True Fate

by Varadeaux, Shayna

  Avery suggested they order in and have their own meeting though they told Rhea they needed Adam to stay out. She just had him order pizza for their dinner. If it was important for Rhea to know Nia said she would fill her in herself. They unloaded their bags and settled in while they waited for the food. Thirty minutes later Eric texted, "Chinese food, my room.", and they all headed over except of course Adam and Rhea. In Eric's room there was plenty of space to sit and eat. That's where the ice chest had ended up anyway.

  Avery extended out a bubble around all of them and took a seat beside Eric. "Okay this is unofficial I guess, but there's some things that we think you need to know.” Eric said looking at Avery.

  Darragh cocked his head and wondered why they hadn't informed him they were sharing information.

  Eric sensed Darragh's apprehension and looked at Avery. '

  They need to know the possible dangers if we're supposed to keep them safe.’ he sent to Darragh while Avery handed plates to Nia and Aaron.

  "We are going to need you guys to really focus on some training, both physically and mentally. Nia that means tapping into your abilities if we can. At least what we can help you with.” Nia nodded setting down the egg roll she had in her hand.

  'I’m in full agreement. I will do what I can to help as well.’ Darragh sent back to Eric with a nod as Nia eyed them suspiciously.

  "Every second we have to spare we will have physical training and go over whatever we can with you.” Eric said. "There's a reason we need to do this as soon as possible....” he said trailing off wearing a grim expression.

  "You know there's hunters looking for you and this glamour Lilith provided is strong but someone stronger is searching.” he said with an icy glare on his face. "We haven't been assigned to protect you for nothing, Nia. We're the highest ranking Guardians around, besides the Royal Guard, and we're here with you.” he added slowly making sure she got the weight of his statement.

  Nia nodded and tried to shake the feeling of impending doom. She just needed answers or confirmation and more information, it was all just too sketchy still. "If we're in danger I have to tell Rhea and Adam something, they need to know to listen to whatever we say for their safety.” Nia said softly.

  "I know.” Eric answered, "We will decide exactly what to tell them and then if you want, we can all do it together. It's up to you.” he added.

  ###

  Rhea and Adam sat in their room flipping through channels on TV and eating. This was pretty awkward and weird to be sharing a room, being alone together was new in general. Adam was happier than he'd been in a long time, he was actually ecstatic about coming along for the trip but baffled as to why he and Rhea were sharing a room. He'd known Rhea and Nia forever and a day and he hadn't even noticed how beautiful Rhea was. She was always around like a sister would be, her and Nia both. He was oblivious to them as anything but his friends.

  He on the other hand was a triple threat in fifth grade. One, he was taller than everyone but skinnier too. Two, he was a nerd but not the sharpest knife in the drawer and three, he had a bad early onset of acne that did absolutely nothing for him. Rhea and Nia tutored him like a tag team and he got all A's by the time they'd gone to high school, he even graduated honors right alongside of them! He was forever grateful to those two, they invited him to parties and every get together. They all made pizza night at Spanky's a tradition. They were the three amigos or musketeers their freshman year even after he moved to another school.

  Adam had gone away for the summer before senior year to finally spend time with his absentee dad and that quickly turned into a disaster. He came back on a bus alone without telling a soul. Standing on the corner of the Greyhound station downtown Adam couldn't believe his mom or her dumb boyfriend weren't answering their phones. It'd be dark soon and the bus terminal wasn't somewhere you wanted to be stuck at after hours.

  About to get a cab he heard a semi-familiar voice call out, "Hey baby! How much?" his face reddened and to his bewilderment a woman was waving at him.

  She pulled up to the curb with her passenger side window down and he was shocked to say the least, see Rhea may have gone through puberty early but she looked and dressed like she hadn't. Before he'd left she'd said goodbye in a pair of overall shorts and a pink hello kitty tee. Her white Adidas and not a stitch of makeup. Her freckles made her look younger and her hair was forever in a ponytail.

  The Rhea he was looking at was a girl comfortable and well aware of the assets she now possessed. In a black mini dress, black tights and high heeled boots she was a stunner, her freckles were lightened behind makeup and her smoky eyes smoldered at him. Her blonde hair hung in long ringlets and he was pretty sure his mouth had hung open.

  Rhea took it as the shock that it was, but didn't register the attraction that had started that very second. He would spend the next year trying to summon the courage to ask her out. Every time he did find the courage something would happen or he would just get nervous. In all sincerity he was worried about getting rejected.

  He was in awe at this moment now that she sat across from him shy and beautiful, no makeup in shorts and a tee. It was hard to believe they were going to be spending the next two weeks together. He was happy but he didn't want to ruin anything by letting her know how he felt, maybe they needed this time, he would figure out how to tell her soon.

  "Hey,” Adam said as Rhea took a small bite of pizza. She smiled a saucy smile and tried not to laugh her food out of her mouth.

  "You wanna talk... or I don't know.... do something? Wait I don't mean what that may sound like I meant, um... ahh crap.” he said hanging his head.

  "It's okay I get it, this is awkward I know. Sharing a room is a little weird but not really, right? I mean we've had sleepovers together before you know.” Rhea said trying to ease the pressure she knew was there.

  "Don't try to be someone you're not Adam, just be you! I mean, I know the real you and I really like that guy." she said more confident than she felt. Adam smiled, nodded and got up from the chair, he grabbed the pizza and put it in the fridge.

  ###

  Lilith paced unsure what she would do if what she'd felt was true. Certainly he had no clue of the connection she had made to her but she felt like something big had changed. While she had little to speak with Nia about, she needed to see if 'Eric' had any major change. Their bond had weakened and she needed to know exactly why. She'd thought that sending Darragh along would give her an insight to anything that could possibly go wrong, but apparently she'd misjudged his loyalty to the group.

  He was always level headed and a greater good sort of guy so she’d have to figure out how to find out what made their bond begin to weaken. If it got too slight Nia could break it and give him his life back. No, she thought, no she couldn't lose the control over him she'd had for so long. Surely Nia didn't know his true name and what she'd be capable of if she did.

  No one was as good as Eric at blocking her mind invasions, no matter how subtle she tried to be. She wasn't worried he'd accidentally let it slip but what about that little twit, Avery. She had to find a way in, she just had to.

  ###

  "We can't just tell them everything.” Avery said sounding a little worried. "I for one am not getting into trouble over this!” she added with her frustration apparent.

  Eric rubbed her shoulder. "Look, we all have something to lose but I think people's lives are more important than that.” Eric said slowly.

  Nia was glad someone was on her side.

  "I think she can handle it and Adam is like a brother to Nia.” Aaron added.

  "I'm going to go get them.” Nia said moving towards the door.

  Darragh quickly moved to block her way. "I don't think we're ready for them just yet. They can know that there's danger and they can know that we're here to protect you, but that is all.” Darragh said rather demanding.

  Nia took a step into him narrowing her eyes as she looked up to meet his glare. Aaron grabbed her arm trying to pul
l her away. "They are my friends and I will tell them what I want to and no one can stop me. Get it.", she said as she shrugged Aaron's hand off of her.

  Eric moved closer, he knew she was about to blow and he knew Darragh had little tolerance for such things.

  "I'm tired of this crap! Tired of not knowing and definitely of no one telling me anything! I am so ready to see Aunt Amarie and get this, this, whatever the hell it is over with! Forget the stupid scenic route! Forget the week we were going to take too! I want answers now! And as far as my friends go consider them in the loop!” Nia screamed like a pissed off child. She knew she sounded like she was throwing a fit but she didn't really care.

  "I keep hearing how this is going to change everything. Really!! Cause the last time I looked my life has already irreparably changed! I'm hardly speaking to my dad. I can't sleep right, my best friends are in harm’s way for god's sake! I am being hunted by who knows who and I'm sharing a room with a man I barely know because of some cosmic freaking promise! EVERYTHING in my life has changed and I don't even know the reason why!” she continued with tears brimming now.

  "Nia, please calm down.” Eric pleaded being careful not to touch her as her eyes flashed a fiery gaze his direction.

  "I need to talk to you.” she said barely meeting Aaron's eyes as she turned looking at everyone and Darragh moved from the door.

  "In the morning we're leaving and we're not stopping again unless it's for the restroom gas or food!” Nia said with as much commanding presence as she could muster. She walked out the door without as much as a look over her shoulder.

  Aaron was stunned and hurt but Eric was heading for the door so he stopped him. "I got it, man.", he said clenching his jaw. He was relieved to spot her pacing in front of the ice machine by their room. She was mumbling and biting her lip as tears sparkled in her eyes.

  "I don't have my key.” she garbled out knowing the sobs were about to overtake her. Walking the short way to the door he whispered. "I'm sorry Nia.” Then swiped the key card.

  He held the door open as she passed him and went straight to standing in front of the bed then she sniffled and grabbed her last bit of strength. "You have nothing to be sorry for! I just...” she said with a sigh mixed with her shakiness. "They needed to know that everything in my life has been altered. Aaron you're the only part of that I'm happy about.” she said with trembling lips and tears flowing.

  ###

  Darragh was outraged, "I was merely going to explain.” he said to Avery.

  She patted his shoulder, "I know, but this was a meltdown a long time coming if you ask me." she said matter of factly. "Heads would have rolled long ago if I were in her shoes,” she added as Eric nodded his head and laughed.

  “Oh yeah, you can say that again.” Eric said with a serious look on his face.

  He ducked just in time for the pillow that Avery had thrown at his head to hit the wall with a thud. “Hey!” he complained looking at a narrow eyed Avery. Darragh looked between the two of them with a small smile trying to form on his lips.

  "Just give her a little while before we head out to see Lilith, okay?” he said to them both.

  Darragh nodded, "In an hour then," and Eric nodded back.

  This would be his window of opportunity to go see Savannah, he'd have to hurry. He knew Avery was not going to be happy with him for not giving her fair warning but he didn't want to be stopped or talked out of what he was about to do.

  ###

  Aaron stood directly in front of Nia, her body was radiating an intense heat in his direction. It wasn’t hard to feel her hurt, confusion, anger and frustration flowing off of her in cresting waves. Taking her face in his hands gently he swallowed the knot in his throat and spoke softly, "Nia I'm scared too, I promise I will keep you safe and Adam and Rhea too. I'll learn how to protect you to the best of my abilities and I know they'd all lay their lives down for you too. It may be orders they're following but I think some of them truly care, if not all of them. I know I do.", he said inching closer to her mouth drawn in by the intense longing in her amber eyes.

  Nia's tears found their release down Aaron's thumbs and he felt her sorrow in the pit of his stomach. ”I will get you there as quickly and safely as possible Nia. You have my word on that and if you want to room with Rhea I'll completely understand.” he said dangerously close to her lips now. Nia sucked in her lip and bit it unable to focus due to Aaron’s proximity, her warm breath danced on his lips almost ordering his surrender.

  She shook her head slowly raising her gaze from his lips to his cerulean eyes, "No. Don't leave me. I... I need you," and that was all Aaron needed to hear. He softly kissed her lips and then each eye lid as gentle sobs claimed her shaking form.

  Pulling Nia into his arms he held her close like they were the last moments of their lives, like he may never get the chance again. Nia was a strong person but right now she was precious and fragile. Having never told her he loved her, it just didn't seem right at the moment, it was too soon. But he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he felt it.

  Aaron's arms were quickly becoming Nia's safe haven, her favorite place on the planet even. She was sure she'd hurt him too much for him to forgive her. But asking her for forgiveness? That was just crazy. He'd really done nothing wrong but be there for her through all of this despite their short time knowing one another. All she could feel coming off of him was pure love and it enveloped her making her want to get lost in it forever.

  'Aaron, I think I love you,’ she whispered through the bond, too choked up and terrified to say it out loud. What if he didn't feel the same what if she'd misread him? It seemed like forever would pass without a response when he leaned away from her with tears of his own in his eyes and looked into his future.

  "I think I love you too Nia and I really don't think anything can ever change that. I know this is right and I know that you are my forever.” he said slowly and held her close until her breathing slowed and he knew she was calm. Certain he meant everything he'd just said Nia smiled and wiped at her eyes it was the truth and now she knew it, she could feel the truth of his words vibrate through their bond like tiny flutters that gained strength with each passing second.

  Thirty minutes had passed and Aaron held her, he moved her to the couch and cuddled her there, using kisses to take her mind off of the situation at hand. She was feeling better, calmer, but not any less wary.

  After a little while Nia got up and paced the room trying to decide exactly what to tell her friends. "We have to go talk to Rhea.” Nia told Aaron while getting water from the mini fridge,

  "Okay, whenever you're ready.” Aaron said glancing at the clock. "We only have a half hour though, okay?” he added.

  Nia nodded back and they headed for the door.

  Rhea was sitting next to Adam on the couch they had been watching funny videos after dinner. Rhea's cheeks were reddening just sitting so close to him. She loved watching him laugh at the silly videos they had been watching. There was a knock on the door and it scared her out of her swooning.

  "I got it!" she said a bit too loudly and Adam looked at her confused as he closed his laptop. She looked through the peephole and opened the door immediately.

  Nia was trying her best not to fidget but she was nervous about the entire situation. "Adam, Rae, I have something I need to tell you both.” she said not meeting Rhea's eyes.

  "Okay?” Rhea said letting them in. "What gives?” Rhea said narrowing her eyes at Nia and glancing at Aaron.

  Nia took a deep breath, "I have a lot to explain and only a little bit of time.” she said and Rhea nodded sitting on the edge of the bed. Adam went and sat beside her, close enough for their knees to touch which sent goose bumps shooting down her leg. She was thankful for the warmth and the strength it gave her. She was definitely glad he was there with her and she wasn't the only 'normal' person in this mess. His closeness made her feel loopy so she focused hard on listening to Nia.

  Leaning up against the wall Nia sighed
as Aaron pulled up a chair for her, she shook her head and he sat instead.

  "So Rhea you know that I'm different...” she said slowly. “Adam there's a lot of things to explain but I'm going to leave most of that to Rhea.” she added. "Rae just tell him what you know, it’s okay.” she told her and Rhea nodded in acknowledgement.

  "The closer I get to finding out why I'm “different”, the more dangerous this trip becomes. You are both putting your lives on the line if you continue on with us. I'm not going to ask you to leave, but I will ask if you stay, to learn how to defend yourselves. Darragh, Avery and Eric can help with that. They're here to protect us all, it's what they do.", Nia explained. Aaron nodded in confirmation clutching his hands together in front of him.