Authors: Cameo Renae
“Isn’t this place awesome,” Kade whispered into my ear. He was so close that it made my body tingle. I wanted to be mad at him, but my brain had become fogged and I’d suddenly forgotten why.
“Yeah, it’s great,” I answered.
I looked up and saw another chandelier, which dwarfed the one in the hall. It was massive, golden, and covered with hundreds of tear-drop crystals. It hung from a large round skylight made of stained-glass, which pictured a large, red rose in full bloom. From entering the house, I already gathered that my aunt liked red roses and was obsessed with angels.
“You’ll like it here,” Kade assured me again, brushing up against me. His breath was warm against my cheek, sending surges through my veins. Was he trying to use his charming and luring abilities to try and make me feel better? Well…it was working.
“I hope so,” I exhaled.
A door snapped shut down the hall and footsteps headed in our direction. Kade immediately took two steps back. My stomach twisted, anxious to finally meet my mysterious relative. Henry appeared first and stepped to the side.
I gasped, gazing at this beautiful woman standing before me, wearing a long, white flowing robe. She had resemblances of my mother, perfect features, only hers were darker. Her skin was like creamy, white porcelain; her hair looked like dark-brown silk, perfectly curled down her shoulders. Big brown eyes were beaming with joy beneath long, dark eyelashes. Up until now, I thought brown eyes were boring, but she made them look exquisite.
“Emma, I’m so glad you’re here,” she said with her arms outstretched, approaching me, hugging me warmly. She then looked down and took my casted arm in her hands with a look of concern. I stood frozen, unsure of what to think, everything became overwhelming.
She stepped back. “I’m so sorry. Please excuse my behavior. I should have introduced myself first. I was just so excited to finally meet you after all these years. My name is Alaine. I’m your mother’s half-sister.”
“You look a lot like her,” I said, fighting back the tears that began to sting my eyes.
“I’m so sorry for your loss, Emma. I cannot begin to imagine the pain you are going through, but I can promise you this…I will always be here for you. You are my blood and my last living relative. We will get through this together,” she promised, leaning in gently caressing my face. Then she hugged me again tightly, stroking my hair. I hugged her back and sobbed. “It’s alright sweetheart.”
It was strange how oddly familiar she felt, like I’d known her all my life. Maybe it was because she reminded me so much of my mother.
“It’s very late. I think you should get some sleep. We will talk in the morning,” she said softly. “Henry, could you please escort Emma to her room? She must be exhausted,” Alaine asked in a soft voice. I glanced over to a large, grandfather clock standing against the wall. It was after midnight. That would explain why she didn’t want to talk tonight.
“Yes, madam,” Henry replied with a bow of his head.
“Kade, could you please assist Henry, and take Emma’s luggage to her room?”
“Of course,” Kade chimed, swiping my carry-on from Malachi’s hand, and slinging it over his shoulder. My suitcase was already gripped in his other hand.
“And after that, I would like to see you both in my study,” she said looking between Malachi and Kade. They quickly glanced at each other with a look of…
Oh hell! We’re in trouble!
“Emma, I hope you find your room accommodating. If you need anything, please let Henry know.”
“I will. Thank you,” I answered.
I guess I’d have to wait for answers until tomorrow. It was much too late and I could tell she was tired. I’d leave Kade and Malachi to tell her about my near-death experience, and the creature that almost killed me. I think we all had enough drama for tonight. I felt safe here. Like nothing could get me within the confines of this house, especially with Kade and Malachi nearby.
“This way, Emma,” Henry announced, leading me up the stairway. We walked to the third level and took a left, down another hallway. He stopped at the first door on the right, swung it open, and flicked on the light. “After you,” he said motioning me to enter.
The room was large, almost the size of my mom and dad’s master suite, and the first thing that hit me were the colors… they reminded me of my room back in California. The setup was almost exact too. It wasn’t over the top, like the rest of the house. It was just… normal. The queen sized bed was covered with a fluffy, chocolate-brown bedspread, and the many different shapes and sizes of throw pillows were all welcoming me to jump in.
The furniture was a light blonde wood which made the room feel warm. There was also an attached bathroom, decorated in the same bright colors, and a large walk-in closet. Maybe I spoke too soon. This room was amazing.
“This is all mine?” I asked.
“Yes, Emma. Your aunt decorated it herself.”
“Wow. It’s…it’s amazing.”
Kade bounded in behind me, laid my suitcase on the floor next to the bed, and handed me my carry-on.
“Hey. Thanks… for everything,” I said thankfully. I didn’t want to say anything more because Henry was in the room. I wanted to thank him personally for saving my life, but I guess that too would have to wait.
“No problem. So, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow,” he muttered, his head slightly tilting to the side.
“I guess,” I said, shrugging my shoulders.
“Oh, you will,” he laughed. “I’d better get going. Have a good night’s sleep, Emma,” he said, lightly brushing my hand with his fingertips. I gasped, trying to catch my breath as the tingles surged through my arm.
Dang him!
I heard him chuckle as he left the room.
What was I going to do with him?
I’d have to wear gloves and a body suit with him around.
Before Henry left, he made sure I knew where the kitchen was - first floor, take a left, and go all the way to the back. Simple enough, but I doubted I’d take a trip to the kitchen tonight. He then asked if I needed anything, and when I told him I didn’t, he excused himself and snapped the door shut behind him.
I was suddenly alone and an overwhelming feeling of sadness enveloped me.
I walked over to the window and drew back the curtains. The room was obviously facing the back yard, and from what I could see, even in the darkness it was huge. It seemed about four football fields long in length and width, and at center was a labyrinth of hedges, surrounded by a well-manicured lawn. I’d have to view it again when the sun was up. It was too dark to get the full picture. There were lights around the perimeter fence, shining outward into the endless thick of trees. A bright beam of light, which I assumed was coming from the tower, combed the grounds. Wow. This
was
like a high-security prison, but at least I felt protected.
I sucked in a huge breath, and hoped that the creature I’d met tonight wouldn’t be intruding or looking for me. I shivered. Just as I was about to close the curtain again, I noticed a small guest house out of the corner of my eye. It was all the way to the right side of the property; a small, quaint, sort of gingerbread looking house. I wondered if that’s where Kade was staying. My heart pattered against my chest at the thought.
I didn’t know what to think of Kade. He made me wonder if he was really human. I mean, he was gorgeous, had some kind of magical charm that played with my emotions, and dulled my sadness whenever he came around. He was also strong and fast, from what I witnessed in the bathroom.
Thinking about that…what really happened in that bathroom after Malachi dragged me out? Kade was obviously alive and seemed unscathed, but what happened to the creature? Did it get away? Did he injure it? Kill it? Another chill of terror shot up my spine at the thought.
Everything in my life was one enormous question, and I knew, if I didn’t get most of those questions answered in the morning, my brain just might explode.
A dull pain emanated in my ribs and my head started to throb. I needed a pain pill, but decided to take a shower first. I opened my suitcase and found my warm pajamas, and then noticed my cast. I dug through my carry-on and found a plastic bag, stuck my casted arm into it, and tucked the open parts into the end.
I made my way into the bathroom. Two lime green towels hung on the rack, and another stack of colorful towels were folded on a shelf. A basket sat on the sink, stocked with shampoo, conditioner, soap, shaving lotion, razors, toothpaste and a new toothbrush. She’d thought of everything.
I pulled back the colorful polka-dotted shower curtain and turned on the water. It was ice cold, like glacier ice. It took a few minutes until it started to get warm, but once it did, I peeled out of my clothes and stood under it, letting the hot, steamy water beat down on my head and aching body. It didn’t last too long because my right shoulder began to ache from holding my cast out of the water. I quickly washed my hair and scrubbed as best I could.
It felt good to be clean and in my comfortable stretchy pajamas.
Back in the bedroom, I went to the desk and flicked on the small lamp. The laptop looked brand-new, and had a cord attached to it that was plugged into the wall. I wondered if it had internet service. It wouldn’t hurt to try. Besides, I wanted to shoot Lia and Jeremy an email just to let them know that I had arrived safely. Almost. But I wouldn’t let them know. They wouldn’t believe me anyway.
As the computer booted up, I walked over to the bed and shoved the decorative pillows to the far side. The computer made a chiming noise. It was ready.
Please have internet service! Please!
I clicked on the “e” and the internet instantly popped up.
“YES!”
I quickly signed into my email account. There were two messages waiting from Lia and Jeremy. I clicked on Jeremy’s first.
—————
Hey Emma,
I hope you made it to Alaska in one piece. Did you see any bears? Things won’t be the same without you here. Please let us know that you arrived safely.
Sincerely,
Jeremy
—————
Sincerely? He was so crazy.
I clicked reply.
—————
Hey Jeremy,
Yes, I made it in one piece, barely, and NO… I didn’t see any bears. It was too dark to notice. But you’ll be the first to know if I spot one. I’ll try and keep Lia’s camera with me… just in case.
Well, it’s late, and I’m gonna hit the sack. I’ll be in touch. I promise. At least this place has internet service.
~Emma
—————
Next, I clicked on Lia’s.
—————
Hey Emma!
Oh my gosh. I totally broke down and cried all the way home after we left you at the hospital. I miss you already. So how was your trip? Better yet… how was that hot guy that came to get you? Did you sit by him? Spill the juicy details, okay!
School starts in a few days! Ugh! So wishing you were here. Our senior year is gonna totally suck without you.
Well…my mom’s calling me. I have to help with dinner. Call or email when you have the time!
Love ya,
Lia xoxo
—————
Her turn… but I wasn’t in any mood to spill, so I kept it short and sweet, like Jeremy’s.
—————
Hey Lia,
I made it safely, and they have internet service! I know… Amazing!
Kade was really nice, and yes, I did sit next to him, but he was quiet most of the time. No juicy details to spill…yet.
I miss you guys so much too. I wish you were closer.
I finally met my Aunt. She reminds me so much of my mom, and seems really nice. Oh…and get this… there are NO schools in the area so I’m gonna be HOMESCHOOLED! Yep, I said homeschooled! My senior year is majorly going to suck!
It’s really cold here, but the house is huge and beautiful… like mansion beautiful, but in the middle of nowhere. I have my own room, and I promise to take pictures and send them to you soon. Well, it’s late, so I’m gonna hit the sack. I’ll email you tomorrow.
Love,
Emma xo
—————
I turned off the laptop, jumped into bed, and tucked myself deep under the warmth of the blanket. My head sank deep into the soft, fluffy pillow.
Thoughts swirled in my brain over everything that had happened over the past days, and then it hit me again; a wave of overwhelming sadness and pain.
What really happened to cause the accident that took my parents’ lives? My dad never drove over the speed limit, and was always super cautious, especially when my mom and I were in the car.
I reached for my carry-on at the foot of my bed to get my Kindle; I opened it up and had to blink several times to release the pool of tears which hazed the picture of my parents. I pulled it to my heart and hugged it tightly.
I would never see my mom wander into my room, wrap her arms around me, and tell me that everything was going to be fine. If I could only have her back for one more day, to smell the sweet scent of her hair, and have her warm smile melt away my misery. But deep inside, I knew it would never happen, and all I was left with were the wonderful memories captured in my mind… and one solitary picture.
How I wished this was just a horrible nightmare, and when I closed my eyes and opened them again in the morning, it would all be gone.
And then my mind shot to the terrifying demon creature. His unforgettable stench, sharp teeth, pasty white skin, and blackest-black eyes filled with pure evil. I’d never forget the way he whispered my name. What the hell was that thing, and why did it want to kill me? That would haunt me for the rest of my life. There was no way I’d be getting any sleep tonight, or any night soon. Being alone made it even worse.
The constant throb in my head reminded me that I was overdue for my next pain pill. Hopefully it would be strong enough to knock me out. I wanted sleep. I needed sleep. Where was Kade when I needed his magical touch? I yearned for his warm touch that could put me into a deep, restful sleep; a welcomed sleep that would allow my brain to shut down, even if for a short while.