Looks like the afternoon was planned, I thought to myself.
I waited, leaning against the car with Hunters arm wrapped around my shoulders in comfort. I hadnt told Fredric either, it's not that I didn't trust him, it was the fact that I didn't want to draw any more attention to myself.
I saw Elane and Jane, then James and Sam emerge from the school gates at last; they all looked really worried and on edge. I think Hunter and Fredric saw this too because they both closed in on me and automatically started searching for any dangers.
Wait, maybe… what if Elane saw Sylar and me, is that why they're acting this way?
“We have to get home, something's changed,” Jane warned urgently as she walked past us to the yellow SUV.
Hunter opened the door for me and I climbed over to the backseat of the mustang without a word, then Fredric climbed in next to me and shut the door behind him.
It was a silent but fast drive to the Archer house. I just watched the trees and houses go by in a blur, feeling like I was going to vomit from everything I had inside of me. All the guilt, anguish and confusion was eating me alive.
7. Amators
We pulled up in the courtyard and got out of the Mustang. I was wedged between Hunter and Fredric as we walked into the house and I was feeling waves of nausea hit me over and over. I hoped to god that it wasnt about me. I could feel the guilt bubble up inside me and build, threatening to explode any minute.
We all followed Jane and Elane into Peters office and took a seat. I sat in a single chair but Hunter and Fredric stood on either sides of me like bodyguards, ready to take a bullet for me if need be. Jane shut the doors quietly when Sam finally came into the room and sat down.
It was so quiet in the room, all I could feel were the sparks of tension flying around from person to person.
“Elane,” Jane prompted, finally breaking the nail biting silence.
I looked at Elane and she was now standing, she looked at me and her face was worried. At that moment I thought she knew about Sylar, but then again, I haven't decided to tell her about it so she wouldn't be able to see it, right?
“I have seen that the Warrigal coven have come,” she explained. “Their search will change from three beings to one.”
I looked up at Hunter and Fredric, their faces were sculptured, concealing their emotions. Though my heart rate did lower as she said that. At least she didnt know about what I did.
“Who are the Warrigal?” I asked quietly, secretly relieved, but not really knowing who they were.
It seemed that everyone in that room was looking at me, but I kept even eye contact with Elane.
“They are a very powerful coven: 2 are elements, 2 are detrimentals, and one is a defender. They go around the world and recruit the most powerful of beings so they can one day overthrow the council because their leader is a half blood,” James explained, instead of Elane.
It was quiet for a minute, but Sam spoke, breaking the silence. “And if they have come for Fredric, Hunter or Layla, wouldnt they know its too late?”
“No, they will try to persuade them with anything. They haven't seen power like this since they found Thora and Christein,” Elane said, looking troubled.
“Why? They can't... Not again,” Sam whispered furiously, shaking his head as if in denial.
James got up and put a hand on his brothers shoulder. “They are heartless my brother, they will do anything for power.”
Sam suddenly looked over at me, his face was pained in horror. He got up and walked out of the room. It was quiet in the office as we could clearly hear him walk out the back door.
I didnt know what I was thinking, or even if I was, but I got up and started for the door. I honestly knew I wasnt thinking.
“What are you doing Layla?” Hunter asked, grabbing my arm and stopping me.
I looked back at him and he could see my face was full of pain and guilt. “I'm going after him,” I said intently.
He nodded understanding after a minute and I smiled a little at him. “Thank you,” I said as he let go of my arm.
I walked out the office doors, through the high ceiling living room, to the kitchen and out the backdoor. I shivered a bit at the coldness in the air but kept walking. I didnt know where I was going to look, but for some reason I could feel where to go, it was like my heart was pulling me in the right direction.
It wasn't long before I was deep in the forest out back and I could hear running water wasnt that far. I just kept walking, I didnt have a clue where to go, but it was weird, every cell in my body could feel Sam get closer.
It seemed like I had been walking for hours, and I could see the sun beginning to set, but I tried not panic, I had to stay calm. I finally came to a small clearing and I could see a river. There, by a little opening in the trees on the right, was a steep but thin trail. It looked like it led to the top of a cliff above the water.
I walked up the steep path and the trees thinned out to reveal an opening on the grassy cliff that was overlooking the forest. The sight was breathtaking, you could see right over the top of the river, all the way to the other properties behind the trees. That's when I spotted Sam, he was sitting at the edge of the peak.
I went and sat down quietly next to him, letting my legs dangle off the edge with his. It was quite a long way down to the river but it was a beautiful view, even with the cold weather.
“How did you find me?” Sam asked quietly.
I looked over at him and he was looking out into the distance, his skin illuminating off the sunset.
“I… I don't know. I just did.”
It was silent for a while, we just sat there, staring at the sun as it slowly set over the trees.
“It looks like you do not have to wait any longer to hear the truth. We have enough time and privacy right here, and I think I know what to say now,” Sam said.
“You're going to talk to me now?” I suggested, it sounding like a question.
He looked out into the setting sunset again, pursing his lips, deciding whether to explain to me, I guessed. “Okay, where do I start?” he asked himself.
“Why don't you tell me why you hated me?” I hinted.
He looked at me and sighed, looking away again. It looked like he was embarrassed. “When I first saw you I could tell you were strong. Every being who has an ability can always feel if another has one also, just by seeing or sensing you. It's like your special warmth that radiates from your body, every beings is different. And when Elane brought you to meet us I felt your energy and I was… intimidated,” he said, looking at me to see if he had offended me.
I just listened eagerly, more than I should be.
“I have never really gotten along with anyone as powerful as me before. I apologize for my behaviour, I was being absurd.” He smiled ashamed. “But then... I began to see you in my head that very same day. Every time I closed my eyes, you were there and I wasnt sure what that meant,” he said softly.
He turned to look at me, and spoke so softly I felt like mush and my insides turned warm and tingly.
“After we talked that weekend I tried to kill you, I started to see what pain you had been through, what it felt like. Then every time you saw me you weren't in as much pain. It made me feel… good inside. Over the past few days I began to feel whole, sort of like I wasnt complete before I met you. I was missing part of myself. I could find the will to do things I had not done in a long time, I could feel things again, I could pay attention to everyday life.
“I'm getting feelings that I… I dont understand. I am not very good at explaining my feelings to anyone because I have never felt this way towards any being.” He took both my hands in his gently and I started to feel dizzy again, from both his touch and how close he was to me.
This felt too much like a dream. What was he saying?
He took a deep breath, squared his broad shoulders and looked into my eyes, summoning strength within himself. “Layla Rose Atkins, I think I'm in love with you,” he said,
affecting my whole body system. “No, I am in love with you,” he corrected himself in a sure voice. “I love you.”
I looked at him in shock, speechless. Did he just… I was close to passing out.
He really did feel the same way I did or was this just all a cruel trick on my heart?
“Really?” I squeaked out.
I was speechless, what else could I say??
He looked back at me and nodded truly and sincerely. I could see it now as I looked square into his eyes. It was there the whole time, how much he really adored me which I never thought was possible. I had never really seen it before and this was such a shock that I wasnt sure if it was real. I think I needed to pinch myself.
“I cannot keep my mind away from you. I want you too much and I'm afraid that I will lose my self-control over this. All I want to know is if you happen to feel the same way about me. It's okay if you do not precipitate these feelings back, I can take it like a man. I just needed you to know how I felt. It was the only way I could get my mind to become coherent again,” he said slowly.
I stared into his light green eyes stunned; he was serious. It took me a minute to gather my thoughts but I finally spoke.
“I do feel that way about you,” I whispered. “Since the first day I saw you. I was terrified, but I knew. I feel... I feel better around you, like a normal person.”
He smiled at me sweetly, his eyes were just as warm. I could see this was a big relief for him, but more of an anxiety attack for me.
“Thank the goddess, I was not sure how you would feel because I know things between us are...” he breathed, relief flooding his expression as well as embarrassment.
“Heated.”
He nodded and lifted my hand up to kiss it. I could feel the Goosebumps on my neck from the cold but I didn't care. He loved me and I felt the same way. I really could have never known he felt the same way I do for him, I thought I was just being a typical girl.
For the first time in my life I was really loved, by new family and more. This wasn't just lust, it was more than that.
A cold breeze whooshed past and I shivered convulsively this time. Sam saw this and he pulled me closer to him, already caring and making a smile secretly appear on my face. He cradled me under his arms and I snuggled in closer to his very warm chest, sure that if this was a dream I would make the most of it while I could. This was the first time I had actually touched him and he was very masculine, I could tell because his chest was rock hard like his arms, but yet very soft and warm. Wow. It was extremely hard to breathe when I thought about him holding me, so I concentrated on the sun setting, instead of his big hand stroking my arm lightly. It felt like he was sending static into my body as he grazed his fingers along my skin slowly. It felt like I belonged. I didn't know why I was feeling this way, maybe it was a desperate cry out to try and keep a hold of my sanity, but whatever it was... I trusted it, I trusted my stomach.
We sat like that for a while and I decided that I should ask some questions. I wanted to hear his voice again, so I picked a very conversational question first.
“How come youre not freezing?” I asked casually, playing with his shirt.
He chuckled. “Because I run warmer than normal people,” he said, still chuckling.
“Why?” I asked like a child.
I felt him shrug. “I don't know. How do we get our abilities?” he asked rhetorically. “It just is. We are a completely unique race.”
I was breathing in his heady scent. It was somewhere between some sort of flower mixed with mint, I figured out.
“So where do we go from here?” I asked.
There was silence, probably because neither of us knew.
“I'm not so sure. I'm still… thinking. Is this really what's…” he didnt finish his sentence.
I could see he was frustrated.
I reached my hand towards his face; it was shaking, but I placed my hand lightly against his warm angular cheek. I had wanted to do that for a while, just to see if he was real. He looked at me but he did not pull away, he simply put his hand over mine and pressed my hand harder against his face, then closed his eyes. His face truly was a piece of art and it was hard to believe he was my age.
I smiled at how peaceful and beautiful his face looked, especially because he was with me... I think. Okay, I don't have the details but this was hard to believe as it was.
“Everything will be fine. As long as I'm with you,” I said gently.
He opened his eyes. “That is exactly it. I'm afraid… what if you being with me is not the best idea? Im a different person, I've done things that I will regret for the rest of my life, and I'm just not so sure if I am safe enough for you.”
“I don't care what you are or what you've done... I don't want either of us to regret this if we let it go. If we are meant to be together we will try fighting. Do you see this... my heart, it started beating again a few days ago because of you, do you feel it?” I grabbed his hand that was on mine and lifted it to place it over my heart. Then I let my hand that was on his face slide to his chest. He shivered at my touch but did not pull away.
“I feel like you are meant to be with me,” I murmured. “It's almost like we are both deprived of feeling love, but when I'm near you I can feel myself starting to heal.”
I could feel the steady rhythm of his heart and mine, they were beating together in harmony. I didn't know what that had to do with the situation but I felt there was something between us, and it felt right, he made me feel right, and that was something nobody had ever done before. I had faith in him.
“Yes I can see, it is truly amazing... but I do not want anything to happen to you. I couldn't bear for you to get hurt because of me. I have a lot of enemies Layla, and if they find out about you.” I felt him shudder at the thought.
“I don't care, I know I want to be with you,” I said sternly, then as I thought back over what I had just said, I sounded much like a child who wasnt thinking at all.
He sighed angrily and looked out over the water. The sun was still setting and his light brown hair shined honey red in the light.
I looked out into the horizon as well; it was beautiful.
“It's beautiful, isnt it?” I asked conversationally, trying to lighten the mood.
“You are sitting right here next to me, I can't see anything more beautiful.”
I could still clearly hear the agitation in his voice but he was controlling it easily. I knew he had anger issues, but I didnt care, he was worth it. Even though it was a crazy feeling, I had to trust it, I wanted to trust it.
I looked back at him and he looked more like a god than human, his strange green eyes searching my face intensively.
I was stunned for a moment, I couldn't speak. I realised he was too perfect, how could he be for me even if this was a dream?
He took in my saddened expression and his face softened. “You are the most beautiful thing in my world now, nothing can compare to that, I swear to you,” he whispered, pulling my long hair away from my face. “What happened here?” he asked softly, touching the fading bruise on my forehead.
I grinned sheepishly. “I got hit in the head with a ball,” I admitted.
He tried to keep a straight face. “It's healing well.”
“Yeah,” I said, looking at my hand nervously.
He smiled and bent his head down; my heart missed a beat. As his face got closer, my heart got faster. His lips brushed against my bruise softly and I felt a surge of heat course through me. He was making me crazy and I barely knew him, but sometimes you just have to listen to your heart and take a chance, and that's what I was doing. I really had nothing to lose, but I was scared of getting hurt, that was the only thing really holding me back.
“Do you know why you have this?” he asked, showing me my black streak in my hair.
I shrugged. “No, apparently I was born with it.”
I looked at him and he looked overjoyed, like he really wanted to tell me the story behind it.
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br /> “There is a legend that every time someone who has a powerful ability, they bear a mark on them to show it. Usually it's permanently on their skin, but yours is in your hair, making you very unique,” he told me.
This did make sense in a way because it always grew back and it was always the same length as the rest of my hair.
“Whats yours?” I asked, remembering he was powerful.
He smiled slightly and undone the top buttons of his shirt to reveal a black, almost tattoo like marking about the size of my palm. It was on the left side of his smooth chest near his collar bone.
“Oh,” was all I said, slightly breathless by looking at him half shirtless, almost.
“Mine is Greek, its the labyrinthos, or the labyrinth,” he murmured, using his finger to signal to the labyrinth-like tattoo on his chest. “Supposedly the seven fold will hold an unexpected path through unconditional love. This was the maze the minotaur was held prisoner in.” His eyes met mine quickly before they darted away.
God I wanted to run my fingers over him, but I knew that was inappropriate so I banished the thought from my head before he could pick up on it.
“But every beings power mark is different, some are picture, colour, even word representations. Yours is of colour, meaning power and authority which will change eventually to your birthstone colour. And mine is of picture, meaning the labyrinth which use to be turquoise like my birthstone and now it is black,” he continued.
I nodded and watched him refasten the buttons back up and he stared out into the setting sun yet again, resting his arms around me easily. We sat in the comfortable silence for a moment. I didn't feel cold anymore and I couldn't even feel the rough winds blow past, Sam was keeping me toasty warm. I was perfectly fine just sitting in the silence being in his embrace, but I had an itch in the back of my mind. I needed answers, I couldn't stay in the dark anymore.
“Sam, what were you talking about when you said not again?” I asked, remembering his crude departure from the house.
He sighed. “It feels like its going to happen all over again,” he mumbled.
The Hidden Revelations: First Light Page 15