Legacy of Secrets 01-Cursed Secrets (14 page)

It was dusk and the smelled of pine overwhelmed me. The ground was moist from rain the day before and I kept my pace slow, so as not to slip. I cranked up my jams and let my mind go, concentrating only on the sound of my feet on the ground. When all other types of medicine failed, I could run my problems away. Well, that’s what it felt like anyway.

The further down the path I went, the better I felt. I decided that if Christian didn’t come back, it wouldn’t concern me and I needed to let it go. Obviously, there was a reason he hadn’t spoken to me and I had to respect that. I couldn’t deny that my chest ached at his absence, but eventually I’d file it away with the rest of the pain.

I shut off the music when I reached the clearing behind my house. Stopping beside the half fallen tree trunk, I stretched and cooled down. Running was great, but something seemed off. Everything had gotten eerily quiet. I called for Nana and Pops, thinking maybe they’d come outside, but no one answered. I turned in small circles, but saw nothing out of the ordinary.

“Must be a storm coming,” I shrugged and continued stretching.

I heard a huff from the trees behind me and stood slowly. I didn’t know what kind of animal would be that close to a subdivision, but I wasn’t stupid enough to move quickly. I took baby steps towards the log and leaned on it just enough to turn my head toward the noise. Golden eyes gleamed at me from the shadows and I bit back the fear.
Oh shit, I’m dead
.

The air rippled uncontrollably as I stared into the phantom eyes. I stood frozen, as the largest animal I’d ever seen escaped the trees. It looked like something between a bear and a wolf. I couldn’t help but stare at the incredibly large beast and the air grew thick and hot with fear. I took a few deep breaths.

Something was different about it. The way it moved was strange. It paced in large half circles in front of where I stood, never taking its eyes off me. Instinctively, I brought my hands up with my palms out, ready to shock it with whatever energy I could muster. It worked with Dallas, it could work again. I hoped.

The creature began to shudder. Sounds of ripping and tearing grew increasingly louder, forcing my hands to my ears. I watched in horror as the beast, writhing on the ground, turned into a man. Utter fear ripped through any other emotion I was feeling. The man, now standing naked in front of me, smiled and inched closer leaning toward me.

“Do not worry, Lia, I’m not here to hurt you. I’m intrigued by you, the abilities you possess are amazing,” his voice was like melted butter. My heart sped into a sprint and I shivered.

A million questions ran through my brain all at once. I tried to calm myself so I could speak, “How…how do you know who I am? Who the hell are you?” Why didn’t I run? Why was I still talking?

He spoke in a soothing tone, “Child, your abilities are unlike any others I’ve encountered. There are many powerful beings that walk this land; including myself, but you…you are something else,” he cocked his head to the side and stared into my eyes so fiercely his gaze pierced my soul. I shuddered and tore my eyes away.

He began again, “You seem so much like your mother, but you knew that already didn’t you? She was quite a woman,” he licked his lips.

“How did you know my mother?” I snapped, turning toward him again.
             

Something was familiar about him, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. My emotions were swirling in a whirlwind, forcing nausea to overcome me
.
I tentatively took a steadying step toward him with my palms out, ready to defend myself. Heavy gulping breaths racked me and my vision grew fuzzy. I did my best to keep my eyes on him as I grew sicker.

“Shhh, do not fret,” his voice washed over me, pushing away the heaviness in the air. I stared at him, confused, as an eerie calm settled over me.

The fog lifted from my eyes. I stared at him in disbelief. His face was well, really beautiful; he looked no older than I was. His hair was black and cut in a short cropped look that stuck out everywhere. His amber eyes were scorching me with their intensity, full of questions.

“You are
very
powerful. I didn’t expect that. Surely if we were not among the human world I could explain further,” he said as he walked toward me.

“Wait a minute, I am human. Why did you say it like that?”

I waited for him to answer and felt the strings of anxiety pull through the air again. I knew I was different, but how could he think I wasn’t human?

“You are only half human, Lia. I am surprised you’ve not yet been awakened to that fact. It has been a long time, and that saddens me. Of course, a part of you recognizes me as well, which is why you haven’t run,” a smile played on his lips as a dull flame tickled the pit of my stomach.

“I’m pretty sure I have never seen you before in my life. You never answered how you know me or who my mother was?” he smiled devilishly and I wanted to run screaming, but my body wouldn’t cooperate.

“You will find out soon enough. Now, since I’ve found you, I don’t have plans on making the same mistake twice. Not to mention you need to know what you are. I’m sure no one has told you?”

I shook my head, “No, I’m not falling for this shit.
What the hell is going on?!
” I growled through clenched teeth.

“Adalia, you are part of a very important heritage. One that I’ll gladly show you if you would come with me?” he took another step closer.

He seemed sincere, almost reverent, but immediately my hands were in front of me defensively. I didn’t know if I could do what I did to Dallas, but I was damn sure going to try. I could feel small jolts of electricity through my veins and tried concentrating on the pulses.

“I am not here to harm you. You deserve to know who you really are. After all these years, it delights me that you’ve survived. You can grow to be so much more,” he motioned with his arms, as if to embrace me, and I took a step back.

“That’s great and all, but I have no idea what the hell you’re talking about. Who are you? Why are you here? How were you that…that thing before and a man now? I don’t understand what’s going on,” I was utterly pissed off and confused. I started seeing a red haze in my peripheral and the pulses were throbbing painfully.

“That
thing
you saw me as was an alternate form. I’ve not been in my human state in quite some time. Walking on two feet is a bit disorienting,” he laughed, looking down at his bare feet in the dirt. I couldn’t believe what he was telling me.

“So, what? You’re like a werewolf or something?”

“Some may say that, but I am much more. I am a king among beasts and men; I have the scars to prove it. I am not some mindless beast that wanders in the night. I am
the
werewolf!” the anger in his voice triggered the surge once more. It sprang up with a vengeance leaving me breathless. Honestly, he scared the hell out of me and making him angry probably wasn’t a good thing.

Once he felt the ripples, his face softened, “I apologize for my outburst. It was inexcusable. You need not fear me. I give you my word that I will not hurt you. My name is Josiah. I was born long ago, much longer than I can remember at times.  As I said before, I am here to show you who you are. I will stay if that is what you wish. This place is calm and not much occurs here that could draw attention to my, well, my recreations,” his smile broadened, allowing his razor sharp teeth to show through. I gasped and stumbled backward.

“Step away from her before I drive a stake through your fucking heart you disgusting beast!” my heart fluttered at his voice. Josiah let out a fierce snarl and his body once again shifted into the beast. Panic struck and the air sizzled and popped like hot grease.

Josiah let out a deafening bark and took off toward him with excruciating force. Christian poised for the attack, wielding some type of weapon and bared his teeth. Josiah gained the advantage with a leap, closing in quickly, as I screamed. I threw my hands out, knocking Josiah back with such force that he was barely a blur as he moved across the sky. I looked down at my hands and gasped. I pushed him away without even touching him.

Christian cradled me next to his body and we set out soaring over the ground. He didn’t look happy to see me. His jaw was set and his lips were pulled into a line. I hadn’t heard from him in days and then he came back to find Josiah. Did he think that I knew the man? Was it jealousy? No. It wasn’t that simple.

“How did you know? How did you know what he was, what he wanted, what was going on? Most of all, why were you there? I haven’t heard from you in days and all of a sudden you show up to save the day again,” I huffed when he set me down in front of his door. He didn’t respond, “Hello? Am I talking to myself now? What the
hell
is going on?” I shoved him and he stiffened.

“I will tell you
inside
, Lia. Go!” he looked at me fiercely. I brushed passed him quickly and sat, shaking, on the sofa.

“You’ve been busy,” he inquired as he locked the door and drew all the shades on the windows. I scoffed.

“What the hell are you talking about? I was coming back from running when that guy came out of nowhere. What is wrong with you?” I shouted.

“You don’t know him?” he asked, confused.

“No! I’ve never seen that man before. He acted like he knew me but I have no idea who he is.
What
is going on?!” the room shook.

“I have to make a few calls. You’re not to go home tonight,” he started walking away.

“Really? You think you can just tell me to stay and I will. I’m not a dog. What is wrong with you? Why are you being so mean?” I forced him to face me. His face held a mixture of emotions; mostly hate.

“Fine. Don’t stay. Just don’t hold me accountable if he finds you again,” he shrugged my hand from his arm and disappeared upstairs.

I was completely and utterly confused. I had no idea what was going on or how it was even possible that we got to the cabin so quickly. I felt sick and frigidly cold. It was like my insides were turning to ice. What made it worse was the fact that Christian had turned against me. Something happened while he was away and he didn’t care anymore. I cried into the cushion as a different pain ripped through me.

Christian

“Austin, he’s here!” I rushed about preparing her room.

“How did he know where she was? Does she remember him?” he asked.

“She has no clue who he is, but he definitely remembers her. He called her by name. I don’t think he expected her to be here. He must have been passing through. She probably wouldn’t have run either,” I cursed under my breath.

“Christian, you
cannot
go back to the way things were right now. This changes everything. If it is found out that you and her are connected, I may not be able to hold off the actions of the council for long. No matter how many of them like you.”

“I know. It’s harder than I thought to shut it off. I’ve hurt her already,” I sat on the bed, sagging in defeat.

“I’m not telling you to be cruel. Just be careful. You have to explain what this means. If she doesn’t understand then find another way to tell her. Take it one step at a time,” he encouraged.

“How long will it take you to get here?”

“A day or two; I have a few things to tie up then I’ll transport there. Is it the same place as before?”

“Yes, my basement. It’s completely sealed. Thanks again for helping. I have no idea where to go from here,” I sighed.

“One day at a time brother,” he said before disconnecting.

I listened to Lia’s sobs and wanted to wrap her in my arms. It pained me to act so callously towards her, but the stakes were much higher. It would have been hard enough without Josiah finding her, now it was impossible. The council would want to question her and when she knew nothing, they would likely kill her. Her father is a hybrid, the last of his kind, and she carries the werewolf gene. If we were linked romantically, they would kill her without blinking and punish me severely. Her death would not be on my hands, not for selfish reasons. I willed myself to turn off my feelings and slowly made my way downstairs. My heart ached when I saw how broken she was, but I didn’t comfort her.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be mean to you, but there are a few things you need to know. Would you mind if I sat down?” I asked from the doorway. She glared at me and moved to the far end of the sofa, folding herself even smaller.

“I haven’t been going to visit family,” I extracted my notebook from my bag, “I’ve been trying to figure out what happened to you and your family. I’ve been visiting Pennsylvania,” her eyes grew wide.

I proceeded, “I know the details of the murder, both from you and the things I read. But I also found out some information I think you should know,” I presented her with my notes.

“I don’t understand. Why would you dig into my past?”

“I’ve only wanted to help you. Knowing what you are is the only way to do that. I’ve never encountered anyone like you. I knew the answers were in your past, so I had no choice but to go.”

“That doesn’t really answer my question. I told you everything about what happened. If there was something else you wanted to know, I would have told you.
Why
did you do this?” her voice shook.