“I’m not worried. I just don’t want to stay here for the rest of my life. You know?” She got up. “Unlike Ms. Smarty Pants here, I have one more final left. Then dorm room checkout. I have a life, you know.”
He smiled.
“And don’t call me little one, or I’ll get Master Butt Kicker here to kick
your
ass.” She stomped out of the room.
“Where’s Theo?” Sadie asked.
“He’ll be back in a while. Just went out to run an errand.” He reached for the coffeepot.
Theo hadn’t been in bed when she woke up this morning. “What errand?”
Justin shrugged as he poured his coffee. “Not the Gatekeeper’s keeper.”
She wadded up her napkin and threw it at the back of his head. “Dasha’s right, you’re a jerk. So, when are we heading back to campus?”
“Um, we’re not. At least, you’re not.” He leaned against the counter, holding his cup.
“You’re funny. I’ve got to get some things signed and get graduation in order.”
“You’re not planning on going through ceremonies, are you?”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“You’re kidding, right?”
The hell she wasn’t. “I have paperwork to get filled out and—”
“Again with the no.”
“Do you have any idea how much I want to punch you right now?”
“Yes. But the answer is still no. Now, Theo can come on by and trump my decision any time, that’s fine. But until then, no.”
If she had to steal Justin’s car to get back to campus, she damn well would. She pushed off the table, readying for a fight, and as far as she was concerned, it could be physical if needed.
And she’d kick Justin’s ass, too.
He set his coffee cup down. “You’ve been hurt on
two
of my watches. Theo would have my hide if it happened again. And don’t get any ideas about running off, either. You’re staying here.”
“You dare yell at Sadie?” Theo’s voice boomed into the kitchen.
Sadie jumped and whirled around. He stood there, arms crossed over his chest, staring at his brother.
Even though neither said anything, Sadie knew they were communicating because Justin looked down and offered a little nod.
“Look. I’m not sure what’s going on here, but Theo, Dasha, and I need to get back to campus and tie up some loose ends.”
“I know. I have the bike ready. Justin will take Dasha in his car.” He backed away. “Leaving in ten minutes.”
Sadie leaned to the side, looking for Theo, but he’d gone. What was that about? She glanced at Justin, but he busied himself with the dishes.
Guess Theo really did trump Justin.
She ran up to Dasha’s room, and within eight minutes, they all met in the gym.
Theo slid the Mavet daggers into holsters hanging beneath his arms. He shrugged on a leather jacket as he mumbled orders to Justin. His gait was tense, rigid.
One thing she noticed for sure: he avoided eye contact with her, but she could tell he kept her in the edge of his vision as she moved about the room.
She edged around the kicking bag to where he was standing and grabbed his biceps. They flexed beneath the leather. “What’s going on?”
He focused on putting on his riding gloves. “Nothing. Just packing for the trip. It’ll be quick.”
She glanced to her side and saw Justin across the room standing beside Dasha, holding her two bags. “Something’s wrong, Theo. I can feel it.”
He stopped moving. “There’s nothing wrong. I’m just staying alert to listen for threats. I checked the perimeter and sensed nothing. It’s our window to tie up loose ends for you.”
She stared at him for several long breaths, yet he didn’t budge. There was something wrong, and it wasn’t just staying alert for security reasons. She’d sensed it when he’d breezed by the kitchen earlier.
Oh great. He was pissed because of the no sex.
No, that didn’t feel right, either.
“Fine. Don’t tell me.” She turned away. “Let’s go.”
A very quiet hour ride later, Theo steered his bike into the lot near the dorms. He’d remained tense the entire drive. Nothing was said because of the noise, and she pretty much guessed he’d chosen that mode of transportation for that very reason. She’d always wanted to take a long ride with a guy on a bike, but this wasn’t what she’d had in mind. Wind in the hair and a carefree feeling was what she’d envisioned, not tension and distance.
He kicked the stand and went to move, but Sadie held tight, keeping him in place. The sun peaked over the patch of trees beside the dorm. She rested her chin on his shoulder but said nothing.
Instead, she stilled her mind, just as her sensei had taught her. She drew in a deep breath and caught a weird scent. Theo usually smelled like spiced cinnamon, but today he carried another scent. Sour, acrid. What was that?
Fear. Yes, it was fear. She wasn’t sure how she knew, but deep in her gut, she did. What was he scared of?
He’d been so tender with her last night. Loving. She’d never gone that far with a guy before. But after, when he held her, she’d begun to feel the distance.
Maybe she’d done something wrong.
She hugged him tight, resting her cheek on his back. His gloved hand patted her clasped hands. “Ready?”
She nodded into him, but really she wasn’t. She wanted that gentle, tender guy back. Yeah, she liked the tough Shomrei, too, but right now…not so much.
“Stay alert.” He slid off the bike. “And hold this.” He handed her a dagger.
“Don’t have anywhere to put it.”
He dug into the tank bag and pulled out something made of black leather, then knelt before her. He pulled up her jeans and strapped the contraption against her shin and calf.
“This will work.” He reached for the weapon. “Let’s try it.”
“I got it.” She held the dagger tight and leaned down. One quick jab and it was secure in the calf holster. “Easy peasy.” She kicked her leg over the bike and stood tall.
Very tall. She no longer looked at the lower part of his chest. She was directly in line with his firm pecs.
Wow.
He eyed her for a long breath, opened his mouth, then clamped it shut. He scanned the area as he stepped to her side. “Where to first?”
She sighed. She’d give him two hours to fess up to what the hell was bugging him before she beat it out of him. And if it was the no-sex thing, the beating would be extra severe.
“Sadie,” he said.
“Adviser’s.” She patted down her jeans and ran her fingers through her hair. Darn wind had made it one big snarl-fest. “Sciences building.”
She started walking, weaving her hair into a braid as she moved. At least it passed the
silent
time.
The stairs to the building came into sight. “You can wait out here, ’kay?”
“No.”
She stopped and faced him. “Do you smell any demons? Sense a splice?”
“Doesn’t matter, you’re not going in alone.”
She jabbed her finger into his chest. “I am, actually. You stand guard out here. I’m meeting with my academic adviser. I’ll be fine. I need this, Theo. It might be the last thing I freaking do that’s normal, you know?”
“Graduating in two years at the age of eighteen is not normal. You’re a Shomrei Mate. That’s not normal. And you’re in danger from demons that want to kill you. Again, not normal.”
“Exactly. Lots of abnormal here, but me doing this one last thing, finishing something I started. I need that. You have to understand.”
His chest swelled with a massive inhale, nostrils flaring and pupils dilating.
She thought for sure he’d say no. Maybe the butt-kicking would happen now, right in front of the building.
“Fine.” He dug out his cell phone. “I’ll check in with Justin.” He glanced around, closed his eyes, and after a second said, “All feels calm. Though they’ve evaded my senses on one occasion, I’m aware of it now. I doubt they’ll sneak through again.”
“There. You see?” She patted his cheek. “That wasn’t so hard, was it?”
“Yes, it
is
actually.” He grabbed her wrist. “You’re mine to protect. I take that very seriously.”
She smiled at the proclamation. He did take it seriously.
Too
seriously. But she couldn’t blame him. She’d almost died, like fifty times, since she met him. A few of those times were because she tried to get away from him. So, either way, she was in danger.
But she liked her odds of survival much more when he was close.
Chapter Twenty-seven
Son of a bitch, Theo needed to hit something. And hard. How could he have lost control like that last night? His first time being close to Sadie, and he let his fangs loose.
Thank The Great One she hadn’t seen. At least she hadn’t indicated she’d seen them. That would have been the worst thing to happen. She was just starting to come around to the idea of
them,
and he would have certainly scared her by showing that side of him.
Did all Gatekeepers have worries such as this when it came to winning the hearts of their Mates? He should contact Beckett to see if it was like this with him. He’d also remained pure for centuries, waiting for his Mate.
After watching her safely enter the front doors, Theo stomped around the corner of the building and closed his eyes. Opening his senses wide, he detected no evil. Whispers of Sadie’s brain waves flooded him.
He perceived her much more intensely after their night together. They hadn’t had sex, but he’d gotten to touch a great deal of her and sleep with her in his arms.
He felt empowered, more alive and strong than he’d ever been. Even Justin commented on how bright his skin was.
Holding his hand up, the sun hit it perfectly, revealing the near glow. It looked younger. Firmer, tighter.
Sadie was much more powerful than he’d realized. Energy radiated from her, and he greedily took it in. She’d trusted him enough to be close, to share a part of herself with him, and he’d nearly shattered that with his beastly fangs jetting out.
He spun and slammed his fist into the brick wall. The sting roared up his arm, then cooled as the healing began.
“What’s got you all fist-happy?” Justin asked from behind him.
He turned to face his brother. “Where’s Dasha?”
“Walked her to her final final.” He smiled. “Final final. Get it?”
Theo grunted and scanned the area. “I don’t sense anything, do you?”
“No. But your sensors are way more amped up than my sniffer,
Gatekeeper
.” He raised an eyebrow. “What’s your deal, man?”
Theo scanned the area. The afternoon sun was high. They had a few hours before its descent. He glanced at the Sciences building and peered around the corner.
“Everything’s calm.” Justin punched his shoulder. “What’s going on?”
“The Great One whispers. I feel it, but I’m too keyed up to hear.” His heart hammered. “I can’t relax when I’m away from her.”
“You spent the entire night with her. Didn’t He talk to you then?”
“No. I don’t think so.”
“Spill it, brother, before you pound something that doesn’t need pounding.”
Theo covered his mouth with his hand. “Damn fangs. Couldn’t control them last night.”
“Ahhh.” Justin offered a knowing nod. “I never understood why you despised them all these years. You trust and embrace everything else The Great One has given you.”
“Fangs, Justin. Identical to the demons’.” He gripped his neck, kneading out the knots.
“Dude. You need to get over it. She’s going to get them, too, you know. And she’ll freak if you don’t tell her.”
Justin was right. He knew that. And logically, he knew he needed to open up to her, completely, but he’d just finally gotten close to Sadie—what if this changed things? Distanced them?
“Stand guard and allow me some time. She’s inside, meeting with her adviser.”
“I got your back, brother.” He clapped his palm over Theo’s shoulder. “Relax.”
“I trust no one more than you, Justin.” He nodded toward his brother. “No one.”
“Sit.” Justin pointed to a bench beneath a large tree. “Commune.”
Theo stomped off. Distance from The Great One was never good. Distractions often filtered in, especially now. Now that he had his Mate, thoughts of being with her flooded his mind. Worry for her made him tense.
I’m sorry, Great One.
He eased himself onto the bench and gave Justin one last look.
Arms over his chest, he scanned the area like the stout soldier he was. Justin, his Companion, by his side for all these centuries, always having his back.
Theo closed his eyes, relaxed against the wooden bench, and let the subtle breeze carry his worries and fears up to The Great One. A faint citrus scent, along with jasmine from nearby flowers, or someone’s perfume, and the grease from the nearby cafeteria hinted the air.
The rustling leaves of a nearby tree faded into nothingness. Quiet, only the sounds of his beating heart and lungs taking in air registered.
I’m listening.
A sense of anxiety washed over him, but he knew it for what it was: his own fears of losing Sadie, failing to bond with her, failing Justin…failing as Gatekeeper.
I give those to You. Tell me, what will You have me do?
A gentle hum sounded deep within his mind, just before the voice.
She is not like the others.
She’s stronger. Faster,
Theo thought.
Yes. For what is to come. Though tougher on the outside, more vulnerable on the inside. The deepest betrayal one can suffer is abandonment.
Theo stiffened.
Her parents, she doesn’t know them.
Left alone directly after her birth.
A wave of anger pulsed through him.
Hold your emotions in check, my son. That which we survive makes us strong.
She doesn’t know?
No. That which makes
her
strong may also break her.
Why tell me this?
Because she must tap into that power. You will help her.
How?
Your journey.
Our journey together.
Together.
The word echoed in Theo’s head. Together. Something about that word struck a chord. Besides the obvious. They were fated. The Great One had chosen her for him for a reason. It wasn’t just for Theo’s pleasure.