“Focus on the churning in your chest. When our hands connect, push it towards me.”
He held his hand out to her, and Sara looked at his long, rough fingers. Callouses covered the ridge of his palm and pads of his fingers. She suspected they were from many hours of working with those pretty daggers. She placed her hand in his, and he closed his fingers over hers. She concentrated on the churning in her chest, pushing it towards her hands. It was anxious to move and surged towards their connection. Darian gasped, and she watched his face flush.
“Now, try to pull it back,” he said, his voice raspy.
She wondered what he was feeling to make his entire face turn red. She pulled the churning light back towards her, almost like a fishing line. After a few seconds, she felt tension drawing against it, keeping her from pulling it back to herself.
“Is that you?” she asked, looking at Darian’s flushed face.
“Yes,” he replied. “I was hoping you would feel it. It’s important we do not take too much from one another. The consequences can be very unpleasant.”
“Are you okay?” she asked. “Even your ears are turning red.”
“I’m fine. I just wasn’t expecting the rush of strength,” he replied. “How do you feel? You don’t look like the transfer affected you at all.”
“I can feel the pull. It’s a little draining, but not overwhelming.”
Was it supposed to be exhausting? Darian chuckled and let go of her strand of light.
“Alright. Let’s go the other way,” he said. “Remember how my resistance felt. That’s your cue to let go.”
She nodded. She could do this without killing her Watcher. Her fingers tingled as Darian’s strength pressed towards her, like a spicy sensation racing through her blood. She gasped as it mixed with her churning light, twisting and mingling together. It was intoxicating, and the only thing she wanted was more. She stared at their connected hands and felt the slight tug of resistance, her cue to let go, but she wanted more.
“Sara,” Darian’s voice interrupted her need for more power. “Let go.”
Reluctantly, she released his fiery line, and it receded through their connection.
“We should not do that again,” she muttered. “That’s like crack. You do it once, and you’ll never be able to stop.”
Darian laughed again. “That’s a very apt description.”
She smiled at his amusement, but her thoughts drifted to her fight against the demons. “Why didn’t I have that euphoria during the battle?” she asked.
Darian’s switch flipped again. His humor vanished, replaced by a deep frown. How did he do that?
“Possibly because of the emotions you were feeling from the demons. I imagine it’s difficult to overpower the hatred of so much evil.”
She thought about what he said. It made sense. The only thing she felt was their hatred and her desire to end it. “I don’t understand how that worked,” she said. “Their emotions nearly overpowered me. Were they forcing that on me, or was I taking it from them?”
“I’m not sure, but we can test that too.” Darian took a deep breath. “I’m going to press several different emotions on you. I want you to try to pick up on them, but remember the line of resistance. It’s your signal to back off.”
“Got it.”
She watched his facial expression turn completely neutral, which she found unusual. She could normally tell how he felt by the little twitch of his lips and narrowing of his eyes. She focused on his deep blue orbs. They drew her in and she felt anger, frustration, and desire. That was a weird combination. Why would desire be mixed in there? She looked deeper and saw the memory causing it. Darian’s eyes burned red, just like the demons she fought. He hated that everyone looked at him with fear, and he was angry he couldn’t purge the violent desires running through his blood.
A small tug at her subconscious startled her. It tugged again, and she recognized it as her signal to get out.
“What happened?” she asked as she found herself back on the beach.
“You went a little too deep into the memory,” Darian replied. “I would ask if you could feel my emotions, but I already know that answer.”
“Sorry, I was intrigued by the mixed feelings.” She bit her lip, afraid to ask why he looked like a demon.
“Remember when I told you I was possessed by a demon?” he asked.
“That was it?”
“Yes, and luckily I had Raphael, Mikel, and Cyrus with me to get rid of it.”
Sara didn’t recognize Cyrus’s name. Her confused expression must have been obvious.
“Cyrus was a boy I found and rescued from Zar’Asur’s castle,” Darian explained. “He was like a brother to me for many years.”
“He was lost at the Citadel, wasn’t he?”
“Him and many more.”
“I’m sorry, Darian.” She swallowed hard. “I’ve seen enough of your memories to know you’ve lived with a lot of loss.”
“So am I.” He rubbed his hands on his knees once again, apparently not wanting to talk about it. “Let’s try one more thing, then I’d like to take you someplace where the people’s minds are not shielded.”
“Okay, ready.” And she was. She actually felt like she had some control over her life at the moment, unlike the previous twenty-fours that threw her from one chaotic moment to the next.
“I want you to think of a memory, preferably a happy one. I’m going to try to penetrate that memory, and I want you to keep me out.”
“Happy memories are difficult right now,” she mumbled, not wanting to start crying again. But this was important.
She thought of her wedding day. Her mom had passed away the year before, and she never knew her dad, so Eva walked her down the aisle. The realization of Eva’s identity struck her. At the time, she had no idea who Eva really was, other than a really good friend.
Andrew stood by the preacher in his black tuxedo, his bleach blond hair a tangled mess as always. She wore a plain white wedding dress that hugged her torso and hips that flared out at her thighs. Her bare feet stepped across the white linen covering the hot sand. When she reached her soon-to-be husband, they both smiled.
After their vows, she leaned in to kiss the man she loved. A burning jealousy surged through her heart, and she jumped. She was no longer looking at the scene through her eyes, but someone else’s. Someone standing behind the last row of chairs. No one at her wedding hated her the way this person did. That wasn’t right; he hated her husband. His eyes met Eva’s, and she shook her head, a look of sadness on her face. Resignation flooded the stranger, but it didn’t drown out the jealousy. He watched Sara walk back down the aisle, hand-in-hand with her new husband. She didn’t look at him as she passed.
“Sara!”
She heard her name being called and watched her younger self turn towards the crowd, waving her bouquet of flowers.
“Sara!”
Again, she waved. The image shimmered, distorting the people around her. Tender lips pressed against her own. She threaded her hands into the thick, short hair at the base of his neck and leaned into his kiss. A gentle tongue glided along her lips, separating them easily. His deep-seated passion ignited her own, more so than she ever remembered from Andrew. Her eyes snapped open.
Darian backed off before she responded. His eyes burned with his emotions.
“You missed your cue to let go,” he growled, the sound totally contradicting the longing in his eyes.
“You, I…” she stuttered trying to sort out what happened. “You were at my wedding.” It was his jealousy towards Andrew. Why did Darian hate her husband? Because he loved her; they both did. The passion in his kiss revealed all of it, and the weight of his feelings for her crushed her, leaving her speechless. How could someone love that deeply? She didn’t even know him.
“Of course I was. So was Eva.” He stood and brushed the sand from his blue jeans. “I can’t do this,” he hissed, grabbing her arm.
The world suddenly spun around her
with the teleportation spell. They landed in the portal room of the tower, and Darian disappeared, leaving her alone with her confusion.
Chapter 34
Seraphina
Sara stood on the magic rune for several minutes, trying to sort out what just happened. Darian had been at her wedding, concealed by his ability. Eva knew he was there and felt compassion for him. Sara saw it in her eyes. How long had Darian cared for her? He obviously wasn’t happy about her marriage to Andrew, but hadn’t he said that her love for Andrew would make her strong enough to defeat the evil she now faced? Was he only saying what she needed to hear? Obviously.
Raphael interrupted her thoughts with a small yelp.
“Sorry, Sara, I didn’t realize anyone was here,” he said. “Where is Darian?”
“I have no idea,” she replied. “He dropped me here and left.”
“Oh.” Raphael pulled his fingers through his dark hair, making it stand on end. “Let’s go find Magdelin or Aneera.”
She would’ve chuckled at his discomfort—and his hair—if she wasn’t so busy wallowing in her own. She followed him out into the courtyard and ran into Adalina.
“Where’s your Watcher?” the warrior asked, grinning. “I wouldn’t be letting him out of my sight if I were you.”
Sara frowned. Did everyone know about Darian’s feelings for her? She shook her head; of course they would. Why wouldn’t they? After all, she was the only one new to all of this.
“I believe they’ve had another fight,” Raphael replied.
“Oh. Well, I have just the remedy for that,” Adalina said, grabbing Sara’s arm.
“Are you sure?” Raphael asked. “I was just going to find Magdelin.”
“That’s the problem,” Adalina replied, putting her free hand on her hip. “You all pamper her too much. We need a warrior, not a kitten.”
Raphael’s shocked expression was almost comical. His mouth opened and closed several times as if he would protest, but Adalina dragged her away. Sara remembered Darian’s comments about Adalina being a true Amazon. Should she ask about it now? No. It would make her look like a childish fangirl, not the warrior Adalina wanted to turn her into. Should she ask about Darian? Maybe, but Sara wasn’t sure she really wanted to know.
“I assume Mikel taught you the basics of sword fighting, especially defensive moves,” Adalina said as they entered the arena. “What you’re missing is your warrior instinct.”
“What do you mean?” Sara asked, tension replacing her doubts. She’d just barely touched the edge of her newfound abilities and this woman thought to make her a soldier. “I’m hardly a warrior, Adalina.”
“That’s where you're wrong. Aneera told me about your newest gift.” She leaned towards Sara and whispered, “I believe you have a little warrior blood. Do you know why we’re so proficient with every weapon we pick up?”
Sara shook her head. Adalina’s abrupt attitude was weird yet somehow soothing.
“It’s all here.” Adalina tapped a finger on her temple. “We can sense our opponent’s intent.”
Sara’s lips formed a silent O.
“You catch on quick.” Adalina smiled. “Don’t tell anyone.”
Sara shrugged. “I’m not sure I can keep it from Darian.”
“Well, I suspect he already knows anyway.” Adalina approached the weapon’s rack and picked up one practice blade after another, settling on a short sword. “David! Micah! Get out here!”
The sudden yell startled Sara, making her jump. Yep, the woman was definitely unsettling.
“Your sparring partners will be here in a few minutes,” Adalina said, twirling one of the swords she picked up.
“Adalina,” Sara started cautiously, “I appreciate your efforts, but I’m not sure this is the best use of your time.”
“Did Darian just piss you off?”
The question seemed totally unrelated, and Sara sighed. “No, I think I made him mad. We were trying to find the limits of my telepathy and stumbled into a memory he didn’t want to share.”
“Let me guess,” Adalina said, leaning against the rack behind her and flaring one hand out dramatically. “It was a memory of you. One that involved the depth of his feelings for you.”
Sara nodded.
“That man needs to learn he has no control over that part of himself. Destiny has chosen what will be. There is no arguing with fate, you just accept it.” She crossed her arms over her stomach. Her conviction almost convinced Sara. But was Adalina talking about Darian’s fate or her own? Or maybe both…
“But I don’t know how to do that! Accepting my fate, I mean,” Sara said. “I felt…” She paused. She couldn’t share that Adalina. “How is caring for someone else so soon after my husband’s death not a betrayal to his love?”
“You’re too young to understand,” Adalina replied.
“Too young? I’m nearly fifty!”
“And I’m well past four centuries,” Adalina retorted with a chuckle. “Sara, love is difficult and beautiful. It’s what makes us strong and weak. You cannot live without it, or hatred will consume you. Love the memory of your husband, but know he isn’t your last love.”
She looked past Sara, who followed her gaze to the two men entering the arena. Both stood over six feet tall and had their dark hair cut short. One had a short beard and mustache, while the other didn’t.
“And to be quite honest,” Adalina whispered once again, “nothing can compare to Darian’s love for you.”
Sara stood there in silence. She had no idea how to reply to such a statement. Adalina hadn’t struck her as the romantic type, but she clearly had a better grasp on love than Sara. And she obviously knew the extent of her Watcher’s feelings.
“Boys, meet our newest warrior!” Adalina bellowed. “This is David and Micah.” She pointed at them from left to right. The two men looked at her with a mixture of surprise and disbelief. “She needs to learn how to use her intuition in a fight,” Adalina continued. “I’m leaving it up to you to teach her.”
“Yes, ma’am,” they said in unison.
“There are only two rules, and both apply to Sara.” Adalina handed the Sentinel the short sword. “First, you will not summon a weapon of light other than your shield. I think that’ll happen by instinct. Second, stay out of their heads. You should be able to feel their intent without getting in their minds.”
“What, no rules for the warriors who are about to kick my ass?” Sara asked, her voice rising.
“Um…” Adalina pretended to think, dramatically tapping her finger on her chin. “If I see either of you pulling strikes or taking it easy on her, you’ll get a new sparring partner who will show no mercy.”
David laughed and elbowed Micah. “She means to put us up against Eva.”
“Glad we’re on the same page.” Adalina chuckled, moved to the nearest bench, and sat down, crossing one leg over the other and leaning back.
“Adalina, you cannot be serious,” Sara pleaded, the sword hanging loosely at her side.
The hair on her neck tingled, and Sara spun around just in time to block a blow from David. He pushed her sword to the ground, and Micah struck from the other side. Her shield flared to life, his blade screeching along its surface. The men backed up two spaces and began circling her.
“Feel their intent,” Sara mumbled, repeating Adalina’s instructions.
“But stay out of our heads, little girl!” David called. “You might find several things you don’t like if you intrude.”
Her eyebrows rose, and she felt a little intimidated by his words. She didn’t think he would hurt her, but she barely knew who he was.
While David distracted her, Micah lunged. The dull edge of his sword connected with her thigh, and she yelped, hopping on one foot. Micah spun around her and smacked her other leg with the flat of his blade. Within seconds, David’s overhead strike caught her shoulder.
“You bastards!” she yelled as she skipped backwards rubbing her shoulder.
“Focus on their intent,” Adalina called out from the sidelines.
“I won’t even be able to move in the next thirty seconds,” Sara yelled back.
“Then don’t let them hit you!”
Sara growled and rolled her sore shoulder. A tall translucent shield appeared at her side, covering her from her knees to her shoulders. She gripped the handle of her training sword and scowled at her opponents.
Micah leapt towards her, his sword stretched out as if he would impale her with it. She stepped to the side, right into David’s attack. He moved so quickly she barely had time to encase her entire body in a wall of light.
“That wasn’t what I meant,” Adalina yelled, getting up from the bench.
“They can’t hit me,” Sara replied.
“But you can’t hit them either.” Adalina eyes narrowed. “You haven’t even tried to use the sword in your hand. All the defense in the world will not disable your opponent. You cannot be afraid to hit them.”
Adalina was right. The demon at Sara’s house proved that. “Can I start with just one opponent?” she asked. She wouldn’t give up, but she’d only held a sword in her hand for two days. Regardless of Adalina’s belief in her, she was pretty sure she couldn’t defeat one warrior, much less two.
“It will be a disservice to your ability, but fine.” Adalina turned her back to Sara. “David, you’re up.”
Micah moved to the benches with Adalina, and David raised his sword. Sara watched his eyes as he scrutinized her shield.
He grinned at her and flicked his blade. “Anytime now, little girl.”
She reformed her blanket of protection into the tall, narrow shield once more. He stepped to her left, one foot over the other, much like Mikel had. She raised her attention back to his face and noticed his eyes moving right. The urge to protect her right side was overwhelming, but the sword was in her right hand and the shield in her left. David took one more step to the left, and she saw the decision in his eyes to attack from the right.
She lunged forward with her sword and grazed his shoulder as he spun out of her reach. She grinned as his eyebrows rose in surprise.
Sentinel's Rise: Book 1 - The Watcher and the Sentinel Series Page 21