Awakening (The Magic of the Black Forest Book 2) (13 page)

He paused for a short moment. “Did you know some Vampires can actually lure their prey to them with just a look?”

“No. Is that what he was trying to do with me?”

He backed away far enough to look into my eyes. “What did it feel like?”

“Like he locked his eyes onto mine, it was like he was trying to seduce me.” I felt dirty and unfaithful just for saying the words out loud.

“I thought so. Clearly it wasn’t working on you. You’re response was the total opposite of what he had been expecting. From my perspective, it was the perfect answer.” He bent down and kissed my nose. “Do not feel guilty my love, you did nothing wrong. Just remember that, although we are not magic, we have ways to draw in our prey. And to him you are just that, his prey.”

“This is going to be harder than I thought,” I said.

“How so?”

“He just walked up on our porch like it was no big deal. I think tomorrow I’ll create another protection spell, this time making our home the safe house. That way neither he nor Anthony can get to us. Just like I had outside the cave, but on a permanent basis. Would that be okay with you?”

“It sure would. Especially if it makes it safe for us to express our love without worrying that they are going to barge in at any minute. Now it’s time for you to get some sleep. Tomorrow you will create the spell and I’ll figure out another plan.” He kissed me tenderly before saying, “Good night, my Natalia. Dream only sweet dreams.” He sang the song ‘Forever My Love’ until I fell into a deep sleep.

***

That night I tossed and turned, unable to keep the terror from my dreams. Both Andrew and Anthony haunted me, threatening to take my soul, the love of my life, away from me.

Bradley and I were taking a late night walk deep in the forest along the outskirts of our property line. We were holding hands enjoying the sounds of the night: crickets, insects, owls and other creatures of the night that were scavenging for their next meal. Suddenly, silence fell upon us. Moments later the terrorizing began.

Both Andrew and Anthony called out, threatening to tear Bradley limb from limb, taunting and challenging him to fight. Instinctively Bradley scooped me up into his arms and started running towards the house.

Knowing he couldn’t outrun them both and thinking we had lost them momentarily, I hid myself in the middle of a bunch of bushes and shrubs while Bradley ran in the opposite direction, hoping they’d follow.

The sound of footsteps ran past where I hid and slowly faded, running in the same direction that Bradley went. Unable to move, fear kept me hidden. Waiting for the second set of footsteps, I sat silently, holding my breath.

A hand reached around me from behind and covered my mouth while another wrapped around my waist. Ripping me from my hiding place, Andrew licked my ear before taunting, “Gotcha!” With his arms around me, his hand silencing me, he ran quickly and easily through the forest, taking me further from my beloved Bradley. Kicking and flailing my arms and legs wildly, I tried to escape.

Letting my shield down I tried to mind link to Bradley, screaming for him to come save me. When my Knight did not appear, I swung my arms up and started scratching at my captor’s eyes. To protect himself, he removed his hand from my mouth giving me a chance to scream Bradley’s name, out loud, from the top of my lungs.

“Natalia, it’s okay,” Bradley said while shaking me.

Strangely, I heard a knock at a door, “Brad, is Nat alright?”

“She’s fine, Jess. It’s just a nightmare.” I felt his cold hand on my burning cheek, “Wake up, Natalia.”

Andrew grabbed me by the throat, silencing me. In the distance I heard Bradley and Jess talking. I wanted to call out to them, but I was mentally trapped by Andrew, his eyes were drawing me in, holding me hostage. Fighting and struggling to free myself, Andrew laughed, telling me that once he changed me, Bradley wouldn’t want me anymore. Scratching and hitting his arms and wrists, I tried to free myself from his grip.

“This time it is not death I seek from you. This time, immortality will make you mine,” Andrew threatened, his mouth mere inches from mine. Releasing my throat, he leaned in closer.

Panicking, I hollered and screamed that it would always be Bradley, never him. I begged for him to leave us alone.

The last thing I heard before Bradley rescued me from my nightmare was Andrew’s evil laughter and him telling me that I would soon be his.

“Nat… Please wake up.”

I heard desperation in his voice as he shook my body hard. The violent shaking didn’t wake me, the agony in his voice did.

I quickly opened my eyes and reached out for him, “Bradley, are you okay?”

He exhaled loudly. “Am I okay? You’re screaming my name in complete horror and you ask if I’m okay?”

Suddenly, the door flew open, “I can’t stand it anymore! Is she okay?”

Quicker than any human eye could see Bradley threw a blanket over my naked body. “Get out, Jess. She was just having a bad dream.”

“Jeez, Nat, you just about gave us all a heart attack. Now get up, get dressed and come out to get something to eat. Breakfast is done.” Before leaving, he hesitated, taking another look at me. When he heard Bradley snarl his name, he turned around and left.

Once Jesse shut the door behind him, Bradley tossed the blanket off of me and pressed his naked body against mine. He gazed worriedly into my eyes. It was as if he was trying to read my mind. His hands caressed my skin lovingly.

“Natalia, I’ve never heard you scream my name like that before. It killed me not to be able to help you.” His body trembling, he drew mine closer. “At first,” with his lips pressed against my forehead, “it startled me because I only
heard
you in my mind. But when I saw what you were dreaming, your nightmare, it terrified me.” Holding me tighter his voice shook saying, “It was like I was there, but unable to save you.” He closed his eyes and rested his forehead on mine. “I’ve never been so terrified.”

“You heard and saw my nightmare?” I asked, my voice raspy and raw from screaming. Clinging onto Bradley, I refused to let him go.

“No, not at first. At first, I heard you scream in my mind. You were pushing and shoving me away, trying to escape from my embrace. The fear and desperation in your voice sent chills down my spine.” A trembling sigh escaped him. “Then I saw what your nightmare was about. Anger consumed me when I saw his arms wrapped around you. The threats he made, the way he looked at you… If I were there, I would have killed him.”

Placing his finger under my chin, he gently lifted until our eyes met. “Natalia, I will always be your Knight, please know that. If I could have, I would have stopped him. I would have saved you.” A soft, tender kiss chased the fear away, replacing it with love.

“You did save me, Bradley. Waking me from that horrible nightmare, that saved me.” Caressing his cheek with mine, I whispered, “I love you, Bradley.”

“I love you, too.”

Instead of joining our guests for breakfast we decided to show each other how much we loved one another. To avoid any interruptions, Bradley leaned out the door and told our guests we’d be out later. After closing the door, he locked it, ensuring no one would come barging through it unexpectedly. We spent hours in heavenly bliss.

We stayed locked in our bedroom, comforting each other, until it was time for lunch.

Chapter 6

Over the next several weeks things were quiet, putting me on edge. It felt like the quiet before the storm. We were as prepared as we could be, not knowing what he was going to do next. The compass worked perfectly, we trialed it several times just to make sure. It led us to each other. We even showed Jesse, Colleen and Dave how to use it, just in case we left it with them and they needed to find us. If we were all separated, all someone would have to do was to ask where we were by saying our name.

The protection shield around the house was cast, but we needed to test it out. While I was trying to figure out a way to do so, a bird flew out from the trees and crashed into the invisible wall.

It really upset me to watch the poor thing flipping and flopping around in pain. Bradley was just about to put it out of its misery when it got up on its little feet and took off. Although I was relieved the bird survived, it had me thinking that maybe the wall wasn’t strong enough to keep a vampire out. So I reinforced it by making the density thicker and stronger.

This time we tested it on Jesse. Now that was funny! Colleen came running through the wall but Jesse… Well… He crashed into it, knocking the wind right out of him. Even Colleen thought it was funny.

After we made sure he didn’t get hurt, I tweaked the spell a little, permitting Jesse entrance into the house. Afterwards, we asked him to try again. With all his teasing I felt half tempted to let him crash into the shield again, but at the last minute I had a change of heart. This time he walked through the wall without incident.

Having been locked in our house for weeks, I started to feel like a caged animal. Since the day I got married I had not spent more than an hour by myself. I needed some time alone before I snapped!

That’s when I got an idea. Bradley went to the store with Jesse and Colleen, leaving Dave and Cheryl here to babysit me. Not wanting to waste a minute of time, as soon as they were preoccupied with each other, I stood up and told them I was going to take a nap. At first Dave followed me into my room. After assuring him I would be fine, he left. I waited for about fifteen minutes before climbing out of my bedroom window and running for the woods. I ran as fast as I could and quickly reached the creek. I sat down on a log, quite surprised and pleased with myself. The fact that I’d been able to escape, and only fell twice doing so, was an incredible feat for me.

Outside in the fresh air surrounded by trees, I began to relax. I’ve always felt at home, at peace, when with Mother Nature. The weather was perfect it was just what I needed. Resting my back and head against a tree, I unintentionally drifted off into light sleep, still hearing the peaceful relaxing sound of birds chirping.

The cracking sound of branches breaking alarmed me of another’s presence. Jumping up, I looked around and found that dusk had fallen upon me. Immediately, a knot in my stomach warned me something was wrong.

I started running as fast as I could towards the house when I heard, “Do you really think you can out run me? It won’t be long now, Mrs. Jenkins.”

Turning my head slightly, I saw Andrew from the corner of my eye. He was right behind me. Screaming as loud as I could, I pushed myself to run faster. Tripping over my own feet, I fell, hitting the ground hard.

Andrew pulled me to my feet by my hair. Panicking, I writhed my body, trying to break free of his grip. When that didn’t work I swung my arm in the air, trying to use magic to get him off me but nothing happened.

Lifting me up by my throat, he threw me away from the house. Sailing through the air towards the trees, after a few small bounces my body skidded to a stop. Instinctively, I tried to get up and run but couldn’t. My body hurt too much.

Andrew lay down beside me. “Maybe I should take you right here and now. Immortality is what I seek from you.”

Fear overtook the pain. Rolling over onto my stomach, I scratched and clawed at the ground trying to get away from him. Fingers manacled my ankle, preventing me from escaping. Taunting and toying with me, he yanked my ankle, dragging me back before releasing me again. 

Lunging forward, fear and adrenaline had me running and screaming for help.

Once again, I felt myself being flung through the air like a rag doll before hitting the ground really hard. This time my body only hit the ground once before he picked me up and tossed me again. Instead of hitting the ground Andrew caught me by the waist, wrapped his arms tightly around my body and pressed his lips to mine. They were cold and hard. I tried with all my might to push him away but couldn’t. The more I fought him, the harder he crushed his lips onto mine.

Andrew was forcing his tongue into my mouth when from a distance I heard Bradley yell, “Get your hands off of her!”

Laughing, he slammed my body to the ground, forcing the air from my lungs. Grabbing the back of my shirt, he started dragging me while challenging Bradley to come save me.

Crying, I tried scratching and slapping him as hard as I could, yelling, “I love you, Bradley!”

Knowing Bradley was on his way, that he would be here in a matter of seconds, I couldn’t understand why Andrew hadn’t run away yet. Was he luring Bradley into a trap?

When Bradley was but a few steps away, Andrew lifted me into the air and threw me again. Thankfully, this time, Bradley caught me.

His eyes were distraught and disappointed as he handed me over to Colleen. Watching Bradley, Dave and Jesse chase after Andrew and follow him into the trees before disappearing completely terrified me. I struggled to free myself from Colleen’s grasp but she refused to let go.

“Haven’t you caused enough trouble for one day?” Cheryl barked sharply from behind Colleen. I froze. Her words stung me.

“What?”

“It’s not enough that we all have to give up our lives to protect you? You have to do something like this? I think you like it when everyone is fussing over you. Well, I’m done.” Before I could say anything Cheryl took off running.

“Colleen, I didn’t mean it. I’m sorry.”

Colleen didn’t say a word. Instead she ran back to the house with me still in her arms.

“You know he’s going to be upset with you,”
Seager said after we were inside and Colleen put me down. I ran into my room, slammed the door shut, and locked it.

Realizing the danger I put my husband and friends in, I buried my face in my pillow and sobbed uncontrollably. If anyone else got hurt it would be my fault, no one else’s.

“I’ll be listening, Nat, so don’t try anything funny,” Colleen hollered.

Laying in the fetal position, I waited for Bradley’s return, thinking about how I had really made a mess of things.

When I felt his arms wrap around me, I spun over and buried my face in his chest, “Bradley, I’m so sorry. I just wanted some time to myself, to go out. I’m so sorry for being selfish.”

He sighed, held me tight, and kissed my forehead. “Why don’t you get changed. It’s time for dinner.” He got up, but before walking out the door he demanded coldly, “Please get changed, Natalia.”

Brushing my hair, I could hear him mumbling something to our friends. Too embarrassed to face everyone, I took my time grooming and getting ready. Unlike earlier, when I justified needing time for myself, I now felt differently. Not only was I being selfish, I was disrespectful to my friends. Unable to hear what they were saying, my imagination ran wild.

Removing my top, I heard Colleen gasp from behind me. Turning I saw her staring, mouth agape. Lost in thought, I didn’t hear her open the door and come into the room.

“Colleen, I’m so sorry. Please know that I appreciate everything all of you are doing. I love you all and would never intentionally hurt any of you.”

“Nat, stop it,” she said waving her hand in the air. She didn’t sound angry or upset with me like Cheryl was earlier. “If I were you I would have made that move a long time ago. I told Brad that he couldn’t keep you locked up, that it would only drive you to do something dangerous.” She rolled her eyes, “Of course, I was right.” Gently, she ran her fingers against my bare back causing me to wince. “Nat, you have bruises all over your back. What did that bastard do to you?”

Feeling numb, afraid and confused, my thoughts and words were incoherent. I shrugged my shoulders saying, “He threw me a couple of times and tried to force himself on me. Coll, how bad is it? Can I hide it from Bradley? It will only upset him. I’ve already disappointed him enough today.”

“There’s no way you’ll be able to keep this from Brad. He’s gonna freak when he sees what that man did to you. Do you want me to see if there are any other injuries?”

“No, I’m okay. Thanks.”

“Well then, come on, get dressed, the guys are taking us out.”

I didn’t hear Colleen leave, nor did I hear Bradley enter. The look on his face made me wonder how long he had been standing there.

His eyes were distant as he walked across the room and took my hand, “We’re going to Lee’s for dinner.” That was all he said the entire ride to Lee’s.

We got a table in the back corner. Everyone discussed their day while we waited for the waitress to take our order. Then, when the waitress left with our order they discussed plans for the upcoming weekend. They avoided discussing what just happened with Andrew and I was more than pleased for their avoidance of the topic. Bradley didn’t say a word to anyone, not even me. When dinner arrived and everyone talked about their meal, he still didn’t say a word to me. He just sat there staring at me with eyes full of disappointment.

After dinner Cheryl, who was sitting at the other end of the table, came over. “Brad… Dave… would you mind giving the two of us a moment alone?” Cheryl asked as she sat down in the empty chair beside me. At the same time, they both rose and went to the bar.

Bradley didn’t even hesitate or look back. I’ve never seen him so disappointed in me before.

“Nat…” When I turned my attention back to her I found her staring down at the table, fidgeting with the napkin. “I’m so sorry for the mean things I said. I was upset because Brad yelled at us for fooling around instead of paying attention to what you were doing. I was the one being selfish.”

“You were fooling around on my couch?”

“Yes, that’s why we didn’t hear you sneak out. I don’t blame Brad for being angry with us. Please forgive me for saying what I said earlier. I have never met anyone more selfless than you,” Cheryl pleaded.

“There’s no need to apologize. It’s already forgotten.” I’m glad I wasn’t there to hear that conversation. Just the thought of the exchange of words made me shudder.

Bradley came back to the table and sat across from me. Typically he would sit next to me or reach out his hand to take mine, this time he did neither of them. To hide the hurt I watched our friends. Jesse and Colleen were dancing while Dave and Cheryl played pool.

“Bradley?” He didn’t look at me; he just watched Dave and Cheryl. Knowing he heard me I continued, “Would you like to dance or play some shuffleboard?” I had waited all night for him to look at me and now that he did I almost wished he hadn’t.

When he didn’t answer me, I stood up. But before I took a step he demanded, “Where do you think you’re going?”

“To the bathroom. Am I allowed?” I shouted back at him.

After shoving my way through the crowd I made it to the bathroom. When finished and pulling up my jeans, a throbbing pain on my upper thigh caught my attention. Blinded by hurt and anger I ignored it and walked over to the sink to wash my hands. Stalling, I decided to wash my face, too.

The day’s events ate away at me, slowly breaking me down.

Knowing that Bradley saw Andrew kissing me and how disgusted he was by it, the memory and my imagination were making it hard to breathe. 

The images sickened me. Turning on the faucet I leaned into the sink, scooped up a handful of water and swished it around in my mouth before spitting it out.

With a heavy sigh, I rubbed my hands over my face.
Had I just stayed in the house and waited for him, none of this would have happened,
I thought to myself. Fighting back the tears, my chest felt heavy.

“Excuse me,” a stranger’s voice said.

“Yes?”

“There’s a handsome guy claiming to be your husband waiting outside the door for you. He wanted me to check and see if you were alright.” She hesitated. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Thank you.”

Bradley was standing outside of the bathroom door waiting for me. Avoiding eye contact I walked past him. Seeing the disappointment in his eyes hurt too much. It was hard enough fighting back the tears without seeing how I’d hurt him. Following me, he grabbed my upper arm. Like my back, it hurt to be touched.

“I thought you wanted to dance or play shuffleboard.”

I nodded, unable to speak. Thankfully no one had been playing shuffle-bowl. The tears were about to escape and dancing would not help my resolve.

“Ladies first,” he gestured for me to take my shot.

Finally, halfway through the game he touched me. Getting a strike, which I never do, had me jumping up and down smiling. He wrapped his arms around me and I sighed with relief. It was what I needed, his arms around me. Letting go, he pointed to the game, “Good shot. It’s still your turn.”