Guardian of the Earth House (6 page)

Now I was left in my natural element, and beginning to feel the stirring of

old emotions.

Charlotte Bronte- “Jane Eyre”

Tessie hated the night.

No matter where she was, she never felt safe enough to close her eyes for long.  The darkness scared Tessie.  There wasn’t a lot of logic to her fear, since she knew that the sunlight wouldn’t protect her from her sister, but Tessie couldn’t help it.  Whenever possible, she worked at night, keeping a lot of people around.  It helped to stay busy and Tessie always told herself that it would be more difficult for Kay to attack her if she was surrounded by humans.

It wouldn’t be harder, really.  Kay could come after her at high noon, with the entire population of Manhattan watching.  In fact, it might amuse the bitch to snatch Tessie up in front of cowering humans just for the drama of it.  Still, Tessie felt far more vulnerable when the sun went down.

The last time Kay had attacked, it had been so dark outside.

In order to combat her fear, Tessie watched TV whenever she had to be by herself at night.  Infomercial, shopping networks, CNN… It didn’t really matter just so she could have the comforting drone of voices.  Tessie’s favorite shows were soap operas.  Old
Days of Our Lives
reruns aired in the early morning hours and Tessie rarely missed an episode.  As silly as it sounded, the familiar characters and their outlandish problems comforted her and made her feel less lonely.

They gave her a sense of camaraderie that she’d been missing since Parson died.

Tessie tried not to get close to real people, anymore.  It just made them targets for Kay.  Tessie wouldn’t be responsible for any more deaths and she refused to feel the pain of losing anyone else to her sister’s wrath.  Unfortunately, that meant that Tessie spent a lot of time alone in the dark.

The vastness of the Earth Castle overwhelmed her.  There were just too many windows and doors to check.  Too many locks to fasten.  Too many small noises to spook her.  Even with Job’s power shielding the house, Tessie couldn’t sleep.  Instead, she sat in his living room, curled up on one of his burgundy leather couches, self-medicating on soaps.  Thankfully, Job got cable.  The flat-screen TV over the fireplace was tuned to
Days of Our Lives
.

The familiar lamentations of the perpetually anguished and emotionally besieged Salemites took the edge off her anxiety, but Tessie still had turned on every light in the room.  Plus, she’d shoved a chair up against the French doors to the patio.  If Kay or Kingu somehow escaped the Air Kingdom and found her, it wouldn’t be much of a barrier, but it made Tessie feel better to see it there jamming the door handles.

“Tessie?  Are you alright?”

She gave a startled cry and turned to see Job in the doorway behind her.  Even at two am, he looked elegant.  Tessie wore a battered Disney World t-shirt and
Sponge Bob
boxer shorts that she’d gotten half-price at Walmart. But, Job --honest to God-- had a monogrammed silk robe on.  Did the guy ever relax?

Tessie scraped a hand through her hair and exhaled a tense breath.  “Sorry.  Yeah, I’m okay.”  She laid a palm on her chest, trying to get her heart to go back to its normal rhythm.  “I just couldn’t sleep.”

Job studied her for a beat, his eyes flicking over to the barricaded French doors.

Tessie glanced away from him, embarrassed.  “I’m sorry.”  She repeated.  “Did I wake you up?”

A long pause, then: “The feelings aren’t fading.  It’s difficult to rest with the Phazing energy.”  He didn’t move into the living room, but he didn’t seem eager to go back to bed, either.  “If you’re worried about someone getting to you in here, I can assure you that I have excellent protections in place.  Truthfully, you’re the first person who’s ever entered my home without permission.” Oddly, he didn’t sound annoyed about that.  He seemed almost impressed with her ability.

Tessie sure wasn’t going to tell him that passing through supernatural barriers was basically her only real power.  “A lot of people work hard every day brainstorming ways to slip past all sorts of defenses in order to get me.”  She muttered, instead.

“I see.”  Job seemed to be trying hard not to look at her body in her nightclothes.  “I…”  He trailed off and cleared his throat.  “Alright, well, move as much furniture as you need to in order to feel secure.”

Tessie looked back at him and saw that he had his hands behind his back, again.  He was also frowning, slightly, and Tessie realized that Job had no idea what to say to her.  He was rigid and formal, but, under that, there was something else.  Maybe it was just the lateness of the hour, but it was really endearing to see him struggling to reassure her.

“Thank you, Job.”  She gave him a slight smile.

Job blinked.  “Right.  Well.  I’ll leave you to your…”  He glanced at the TV and his brows drew together in bafflement.  “Is that a strip club?  Are you watching strippers?”

“No, I’m watching
Days of Our Lives
and that blond guy, right there,” Tessie pointed at the screen, “is working undercover at a pornography place, in order to learn more about the mysterious past of his ex-girlfriend, who’s now married to the father of his sister’s child.”

“I see.”  Job kept his attention on the screen.  “Why would he be investigating this woman, then?”

Tessie had never really had anyone to talk to about soaps before.  Unless, you counted putting up with Gion’s taunts.  She turned in her seat, enthusiasm filling her.  “Oh, he still loves her.  And she loves him.  But see, she was paid to marry the other guy and now she’s being blackmailed with the porno tape from when she was a teenager.  But, she didn’t mean to make it.  She was drugged by her convict father and…”  Tessie stopped short as Job looked right at her.

Vivid green eyes locked on hers and Tessie completely lost her train of thought.  The rough planes of Job’s face were incredibly attractive.  Plus, his gaze focused on her like she was the only person in the world.  It was really hot and super distracting.  “Well, the show’s complicated.”  She finished, lamely.

Job apparently took that as some sort of dismissal, because he got stiff, again, and nodded.  “I see.”  He started to leave. “Good night, Tessie.”

“Job?”  Tessie called, inexplicably panicked to see him go.  “Do you wanna watch it with me?”

He paused, but didn’t turn around.  “I have a very busy agenda tomorrow, so…”

“Please?”  She interrupted.  “I’d feel better if you were with me.”  It wasn’t until she said the words that she realized they were the truth.  The darkness outside didn’t feel nearly so oppressive with Job nearby.  He wasn’t angry at her anymore, so she could just enjoy the peaceful energy he gave off.  Plus, Tessie sort of liked talking to him; hearing that charming mix of stoicism and uncertainty, coated in his perfect, musical voice.  She didn’t want him to leave.  “I promise, I’ll keep you updated on every storyline, so you won’t have any problems following the show.”

“That is a tempting offer.”  He hesitated and then gave in.  He slowly moved into the living room.  “I don’t watch television, generally.  So, it would be interesting to try it, I suppose.”

“Why don’t you watch TV?  Everyone watches TV.”

“I have a lot of work to do.”  He came up next to the sofa, still wary.  “I don’t have a lot of time for distractions.

“You’re basically immortal Job.  What else do you have
but
time?”  Tessie patted the leather cushion.  “Sit down.”

Job positioned himself as far away from her as he could get and still be on the same couch.  “This feels odd.”  He glanced around as if orienting himself.  “I don’t think I’ve ever sat in here before.”

For some reason that made Tessie laugh.

Job flashed her a shocked look.

“You goof.”  She laughed harder.  “You have rooms you don’t even
sit
in?  It’s good to be richer than hell, huh?”

Job obviously didn’t know how to take her amusement.  “I’m the King of the Earth House.”  He said a little uncomfortably.  “It’s a big castle.”

“I’m just teasing you.”  Tessie grinned over at him.  “If you saw my house, you’d get why it was funny.  I only have limited rooms for sitting.”

Some of Job’s tension eased.  “I would think that the Quintessence could have anything she wanted.”

“Yeah, well, not so much.”  Tessie’s smile faded.  “I basically just try to survive.”

Job sat quietly for a beat. “Could you…?” He sighed as if he psyching himself up for something that he really didn’t want to say.  “Do you have the power to reverse the Fall?  To give back what we lost?”

“No.”  Tessie didn’t even try to sugarcoat it because she didn’t want to give him any false hope.  “No, I can’t.  If I could do anything to help you guys erase the Fall, I’d have already done it.  I’m sorry.”

Job nodded and he dropped his head forward.  “I didn’t think it was possible.  Nia… she wants so much to believe, but…”  He stopped and shook his head.

“I’m sorry.”  Tessie repeated, truthfully.  “I think certain things can never be fixed.”

“Some Time Phases tried to undo the Fall.  They can only go back once, for fifty-two seconds, exactly.  Then, they die from the strain of it.”  His voice was expressionless.  “It was foolhardy for them to even attempt it.  I told all six of them that.  But, they hoped that they could do something.  When that attempt failed, I knew that nothing could rewrite history.”  Job cleared his throat, again, and cast around for a different subject.  “Anyway, um, how did you know Parson, of the Wood House?  You mentioned him earlier.”

Tessie focused on the TV, again.  “I, uh…”  She swallowed against a sudden lump in her throat.  “He was my friend.”

Job nodded, not willing to let it go at that.  “I knew him, as well.  He was a great Phase.”

“He was.”  Tessie’s eyes began to sting.  “I got him killed.  He came to the human realm to protect me and he died.”  She blinked rapidly against the tears.  “It was my fault.  There’s always an Elemental chosen to help me.  But, Parson… He was my favorite.  Like a father to me.  He could never be replaced.”

“It’s irrational to blame yourself for someone else killing Parson.”  Job murmured and Tessie knew he was trying to comfort her.  “It wasn’t your responsibility.”

Tessie scrubbed a hand over her cheek.  “Why is ‘your fault’ painted on your garden wall?”

Job was quiet for a moment.  “Someone sprayed it there during the Fall.”

“No, why is it
still
there?  Why haven’t you removed it?”

“I…”  Job frowned as if searching for an answer that he didn’t have.  “I don’t know.  Maybe, I think whoever wrote it had a point.  It seems wrong to just wipe it away.”

“The Fall
wasn’t
your fault.  You didn’t release it, but you still blame yourself for letting it happen.”  Tessie translated.  “Sounds pretty irrational, Job.”

The corner of his mouth twitched.  “Touché.”  He allowed.  “So, who chooses this Elemental to assist you?  The Council never…”

“No, my outgoing guard usually picks his successor.  Or
her
successor.  I’ve had female guards a few times.  It just depends.”  Tessie shrugged.  “They usually retire and appoint someone new after a century or so.  I thought Parson would retire after he found his Match, but he said that I was like his daughter, even though I was older than him, and…”  Her voice broke.  “Look, can we talk about something else?  Parson’s death still hurts me.”

“Yes, of course.”  Job agreed, instantly.  “Just understand, I never knew that the Quintessence was real.  I apologize for prying.  I’m merely curious about you and how you stayed hidden.”

“I’m good at being average.”  Tessie snorted.  “But, Parson always said you were my ‘Plan B.’  He was very clear on that.  If all else fails, go to Job, of the Earth House for help.”

“It’s interesting.”  Job said, expressionlessly.  “I’m always the second choice.  No one ever wants to come to me as ‘Plan A.’”

Tessie didn’t know what to make of that.  It was the most open thing she’d ever heard Job say and she turned to study him.  Whatever the energy was binding them, she could feel it getting stronger.  Not just a sexual attraction, but something more.  It was those damn fake feelings that he’d been complaining about.  They’d infected her, too.  Looking at the angles of his face, Tessie could feel a genuine swell of concern and caring for Job.

She felt a
connection
to him.

Shit.

What was going on?  She hadn’t done this, so it had to be Job’s energy, but…

There was a crashing sound outside the French doors and Tessie leapt to her feet.  She scrambled backwards in panic.  “What was that?”

Job stood up and headed towards the door.  “It’s alright.  It’s just the wind.”

“Not real comforting when the Air House is after me.”  Tessie retorted.  “Do you have weapons here?”

Job glanced out the glass partition.  “I don’t need any weapons.”  It wasn’t exactly arrogance in his tone.  It was just an inflexible self-assurance about his own abilities.  “Don’t worry.”  He let the drapes drop again and glanced back at her.  “A planter fell over.  I can see it.  Do you want me to go out there and check the entire property?  Would that make you feel more secure?”