Arkadia (Halfway House Series Book 1)

by Dzintra Sullivan

  Arkadia heard the ding of a text message received on her phone as she walked to class with Chey close by her side. Vi and Cat had a class in another building, so it was Chey’s turn to play security officer. Arkadia reached for her phone as Chey asked softly, “Want me to check it for you? In case it’s Diane ‘I’ve lost my marbles’ Coulter, you don’t need a double dose in one day.” Arkadia smiled and handed her phone over to Chey. There weren’t many she would trust so completely, but Chey was one of the few. A true-to-the-end friend and she loved her like a sister, a sister of the craft. “Oh,” said Chey with a chuckle, “you might want to get this one yourself,” and handed the phone back to Arkadia. She read the text.

  u, me, coffee, aftr schl? Boh

  Arkadia just stared at the phone. “Hon, you might want to shut your mouth, or Sebastian won’t be the only one catching flies.” Chey nudged her and chuckled. Arkadia sheepishly shut her mouth, unable to stop smiling. How did he know my number? Of course, I want a coffee with you, Boh, coffee, dinner, babies, whatever. Arkadia laughed glad she had kept that last thought to herself.

  “Well, are you going to text loverboy back or leave him hanging?” Chey interrupted her thoughts.

  “I want to, Chey, but I don’t know. Have you seen his Mark? I don’t even know what or who he is,” Arkadia whispered.

  “Yeah, I saw his mark, whatever he is its powerful. I can feel it rippling off him like waves at the beach, and that’s just him at Rest, Lord knows what power he gets when he is all worked up,” Chey said in a quiet voice. This was not a conversation anyone should overhear.

  “Exactly,” Arkadia replied. “Should I go or not?”

  “Oh sweet Mother Earth, YES you should go! He is hot, he is interested, he is a para, and did I mention he is HOT?” Chey bumped my arm playfully and laughed. Her laugh was so earthy it sounded like a wind through the treetops on a cool spring morning, light and fresh.

  Arkadia laughed at her friend, and texted Boh back.

  whre’d you get my #? stalkr mch? And yup, where?

  She pressed send, both her and Chey still giggling as they walked into the classroom to wait for the teacher. Arkadia was relaxed with her mind being taken off the incident earlier DING. She jumped as the text went off, and Chey started laughing again as she looked quickly before the teacher came in.

  Cat, only stalking you, Timmy’s, C U L8ER

  Arkadia let Chey look, both of them bursting into another fit of the giggles, dropped the phone into her bag, and she tried to focus as class was beginning.

  The rest of the day was a blur of classes. Arkadia vaguely remembered eating lunch, well, at least being in the cafeteria. She was unsure how much food was consumed, but she was there. Arkadia’s mind was like a revolving door, one minute it was all about Diane and her impending departure to the island of shadows, and then the next second it was all about Bohdan’s sexy brown eyes and how much she would like to have those strong muscular arms wrapped around her protecting her from the world. Impending doom vs. Mr. Sexy Stalker. Dirty Diane vs. Buns of Steel Bohdan. Both were undeniably thought-consuming, for totally opposite reasons. Diane’s threats made her blood run cold with fear, and Bohdan’s promises made her blood go completely volcanic.

  The last bell rang out, and Arkadia’s heart skipped a beat. She grabbed her bag, and quickly swapped her books at her locker, making sure she had what she needed for later. She took a deep breath, taking a moment to steady her thoughts; it was just coffee Arkadia told herself not a “date,” just a coffee. She didn’t want to let her mind take off like an out-of-control train; she needed to play this safely. She needed to be wary and to remember he was an unknown para and could be capable of anything.

  Arkadia grabbed her bag, and started on her way out of the school, quickly taking a short cut through the tree line surrounding the front of the school. A few minutes later, she walked through the door of Timmy’s, and saw Bohdan waiting for her in the corner booth.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Sliding into the booth seat, Arkadia smiled. Bohdan had picked a booth as far back into the corner of the shop as possible, out of sight of most of the customers, which gave them some privacy. Bohdan slid a cup her way. “Cap, white, and one,” he said. Arkadia just melted every time she heard his voice. He spoke with such confidence; every syllable that rolled off his tongue emanated power, a power that seemed ingrained into his very soul.

  “A bit presumptuous don’t you think?” Arkadia raised an eyebrow trying desperately to fight a losing battle with her own heart.

  “Am I wrong?” he asked.

  “Well, no, but one might get the wrong impression and think you’re a stalker,” Arkadia lightly teased as she wrapped her hands around the cup and took a small sip. She closed her eyes for a second to enjoy the deep rich flavor of her favorite coffee shop.

  “You call it stalking; I call it knowing my prey.” A sliver of fear crept up her spine at the use of the word prey, but she was never one to lie down and roll over, even if he was hot enough to start a forest fire.

  He chuckled as he watched the emotions rollover Arkadia’s face. “You’re safe, Arkadia, I’m no threat to you, well, not to your existence.” Bohdan sat back in the booth and stared at her, drinking in her milky-white skin, her hair that was almost white with just a hint of sun-kissed highlights, and her eyes. Of all Aladdin’s treasures, her emerald green eyes are beyond any treasure I have ever seen.

  Arkadia looked down at his tattoo mark on the webbing between his thumb and forefinger, and then back up to his face. “You say you’re no threat, but you’re obviously something powerful. I can feel your energy like a contained fire, each flame flickering and dancing around, safely contained but ready to break free at anytime.” Bohdan rubbed his thumb over the tattoo on his other hand.

  Looking at his hand, he spoke softly, “You’re right, I am a little above average.” He snapped his eyes up to meet Arkadia’s, a spark flashing like lightning over the open plains. “Just like you, we are … more.” Leaning forward, Arkadia propped her elbows on the table, her attention focusing in totally on Bohdan.

  “Care to share?” She took a big gulp of coffee, and his eyes never left hers. The noises of the coffee shop faded into the background completely.

  “Not here,” Bohdan stood up and swung his bag up and onto his shoulder. He paused as Arkadia’s eyes traveled up his generous height and extended his hand to her. “Such a conversation would require a little more privacy, if you trust me.” Raising a single eyebrow, Arkadia paused for maybe a split second before she took his hand. His warmth immediately seeped into her skin, traveling up quickly to take up residence in her heart. Fight it all you want, Ark. You know you’re already gone. Arkadia stood up from the booth, her body a mere inch away from his, her chest expanding and contracting as she gulped in a lungful of air nervously.

  Arkadia tilted her head up to look him in the eyes, popped her hip slightly to the side, and put her spare hand on her hip as she took a sassy stance. “Sure, I’ll trust you. It’s not like I am completely harmless either,” she said. She still held onto his hand, not ever wanting to let go of it, fearing she would turn into an icicle instantly with the loss of his heat. Bohdan chuckled, a soft deep rumble, and leaned forward to whisper in her ear.

  His hot breath caressed her neck and sent shivers down her spine that settled in a place that made her squirm. “You’re not harmless, but you’re not accurate either, so, I think I am safe.” He winked as she started to protest. Striding to the door, he held her hand and swept out into the quickly cooling late afternoon air.

  “I am skipping practice, so this has to remain between you and me. I would lose my place on the team if Coach knew I was skipping for a girl, no matter how beautiful she is.” Bohdan’s eyes twinkled as he continued, “My uncle is working a night shift and isn’t home, so this is perfectly private,” Bohdan said casually over his shoulder as he opened the front door to his uncle’s house. It was a beautiful wooden cabin-looking ho
use with a wide full-length veranda that Arkadia admired as Bohdan went inside. She leaned against the deep red railings, taking deep breaths of the evening air, and listened to the night animals begin to wake up from their day long slumber. Arkadia had always loved living on the outskirts of town, somewhere she could hear herself think, and looked out onto the farming land that surrounded the area.

  “Why are you smiling?” Bohdan’s deep voice rumbled and he leaned his back against the railing next to her. Arkadia hadn’t realized she was smiling.

  “I just love the night air, it’s magical and mysterious, and holds so many secrets.” He handed her a bottle of Coke as she turned to lean her back against the railing, mimicking his posture. “I get the feeling you know more about me than I know about you,” she said, looking at him quizzically, “like you know my story before I even get a chance to say it.” Shaking his head lightly, he lowered his bottle, and swallowed the mouthful of Coke.

  “Not at all,” he said, “I can tell you're a witch, but that’s just from your energy, but as for your story—” He shook his head again and looked directly at Arkadia. “I don’t know it, but I would like to.”

  “Not much to tell. Failed my PSEs twice, got four months to sit it again and pass, or I am given a one-way ticket to islandsville.” She turned back around to lean out over the railing and stared into the nothingness of the open fields. Arkadia spoke softly, freely, wanting him or anyone to hear her, and care enough to listen. “I grew up locally. I have no sisters or brothers, and my dad died before I was born. My mom and I lived in a tiny apartment right in the center of town, yet we were never seen by the neighbors.” Taking a second to breathe, she looked over to Bohdan whose eyes were completely devoted to her words. He nodded slightly to encourage her to continue, and she looked back out to the rapidly darkening skies. “My mom homeschooled me, and I was never allowed to play with other kids or go to the park. Although she was a witch herself, she rarely encouraged me to do any craft and would tell me, ‘the world doesn’t like freaks, Arky, and they don’t come much freakier than us.’” Arkadia chuckled as she glanced at Bohdan. “I remember once setting her clothes alight because I was playing with fire in her closet, no matches needed, if you get my drift.” Bohdan’s chest rumbled with soft laughter as he watched her emerald eyes sparkle with mischief. Arkadia continued, “Then when she died just before my fourteenth birthday of a heart attack, I found myself alone, in a world I had always lived in, but knew nothing about …” Arkadia swallowed past the lump in her throat, and felt Bohdan’s arm wrap around her shoulders as he offered comfort. She leaned into his shoulder as she continued her story. “Next thing I knew, some people from the council turned up and I was placed in the halfway house. I have been there for over three years now, and still can’t get my shit together enough to pass the PSEs. Raven, Em, and Zahmali aren’t my family by blood, but they are all I have and even though we argue, I count them as family. Eloise the new Den Mother of the house is still settling in, but she seems to have faith in me and my ability to perfect my craft in time.” Arkadia shrugged. “We will see, I suppose, whether she can work her magic to fix my magic within the magical allotted time.” She laughed at her own silliness and looked up at Bohdan.

  “Thank you,” he said. His voice was so deep and heartfelt.

  “For what?” Arkadia asked, a slightly confused look crossed her face as she turned to look at him and moved out of his arms.

  “For trusting me with your story. For letting me in. There is a problem though, a pretty big problem,” he spoke softly yet with a power that was palpable and very addictive.

  “Problem?” Arkadia questioned with a hint of panic in her voice.

  “Yes,” he said as he moved a step closer to her. His height allowed him to tower over her and looks down into her eyes. His lips only inches away from hers, he said, “Now you have let me in, I won’t ever want to leave.” He lowered his lips to hers ever so lightly and breathed in her essence. His hands came up to gently cup her cheeks and he kissed her tenderly. Pulling back, he gazed upon this rare gem he had found in Arkadia.

  Arkadia opened her eyes, every hair on her body standing erect. Feeling alight with magical energy that weakened her knees, she grabbed his arm. “Can we go inside? I need to sit down.” A look of concern flashed across Bohdan’s face as he simply looped one of his massive arms around her shoulders and the other under her knees, lifted her like she was a featherweight, and carried her into the living room.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Bohdan handed her a steaming hot cup of cocoa. Arkadia smiled as she wrapped her fingers around the pale blue mug, the warmth instantly flowing up her arms to her chest. He even put little floating marshmallows in it. Arkadia’s heart skipped a beat.

  “Your color is coming back. Are you feeling better?” Bohdan asked with genuine concern in his voice. Arkadia nodded.

  “Yes, thank you. Must have been the cold air, or perhaps my realization that my openness left me vulnerable. I don’t tell people things for a reason. I am different. I am cursed. Some say I am a freak of nature.” Her eyes misted as she looked back into the mug of chocolatey warmth. “I hardly know anything about you, and yet I have armed you with all my kryptonite. What the hell was I thinking?” Arkadia’s voice rose in a panicked shrill, her heart raced, and her eyes scanned the room as she tried to work out the quickest way to get the hell out.

  Bohdan got up from his seat, placed his coffee mug down on the table, and walked over to Arkadia. He knelt down and took her hands in his, letting his calming energy flow freely through her. He watched for her eyes to stop flitting and center back on him. “Arkadia, breathe. It is not Kryptonite for I would never hurt you. A weapon is only dangerous if someone is willing to wield it, and I am most definitely not that someone.” His voice was soft, confident and as addictive as crack cocaine.

  “But—”

  Arkadia’s protest was cut off by him asking, “Do you want to know about me? For you and only you, I am an open book.” Arkadia nodded as she sat back into the chair and tucked her feet under herself. She was far more relaxed now thanks to Bohdan’s calming nature.

  Bohdan sat at her feet. He had a look of vulnerability in his face when he gazed up at her. He wanted her to know ... to feel he was as exposed as she felt. He wanted her to see him, and only him, just as he was. He reached for his cup and settled himself comfortably on the ash-colored shaggy rug.

  “My name is Bohdan Drak, and I like long walks along the beach at sunset. My favorite drink is … ouch!!” He laughed as Arkadia swatted him for being silly. “Okay, okay. Serious now.” He held up his free hand in a gesture of surrender and continued. “I come from a very small town named Besiny in the Czech Republic. It’s a tiny, and I mean tiny; only about nine hundred people live up there in the mountains. It’s a beautiful place, but very traditional and secluded from most of the modern world. My dad’s name is Jakb Drak, and he owns the local pub, which has been passed down through the generations, always father to first-born son.” Arkadia thought she saw a slight wince in Bohdan’s shoulders when he said his father would have to pass the pub to his first-born son per family traditions. She smiled softly at him in quiet encouragement.

  “Lucy, my mother, is Canadian, and it’s her brother, my Uncle Peter, that I am staying with. Mom met Dad when she was backpacking across Europe. According to them, it was a love at first sight kinda thing. She walked into his pub, and never walked out of his life.” Bohdan smiled softly as he remembered seeing them look across a full room at each other and share a look of full devotion, even after twenty-five years of marriage. “Do you believe in love at first sight, Arkadia?” Bohdan asked as he looked up at her.

  Arkadia shrugged her shoulders. “I would like to think there is such a thing, but from my vantage point, I have never seen two people share a ‘true love’. I have only seen lust, which is a common case of mistaken identity.”

  Bohdan nodded. “Very true; however, I believe when two souls meet th
at have been destined to connect and complete each other, it will not be denied. People can try to hide from it and ignore it, but sooner or later, the constant drumming of ‘Mine. Mine. Mine.’ in their heads when they have met ‘The One’ will demand they surrender to each other.” Arkadia’s mind raced with the words “Mine. Mine. Mine.” She gulped as she realized what it meant.

  “The Mark. Tell me about the Mark, please?” Arkadia asked as she took another sip of her glorious chocolatey drink.

  “I sat the exam last year, and passed. They gave me a tattoo and told me to ‘go forth and prosper’. It was all very clinical,” Bohdan watched as Arkadia built up to the big question he knew she had wanted to ask all night. “What are you? I don’t mean to sound rude, but the amount of power you radiate is sometimes tangible.”

  He looked deep into her eyes and spoke calmly. “I am a shifter, a … Dragon Shifter.” Arkadia gasped, she had thought a powerful warlock, but not an extinct animal.

  “A Dragon? Are you serious? Like a real Dragon? A Shrek movie kind of dragon? A Puff, the magic dragon kind of dragon?” He nodded and chuckled at her reference to a favorite childhood tale of his.

  “Indeed, a Dragon.” Arkadia sat back in her seat. Her eyes wide with excitement, she exclaimed, “WOW!! A Dragon. I haven’t ever met a Dragon before. Wolves for sure, I live with the twins but not a Dragon. So both your parents … are … scaled?” Bohdan loved seeing the excitement in Arkadia’s eyes. He had feared she might shy away from such a formidable creature.