by Ben Cass
Doyle squeezed her shoulder. “Have you ever been told you’re too smart for my own good?” He looked at Ellie, his eyes twinkling. “Or that you’re one, too?”
Chapter Twenty
Ellie blinked in surprise, trying to figure out what he’d just said. “I’m a what?”
“Tayamu. Keep up, kid.”
Ellie blinked in surprise. “Me? Tayamu?”
“Why not? There are several women in our ranks, including the First, the de facto leader of the Tayamu.” He held up a hand and whispered behind it, “And between you and me, Seaile is slightly more terrifying than any man could be.”
Ellie pulled away and held up her hands, shaking her head. “Hold on. You said only one of you escaped that battle, which would have been you, yeah?” He nodded. “And now you have ranks?”
Doyle gave a sheepish grin. “I, uh, might have left out a few things earlier. I spent some time recruiting and training new Tayamu and honing my own abilities. When I left nine years ago, there were several dozen Tayamu. By now, there should be thousands.”
“Sounds like Kiamada might be saved after all.” She shook her head. “I can’t be Tayamu, though.”
“Oh? Why not?”
Ellie pressed her hand against her abdomen; she thought she’d felt something starting to hurt in there, but there was nothing now, so she dismissed it from her mind. “Well, you said Tayamu only came from Kiamada, as far as you knew.”
“True. I did.”
“And I’m from Groverton. You know...not Kiamada. I’m not even from the same plane of reality!” She sighed. “It’s too bad, because I think I’d love to be Tayamu.” Ellie looked up at the stars and sighed. “I’ve always wanted out of this place, but for the first time, I’m wishing I hadn’t been born here.”
“You were born here?” asked Doyle. Ellie looked at him curiously, but he was merely scratching the palm of his hand, apparently interested in the source of the itch.
“Pretty positive.” She stared at him, trying to interpret his blank stare. “Don’t you believe me?”
He shrugged in response. “Sure, I believe you were born here. But tell me this, kid: where were your parents from?”
Ellie was even more confused. “I....I’m actually not sure. They never really said. I just kind of assumed they were born here in Groverton.” The proverbial light bulb turned on in her head. “Hold on....are you trying to tell me what I think you’re trying to tell me?”
He finally looked up at her again. “Your parents came from my world. Theonus confirmed it earlier. You have the scent of Kiamadan blood.”
A brief shadow crossed Doyle’s face, obscuring it from view. Theonus was roaming around inside the barn, dragging something around, temporarily blotting out the light shining on them.
“Is he sure?” Ellie asked.
“Theonus can differentiate between humans from your Earth and humans from my Earth,” Doyle assured her. “There’s a little more kick to the scent from my Earth. So, when would you like to start training?”
Ellie rubbed her eyes. “Training? You’re serious?”
“No, actually, I was just stringing you along so I could laugh at you.” He rolled his eyes. “Yes, I’m serious. You have the gifts, and I can show you how to use them.”
“Wait. The other day, on the track...is that what really happened? My Wonder Twin powers activated?”
Doyle snorted. “Wonder Twin powers. Magical ninja. Man, your world worries me sometimes. But...yes, something like that. Your gifts are starting to show themselves. It’s also why your hearing is so incredibly good at times.” He pointed towards the house. “Hell, how do you think you pulled off that crazy parkour move a little while ago? You jumped off a tree stump, bounced off a wall, nailed some circus moves, and landed on a running animal whose back is three times as high as you are tall! Oh, and you can talk to said gigantic animal!”
He spread his arms wide. “C’mon, kid...you’re Tayamu!” He tapped his lower lip thoughtfully. “In hindsight, I should have just told Coach Silvers that explanation. Might have saved a lot of yelling that day.”
Ellie’s head was still reeling with the revelation she was not entirely from this world. “Are you sure you can train me? I mean, aren’t you still hurt pretty badly?” She paused, frowning slightly. “But if you’re hurt so badly, especially your ribs...how did you manage to shoot those arrows so effortlessly? And jump onto Theonus like you did? And you sure don’t seem to be in any pain right now.” She looked at him suspiciously.
“I suppose I might as well show you,” he said, standing up. He pulled his shirt over his head, the light from the open barn door behind him giving him an eerie silhouette. Ellie’s eyes wandered first to his chest, then to his right arm, where the nasty gash had been. She gasped. The new injury was gone and a long scar, which nearly matched the other one, replaced it.
Doyle turned around, revealing that his back had no gashes in it. Ellie stood up and ran her fingers over the skin. There were no cuts, no scratches, nothing. She thought she could see several newer-looking scars, but couldn’t be sure. He turned again and she saw the vicious bruise on his ribs was completely gone. She poked his side and when he didn’t make any sound, poked harder. Still no response. She set herself and shoved his ribs, trying to move him. He just looked at her.
“No freaking way!” she exclaimed.
“What is this?” came Jen’s voice. Ellie jumped and spun around. Her sister walked up, carrying a tray with food and glasses on it. “Are you putting the moves on my man?”
“Your man?” asked Doyle. “What happened to moving slowly?”
“I didn’t call you my fiancé, did I? Or my husband? I am going slowly.” Jen looked back at Ellie. “Well?”
Ellie knew Jen was teasing, but she was too amazed by Doyle’s lack of wounds to tease back. “He’s fine,” she said, gesturing at Doyle’s body. “Completely healed. In...I don’t even know how long that was? An hour? Two?”
Jen set down the tray and then ran her fingers over the skin, just as Ellie had done. She also probed his rib cage.
“How?” Jen asked, apparently unable to find any more words to use.
Doyle turned around to face them. He didn’t bother to put his shirt back on, merely holding it in his hand, arms hanging loosely at his sides, thumbs in his pockets. Ellie tilted her head, her newfound knowledge making her look at him in a whole different way. Right then, silhouetted in the barn’s doorway, with a massive bow leaning against the doorframe and a giant saber-toothed dog wandering around inside, the image of him as a coach was now gone forever, ripped from existence and replaced by something even better.
Yeah, Coach Doyle had been awesome, but the Tayamu named Alistair?
Sexiest. Badass. Ever.
Doyle rubbed his rib cage, testing it himself. “The rumagna salve, of course. I told you it speeds up healing. Days turn into hours. Well, for some wounds, at least.” He rubbed the scar on his face almost absent-mindedly.
Jen pursed her lips together. “This is one of your little tricks, isn’t it? One of those things you—what did you call it?—you Tagtoo can do?”
“Tayamu,” corrected Ellie absentmindedly, now eyeing the tray of food. Jen tossed her a questioning glance. “He told me about them earlier,” she said defensively. “I just figured out a few minutes ago he was actually telling me about himself.”
“Is there anything about you my little sister does not know?” inquired Jen, her tone a little frosty, her eyes swinging back to face Doyle. His face broke into a large smile.
“I can think of a few things.” He nodded at the tray. “Is that dinner? Smells delicious.”
“Yes. I thought you two might be hungry. I also figured you,” she pointed at Doyle, “would not be coming inside for a little while, since your brother-in-law is in there. Even if you tried, I wouldn’t have let you until you’d cooled down a lot more.”
“Good call,” he said. Ellie was glad to see he looked embarrassed.
Doyle made some kind of noncommittal grunting noise, and Jen stepped away from her, turning her attention to Ellie.
Jen took her sister’s hands in her own, looking into her eyes and taking a deep breath. “I’m sorry for not telling you. You’re right: you’re not a child anymore and I need to stop thinking of you that way. I was just in shock myself.” Jen shivered lightly. “I still am, honestly, but I think I’m less surprised than I think I should be.” She shook her head. “Those words don’t even make sense.”
“I get it,” Ellie admitted. “I don’t like it, but I understand. You were just trying to protect me, but we need to protect each other, Jen.”
Jen pulled Ellie into a hug. “I would promise to tell you everything from now on, but I don’t think it’s a promise I can keep. So I promise instead to not keep things from you unless it’s vitally important. Deal?”
Ellie looked up at her sister. “Deal. That’s probably the best I’m going to get, huh?” She squeezed Jen once more and then let go. Ellie sat down on the bench, grabbing a plate and holding it on her lap. She dug in, enjoying herself.
Jen put a hand on Doyle’s stomach, pushing him towards the barn and out of Ellie’s view. “Mr. Doyle, may I speak with you privately?” she asked.
Doyle stepped backwards into the lighted area, letting her push him without resistance. They vanished behind the barn doors.
“Get it, girl,” Ellie whispered, smiling.
“How may I be of service, Ms. Aston?” Doyle asked, tossing his shirt onto a nearby bucket.
Jen was nervous, but refused to walk away. Not anymore. “This is crazy, Doyle. I don’t even know how to say what I want to.” She wrapped her arms around his midsection, hugging him tightly.
“Using your words is usually a good start,” he murmured against her head.
Jen slightly smacked his side, then sighed. “Okay, here goes nothing. I think...I think I’m falling in love with you.”
Jen heard a loud squeal come from outside the barn. Ellie heard me!
Doyle’s arms tightened around her. “I know I am,” he said, kissing her head.
Jen’s heart leaped in her chest. “You missed,” she said.
He pulled away and looked down at her, his face, confused. “Missed what?”
“You missed,” she repeated. He shook his head, brows furrowing, and Jen groaned.
“Screw it,” she said. Jen threw her arms around his neck and pulled him down to meet her lips.
Excitement coursed through her. Their first kiss had been tender, almost hesitant. This was a passionate, nearly desperate kiss, like she’d been waiting for years and couldn’t wait any longer. He responded in kind, as eager as she was.
Jen pulled back, shoved Doyle against the wall, and jumped into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist as their mouths met again. As their kiss deepened, she ran her fingers through his hair, feeling the coarseness. She loved it, wanted more of it. Jen shifted her body, and something crashed to the ground when her foot struck it. Her brain was no longer functioning properly. She didn’t think she’d be able to stop. She definitely didn’t want to.
But...no, she needed to. Right now. If she didn’t, things were going to go much further than they should. With reluctance, Jen slowly pulled her mouth away, and slid down to stand on her own feet again. Her heart raced, her skin felt flushed, and she wanted more. So, so much more.
A horrible smell from somewhere behind them cut through the lust threatening to sweep her away. It was definitely the most disgusting thing she’d ever smelled, and helped douse the flames fighting to consume her. “What is that?” she asked. Her eyes started to water, and she gagged, pinching her nose closed. “Oh, my god, it’s in my mouth! What the hell?”
Doyle’s nose wrinkled, and he turned to stare at Theonus, who looked...guilty?
Apologies, Theonus said. I ate a tree that didn’t agree with my stomach.
Doyle raised an arm, and a breeze began swirling around Jen’s legs. It quickly picked up intensity, and a back window on the barn banged open. Jen’s hair whipped around her face as the breeze moved even faster, and she pressed a hand against her head, keeping the flying strands under control.
The offensive smell vanished, replaced by clean, fresh air. The breeze died away, and Doyle dropped his arm. He walked to the window and pulled it shut before turning and coming back to Jen.
Jen briefly rested her forehead against his chest, then pushed away, forcing herself to think about something that didn’t involve pressing her body against his. Not right now, Jen. She took a deep breath of clean air and exhaled slowly. Not now.
Soon, though, she promised herself.
“Did you just do a Tayamu thing?” she asked instead.
Doyle shrugged casually. “Nothing major. I just asked the wind to help me clear the barn of that life-ending smell.” He glared at Theonus, who yawned.
Remind me not to eat that tree again, the Wiler said.
“Was there anything else you needed to discuss?” Doyle asked her, rolling his eyes at Theonus.
“Yes. Thank you for helping Ellie. I didn’t know how to tell her about the arson, so I decided not to. That might have been an overreaction on my part.” Jen looked down, her lips pressed together tightly.
“Hardly an overreaction, I’d say. It’s human nature to want to protect those we care about.” Doyle scratched his chin. “We all have secrets to keep.” Jen reached up and stroked his cheek.
“Is that your way of telling me you’re still keeping secrets?” Jen turned her gaze towards Theonus. “Aside from your giant pet and the whole ‘I’m a magical warrior from another universe’ thing?”
Doyle’s eyes momentarily lost their twinkle. Jen tilted her head, studying him. “You are, aren’t you,” she said. It was not a question.
He nodded silently. She continued studying him. “And I suppose,” she began in a soft tone, wrapping her arms around his neck, “it’s something you consider vitally important to hide from me?”
Doyle gently took her hands and peeled them away from his neck, holding them close to his chest. “I can’t begin to describe how vitally important it is. There are things you can’t know yet, in part because I don’t know how to explain them to you. Once I know, you will.” He kissed her hands. “That’s a promise. Just know this: secrets are a big part of my life. Everything about the Tayamu is veiled in secrecy, and we like it that way. A scribe once described us as a web of secrets wrapped in lies and half-truths, shrouded in a cloak of mystery. It took millennia before people learned we actually existed, and even today, there are many who believe us more myth than reality.”
Jen considered this for a moment before shrugging. “I suppose it’s no different than being with a CIA agent. Though they, at least, shave regularly,” she said, faking grumpiness. Doyle shrugged.
“I shave only when I have to. I looked forward to it as a child, but quickly learned how annoying it is.” He reached up and ran his finger across his cheek. “Besides, the scruffy look suits me well, don’t you think?”
Jen pursed her lips. “Not so much.”
“I’m fine with it!” came Ellie’s voice. “Not that it’s my business or anything.”
I doubt that has ever stopped you from butting in. The Wiler’s thought came out of nowhere, surprising them all.
“Bite me, Theonus,” Ellie retorted.
That would be like you eating a chicken nugget.
Jen laughed, trying to stop herself, resulting in a weird choking sound. “I liked it better when you were making out with him,” Ellie called out. “The slurping was a bit loud, though. And what was all that racket?
”
Jen flushed, making Doyle smile. “Never mind,” Jen called back. Returning her attention to Doyle, she said, “I assume you’re going to sleep on the couch tonight? Kira said it’s a sleeper sofa, right?”
Doyle shook his head. “I shouldn’t go inside.”
“Come on. How about Ellie and I share the couch and you can have your regular bed back?”
Doyle jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “I have a much better bed out here. I’ll just sleep next to Theonus.”
“Doyle, don’t be so stubborn. Just come back inside and take your bed. It’s got to be more comfortable than curling up next to a giant dog.”
I BEG your pardon.
Jen looked around Doyle to see Theonus sitting up with a pained look on his face. The great fangs gleamed in the light; she thought he rather resembled a furry Sphinx. She was also amazed at how indignant his face could look. In fact, Jen thought him more expressive than many people she’d known.
“I’m sorry, Theonus,” she said, walking over to him and scratching below his jaw when he lowered his head so as not to tower over her. “I didn’t mean it that way. I don’t think you’d get a good night’s sleep with Doyle using you as a bed or a leaning post or whatever, that’s all.”
It would hardly be the first time, or even the hundredth.
Jen cocked an eyebrow at Doyle. He raised one back. “Tayamu frequently sleep outdoors,” he explained. “One with Nature and all that jazz. Wilers are actually quite comfortable.” Jen clucked her tongue against her teeth and stepped back outside. Ellie had finished her plate and was eyeing the other one.