The Awakening (2 page)

              A sound in the woods made her start. It was a rustling through the trees, but it was more than that. It was like it had its own purpose. She lifted her head and put her shoulders back, refusing to be afraid, or threatened by this unknown.

              “Ok, I’m here…what are you hiding from? Why so much of a show?” Her voice trembled a little, but her stance remained defiant. She felt real fear when the wood went still. She could feel the goose bumps run up her arms…. felt sudden danger. Her heart raced. She felt the need to run, but stood her ground.

              A dark figure, just a shadow in the trees, appeared. She heard a deep laugh. It was ugly, it was hateful and mocking. This couldn’t be the man she had imagined. She had felt no fear then, just excitement. She was awash with dread.

              “What do you want?” She took a step back.

              The figure moved closer, and then stopped. His head tilted as he studied her.

              “Wh-what? I don’t understand!” She felt tears sting her eyes. “You’re dreaming Raina,“ she whispered. “Just wake up.”

              The figure chuckled again. “But Raina, I thought you wanted to know what I wanted?”

              Her blues blinked, and she wanted to speak but no sound came out. She gave a nod instead. Her stomach dropped at his sensual sigh that felt like a caress. She knew from that sound, that she did not want to know now. Should she cover her ears? Turn and run? She found that she could do neither, so she lifted her chin a fraction more. Her legs trembled, as did her hands, but she fought to prove she did not fear him.

              “You don’t look well; do you need a hand, an arm…anything?”

              She shook her head, swallowed, though she had no moisture in her mouth…”I’m dreaming,” she thought to herself. “How can I be so thirsty? And why am I so cold?”

              The eyes from the wood still watched her intently, daring her…to do what, she wasn’t sure, but there was a dare.

              “Why don’t you just tell me, so I can rest peacefully again? You like to make a production, don’t you?” Her blues snapped with anger.

              “Well, my sweet,” he crooned. He looked her up and down once more. “It should be obvious what I want.” He stepped closer. The gleam of green in his eyes held purpose. They took in her soft eyes, clouded with tears, her lips trembling, and how her fingers clung to the robe wrapped around her, as if it could protect her.

              She couldn’t see his face clearly, but his jaw was set stubbornly.

              “What?” she shook visibly.

              White teeth flashed in a smile. “You,” he growled.

              Raina felt the sweat run down her spine. She stood frozen, not knowing what to do, if there was anything she could do. “Wake up,” she pleaded to herself.

              “Aw, but you’d miss the fun little one,” he murmured. “Aren’t you even a little curious why I’m here? Why you‘re standing in the back yard, in your robe in the middle of the night? Why you were drawn here?”

              “I’m sleeping,” she mumbled. “You’re not really here.”

              “I’m not?” His chuckle was full of humor.” Come closer, I’ll prove that I’m real. Don’t you want an answer to your question? Is your bravado all gone? Ask me again.”

              She shook her head. “No, I don’t want to know anymore,” Her breath was coming sporadically now.

              “Anymore?”

              “Not like before, not when I thought …” she trailed off, swallowing hard.

              “My dear, I was not here “before” so I am quite confused.” His voice purred. His frame seemed to take up more room now.

              She squinted, trying to make out features. This wasn’t the same presence as before. “It wasn’t you.” She took another step back.

              A sigh seem to rustle the leaves. “I should have known.” He was silent for a moment. “Let me guess…you felt protected, safe? Maybe you were a little intrigued?” His voice was mocking. “Such a show off.”

              She took another step back, and felt his eyes snap to attention. ”Who’s a show off?” She asked, trying to distract him, and make a little distance between them.

              “A very old friend,“ he growled. “Hmmm, guess it isn’t surprising. We always seem to be drawn to the same type of girl.” He stepped out into the clearing a bit, looking thoughtfully toward the wood.

              Raina stifled a gasp. The silver moon was shining off his blonde mane of hair. His green eyes were cool. He was handsome, in a harsh sort of way...in an unnatural way. He was stunning in fact. His hands brushed needles from his well-cut jacket. There was a lot of strength there; she could see the movement of muscle beneath the cloth. She felt a shock of fear, as she realized, if he tried something, she would not be able to fight him off. She looked slightly toward the house, seeing if there could be an escape.

              The movement didn’t fool him. He smiled, shaking a finger at her, then turned it over and crooked it as if to say come closer

              “You aren’t trying to get away, are you now? We’ve only just met. And I’m not quite done with you.” He advanced toward her. Anger sparked in those green eyes, and a dark purpose was evident in them. “You’ll know when I am done, I can guarantee that. Fight and it’ll only be worse lovely Raina. You came drawn by danger, and I will not disappoint.”

              Her scream stuck in her throat, but her legs finally did obey. She spun around, and ran right into a stone chest. This time she did scream, thinking he had beaten her, that she was in his grasp. She fought against the strength that held her in place. Tears coursed down her face, and she was a blubbering mess.

              “Raina, don’t hurt yourself!”

              She froze in an instant, hearing the voice. It wasn’t the evil voice. It was a gentle, low voice, and it calmed her instantly. Slowly she lifted her head, looking into warm silver grey eyes. A shock ran through her. She swallowed hard. “Silas?”

              She swore he grinned, yet when she blinked, it was gone just as fast.

              “You’re safe,” he soothed. “Thanatos will not hurt you.”

              “Thanatos?”

              He nodded. “He’s gone now...”

              “It was you....you were…”

              “In the wood? Yes, I’m sorry if I scared you.”

              She shook her head. “No.”

              His grip softened a bit. His grey eyes, looked into hers, willing her to calm.

              Raina felt warmth seep into her, felt her breathing return to normalcy. She found herself stepping closer to him. She wearily laid her head on his chest, and let him wrap his arms around her.

              “I won’t let him touch you. You’re safe with me.”

              She knew he was telling the truth, still she shivered. “But, but his name is Thanatos,” she whispered and a tremor ran through her again.

              “Yes,” he said softly against her hair.

              “Thanatos means death.” She pressed her cheek against the soft leather of his jacket. He smelled so wonderful; her words came out thoughtful, verses fearful. She lifted her face to him. “He wanted to kill me then?”

              “Among other things,” he spoke with regret. “I will watch over you Raina. It’s my job now, so please don’t be afraid.”

              “So you will stay?” She welcomed the sense of trust she had for this man.

              “I will be close,” he promised.

              “Will you stay? Please don’t leave me alone.” She took his collar into her two small hands, as if to keep him from moving away.

              He shook his head, his eyes held the same pain she had imagined before.

              “Can’t you, just for a little bit?” Her eyes softened. She felt drawn to him, felt a kinship, knowing his pain. “What happened to you?”

              Her question shocked him. She felt it when his body tensed.

              Her hand lifted to touch his cheek. His warm eyes darkened and went almost black at the contact. He covered her hand with his own and gently pulled it away. “I shouldn’t be holding you like this…we can’t. You can't, Raina.” He lifted his chin, as if trying to move farther from her without actually moving away. His hand reached up to rub the back of his neck in a nervous fashion.

              She wrapped her arms around him again. She felt comforted close to him. It had nothing to do with attraction, even sex; it was as if she was untouchable here.

              She felt his deep breath, as though he was trying to compose himself. He gave her a gentle squeeze, then stepped back so he could meet her gaze.

His stare was steady. “You should wake up Raina.”

              She again shook her head dumbly. She wanted to ask questions. “But Silas, I-I need to know….you. You can’t…”

              He shook her shoulders. “Raina wake up...NOW!”

              “I don’t want…” and she awoke just as she hit the floor, taking her blankets and Turk with her. She shook her head to clear the cobwebs, and rubbed the elbow that she had successfully bumped. It took a moment for her to realize she was back in her own room. She blinked to focus her eyes on the clock. Four thirty? She’d been sleeping for hours?

              The strange dream still held to her conscience. Silas had been as she thought he would be, but so different, so much clearer. He was so much more handsome. She felt her cheeks flush. She hadn’t considered anyone handsome in a long while. Silas was beyond that though. It had felt so real being held by the gentle stranger.

              She struggled to pull the blankets back on the bed. “This proves it was a dream!”

              She flopped back on the bed. Turk jumped up again and whined. She roughed his fur. “What’s say I try for a record? I may just get eight hours tonight!” She laid her head down again, wondering where Percy had wandered to. “Probably ran during my elegant fall from the bed, “she mumbled. Her eyes closed, and she drifted into sleep again.

When she awoke once more, it was already light outside. Well as light as the cloudy morning would allow.

              Raina pulled on her robe, and made her way down the stairs, flipped on the coffee pot, and the daily news. She opened the cabinet, pulled out the container of dog food, and cat food.

              Turk wound around her legs, ready for his meal. She poured it into his bowl. He promptly began to chomp it down.

              “Percy,” she called, shaking the food to entice the cat. Percy usually woke her up with his pleas to eat. She called again.

Turk lifted his head, and then let out a short bark. Raina glanced up, and then heard the faint mew.

              Percy stood outside the sliding glass door.

              Raina looked in bewilderment. She hurried to the door, unlocking it and quickly sliding it open. “Percy, how did you get out there?” She picked up the tabby that smelled like morning dew now. “Did I let you out without knowing?” She looked into the yellow eyes, and shook her head. “But you came to bed…” She set him down and reached for his food. “Oh well, come on buddy, let’s eat.”

              Turk slipped out the door, and she pulled back the gate to let him into the yard. She studied the breeze shifting wood, and drew back a step. “Felt so real,” she whispered. She wrapped her arms around herself, rubbing her arms to warm them. The spring morning was cool.

              “How about a hike today?” Turk spun to look at her, recognizing that word. His pink tongue lolled out of his mouth. She smiled, “Coffee and breakfast first!” She went back inside to the warm smell of brewing coffee.

              Hour later, and she was back on the deck, sitting on a patio chair, lacing up her hiking boots. She couldn’t explain the butterflies in her stomach.

              She and the much please pup, entered the wood. The temperature change as they entered the shade was very noticeable. She was glad of her down vest. It took her eyes a moment to adjust to the lack of light. She inhaled a lungful of cool spring air. The smell of evergreens was calming, and she felt her nerves relax.

              Turk sniffed every hole, tree, and leaf that came into his nose line. But never was more than ten feet in front of her.

              Thoughtlessly she moved through the trees, stepping over roots and brushing passed branches. She moved as though she had a destination, but there was none. Just walk until her calves ached, then turn back home, hoping she had wasted enough hours and ran into no one.

              “Especially a blonde haired psycho or grey eyed tempter!” she giggled to herself. She then reconsidered the tempter. She would not mind running into him again. Her senses piqued, remembering the warmth he radiated, the smell of his leather jacket, and a scent she couldn’t put her finger on, but definitely masculine. How had her mind generated scent? It had been after all a dream….yet she knew his scent. She knew how soft the leather felt against her cheek, had heard the steady thump of his heart. She felt a shiver run up her spine, and had to close her eyes for a moment to calm down.