Aggie was after her, said he needed her and Theo to bond, which meant he aimed to kill Theo. No surprise there, demons killed. Mates and Companions were the two ways to hurt Gatekeepers without actually killing them. But Aggie was planning something more. Theo could feel it deep inside.
She is not like the others.
What The Great One said earlier surfaced again. Sadie was very different. Able to hold the Mavet. Already had strength and bonds that rivaled a fully mated Shomrei. Yet The Great One said Theo needed to help her tap into even more power.
He would not fail her. Or The Great One.
He would help Sadie step into what she was meant to be.
Now, to figure out how.
Chapter Twenty-eight
“I’m glad you’re doing well, Ms. Nowland,” Dr. Fletcher said. “I heard about your incident the other day during your final, and then I hadn’t seen you in the building much these past couple of days.”
Sadie shifted her weight in the stiff leather office chair. She faced her adviser and mentor across his wide desk. Piles of papers flanked him, finals to grade most likely. “I’m fine. Just embarrassed. I had a…migraine.” She rubbed her temple. “A bad one.”
He eyed her with a lifted brow and pressed his glasses up his long nose.
“So, are those term papers? Finals?”
He dipped his head. “Freshman Chem. Want to help?”
She waved her signed graduation paper and smiled. “I’m off duty.” She’d really enjoyed being his teaching assistant. Sure, she was younger than most of the people she helped teach, but still. Dr. Fletcher was a good mentor. Kind. She imagined him as a good father with his stern yet supportive guidance. She’d come to respect him these last two years.
He pushed his chair back and stood to his full five feet ten inches.
She stood as well, much closer to his height than she was a few days ago. She made a mental note to ask Theo why that was happening, and how, considering they hadn’t had sex.
Dr. Fletcher paused, giving her a long, hard look. She could almost hear his unspoken questions rattling around in that genius brain of his.
Wonder if my dad was smart, too?
She’d often envisioned that Dr. Fletcher was what her dad would be like. She had to have gotten her intelligence and drive from someone, right?
He nudged his glasses up with his forefinger as he always did and said, “Let’s take one more stroll through the lab, shall we?”
“Naw. I think I’m going to head to my room and start packing.” No way would Theo be happy about her taking her time walking down memory lane.
Wait a freaking minute. She could hang out a while longer if she wanted. This was her moment. She’d worked damn hard for this, and it might be the last time she ever saw her mentor again.
“I must insist. Allow me one last stroll with my favorite student. To mentor someone as special as you only happens once in an old professor’s career.” He grinned, and his graying beard wiggled as he smiled.
But his smile twitched in the corner. She almost didn’t believe she saw it, but she had. Now that she thought about it, he clutched his left hand in a fist so tight his knuckles blanched.
“Everything okay, Doc?” She stepped toward the door.
“Sure. Why do you ask?”
“No reason.”
Hopefully.
“I should be going, though.”
He inched around the corner of his desk, hand outstretched. “Please. The…the professors got you a gift for graduating. Starting with Bendz Chem is a great opportunity. They wanted to wish you well.”
She stopped two feet from the door. “What do you mean?”
“We’ve recommended a few of our students to Bendz over the years; however, very few have ever been accepted. It’s quite an honor. Not only for you, but for us and for the school. You’re so young and with such an…unlikely background.”
Unlikely. That was a nice way of putting it. More like a “holy crap your folks dropped you off at a hospital right after you were born because they didn
’
t want you” background. Not to mention the fact that she grew up in the foster care system from the first minutes of her life until she was sixteen, when she emancipated herself to attend college.
Yeah, she was an unlikely success story. She was well on her way to proving to everyone she would make something of herself until Theo showed up in her life. No, until her stupid mark showed up.
She scratched at her shoulder.
This
Great One
sure had a sick sense of humor. She wasn’t quite sold on the Great part of all this other than the warm fuzzy feeling she got around Theo.
“Ms. Nowland?”
“Sorry. Um—yeah, where is it?”
“Lab 102.” His grin twitched again, and this time when he pointed, his hand shook as though he’d had fifteen sodas.
Damn, Theo had her so paranoid. Doc had been her mentor for two years; why was she freaking out about him all of a sudden? She owed him a little time for all he’d invested in her. And if the other professors got her a gift, she’d damn well go see it and show her appreciation.
Without them she wouldn’t have this amazing job waiting for her, and she wouldn’t have graduated so early—with honors even.
Dr. Fletcher held the door open and waved her forward. She stepped into the hallway and glanced in both directions. Empty. Closed office doors lined both walls. To the right was the exit. In ten quick paces she could be to the short flight of stairs that led up to the main floor and out to where Theo no doubt waited for her.
To the left she could go into the lab and see what the professors had done for her. All seemed calm. Theo would bust in if anything happened, plus, she had a Mavet and was a strong, badass karate chick as Justin had called her.
She had every right to be paranoid after what she’d seen the last seventy-two hours, but this wasn’t the time for that. This was a time for celebration, and she would finish out this day on
her
terms.
She stepped left with Dr. Fletcher close behind her. “Graduating summa cum laude in chemistry and landing the highly coveted Bendz job. You should be so proud.” His voice cracked, and he coughed into his hand as he glanced around.
Oh yeah. That spiked her nerves enough to demand she stop two feet before the lab door. “Dr. Fletcher. What’s going on?”
“Nothing, Ms. Nowland. Just making conversation. You know it’s not my specialty.”
True. He was clumsy at best with words and person-to-person interaction. He was definitely suited for the lab, but this was more than that.
“Please. I must get you to the—you—just need to get to the lab.”
Her hackles shot up. He placed his hand on her shoulder and urged her forward. Did she dare snap his wrist? Was he a demon?
She was losing it. Dr. Fletcher a demon? Damn Theo for getting her all out of sorts. She stepped toward the door, keeping her mentor under scrutiny. He’d never touched her. Of course, she didn’t let many touch her.
Had enough of that growing up being bullied for her…weirdness.
He reached around her and opened the door. To a dim room, no less. Labs were always bright and sterile.
One spin had her out from Dr. Fletcher’s grip. She was reaching for his hand to snap it back when the lights flew on.
“Surprise!” A chorus of voices and noisemakers rang out. Confetti flitted in the air and laughter, mixed with some gasps, followed.
At least twenty people filled the room. Mostly professors and their aides, but the dean of students was there, too. Tall and stiff as he normally was.
“I told you I was not the correct person to get her here,” Dr. Fletcher said and looked at Sadie. “I’m sorry, dear. I didn’t mean to push you. I’m terrible at this sort of thing. They wanted very much to surprise you for graduation
and
your birthday.”
“Daring to even risk a touch, Doc,” Craig said as he approached, carrying a cup of punch. “Master black belt here. Hell, I wouldn’t have dared put a hand on her.”
“Smart move.” Theo’s voice boomed from behind her. “I don’t enjoy people touching my Sadie.”
Craig stepped back, eyes wide, as did Dr. Fletcher.
Sadie stumbled to the side and cleared her throat. “It’s okay, Theo. They were just surprising me.” She glanced over the stunned crowd. “Um, everyone, this is my…this is Theo.”
He stalked in, scanning the now-bright room. His lips were tight, and his jaw clenched. His nostrils flared, spiking her worry even higher. Did he detect something? Someone in this room?
She surveyed the people. They had to be human—she’d known most all of them two years.
Craig cleared his throat. “Um. Theo. Haven’t seen you around before.” He offered his hand. “I’m Craig. Lab rat to Professor Fletcher now that little Miss Brainiac here is moving on to bigger and better things.”
Theo analyzed the outstretched hand, then quickly accepted it. “Theo Bradford.” But he offered no more to the comment of having not been seen on campus before.
“Well, dear.” Dr. Fletcher glanced at Theo, then to Sadie. “You’re the guest of honor. Come in, there’s cake, of course.”
“Always cake,” Sadie said, laughing. No wonder most of the faculty were twenty pounds overweight. Not a single event went by without vanilla and chocolate cake with thick cream cheese frosting.
Her favorite. And the fact that they remembered her birthday was even more exciting. Graduating from college on her eighteenth birthday couldn’t have been more perfect. And now that Theo was there with her, it was even better.
Almost like a normal date a couple might go on. It’d be nice to have a little downtime after all the crap that’d happened recently.
Theo finally linked gazes with her, and his eyebrows pulled together. “I’m sorry, love,” he whispered.
So much regret dripped off each word he said, and Sadie felt tears sting. It was much more than having stormed into this party, wasn’t it? That was when she saw it. He felt responsible for everyone.
Everything.
How fair was that? Already he had to worry about demons 24-7, guard gates all over the country, and watch out for his Companion. He deserved some downtime more than anyone.
“Come in. Let’s eat cake,” she said, watching Craig and Doc make their way to the refreshment table. “It’s really good, totally fattening, and exactly what we need.”
He leaned in and whispered, “We should go. It’s too confined down here. Only one escape route.” He glanced behind him.
The Shomrei had returned. If only he’d stayed softened a little longer. Just an hour so they could enjoy something
normal
together.
All she’d ever seen of him was fights, evil, paranormal…well, except last night, that was very normal
and
human.
“Have Justin take care of things. I need this, Theo.” She reached for his hand. “And I want to share it with you.”
He looked to her hand, then glanced at the door. He threaded his fingers through hers and brought them to his mouth. A gentle kiss followed, and she couldn’t contain her smile.
“You stay. I’ll watch over things. I can sense things better outside.” A flicker of desire flashed through his eyes as if he wanted to stay. But obviously, he couldn’t. Her safety came first.
She was safest with him right beside her, how could he not see that? He was headstrong and domineering sometimes, but she’d been on the receiving end of his tenderness and kindness. She
wanted
him by her side.
Wanted
to share this celebration with him.
She loosened her grip and turned away before he could see how sad his leaving made her. “Okay. See you later.”
Craig smiled and reached for her, but jerked his hand back and shoved it in his pocket. No doubt Theo threw a thought into his mind that scared the crap out of him.
Whatever
.
“Holy hell, who was that?” Isabelle hurried to Sadie’s side, her big brown eyes flickering. “I think his total and complete hotness melted all the test tubes in this place.”
The freshman made Sadie chuckle. Same age as her, but still so young. God, her life was weird. “He’s just a…friend.”
“Sure he is.” Isabelle rolled her eyes. “Yum.”
Craig ushered them to the table. There, next to three sheet cakes, sat a framed picture of her and Dr. Fletcher and a plaque engraved with “Best wishes, Sadie Nowland, with pride, Dr. Fletcher and the Chem Gang.”
The Chem Gang
. Something she’d called all the quirky, introverted, genius professors who took her in when she came here.
Dr. Fletcher cleared his throat and held up his glass. “Don’t worry, it’s punch.” He grinned through his bushy beard and mustache. Isabelle giggled beside her. “It is with great pride we usher you into the working world.”
The small crowd had encircled her, and they hummed their agreement.
“You came to us a shy,
very
smart sixteen-year-old with a contagious energy and excitement. You kept us all on our toes, young lady.”
Another hum surrounded her.
“You make us proud. We hope what you’ve experienced here will help you in your future endeavors with Bendz Chem.” He raised his glass.
Craig handed Sadie his glass and grabbed another from the table. “Don’t forget us little people, okay?”
They all raised their glasses, then drank.
Oh yeah, Doc’s heartfelt toast totally reinforced her need to keep the Bendz Chem job.
No matter
what
the big Shomrei outside said.
Chapter Twenty-nine
“Okay, well, thanks, everyone,” Sadie waved as she stepped through the doorway, holding her plaque and picture.
“Wait. I’ll walk you out.” Isabelle hustled after her.
“It’s okay. I’m making a pit stop first.”
“Good, because I have to pee, too. And that’s what girls do. They go to the bathroom together, right?” She giggled.
Sadie smiled. “True. Come on.”
Around the corner, Sadie pushed open the swinging door she’d gone through hundreds of times over the past two years. She’d practically lived at this building. She’d miss it, especially its predictability.
With Theo, nothing was predictable. Hell, his world was downright scary.