Daegan shook himself from thoughts of his inner demons as Kaeleigh got closer to where he was leaning, his arms crossed over his chest giving his best impression of intimidation. Kaeleigh stopped suddenly, drawn to the marbled wall just to his left. She grazed her hand ever so lightly over the smooth texture of the wall with an inquisitive frown on her face. She gasped and pulled her hand away as if the wall had shocked her, her eyes big as saucers. He knew what she had felt. His gut clenched at her expression. She looked at him sharply then back at the wall. Again not directing her question to him specifically, she asked, “What... I mean... I think the wall, it was thumping.” She raised her hand to again touch the wall, but Daegan stepped beside her, grabbing her hand before she reached it. She first looked to his hand gripping hers then up to his face. Finn and Chel inched closer, concern written on their faces, until Finn saw Kaeleigh’s arm in Daegan’s grip. He moved right up next to her, almost between them, and growled at a low decibel, “Let her go, Daegan.”
Kaeleigh flinched a little at his tone but replied, “I’m fine,” a little sharper than she meant to. She was more concerned with the wall than with a testosterone war right beside her.
“Why is the wall pulsating, Daegan? Like it has...” She gasped again and quickly stepped back right into Finn, who grabbed onto her shoulders protectively, not sure what was happening. Pale as a ghost, she looked back up at Daegan. “No! It couldn’t be! Could it?”
Daegan uncomfortably shifted his eyes away from hers but stood straight and nodded, giving her the answer she was dreading. Finn and Chel looked back and forth, confused. Chel even stepped up to touch the wall for herself but Kaeleigh reached out and grabbed her arm, afraid for her friend to feel what she had. Still Chel said, “I know. I’m not touching it but I don’t feel anything next to it.”
“No, you might be able to smell it though, with your keen sense of smell you should be developing as a shifter,” Daegan added flatly. Chel took a baby step forward, inclining her head in slow fractions, sniffing as she went. It took her a few tries but suddenly she jumped back.
“Blood! I smell blood, but I don’t understand...” Chel stammered as she looked frantically back and forth between everyone there, even Hal, who had stopped in the hall presumably waiting for Daegan.
“What?!” Finn, growing more agitated by the second, advanced on Daegan. “Explain!”
But it was Hal who stepped up to answer as Daegan seemed to be on the edge of knocking Finn right out of his personal space. Kaeleigh, possibly stupidly, stepped up between Daegan and Finn and put a hand on each of their arms, trying to break their lethal stare that seemed to paralyze them. Fortunately for her, Finn stepped back and glared at her as he whipped around, stepping further into the room and gesturing for Hal to “continue” with his explanation that he hadn’t even started yet.
Hal stepped back into the room. “Yes, it is blood.” He looked almost ashamed as he said it. “It is the life force that keeps up the glamoured ‘veil’ that Kaeleigh was so easily able to feel her way through. It, for lack of a better word, feeds Maleina’s magic. I don’t think she knows that we know what it is for but I figured it out awhile back.” Halister took a deep breath, waiting for the question he was sure would come next. To his shock it came from Chel, not Kaeleigh.
“Where does the blood come from, Halister?” she bit out angrily, causing her skin to vibrate and the energy surrounding her to pulse.
Kaeleigh started to walk toward her friend, but Daegan reached out and grabbed her hand, jerking her back to him. Kaeleigh turned on him with angry slits for eyes, but he was unfazed as he held her sideways against his chest. Daegan growled out in hushed tones, “She appears to be fighting a shift for the first time. You don’t want to be too close.”
Under his intense stare, Kaeleigh brought her anger under control though she straightened her shoulders so he would know she wasn’t submitting to him. With a slight smirk, he nodded toward her friend just as Chel realized what was happening and started to hyperventilate with panic in her eyes.
Kaeleigh’s heart burst for her friend. The fear in Chel’s eyes made her chest hurt. She wanted to be there for Chel, but Daegan wouldn’t let her get close even if she tried to. Shifting a glance at Finn who simply watched a bit detached, she frowned at him. He shrugged off her concern, but then nodded his agreement to help. Finn took two steps toward Chel, but she flinched away, letting out a sound that Kaeleigh could only relate to a growl, which she guessed would be appropriate. Finn looked back at Kaeleigh to convey that he tried. Irritated, Kaeleigh tried to pull away from Daegan’s grip, but he only held on tighter.
A subtle throat clearing behind Kaeleigh caused her to turn her head just as Hal came up beside her with a question in his eyes. Kaeleigh nodded, giving Hal the go-ahead to try to help her friend, only to realize that he hadn’t been asking her but Daegan right behind her. Huh. Why would he ask Daegan? He started to step forward, but Kaeleigh reached out to grab his arm before he passed her. “Please help her if you can, she’s scared.” Hal nodded with a small smile.
⚔⚔⚔
Hands outstretched in a nonthreatening way, Hal stepped slowly toward Chel. His entire demeanor was calm and relaxed so as not to frighten her. Chel started to whimper quietly as she slid to the ground, avoiding the wall of red veins. When she didn’t lash out, he took that as consent to approach her. Getting down on the ground kneeling right in front of her, he shielded her the best he could from everyone watching.
He spoke gently to her. “Chel? Can you understand me?” She looked up at him with a spark of fire in her eyes, and he laughed. “Okay, okay, I wasn’t sure if you were still with us.”
Shifting her eyes beyond him toward everyone else in the room, she seemed to cower in on herself. Down on one knee and leaning toward her on his other, Hal looked back at everyone and let out a sigh. Turning back to Chel he quietly asked her, “Are you in pain?” Chel gave a slight nod, squeezing her eyes shut and releasing a slow stream of tears. “I can help you through this, will you let me? Can you try to trust me?” Chel let out a small whimper and another nod. Placing a gentle hand upon her head, he spoke into her ear, “You’re going to be just fine, Chel.”
Hal stood to face everyone in the room. “I’m going to take Chel into one of the bedrooms so she can be comfortable. Which room will be hers?”
That last question directed at Kaeleigh, she pointed at the far one. “We will share that one,” she said hesitantly, not sure how she felt about leaving her friend with Hal, but not sure she had much of a choice, especially if he could help her with what she was going through. “Hal? Do you know how to help her?” Kaeleigh asked quietly but with a seriousness that caused Daegan to look down at her.
Hal looked from Daegan back to Kaeleigh and nodded. “I do.” Without another word he effortlessly scooped Chel gently off the ground, securing her in his arms before making his way into the bedroom and away from everyone’s eyes.
⚔⚔⚔
Kaeleigh noticed how Chel seemed to relax in Hal’s embrace and even laid her head onto his shoulder as he cautiously maneuvered her through the doorway into the bedroom, giving her some reassurance.
“Kaeleigh?” Daegan said quietly, bringing her eyes away from the now closed door that separated her from her best friend when she needed her. “Hal is experienced with shifters and has helped to train and been a part of new shifters coming into their own. They, however, are usually a bit more prepared for what they are about to experience, but he is gentle and strong enough to guide her through her first shift.”
“Is it very painful?” Kaeleigh asked, biting her lip nervously.
Nodding, he replied, “Yes, but usually after the first few times, it becomes a natural part of who they are—like a second skin—and she should have no trouble. This is a part of our world and a part of her heritage. She will be fine,” he said, reassuring her.
Kaeleigh took a deep breath and started pacing the room. Standing with his back in front of
one of the few large floor to ceiling windows, Finn watched her like she was a caged animal. Kaeleigh started toward Finn, when a loud crash and a growl came from the bedroom, most likely from Chel. Eyes starting to tear, Kaeleigh walked up to the door, placing her hands flat against it, but didn’t try to open it. Leaning her forehead against it, she took slow, deep breaths, attempting to steady the nerves she felt on the verge of escaping. She knew this wouldn’t help Chel and she could probably even feel Kaeleigh’s tension through the door. She had to get it under control.
Breathing slowly in her nose and out her mouth, she willed peace to flow in her body, from her head to the tips of her toes. Suddenly she could feel it... the energy beginning to course through her veins, and it was peaceful. Just when she felt under control again, there was a comforting warmth at her back. Daegan. He wasn’t touching her, but she could feel him as he hovered just behind her. A fluttering deep in her gut stirred and she felt nervous for a suddenly very different reason. Her breath caught, then she realized that not only would he be able to hear it, but Finn would too. Seeing Finn out of her peripheral vision from behind her veil of hair, she didn’t like what she saw.
Finn glared daggers at Daegan and then at her. He turned around with a snarl to look out the window. She was hurt. She knew Finn didn’t like Daegan, but he had never looked at her that way—she didn’t even think it was possible. Not wanting to turn to see what was in Daegan’s eyes, she did it anyway, but he wasn’t there. Not only was he no longer behind her, he wasn’t anywhere to be seen. He disappeared again! I’ve got to remember to ask him about that someday.
Not having time to think about where he had disappeared to, Kaeleigh heard a muffled voice behind the closed door. Hal. She didn’t understand how she wasn’t able to hear what they were talking about with her super-sensitive hearing. Maybe these were super-thick walls or perhaps Hal had talents in cloaking or whatever it might be called to keep things private. That would come in handy from time to time.
A scream. This noise was much more human than animal, and it came from Chel. It sent chills up Kaeleigh’s spine. She backed away from the door into the rest of the big room, holding her head in her hands and looking for somewhere to sit before she fainted. In an instant, Finn was beside her, guiding her to a Victorian padded bench underneath the window next to the one he had just been “stationed” at. Grateful, she smiled up at him and saw the ice melt that had just been sending her daggers moments before. Not having the energy in her to try to figure one more thing out, she buried her head in her hands, hoping that Chel was going to be all right.
A gentle, masculine hand rested on her head then moved slightly, much more like a pat than a stroke. She smiled. It was Finn in his manly awkwardness that only came out when it came to affection of any kind. She smiled and even giggled a bit. It felt good to giggle. He quickly removed his hand and she saw it clench and then relax at the side of his leg standing next to her buried head. She didn’t want him to feel bad; she truly appreciated his gesture so she reached up and grabbed his hand—not wanting to send him the wrong message she gave it a quick squeeze before letting go. She could almost feel him deflating, but she couldn’t lead him on. He was her friend and she wasn’t sure if she wanted more.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
What might have been an hour later, Hal stepped out of the bedroom, closing the door behind him. Kaeleigh jumped up, trying to peek inside even though she couldn’t see anything.
“Is she all right?” Kaeleigh blurted out just as Hal was about to say something. She realized he looked tired but he gave her a wan smile anyway.
Hal nodded. “She’s fine, but the shift took it out of her. She is sleeping now.”
He paused for a breath but was interrupted by both Kaeleigh and Finn. “She shifted?”
With a small smile, he shook his head. “No. She began the shift, but she fought it. I tried to prepare her for the symptoms to watch for and I will keep what watch I can on her, but the shift will attempt to happen again. It is a part of who she is, but unless she embraces it, it will continue to fight against her and most likely at the most inopportune moments.” Then he continued more seriously, “She is going to be a bit sore for a while and perhaps not even remember all that happened. Chel was in a lot of pain, but the more she accepts all that she is, the easier it will get, and she’ll be in more control of her second nature.”
Kaeleigh and Finn nodded as they paid close attention to what Hal was saying.
“Is there anything we can do for her?” Kaeleigh asked.
“No, just let me know if something doesn’t seem right or she has questions. I’ll let her and you rest for the next little bit before it is time for the evening meal my mother has requested your presence at. If Chel is not awake by then, I will sit with her while you go.” With that he turned and headed for the door.
“Thank you, Hal,” Kaeleigh said as he was just about out the door. He nodded and gave her a little smirk of a smile, which only irritated Kaeleigh as it reminded her of another Faerie warrior. “Wait!” He stopped in his tracks and raised an eyebrow at her in question. “How do we get in touch with you if we need you?”
“Just speak my name out loud and the message will find me.” He paused, letting that settle in. “You never know who might be able to hear you.” Then he was gone.
Finn and Kaeleigh exchanged a glance of uncertainty. “I think we should get some rest. Take the bed in that room and I’ll take this couch thing,” Finn said as he pointed Kaeleigh toward the other bedroom door that was behind her.
“Okay, thank you, Finn,” she said quietly. He nodded and headed for the couch. “And Finn? Thank you for everything, for being here with me... with us,” Kaeleigh amended, nodding toward the room where Chel slept. “I know it’s not easy for you to be here, in this world. I hope I haven’t made things too difficult for you.”
Kaeleigh headed toward the bedroom when Finn gently reached for her arm to stop her. She turned to look at him and her breath caught at the look of raw emotion she saw once again in his eyes. “Kaeleigh, I don’t think you understand. I... I would do—” But he was caught off as Daegan stalked into the room through the still open door to their suite. Bristling at the interruption, Finn practically growled at him, “What?” If Kaeleigh didn’t know better she would have thought Finn to be a wolf shifter with as much growling as he’d been doing lately.
Daegan didn’t even flinch at the tone of Finn’s voice, but he did glance down, noticing Finn’s hand on Kaeleigh’s arm, then back up into her eyes, a bit icier than when he first entered. If that was even possible. “Plans have changed. Dinner is set for an hour earlier. Maleina has informed me that you all are requested to be there. I thought you ought to know,” he said with an edginess that he hadn’t used since Kaeleigh had first met him. He turned sharply and headed back out the way he entered.
“Somehow I don’t think ‘requested’ actually makes allowances,” Kaeleigh grumbled beneath her breath. Daegan turned partially, looking straight into her eyes with the intensity he seemed so comfortable with, actually making her eyes widen.
In such low tones meant only for those present in the room to hear, he spoke. “I have unpleasant feelings about this. Be extremely careful tonight.” He turned more fully and gave a small sigh of exasperation or possibly resignation, relaxing his stance minutely. “My vow to you to protect you to this destination is fulfilled. Here my loyalties are...” He seemed to struggle to find the right word. “They are bound. I cannot protect you, I’m afraid you are on your own tonight. I do not know Maleina’s plans or intentions, but they are only to serve herself.” With one last piercing stare which seemed to tear into Kaeleigh’s very soul leaving the hairs on her arms standing straight up, he turned once again to leave the room.
“Kaeleigh is not alone. My loyalties are to her and I will gladly give up my life protecting her if called upon,” Finn said, deadly serious and putting himself at an angle that placed him partially in front of Kaeleigh as
if protecting her that very moment, or making a statement. Daegan, without looking back at him, gave a slight nod in satisfaction and stalked down the hall.
Kaeleigh knew this might end up being the case, in fact she even expected it, but it still stung as Daegan walked away from them. They were on their own. She suddenly felt cold and alone.
“Try to get rest, Kaeleigh. It could be a long night,” Finn said as he went to his little Victorian chaise lounge that was obviously too small for him.
Feeling a bit guilty about heading in to relax on a large bed all to herself, she offered to switch with him so he could rest comfortably.
“I won’t rest comfortably knowing you’re out here in the open room and I can’t see you from the bed in there. I’m fine, go lie down, Kaeleigh,” Finn said as he sat and began untying his boots.
“Well, you could stay with me, I guess,” Kaeleigh added a bit nervously. “I mean you’ve stayed with me before, it could be like old times,” she said with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, which Finn seemed to notice. Plus she was afraid he didn’t want it to be “just like old times,” and that put her in an entirely new territory with him.
Veiled Shadows (The Age of Alandria: Book Two) Page 17