Five (Elemental Enmity Series Book I) (14 page)

“Don’t even think about it,” I said when he came 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 was anything like I used to be, she would be even more into Sam. That 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. 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 chuckled lightly. “I didn’t see that one coming. Clever lass. Alright then, what do you know about them?”

That 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 just 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 relaxed 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 insisted 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. Something had been wrong, but I had ignored those impressions. 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 felt 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 that 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 understand 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. Cradling my neck, he laced his fingers through my hair. “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. After only moments, 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 that it won’t go that way.”

“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 quite a while. It was only when the last amount of tension left my shoulders that he pulled me into a 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.

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. “That’s 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 gaze shifted away from mine as his biceps tensed under my fingers. “I wish more than anything right now 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.

He spoke softly as if trying to calm a skittish colt, “Good thing I am just one man.” He traced my marred flesh gently, sending a bout of heat into my belly. “You are beautiful, Rayla. No patch of skin can change that fact. If any man thinks otherwise, he doesn’t deserve you.”

Unnerved, I turned away from him. “I think we should go see what everyone else is doing.”

He clasped my shoulder. “I would rather watch the sun rise with you in my arms, but that can wait.” When he got to his feet, he pulled me up with him. “Would you like to explore Roger’s ridiculous palace with me?”

I grinned. “Nothing better, but, first, I need a lady’s room.”

Zach took me to a side door. I was relieved to bypass the fray at the pool where splashing, giggling, and the occasional curse word floated over to us.

“Here we are. That is, if I remember right. This place is worse than Neuschwanstein.”

I wanted to ask him about the fairytale castle that had fascinated me since I was a little girl, but my bladder had other ideas. I found it funny that he had named my absolute favorite.

Eager to change out of the hideous thing I was wearing, I asked Zach to get my bag for me. When I opened the door a few minutes later, Zach had my belongings in hand. I gave him a rare flirtatious smile and shut the door firmly behind me. I could have looked worse, but I took some time to brush my hair and put on lip gloss. When I entered the hallway, he was gone.

I roamed the corridors for a few minutes before I realized I could easily get lost in this vast estate. Where had he disappeared to?

Duh, he was probably changing in another room. I needed to be more patient. I traced my steps back to the hall I had come from. At least, I thought it was the right corridor.

Most of the doors were locked. When I checked another knob, it turned. I smiled and let myself in.

Of all the rooms I had seen in Roger’s house, I liked this one best. Simple elegance was what I would christen this little corner of heaven. I could imagine a blaze roaring in the sumptuously chiseled fireplace. My finger glided along the dips and valleys of one of the engraved capstones. Five overlapping rings made up the odd kaleidoscopic design. Four of the rings intersected into a cross, the adjoining loops made an X that was connected by four arches. The center ring was raised and intersected each of the other circles as though it was the most important. The image looked symbolic, maybe even Celtic, but I had never seen it before.

The desire to curl onto one of the tufted leather chairs with a good book tempted me more than I could resist. I hit the switch nearest the mantel and brought my fantasy to life.