The Awakening (Wake Up #1)

by Sarah Brocious

  "Next time I would hope you come prepared," Bradley spoke up again. "Gregor may be more behind the scenes, but he does flawless work!"

  Clay stood to his feet. “Pardon me; I have to use the restroom!” He gave them a curt nod, and then he stalked off.

  Raina drew in a breath of relief. She then frowned at Bradley. "I know you're the big bad boss...but I think you embarrassed him!"

  Emily nodded in agreement. “He certainly is not happy,” she whispered.

  Bradley nodded. “He’s a moody one that guy!” He was not as fazed by the brooding green eyed man.

  Raina certainly was. She still felt goose bumps all over her arms just from the look he gave her.

  Bradley picked up his menu “So, shall we order?”

  The rest of the meal was more solemn than the beginning. Raina had a feeling the wind had been blown from Clay’s sails. He seemed grumpy after Bradley’s phone call. She felt a little sorry for him. He had to be humiliated after Bradley had praised him, and then called his partner to clean up the mess he had created.

  “I suppose I must have been too excited to meet you, that I forgot what I was coming here for,” a soft whisper brushed against her cheek. "I have heard much about you...as I’ve said, and the second I heard you were coming, I was beside myself.”

  Raina turned to Clay, and was again taken by how green his eyes were. She drew in a breath and accomplished a soft, “Oh?”

  He leaned toward her. “I wanted to meet you from the moment I knew you existed,” he teased. “And you are just as beautiful as I had gathered. I hope your opinion of me has not been tainted?”

  Raina felt engulfed in his gaze, but fought to keep her own mind. “I do not know you well enough to have formed an opinion,” she whispered.

  His eyes lit. “Does that mean I’ll get to see you enough times for you to form an opinion?”

  Raina couldn’t help her blush. “I am making no promises.”

  He laughed a deep laugh, and shook his head, looking pleased with himself. He smiled, and the smile was disarming.

  Raina felt it unfair that a smile could be so winning, when deep down he made her shiver in fear. Feeling a need for flight, but unable to turn away...just like in her dream.

  Bradley’s phone rang, just before dessert, and he excused himself to answer it.

  Emily turned her attention to Clay. "You are coming to the BBQ, aren’t you?"

  Clay gave a nod. "Wouldn't miss it...especially if Raina here is coming?"

  Raina blushed. "I'm embarrassed to say I wasn't invited. Then again, I probably would have said no...Emily knows me well."

  Emily scowled at her, and tilted her head toward Clay, as if to say...play along.

  "I might," Raina assented.

  Clay looked pleased.

  Bradley returned, and they finished their meal a little more lightheartedly.

  The bill came, and Clay snatched it up before Bradley could. “My treat for my mistake,” he offered.

  Bradley grinned. “No biggie Clay. Meeting a pretty girl can muddle the mind.” He winked at Raina. “Will you be joining us at Raina’s? We were going to sip some wine…maybe watch a movie?”

  Clay hesitated. “I do have responsibilities tonight, or I would. Knowing Gregor, he’ll be waiting there already…he can fill in for me.” He turned to Raina. “As much as it pains me to leave your presence. It was an honor meeting you, Raina!” He took her hand, this time not kissing it, just squeezing.

  Raina couldn’t help but feel an excitement and apprehension... He was dangerous and at the same time, very appealing. “Maybe some other time,” she heard herself croak

  He smiled a beautiful smile...thought altering smile. "I surely hope so" And he nodded to Emily and Bradley, before taking his leave.

  They were walking to the car, when Emily looped her arm through Raina’s “So, what do you think of Clay?”

  Raina shrugged. “He’s um, different, and certainly good looking, “she offered. “It’s just….he’s no...”

  “David?” Emily squeezed her arm.

  “Not just that Em….I’m just not sure I want someone like Clay in my life. There’s something off about him,” she admitted.

  Emily gave a nod “I suppose there is. Plus he’s no David,” she teased.

  Raina nudged her. “Silly woman!”

  Bradley opened the door for his wife. “Clay’s right, more than likely Gregor will be there by the time we arrive. He’s always on time…way on time!”

  “I’ve never met Gregor,” Emily noted as they started off down the road.

  “Nice guy…a lot more quiet than Clay. Of the two partners he is the smartest. Clay has the showmanship though.”

  “Certainly can’t be as handsome as Clay,” Emily sighed, fanning herself.

  Bradley glared at her. “I don’t usually take note of that kind of thing, but from the office chatter from the ladies, both are pretty appealing.”

  Raina rolled her eyes, imagining those girls flirting with the financial duo….not because of their brilliant minds, but because of those good looks. How people could be so shallow, she would never understand.

  They pulled onto the driveway to her house, and sure enough, another car sat waiting. A red Dodge Charger. A gentleman leaned against it, folders in hand.

  Bradley hurried out of the car. “Gregor! I’m so grateful!”

  Raina slowly emerged from the car. She heard Bradley arguing with the other man to stay for a glass of wine. She gave a sideways glance, as she leaned into the car to grab her purse. He was tall, this gentleman.

  Emily closed her door, and then turned to Raina. “Oh my God Raina…look at him! …wowee!!!”

  Raina purposely didn’t look in the stranger’s direction. “Em, come on now!”

  She turned to walk toward the door, fumbling in her purse for her house key. She found them, and promptly dropped them. “Darn,” she mumbled.

  She leaned down to pick it up, only to see it swept up by a long fingered hand.

  “Here you are Raina,” a gentle voice mumbled.

  Raina hesitated to raise her head at first, when that voice triggered a memory. She lifted her eyes finally and found warm, humor filled silver greys waiting on her. She started in surprise. “Silas? You can’t…be here,” her voice trailed, and she fainted without finishing her sentence.

  All three made a grab for her but Gregor caught her, drawing her up into his arms. He looked concerned at her ashen face.

  “I warned her you were handsome,” Emily teased.

  Bradley chuckled…”She’s had a busy night!” He took Emily’s arm. “This is my wife Emily…her best friend Raina…”

  He turned to Emily. “Emily, this is Nolan Gregor!”

  Nolan gave a nod, looking uncomfortable with the girl he held, but holding her with gentleness, as though she'd break.

  Emily smiled. "Nice to meet you Nolan."

  Nolan smiled a knee weakening smile. He adjusted the fainted woman in his arms, looking down at her soft features.

  "Odd name," she teased. What does it mean? Raina will ask."

  “It means Champion,” he said gently. He again looked down at Raina. His eyes washed over her with true worry. "Is she okay?"

  Emily watched the softened expression on his face, and felt her heart flutter. The look in his eyes. He looked at her friend with actual concern, and care. She trusted this Nolan.

  “Let’s get her inside the house!” She took the keys from Nolan’s fingers.

  He followed her steps, holding the fainted girl gently.

  Turk promptly greeted them; he whined and nuzzled at Nolan’s jacket.

  “Well aren’t you friendly tonight?” Emily laughed at the dog. “Turk here doesn’t usually like strangers, “she explained.

  Nolan just gave a half grin. “Animals tend to take to me.”

  “No doubt,” Emily thought to herself…” the furry and female kind.”

  Inside, he laid her down on the couch, as Emily threw
the pillows from it.

  “Is she ok?” he repeated his earlier question. Nolan’s voice was soft and appealing to Emily’s ears.

  “Raina has had a hard day,” she excused.

  He nodded, rubbing the back of his neck.

  “She seemed to recognize you, “Bradley noted.

  “Perhaps," his shoulders lifted in an uncomfortable shrug.

  Bradley smiled. "You okay yourself Nolan?"

  “I-I really should go,” Nolan whispered. “Please apologize to her for me.” His eyes ran over the pretty girl lying on the couch. He reached down and touched her forehead, acting as though he was checking for a fever.

  Emily bit her lip, seeing the familiarity in his eyes. There was more to this story, she was sure. “I’m sure she’d appreciate an apology in person,” she laughed softly.

  He grinned. “I feel like I’ve ruined your evening.”

  Bradley slapped his shoulder. “From experience at the office, you have that effect on the ladies.”

  Shaking his head, Nolan chuckled. “You’re thinking of Clay.”

  Emily wanted to argue. Sure Clay may outwardly flaunt his beauty, but Nolan was by far the most appealing “It was nice to meet you,” she spoke up. “I hope we see you again soon.”

  “You sure will,” Bradley agreed. “Nolan will be at our house next weekend…for the BBQ you keep forgetting about,” he teased.

  She frowned. "I certainly have not forgotten!!" Then she grinned at Nolan. “That means you can deliver your apology first hand! Raina will be there too!!”

  Nolan considered this, and then nodded. “I will see you next weekend,” he agreed. He shook Bradley’s hand, nodded to Emily, and cast another concerned glance in Raina’s direction, before letting himself out the door, much to Turks dismay. The dog sat at the screen door and whined.

  Raina groaned and awoke with a start at the slamming car door.

  “Welcome back to the land of the living,” Bradley teased. “What happened out there?”

  Raina shrugged out of sleep. She sat up, shaking her head to clear the cob webs. “I was a little tired, took a hike yesterday. I must not have recovered fully. Then I saw Si-h-him, and I realized I had met him before, just a shock on top of everything.”

  “You have met him,” Bradley said with suddenly.

  Her brow furrowed. “How did you know?”

  Bradley laid an arm across her shoulders. “I was the one that invited him to your wedding.”

  “He was at my wedding?” her voice held shock. She also felt relief…he couldn’t be the one in her dreams….she had met him before, she recognized him from the past……..she drifted a little, until Emily touched her shoulder.

  “Are you okay Rain?”

  Raina smiled up at her friend. “Oh I feel so stupid!”

  Emily giggled…”You nearly ate it out there Missy!”

  Raina covered her face. “It figures, my first social venture after….” she drifted off, not wanting to say his name. “And I make a complete fool of myself.”

  Emily wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Sounds like someone needs a glass of wine,” she teased.

  Raina nodded. “Yes, I believe so…it’s been a long day for sure!”

  That wasn't the half of it. She felt the stirring of unease. There were too many strange things going on around her. The dreams...then the men in her dreams... What did this all mean? And why did she have the feeling that her life was going to get a lot more complicated?

  Chapter 3 Day Dreams

  Raina dried the last dish and set it in the cupboard. Her mind literally hurt from thinking. She was doing all she could to keep from thinking.

  It had been a strange week. And she could say nothing... not even to her best friend. How do you explain that the two men you meet within hours...you had dreamt of days before? How?

  The biggest shock had been Silas...or Gregor or whatever his name was. He had the same beautiful face, silver grey eyes...there was no doubt. Even Clay had been slightly different; she could question it....but not her dark haired angel.

  "Oh, he must think I am an absolute fruit cake," she whispered to herself. The mortification of fainting in front of a total stranger could not easily be lived down. No wonder the poor guy had run away. Now, in just days she would have to see him again. Her face flushed, and Raina could no longer ignore the thoughts that invaded her. Have to see him again? Who was she fooling...it would be no task at all. In fact, she wanted to see him now!

  Turk nudged at her hand, asking to be let out.

  Well, fresh air would do her good, so Raina complied. She'd sit on her deck, maybe break out the laptop and answer a few emails.

  She watched Turk run to the border of the property, and look out, as if expecting someone. Did he sense the change in the air....the in and out of what had become Raina's reality....or lack thereof?

  She headed back to the house for her laptop, and a fresh cup of coffee. When she returned, Turk was whining to get back up on the deck with her. He took his place on the large dog bed in the corner. A yawn stretched his large jowls and he laid his head down, peering up with his large puppy eyes.

  The laptop screen flickered to life, and she began the process of filtering the emails she had neglected for far too long. Pictures Mom and Dad sent...letters from a few aunts...some previous friends wondering how she was doing. She wrote the usual pat replies...just to appease them, until a few months later they wrote with the same questions, same fears. She knew most contacted her with the need to fulfill supposed friendship. She had no room in her heart for them.

  She focused on her letter to her mom and dad. She described her first night out in a long time. They would be pleased by this. She revealed her plans to soon attend yet another outing...the BBQ.

  She of course left out the fainting spell from the night before...that they would not like.

  Finally, she attached a few recent pictures of the pooch and kitten...the closest things her parents had to grandchildren.

  Feeling like she had done what was necessary in society’s eyes to be deemed a human, she set the lap top on the table next to her, and laid out on the chase. Her body sunk into a still unfamiliar feeling of relaxation. She didn't feel like falling asleep...not yet. She wanted to consider this sudden ability to sleep. She opened the gate on the deck that lead to the yard, and plopped down on the stair. The relaxation again set over her, and the anxiousness fled. She leaned her head against the beam of the deck and closed her eyes. She could get use to this renewed gift of peace. The only thing she fought was the why? Why the change? Why did she feel so different now? Where was the necessity to fear and question all that was going on around her? She wasn't fearing the pain of...David...she was able to think of his memory without breaking down. Last week she was afraid to sleep because so often her dreams would be of him...yet she slept now, and he was...gone. That thought did sadden her...so no, the pain was not completely gone. But her fear was...ever since...her mind wandered again, not ready to settle on that answer.

  She drew in a breath of resolve, her muscles relaxing. "So, why do I feel so safe......?” she whispered into the spring air.

  "He can have that effect on people."

  Raina sat straight up away from the deck; the top stair had begun digging into her back... The hairs on the back of her neck stood up. Her eyes struggled to focus.

  "My partner....he can make you feel safe...secure...like you are untouchable."

  She bit back a cry when she met a chilling gaze.

  Thanatos' ochre green eyes skimmed her from head to toe. "But he can't be all places at all times."

  He was standing at the steps, leaning against the railing as if he belonged there. The steps leading up to the deck was all that separated them. How long had he been there........where had he come from?

  "What are you doing here?" She wanted to say Clay...but this was definitely Thanatos...his demeanor here was different from the restaurant. There was no facade of politeness...his eyes
roamed with intent, and his voice was the embodiment of seduction...this was his personality of choice.

  "He might warn you against me Raina...but he is not perfect. He is just as selfish as I am." He grinned. "He is a different package though...you females like the gentleman don't you? She sure did."

  "She?"

  His blonde head tilted inquisitively. “He’s the type that will steal a girl right from under your nose. But the ladies just see his kind eyes...hear his soothing voice. There are sneaky men out there, and you women fall for it every time. You figure, they will keep you safe...they will have your best in mind...they will let you sleep in peace and safety..." He smiled. "That’s why you feel different...so safe. An annoying gift of his."

  Turk growled menacingly in his throat, eyeing the stranger.

  "That is what you were wondering. Isn't it? "

  "Wondering?"

  "Why you feel so safe?"

  Raina swallowed hard. "I don't know what you mean."

  His green eyes glinted with delight. "You lie so easily with your lips Raina...I like that. But your eyes tell the truth. It’s him. Isn’t it?”

  “Silas,” she whispered.

  The butterflies in her stomach fluttered. He was so dangerously beautiful.

  "Silas." He rolled his eyes at the name. He glanced sideways, and a chuckle rumbled from his chest, he shook his head in disbelief. "Ah, speak of the devil." He shoved his hands into his pockets. "It’s your protector, right on time."

  Raina's gaze drifted in the direction Thanatos' had gone. As if the name had summoned him, there he stood at the edge of the yard, near the woods.

  He looked beautiful, standing there, arms crossed over his chest. He wore those jeans, and the brown cotton shirt seemed to have been tailored just for him. The dark hair was disheveled in that perfect way. And though his silver eyes squinted in annoyance, they were still the loveliest eyes she knew.

  "We had an agreement," he spoke evenly.

  Thanatos' shoulders lifted. "I'm bringing no harm to her...just a simple hello."

  Raina’s cheeks flushed when the memory of her fainting rushed back. She sat back further into the stair, feeling mortified. She eyed him through the slots through the deck fence railing. But he did not seem interested in returning her gaze. His eyes were on Thanatos, unwavering.