The Awakening (Wake Up #1)

by Sarah Brocious

  “Raina, don’t hurt yourself!”

  She froze in an instant, hearing the voice. It wasn’t the evil voice. It was a gentle, low voice, and it calmed her instantly. Slowly she lifted her head, looking into warm silver grey eyes. A shock ran through her. She swallowed hard. “Silas?”

  She swore he grinned, yet when she blinked, it was gone just as fast.

  “You’re safe,” he soothed. “Thanatos will not hurt you.”

  “Thanatos?”

  He nodded. “He’s gone now...”

  “It was you....you were…”

  “In the wood? Yes, I’m sorry if I scared you.”

  She shook her head. “No.”

  His grip softened a bit. His grey eyes, looked into hers, willing her to calm.

  Raina felt warmth seep into her, felt her breathing return to normalcy. She found herself stepping closer to him. She wearily laid her head on his chest, and let him wrap his arms around her.

  “I won’t let him touch you. You’re safe with me.”

  She knew he was telling the truth, still she shivered. “But, but his name is Thanatos,” she whispered and a tremor ran through her again.

  “Yes,” he said softly against her hair.

  “Thanatos means death.” She pressed her cheek against the soft leather of his jacket. He smelled so wonderful; her words came out thoughtful, verses fearful. She lifted her face to him. “He wanted to kill me then?”

  “Among other things,” he spoke with regret. “I will watch over you Raina. It’s my job now, so please don’t be afraid.”

  “So you will stay?” She welcomed the sense of trust she had for this man.

  “I will be close,” he promised.

  “Will you stay? Please don’t leave me alone.” She took his collar into her two small hands, as if to keep him from moving away.

  He shook his head, his eyes held the same pain she had imagined before.

  “Can’t you, just for a little bit?” Her eyes softened. She felt drawn to him, felt a kinship, knowing his pain. “What happened to you?”

  Her question shocked him. She felt it when his body tensed.

  Her hand lifted to touch his cheek. His warm eyes darkened and went almost black at the contact. He covered her hand with his own and gently pulled it away. “I shouldn’t be holding you like this…we can’t. You can't, Raina.” He lifted his chin, as if trying to move farther from her without actually moving away. His hand reached up to rub the back of his neck in a nervous fashion.

  She wrapped her arms around him again. She felt comforted close to him. It had nothing to do with attraction, even sex; it was as if she was untouchable here.

  She felt his deep breath, as though he was trying to compose himself. He gave her a gentle squeeze, then stepped back so he could meet her gaze.

  His stare was steady. “You should wake up Raina.”

  She again shook her head dumbly. She wanted to ask questions. “But Silas, I-I need to know….you. You can’t…”

  He shook her shoulders. “Raina wake up...NOW!”

  “I don’t want…” and she awoke just as she hit the floor, taking her blankets and Turk with her. She shook her head to clear the cobwebs, and rubbed the elbow that she had successfully bumped. It took a moment for her to realize she was back in her own room. She blinked to focus her eyes on the clock. Four thirty? She’d been sleeping for hours?

  The strange dream still held to her conscience. Silas had been as she thought he would be, but so different, so much clearer. He was so much more handsome. She felt her cheeks flush. She hadn’t considered anyone handsome in a long while. Silas was beyond that though. It had felt so real being held by the gentle stranger.

  She struggled to pull the blankets back on the bed. “This proves it was a dream!”

  She flopped back on the bed. Turk jumped up again and whined. She roughed his fur. “What’s say I try for a record? I may just get eight hours tonight!” She laid her head down again, wondering where Percy had wandered to. “Probably ran during my elegant fall from the bed, “she mumbled. Her eyes closed, and she drifted into sleep again.

  When she awoke once more, it was already light outside. Well as light as the cloudy morning would allow.

  Raina pulled on her robe, and made her way down the stairs, flipped on the coffee pot, and the daily news. She opened the cabinet, pulled out the container of dog food, and cat food.

  Turk wound around her legs, ready for his meal. She poured it into his bowl. He promptly began to chomp it down.

  “Percy,” she called, shaking the food to entice the cat. Percy usually woke her up with his pleas to eat. She called again.

  Turk lifted his head, and then let out a short bark. Raina glanced up, and then heard the faint mew.

  Percy stood outside the sliding glass door.

  Raina looked in bewilderment. She hurried to the door, unlocking it and quickly sliding it open. “Percy, how did you get out there?” She picked up the tabby that smelled like morning dew now. “Did I let you out without knowing?” She looked into the yellow eyes, and shook her head. “But you came to bed…” She set him down and reached for his food. “Oh well, come on buddy, let’s eat.”

  Turk slipped out the door, and she pulled back the gate to let him into the yard. She studied the breeze shifting wood, and drew back a step. “Felt so real,” she whispered. She wrapped her arms around herself, rubbing her arms to warm them. The spring morning was cool.

  “How about a hike today?” Turk spun to look at her, recognizing that word. His pink tongue lolled out of his mouth. She smiled, “Coffee and breakfast first!” She went back inside to the warm smell of brewing coffee.

  Hour later, and she was back on the deck, sitting on a patio chair, lacing up her hiking boots. She couldn’t explain the butterflies in her stomach.

  She and the much please pup, entered the wood. The temperature change as they entered the shade was very noticeable. She was glad of her down vest. It took her eyes a moment to adjust to the lack of light. She inhaled a lungful of cool spring air. The smell of evergreens was calming, and she felt her nerves relax.

  Turk sniffed every hole, tree, and leaf that came into his nose line. But never was more than ten feet in front of her.

  Thoughtlessly she moved through the trees, stepping over roots and brushing passed branches. She moved as though she had a destination, but there was none. Just walk until her calves ached, then turn back home, hoping she had wasted enough hours and ran into no one.

  “Especially a blonde haired psycho or grey eyed tempter!” she giggled to herself. She then reconsidered the tempter. She would not mind running into him again. Her senses piqued, remembering the warmth he radiated, the smell of his leather jacket, and a scent she couldn’t put her finger on, but definitely masculine. How had her mind generated scent? It had been after all a dream….yet she knew his scent. She knew how soft the leather felt against her cheek, had heard the steady thump of his heart. She felt a shiver run up her spine, and had to close her eyes for a moment to calm down.

  The thought of the other stranger quickly sobered her. Green eyes, the snarl of a smile on his lips, and his obvious intent toward her. She stopped short, causing Turk to do the same. She felt the adrenaline run through her veins, and she suddenly felt very afraid. “It’s just my imagination,” she whispered. She swallowed, held her pack closer to herself and started walking again. Turk licked her hand, and then continued on his investigation.

  They explored in silence. Raina felt her nerves settle again. Nature caught her attention, and the dream slipped away.

  The rest of the morning went quickly. They spotted deer, squirrel, and some she couldn’t quite be certain of. Green was peeking through where the sun, when it decided to show up, hit the forest floor but because of the lack of sunlight in the heavy shadows, not many flowers were to be discovered.

  Around noon the sun did peek out for a moment. She took this time to rest against a tree and nibble at the lunch she had packed.
She tossed Turk a sandwich, which he swallowed up. The morning trek had definitely worn her out. She leaned against the rough bark of the tree, and closed her eyes just for a moment. The sounds around her were stronger when she couldn’t see. She heard a song bird somewhere above her, the buzz of the bugs, rustling of grass, either by critter or breeze, she wasn’t sure.

  Turk sat beside her she knew not because she saw, but because she felt his soft fur against her hand. He sighed, she sighed, and both settled, content to not move. Raina felt her muscles relax, and drowsiness overtook her.

  She didn’t know what made her eyes open a crack, but when they did, she let out a startled cry, sitting up straight from her slouched position. Disbelief made her speechless. She tried to force a sound out, but nothing would come.

  Kneeling beside her, with his silver greys intently on her, was Silas. His hand was deep in Turks fur, and the dog was rolled over, wanting his belly rubbed. He smiled. “Did I scare you Aelan?” He sat down next to her, just close enough, and not touching.

  “It’s Raina,” she sputtered.

  He grinned, “Yeah I know.”

  She trembled at the grin. She leaned closer to him. Yes, that was his scent, minus the leather. Today he only wore a sweatshirt, and well-worn jeans. His hair swept back from his forehead, leaving a perfect view of his face. She could hardly believe he was here again…was she dreaming? Without thinking, she reached out and touched his cheek. It was warm beneath her fingertips. She brushed a finger down to the stubborn chin. She touched the lips, which had dropped the grin, and were set seriously.

  He took her hand gently returned it to her lap. She thought she felt his hand shake and then he lifted his eyes to her.

  “Why are you here?” She thought she sounded breathless.

  “I promised I’d protect you.”

  She glanced around them. “He’s here?” She tried to choke back the panic.

  “Was,” he corrected her.

  She slid closer to him, felt the moment of contact, the warmth of him. He visibly tensed. She couldn’t help the hurt feelings at his reaction.

  She pulled back. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

  He offered a smile. “No Raina, I am.” He strengthened his statement, by touching her shoulder. “You were hiking today? How much further do you have to go? I could walk with you.”

  She had planned on heading back home, but after his promise, she knew a couple hours would seem like ten minutes with him.

  “I was going to walk a bit further…there’s a stream up ahead. It’s beautiful. Have you been there?”

  “I would love to see it with you.” He stood gracefully, reaching down to her assistance.

  She took the warm hand, feeling the long fingers surround hers. He helped her up as if she weighed nothing…quickly, he released her hand. She had to force herself not to pout.

  Turk forged ahead, he knew the way. They walked without word. Silas took the lead slightly to help her over the deep ruts and tangled weeds. In a slightly more tangled area he took her hand, and held it protectively. Raina could have told him she did this often on her own, but she bit her tongue...enjoying his assistance more than she should.

  When they came to clear walking, he let go of her hand, casually shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans. ; a pair of jeans that fit him very well. His broad shoulders filled out the top of the sweatshirt, and tapered down his lean waste. Her eyes traveled down the rest, and then back to his beautiful profile.

  He gave her a sideways glance.

  Her cheeks warmed.

  He hadn’t failed to notice she was noticing him. He wanted to chastise himself. He had no right to have pleasure in her attention. He hated the attention he usually drew from the feminine population, but it felt really good coming from this girl.

  He took advantage of her averted glance in the opposite direction to take account of her appearance. He had the sense that she did not approve of her figure…but that was just ridiculous. Her generous hips were appealing, as was her tiny waist. Her petite frame was well filled out, and he would take that over the bean poles that threw themselves at him.

  . She was complicated this Raina, and sweet, and sad, and so very hurt. He would do all he could to shelter this girl from further pain.

  “Can you hear it?” She broke into his thoughts.

  They rounded a rather large tree, which had hindered the view, and there it was. Flowing freely, bubbling pass the rocks…clear and beautiful. And cold! He chuckled as she excitedly knelt close to the stream and trailed her hand in its depths.

  Raina laughed, tugging her hand out of the frigid water. “You would think I would have learned by now!” She rubbed her numb hand, and she shook off the icy droplets.

  He crouched down and skimmed the water with his fingers. “Such a wonder, huh?”

  She nodded in appreciation.

  He stared down into the water, wondering why he remained here with her. Why had he decided to prolong their time together? He had kept his word and protected her. He knew she rarely came this far, and would have already been heading home if he hadn’t tempted her to walk with him. He was making things tougher than they should be.

  “Silas?”

  He turned at the sound of her soft voice. “Yes?”

  “What do you do?”

  He cleared his throat. “Um, protect you,” he teased.

  She shook her head. “No, you… haven’t said who you are…who this Thanatos is. It’s all very strange.” She met his gaze. “You are, different, and there’s something not quite normal about you…about the both of you.”

  He grinned, still feeling he should keep the mood light. “I’m not Thanatos…quite the opposite. I will agree I may seem mysterious…showing up at night, protecting you from a green eyed demon. “

  She nodded. “I wondered…..and I have a couple opinions…one being rather childish.” She blushed. “Must be the intrigue of the dark…like you live in it…only, today, well, in the sun, which kills one of my opinions.”

  “Are you asking me if I’m a vampire?” He chuckled, his beautiful eyes glinting mischief.

  She blushed. “I like the idea,” she admitted. “But I don’t get vampire from you ….but you are built like it. Strong, tall, your features are stunning ….” The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them. She blushed again.

  He glanced away to help her recover from her awkward comment.

  They were quiet again.

  “So what are you?”

  He sighed, leaned back on his elbows, and crossed his feet in front of himself. “I don’t know if I’d be able to tell you that.”

  She shook her head, caught by the beautiful eyes.

  Turk made his way between them, demanding their attention.

  “Well, whatever you are, thank you.”

  He tilted his head. “For what?”

  She shrugged. “I have no idea what you are doing…who you really are, but something about you that makes me think you’re good for me.”

  He turned to look back at the flowing water. “You certainly are not good for me,” he chuckled.

  She turned to look at him in surprise. “That’s not fair, you don’t know me!”

  He was quiet for a moment. “Yes, I’m here to protect you,” he admitted. “And I don’t think you’re bad for me in the respect that you’re a bad person. It’s my job to protect you, but you are far more tempting then I thought you would be. I’m not here to enjoy your company as I am doing right now. It messes with my real purpose, and that can be dangerous to you.”

  She blushed for the umpteenth time today. “Do I distract you?”

  He nodded, his jaw clenching as if that were a bad thing

  “You distract me, “she accused.

  He sighed, and closed his eyes.

  She scooted closer to him. ‘Is that wrong? Can’t a person be drawn to another without it being a big deal?” She knew the craziness of that statement as she let her gaze drift over the c
losed eyes, the relaxed mouth. She leaned even closer.

  He opened his eyes, finding her leaning above him. He simply stared at her for a moment.

  “Silas…” she breathed in. She didn’t know what she wanted to ask him exactly. She knew what she wanted to do. That would be ridiculous! What if she could just kiss him once?

  He swallowed a couple times. He had to end this. He saw what she wanted of him, and that was not going to happen.

  The thunder started then, startling Raina. “Well that’s unexpected,” she giggled.

  Silas took that as a way to sit up, and shift from the temptation.

  “I still have a couple hours back to the house. I hope this thunder is not accompanied by rain!”

  He was up, brushing off his jeans, and reaching for her before she completed her sentence. “I think rain may be following.”

  She felt a shock when he lifted her up quickly. She held onto his arms, and stayed him for a moment, with a squeeze. She was sure if he let her go she'd be on the ground. She felt almost as if she were intoxicated by his very presence.

  “You okay?”

  She forced her head to nod and pulled back. “I’m okay. “ She really did feel dizzy at that moment, and what happened next neither could prevent. She fell back... her ankle twisted, and she was soon submerged in icy water, her breath knocked from her lungs.

  He pulled her out sputtering and spitting out water.

  “Aelan? Oh my God, I’m sorry…are you okay?”

  She felt humiliated! The shirt and vest felt as if they were freezing to her skin. She shook violently. “Ffffffine.” she chattered.

  “No you’re not!”

  He knelt beside her, and tugged his sweatshirt over his head. He only had a tank beneath, but it hid very little.

  He tossed his shirt at her. “I’ll turn around…there’s nothing you can do about the soaked jeans, but you need to get out of that wet shirt.” He promptly turned his back to her. A marvelous back, perfectly etched in muscle beneath the thin white cotton.

  “You’ll f-freeze Silas!”

  He chuckled. “I’ll be fine Raina, now hurry!”