Rain (Stranger in the Woods Book 1)

by India R. Adams

  “You’re welcome, Preggers.”

  “Ma!”

  “Sorry, baby.”

  “Now that I have your undivided attention, can someone explain what the hell is going on?” I think I may be losing it.

  After I finish spitting fire at the males, I learn that I, once again, missed a lot during my blood-induced slumber. Vikings are coming. Blood Clones are back on my trail. The village has been attacked. Gunner and I are moving.

  “What about my mama? Wade and Lulu?”

  “My dad is moving in,” Gunner assures me.

  “What? This was all decided last night?”

  Five heads nod.

  I sit back in my chair. “I’m never sleeping again.”

  “All joking aside,” Mama says, “you need to go, baby. The sickness is spreading through town again with these males watching over you. That is not fair for the innocent. Nor is it fair to these guys who have loved ones at home, unprotected.” Her eyes well up. “And, Parker believes the Clones will follow you. That makes it safer for—”

  What she means is Wade and Louisa. The thought of them getting hurt because of me is enough to stop my heart permanently. I grab her hands. “Don’t say it, Mama, and don’t worry. Bringing a life into this world myself now, I more than understand what you need to do. I know you love me.” I try to pull myself together quickly, more for her benefit than my own. “So when do I leave?”

  Everyone looks away.

  I nod and rise, swallowing more tears and fear. “I guess I should go pack.” I stop when I think about where I’m moving. “Do I get to bring anything?” Ryder gets up, comes to me, pulls me from my chair, and lets me cry harder than I have in a long time.

  “Gunner and Rose took a great, last-minute opportunity and went to California for college.” This is the lie Mr. Hayes and Mama are going to tell people when asked.

  “So Miss Beverly and the young stay at your place for two days?” Parker confirms with Gunner’s dad as he loads another box into Gunner’s truck. Mama and I packed my things while Warriors loaded them for transport. Mr. Hayes made a trip to his home with my belongings and will soon make another. Feeling winded, I sit on the front porch, taking a break and watching my life transform, again.

  Louisa peeks up at Parker and hands him a smaller box. “We’re having a sleepover at Mr. Hayes’s house. He has a Kitty named Sherbet, like the ice cream!”

  Parker pats her head with his huge hand. “That sounds like fun.”

  Mr. Hayes secures the boxes with rope. “Then I will bring them back and stay with them.”

  Wade tugs Parker’s pants. “Mr. Hayes is moving into my house to watch over us.”

  “Very lucky young man you are.”

  Lulu squeals, “And he’s bringing his kitty!”

  Wade puffs out his little chest. “I get to help watch over Mama and Lulu.” He thumbs his sister. “She gets to clean the litter box.”

  Lulu covers her mouth, trying to contain her excitement, clearly unaware she’s received the short end of the stick.

  Parker grins. “I’m glad Mr. Hayes has you watching his back, little man.”

  Wade nonchalantly nods with pride. “Yeah, that’s what Mr. Hayes says.” He adjusts his trousers like he’s witnessed Mr. Hayes do many times. I guess a boy needs a father figure, and Wade has found one.

  With two stuffed duffel bags on the ground near me, one for me, one for Gunner, I stand in my backyard, absolutely stunned. Bundled up because of the unexpected, early snow on the ground, two sets of arms wrap around my legs. Wade and Louisa crying is agony to my heart. My throat is too tight to talk. I can only hug them back. Gunner hugs his dad on Mama’s back porch. Sam barks at the screen door. We can’t let him out. He might follow. Tears run down my face as I take in my childhood home, not knowing how long it will be before I can return, if ever.

  Gunner kisses Mama’s cheek. “I love you.”

  She hugs the young man who’s done her family right. “I love you, baby. You watch over her, you hear me?”

  “I will. I swear it.”

  I gasp in pain as I hug Mama goodbye. She’s practically leaving bruises, her embrace is so tight. Not being able to catch my breath worsens when Ryder walks behind my mama and closes my left nostril with his index finger. Sounding all nasally, I ask, “What are you doing, Ryder?”

  “You are presently hyperventilating. The baby is not able to thrive in such conditions. This is nadi shodana, alternative nostril breathing.” His finger presses on the right side of my nose, closing that nostril while I stare at him in disbelief. “The right nostril connects to the left hemisphere of your brain, which is the logical, structured, masculine side of the brain. The left nostril is connected to the right hemisphere, the creative, intuitive, feminine hemisphere. Alternating them allows your brain and energies to rebalance, therefore, reducing your current stress level.”

  Mama bursts out laughing. “Sweet lord, Ryder!”

  He lets go of my nose, and believe or not, I do feel much better.

  Mama says, “She’s no longer stressed because she’s confused. Not some fancy breathing nonsense.” Mama holds my face in her cold palms. “You’ll have your hands full with this one.” Her smile fades. “But you are to trust him, okay?”

  “I will—I do, Mama… I’m going to miss you so much.”

  She kisses my lips. “Survive this, baby, or I will kill you.” Now I burst into laughter through tears at her unreasonable reasoning.

  No words are spoken as I stand in my dilapidated farmland with Ryder and Gunner. On my porch, Mr. Hayes has his arm around Mama. Holding on to Wade and Lulu for dear life, Mama has tears streaming down her face as her heart talks to me. Her eyes shift to Ryder and silently beg. Ryder looks so apologetic as he takes a hold of my hand and leads me from the only life I’ve ever known.

  At the edge of the property line stands Parker and many more males, all quiet, waiting for their Prophecy’s mother to enter their care. With my baby being part human, I’m too afraid to take elf herbs and slip into an organic coma, so I’m to be escorted, heavily guarded, as I trail through the snowy mountains.

  I give Mama one more loving glance before I’m circled and guided into the woods.

  It takes a while before I can breathe without crying. The males all give me space as we travel. Except for Ryder, who keeps closing my nostrils one at a time.

  “Is all this needed?” I motion to the thirty males who surround me.

  “At your speed, it will be a long walk. They are backup in case the sun goes down before we get—” Ryder stops talking.

  I whisper the rest of what he meant to say, “Home.”

  Snowy mountains can be rough terrain, especially when pregnant. I’m huffing and puffing even though I’m desperately trying to hide my struggles.

  “Water break?” Ryder sounds like it’s more of a demand than a question. As if connected, the whole group slows simultaneously until they find a good spot for me to sit down and rest for a minute.

  I feel like a loser. “I’m sorry I’m getting so tired.”

  A young male takes a knee in front of me. “We are so thankful for all that you are doing, and we are very aware of the strain your body is under right now. This is not a normal human pregnancy. We will never judge you.”

  Ryder’s hand rests on the young man’s shoulder. “Thank you, Eagle, for your kind words.” Ryder also takes a knee and pulls out a folded-up piece of cloth. He unwraps something and hands it to me.

  It’s fresh, cut-up fruit. I can barely control myself as I reach for it. Gunner sits next to me and makes me drink water while I shove fruit into my mouth. “You guys aren’t hungry?”

  His chuckle is stressed. “No. We don’t need to eat every five minutes, Rosie.”

  Ryder has explained
to me how fast he runs, but I can’t believe how quickly he can get to my house when it’s taking me forever to get to his. After a couple more hours of climbing, my body is simply giving out. It’s like someone has drained my energy bank. Again, I try to hide it, but that’s like hiding the fact that it is raining as you stand under an umbrella to stay dry.

  “She’s done, Ryder.” Gunner sounds agitated.

  “I’m okay.” I stumble as my weak, shaky legs reveal my lie.

  Parker makes his way to us from the outer part of the moving circle. “How are we doing?”

  “Not so good. And I think she’s freezing, but won’t admit it,” Ryder answers as we all stop again.

  Gunner sits me down and hands me more water. Sage takes a knee, looking me over. “She’s losing color. Crystal said to watch for that.” Sage, Gunner, and Ryder have been in the center with me. Now I know why. Medical reasons.

  “And at this speed, it will take hours to reach the village,” says Parker.

  We all look at the sky. We don’t have that much time before the sun sets for the night.

  Blaze slips through. “We don’t want to be here in the dark, huh?” He, Chase, and Hunter have been strategically placed on the outer circle.

  Feeling dizzy, I lean on Gunner’s shoulder. My eyes close. His arms circle me as he puts the water bottle to my mouth again.

  Ryder says, “I ran with Rose last time I brought her home. But awake? She might get sick.”

  Gunner gestures. “Drug her with that mojo I know you have in your pocket.”

  I have nothing left. I’m just exhausted, but I still argue for her. “No, Gunner. What if it’s bad for the baby?” I feel guilty for males being put in danger, but I worry for my baby more.

  “Rose, I admire what you are trying to do for your child, but I assure you, my mate would never put you or your baby in danger.” Sage is so sincere and so kind as he sets me straight. “At this point, you are putting your baby in danger by becoming so drained.”

  “How fast is Gunner now?” I love to hear Hunter watching over my best friend. I look at all the male feet and see them all bare except for Gunner’s. He’s wearing sneakers. How the hell are they not getting frostbite?

  “Fast enough to keep up with my speed carrying Rose. That’s for sure.”

  If I had the energy, I would ask how fast that is exactly.

  “Herb her.” Parker makes the call. I’m outvoted and too tired to fight it any longer. Ryder quickly pulls out herbs from his leather pouch and chews. As Ryder picks my weakened body up off the ground, Parker continues, “I want to be home for the females who are shaken up. I know they are watching the sun with worry because of last night.”

  My head drops to Ryder’s strong shoulder. “I’m sorry. I want to be stronger for her.” Ryder takes no time to respond, other than squeezing me. He blows across my face, kisses me with an herbed tongue, and puts me out of my misery.

  Chapter Twenty Five

  Ryder

  “Damn, that’s quick.” Chase is amazed at the already sleeping Rose in my arms. I just stare at her, wanting her in my home more than anything.

  Blaze reads me. “You’ll have her in your bed in twenty minutes. Breathe.”

  Parker no longer speaks kindly for Rose’s benefit. He’s back in charge. “Spread out. Focus on your surroundings. Move as one. Gunner, stay in the middle so we know if you’re falling behind.”

  And then we run. Our feet are not bothered by the snow. We barely even sense it when moving so fast, up and over hills and embankments, around and over logs, under trees, jumping across a river.

  Gunner runs, smirking as if he has found his calling. I hold Rose tightly, cradling her head to me to keep her from bouncing more than needed. Not once does the beauty in my arms wake. Curled to my chest, Rose appears as peaceful as a mist fairy. In no time, the familiar smell of home hits us all. I can’t help picking up speed.

  One would think we had been off to war the way we are greeted upon our return. Gunner seems a little uncomfortable as hands are placed on him, touching the one to bring hope. Once again, Rose is bombarded by the curious, but she sleeps through it all, and I stay calm.

  Isolde, Crystal, and Morning Star make their way through the crowd to see their patient. Crystal places two fingers on Rose’s pulse and closes her eyes. A moment later, her eyes open and seem pleased.

  Isolde holds my face. “I was hoping you’d make her slumber. Good Warrior, Ryder. No harm will come to the young.”

  Morning Star is gracious as always. “I sent Rose as much energy as I could, but the baby is strong and demanding.”

  Blaze kisses her cheek. “Gunner, this is my love, Morning Star.”

  Gunner appears overwhelmed by elves still wanting to touch him. “Uh, hi, how are ya?” The whole village has surrounded us. Gunner points up, mumbling to Blaze, “Do you know you guys have homes in the trees? And what’s behind those vines everyone keeps walking through?” He looks at Isolde and almost recoils for a second. “Wow, y-you have silver hair.”

  Blaze laughs. “Gunner, I’m checking your chill card.”

  “Dude, I don’t blame you. I feel like I just walked on the movie set of The Wizard of Oz if that set existed in the seventeen hundreds.”

  Isolde tells me. “Warrior, let us take care of Gunner and his new sleeping arrangements for when you return, so you can lay Rose down to finish her evening with some quiet.”

  Gunner, trying to find his footing, assures me, “I’m tight. Go. These fine elves will take good care of me. I’ll see ya in a bit.” He eyes them all as if they may try to eat him for supper then gasps. “Holy shit! Your eyes are purple. I think you got Sage beat.”

  “Yes, they will,” I say to myself. I tell my males and females. “Thank you all for everything. It won’t be forgotten.”

  In preparation for Rose’s arrival, my home has been moved from the outer circle—to offer protection for the village—to the inner for more protection for Rose. No Clone will be able to get to me without someone sending out a warning to prepare me for battle.

  Most of us sleep in the trees. It feels more natural for us Warriors and gives everyone an advantage if we’re attacked while sleeping. Isolde now sleeps at ground level in the center of this village and is heavily guarded by loved ones. No one knows or dares ask why Isolde has aged so dramatically, needing the special care.

  Holding Rose, I regard my home in this sturdy tree and hope she enjoys the comfort it offers as much as I do. I jump to the small landing before my door. I would love for Rose to be awake to see her new home, but having her safe is just as good.

  I notice a vase with fresh flowers on the table by my—our—bed. It warms my heart how much the village all welcome my soul mate. I lay Rose down where I sleep, take a deep, cleansing breath, then whisper, “We’re home.”

  Taking off her snow boots, I wonder how humans operate in these monstrosities. Even though I must leave again soon, I crawl into bed with her. I don’t usually sleep for hours, yet I don’t want to leave her alone so soon and need the peace I find next to her like this…

  Too soon, the sun is getting ready to set, and I feel Gunner climbing our ladder. “Hey, nice crib. Time to roll.” Needing to know that the Clones discover the fact that Rose has left her home, Blaze, Gunner, and I are the ones being sent back because we know her home best. I cling to her sleeping body.

  “I know, big guy, but we need to know those fuckers leave the rest of my family alone. Your girl will never recover if anyone is hurt back home.”

  That gets my attention, and I release her.

  At the bottom of the tree stand Parker, Hunter, Sage, and Chase, heavily armed. Parker eyes my worried face. “Run there. Run back. She will be safe.”

  Sage bows his head to me. “We’ll not abandon this post.”

&nb
sp; Gunner says, “My dad should’ve finished his last load of odds and ends and be hunkering down at his place.”

  With a tight jaw, I say, “We will go to him afterward with an update.”

  Isolde approaches. “Be safe, Warriors. Ryder, Rose will be fine. I assure you. And Gunner will not tire or slow you down.”

  As we walk away, Gunner mumbles, “How does the silver-haired lady know this?”

  Blaze pats his shoulder. “Later, my friend. Now we run.” Blaze, Gunner, and I take off, racing to Rose’s house so we can race back. Headed for a river, Gunner seems nervous as he eyes the water. “Ain’t that gonna be cold?”

  Blaze takes a leap, laughing. “Jump in, boy!” Gunner pushes off the ground mid-run and follows, splashing into the water that should no longer affect him if he’s truly becoming more like us.

  Rushing out of the river on the other side, Gunner is amazed he is not freezing.

  Blaze proudly and loudly states, “You’re a hot-blooded son of a bitch like me!”

  As we start running again, Gunner grins. “I’ve always been hot, you bastard. And why didn’t we pass that river headed to your home?”

  Ducking around a tree, I say, “Your home also. Because we take different routes to hopefully keep the Demons or others from finding our village.” We leap over a fallen tree. “Now it’s to keep them from knowing Rose is there for as long as possible.”

  Further on our journey, Gunner asks, “Rose can’t come back to her mama’s for a long time, can she?”

  “No. I’m sorry. The Clones have to believe she left to keep Rose’s house safe, and if we sneak her in, they will follow us and discover where we’ve taken her.”

  “Come on, now. They have to know where you took her.”

  “Most likely, but precautions are all we have right now.” Blaze jumps over another log.