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He led me downstairs to a library. It wasn't big, not like the one in the Beast's castle—yes, I watch kid’s movies—but it was impressive. The space was about the size of a large living room with vaulted ceilings. Brown bookcases on every wall extended up to the ceiling with a ladder placed every so often to get the books at a higher reach. I was impressed.
Cameron ventured over to a bookshelf, putting his finger up and running it along the spines of the books until he found the one he was searching for. He crooked his finger to tug it out. Dust fluttered into the air, and he ran his hand over the top of the cover to remove the excess that covered the book. Where it had looked brown before, it was now a light blue.
He grinned at me, lifting the book to give it a little shake. “Found it.”
I nodded to it. “I see that. Was the interest on the dust a loss or gain?”
He rolled his eyes. “Very funny.” Then he moved to one of the study desks in the room and waved me over. “Come here.”
I approached him and peered at the book that was supposed to be my saving grace in learning all things Lydent but didn't expect to find it in a fairly decent shape. I was expecting something old— you know, a book where the binding had started to fray—but it was in surprisingly good shape. Just not used recently.
He opened the book to the table of contents. “Really, the only chapters you need to worry about are chapter one, which goes over certain words and phrases you will hear around us, and chapter two, which is more about rules and regulations. The book basically works up from there before you go to Hydrent.”
My questioning gaze met his knowing one. “Hydrent? What's that?”
“See?” he said giving me an unexpected bop on the nose. I reared back and rubbed it with the inside of my palm as he continued, “This is why you need the book, so you can know all this stuff. Hydrent is a place.”
I glared at him. “I got that it was a place when you said, ‘before you go to Hydrent.’ I am listening. And don’t bop me on the nose. It’s...” My nose wrinkled up before I finally settled on a word. “...weird. Like something a parent would do to a kid. I don’t like it.”
His eyes crinkled as a smile tilted up his lips. “Well, I definitely don't have parental feelings for you, so your nose is safe.”
My mouth dropped open. “What does that mean?”
His watch beeped and he glanced at it.
“Cameron, what did you mean by that?”
He looked up from his watch and handed the book over to me, then white-lighted us back to my room.
“What?”
The playful glint in his eyes was now gone. “Gotta go. Justin or I will come back in about an hour and get you for dinner.”
“Wait, please?” I rubbed my wrist, feeling a little nervous, and realized the foreign bands were still there. My hand dropped.
Whatever he was going to do, he didn’t. Instead, he waited. “What is it?” he asked softly, looking me over. “Do you need something before I go?”
I shook my head, looking off to the window, which now showed the light outside fading fast. “Thank you. I kind of feel bad that I've been rude. I mean, today has not been my day.” I focused my gaze back on him. “I got sexually assaulted by someone who can control me, you guys showed up, and I just...” I tried to explain, but it all came out a jumbled mess. I drew a hand through my hair, twisted away from him, and cursed. “It's just been a long day and I’m pretty sure I'm sort of in shock.”
“Hey-hey,” he eased, coming closer and putting a hand on my arm. He rounded my body and tugged me into a hug. “It's okay.” He patted my back awkwardly, but it made me feel better. He obviously didn't know how to deal with an emotional woman, but at least he was trying.
I soaked in the comfort he offered for a brief moment before pushing him away. I missed the warmth that he gave me, but I put up my backbone. “Don't worry. I’ve got this. I’ve always got this,” I reassured him, but it was mostly a pep talk for me. Moving away, I picked up the book and took a seat on the bed then waved him off. “Go, do what you need to do. I’m not going anywhere.”
He hesitated, then nodded. “Okay. Either Justin or I will be back in just a little bit to pick you up for dinner,” he repeated. “Just... don't go anywhere. Not everyone can make Thad smile.”
My eyes went wide. “What?”
He waved it off. “Never mind. Just don’t anywhere.”
We both had a stare off for a second before I relented. “I told you I wouldn’t.”
“Right.” Then, with a flash of light, he disappeared.
Shoulders sagging, I scooted further onto the bed and snuggled into the pillow with the Lydent book in hand. I guess I had some reading to do.
I learned a lot in the first chapter. Like that white light poof away thing was called “shimming.” Apparently, it was a Lydent’s number one form of transportation. The next thing I learned about was some immunizations, like the one the guys wanted me to get; then the coming of age thing, which was like becoming a full-blown Lydent with powers at the age of thirteen; and getting a mate mark. The mate mark made me think of the thing on my foot.
I dropped the book and lifted my leg, trying to get a good angle to look at it. Struggling, since I couldn’t get a good view, I said screw it and scrambled off the bed to ensuite bathroom.
In there, I stuck my foot up on the sink ledge, facing the mirror. It was in the arch of my foot—an intricate silver rope design with a tinge of blue at the edges that went in a circle. In the center were three knots held together by a fourth in the middle. It was unique, like the tat of red thorns that I had going down the side of my body to my hip. Or the one that was on the back of my shoulder where a dragon was breathing fire. This one was simpler. Like some Celtic ruin.
Because the position was awkward, I shifted my foot off the counter and wondered if I had a mate. Did the knots in the center of the mate mark mean that I had three of them? Or were there more? The book said that there would be no less than three and the highest recorded was six. I’d take six.
A harem. That’s what Hannah and I... Hannah. We were just talking about something like this the other day. The woman who wanted to help her must have been a Lydent, but why offer a cure now and not when her sickness began?
I returned to my room and was heading toward the bed when a knock sounded at my door. I paused midway wondering if I should open it.
I decided to call out instead. “Yeah?”
“It’s Justin. Can I come in?”
“I guess?”
He didn't even bother opening the door; he just appeared using that shimming thing that everyone seemed to be doing - well, everyone except me. He gave me a goofy grin. “Cameron told me that you need to eat. So, you hungry?”
I nodded, my stomach now grumbling in hunger as I rubbed my hands down my thighs. “Yeah, but I also have a ton of questions. There's still a lot that I don't know.”
He held out his hand. “I have food and answers. Let's go.”
I placed my hand in his and realized he wanted to shim. “Wait.”
His brows dipped downward in confusion. “What?”
“Look, I won't be able to get to figure out where to go if you guys keep shimming me everywhere.”
He grinned. “You learned the word shimming.”
I huffed, the corners of my mouth tilting upward slightly as I looked away from him. “Yes. Yes, I did.” I turned my gaze back to him. “But the deal is, I can't shim.” I raised both of our hands and wiggled mine to show him the bracelets on my wrist. “I'm stuck, so could we go out the door as normal people?”
His hand squeezed mine. “Of course, sure, we could do that.”
I returned his squeeze and his eyes locked on me. “Thanks.”
He smirked and swung our hands gently. “All you have to do is ask.” He led me out the door and down the stairs. When we reached the bottom floor, we went left instead of right, going towards the big lounge area and the hallway where the guys took me to meet their Gen.
We traveled down a hallway past a few other doors that had me curiously peeking around until we came to what I’d call a cook's kitchen. Big island in the center, a large stove with enough burners to cook with at least six pots, a fridge that could have been two refrigerators for all I knew, and no one in sight.
Justin had me sit down on a stool at the island. “Sit here. I’ll make us something.”
I was confused. Weren't there a whole bunch of other people here? Didn't they have to eat?
“What do you want to eat?”
Meeting his gaze, he gave me another grin as he held the doors to one of the refrigerators open. “We have stuff for sandwiches?” Then he shut the door when it started to beep, signaling it had been open too long. “I could, maybe, make you oatmeal?” He shot me a hopeful look.
Was he serious?
“Surely there's more than that to eat,” I said, sliding off the stool and heading over to the fridge. When I opened it, I saw every food possible in there. I faced him with my hands on my hips. “There’s food in here.”
He shrugged and gave me a sheepish grin. “Um, I'm not a very good cook?”
I sighed and shook my head in exasperation.
“I don't know what you like to eat.” He gestured toward me. “Pick something as if it was your own house.”
My eyebrows raised. “Am I supposed to fix something for you too?”
Justin had enough decency to blush. “Do you know how to cook?” His eyebrows matched mine as he stared at me intently, waiting for my answer.
Did I know how to cook? Not really. I knew how to make more than a sandwich and oatmeal, but I wasn’t telling him that. “I'm pretty decent.”
He smiled. “Then yes, I would like you to make me something.”
My mouth pressed. “Didn’t your mama teach you manners? Please.”
He reared back, embarrassed. “Please.”
I focused my attention on the inside of the fridge and spied all the ingredients needed to make a decent club sandwich. While I pulled the stuff out, Justin got the plates and cups.
I wasn’t talkative at this moment, but he chatted about how cool his buddies were and about how they went on missions to take down Lydents who had gone too far or had used their magic for evil instead of good. He also explained how he and his friends were found and put together due to their mate marks. That's when I stopped him. “Wait, I thought you guys weren’t all together.”
Frozen, he struggled with what to say. “We are but we aren’t.”
“So, you don't have a girl in your group?”
That's when his mouth slammed shut and his eyes widened.
“I guess you weren’t supposed to tell me about that part.” I slid him his plate with the sandwich across the counter and put the ingredients away, giving him time to answer.
“There aren’t enough Lydent females around to-”
“You mean women. You can say it, you know.” I went back over to my plate and sat down next to him at the island.
“Fine,” he took a bite of his sandwich and chewed – deflecting, I’m sure. I took a bite of my own.
“We’re not a normal mating team,” he finally answered. “We’re different...” he trailed off and shrugged, waving his hand in the air. “We won’t ever have a mated woman in our group.”
Then I got it. They were together – together. Except for Thad. Maybe. He wanted to see me naked... And something about Cameron... Unless they were both bi? I guess not having enough Lydent females– I frowned. Now Justin had me saying it. Swinging my gaze to him, I watched as he scratched his head in a nervous gesture, still in the middle of trying to explain.
“Don't worry.” I waved him off. “I get it.” I returned to eating my own sandwich feeling slightly disappointed.
His brows lifted in surprise. “You do?”
“Mm-hm,” I murmured, giving him a side stare. “And what about me? Am I going to be tossed over to some mates? How do you find out who they are? Is there a database or something that I’m entered into?”
He bristled, annoyed. “You always have a choice. Right now, you don't have to worry about it. I mean, the council isn’t going to let you go in the database until we know more about what's going on with you.”
Taking a bite of my sandwich, I thought about what he said then asked, “Okay. How can you tell if Lydents are mated or not? They have the same mark, right?”
“Right,” he said getting off the stool, grabbing his plate with the half-eaten sandwich, and making his way to the trash, throwing it away.
My eyebrows dipped in confusion. “Did you not like the sandwich?”
“No, it's fine.” He placed his plate into the sink and started to wash it.
“Then why did you throw it away?”
His back was to me, but his movements were jerky. He turned off the water, grabbed a washcloth and turned to me, drying the plate. His gaze was dark, mouth pressed in frustration. “Because I’m finding myself not very hungry right now.”
My eyes went wide, gesturing to the trash can. “But... you almost ate the whole thing.”
I was confused and unsure why he was acting this way. He seemed to be a cheerful guy. Did I say something to upset him? Was he upset that I knew he and his team members were together? Wait, was it against the rules?
He tossed the towel back on the counter and turned to put the plate away in a cupboard. “Finish up yours. I'm going to go clear something up. I'll be back.”
A little put out, I averted my gaze and shrugged, dismissing him. I didn’t want him to see how his behavior was affecting me. “You don't have to come back. I know my way now.”
“No-no.” I looked back to him. He had his palms up and was shaking his head. “I'll be back. I want to be back, okay?”
His gaze held mine until I answered, “Fine.”
He dropped his hands and swept one through his hair. “Good. Okay. I’ll come back.” Then he shimmed out.
After he left, the nerves hit me. I resumed eating while my brain tried to process my thoughts and questions. Was I really safe here? Could that man, Eric, slip in here and grab me? My heart skipped. With what he was able to do to me, the way he commanded that man who grabbed me, could he manipulate anyone? I didn’t want to be alone—that wasn’t me—but he had inflicted fear into my soul. I was stronger than this; I had to be.
But... was one of the guys going to stay with me during the night? I wouldn’t object if they insisted. Now that I knew where they all stood with their sexual preferences, I wouldn’t lead them on and I’d keep my touches to a minimum. I’d hate to cause jealousy between the four of them.
No longer hungry, I made the same path as Justin, trashing what was left of my food, then washing the plate and putting it away.
“Hey.”
I shrieked, twisting around holding a hand to my chest. My eyes were wide as saucers as I took in Justin at the end of the counter and let out a breath. “Shit. Fuck. You startled me.”
He tilted his head to the side, squinting at me, as if he was trying to figure something out. “Sorry. I forget that you might be sensitive after what happened to you this afternoon.” He righted himself and came over, drawing me into his arms. “I’m sorry.”
After a second, my arms curved hesitantly around his waist, my muscles still tense. It took a moment with him rubbing my back until my body relaxed and sank into his strength. I sighed. “I’m fine.”
“It's alright. You had a scare.” He cleared his throat as I drew away. “That business I had to take care of, it was trying to figure out how to get your stuff.”
“O-kay.” I asked, “When will I get it? Can I go?”
“No, you can’t go. And most likely tomorrow.” He held out a hand. “Ready to go back to your room?”
I shrugged. “Yeah, but can we walk again? All the shimming is making me dizzy.”
His eyebrows drew down in concern. “Are you feeling okay?”
“I'm fine.”
Irritation quickly crossed his features, and ignoring my failed attempt at reassuring him, he lifted a hand and felt my forehead. I moved away just as quickly.
His expression cleared. “You don't feel warm.”
“Because I'm not sick. And, dude, come on”—I gestured between him and me—“personal space.” I knew that what I just said was pretty much an oxymoron when I was hugging him only moments ago, and by the amused expression on his face, Justin knew it as well.
“I think we're beyond personal space, don't you?”
I tried to contain my smile, knowing he was right. “Fine. But don’t yell at me when your covers go missing. I’ll just quote you.”
He snickered and his eyes held a teasing glint. “Sweetheart, if you’re cold, steal my covers. Please. There’s nothing worse than a woman made of ice. But you’ll have to find out where I sleep in order to steal ‘em. Good luck with that.”
My mood dropped. He wasn’t going to stay with me tonight? Keep me safe? Nerves knotted my stomach. We had started to move toward the hallway that would lead us to the stairs and I asked him what I wanted to know. “You mean, you’re not the lucky person who’s going to guard me?”
He shot me a look. “No one’s gonna guard you. You're free to roam around as much as you want. There’s a barrier so no one can get in if they don’t have...” He shrugged as we started up the stairs and continued, “well, the key. You're safe here.”
At my door, as if he’d had an epiphany, he touched my shoulder and turned me to face him. His eyebrows were drawn in. “Eric can't get you here, you know.” His words pierced my heart. “The council's dealing with him. He wouldn’t be able to get in here without the right... pass, anyway.”
I squinted at him. “And what is this key or pass you’re talking about?” I lifted a hand carelessly. “You guys shim everywhere, and in my experience, if someone wants in bad enough, they can get in.”
He gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze and let go to show me his wrist. “You can barely see it, but it’s there, the magic symbol for the warriors. An orb wrapped in swirls of power. Keys. Each swirl line represents a key to a Lydent place. He’d have to have a willing Lydent warrior to bring him here. No one in the Lydent community that is in good standing would willingly do what he wants.”
My gaze snapped from his wrist to his green gaze. “Yes, they would. He made me do things. Couldn’t he do the same to others to make them help him?”
I remembered his powerful voice. My body moving to his will and having no control. I wasn’t used to knowing about any off this. I might die. He might fuckin’ find me. Shit scared is what I was, and that wouldn’t change, but I’d be damned if I’d tell him.
Again, Justin drew me into his arms. “We’re protected from him. Most Lydents are; we just didn’t get to you in time.”
This time I kept my body rigid and my arms at my sides. Justin drew away when he noticed I wasn’t accepting his hugs anymore. I was scared and angry and he was leaving me behind.
“Trace?”
I gave him the best bright smile I could. He didn’t get the real me. He didn’t deserve it.
“I know you’re scared,” he tried again, concern filling his gaze.
I shook my head and gave in to a small laugh of hysteria before clamming up, my mouth pressing closed. He probably thought I was going crazy like the man at the asylum. My hand met the door handle and twisted. My eyes met his. “No, Justin, I wouldn’t call what I am scared. I’ll see one of you in the morning.” Then I went in and shut him out.
I sank down on the bed and I would have toed off my shoes if I had any on.
Of course, Justin wouldn’t leave me alone. He just made himself welcome by shimming inside my room.
“What was that all about?” he asked, pointing to the still closed door.
I glared at him. “Hey! What if I was undressing?”
“You literally just left me.” His gaze drew down to my feet and he muttered, “Clothes and shit.”
“How are my parents?” I changed the subject, wondering what he had done to them. “They're not going to forget me completely, are they?”
“They didn’t resist me like you did, so that’s a good thing. Mind sweeping is pretty easy. No ill effects if you know what you’re doing. Your sisters were fine, too.”
My hands clenched. I was upset by how easily they could be manipulated. How this world wasn't safe for them. “If... if I wanted, could you make them forget me?”
He seemed alarmed by that comment and slowly answered, “If that's what you wanted, I could.”
My heart dropped. “I don't want you to do that, not right now, but maybe...” I trailed off.
“Hey, I get it. It’s about them learning about our world and how scary and different it is. Don't make any decisions right now. Truthfully, you don't need to have them forget you. Just let them think that you're on a long vacation or something.”
That brought up another question. “Where did you have them think I was? Where did you say you had me sent to?”
“Well, when I got there, I asked about you and did some research. I know that your friend Hannah moved away...” I immediately steeled myself in preparation. “So, I just made them think that you guys went to a private school together.”
Seriously? I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. “What kind of private school?”
He blushed and rubbed nervously at the back of his neck. Then he answered, “A Catholic School?”
I busted out laughing. This time for something insanely hysterically funny. It felt good.
He frowned. “Why are you laughing like that?”
“Because that is a totally inaccurate assumption to make about me.”
The red in his cheeks deepened. “What? You're a sweet girl. I could see that happening.”
“But I’m not,” I said once I caught my breath.
“What in the hell is that supposed to mean?” Before I could respond, his attention was pulled away from me as he lifted his wrist. One of the swirl lines on his wrist was glowing light blue. He sighed as his gaze met mine. “I have to go. Please, don’t be mad at me. One of us will see you in the morning.”
I gave a sharp nod, wrapping my arms around my waist.
His eyes were drawn to the action and his mouth pressed. He opened his arms. “Can I have a hug before I leave?”
I twisted my lips and thought about it.
“Come on.” He gave me an easy smile. “I promise not to cop a feel.”
I groaned, wishing he would, but kept that thought to myself. I wasn’t a homewrecker. Or would it be called a matewrecker?
I went to him and greedily snuggled into his hug. I guess it would be selfish of me to ask him to stay. Even if it was to calm my fears. He had his guys waiting for him.
With a gentle caress, he brushed a strand of my wild red hair out of my face and kissed my forehead. “I wish you were mine.”
Then he stepped away and shimmed before I could ask what he meant. Was I wrong about his relationship with the other guys?
I slumped to the bed, not knowing what to do, and snatched the Lydent book. It wouldn’t save me at this moment. Glancing around, I didn’t see an alarm clock but outside darkness had fallen.
I got up, dragged the curtains closed, then glared at the picture over the dresser that I wished was a TV as I returned to the bed.
Panic started to set in and I hurriedly gathered up all the pillows and the comforter as well as the Lydent book and shoved them into the ensuite bathroom. Then I grabbed the chair from the corner of the bedroom and pushed and shoved it inside the space as well. Giving myself a second to calm down, I turned to lock the door. I needed to be safe. The only place I could see myself being safe was in the last place someone would try to look for me – the bathroom. I scooted out from behind the chair and tucked the top edge underneath the handle. I didn't know if it would keep me safe, but it made me feel better.
I didn't want him to find me. Who knows what could happen if he did?
Turning to the bathtub, I reached over to draw the shower curtain aside and looked inside. I nodded to myself. It should work. I gathered up all the bedding and tossed it in the tub. I situated the comforter in half so that one half would be beneath me and the other could be thrown over my body. The pillows were next, propped up all around the edges with one at the opposite side of the faucet.
After I had it the way I wanted, I stepped in, drawing the shower curtain closed for some darkness—I couldn’t bring myself to turn the light off—then laid down, tugging the comforter over my body. I picked up the Lydent book and settled in feeling some sense of calm return.
For the moment, I was safe in the hug of a bathtub... until I fell asleep.
That’s when my first nightmare came.