The Willow (3 page)

First, I inhaled deeply, trying to remember I had a job to do here. Damn, he was stirring something in me that had nothing to do with the task at hand.

“You got it?” he asked again. Amusement glittered through those green beauties.

“I think so.” What in the hell is he talking about?

“Now, try again. This time use your body. It’s your best weapon and it holds your strength.”

I closed my eyes, tried to focus. Having no clue what I was doing, I concentrated on his words hoping that would help.
Fingers tight, arm up, pivot back and hit.
Then, I punched out and hit his shoulder with such force it sent him tumbling backwards. Even my eyes didn’t believe it. “Did I really just do that?”

He nodded and appeared pleased. “That’s the Guardian power.” He pushed off the floor. “It gives you strength and resilience.” He began to circle around me slowly. Almost as if he was stalking his prey.

“What are you doing?” I demanded.

“Preparing to fight.”

He’s kidding right?
From our talk, I got the gist of what my training would involve. It just never occurred to me that I’d actually have to fight him. Watching him pursue me, I began to appreciate the size of him. I’m half his size for heaven’s sake and he’s pure muscle.

He caught my fear instantly. “What are you afraid of?”

“You! I can’t do this. You’re all nuts!” I felt two feet tall—I didn’t care. I didn’t need pride. I was terrified of him.

“Alright, I won’t hit, only push.”

“No way.”

His brows drew together. “This isn’t a choice. I’m being nice by not hitting you, now come on.”

There was no way out of this. Better to just face the music and get this the hell over with. Resigned, I drew in a deep breath, blew it out quickly, and landed a hard blow to his jaw. Shock, stunned, astonished—nothing could properly describe how I felt seeing him soar through the air.
I’m friggin’ Wonder Woman!

But the moment he landed that revelation quickly vanished from my mind as he began to run toward me. Fear made me dizzy. My instinct was to run, but I doubted I’d outrun him. So, I took the chicken’s way out and closed my eyes tight waiting for the hit. Waited…waited…waited.

It never came.

I cracked open an eye to see him an inch from my face smiling. “Plan to fight with your eyes closed, do you?”

I nodded with total certainty. “I ain’t fighting.”

He chuckled.

What did he find so friggin’ funny? I wasn’t joking. They were out of their goddamn minds if they thought I’d agree to a fist fight with him.

“Come again.” Then, he winked. “Level me.”

The challenging look in his eyes was all I needed to respond. I swung my arm back and flung it straight into his stomach. He grunted and bent down slightly from the hit and I smiled. Actually, this might not be so bad after all.

I brought my arm down low and swung it up hitting him square in the jaw, sending him flying backward. Then, I ran and threw my body at him, which sent us sliding across the room. I laughed loudly as we hit the wall, shocked by my strength. They weren’t kidding about the Guardian power. Pretty powerful stuff. I was knocking him around like a rag doll. Him—Mr. Muscles.

“That was fun!” I jumped up and headed back toward the center of the room feeling almighty. As I glanced over my shoulder and saw him charging toward me, that superiority vanished.

The moment he hit, I flew across the room.

Before I could even get up, he hurled his body at me. I rolled away quickly and for a second I actually thought I dodged him. Doubtful! He grabbed my arm and threw me across the room. “Oof.” I landed against the wall with a loud thud.

Apparently, Guardians are more resilient. This wasn’t completely painless, but it definitely didn’t hurt as much as it should have. And the strangest part, I wasn’t scared. I liked fighting, and the most startling discovery was that I felt comfortable doing it. I jumped to my feet and twirled away just as he lunged forward.

Not like I made it far.

He stopped my spin with a grab of his hand and pulled me tight against his body. “Hey—wh—” I stammered before I met his gaze. Either fighting excites him or I wasn’t the only one with an attraction here.

As much as I wanted to stay wrapped in his arms—I wanted to land a hit on him more.
Damn Pride.
Using his hesitation as an advantage, I kicked out and nailed his shin hard.

He stumbled back then grinned. “That’s it.”

Ooohhh
…this smile was new. It bordered right on devilish, which warmed and liquefied every part of my body.

“Nice hit,” a mischievous voice said.

I glanced behind me, a Guardian—or a surfer would be more like it—was approaching. Slim muscular body, blond wavy hair, crystal blue eyes—he’d fit right in at Huntington Beach. “So, this is the Nexi I’ve been hearing about. Haven told me she went to see you. Hope she wasn’t too pushy.”

“No. Not at all.” The lie came easily. Saying Haven isn’t pushy is like calling brussel sprouts sweet.

“What’s up, Finn?” Kyden asked.

“Haven asked,” he winked, “
told
me to come get you two—she wants to go to the beach.”

“Had enough for tonight, Nexi?” Kyden asked.

“Stop or continue to get my ass kicked?” I hesitated and tapped my finger on my lip. “Hmm, that’s a tough one.”

His devilish grin returned. “Come on then.”

On the way down the hall, Kyden walked in front of me. God, the guy looked as good from behind as he did from the front. Luscious muscular back, toned thighs, great ass.

Suddenly, I slammed into the back of him. “Sorry,” I gasped, prying myself from his warm delicious back.
Pull it together, Nexi. Geesh!
Then, I noticed we were standing at my door. “You do know this is my place?” I asked Finn.

“Yes, I know.” Then, he leaned forward. “Better put a lock on soon or you’ll never keep her out.”

When he opened the door, I burst out laughing then said, “Hi, Haven.”

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing,” I said, glancing back at Finn, who gave me a knowing look.

“Let’s go, Haven,” Finn waved her over. She practically skipped toward him and leapt into his arms, then we were heading back down the hall to God knows where. After a few twists and turns, we came to a dead end that led to a door. Kyden opened it and inclined his head.

“Thanks,” I said, stepping through. Hmm, Guardians had old-fashioned roots—being treated like a lady was never something I’d be bitchin’ about.

As I cleared the doorway, the warm air breezed along my skin, my hair waved gently with the wind. Haven finally jumped off Finn and linked her arm with mine. The grounds of the Otherworld weren’t really anything special, just flat and grass covered. To the right, did sit a garden that looked pretty spectacular.

Curious as to what was now my home, I glanced over my shoulder and immediately the skivvies were shocked right out me.

The castle belonged in a Gothic horror film, consisting of one prodigious round tower surmounted with several slender towers peering high above the castle. The stone walls were overrun with ivy, stretching all the way to the slated roof while four very large gargoyles sat at the edges guarding the grounds.

“Pretty, isn’t it?” Haven remarked.

I could only laugh. Pretty wasn’t quite the word I’d use to describe what was before me—terrifying, frightening, chilling—all seemed a little more appropriate.

Just as we reached the edge of the castle, Haven scooted forward to join Finn. She glanced back, smiling, and then they vanished into thin air.

“What the hell!” I spun in circles trying to find them, but they were gone. Worriedly, I met Kyden’s gaze. “Where’d they go?”

He chuckled, laying his hand against my lower back, and urged me forward. “They’re just over there.”

Hesitantly, I took a step forward and immediately gasped as the air rippled around me in giant waves. The only reason I didn’t lose it completely was because Kyden’s hand remained on my back. Having him there was definitely reassuring.

When the rippling stopped, I blew out a loud breath, shook myself—did whatever I could to free myself from the creepy feeling.

Loud laughter broke out.

Haven was practically falling on the ground she was laughing so hard, and Finn was very close to doing the same.
Jerks!
“Oh, shut up,” I snapped. “That was just weird!” I gave myself a couple more good shakes. “What was that?”

“Let’s have a fire first,” Haven said, still laughing, “then I’ll explain it all to ya.”

Taking a peek over my shoulder as we headed off, my shock only grew. The castle was now gone and what stood in its place was postcard perfect. A castle in ruins sat very close to the edge of a rocky peninsula, and just below was a dark, sandy beach surrounded by deep blue water.

We started down the cliff, which was in no way going to be easy. Every step I took was a careful one. Halfway down, my worries were justified. A rock made the decision to embarrass the hell out me. Before I could even stop myself, I slipped. “Whoops.”

Strong arms caught me, instantly. “Careful there,” Kyden said, raising me back to my feet.

“Thanks,” I exhaled, and steadied myself.

Instead of releasing my arms, his fingers lingered there—keeping a gentle hold.

Three breaths later, he began removing them. Only it wasn’t quick. His fingers lightly traced the outside of my arms. When, I glanced back at him, his eyes said it all. He wanted to touch me and when he did, it definitely had an effect on him. As much as that sent butterflies whipping around my stomach, I needed to focus on my feet. If I kept thinking about that, I’d only end up killing myself.

Could I kill myself?

The thought weighed heavily on my mind the rest of the way down. By the time we hit the sand I figured it probably wouldn’t kill me, but it’d still hurt. My curiosity wasn’t strong enough to test the theory.

As we met the sand, I removed my shoes immediately.

Haven looked at me curiously then did the same. “This tickles! It’s so squishy! Finn, take your shoes off—you gotta feel this.” He gave her an annoyed look and shook his head. She just shrugged, giggling and walking in small circles, squishing the sand beneath her feet.

Suddenly, a thought rose. “Er…Haven, don’t you need wood to build a fire?”

“Wood.” Haven giggled.

I blinked. Then, a bright blazing fire sat before me. “Shit!” I screamed, and fell back on my butt. “How the hell did you do that?”

“Magic silly.”

Her tone insinuated my being slow, which I guess to them it might appear that way. Good thing I was too shocked to give a shit.

“This is St. Andrew’s, Scotland and that,” she pointed back to the ruins, “is St. Andrew’s Castle, or what’s left of it I guess, but it’s also the Gateway to the Otherworld.”

“The Gateway?” I repeated.

“It’s kinda like a doorway. If you’re a supe—”

“A what?” I interrupted her.

“Supe. Supernatural being.” She laughed. “Anyways, if you’re a supe it brings you home. If you’re a human you see the ruins. It’s that simple.”

Yeah right, simple!
“Do all supes,” the word felt ridiculous coming from my mouth, “live here in the Otherworld?”

“No, most live in the Earthworld. Only the ones who work for the Council are allowed to stay here.”

That was a bit hard to take—vampires living in a United States suburb. Picturing such nonsense was impossible. I’d have to see that one for myself to believe it. I shook away the amazement and got back to business. “So, what’s with the rippling thingy?”

“That’s the Gateway.” She shook her head, apparently confused as to why I wasn’t getting this. “It’s the magic that allows you access to the Otherworld. When you cross over the barrier you enter into the realm of the Otherworld, get it?”

“I think so. So, where does the Otherworld exist exactly?”

They all burst out laughing.

Kyden’s brow arched inquisitively. “Exist?”

“Yeah, exist. Is it like a planet or something?”

They looked at me as if I had four eyes.

“You think too much like a human,” Kyden replied.