Suppliant

by Laura Tree

  Chapter 14

  “You must be new here. I haven’t seen you around before.” I glance up to see a gorgeous young man with long blond hair that nearly touches his shoulders. He’s loaded with muscles, with a larger--than--average nose that seems to fit his face. His lips are lush and juicy, his jaw line pronounced; he has the most brilliant blue eyes.

  Where do these guys come from? Is everyone here that sexy? “First day,” I mumble.

  “Do you mind if I have a seat?”

  I glance at him again; he’s pointing at the bench on the other side of the picnic table from me. I give a slight nod, and he takes a seat.

  It’s a rather beautiful day. The sky is crystalline and cloudless, the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, and off in the distance I can hear the pounding of the sea. I close my eyes and just take in the scent. I can feel my power thrumming here.

  His voice brings me back. “The name is Zeke Porter. And you?” he says.

  “I’m Layla. It’s nice to meet you,” I say. I don’t offer my hand because I’m trying to fit in. I pick up my sandwich and take a bite of it. To my surprise, it tastes delicious.

  “So, how do you like it so far?” he asks. I hurriedly swallow the piece I’m devouring so I can answer his question.

  “It’s stunning. It looks like it took 1,000 years to build. Plus it’s so isolated and appealing. It’s like there are a million secrets that it’s waiting to share with me.” I make up my mind right then. I love it, but I’m not sure why I’m sharing that information with Zeke, considering I just met him.

  I can see myself staying here for a long time, but I can’t afford to lose my focus. I need to find the Pendant so I can find my parents.

  “I thought that when I first came too,” he says. “You’ll get used to it after a while. I’ve been here for years and still haven’t discovered everything. So what classes are you taking?”

  “Umm . . .” I begin to fumble for my class schedule. Instead of reading it, I just hand it to him. “See for yourself.”

  “Snarky, I like that.” He snatches the class list out of my hand. After a few seconds of observation, he hands it back.

  “I hope you have Professor Minden for Potions and Spells,” he says. “He’s the best. If you need help finding C9 let me know; it can be kind tricky for newbies.”

  “Thanks,” I wonder why he’s being so nice to me. Hot guys normally avoid me like the plague, except for Damien. I’m known to be socially awkward around guys which is why I don’t usually like to talk to them.

  I glance down at my tray and realize it’s already empty. I guess it’s time to meet back up with my group.

  “It was nice meeting you, Zeke, but I have to go.” With a pleasant smile I pick up my tray and walked toward the disposal. I glance back to see Zeke smiling at me. Not sure what to make of it, I push it out of my mind, joining the rest of my group.

  Hopefully, orientation will end soon.

  ...

  We’re given a tour of the courtyard and the gym, where my Combat class is held. I’m informed that Combat will take place in both the outdoor and the indoor setting, but that we will meet in the courtyard daily.

  They have lockers in the gym for us to keep our clothes and shower supplies in. At least they have showers. I hate to go anywhere after I’ve worked out when I’m all sweaty if I haven’t showered.

  It’s 1:30 in the afternoon when I make it back to my room. I go straight to my bed and plop onto it.

  I wonder why Damien didn’t go to orientation with me. He must be upset. I would be too if I had to put up with me. One second I’m warm to him, the next second I’m cold. I’m not sure what to think about him.

  On one hand, I really like Damien. He is cool, calm, and collected during a crisis, which is a plus. I know he’s reliable, and he is sexy as hell.

  We have already started to develop a friendship, and I feel really comfortable talking to him about things that I would never tell others, but I’m not sure that I’m ready to move our friendship in another direction.

  I’ve found him attractive since I first laid eyes on him, but I pushed to be friends because I didn’t believe he would be interested in anything more. Now I’m not so sure.

  Still, I don’t know who Damien is, other than the fact that he is a Protector. I wonder how he became a Protector. Was his dad a Protector first? Is there some kind of test you have to go through to be a Protector? Can our connection ever go away?

  With a sigh, I decide that I have too many questions to be left unanswered. I stand and head into the hallway to knock on Damien’s door.

  A few moments later, Damien and I are face to face. For a few seconds, it’s awkward. I’m not sure how I know, but he’s mad at me.

  He holds the door open for me to enter. I follow him in and click the door shut. When I turn around, Damien is pacing the room.

  I take the opportunity to look around. His room is a mirror image of mine. It’s decorated with the same bleak white walls and identical furniture.

  “Look, I don’t mean to peek; it just happens. I am not very good at controlling it yet.” he says. Damien turns around to face me. “I’m not sure how to handle this.” His hand makes a sweeping gesture.

  “It makes me uncomfortable to think that you are able to see my thoughts and feelings and visions. How long has it been this way?” I ask.

  “It started after we first held hands,” he says. “It started off as a few words here and there, and has grown each time we touch. You should be able to access it too. I can’t tell what you’re feeling; that power is saved for our Joining.”

  “Lay,” he continues. “I can only see as much as you let me; you need to work on your shield. When we’re near, it’s harder to control for both of us.” Damien takes a hesitant step toward me. What Joining? What shield? Ugh, he’s just confusing me more.

  “I need to figure this out, and until I do, I think it would be best if we don’t touch anymore.” My eyes meet his, and I can feel the sting of my statement. He takes it as an insult.

  “I do trust you, Damien. I’m just not sure why, or what I should make of it yet. I only just met you, and I’m confused. I need some space to work through this.” I let out a breath that I haven’t realized I was holding.

  “That’s understandable. I know that all of this is new to you, Lay, but you need protection. I can offer that to you. You just have to accept. This link that we have will not go away.” He holds out his hand toward me.

  I stand frozen. I’m still not quite sure what I need protected from, and I’m not sure yet what he’s asking me to give. I should have done some research before I came to confront him.

  Damien turns away, feeling my unannounced rejection.

  “Come find me when you’ve made a choice.” He offers, facing the window.

  I turn to leave. Before I close the door, I glance at Damien’s back, still to me, as he gazes out the window. I can’t help but feel lost.