~Layla’s POV~
Walking through the woods was different now. The longer I stayed here, the more the trees started to blend into the environment, and the lack of sun didn’t bother me. It was barely noticeable how only patches lit up from sunlight during the day, and how a pitch-black darkness fell over us at night. The houses started feeling like they had been there all along, and the built-in paths felt like a town walk past the stores. Everything that was initially odd and curious was suddenly normal and quite town-like.
It felt like a pack, like the one I was from, and the fact that we were hidden deep within the woods somehow went right over my head.
’Layla, wake up’
My eyes flew open, and I stared up at the ceiling in my bedroom. There were no curtains to the window, yet not a single hint of light showed itself anywhere.
What’s wrong?
’The danger, it’s still here and it’s growing’
I sat up and gulped. The darkness wasn’t normally scary, I could roam around the house in the middle of the night without as much as a flinch. But Clara’s warning rang loudly in my head, and the tremble of fear in her voice made it all more real.
Is the danger in the pack?
’I don’t know’
You need to give me something here, Clara. Is it in the pack? Is it outside the pack? Is it a threat?
’I don’t know, but something is changing. A threat is near and it’s growing stronger and faster than before’
So it wasn’t Kade?
’I don’t think so. I think we’re in it. The danger must be here; it’s the only answer.’
Falling back asleep was hard after my conversation with Clara, and I slept well into the next day. Someone knocked on my door, and I groaned as I turned in the bed. I resisted getting up; my eyes wouldn’t open and my head had never felt so heavy before. My limbs felt sore, and my body needed the rest. Whatever the person wanted would have to wait. Unfortunately, it appeared that the choice wasn’t my own to make. Something was tossed down on the bed, and I squinted with one eye and saw Justin standing by the stairs.
”Get up, we have practice.” I turned around and faced the wall. ”No, thank you.”
He chuckled, and the bed dipped under his weight as he sat down.
”I didn’t say it was an option.” He was looking at me with that cheeky smile, and his dimple made his eyes sparkle.
It was odd how one dimple could make a whole face so cute and innocent. I remember meeting him at the bar before; he didn’t look cute or cheeky, he seemed dangerous and like a man on a mission, which technically he was.
”Come on, I’ll make you coffee so it’s ready when you get down. You have fifteen minutes!” He shouted from the stairs.
Is it him?
’I can’t say for certain’
We walked out of the house, and I had my coffee in a to-go cup. Everyone was smiling and waving at us as they walked by, and I just felt like a zombie walking through the town with my shoulders slumped and my head still half-asleep.
”Down here,” we walked down to the water, and there he waited.
”Good morning.” Nathaniel said, sounding cheery. Dressed in a black t-shirt and jeans, he stood tall and waited for us. Those who were sitting by the water or stepping down to enjoy the sun all bowed their heads as they passed him.
”good morning.” A husky laugh shook his shoulders, and he smiled.
”Not a morning person, are you?” Shaking my head, I took a big gulp of coffee. Before I could even lower my hand the cup was carefully taken from my hand, and Justin stepped back. Taking a woman’s coffee in the morning was just a whole other form of cruelty.
”Here.” Nathaniel walked up to me and handed me a flower.
The pink petals were beautiful, and the yellow center looked like the sun. I watched him warily and turned my head an inch to see Justin. Justin subtly nodded his head, and I grabbed the flower, slowly reaching out my fingers and grabbing the thin stem.
Within seconds, my head was tossed back and I disappeared from the moment.
Nathaniel was standing in a room, not a room I had been in, but it had to have been in his house.
He was looking right at me; this felt just like when I reviewed the message from Justin.
”Layla, this is a message, one you’ve received before, but this time I want to tell you how it’s done because this is what you will learn today. We have the power to implement memories in any earthly object. A flower, a tree, a rock and even a necklace. By doing this, we have the ability to preserve a memory forever. It never has to be forgotten or wither away; it stays with us and our descendants for eternity. You will start by placing a memory onto a flower because anything nature made is easier. Nature demands balance, and so that is where our powers thrive the most and flow the easiest. So I hope you’re ready because this class will be challenging, it will hurt, and it will bring you a sense of a torn soul, but don’t fear because beyond those feelings lie unbelievable power and vitality. It’s time to open your eyes now; I’ll see you in a second.” He winked before stepping back, and I was pulled into the present again.
Nathaniel looked at Justin and bowed his head.
”You said I should stay this time,” Justin said but seemed to have realized his mistake in speaking out of place. Nathianel sure kept tight reins on his people; that much was evident. He bowed his head and threw me a quick glance before walking away.
Nathaniel reached out his hand. I hesitantly grabbed it and saw it disappearing as he circled his fingers around it and led me down to the stream.
We sat down on a rock, so close together that his leg brushed up against mine. His hair bounced on his head from the easy wind, and he looked out over the water.
“Are you ready?” I nodded my head and picked a flower that was growing between the rocks. I circled my fingers around the stem and started focusing on it as I awaited instructions, but I jumped when he placed his hands over mine. He held tightly, inertwining his finger with my own and looked at me with a soft smile. His facial features shifted from a domineering authority to a graceful kindness.
”I’ll help you,” his voice came out in a soft whisper with a dark undertone, but not a mean one; rather it was a dominant one.
I closed my eyes and did as he told me to.
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