Hidden Gates

by D T Dyllin

  So that was why Jenna was always telling me to just have sex with Bryn and get it over with. I couldn’t count how many times I’d heard her say that. In fact, I distinctly remember her saying it the day of Ryan’s party. “Well, you could have told me he had a thing for me.”

  “No, I couldn’t have. You would have freaked out and run for the hills so fast none of us probably ever would have seen you again.”

  “She’s right,” Bryn agreed.

  “Hey!” I indignantly looked from Bryn to Jenna and back again. “Fine, maybe that’s true.” I couldn’t help but crack a smile. “I guess I had to figure it out myself.”

  “So, what are we going to do now?” Jenna asked.

  Bryn scowled at her. “We? I don’t think so. This is between me and Peej—”

  “And me now,” Jenna interjected. “Because I know the secret and all. I can help you, you know, to keep it that way.”

  Bryn glanced at me as a look of complete exasperation splashed across his face. “Why do I have such a bad feeling about this?”

  I grimaced. “Because you’re not stupid, that’s why.”

  “Maybe it’ll be okay that she knows,” I said to Bryn, though even to myself I didn’t sound convinced. “I mean, it did help to have her cover for me the other night when I stayed at your place.” My thoughts were suddenly carried away to the glorious night I’d spent in Bryn’s arms. It made me sad to think there wouldn’t be many of those in the near future, just stolen moments like we had now. And what if we did get caught? Then maybe I wouldn’t even get those.

  “Hey.” Bryn tipped my face up so he could capture my gaze. “Don’t be sad. I know what you’re thinking.”

  I looked into his eyes and saw the determination that lay there. The dark blue of his irises raged like a storm, reminding me that he would fight for me, and that’s all that really mattered. “What if we do get caught? Then what?”

  He ran his fingers down along my jaw, tracing the same path with his lips a moment later. I shivered. “Then no matter what happens, I’ll find you, I’ll come for you; no one can keep us apart. It’s less than a year; we could make it that long . . .” His voice trailed off with words left unsaid. He was saying if we got caught, if we were separated, then when we graduated from high school, he would come for me no matter what. The worst that could happen would be being separated from him for the rest of the year. My heart ached at the thought. “We’re not caught, yet. Let’s enjoy the time we have together.”

  I buried my hands in his hair as he kissed a trail of fire down my neck. “I just wish I could have figured this all out sooner,” I more mumbled than anything as I tried to at least temporarily fight the effect Bryn’s lips had on me.

  “What?” His voice was so low and husky it was going to be harder to concentrate than I thought.

  “Us—how I feel about you. I mean, I’ve been in love with you, and I didn’t even know it.” I used the grip I had in his long black hair to pull his head up so I could meet his eyes. “I didn’t even notice when my love grew to be more . . . adult. And now look at us.”

  “Yeah, look at us now. Although I suppose I should have guessed that one day you’d have me wrapped around your little finger. After all, you were the only girl who never had cooties as far as I was concerned.” I laughed and playfully swatted at him. I’d forgotten about that. Like a lot of little boys, Bryn had gone through the “all girls have cooties” phase, but with one exception: in his case, it was more “all girls have cooties, except P.J.”

  “Yeah, our version of doctor has changed a little over the years.” He gave me a devilish smile. “Now take off your clothes so I can give you a full examination.”

  “Bryn.” I laughed as he playfully tugged at my clothes. It was just so right being with him—someone I’d shared almost my whole life with, someone who knew me better than any other person on the planet. It was then that my cell beeped. “Hold on,” I chastised him. “It could be my mom. She’s figured out how to text now, you know.” The smile dropped from my face when I saw who it was—Jeremy. I opened it and read:

  Was really hoping we could go out again soon.

  I bit my lip in thought. I had to take into consideration a couple of different things before I just went with my gut and said no. One, for starters, was that Bryn and I had to remain a secret. If I raised too many suspicions, people would start to ask questions, and in our case, questions were bad. Another issue was that I had to take my time and act like I was seriously weighing my options with the guys my mom was setting me up on dates with for Sudding. It had to look like I was actually giving them chances. It didn’t matter that the only guy I wanted to spend any time with was Bryn. I had to appear available.

  I was still staring at the screen when Bryn slipped my phone out of my grasp before I even realized what he was doing. “That’s a resounding no,” he said, anger flaring in his eyes as he read the message from Jeremy.

  “Hey, Bryn. I have to, remember?” I made a grab for my phone, but he kept it just out of my reach with his long arms.

  “You don’t have to anything. You went on a date with him, now it’s over, time for Mr. Gatekeeper to move on along from you.”

  “Bryn,” I whined. “Just give me my damn phone.”

  “Why? Do you want to go out with him again or something?”

  Is he kidding? “Don’t be ridiculous. Of course I don’t want to, it’s just I need to look like I’m giving these guys a chance. Besides, he was a nice guy; I should be able to get another date out of him without him trying something with me.”

  The hostile expression that settled into Bryn’s face told me that had not been the right thing to say. “You are not going out with him again,” he said through clenched teeth.

  “Bryn, what’s wrong with you? Stop acting all jealous and demanding. No matter how much I love you, there’s absolutely no future for us if this is how you’re going to treat me.” I raised my chin and glared at him angrily. There was no way he was going to order me around. It didn’t matter that I loved him. I absolutely would not tolerate that kind of behavior from him, or anyone else for that matter.

  He just stared at me for another couple seconds, his jaw ticking with tension, before he visibly relaxed. His eyes slid down to the ground as if afraid to meet mine any longer. “I’m sorry, Peej, this is just so hard for me. Our relationship is so new, and watching you drive off with him before . . .” He stepped into me and wrapped his arms around my body, engulfing me. I let him hold me, finding comfort in his scent and embrace. “It was as if you reached into my chest and ripped out my heart with your bare hands, taking it with you.” He ran his fingers through my hair. “I don’t mean to order you around; I know you hate that kind of stuff. I’ll try harder, I swear.”

  Just like that, all my anger towards him washed away. Maybe I’d be acting a little crazy, too, if the shoe were on the other foot. I sighed into his muscled chest. “I’m sorry, too. I could never walk away from you no matter what you did. I probably shouldn’t be telling you that. It just encourages bad behavior, but maybe it’ll make you feel better.”

  “No. I don’t wanna be one of those controlling assholes. I’ll try harder—really.” He kissed the top of my head. “We’d better get back though. You leave first. I’ll wait a couple minutes to make sure no one sees us leaving the woods together.”

  “Why? It’s not like we’re not allowed to be seen together—we’re best friends. Everyone knows that.” I pouted at him. He was being too cautious. That could raise questions, too.

  “Just humor me, okay?” He dipped his head to deliver me one last thorough kiss that left me breathless before pushing me in the direction of my house, taking the time to swat me on the behind in the process.

  “Hey!” I giggled as I walked away from him.

  He delivered me one of his patented l
opsided grins, complete with dimples, causing my heart to speed up. Bryn was incredibly hot. Scorching, in fact. “Sneak over to my house later, if you can.”

  “Yeah, okay,” I said, all thoughts except ones of us together had vacated my mind. I finally managed to will my head to turn back around, and I trudged through the woods wrapped up in a cloud of Bryn lust. He was better than any drug—at least I imagined. Definitely better than chocolate . . . That I could say with certainty.

  “Paige,” a voice whispered, seemingly coming from the very woods themselves. No one called me Paige. I didn’t like someone calling me that because it meant they probably didn’t really know me, and if that was the case, why were they lurking around in the woods waiting for me to be alone?

  “Paa-aige,” the voice whispered again. This time is seemed closer, and I could definitely tell it was a male voice, which made it sit even worse with me. I pivoted and dashed back in the direction I had left Bryn.

  “Paige,” the voice sounded like it was right on top of me, and having watched one too many horror movies growing up, I wasn’t stupid enough to take the time to look behind me. I let out a scream of panic, regardless, as I tried to run faster. Suddenly my vision blurred, and I felt myself falling.

  “What happened?” I mumbled, opening my eyes to see someone’s shoes in my line of vision. Why were there someone’s shoes in my face? No, that wasn’t right—everything came back to me from right before I must have passed out—my face was in somebody’s shoes. I shot up like a missile, though all I managed to do was fall over on my ass; but at least I was right side up now. I took in the sight of the man that belonged to the shoes. My gaze went up and up . . . and up to locate his face. This guy must have been at least 6'7" because somehow I could just tell he would tower over Bryn, and that was no small accomplishment. He had large broad shoulders, not often seen on someone his height, and he looked like he worked out—a lot. He had dark auburn hair, so dark I would have mistaken it for brown if not for the rays of sunshine hitting it through the trees, and it was pulled back in a low ponytail at the nape of his neck. All of that in itself would have unsettled me, but his eyes were what really caught my attention. They were so green they almost seemed to glow, or maybe they actually did. I gulped to combat the sudden dryness of my throat, my heart picking up to double time with my nerves. And yet a small spark of anger also pushed to the forefront of my consciousness. Who the hell was this guy, and why did he try to scare me? Rude much? I lifted my chin and met his eyes, narrowing mine to show my displeasure. “Who the hell are you?” I demanded.

  He took a step forward, his spooky green eyes fixated on me, and I instinctively scrambled back a little. Maybe demanding anything of such a scary guy was not a very bright idea. After all, someone his size could do anything he wanted, and I really wouldn’t be able to stop him. What I really wanted to do was scream for Bryn, but I already knew if he had been somewhere close, he’d already be here. It looked like I was on my own. As I stared at the guy intently, readying myself for anything he might do, a smile cracked across his face that quickly turned into a laugh. He actually threw his head back in the process. I stared in amazement. “I like you,” he rumbled. His voice was low and husky, and it sounded as if he hadn’t spoken in awhile.

  Unable to stop myself, the words just spilled from my lips. “And I should care because?” I slapped my hand over my mouth in shock. What the hell was wrong with me? I had a tendency to be a smart ass, and was always quick on the draw, but now I was being just plain stupid.

  He looked down at me with his spooky green eyes that seemed to glitter with amusement. “Yes, I definitely like you.” He paused to tilt his head much like my dog would do. “You may call me Khol.” When I didn’t respond, he spoke again. “I have come a very long way to see you. I mean you no harm.”

  “Then why did you scare the crap out of me and then just stand there while I was lying on the ground passed out?”

  “I did not mean to scare you. I am out of practice with this form of communication, and it proved to be too much for you. In time, you will grow accustomed.”

  “What are you talking about?” I looked at him incredulously. “What form of communication?”

  “You are currently in a state similar to a dream. Right now, your consort is trying to resuscitate you. I did not mean to scare him, either. He is very worried.”

  Did he just say consort? Seriously? “Why are you here?” I could have asked a thousand other questions, but I figured it was best to skip to the most important one first.

  His lips turned up at the corners in a smile. “I had a desire to meet you. Your power has been a constant draw to me the past few weeks, and I could no longer resist.”

  “My power?” Umm . . . what power? Last time I checked, I was running on empty.

  “Yes. Your power. You are just beginning to come into your gifts. You will be a very powerful Seer, the likes of which haven’t been seen for a millennia. That kind of power draws many kinds—some who will wish to steal or control it, some who will wish to destroy it, and some who will wish to protect it and you.”

  My mind was reeling. “Which are you?” I squeaked, almost afraid to hear the answer.

  “I fall into the category of wishing to protect it . . . and you.” His gaze swept over me with heat. “Yes, I do not wish to see harm come to you.” His eyes flared brighter, causing me to shrink back from him even more.

  “What are you?” I whispered.

  “I am a friend. I hold magic that is very, very old, and which I do not wish to reveal still exists. I have placed a binding on you to prevent you from discussing me with anyone. One day I may lift it.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Or perhaps not.” His face grew very serious. “I know of what you have seen in your visions, because I have chosen to link myself to you. I, too, saw them. Trouble looms in the future, the kind of which this world has yet to see. Although we have not been able to ascertain how to eliminate the problem yet, for now take comfort in knowing that you are not alone.” I was speechless. And I so didn’t like the fact that he was claiming to be linked to me. The only guy I wanted linked to me in any way was Bryn.

  He strode forward and offered me his hand. I took it numbly, figuring he’d already said he wasn’t going to hurt me, and I wasn’t really standing in the woods with him anyways. When he had a hold of my hand, he jerked me to him, bending down to run his face up the side of my neck, inhaling. “Mmm mmm . . . delicious. You smell of power and innocence, a very rare combination.” He brought his face up so we were inches apart, his spooky green eyes illuminating his face. “I have been sleeping a very long time, and your allure is almost too great for me to resist. I could so easily take what I want from you—make you mine. And yet—” He stepped away from me, and I sunk back to the ground, my knees weak with fear. “Your heart belongs to another. I will respect that—for now.” He disappeared right before my eyes as my vision went dark again.

  9

  My life was consistently getting more and more complicated. And to think I used to complain that my life was boring. No more boring here, that’s for sure. For starters, who the hell was that Khol guy? Or maybe a more apt question would be what was he? Him just showing up and delivering me a portent of doom had my anxiety levels creeping up towards a full blown panic attack. According to him, both my premonitions/visions were real, and they pointed to bad things coming very soon on the horizon. If only I could get someone to believe me. Add in Bryn and my secret relationship, and me trying to pretend to date other guys . . . Well, like I said, no more boring here.

  “She’ll be fine,” my mom talked in a hushed whisper, “the doctor checked her over again and said it’s just low blood sugar . . . or rather, he couldn’t come up with a better explanation. But he’s sure there’s nothing seriously wrong with her. She just needs to take better care of herself. I’ll make sure to tell her you were worried, but you
can go on home now.”

  “Can’t I just stay a little longer? In case she wakes up. I just—”

  “Awe, honey. You’re going to make a wonderful Guardian one day, but today isn’t that day. Now head on home, and I’ll tell her to give you a call later.”

  But I didn’t want Bryn to leave. I wanted to be held in his comforting, warm arms. My eyes fluttered open with effort. “Bryn,” I whispered, feeling very tired. It probably wasn’t the best idea to beg for him to stay. It might give something away, but at the moment I didn’t care. I just wanted him to stay with me. “Mom, please let him stay.” She frowned at me. “Mom,” I whined. “He’s stayed with me like a million times before, why can’t he now?”

  “Because, peanut, the two of you are too old for some of the things you used to do. It just wouldn’t be right.” I almost wanted to laugh. She’d probably have a coronary if she knew some of the things we’d been doing together. The bright side was that she obviously still thought Bryn and I were completely platonic best friends. “Besides, I don’t think whoever you end up in a serious relationship with is going to appreciate Bryn being so close to you all the time.”

  “He’s going to be my Guardian,” I groused.

  “Guardians don’t stay in the same room with their charges, sweetie. It just isn’t done. You don’t see mine constantly hanging around. Your father wouldn’t be very pleased if he did.” She reached over and ruffled Bryn’s hair. “Now head on home, and you two can hang out tomorrow.”

  “But, Mom—” I protested as I watched Bryn slowly leave my room, his eyes lingering on me with worry. Graduation day can’t come fast enough. “Fine. Whatever.” I glared at my mom once Bryn had left. “You’re being absolutely ridiculous. What do you think is going to happen anyways?” Probably something along the lines of exactly what would happen. Oh, the irony.