She got dried, dressed and into her new pyjamas behind the door, just in case the people behind the portal could see in; she wasn’t brave enough to close it just yet. Then, lying on the floor next to the bed, she flipped the switch and the room became cloaked in darkness. She very much doubted that she would fall asleep, but she barely lasted sixty seconds before she was snoring like a baby.
As her breathing deepened, a figure came through the portal. Moving cautiously in the darkness, it moved to the bed next to Val and sat down.
Opening her eyes Val realised that she was looking at a highly polished pair of military style boots. Her prison guard instinct kicked in and she leapt to her feet. She would have taken her visitor by surprise had she not forgotten that she was inside a sleeping bag; as quickly as she rose she fell. Luckily a pair of strong arms grabbed her, saving her from an undignified sprawl over the wooden floor.
“Good morning, Val,” Zac said as he pulled her to her feet.
“What are you doing here so early? Is there a problem?” Val started to pull off her bag.
“No, I just thought an early start would be good,” Zac lied. “You have much to learn and I have much to teach you.” He offered Val his hand as she clambered out of the bag.
“First juice and cereal, then we go and find our missing priestess.” Val pointed to the kitchen. Pulling a carton of orange juice and a box of cereal from the cupboard, she filled two glasses and two bowls. Zac watched with great interest as she poured milk over the cereal. Putting it all on a tray she headed back to the bed, pushing her clothes to one side so they could sit and eat. Zac was really getting into the consumption side of things Val thought, watching him clean his bowl. The orange juice was not such a success and his pained expression spoke a thousand words. ‘Note to self: orange juice will not to be on the menu again,’ Val joked.
When they had finished, Val handed Zac the keys to the front door. “You go downstairs while I get ready.”
“But what if...”
“OK, stop talking. I need to get changed and I am going to do that alone. Nothing will happen and anyway, Wendy will be here any minute.” He took the keys begrudgingly and did as he was told.
She looked at the clothes she had purchased the previous day and wondered what Sam would like best. Then she pinched her arm. “Get real,” she whispered as she picked up the trusty t-shirt and Jeans.
Val headed downstairs to find Wendy and Zac, already buried in her dellatrax.
“Morning Val. Did you sleep well?” Wendy smiled over the top of a huge leather bound volume.
“Yes thanks, first dreamless night I’ve had in a while. What is our next move, oh clever one?” Val asked Zac.
“We need to connect our links as soon as possible. It will help us work more efficiently.”
“Uh?” Val shook her head. “Links? What links?”
Zac reminded himself to be patient, but Val really didn’t know
anything
. “When a guard is born he is connected with his hunter and from the beginning they are together for the vast majority of the time. Obviously we have never had a female guard so things may have to be slightly different for you and me.”
“Slow down, cowboy. What is this connection business, because you are
so
not my type,” Val said feeling worried.
“First things first. We must connect our signals.” Zac lifted his sleeve to reveal a bracelet. Its appearance was similar to Val’s, but instead of being in a V shape it simply circled his arm. “And what is this
type
thing you speak of?” Zac looked from Val to Wendy.
“Oh, bracelets, good.” Val let out a sigh of relief. “The type thing is just something we say when two peoples’ DNA doesn’t quite match.”
“Right,” Wendy nodded impressed with Val’s answer.
“Irrelevant. We must get on.” Zac moved towards Val and held out his hand.
“So we just touch bracelets, then?” Val had butterflies in her stomach. This felt so odd and yet she knew that it had to be done.
She pulled up her sleeve to reveal the bracelet her father had left her. Her hand gently moved towards Zac’s, then she stopped. “Will it hurt?”
Zac shook his head.
Val reached for his hand and they were connected. She could feel the floor falling away as if she was in an elevator, yet they were both stationary. All she could sense was what seemed to her to be Zac’s heart. She knew it was him. He reached into her soul. They were all alone in the universe and their bracelets where making the strangest noises and flashing happily away in sync. She couldn’t get over the fact that she felt so at one with him; it was like he was the brother she had never had. They really were connected.
Then it stopped. The lights, the noise the sense of connection gently faded, and Val felt the floor returning. Instinctively they released each others’ hands.
“Is that it?” Wendy looked between them. As far as she could tell, nothing had happened, yet Val and Zac were just staring into each other’s faces as if something very important had just taken place. Then Val shook her head, almost as if waking from a dream.
“Are you seriously telling me you didn’t see any of what just happened?”
Wendy shook her head.
“It was amazing; we were truly connected.” Val turned to Zac who was almost back. “Come on mate, I see now that I have a lot to learn, and some witches to find.” Val pulled him over to the books and they all sat and studied the morning away.
Fran and Jason arrived around eleven at which point the shop was open and quite busy with the usual bookworms.
“Hi guys,” Fran greeted them, adding to their pile of books with a few of her own.
“What’s all this?” Wendy enquired, starting to pick through them.
“Jason received them in a parcel this morning, from Sam; something about local history.” Fran walked off towards the cupboard as Jason came in with another pile.
“Where does this guy get his stuff from and doesn’t he sleep?” Jason dropped them on to the counter.
“Wow, these books are really old,” Wendy said stroking the covers gently.
“You make me glad I’m a geek.” Jason smiled and walked off after Fran.
“Where is this Sam?” Zac asked. Val sensed his apprehension on the subject.
“He’s moving here to Arcsdale. Don’t worry; he’s just a really cool guy who gave me my sword and the stuff that Jason uses to track me. He’s Shane’s best friend, if that makes you feel any better, and I’m going to his house for lunch. So on that note I’m off.”
Val stood grabbing her bag. “Are you ok to close the shop over lunch and open up this afternoon if I’m not back in time, Wendy?”
“Is that a joke? Look at all these goodies.” Wendy’s eyes didn’t leave the books as she gave Val a dismissive wave.
Val could see that Zac wasn’t at all pleased to see her go, but she still had to have a life. Anyway, Sam might have some valuable information to pass on.
“You can contact me on my mobile if you need me.” She waved her phone at him, turned and left. The bus ride was pleasant. Just leaving the shop and not having to try to capture someone made a pleasing change to the recent full on approach.
She jumped off the bus, checking the card he had given her one more time, and walked along the road towards his new house. Luckily Arcsdale wasn’t that big and she was familiar with the area. As the address came into view, Val saw Sandy the TVR parked with tender loving care on the driveway. She had to admire the size of the place. Whatever Sam did for a living, he clearly earned a pretty decent wage. Making her way to the front door she instantly recognised that it was made out of cherry wood in a classic design. She gently passed her hand over it. Her dad had taught her well. She rang the doorbell and waited patiently.
It opened and there he was, her personal dream guy. Today he was wearing jeans and a black skin tight t-shirt. A million questions shot through her head and then she pulled herself back to reality.
“Val, I’m so pleased you could make it. Come in.” Sam stepped to one side to allow her in.
“How could anyone smell that good?” she thought to herself.
The entrance was as beautiful and impressive as the exterior. Val looked around her at the open gallery staircase leading to what seemed like an endless landing. The floor was a classic slate and made it seem almost as if she had been transported back in time. There were few pieces of furniture, but each one was well thought out and placed perfectly. Attention to detail was obviously a priority for him.
“Sam, your house is breathtaking; actually it’s close to perfect.” Val complimented him as they walked down the corridor.
“It’s nearly finished. They’re still making a few minor changes, but I’m really pleased with the outcome.” He pushed open a door and they walked into the kitchen. Marble surfaces, a sheet glass wall and the minimalist design gave Val shivers down her spine.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been in a more exquisite room in my life.” Val walked to the glass wall to admire the garden. “Sam, it’s just such an amazing work of art. Who built this?”
“This man did,” Sam answered. Val turned to look as he opened a side door. “How’s it going today?” Sam asked as he shook Val’s dad’s hand.
“Morning. Not much more to do,” Mike greeted him, and then spotted Val. “Sorry, I didn’t know you had a guest. I can come back later.” He smiled awkwardly at Val and turned to leave.
“No, Mike. Please come and meet my friend. She was just admiring your work. No, let me rephrase that; she was telling me it was almost perfect.” Sam glanced across at Val who was starting to feel faint. Mike crossed the room towards her. If she had been a little braver she would have thrown herself through the glass wall in an attempt to escape.
“Thank you. That’s a big compliment from such a young lady. What exactly is it that you like?” Mike wiped his dusty hand down his shirt and offered it to Val. She could feel the pain of tears burning behind her eyes. This was too much. She reached out and their hands joined. An overwhelming feeling of safety and love flushed through Val’s body. She just wanted him to wrap her in his arms and tell her it would all be ok, like he had when she was a little girl. But that would never happen again and this was not a good position for her to be in.
“Hello?” Sam said waving his hand in her face, snapping her out of the trance she was in.
“I’m sorry,” she said releasing his hand. “I thought the Cherry wood front door was breathtaking and this glass wall,” Val turned, almost like a robot, towards the wall, “is a touch of genius.” She could smell his aftershave; it was his favourite
Hugo Boss
; she had bought him a bottle for Christmas.
“That’s impressive. You obviously have a good knowledge of buildings and thank you for the compliments.”
Val nodded her acknowledgement as Mike turned to Sam. “Sam, I just came to tell you that the garage is nearly finished. On that note I will leave you to admire my work.” He turned back to Val. “Sorry, I didn’t catch your name.”
“It’s Valerie.” She was still unable to move. He was going to leave and that would be it. She was no better off than Delta: forgotten.
“What a coincidence. My grandmother was called Valerie; it’s not a very common name. Well, it’s been a pleasure meeting you and I hope you like everything you see,” Mike chirped, pleased with his new fan. As he walked away with Sam, Val leaned on the cool marble counter concentrating on taking one breath after another. It felt like her whole chest was about to collapse with the pain. How could this have happened? What were the chances of Sam getting her dad to build his house? Then she remembered her mum telling her about some important cash job her dad had won. Sam had been the one all along. Her dad had known Sam for months. She realised she had to calm down or Sam would know something was wrong. She took a few deep breaths and stood up straight Just as Sam came bounding back in.
“He’s such a nice guy; seemed impressed with your knowledge,” he said as he made his way over to a black double fridge and pulled it open. “OK, what do you want to drink? I have Pepsi, juice, tea, coffee or just about anything else you can think of.”
“Pepsi sounds great,” Val replied pushing up the corners of her mouth to create the impression that everything was ok. She would have to see the good in this situation. She had just come face to face with her dad and he definitely hadn’t remembered her. Sam also obviously didn’t have a clue who Mike was, so the spell had definitely worked.
“I have prepared us some food in the dining room. Follow me.” Sam handed Val a large glass and she did as she was told.
Another room and yet another stunning design. She now felt guilty that she hadn’t realised it was her dad’s work. It had his signature written all over it. Along the length of the room was a sturdy oak table, leading to French doors that opened out onto an elevated patio. She had always felt that her dad’s greatest creation was Delta’s house, but this definitely topped it. Then she saw the spread on the table. This guy could cook! She was starting to think that he was too good to be true, but she must remember that this was the Sam of the future, not the Sam from her past. There were no romantic ties here and she must keep that in mind.
He pulled a chair out for Val to sit down. “So how’s it all going?”
“Well, apart from meeting my hunter who’s turning out to be a great guy, catching a load of prisoners at the Snakes and Ladders, and casting a spell to protect the shop, it’s quite boring. Ah yes, and let’s not forget the high priestess that was kidnapped by Excariot yesterday. But you know about that and thanks for the books.” Val shoved a piece of celery into her mouth.
“A spell to protect the shop… Did Wendy and her friends do that for you?” Sam seemed interested and so Val began to explain as they chatted over lunch, and for a short while she felt at ease.
Sam had cleared away the table and gone to get the puddings. Val was standing in the dining room’s open patio door when the doorbell rang. “Val, I have my hands full, can you get that?” he called through.