“Sam? What's wrong?” I asked, his silence was scaring me a little.
I waited for the seconds to tick by before he rushed over to me and scooped me up in his arms, squeezing me to him so I could barely breathe.
“You're okay,” he said, kissing my neck roughly.
“Of course I am,” I said with a breathless laugh.
He was kissing my neck, collarbone, cheeks, everywhere he could reach on my face.
“You almost gave me a heart attack. I come downstairs to find Elane yelling out for help and you on the floor,” he said, pulling back and placing me on the bed.
“I'm sorry. I don't know what happened,” I said, wrapping both my arms around his neck.
“Did you eat anything?”
“No, I hadn't eaten anything,” I said, and as I did, to much of my embarrassment, my stomach growled.
I laughed and he chuckled. “I take it you are hungry now?” he asked.
I smiled impishly. “You know me well,” I said and couldnt stop myself from laughing.
He inclined his head down and his lips touched my neck tenderly. “I sure do,” he murmured.
I sat down at the table downstairs in the kitchen and rested my hands on the cold silver of the table.
“What would you like to eat this evening my angel?” Sam asked, smiling adorably and standing near the large pantry cupboard.
“Umm…”
“Anything you want,” he reminded me.
“Hmm… something with chicken please,” I requested with a smile.
“Coming up,” he said, turning and walking into the pantry and coming out with ingredients.
“I wanted to tell you that the covens are coming back today, and the outsiders,” Sam said casually, searching my face for my reaction as he went over to the fridge.
“Oh,” I said unsurprised.
It wasnt so surprising. I knew they would have to come back sooner or later, especially because Summer and Peter were arranging another gathering.
“Is that a good oh or a bad oh?” he asked cautiously, walking back and fourth across the kitchen, keeping his eyes on me.
“An okay oh,” I said with a smile.
“Good,” he said, grinning back.
“So what's on the menu chef?” I asked.
“Chicken stir fry,” he said.
“Umm, yum,” I said, rubbing my stomach.
It was silent for a few minutes while he diced the chicken and put it in the frying pan, and I was the one who broke the peaceful silence.
“Do you want to know something?” I asked, playing with my hands on the table.
“Anything,” he said, coming and sitting down next to me at the table.
I turned and put one hand on my neck with my elbow leaning against the table so I was looking at him. “I think one day I may just end up never wanting to leave you,” I said softly, his eyes were so capturing.
Every time I looked into them, I lost myself and could never bear to leave.
“Soon that day will come,” he said lightly.
The wafting aroma of chicken filled the room and it made my stomach roar even louder, like it was demanding food.
I laughed and looked at Sams face, he was smiling softly.
“It's almost ready,” he said, getting up.
“When are the first covens coming?” I asked after the chicken was cooked.
“Uh, around three,” he answered, draining the chicken in the sink and adding the vegetables and sauce.
“Will we be prepared?”
“We should be. School finishes at 2:30, so everyone should be home soon after,” he said, going and grabbing a plate out of a cupboard while the stir fry simmered.
“Okay,” I said quietly, staring down at the table.
He dished up a plate full of food and brought it over to me, taking my hands gently in his.
“It's alright, there is nothing to worry about,” he said reassuringly.
I looked up at him. “I know.”
“I will protect you,” he murmured.
I reached my hand up and swept a piece of his hair out of his eye before leaning in and pressing my lips to his. He pulled back after a moment and smiled my favourite smile, making my heart beat twice as fast as usual.
“Eat,” he ordered, gesturing towards the plate with his chin.
I glared playfully but picked up the fork and stabbed it into a piece of chicken on the plate, eating it in less than a second later. His cooking was absolutely delicious, it made my mouth water while I was eating it.
“This is really good,” I said after I had swallowed the first mouthful of chicken.
“Good, eat up. I want you to build your strength back up. Although I am still curious to what made you sick this morning,” he said thoughtfully.
“I don't know. But whatever I had, it's gone now,” I said between chewing mouthfuls of warm savoury chicken.
“I can see that,” he said with a chuckle.
I looked up into his warm tender eyes and smiled, to my surprise it was a very shy smile. He reached his hand up and his fingertips stroked the side of my face softly. I couldn't help but stop all movement, this was perfect, he was perfect. I will always love him no matter what we went through, I couldn't imagine living or breathing without him anymore. If he ever died, which I pray he doesn't, but if he did I would cease to exist, just like he said if I died. I know it's very corny and loved up but I truly believe it. I was just worried about him getting hurt trying to protect me.
I was pacing the living room nervously, glancing at the clock every few seconds. It was nearly three and nobody had shown up yet.
“Relax Lays,” James said.
I looked at him sitting down on the couch comfortably and watching the footy like he would be normally.
“I can't,” I said nervously.
“Do I have to get Sam in here?” he threatened.
I stopped pacing, bit my lip and went over to the couch, sitting down next to him with a huff. “Fine,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Everything's going to be fine. They are great friends and are kind enough to come back out here to help us out again,” he said, wrapping one of his arms around my shoulders.
“I know, I know. I'm just nervous about seeing the Warrigal coven again, you know,” I said quietly.
“Well all be there,” he reassured me and mussed my hair.
“I know,” I said in a murmur.
At that moment the gate receiver buzzed and my head snapped up in that direction. “They're here,” I whispered to myself, yet James heard it.
“So it seems,” he said ominously, like we were in a horror movie.
I looked back at his face and tried to calm myself down. I composed my face, which was very hard to do and took deep breaths to settle myself. In less than 12 hours we were going to face destruction in the eye again, it was nerve racking just waiting.
James got up and I followed him over to the receiver, treading on his heels. I saw Stevens face on the screen that was recently installed for safety purposes, and James pressed the open button for the gates.
“Where are the others?” I asked, my eyes wide with adrenaline gushing through my veins.
“Out the back, do you want to go get them while I greet the covens and outsiders?” he asked me.
“Yeah, okay,” I answered, nodding my head, already heading for the kitchen to get to the back door.
I swung the door opened and walked towards the guest house far down in the backyard.
“Peter! Summer!” I called, approaching the guest house.
I watched Peter and Summer appear out of the door, closely followed by Jane, Elane, Sam, Fredric and Hunter, which was basically everyone.
“Yes, Layla,” Summer prompted.
“They're here,” I responded.
Sam swiftly walked in front of everyone and came over to me, taking my hand tightly.
“We best go greet them,” Peter said, leading the way towards the house w
ith Summer and the rest of us following behind.
We entered through the backdoor and I could hear a rush of voices coming from the living room. They must have all decided to show up around the same time, or met up.
I followed slowly behind Elane and Fredric, with Sam patiently by my side. I passed through the arched doorway and into the living room where I could see at least 20 people standing around the high ceiling living room, all talking to one another.
“Peter!” I heard someone bellow.
I looked around everyone to see the short red haired man; his name was Herron I think, and he was heading towards Peter with his arms wide open.
“Herron,” Peter said in return, embracing Herron.
I turned away, distracted by someone yelling my name, actually it was multiple people. I looked to my right to see Steven coming towards me with Andrew by his side and Cameron and Markus behind them.
I smiled instantly but gripped Sams hand tighter.
“Hey,” I said as I one armed embraced each of them.
They shook hands with Sam and then all regrouped. “Wow, how long has it been? Just shy of a month hasnt it?” Steven said.
“Yeah, I'd say so,” I said with a nod.
“So how have you two been, tied the knot yet?” Markus asked with a laugh.
Andrew, Steven and Cameron were grinning hugely when I all of a sudden looked down at the ground and flushed brightly.
Sam wrapped his arms around me and pulled me closer to him. “Soon guys,” he said with a chuckle.
I swallowed nervously and wondered if he was actually joking about tying the knot soon. I've never actually imagined being married, I'm kind of too young to imagine, but now that I thought about it, I didn't think marrying Sam would be so bad. I looked over to see what Elane was doing while Sam chatted with the Rafire coven. She was talking to a few girls, I hadn't seen all of them before but I recognized a few. I have a very good memory when it comes to faces. Once I hid in the neighbours yard from Adam when I was little, about 5 or 6 years old, and the old couple who lived there, their grandson was visiting; Ryne. While Adam was trying to find me I ended up talking to the little boy Ryne until Adam interrupted and tagged me it. I never saw Ryne after that because we moved. Then years later when I was 12 years old I was walking around at lunch and I saw a very tall guy pass me but he looked familiar in the face. I asked him what his name was and it was Ryne. He didn't even remember me but we were good friends after that, right up until mum passed away, then I stopped speaking to him and everyone else from primary school. I wonder what ever happened to Ryne?
I looked more closely at the girls Elane was speaking to and I recognized Fern from the Fengral coven, and Amylin and Zasha from the Resah coven; they were also Herrons daughters.
“What time are we leaving?” I heard Andrew ask, so I turned my attention back to the conversation.
“Just before five,” Sam informed him.
“Where is she?” Cameron asked, making my vision and mind become still, and making him become different to me.
I was amazed. I had never really heard him speak before and his voice sounded so… so attractive. I wanted to walk over to him and stroke his face. My mind was bewildered but my body was out of control.
I sighed, and in my mind it sounded like a content sigh.
“She's out in the guest house,” Sam said, snapping me out of my trance.
Cameron just nodded in reply, his face looked guilty like he had done something wrong.
I flushed and looked down. That was embarrassing.
When the Rafire coven were here a month ago I didn't really get to know what their abilities were, maybe Camerons voice was hypnotic and that's why he doesnt speak much. Its a logical answer.
“Come on, we better group up,” Sam said, looking around us.
He led me through the crowd and over to Peter and Summer who were talking to people I didn't recognize; they must have been the outsiders.
“Excuse me, Peter,” Sam interrupted politely.
Everyone in the group stopped talking and faced Sam.
“I think it's time,” Sam informed.
“Ahh, yes. It is about then,” Peter replied.
Just as Peter was about to turn around, Summer claimed his attention and whispered something in his ear. He turned back to us and smiled warmly. “How rude of me, I did not introduce you,” he claimed.
I looked at Sam miffed and his expression reflected mine.
“Samuel, Layla, this is Tina and her amator Rickie,” Peter said, gesturing towards the lady and man in front of us.
They were both very tall and thin, they looked like ghosts with their pale skin yet it still made them beautiful and ominous, but creepy.
“Layla, that over is Sean, Elliah and their sister Rebecca,” he said.
I looked over at the siblings, and just by first glance it was noticeable that they were related. They all had the same blue eyes, dark skin and were short even though they looked like they were in their early twenties.
“Lastly, Tucker and his younger brother Simon over there,” Peter introduced us, looking at the broad male and little boy.
They both had the same short white blonde colour hair and green eyes, Simon kind of looked like a mini Tucker. Tuckers brother Simon really was little, he only looked about 10yrs old. He's a little cutie though, but to think, if he has his ability now he will be that small for a while if hes stopped ageing already.
Each one of them nodded their heads and I did the same. It sort of felt like I was at one of those churches with monks and they are always nodding and bowing in respect of each other.
“Now that we have done that, let us bring this situation to order,” Summer said with a smile.
The way Peter and Summer looked at Sam and I, made me think something was going on that they knew of and I didnt, it made me suspicious.
Sam and I followed Peter and Summer over to the stairs while the others were on the steps at the base already waiting. Summer and Peter walked up a few steps and stopped to face everyone in the room with Sam and I standing with the others. I heard the crowd hush down as if they knew that it was time to listen.
“My dear friends,” Peter called. “I have called you all here myself this time for my family could be in grave danger. As you know by now, we have gained one of the Warrigal covens members and we would like to use her as a bargaining chip for their leader,” Peter explained further with a few murmurs passing through the crowd.
“All we ask is for your support and strength if something happens to go wrong. Now you have all chosen to be here today and I am very grateful and thank you all. All of you are great friends and I would not have it any other way.”
People started clapping and I joined in, but only a little. I couldnt find the strength to look on the bright side. My stomach told me different.
“We leave just before dusk. I am not quite sure how many beings they have rounded up, but my daughter; Elane, has estimated around ten... maybe more,” he informed everyone.
“If all fails my friend, what will they do?” someone out of the crowd interrupted.
I looked around to see it was Herron. His arms were crossed and by his sides were Amylin and Zasha; his daughters.
“If all fails, I do not know what will happen, so let us pray that it does not,” Peter answered, still sounding inspirational.
I looked to Herron and he nodded, looking towards me and then away quickly. I turned into ice, he knew they would try to get both me and Thora at all costs.
Oh no, this isnt going to work, I can feel it in my stomach, its screaming at me, I thought.
Peter kept informing the crowd of covens of what was exactly going to happen from now, but I tuned out.
I started having a panic attack, I couldnt breathe properly, it felt like the air was thick and suffocating. I think I might be having an aneurism.
“Lays?” Sam said.
I could detect the worry in his tone.
“Yeah?” I
managed to whisper.
“You're going to be okay,” he reassured me, squeezing my hand.
I turned my head to look at him and looked into his green eyes.
“Sam, I can't breathe,” I squeaked out.
“What is it? Whats wrong?” Sam demanded, he placed his hands on the sides of my neck and craned his head slightly.
“I… don't know.”
“Hey, its okay. Im here. Listen to me, breathe. We are going to be fine,” he said, after a minute, wrapping me in his warm embrace and patting my back.
I grasped his shoulders tightly and let my chin rest against his neck.
“I love you. This is a lot for anyone your age to go through,” he murmured against the skin on my neck, making Goosebumps raise.
I felt his warm lips graze my skin and shivered involuntarily. He was trying to distract me so I wouldn't worry. Damn him!
“You are strong,” he whispered in my ear.
“Stop trying to distract me,” I said shakily.
I had almost forgotten we were in a roomful of people but I couldnt care less. Then again, one of those people was James.
“Get a room,” he coughed and laughed at the same time.
Sam and I both stopped and glared at James who was smirking and looking the other way. We untangled ourselves but kept each others hand, thankful that Peter hadnt stopped talking. It was going to be a long two hours and very crowded, but if it was what I had to go through to be safer, to make everyone safe, then I would.
“Are you sure?” I asked Jane.
“I am so very sure, it's negative,” she answered, coming over to sit on her bed with me.
“That was a close call,” Elane interjected, walking into Janes huge closet.
“I did not want to be pregnant, I'm not ready for that,” Jane said, looking at me.
“Yeah, well you're lucky you found out before we have to go to this trade thing,” I said, picking up a long sleeve black shirt off the bed.
“I know,” Jane replied.
“We better get dressed, and fast,” Elane said, coming out of the huge closet that could engulf you in the dark.
She handed me a pair of jeans, a dark coat and ugg boots.
“Hurry, in the bathroom,” she ordered.
I nodded and quickly walked to the bathroom down the hall to get dressed in the heavy duty clothes. When I came back to the room Jane and Elane were already dressed in their snug and warm clothes, and it looked like we were all about to go skiing.
The Hidden Revelations: First Light Page 47