Protector (Night War Saga Book 1)

by Leia Stone

  “It really is exceptional stew.” Mack nodded seriously. “It’s a family recipe.”

  “Well . . . okay,” I caved. Math could wait another hour. Plus, I had my pepper spray in my ski bag just in case. I popped out of my skis and slid them together before lifting them onto my shoulder. “Where do you guys live?”

  “Right over there.” Bodie hiked his board under one arm and jutted his chin.

  “Where?” I looked around. The only house in sight was nestled in the trees above the base of the Olympia chair, a short walk from where I’d parked my car. The house was huge—prime mountain property. No way would anybody be crazy enough to rent that to a group of college guys.

  “There.” Johann pointed again to the house hidden in the trees. Holy cow, that is their house! “Pretty sweet, huh?”

  “Yes,” I said honestly. “You guys can literally ski out your front door.”

  “We board.” A corner of Bodie’s mouth turned up in a grin. “Our roommate skis, sometimes. I still don’t know where he disappeared to this afternoon. He was supposed to meet us after class, but he was a no show.”

  “Are you worried about him?” I asked.

  “Ja, a little.” Bodie rubbed his neck. “If he’s not back after dinner, I’m calling Heimdall.”

  “Who’s Heimdall?” I asked. The guys had said they were from Norway. Where, apparently, everybody had really strange names.

  Johann shot Bodie a glance, his aura glowing with tension. “Someone who should be able to track him down.”

  I noticed he hadn’t exactly answered my question, so I reached out with my energy. All three boys’ signatures pulsed with anxiety. Either they were super worried about their roommate or this Heimdall guy was not to be messed with. They tucked their boards under their arms and turned toward their house. I fell into step behind them and noticed that their energy shifted from anxious to . . . protective? Purple threaded through their normally blue and green color matrix. They slowed their pace and shifted positions so we walked in a cluster—Johann and Bodie on either side of me, and Mack in the front. They kept up an easy banter as we made our way to the expansive, two-story log cabin, and by the time we deposited our gear on the front porch, their energy was once again bright and joyful. Being around them was seriously fun—what I’d always imagined having siblings would be like. I couldn’t wait to introduce them to Mallory.

  “Do you need any clothes, Allie?” Bodie stepped out of his boots and set them inside the front door. I did the same. “Johann had a girlfriend who was about your size, and she left some of her stuff here when she dumped his sorry butt.”

  “Why do you have to be a jerk?” Johann rolled his eyes at Bodie. “Though we do have clothes that would fit you, Allie. You don’t have to wear ski stuff in here.”

  “I’m good,” I said. “I have plenty of layers on. Just point me to your bathroom, and I’ll hang my ski pants up to dry before I drive home.”

  “Nonsense.” Mack walked me into the house and toward an open bedroom door across the hall from the expansive living room. He stepped through the door and turned on the light. “You’re about a size four, right?”

  “Yes,” I said cautiously. How did he know that?

  “Well, the bottom dresser drawer should have some things in your size.” Mack held out his arm. “You can change in the guest room.”

  The guest room? How big was this house? I looked at the three boys as they stepped up behind me. “You guys have that many girls staying over, you have drawers sorted by size?”

  Bodie chuckled. “Something like that.”

  Johann started up the stairs. “Hurry up and change, Allie. Mack won’t let any of us eat until we’re all at the table, and I’m starving.”

  I was starting to like Mack more and more. “You force them to be civilized,” I concluded. “Well done.”

  Mack stroked his beard with a long-suffering sigh. “Somebody has to do it.”

  “Hurry, Allie,” Johann called over his shoulder. “Starving, remember?”

  “I hear you.” I laughed. Nothing worked up an appetite like an afternoon on the slopes. I’d pay for playing hooky all afternoon later, but if the smell wafting from the kitchen was any indication, my impending late-night Calculus cram would totally be worth it. I closed the door and dug around in the bottom dresser drawer. Sure enough, I pulled out a pair of skinny jeans, a t-shirt, and a hoodie that were just my size. Perfect. I changed, folded my ski gear in a neat pile, and set it by the front door near my boots. Then I followed the sound of laughter and the smell of awesome down the hall and into the kitchen.

  And my heart thudded to a stop.

  “What are you doing here?” I blurted at the tall, muscled, blond guy sitting at the table.

  Professor Vidarsson crossed his arms and pinned me with a stare. “Did you search her for weapons? This one’s into chemical combat.”

  Oh. My. God. The hottie I’d pepper sprayed was my new crew’s roommate. Because my week hadn’t been awkward enough as it was, now I had to eat dinner with the maniac.

  “Very funny.” I mirrored his posture. “Maybe if you didn’t jump out and attack unsuspecting girls on a late-night run, then said girl wouldn’t need a weapon.” I didn’t care if this Vidarsson guy was a teacher or not; I wasn’t about to let him mess with me.

  A slight grin tugged at the corner of his lips. The snort from my right reminded me of the three other presences in the room. Bodie, Johann, and Mack stood huddled together by the sink, covering their mouths and shaking with barely contained laughter. Bodie’s body jerked under the strain of forced decorum, and when I raised my eyebrows, he appeared to give up. His guffaw was quickly echoed by Johann. They both doubled over, laughing.

  “My eyes burn so bad!” Bodie fell to his knees screaming.

  “She attacked me!” Johann moaned.

  Mack was the only one with the brains to stay quiet. I sensed he’d borne the brunt of Professor Vidarsson’s wrath before. I also sensed said wrath was about to return.

  Professor Vidarsson didn’t take long to prove me right. He stood abruptly, reaching his full, menacing height so he towered over the rest of the guys. An air of authority crackled around him as he growled. “You boys want to step outside?”

  Johann and Bodie quieted quickly. “Naw, I’m good,” Johann demurred. “My shoulder is still healing from the last time.”

  Bodie rubbed his knee. “I’m good too. Let’s just eat.” They both slid quickly into empty chairs. Professor Vidarsson followed, frowning.

  “Yeah, sorry,” Johann chimed in. He glanced at Mack, who’d donned oven mitts and an apron. “Sit down, Allie. Mack gets crabbier than Tore if we’re not at the table when the food hits it.”

  “Manners.” Mack shrugged.

  He moved to the counter and removed the lid on a steaming crockpot. A savory aroma filled the kitchen, and I stood rooted to the spot near the island, trying to make up my mind about what I wanted to do. On the one hand, I could stay and enjoy what smelled like a truly epic dinner. On the other hand, I could bail and run to my car. It was clear the visiting professor wasn’t the crazy assailant who preyed on jogging co-eds I’d believed him to be, but our first encounter had been far from pleasant—no way should he have grabbed my arm that hard. Our second encounter was just plain weird. What was the deal with his ‘energy manipulator’ accusation today? Or the way he made our entire class read their books, or the fact that he had no signature? None? I was no expert, but I’d always been able to read people’s energy—even if that person was a few rooms, or even a few houses, away. But I got absolutely zero reading from this guy. It was like he was invisible . . . or intended himself to be.

  “La oss spise. Let’s eat.” Mack placed a steaming hot bowl of stew on the table. The fumes wafted my way, and all logic went out the door. I plopped into an empty chair and bellied up, so enamored with the smell of Mack’s meal that I no longer cared who was at the table with me. It was a cruel twist of fate that I was a wretc
hed cook, yet food was my weakness. The universe had a wicked sense of humor.

  For the next five minutes, no one spoke a word. We just shoveled food into our mouths, and emitted the occasional moan about how amazing it tasted. Seriously, I needed this recipe. If it was too hard for me, I could always convince Mallory to cook it for us.

  “Tell us about yourself, Allie.” Professor Vidarsson lowered his water glass and stared at me. Again. “Have you trained in any martial arts? Or, even better, swordsmanship?”

  I paused, my spoon halfway to my mouth. This guy was definitely not socially gifted.

  “First of all, that is a weird thing to ask at a dinner party.” I arched one eyebrow. “And second, why do you want to know? You scared of me?”

  Professor Vidarsson’s breath hitched. His ice-blue eyes practically glowed with venom as he shot me the mother of all glares. I glared back. Weirdo.

  “What am I supposed to call you, anyway?” I set my spoon on my plate. “Are you Professor Vidarsson at home, too?”

  Johann snickered. “Professor Vidarsson? Why the Hel would you call him—oh gods, are you the crazy teacher who freaked Allie out today? That was your contact plan? What is wrong with—ouch! Why’d you stomp on my foot?” He glared at the glowering blond next to him.

  “My first name is Tore.” Tense blue eyes studied me, and that feeling coursed through me again—the spark that felt like a charged pinball pinging around my stomach. “You may use it.”

  “Gee, thanks, Tor-ay,” I pronounced. I’d never heard that one before. Apparently, Norwegians were super creative namers.

  “So, what’s your major?” Bodie asked me a normal question. Thank you, Bodie.

  “Environmental Studies,” I said.

  “Ah.” Bodie nodded. “You’re one of those tree huggers who—”

  “Where did you get that necklace, Allie?” Tore interrupted.

  “Stopp avhør henne!” Mack yelled, slamming his fist on the table.

  I jumped to my feet. Lumberjack fist pounding was totally my cue to leave. “Well this has been nice. Thank you for dinner, but I have a ton of studying to do. So . . . bye.”

  Mack shot Tore a glare that could have cut ice. “No, stay, Allie. Vær så snill.”

  I raised an eyebrow.

  “Please,” Mack translated. “We have a pool table in the basement. Tore’s easy to beat.”

  “No, thanks. I’ll just get my stuff.” This situation had become very uncomfortable.

  Bodie held out his hand. “Give me your keys, Allie. I’ll hike down and bring your car up so you don’t have to trek through the snow.”

  My heart softened. Bodie was a sweetheart. “It’s really okay. I don’t mind walking.”

  “I insist,” Bodie said.

  “Well, if you insist.” With a smile, I reached into my hoodie and handed him the keys.

  “I’ll grab your ski stuff, but you can keep those clothes. We have plenty of extras.” Mack scurried off down the hall to get my gear.

  I turned back to Johann and Tore. “You guys have that many overnight guests who forget their stuff, huh?” As hot as they all were, I shouldn’t have been surprised.

  “Something like that. Gotta run, Allie—I have to call my, uh, my mom.” Johann carried the empty bowls to the sink and fled the kitchen, leaving me and Tore alone. Awkward.

  Tore crossed his arms and stared at a crumb on the table. After an interminable amount of silence, he looked up. “You know, just for the record, that night we met I was trying to help you.”

  “Help me with what?” I asked. Tore’s jaw twitched, but he didn’t speak. When it became clear no answer was forthcoming, I shrugged. “Well, thank you. But if you’re helping someone out, don’t grab their arm. You came off way more attacker than helper.”

  Tore smirked. “Duly noted.”

  “And your weird creeper thing during class today? Care to explain that?”

  “Nope.” Tore stared at me with crinkled eyes, and my dislike diminished a notch. Now that he was in a better mood, it was impossible to ignore the way his eyes twinkled, or the way his biceps strained against his long-sleeved shirt. Gran used to say that women didn’t really have a type—it all came down to whether a guy had the right chemistry. Tore had some crazy chemistry. And when he wasn’t attacking me or asking weird questions, he was kind of . . . well, he was hot. He had that whole strong-and-silent brooder thing going on—totally opposite from the fun loving, upbeat energy of his friends.

  Leave it to me to crush on the jerk of the group.

  “Your gear’s in the car, Allie.” Mack poked his head around the kitchen doorway. “Are you good driving in the snow, or do you want one of us to take you home?”

  “I’m good with snow,” I assured him. I stood and followed him into the hallway. He held out my jacket, and I gave Tore a wave as I shrugged my arms into the sleeves. “See ya. Try not to scare any unsuspecting women tonight.”

  I didn’t bother waiting for Tore’s response. I was out the door as soon as Johann opened it.

  “Your chariot.” Bodie half bowed as he opened my car door.

  I liked these boys. We exchanged fist bumps as I climbed into the driver’s seat. “Thanks for the fun day. You guys are awesome.”

  “Bring a friend next time.” Bodie grinned as he shut my car door, then retreated to the porch. “See you, Allie!” He, Johann, and Mack waved as I buckled myself in. They waited outside until I reversed out of the driveway. I’d only made it a few yards when I realized I didn’t have my phone. Dang it! I’d left it on the bed when I changed my clothes. I pulled forward, kept the engine idle so that the heat would stay on, and jumped out of the car. It was a short jog to the door, and I was about to knock when I heard raised voices. The guys were talking . . . about me.

  “Why were you such a jerk to her?” Mack questioned.

  “And what were you thinking posing as a professor?” Johann sounded frustrated. “You really freaked her out. What if she runs?”

  “Look, I just want to do our job and go back home,” Tore growled.

  “This isn’t just a job,” Bodie said. “We all took an oath on her mother’s sick bed to protect and guide her. She’s special to the realm, you know that.”

  “I remember the oath. I just don’t think it takes four of us to babysit,” Tore shot back.

  “What’s your deal, Tore?” Johann asked. “The necklace summoned us when Allie was ready, and now we have to honor our side of the agreement.”

  “It’s just not a good time,” Tore spat.

  The energy coming through the closed door was overwhelming. The three signatures I could read absolutely teemed with frustration. Tore was blank—I still couldn’t read him. But the coldness in his voice communicated plenty. My knees shook, and speckles danced before my eyes as I processed their words. My mother? My mom was dead; that part of their conversation was obviously off. But . . . the necklace? My hand closed around the crystal at my neck. It sent out a pulse of pure power that calmed my racing nerves and gave me the sense to find my inner voice.

  Right then, my inner voice was telling me to get the hell out of there.

  I raced back to my car, threw it into reverse, and squealed out of the driveway. Then I changed gears and flew down the hill.

  The guys couldn’t have been talking about me. None of what they said made any sense. Breathe, Allie. Just get home in one piece. You can think about this later . . . or never. My fingers gripped the wheel as I navigated my car down the icy, winding road. I turned my wipers on as a light snow began to trickle from the black sky. When I turned the corner, a pick-up truck came into view—it had spun out on the road and was parked sideways, blocking my path. I pumped the brakes at the sight of a thin woman with long black hair beside the truck. The poor thing was using her hands to dig the snow out from behind the tire. Throwing my car in park, I turned on my hazards and jumped out to help.

  “Hey, you need a hand?” I shoved my hands in my jacket to keep warm. When she di
dn’t respond, I walked closer, kneeling down so she’d know I wasn’t an attacker. “Can I help you?” I offered again.

  The woman’s head whipped around unnaturally fast, and I fell backward on the snow. This was not the helpless traveler I’d thought she was—no way was this chick even human. Her eyes glowed reddish gold, and her skin was so pale it was nearly translucent. She sneered at me with pointed teeth, and while my spirit screamed run, my body was completely frozen. The woman raised a talon and pointed at my necklace.

  “We have been looking for you for a long time,” she rasped. Her deep voice and creepy accent snapped me right out of my stupor. With tremendous effort, I raised my boot and kicked out hard. The blow landed square on her chest and knocked her backward.

  Step one, complete. Step two—run like hell.

  I flipped over on my hands and knees and scrambled to get up. I was only a few feet from my car when the woman appeared before me in a blur. I barely registered her pointed ears peeking out of her black hair. This was some weird freak show, and I wanted no part of it.

  Shoving my hand into my pocket, I wrapped my fingers around my pepper spray. When the woman lunged for me, I whipped my hand out and unloaded the entire can in her face. I stumbled back and waited for her to writhe in pain, but she just licked the dripping fluid like a psycho and grinned.

  Oh crappers. I was done for.

  The woman’s arm shot out so fast, I didn’t even see it coming. One sharp crack to my throat left me doubled over, gagging. Her bony elbow came down hard on my back, and I cried out at the snap from my torso. Mother of pearl! Freak show broke my rib! My scream echoed through the trees, sending a fresh wave of pain through what felt like a severely bruised windpipe. When I heard the loud thud beside me, I braced myself for the next hit. There was nothing I could do at this point but curl into a fetal position and wait for the beating to be over. But instead of a blow, I got a gentle hand on my back, and a soft voice in my ear.

  “We’re going to get you out of here,” the voice soothed. Then it turned hard. “Get her back to the house. Now!”