Hidden Worlds

by Kristie Cook

  Mason turned his head to Skylar. “I once followed her near our cabin, but further up. I think she lives around there. I’m not sure. I didn’t actually stick around and hold a conversation with her; however, I did see a cabin.”

  “Then do we just show ourselves? Announce ‘Hey, we know where you live, we’re here’ and wait to see what happens?” Amanda snorted.

  Still cupping her mug for warmth, Skylar gave a nervous cough. “I can lure her out. I’m the one she wants.”

  Skylar felt all eyes on her all at once.

  “No. Out of the question.” Mason’s tone was unyielding. “It’s too dangerous. We don’t even know what we’re up against. I won’t risk your life.”

  Skylar let out a heavy sigh. Wanting to be part of them and making herself useful was difficult, especially when it seemed as though Mason always had the last word.

  “She may have a point there,” Amanda stated. “At least Alena would be the one who was surprised for a change and not us.”

  “I know it sounds like a good idea, but it’s not. We’re so tired we’re not thinking straight. Let’s talk about it later.”

  Skylar suddenly froze, worried for her mom. If Alena almost killed her roommate, who was to say she wouldn’t harm her mom to get to her? “Maybe I should go home. What if Alena goes after my mom?”

  “Your roommate was a means to an end for Alena,” Mason said. “And right now, she’s not interested in your mom. You can keep it that way by keeping your distance from her. Make your phone calls short, and try not to visit her on the weekends for as long as you can. Alena never once went to your mom’s house when I was tracking her.”

  “How about Kayla?”

  “Don’t worry. I’ve got that department handled,” Nick said.

  “I’m sure you do,” Amanda grumbled, rolling her eyes.

  Nick gave her a “be quiet” look, lighting a fast spark from his fingertips.

  “Don’t you dare,” Amanda flared, trying to keep a straight face.

  Mason stood up. “I’m taking Skylar back to her dorm tomorrow. We can think of another plan, but we’re not using her as bait.” With that, he stood, indicating that his words were final.

  Amanda, Everett, and Nick had nonchalant expressions on their faces. Either they agreed with Mason’s decision, or they had given up on expressing their opinions, knowing Mason would have his way. With the blanket still draped around Skylar, they headed for his room.

  THIRTY-TWO

  It was almost afternoon, and the ominous clouds got darker and thicker. The wind howled, tossing Skylar’s hair, blocking her view. Holding an umbrella, Mason walked beside her to her dorm. Upon entering, Skylar let out a huge breath, relieved to escape the awful weather. Mason stood by the doorway, looking like he didn’t want to come in and make himself at home. “Nice place.”

  “Yup. Small and cozy. Nothing fancy like yours.”

  Mason looked like he was being shy, but Skylar couldn’t be sure. He glanced down and then up again, meeting Skylar’s eyes.

  “Do you want to come in for a while?” Skylar asked hesitantly. She wasn’t sure what Mason had in mind.

  “Actually, I’m not staying.”

  “Oh.” The little bit of hope that she could spend some time with him vanished.

  “I mean, we’re not staying. I’ve brought you here so you can pack your bags and come back with me.”

  “What?” Skylar didn’t know whether to feel elated that he wanted her to go with him, or upset he didn’t ask her first. “You didn’t mention this to me before. And what if I refuse?”

  “Then—” Mason started to say, but he was interrupted by a voice.

  “Hey, Skylar,” Emily greeted, descending the stairs. She looked well put together, wearing a thick red overcoat. Skylar had on the jeans she’d worn yesterday and Mason’s sweater that was way too big on her.

  “Emily.” Skylar beamed a nervous smile, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “This is Mason. Mason, this is Emily.” Though Mason had met her informally last night, he pretended that it was their first meeting.

  Extending his hand, he shook hers. “Hello. Nice to meet you.”

  Emily stared a bit too long, producing a friendly smile. “Hi.” Looking at Skylar, she asked, “You guys dating?”

  Skylar’s face flushed with heat. She couldn’t believe Emily asked such a question right in front of him. “No, we’re … he’s … where’s your boyfriend?” Skylar asked, directing the attention back to Emily. It was the only way to get out of the awkward moment.

  “Oh, Dex. He’s on his way.”

  As if on cue, there was a knock at the door. Emily turned the knob, but just before she pulled the door to open it, she turned to Skylar. “Oh by the way, some guy was here to see you. He was tall, cute, with dirty blond hair to his shoulders.”

  Looking confused, Skylar asked, “Did he leave a name?”

  “Nope. I didn’t know where you were, so I told him you would be back today. I’m sure he’ll stop by.” Then she walked out the door.

  Mason’s face was blank. Skylar didn’t know why she was worried what Mason would think of her having a guy visitor, but the description concerned her. It was too similar to the guy that had been gawking at her at the mall. Did he follow me here? A stalker? It was something to be worried about.

  “Making friends already?” Mason asked flatly.

  Skylar heard a ring of jealousy in his tone. Smiling, she wondered if she should tell Mason about the incident at the mall, and the shadow of a male she’d seen next door to Kayla’s house. Was she being paranoid? “Am I forbidden to make friends?”

  “No, of course not. You can do whatever you like.”

  It was not what she wanted to hear. She noted they were still standing by the door. “Should I get my stuff?”

  “That was the plan.”

  “You mean your plan,” Skylar retorted. “Next time, I’d like to be included in your plan.”

  “Fine. I’d like you to hurry. You just need warm clothes, possibly for a week.”

  A week? Skylar went upstairs to her room without a word. She knew deep down that being with Mason would be safer, but not for her heart. The more time she spent with him, the more attached she became, and that frightened her more than facing Alena.

  Opening up her duffle bag, she shoved in some jeans and sweaters from her dresser. Next, she went into the bathroom and placed her toiletries into another small bag. Needing to change out of Mason’s sweater, she put on her favorite pink sweater and a clean pair of jeans. Then she slipped into a waterproof gray jacket. She was just about to put Mason’s sweater into her bag, but she decided otherwise, leaving it in her closet before heading downstairs.

  Holding onto Skylar’s bags, Mason opened the door, and then opened the umbrella that was big enough for two. Pulling Skylar closer to him, they headed out, as the pitter-patter sound of the rain continued to get louder and heavier with each step. Skylar was glad she’d put on her boots. The raindrops were now pounding on the ground furiously, splashing against her legs. Surely if she had worn her tennis shoes, they would have been soaked by now.

  Mason opened the car door for Skylar and put her bags in the trunk, then closed the umbrella and put it in the back seat. Just before he got in, he scanned the perimeter, as he always did. From the few seconds he was exposed, his hair was drenched, dripping pearl-like droplets down the side of his cheeks, and water spotted on his gray sweater. He looked so alluring that she had to turn away. She focused on the window splattered with water, since it was difficult to see anything else but that.

  “Sky, I know you’re not happy with this arrangement, but it’s just until things die down. Then you can go back.”

  Disappointed by his words, she didn’t turn when she responded. “Sure. I can get my notes online. It’s a good thing school just started, I guess.”

  After a mile, Mason turned onto the freeway. The heavy rain made it difficult to see, and the windshield wipers cleared a pa
th only temporarily. Mother Nature was unforgiving today, adding a hurricane-like wind, along with the roaring thunder. Shortly after, lightning cracked across the puffy black clouds, flashing in and out, striking the world with beauty and danger. Silence filled the air in the car until Mason started driving faster, swerving in and out of lanes.

  Skylar sat up straight. She flashed a worried look at him. “Mason, don’t you think you’re driving a bit too fast?”

  He didn’t answer. He looked at the side view mirror, then the rearview mirror, and switched lanes again. “We’re being followed.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I didn’t want to worry you. They followed us from your dorm. I think your boyfriend is unhappy with who you hang out with.”

  Boyfriend? They? “I don’t have a boyfriend,” Skylar huffed, narrowing her eyes on him, though he couldn’t see what she was doing.

  “The dirty blond. He was in the parking lot, trying to hide out with his friend.”

  Skylar turned to look, but it was difficult to see with all the rain. All she could make out were the headlights.

  Seeing what Skylar was trying to do, Mason spoke, “They’re in the white truck behind us, trust me.”

  Skylar was too busy trying to see the driver. With no luck, she turned forward and froze in place with alarm. “Mason,” she mouthed. Too stunned to speak, she could hardly get a sound out of her mouth.

  Skylar wasn’t sure what she was seeing, but if her vision was correct, there were three huge trucks in the distance. One in each lane, they were heading straight toward them. She rubbed her eyes, thinking she wasn’t seeing clearly. Surely, the rain was affecting the view. This couldn’t be possible. Nevertheless, when she confirmed what she thought she was seeing, her heart hammered faster than the raindrops.

  Luckily, there weren’t many cars on the highway, but the cars that were in front of them swerved to the far left or right, as they tried to avoid a collision. Other cars honked their horns while braking, but those that did were hit, dead on. The cars tumbled, flipping multiple times, only to hit other cars trying desperately to move out of the way.

  “Mason, MASON, MASON!” Skylar panicked.

  “I know. Skylar, hold on tight. I’m going to brake.”

  “But there are cars behind us.”

  “We have no choice. Don’t worry. I got this.” Mason pushed down on the brake pedal forcefully. The car hydroplaned to the right. “Hold on.”

  Skylar gripped the first thing she could place her hand on tightly. The water from the road jetted up into the air like in a water show, but the car kept gliding sideways, until finally it spun in a full circle and stopped. With no time to waste, Mason turned the car to the right and accelerated, hoping to dodge what was coming toward them.

  Out of nowhere, a long piece of ice, taking the form of a spear, darted through the trucks’ tires and punctured some of them. More ice spears came soaring out of the rain, but this time, ten or more sphere-like ice balls followed, denting the sides of the trucks. One went through a windshield. With flat tires, the trucks now glided as if skating on ice, maneuvering from side to side.

  “Did you do that?” Skylar asked excitedly.

  “No. Must be Poseidon’s kids. Where the hell are they?” Mason spread his right arm in front of Skylar, as if to protect her. “Bend down, Sky.”

  One of the trucks hit another and veered off, hitting yet another one. The crash caused the trucks to flip and tumble, heading straight for Mason’s car. With a look of shock, Skylar held her breath. With no time to move, think, or get out of the car, she closed her eyes and prepared for the crash.

  Just seconds before impact, Mason’s car flew up into the air, over the trucks. Somehow, as if by magic, the water created a liquid bridge, guiding the car safely over, and then it thumped hard on the ground on the other side. Without looking back, Mason sped away as the sound of screeching brakes and metal hitting metal, blasted behind them.

  “What just happened?” Skylar yelped. “Did you do that?” Everything had happened so fast. Adrenalin had rushed through her body so rapidly, she’d had no time for fear. Now that it was over, she was simply amazed, stunned and speechless.

  “No, I didn’t. Poseidon’s kids. It’s the only explanation. They can manipulate water. I had it handled. There was no need for them to show off. Lots of civilians are hurt.” Mason sounded irritated, perhaps because he wasn’t the hero this time around, or perhaps he truly did care for those people he didn’t know.

  Amazed by their abilities, wherever they were, Skylar was grateful they were there. Though Mason claimed he’d had the situation handled, Skylar thought otherwise, but kept her opinion to herself.

  Looking behind them, she could see fire and heavy smoke escalating into the sky. The trucks had mostly slammed against each other, except for one. Guilt consumed her, thinking about the innocent people who’d happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. She couldn’t dwell on being remorseful. She saw the same white truck, now joined by a black truck, tailing behind them. “It’s the white truck again, but there’s another one behind it.”

  “I see them,” Mason said with a sly tone, looking in the rearview mirror. “Let’s see if they can follow.”

  THIRTY-THREE

  With a jerk, Skylar fell back into her seat. Mason pressed down hard on the gas pedal, making the car accelerate much faster than it had been a second earlier. With a loud screech of the tires, he exited the freeway and made a fast right. The rain continued to pour with no mercy, but it didn’t seem to affect Mason’s vision.

  Swerving in and out of lanes, other drivers honked loudly, obviously irritated as Mason cut them off. He ignored a light that had just turned red, and punched the gas even harder. Luckily, the cars on the other side were at a complete stop.

  “Mason,” Skylar called softly. She wanted him to slow down.

  “We’re almost home,” he said, concentrating on the road.

  When he turned a sharp left, a gush of water caused him to veer sideways to the right, sending a massive wave onto the sidewalk and splashing the pedestrians. They cursed and flipped him off.

  “Sorry,” he murmured under his breath.

  Mason was right. Skylar noted that they were close to his house. She recognized the streets. If they had turned right, she would be headed towards Kayla’s house. Looking behind them, the trucks were nowhere to be seen. “You can slow down now. I think we’ve lost them.”

  “I don’t see them either.”

  Mason took the long way home, changing lanes and going through several small streets instead of staying on the main roads. When they pulled up in the driveway, the rain had died down to a drizzle. Heaving a sigh of relief, Skylar sat there looking at Mason, trying to comprehend all that had happened.

  “Ready to go in? We should find the others,” he said calmly, getting out of the car. Vigilantly, he placed his arms around Skylar’s waist and scanned the perimeter. Turning the corner toward the entryway, they paced quickly. The narrow walkway forced Skylar to tread behind Mason. With her hand on his back, she focused her eyes on the ground, not wanting the raindrops to fall on her face. Suddenly, she bumped into Mason.

  Skylar looked up to see the back of Mason’s head as rain trickled down her face. She felt his arms reach behind him protectively. Wondering why he was acting this way, she peered over his shoulder and gripped his biceps in absolute terror. Five vultures were guarding the front door, staring back with their revolting eyes, hissing and snarling, preparing to attack. Slowly, dragging her feet, she backed away, matching Mason’s steps.

  “Where are Nick, Everett, and Amanda?” Skylar whispered, concerned for their lives, hoping they weren’t in the house.

  “I don’t know, but I need you to listen. When I say run, run to the gate, okay?”

  “Okay,” Skylar whimpered. Her body was so stiff from fright she was unsure if her legs would budge.

  A few seconds later, Mason yelled, “Run!” He snatched her arm, t
ugging, running as fast as he could with her by his side. They were close to the gate, but stopped when they saw two guys heading straight toward them.

  Skylar recognized the dirty blond right away. How the heck had they gotten there? There was little time to consider this as she regarded them with fear. With impassive facial expressions, their hands were moving in a circular motion near their chests. What were they doing?

  Stuck in the middle, Mason grabbed Skylar’s hand and turned sideways, with one eye on the vultures, and the other eye on the visitors. “When you get a chance, I want you to run toward the trees and hide.”

  “No. I won’t leave you,” she retorted, holding on to his arm, deciding the odds if she ran. But what could she do to help?

  “Do what I say,” he demanded.

  Mason pushed Skylar out of the way when the vultures leapt toward them. Just before the impact, she saw a sharp icicle-like spear, like the one she’d seen on the freeway, headed straight for the nearest vulture. Though the spear punctured its gut, it continued to charge forth.

  Strategizing, Mason purposely allowed the vulture to pick him up by his waist so he could place his hands on its shoulder. With his power, Mason zapped electricity through the vulture’s entire body. It sizzled, juddered, and then dropped to the ground.

  The dirty blond moved his hands around his head and pushed through empty space. A massive body of rainwater copied his hand motions and plowed into two of the other vultures, knocking them down with the pressure, away from Skylar. More icicle spears soared and penetrated the remaining two, allowing Mason to finish them off.

  Without acknowledging the strangers, Mason grabbed Skylar’s hand and ran to the front door that was already ajar. He kicked the door open but remained by the entrance instead of charging in.

  Sitting in the center of the large foyer, with their hands bound behind them, were Amanda and Everett. Standing behind them was Alena, with a few other people Skylar didn’t recognize.

  “Welcome to our party,” Alena said calmly. “What took you so long? Actually, I didn’t think you would make it past the door, but then again, I see that you had help. No, no, no, boys. Don’t even think about moving your hands,” she said to the strangers, pointing out the revolver she had pointed at the back of Amanda’s head.