Hidden (Her Immortal Guardians Book 1)

by Bella Edwards

  One of Ruby’s friends spent the last half hour chatting to her—a guy her age, good-looking but also too sure of himself for Lorelei’s liking. He flirted with all the girls in their group, and she mentally rolled her eyes when he switched his attention to her. Still, he was a distraction following her encounter with Caleb.

  Lorelei drained her red bull and vodka and grimaced at the memories. How long had she sat in the cafe stunned by her encounter with Caleb and his confusing speech about his intentions? He sounded willing to start a huge war between everyone and everything while he sat in the top position he’d award himself and watch. Caleb’s sincere belief that his plans would be best for everybody stunned her.

  And his presence—why did he arouse her when he should repulse her? Did her brain not work properly around him and Gbe? After everything he'd done and tried to do, her body reacting like that disgusted her. What annoyed her the most is she never had a reaction like that to any regular guy she met—not even Alex.

  The last things Caleb said—about her power and Gabe—confused her the most. The two sentences spun around her mind. She needed Gabe to explain precisely what they are—no more vague clues.

  Scarlet reappeared and touched her on the arm. “Are you okay?” she called over the voices around.

  Was she? Lorelei spent every moment since Caleb walked away convinced somebody or something would take her. Each person she bumped into sent her heart rate haywire, and she was ready to run at any moment.

  “Not really,” she called back. “I’m tired. Will you come home with me?”

  Lorelei waited for a protest from Scarlet, but instead, she gave her a big, drunken hug. “I worry about you so much, Lolly. You’re not the girl you were, and I want to help.”

  Lorelei smiled wryly to herself. No. She wasn’t that girl anymore—and she hated it.

  “Come on; let’s go.” Scarlet wrapped an arm around Lorelei’s shoulders and guided her away from the guy attempting—and failing—to hit on her. She couldn't remember his name but threw a polite goodbye his way.

  “Thanks,” called Lorelei in Scarlet’s ear.

  She grinned. “That’s okay. You can repay the favour by helping me organise my birthday.”

  “But that’s a couple of weeks,” Lorelei called back as they stepped into the cold evening.

  “Then we’d better start planning tonight.” With a huge grin, Scarlet linked her arm through Lorelei’s, and they headed to the bus stop. “I have wine at home too. We can still have our perfect evening.”

  Once they arrived home, Lorelei discovered exactly what Ruby meant about planning. Glass of wine in hand, Lorelei rested against the kitchen counter beside her friend.

  Scarlet sat on a stool chewing thoughtfully on a pen, a notepad open in front of her with an ever-increasing list of names on the page.

  Lorelei agreed to the birthday party as soon as Scarlet mentioned the idea but knew the event would be bigger than Scarlet told her. Guilt over the trauma Scarlet suffered after Ben's actions and followed Lorelei— this could be what Scarlet needs. Still, plying Lorelei with drink before asking helped Scarlet too.

  "Don't forget we only have a small flat," warned Lorelei. "I know it's your birthday, but we don't need to invite half the faculty."

  "I fixed the problem." She grinned. "The guys downstairs will have a joint party with us. We'll have twice the space."

  Twice the people. "That's great," she said flatly. “Looks like you started planning this before checking with me.”

  "Don't be like that! I knew you’d be okay because you're awesome.” Scarlet poked Lorelei and gave her a kissy face. Lorelei poked her back and swigged her white wine.

  "Like what? I agree two flats is a better idea. At least everybody won't be crammed in here."

  Scarlet chewed the end of her pen. "So, you’re coming?"

  "Why wouldn't I?"

  "Because of the horrified look you gave me when I first suggested fancy dress."

  "It's your birthday, of course, I’ll be there, I'm not that boring." She craned her neck to look at the ever-growing list then closed the pad. “Let’s plan this another time and finish this wine.

  Because, hell, she needed to blank her mind.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  A few extra drinks with Scarlet was what Lorelei needed to drift away from the day. They chatted and laughed about Grangeton, and everything from their favourite shows to their thoughts on the city. Lorelei couldn’t remember the conversation ending, but the room had started spinning.

  Lorelei woke and rubbed her sore neck. She sighed and squinted around her. Scarlet had disappeared—presumably to bed—and she’d slept on the sofa with her head held at an awkward angle.

  Groggily, Lorelei sat up, and the world hadn't lost its spinning motion. Bed, she told herself even though it would take every ounce of effort to pull her leaden body off the sofa. If it wasn't still chilly under the thin blanket, Scarlet must’ve covered her with. She’d closed her eyes and drift back to sleep. Instead, she rubbed them and checked her phone — 1.18 a.m.

  Something in the shadows caught her eye, and Lorelei dashed across the room to flick the light switch. She’d done the same thing over the years and usually saw nothing, just left wide awake, heart pumping.

  This time Gabe sat in the nearby armchair, the streetlight through the curtains illuminating his face. Lorelei leaned against the wall by the switch and purposefully banged her head, groaning.

  "How did you get here? Can't you knock on the door like a normal person?" She focused her eyes, concentrating on slowing her breathing.

  "Sorry, I followed after I saw Caleb in the café with you. I almost approached you but remembered you’d told me to stay out of your human life. You were with a friend and a man. I didn’t want to interrupt, so I watched from a distance." He pauses. “As you wanted.”

  "Tonight? You followed me tonight?"

  Gabe frowned. "Of course, I told you I'd be close by if Caleb found you again. I arrived as quickly as I could because I didn’t want you to run again. But your friend was with you, so I decided not to show myself. I kept an eye on you until you came home."

  "How did you get in here?" she asked looking around for signs he’d broken in.

  "The same way I always do," he said evasively. “Quietly. You clearly told me that you came back here to live your life. You told me to leave you alone. I was respecting that." Gabe's empty voice betrayed nothing to her. “I have never left the city.”

  Her heart pained at his lost expression. "I’m sorry I told you to keep a distance, Gabe, but I thought it would be easier. I can't keep seeing you around when I feel like I do." Lorelei put her hand over her mouth—stupid alcohol. "Forget it."

  Gabe’s eyes shone, but his expression was hard to read in the dark.

  “As you can see, I’m okay. Thanks for checking on me, but I’m tired.” Lorelei stumbled to her room, lay down, and turned her back to the door. She buried her face in her pillow, pulled her sheets over her head and closed her eyes against his presence. When she opened them, hopefully, he'd be gone.

  "I’ll leave, Lorelei but I need to know what Caleb said to you." Gabe’s voice came from the doorway.

  "Go away, I'm tired and drunk, and I don't want to talk to you. I’ll say embarrassing things."

  "I'll wait then."

  Lorelei turned to face him. "Wait for how long? All night?"

  "And tomorrow if you won't talk. We need to talk."

  Her mood changed; the alcohol interrupting her self-control. She pushed back the sheets and flew out of bed towards Gabe. As she pushed him hard against the chest, Gabe caught her hand in surprise.

  "Get out!" she yelled. "Don't do this! I'm moving on and trying to live my life. You can’t be here, reminding me of what I am."

  Her wrist tingled uncomfortably where he held her wrist.

  "Lorelei..." Something in his tone sounded different, a change in his eyes as he looked at her. "I hate this as much as you do." His grip
on her arm wasn't loosening, voice hoarse.

  "Let go of my arm, please, I need to move away from you."

  She shook, the sensation from his touch pouring through her. The weird desire to connect to him, be with him. How could he do this? She hadn't felt anything close to this when boys kissed her before, and Gabe only held her arm. He let go, and she stumbled backwards.

  "This could be so much easier," she said, sinking onto the bed.

  "What could? I can't be in the human world."

  "And I can't be in the supernatural world—but we're both in each other's. The two of us, and you expect me to join you without opening up to your human side."

  Gabe leaned against the door frame. "Why do we keep having this conversation, Lorelei? I have a duty, and you make things harder."

  "Why? Because I won't do what you want?"

  "Yes."

  "And that's all?"

  "Yes."

  Lorelei buried her head back into her blankets. "Why did you come here tonight?"

  "To talk to you."

  "I moved on from you. You haven't been near me for weeks."

  "Caleb was near and—"

  "No! It's more than that. Stop messing with my head. You told me there was a supernatural connection; I denied there is and then I began to accept it. But I told you there's a human connection between us too—I need you to accept that physical and emotional link. But you won't. I can feel it when you touch me and see it in your eyes. "

  Gabe stood and moved towards the door. "Maybe talking right now isn’t a good idea. I should go and come back when the situation is calmer."

  "Of course," she shouted at him. "You won't face the reality of this. All you need to do is meet me halfway, Gabe."

  Gabe closed the door. "Don't shout. You'll wake your friend.”

  The emotional load of Caleb and Gabe in one day overcame Lorelei, and she threw herself against him again, pushing him in the chest. "How can you shut me out?" she said. "Don't you feel anything?"

  Gabe caught her by the shoulders and held her at arm's length. "Yes. Yes, I do. But I'm not human. I can't be human, however much you want me to be." He paused, squeezing his eyes closed. "However, much I want to be with you."

  She sank forward, silent tears sliding down her cheek as Gabe tried to keep her upright.

  “What are you?” she whispered. “At least tell me that.”

  “I’m someone sent to protect the Key,” he replied stiffly.

  “But what are you?” she repeated. “Why can’t you be human?”

  He closed his eyes. “I don’t know what I am anymore.”

  Her distress stung him and stabbed into the armour against her as she looked up at him through saddened eyes. Lorelei didn't know what she was saying. She couldn't understand. He supported her from falling and fought the physical need to wrap her in his arms.

  Gabe helped Lorelei to the bed, remembering the time he'd taken her from Caleb's house. Back then, the human world he avoided felt alien. Now the world seemed too familiar as his human side pushed forward, harder to dismiss each time he saw Lorelei. Relieved she was calmer, Gabe moved away unsure what he would've done if he'd felt Lorelei’s body pressed to his any longer.

  "I'll go, but I do need to talk to you," he whispered, not thinking she could hear.

  "Fine, just knock on the door next time," she mumbled.

  For the first time, Gabe understood her joke and smiled, but she wasn't aware enough to see him.

  "I'll leave through the door if that makes you happier?"

  Lorelei never replied.

  As he left the room, Gabe paused, hand on the door handle and gazed down at the impossible human girl who'd turned his life inside out. His human side grew every time he saw Lorelei, but his needs and desires were secondary to his duty.

  Gabe left the city immediately, putting space between them, his mind a jumble of thoughts and emotions. In the past, when he couldn't find Lorelei for those months, he'd convinced himself that the sick empty feeling came from not performing his task. Then he'd found Lorelei again, the girl achingly lost and beautiful as she sat watching the sea.

  The willpower it took not to grab hold, shake her, then hold Lorelei to him was incredible. Willpower that shouldn't be needed.

  Why? Digging his fingernails into his palm, he stared at the river running black through the night. Snow fell, a light dusting on the rocks around the river bank, already melting. The seasons, nature—the whole world held endless fascination for him when he arrived, with everything new and different. Part of him once toyed with the idea of involving himself, but he knew the consequences. He’d be forced to remain in his human form. Now Lorelei, this girl taking over his mind and soul, led to him doubting his choices.

  What is she? Merely a human girl who hadn't begun to live her life properly, with no connection but him as Watcher and her as Host. Yet the physical pull to Lorelei was beyond his comprehension, and she haunted him every day.

  The Key’s power inside Lorelei hadn't tempted him before with other Hosts. Why? Something was different, and it disturbed him deeply. Something was wrong.

  The force of the emotion which hit him when he saw her with another guy, even just talking, knocked him off balance. He sat in the bar too, managing to stay inconspicuous in the dim light. Inexplicable waves of emotion crashed through his mind and body when the boy touched her arm, and she smiled at him.

  For the first time, he felt a human part of him could take control, and he was moments away from walking over to interrupt them. But Gabe controlled the emotions, relieved that he hadn’t revealed himself when Lorelei walked away from the boy. He almost gave away how he felt—the emotions and responses he didn’t want. Instead, Gabe focused on the physical sensations the jealousy and hurt gave him. Next time he could recognise and stop them before he reacted.

  Couldn’t he?

  Why did he go to her house afterwards? Gabe knew it wasn't necessary because he saw Caleb leave the city and there was no supernatural activity around her. She was safe. The truth: he wanted to see Lorelei. That decision was a big mistake—he upset Lorelei, and her pain touched him. He could read her mind when he wanted, but tonight Gabe didn't need to. If only he knew how this would end. How long could he live like this?

  He belonged on the fringes of her life, in the shadows, and he needed to step back there—for both of their sakes.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Two weeks and Gabe hadn’t returned to speak to her. Where was he? He’d been insistent they speak the other night—but then she'd been as insistent on telling him to stay away from her. He’d listened. Why want him to come back when she asked him to leave? She couldn’t confuse him the way she confused herself. She had no right to expect him to step out of the shadows again.

  Her behaviour towards Gabe embarrassed her; maybe he'd decided he didn't want a repeat of her emotional outburst. She tried to recall their conversation, but the heat of her alcohol-induced emotions clouded them. Had he hinted at wanting her too? Gabe reminded Lorelei that she still lived on the edge, between her reality and the one forced onto her, confused and looking for comfort in the wrong places.

  The day of the party came around quicker than Lorelei noticed. Usually Scarlet didn't surface from her bed before lunch time, but today she started decorating the flat before 10 a.m. Lorelei snuck off to study for a few hours. When she returned, Scarlet sat in their kitchen enjoying an early birthday drink with a couple of friends, greeting her loudly.

  The festivities were supposed to start at seven, but her flat half-filled with Scarlet's closest friends by five. Their costume theme looked like vampire vixens. Although most had dyed black hair and too wore dark make-up when not dressed up. Scarlet chose a dark angel costume; a tattered black lace and silk dress hardly covering her thighs, with a pair of grey wings on her back.

  "Is it Halloween?" asked Lorelei snarkily as she walked into the kitchen. A couple of the girls scowled at her as she continued past to her bedroom.

>   Her costume hung on the wardrobe door, and she hesitated before taking it from the hanger. She chose Alice in Wonderland since that’s who she felt like sometimes. She'd ordered her costume online and, when it arrived, she was shocked how far above the knee the skirt was. She considered finding something else but, behind on assignments, she couldn’t find shopping time.

  Wriggling into the dress, she stared at herself in the mirror. The knee-high white socks didn't reach the hem of the blue and white dress, and the tulle-lined skirt skimmed her upper thighs. She felt ridiculous as she pulled the black headband into her long hair and slipped her feet into unsteady, high heeled Mary Jane shoes.

  She headed for the kitchen and perched on a stool by the kitchen counter. A self-conscious Lorelei glanced at the clock—nearly eight. The flat filled up, with the door propped open allowing people to meander between the two flats. Marilyn Monroe and James Dean leaned around her to grab some drinks from the ice-filled sink.

  "Wow, Lorelei, that looks hot," said Ruby and poked her nose.

  "Don't—I find it disturbing enough that a children's book character is made into a sexy costume, and now I’m wearing one."

  People crowded into the flat, and Lorelei began to feel like the real Alice, trapped in a room trying to figure out how to leave. Moving around became harder and harder, but when she sat, she could hardly breathe for the bodies around her. Attempting a conversation with anybody was impossible.

  She manoeuvred through the bodies towards the door. How did Scarlet know so many people? Students littered the stairwell, some sitting on the stairs, others leaning on the walls. She carefully negotiated her way around the bodies as she headed downstairs. Alex headed up, and they almost knocked into each other.

  She couldn’t help laughing at his Mad Hatter outfit, with bright orange curls springing out from beneath his top hat.

  He smiled too. “Great minds think alike, hey?”

  She tried to pull the skirt further down her knees as nearby people stared at them. “Well, almost. You’re not Alice.”