”

  “There you are,” Natalie yelled, cresting the hill in a sprint with Sam close behind her. “Help me, Rayla!” She crouched down between my chair and the stacked rock wall.

  “They can’t save you,” Sam said coldly, standing by my feet. “You will pay.”

  I turned back, whispering, “What did you do?”

  She smiled proudly. “Put ice in his trunks.”

  Zach narrowed his eyes at Natalie, his jaw tightening. “You deserve anything you get.” He grabbed my hand, pulling me to my feet.

  Sam swept the chair sideways. Natalie squealed, trying to out-maneuver him. She didn’t make it.

  Attempting to wrench away from him, she said desperately, “You can put ice in my suit. Rayla, do you have a drink?”

  Sam smiled wickedly before he looked over at the edge of the falls. Did all male minds work the same? “I have something better in mind.”

  She put her hands on his cheeks. “Please, Sam. I’m sorry. I won’t do anything like that again.”

  He grabbed her wrists, pushing her into the river. She kicked at him and squealed the entire way.

  “Not after this,” he said, grinning. Without another word, he pinned her arms to her sides in a bear hug. She smiled at him. I couldn’t see his expression, but her eyes flew wide just before he shouted, “Geroni
mo.”

  Her “No” was squelched when they hit the water. When Zach grinned down at me, my smile shriveled.

  “Don’t even think about it,” I said as he inched closer. Natalie’s laugh rang clear from below.

  “Not that I don’t find the idea tempting once more, but I think I will pursue your affections another way.”

  If I were him, I would have given up on me an hour ago. Why was he being so patient?

  He was probably right about one thing. If Natalie were anything like I used to be, she would be even more into Sam. The admission didn’t keep me from being wary about what he had in mind. “How’s that?”

  “You’ll see.”

  He led me through a wooded area. The new mulch tickled my feet while the scent of pine mingled with chlorine in the fresh autumn breeze. When we reached an isolated lawn, he pulled me down beside him, the grass prickling my back and legs. I gazed at the pockmarked sky, trying not to think about the bugs that were no doubt crawling underneath me.

  We lay there in pensive silence for a while. What was he thinking about? Probably wishing he had chosen a different date.

  “You were going to tell me of your home before we were so rudely interrupted,” Zach said.

  I glanced over at him. “You were trying to avoid my questions.”

  He laughed ironically. “There is a significant difference between doing and trying.”

  I turned toward him, resting my head on my arm. “Why are you being so evasive?”

  He raised himself on an elbow. “You should talk. To be diplomatic, I will answer one question, if you promise to tell me more about where you grew up.”

  I didn’t know what he could possibly think was so interesting about a hick-town with one stop light, but I was willing to dish if he would. “Agreed.” This might be my only shot at getting a straight answer from him; I wasn’t about to waste my opportunity on any old question. “Why did you say those men at the game couldn’t hurt me when I am near you?”

  The moonlight cast his face in slight shadow, but he looked shocked. His teeth flashed white when he gave a slight chuckle. “I didn’t see that one coming. Clever lass. Alright then, what do you know about them?”

  His reply wasn’t an answer, either, but it was a start. “They’re not normal.”

  He laughed, running a hand up and down my arm. “And what, pray tell, is normal?”

  I shivered, but it wasn’t from the chill in the air. “Good point. I just don’t like how I feel when I’m around them.”

  His hand stalled mid-swipe. The lines of his face hardened, his eyes narrowing. “Explain.”

  “I’m not sure I can describe it, but I’ll try. It’s as if all my senses are on overload and one more emotion will send me over the edge of sanity.”

  His brows rose. “Hmm, that would be disconcerting.”

  “Understatement. Are you going to answer my question or not?”

  He smirked. “Patience is not your strongest attribute is it?”

  I sat up, ready to leave. He grabbed my elbow. “Relax. I was playing with you.”

  I shrugged off the calming sensation his touch gave me. “Look, Zach, I’ve had some strange things happen to me lately. I’m worried all the time. Your comment earlier gave me a glimmer of hope. Do you know something about those men? Can you really protect me from them, or were you just being arrogant?”

  “Direct, aren’t you?” His gaze locked with mine. “I can help you, if you will trust me. The best advice I can offer right now is to never be alone.”

  How much could I really say to him? I hardly knew the man, yet I found myself feeling as if we had been friends since birth. “Aunt Grace told me that, too. Why?”

  He shrugged, as though the answer should be clear. “They are less likely to act rashly around others.”

  “Who are they?”

  “What did your aunt say? I need it all before I can answer your questions.”

  I had to trust someone, and my gut told me Zach was okay. I told him everything I could remember, even the things I had pieced together. I didn’t know how, but entering the freeway for the first time on my way here had been like walking out of a soundproof room into a roaring crowd. The feelings had hit me so hard and fast that I hadn’t been able to process anything other than terror. I knew something had been wrong. What would have happened if I had turned around right then? Would the fae have followed me? Would I have put my family in danger?

  He took my hand and my pounding heart slowed. “The Fae are everywhere, Rayla. They control all human correspondence. I am surprised you have been able to reach your aunt at all. I am also stunned they didn’t manage to take you earlier.”

  I still couldn’t believe I was having this conversation with him when I hadn’t even told all of this to Cassie. “The whole idea of being an Elemental, I mean. Don’t you find it odd?”

  His expression held completely serious. “Why would I?”

  “Come on. Manipulating matter. Sounds absurdly close to magic if you ask me.”

  He smiled. “What was seen as magic centuries ago has turned out to be merely unexplained science. You can’t tell me you’ve never felt the elements.”

  “What?”

  “They swirl around us all the time … even now.”

  Just then I noticed the thickness to the air, and it wasn’t from the humidity. I had to admit I might be feeling something. I considered what he had said for a moment. Admittedly, I had always been connected to nature. It was most intense when I ran, but I had felt it other times, as if I was literally an extension of creation. The thought scared me now. How much about myself didn’t I understand?

  Trepidation found its way into my heart. How did Zach know all this stuff, anyway? My muscles coiled, ready to spring. I was suddenly wary of this man claiming he could protect me. “Who are you?”

  Zach squeezed my hand, but I still could have bolted. “Someone who can help you, but you have to trust me. I have devoted my life to figuring out a way to change things.”

  His voice soothed me for some reason, settling my nerves. “I need to know how you know so much about them.”

  He chuckled. “Let’s just say I’ve had plenty of experience with the fae. You and I want the same thing.”

  I relaxed a little more. “What’s that?”

  “I want to find a way to keep the lords from taking you. I felt that you were different the moment I saw you. I had no idea just how unusual you are.”

  “Thanks,” I said with a laugh. “I’ve always wanted someone to tell me I was a freak.”

  “That’s not what I said, and you know it.” He traced my cheek lightly. “You’re special — one of a kind.”

  I chuckled. “Yeah, we humans are engineered that way. It’s sort of how DNA works.”

  He laughed, inching closer. Warm fingers laced through my hair, cradling my neck. “You talk too much.”

  I gulped just before his lips met mine. I had little resistance when it came to him. His lips moved leisurely over mine for a several blissful moments. His mouth brushed the line of my jaw and up toward my earlobe. His soft breath sent chills down my skin. The tune he sang to me sounded old like something a bard would have written in the middle ages. I found myself melting into him.

  I let him finish before I pulled away. Completely calm, I stared at the stars thinking about home and what would become of my life. He settled next to me. “It will be fine, Rayla. I promise.”

  I glanced at him. “How can you know that?”

  “I …” He placed a hand at my shoulder. “Change doesn’t always mean worse.”

  “I — I guess that’s true. I’ve just had this idea in my head for so long about how my life would go. It’s hard for me to accept it won’t happen.”

  “I’ll do whatever I can to help you. You have to know that.”

  Somehow I did. Zach didn’t say things he didn’t mean. When I smiled at him, he waggled his finger for me to come closer. He pulled me into a hug and held me for qu
ite a while. It was only when the last amount of tension left my shoulders that he pulled me into a sweltering kiss.

  My head swam on a dizzy cloud. I could have spent hours in his arms, soaking up his strength, but I couldn’t let this go any farther than it already had.

  I pulled away reluctantly, readying myself for his withdrawal. It was better to get this over with than have him claim I had led him on for months. I swallowed and steadied myself. “There’s something else you should know about me.”

  Interest sparked in his eyes. “What’s that?”

  “I’m not going to sleep with you,” I stated matter-of-factly.

  Chapter Eight

  Zach’s eyes bulged comically. “For pity’s sake, woman, we haven’t known each other long enough for that.”

  I smiled, liking his outrage. Most guys I had known would have either stood up and walked away, or tried to change my mind. I needed to clarify, though. “What I meant to say was that I’m waiting until I get married.”

  He caressed my cheek softly. “Good to hear.”

  I hadn’t ever gotten that response before. Celibacy before marriage was a bit out-dated, but I didn’t feel ready to give my body to a man, especially if I wasn’t certain I loved him. I wanted my first time to be fantastic, instead of a moment I would regret. I glanced at him shyly. “Are you?”

  His gazed shifted away from mine. His biceps tensed under my fingers. “I wish more than anything I could tell you what you want to hear, lass. I am afraid, however, I can’t.” His lips curved slightly. “Try not to hold it against me.”

  I shrugged. “It’s no big deal. I was just curious.”

  His smile elongated across his face. “Speaking of — weren’t you going to answer some questions for me?”

  “If I have to.” I sat up. “Look, I don’t like my scar. I know it’s ridiculous to act the way I did earlier, but I’m not comfortable showing this to the world.” I raised the flap of fabric covering the ghostly flesh that had haunted me since the sixth grade.