He rubbed his hand down her back. "You know it, beautiful.” he said softly into her hair, he really did love that strawberry smell.
"Nia.", Eric said breathless as he burst through the door. Aaron and Nia pulled away from each other.
"I said I was okay Eric.” she said smiling. He nodded and let out a deep breath.
"Come in and make us a bubble. We need to talk.” she said.
Eric closed the door behind him telling Avery through their bond, 'Keep Darragh busy. She's awake.', as he projected out the bubble with ease.
"Okay we're good.” he said nodding to Nia.
She grabbed Aaron's hand trying to keep his jealousy at bay with the three of them this close. "I met my grandma and she says I have abilities Eric can help me hone.” she looked at the two of them.
"Okay?” Aaron said as Nia explained her visit with Deirdre.
###
"So Darragh what's the plan once Nia comes back?” she asked him trying at nonchalant. "Well we find out what we are to know. I truly have no idea why she summoned her I was only directed to give her what is rightfully hers.” he said like it was really no big deal.
"Oh, okay.” she said standing there awkwardly. He looked at her curiously, "Well I am going to go put my things in the car, then I will check on Nia.” he said.
"Cool.", Avery said. She hurried upstairs as Darragh went to his room which thankfully was downstairs.
She walked into Eric's empty room but felt a low hum telling her he was here. "Eric.", she whispered loudly. The bubble flashed in and out of focus and she understood.
"He's coming.” she said quickly. She went to the bathroom to gather her stuff, they'd be leaving soon, they’d need to find another spot to stay.
Nia explained it all and Aaron was speechless, only finding comfort in their proximity.
"Darragh's coming if you left anything out save it for later or send it through the bonds. I can show you later how to link the three of us together.” he touched the bubble and it disappeared.
The door opened slightly, Darragh peeking his head in. "Nia, I trust you are well rested.” he said demurely.
"Yes, thank you.” she said giving him a smile. She knew he would protect her despite everyone's lack of trust for him guessing it was perhaps the ability she had to tell truth from lies.
"Oh Nia, Rhea called you and I kind of answered. I'm sorry but I panicked. I told her that we were at lunch and you were in the bathroom.” Aaron said quickly.
Nia laughed then grabbed her phone immediately and called Rhea back. "Hey Rae. Sorry our food came when he told me. Yea okay. Duh, of course. Okay see you soon. Bye.” she sighed hanging up the phone. "That could have been disastrous.” she said with certainty.
"She barely knows you Aaron she could have called the cops or the FBI if she thought anything was wrong. She means well, really.” she said wide eyed, picturing her face on the evening news.
“Sorry.” Aaron said again.
“It’s okay. Really,” she assured him.
Eric and Avery left the room after Darragh and Nia stood and stood close enough for Aaron to feel her warm breath on his cheek.
"Mmhm.", he murmured feeling dizzy from the scent of her, stepping even closer and placing his hands on her hips. She leaned in and kissed him softly. "Let's go.” she said pulling away.
They made their way to the living room where Darragh was readying her daggers. He showed her how to secure them to her. He also showed her how to summon them to her. She was giddy with that power and couldn't wait to tap into her other newfound abilities.
Darragh had Nia try it one more time as she concealed her weapons and Aaron looked on.
"That was great Nia.” he said smiling that goofy Aaron smile.
Darragh handed her the case they were in, "They can go in this case which will also become invisible if they're inside.” He turned and looked to make sure he wasn’t forgetting anything.
"Now we all have work to do. We don't need to meet again unless there's an emergency. I will see you Saturday.” he said with a bow and went to his room to make sure he had everything he needed.
"You ready to go then?” she asked Aaron.
He nodded, "Yea let's go."
They left the house and got in the car Nia touched the bracelet and sent Eric a message. 'I'm going now, I'll see you in my dreams.’ she sent him. 'See you,’ was his reply.
Nia and Aaron opted to pick up fast food and go back to his place so she could get her car and be on her way. Their lives beckoned and she had to convince her family and Rhea that Saturday was the day.
Aaron was going over possible excuses for his upcoming absence. He'd think of something. Although he was certain Leo wouldn’t really care.
Chapter 12
Nia walked into the office and hugged Rhea. "Let's take a walk.” she said looking at her apologetically.
"Oh-kay.", Rhea said questioningly.
Adam shrugged his shoulders at Rhea, "Don't worry Rae, I got this!” he said putting his feet up on her desk and nearly toppling the chair back. The girls laughed and went outside grabbing hard hats.
Down by the docks was the noisiest place and the most private. Especially where they were going. They got on one of the company golf carts and drove close enough to their destination, parking on the side lines out of harm’s way should a crane malfunction. They walked a little ways and then straight back through the containers. Nia hopped up on a half size crate then pulled herself up to the top of the large container and Rhea followed.
All of their stuff was still there in their chill spot untouched and now Nia was certain she could keep it that way as soon as Eric taught her how to work the glamour thingy. They sat on their bean bags and Nia started.
"Okay first off, sorry Aaron lied to you but he has no idea that you know what you do. And second I'm sorry for bailing on you last night. I couldn't sleep after my dream meeting with Eric. He took Avery with him and I guess I blacked out from power overload. I did some crazy stuff too! No one told me how or that I even could, but I made an entire house come out of the ground basically. It was Eric's house. That really took up most of the time we were there. We learned to manifest in the dreamscape and how to block and put out thoughts to each other. It's pretty cool.” Nia paused.
"That's freaking crazy! And cool! Man I wish I could be with you during all this. I hate being an outsider. It really sucks.” Rhea said pouting.
'Relax.” Nia sent to Rhea's mind.
"Holy crap Nia!” she spat and then giggled. "That's so cool! Oh see if you can hear me!” Rhea closed her eyes and concentrated.
'Nia stinks.’ Rhea thought in Nia's direction. "Did you get that?” she asked Nia, puzzled.
"Yea I'm just stunned and no I do not stink!” Nia said.
"So this thing with you and Aaron, is everything still okay?” she asked Nia super slow.
"Yeah, I can't really explain why I am so comforted by having him close but I miss him right now.", Nia said and they laughed loudly and Rhea shushed Nia.
Nia held up a finger and relaxed and pushed out the privacy bubble around them and it wasn't until it passed over her that Rhea said, "What. Is. That!?” she asked over pronouncing every word.
Nia clapped and giggled "Its privacy! Ta-da!” she exclaimed.
Rhea clamped a hand over her mouth, letting out a muffled, "Holy crap! Nia!” she smiled.
Nia continued to fill her in on everything she learned and her crazy abilities. They figured compulsion may be how she calmed animals and elements might have played a part in the whole wind pushing them from the road. She shared about her and Aaron's Promise marks and Rhea's eyes teared up.
"Nia, that's amazing! So you love him already?” she asked.
"I don't know I think maybe but it's so soon and crazy. I mean I can't imagine myself with anyone else ever. I feel so... I don't know. I just know we're meant to be. It's like some weird sense of peace about it too ya know. Can you imagine! Me? Miss cautious and guarded!
Can you believe it!?” Nia said eyes wide.
"Wow Nia that is dee-eep.", she said dragging out the last word.
"Yea. But he promised we would take it slow at my pace. I'm just scared the strong emotions I'm feeling for him are going to send my senses packing and I'm going to go all in too fast and get hurt. Even though he's assured me he would never and couldn’t ever hurt me. Avery and Eric are promised too and all of this is secret from Darragh or Sean to you.” Nia said taking a deep breath.
"Okay well we can talk about it more in a bubble in the bathroom or something right? Is it invisible?” she asked.
"Yeah it is.", Nia answered.
"We really do need to get back.” Rhea said looking at her watch.
"Your dad should be getting back soon.” she informed Nia. She nodded and they went back to their desks.
With doggie bags in hand Vince and Al walked into the office, "Could you put these away, Rhea.” Vince asked.
"Sure.", she said grabbing the bags and heading for the break room.
"Dad!” Nia said giving him a big hug.
"Hey Sweet Pea. So you had a lunch date did you?” he asked.
"Yea, it was Aaron.” she said with pink cheeks.
"You really like him don't you?” he asked then he just froze and gripped her wrist tightly wrenching it up to inspect it closer, "I need to talk to you, now,” he spat practically dragging her to his office.
"Dad, ow!” she complained leaving a stunned Al, Rhea and Adam to wonder what was happening.
Suzy walked in from her lunch break, "Hola everybody!" she said looking around. "Did I miss something?” she asked.
"Oh...uh... nope.” Rhea said.
Albert headed to his office with Rhea close behind. Adam looked at the computer screen busying himself.
"Nia what have you done?” he asked looking at the soul stone on her wrist.
"What are you talking about dad?” she said snatching her wrist away.
'There's no way', she thought. ‘He couldn't know.’
"Listen to me Nia there are things you don't know, unless something happened?” he paused searching her eyes as his face fell.
"Nia, did something happen?” he asked sounding almost hurt.
The room was spinning for Nia ‘He couldn’t possibly know.’
Swiping his thumb across her wrist her father exposed her bond marks and he dropped her hand like it was on fire.
"Dad, I...” she started but was interrupted by his hand in the air silencing her.
“Who’s your Guardian?” he said with his jaw working.
"What? How.... How do you know about that?” she asked fighting the urge to stomp her foot like a spoiled child.
"Nia, sit down, now.” he ordered.
She sat reluctantly and stared at him disbelieving. 'Aaron, I don't know how but my father knows. I'm talking to him now. I’m kind of freaking out.’ she sent through the bond hoping he heard her, her head was spinning and the urge to wretch was twisting her insides.
Pacing for a second in front of her dad seemed to be weighing out his options but she felt the need to make sure her mind was blocked completely.
Everyone had been stressing not to trust anyone but this was her dad. She was torn but she was going to be careful.
'I’m on my way. I'll be there as quick as I can. Be safe Nia.’ Aaron sent to her.
"So...” her dad said coming to sit in the chair beside her. “Who are you bonded to?” he asked and she knew him well enough to know he was scared but had little patience in his tone.
"It's Aaron.” she said shakily.
He took a deep breath and let it out slow. "Okay, but I also got a different vibe from him. What do you know about him?” he asked pushing further for answers.
"Seriously you think I am just going to sit here and talk about this while you question me!? No way, I don't think so! I wanna know how you know about any of this!” she said standing abruptly.
He reached for her arm, "Nia please sit down.” he asked trying to sooth her. She ripped her arm out of his grasp.
"No! Not until you give me something, tell me how you know!” she hollered as tears formed in her eyes.
"Please don't yell, someone might hear you.” he said lowly.
Nia closed her eyes and let the tears that had welled up fall freely then she pushed out a bubble and her father gasped. Opening her eyes she sat or crumpled rather to the chair. This on top of everything else put her way past her breaking point.
"Nia, I'm close.’ Aaron sent, feeling every ounce of her desperation and hurt. She didn’t have to ask him to come to her he was going.
Beside himself Aaron grabbed his keys and ran out of his office leaving everyone staring at him. He heard Becca call his name but he didn't have the time, Nia needed him and he had to go now! He felt like he was suffocating as he started the car and pushed the gas down as far as it would go. This guardian bond thing was more intense than he ever thought possible. He was weaving in and out of traffic praying she could hold it together until he got to her. He knew she was at the docks he just didn't know exactly where. He spoke the general location to his GPS and he was on his way to Delgar.
Deep, breathtaking sobs ripped through her as she let the grief of her father’s lies sink in. Her world was crashing in and suffocating her by the second. Just when she thought she would scream and lose consciousness she felt him wrap his arms around her she just didn't care. How could he know, all this time, and not tell her? Something..... Anything! She wondered who else knew. Was she a joke? The fate of a people and everyone knew about it but her?
"Nia, Nia please stop crying and look at me," she heard her father but couldn't come out of the broken numbness of her heartbreak. This had to be the worst heartbreak ever. Worse than any guy could dole out, she was sure. She couldn't see straight anymore and the tears had no intention of stopping. This was it, she didn't care what his reasons were for keeping this from her.
"A...Aaron,” she whimpered and her dad felt helpless. He just didn't know what to do, he didn't mean to hurt her he just freaked out, he needed to explain but there wasn't much he could tell her.
"Aaron.", she cried as she shook loose of her father’s hands and melted to the floor.
Moments later she heard a bang and felt a tight embrace and then she was lifted from the floor and cradled like a child. Smelling his cologne first Nia knew it was Aaron. She sobbed into his chest as he carried her out of the bubble and out of the office, hearing her dad's final attempt at having this conversation, "Nia, please,” he pleaded with his voice fading.
Rhea followed them out the door and grabbed her and Nia's purses in passing, Adam followed close behind.
"What the hell happened?” Rhea asked freaked out, she had never ever heard Nia cry like that, not since prom night.
"I don't really know.” Aaron said as he opened his passenger side door placing Nia carefully inside.
"I'm coming with you.” Rhea said as Aaron nodded securing Nia’s seatbelt.
Rhea turned to Adam, "Cover for me and clock out at five, then call me okay?” she said and he gave her a weak smile.
"I hope she's okay.” he said sincerely.
Rhea told Aaron she'd follow in Nia's car and he just nodded. Pulling out of the ship yard and away from the docks her guardian whisked her away from the pain.
Vince paced his office enraged, he saw Aaron's promise mark the second he entered the office. Not only was he Nia's Guardian, but he was her soul mate too? How could this happen and no one think to inform him. Sure he hadn't been a part of that world for a long, long time but they had their ways.
He would give her some space and keep this to himself, for now. It would give him time to get in touch with some of his former associates as he liked to refer to them to find out exactly what was going on.
Rhea's phone rang five minutes after she left. It was her dad. "Rhea what's going on?” he asked.
"I don't know dad. All I know is Nia needs me and you already kn
ow I'd drop the world for her. I'll call you later, I promise.” she said hoping that would be enough.
It took a minute, "Okay, I trust you sweetheart. You be safe.” he said finally.
"Thanks dad, I love you.” she added.
"Love you too Rhea.” he said then ended the call.
She anxiously followed behind a speeding Aaron.
Aaron grabbed Nia's hand and sent as much comfort as he could to her. She was numb, but she was starting to feel a warmth filtering through him. Her sobbing slowed but the tears still poured down effortlessly. Reaching into the center console he handed her some tissues.
True Fate Page 19