Surfacing the Rim (Piercing The Fold) (5 page)

Chapter 9

Xander

The weight of my eyes become
too much and I fight briefly to reopen them. Suddenly, my body jolts a bit, like I’m falling in my sleep. The shift causes me to open my eyes. I’m in the cabin, and everything looks a bit different—in a good way though. Every detail of my surroundings is crisper, sharper, and brighter than normal.

The lamp next to the sofa is too bright to look at, so I turn my eyes away from it. Streams of light are shining in from the window, creating a river of iridescent white flecks. I watch them as they shift and sway, and then I push down the throw blanket, leaving only the bottom half of my body covered. The flecks of light
land on my upper half bring the strong sensation of warmth.

I feel complete relaxation, and my muscles sink deeper into the sofa. I shift my weight to lean back on the couch pillow and look up at the ceiling. I eye the color of the wooden beams supporting the roof. They are a rich reddish-brown color. Beyond that, I can see the splinters beneath the contrast of the wood. Deeper still, I hear the creaking of the wood under the strong, frigid winds outside. The sound moves and shifts to include the walls and the floorboards.

Creaking floorboards.

I am not alone. My eyes dart around the room, realizing that something is not right. Xander thinks to himself, “Is this a dream or is it real?”

A familiar husky voice comes from the kitchen behind the open refrigerator door.

“Hello, Alexander. No, this is not real. It is a dream.”

Without a second thought, I block him from getting into my mind. Blocking my thoughts. Who would have thought that was a supernatural ability?

I just thought it was a normal reaction for a kid that had been through a lot during his childhood. But, when Sam took Corinna
, and Ezra, Nate, and Jesca heard my thoughts that night in Miami, I realized that my only defense was to block my thoughts. It was a gift I needed to perfect.

Since being here in this small mountainous town, I’ve practiced this ability with the locals. I knew that Sam would come looking for me eventually. It was only a matter of time before the practice would be more than necessary.

This is that moment.

The refrigerator door shuts. Sam Crest is standing in the kitchen, holding a bowl of fresh strawberries. He bites into a strawberry and walks from the kitchen toward me. I push the blanket off of me and sit up in one swift motion.

“You have learned quickly, Alexander, and without my training, I might add. Brilliant. I can’t get even the smallest glimpse into that pretty little head of yours.”

My resentment for this man has me trembling in anger. I clasp my hands together to gain control. If I lose any more control right now, my hands will be around Sam’s neck.

Sam’s smile leaves his face. I assume he is trying to read my thoughts, but he comes up empty. Ha! With Sam, reading my thoughts has always been impossible.

Sam chooses another strawberry to eat and has a seat in the rocking chair across from me. He leans back in the chair, casually crossing his leg over the other, and places the bowl on the table to his left. “Alexander, you must be wondering why I’m here and why you’re having an Astral Projection now after two months. I bet you are also curious about that fiery redhead, Corinna.”

I couldn’t care less about Sam’s whereabouts during the last two months. But, Corinna’s whereabouts—that had my attention.

I still feel a pang of guilt from having a hand in her abduction. It’s true that Sam used me as a pawn to bring both Corinna Cain and Jesca Gershon-Sera to him that night at the club, but I still feel responsible for not learning about who Sam was sooner. I could have saved Corinna from him and the rest of the Sondians.

I shift a little on the sofa, and Sam picks up on my tense body language.

He leans forward in his chair. “We are in Tokyo, Japan. Corinna is being trained. She’s amazing, Xander. I thought she would resist the implantation of the Sondian Copula because of her Dobrian implant, but it’s had
the complete opposite effect.”

Unbelievable. Sam talks about this so nonchalantly, like it’s everyday conversation on how a family member is doing.

While Sam talks, I figure he is trying to pry his way into my mind again. Bastard. I stand, cross my arms in front of my chest, and move farther away from Sam, putting some physical distance between us.

I think to myself, You’re not going to get in, man. I’ve had years to practice this trick. No one will get in here without my permission.

I ask Sam, “Why are you here? You must need something from me. What is it?”

Sam picks up the bowl of strawberries again, plucks another one, and pops it into his mouth.

“I have come to ask for your assistance, Alexander.”

I try desperately to keep my cool. Rather than lunge at him and wrap my hands around his neck, I run my fingers through my hair. My heart is pulsing in my head from hatred for this man that was supposed to be my father. I’m not doing crap for this bastard.

I think before I respond. I need to learn as much as I can about what he has planned, even if it means playing along.

“What kind of assistance?”

Sam sighs. “It’s a big job, bringing Corinna into her new role. Japan is the perfect environment for the task. Plus, due to the heightened magnetic field of Mt. Fuji with the Aokigahara Forest and the Dragon’s Triangle in close proximity, we will be able to open a wormhole that could spawn additional wormholes from within. Opening it during the height of the intersection of our galaxy with Andromeda will be epic. The first wave of cohabitants will be Sondians.”

I can’t believe this ass. We? The hell I’ll be a part of his sick plan!

Without missing a beat, I suck up the anger and ask, “Cohabitants?”

Sam’s face turns hard with defense. “When the intersection begins, Earth will be a beacon of light for worlds in the Andromeda galaxy. Though highly advanced, Sonde will be the first wave, wanting to be a part of Earth and its evolution. Earth has so many resources to offer to worlds that have little or none.

“Balthazar has turned against the fellowship. We plan for him to retaliate. We need as many Sondian guardians to keep the wormhole sustained while the first wave of beings enter.”

I sit silently while I try to understand who has warped Sam’s mind into thinking that any of this is logical and plausible.

Sam continues, “The first wave is just the beginning. So many worlds in Andromeda have remained undiscovered by scientists. The beings of those worlds will want entrance into our world, but we’ll have the upper hand, Xander. The beings will be grateful and bow to our fellowship for granting them access to Earth. With their loyal support, we will have ultimate control over all wormhole entrances globally. Our fellowship will have control of everything.”

I shake my head without realizing my action. Yeah right. They will invade us and take over.

I can see he thinks he has a hold on my thoughts.

Sam responds to my head shaking. “Yes, yes, there will be casualties, Xander. They’ll mostly be Dobrians and average humans not yet implanted with the Sondian Copula. Our world has always believed in survival of the fittest, Xander. With our success in Japan, the world will evolve the way our fellowship envisions it. You, Corinna, and I will be honored and rewarded for that success.”

I know it’s bold to ask, but I do it anyway. “So, we would be killing this civilization to start a new civilization on Earth?”

Sam heartily laughs, “Oh, Alexander, so dramatic! Our goal has always been to save this world, but there must be changes to save it. The Sondian fellowship should be in control of the changes. Other beings have been hiding among us for centuries, and they’ll want to adapt and evolve in our world with us. The difference is that they’ll no longer have to hide away in secret.”

I scoff skeptically. “Are you telling me that these beings, aliens, have been in our world without us knowing?”

Sam smiles and looks down at his folded hands. He rises from his chair and walks to the kitchen. He places the bowl of half-eaten strawberries on the counter, heads to the front door, and puts his hand on the doorknob.

I follow him with my eyes, expecting to receive a response before he leaves.

At the last moment, Sam looks at me over his shoulder. “Yes, Alexander. They are here now.”

When Sam opens the door, a blinding light envelops the room, and I instinctively close my eyes, shielding them from the brightness.

I hear Sam’s final words. “I will be expecting your help and loyalty.”

When I reopen my eyes, I am alone in the cabin. I get up from the sofa and walk to the kitchen.

No bowl of strawberries on the counter.

I lean my hands on the counter, pressing the weight of my body on them. I stand there for a moment, trying to replay what just happened. My heart begins to race with anxiety as I recall Sam’s last words.

They are here now.

Chapter 10

Jesca

It’s quiet in the car as Nate drives. I’m looking out the passenger’s window, watching people walk by. I see a few young people walking hand in hand. I assume they’re on a date.

It’s strange to think how our version of a date might differ from an average couple our age. It’s not typical for a nineteen and twenty-one year old to deal with the heavy responsibility of protecting humanity, is it? Normal and unsuspecting nineteen and twenty-one year olds are going out to movies, studying for exams, writing papers, heading to parties, and having intimate relationships. Nate and I, along with all the other guardians, have the weight of the world on our shoulders, considering our need to survive the intersection of our galaxy with another.

We come to a stoplight, and I see a girl and a guy standing outside of a shop. They are in the midst of a passionate kiss. I quickly put up my mental block, so Nate can’t peer in. I think of the kiss we shared today and how it felt different from the kisses I’ve experienced in my past.

* * *

I
’d dated on and off throughout school in Marietta. I’d had a couple of boyfriends. Sam Abernathy was my middle school boyfriend. In middle school, it was more of a social thing than anything. He was my first kiss—my sloppy first kiss.

Cord Stewart was my high school boyfriend. We started dating our sophomore year. He was a friend before we were anything more. He was a great kisser. I just didn’t feel my world turn upside down when we kissed. Cord and I dated until the summer of our senior year. He wanted more than I was willing to give. He wanted sex.

Senior year, I went on two dates, not counting prom. I went to prom with a group of guys and girls, including Elisha whom I’ve known all my life. That year was fun and uncomplicated.

Freshman year of college, I was too busy settling into classes and juggling work. There was no time for dating, and I was fine with that.

Sophomore year of college…well, you know how that turned out. It was complicated, and it wasn’t because of my love life or lack of one.

* * *

Now, Nathaniel Sera has come into my life as my link, my partner. Ezra said that we are only linked by our abilities. What if the link between us is intensifying our need for physical contact? When we kiss, it isn’t an emotional thing. I feel like I depend on physical contact with him.

I wonder if Nate experiences the same thing. Does he feel any emotions when we touch, or is it just the need to be close to me?

I look over at Nate. His eyes are focused on the road. He’s two years older than me, which should make him a senior in college. Where did he attend? Did he go to college at all? I wonder if Nate dated at all before our lives were turned upside down. Did he have a girlfriend before all of this? Was it serious? I realize that I’m feeling a little territorial over Nate by some girlfriend that might not even exist.

I roll my eyes, thinking, Jesca, it’s not like you have some weird claim on him just because you’re linked with him.

I don’t have a claim on him, but the physical link between us definitely makes me feel possessive of him. With all the healing, holding, and kissing, I’m bound to start feeling a hold over him. I know he’s feeling that for me.

When we hold each other and kiss, it draws overwhelming sensations that lead to us wanting…more. But, the wanting is just that—a want without emotions behind it. From the moment Nate and I met in the facility, we haven’t had a chance for the emotional part to play into the physical link we share. Will our emotions ever catch up with the physical link we share, or is this as far as our link is meant to go?

I shiver briefly as I feel Nate’s warm hand close around mine. The tingling electric feel of his hand courses through mine, and I intertwine my hand with his. Leaning my head back against the seat, I look away from the passenger’s window to Nate.

Nate says, “You okay? I know we said we would give each other privacy in there.” Nate points to his head. “But, I can’t help but think you’re sad about something.”

I reply, “I’m good, just thinking.” I laugh. “You know how dangerous that can be.”

Nate reluctantly lets go of my hand, grabbing the steering wheel as he pulls over into a small parking lot.
“We’re here.”

I look around briefly. We’re sitting in an empty parking lot. “Where is here?”

He doesn’t answer me. He shuts off the car and turns in his seat to face me. He has a mischievous grin on his face. “Alright, so in order for this to be a normal date, we need to talk about normal stuff that normal people dating would talk about. No talk about impending intersections of galaxies, a potential apocalypse, or infiltrating the Sondian enemy. Got it?”

I shift my body toward him, smiling at the game he’s making of this. “Got it.”

I look down at myself. I’m in a long-sleeve V-neck, jeans, and a pair of Toms. I barely had time to fix my hair and put on a little mascara and lip gloss before we left Ms. Olivia’s. I groan.
So much for date attire.

He catches my thoughts. “Hey.” His eyes hold mine. “You look amazing.”

I feel energy pass between us as his gaze focuses on me. I clear my throat. “Thank you.” I look over Nate’s clothes. He’s wearing a long-sleeve olive-green henley shirt and faded jeans. He looks amazing. I can’t deny how gorgeous he is. “You look pretty amazing yourself.”

Nate laughs. “I know.”

I roll my eyes at his growing ego. I reach for the door, but Nate grabs hold of my hand.

“Wait, don’t touch that door.”
Nate hops out and jogs around the front of the car. He opens my door and reaches for my hand.

As soon as he touches me, I feel his warmth course through me. It gives me a surge of adrenaline, and I grip his hand tightly.

Nate pulls me across the street, and we walk quickly through the cool air. The street is lined with old-fashioned lamplights. The little shops are quaint antique shops, boutiques, convenient stores, and small bistros.

Midway down the street, Nate stops in front of a huge wrought iron gate. There is a bright yellow and black–striped canopy above it. I see an older man standing behind it. He is tall and thin with white hair combed back to perfection. He looks at Nate first, and then he glances at me with suspicion.

He questions cautiously, “Sera?”

Nate responds, “Nathaniel Sera.”

The old man’s face lights up, and he quickly unlocks the gate.

“Come in, Nathaniel. Is this Jesca?” He doesn’t wait for me to respond. He grabs hold of my free hand and shakes it. “Hello, dear. Your father and I are cohorts. We’ve been working together on the Bermuda Triangle project.”

Nate clears his throat a little. “Terrance, Jesca Gershon-Sera. Jesca, Terrance Getty.”

Getty. I know that name. Nick Getty?

Before I can ask aloud, Nate says, “He’s Nick’s grandfather. He lives here in Miami.”

Mr. Getty releases my hand and leads us farther through a stone tunnel beyond the gate. Vines are growing along the stone on both sides.

Mr. Getty speaks as he walks ahead of us. “It is so wonderful to meet you. You have a very resourceful boyfriend, my dear. Nick, God love him, called me this afternoon and said that Nathaniel needed to reserve my restaurant for the evening because he wanted to take Ezra’s daughter to dinner. I was closed tonight, but for Ezra and my grandson, I’m open.”

All of a sudden the tunnel opens to a large open space. The floor is cobblestone, and candles line the perimeter of this garden-like room. There is a pond with a small waterfall at the other end of the space. I look above, and I see the ceiling is crystal-clear glass. The stars are shining through, illuminating the room even more than the candles. There is one table set in the middle of the space.

I look over at Nate. He is smiling at me, enjoying my surprised reaction. I can’t believe he set all of this up in a matter of hours.

Mr. Getty is at the table now. “Come, come. Sit.”

I whisper under my breath as I lean into Nate. “Normal date, huh?”

He whispers back. “Just go with it. You know we don’t do normal very well. Plus, I wanted to make sure we are…safe, wherever we go.”

His last comment throws me for a loop. I don’t hear his thoughts because of our agreement. Before I can ask Nate what he meant by making sure we are safe tonight, Mr. Getty dives into introducing the extensive menu of gourmet goodness. I decide to let it go and try to enjoy myself.

I bite into a slice of sweet cornbread. Nate’s eyes are on me the whole time, watching my every reaction.

He says, “It’s beautiful here.”

I finish swallowing my bite of cornbread and look around. “It’s amazing!”

I’m mesmerized by the sound of the waterfall when I hear music begin in the background.

I look around to hear where it’s coming from, and then I turn to Nate. “Wow, you thought of everything.”

Nate grins. “That wasn’t me.” He points in the direction beyond me.

I turn to see Mr. Getty and, I assume, Mrs. Getty peering out the interior building door. They quickly move away when they see us looking back at them.

I turn back toward Nate to see he’s still grinning from ear to ear. “And the menu?”

Nate swallows his cornbread and clears his throat. “That was me. I figured some good ol’ Southern food would make you very happy.”

I nod my head. “I’m beyond happy, Nate. Thank you.”

After another bite of my cornbread, I wipe my mouth with my napkin. “Alright. Normal date talk. Well, as normal as normal can be for us.”

He leans in, eager to start our normal conversation. “Okay. Ready.”

Under the table my hands are fidgeting nervously. “How many girlfriends have you had?”

Nate smirks. “Wow, Jes. You don’t beat around the bush, do you?”

I react defensively. “Hey! It’s not like this is a blind date. We’ve been living under the same roof for two months. This is normal date convo for us.” I smile. “Plus, I have a feeling you want to know the same thing about me.”

He puts his hands up, surrendering. “Very true. Let’s see. Where to start?” Nate begins counting on his fingers. “Well, there was JoBeth Henderson, Sarah Cartwright, Amberly Smith, and Marissa Gordon.” Nate looks off in the distance and smiles. “And, I can’t forget Natasha Greene.”

The way he said her name sparks my possessive streak. “Alright! Don’t get too excited while we cruise down memory lane!”

He rolls his eyes and laughs. “Okay. Now you. How many boy toys have you had?”

I growl. “Really? Boy toys?” I clear my throat and lean on the table. I’m dead serious now. “Just two. Sam Abernathy and Cord Stewart.”

Nate skeptically looks at me. “Really? Just two?”

I sit back, folding my arms across my chest. “Yes, just two. Why? Do you think I dated the entire swim team or something?”

His eyes don’t leave mine. “No. It’s just…I would think that every guy that has met you would do whatever they had to just to be near you.”

His words are completely sincere and leave me nearly speechless. I stutter when I answer, “It…it was more complicated than that.”

Nate’s eyes shift to his plate briefly. “Yeah, my relationships seemed to bear similar complications. Maybe that’s why they all ended quickly. They just weren’t the right one.”

I’m getting hot. I repeatedly tell myself that he didn’t mean me when he said “the right one.” I go back to eating quietly, trying to distract my wandering mind.

Nate asks the next question. “So, were you attending college before everything happened?”

I look up at him, nodding, as I swallow my last bite of bread. “Yes, I went to Southern Polytechnic State University. I was just wrapping up my basics when…” I stop myself before I carry on.

No shop talk, Jes.

I wipe my mouth quickly with my napkin, and I turn the tables on Nate. “And you? Were you going to school?”

Nate leans back in his chair a little. “Yeah, I went to the University of Colorado. I was studying mechanical engineering.”

Nate’s eyes look beyond me toward the kitchen door, and a smile spreads across his face. “Dinner is here.”
He wipes his mouth with his napkin.

I turn to see Mr. and Mrs. Getty coming towards us with two servers following behind them. Each of them enters the room with a plate full of food in hand. As soon as I smell the food, my stomach growls a little.

Nate’s watching my reaction as I take in all the food being set on the table. We don’t waste time, and we dig in immediately. He looks up at me through his thick eyelashes, but he doesn’t say anything. He looks back down at his food and smiles to himself.

Curious about what he’s thinking, I ask, “What? What were you going to say just then?”

He looks back up at me and puts his fork down. He briefly clears his throat, leaning in toward me. I’m curious as to where this is going, so I lean in as well. He’s still not speaking, and I’m getting anxious for his response.

I smile and whisper quickly, “What?”

His smile fades. His eyes are burning through mine. They are so hypnotizing sometimes. His dark copper-brown hair falls just above his eyes.