The Heart of a Warrior

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Adalaide

            Callan sits beside me, rage radiating off of his large body in waves. Why is he so angry There has to be some logical explanation to my injuries. But even as I think the words it just doesn’t make any sense.

            The bruising and the strangulation mark is exactly like before. Even if I had hurt myself in my sleep somehow there is no way they would be so precise and exact. I shake my head to clear my thoughts.

            A wave of exhaustion crashes over me and my eyes flutter shut. “Going to sleep isn’t a good idea.” Callan’s deep comforting voice invades my ears and my brows furrow as a thought occurs to me.

            “How did you get in here without my alarm going off?” I ask confused.

            “I don’t know. Maybe it malfunctioned. I couldn’t sleep so I went to walk for a bit and just happened to see you lying on the floor.” He rushes out.

            He’s lying. The thought unsettles me for a minute. But if he had wanted to hurt me, he could have while I was unconscious. Or maybe he’s a psychopath and wants to play with me before he kills me. I just don’t get that vibe from him though.

            He hasn’t been warm towards me, but I also haven’t felt any fear from being around him. His eyes bore into mine and my head begins to spin. He begins speaking to me in an even steady tone. My vision goes black, but I can still hear his voice. Although, I can’t make out his words. They aren’t in English and it’s not a language I am familiar with. I’m certain I have never heard it before.

                **********************

Callan

            There isn’t much more for me to do other than what has to be done. She looks deep in thought. No doubt trying to make sense of what she has endured this night.

            It may be immoral for me to influence her mind, but she doesn’t need to know about the supernatural world. No. The only solution is to alter her memory of tonight. I look deep into her blue eyes and begin speaking in the old language of my people. Telling her that she slept soundly all night and ensuring that she won’t wake up until morning.

            When I’m finished, she goes limp and her hair falls in her face. Brushing it behind her ear my hand grazes the bruise on her face making her wince. I immediately feel a pang of guilt for causing her discomfort.

            Now that she is sound asleep, I take in her face. What I wouldn’t give to lean over and brush my lips with hers. Stop that. You don’t get involved with females anymore. You are a warrior. It’s just lust. Once the car gets fixed you are going to get into it, drive away, and never look back. And you will never think of her again.

            I repeat the mantra in my head over and over again. Knowing that it’s a lie. At least the part about me never thinking about her again is.

            Standing, I walk back to the guest house and wake Ava. She shoots straight up, a dagger much like my own, coming at my throat. I easily deflect the movement and she relaxes when she sees it’s me.

            “Callan? What in the hell are you doing? I could have killed you.” She scowls at me.

            “We both know I would have to be unconscious for you to be able to kill me.” I say.

            Her head c***s to the side as if she is going to argue the fact then thinks better of it and waits for me to answer her previous question.

            “It’s the girl.” I say trying to put some distance between Adelaide and I by not using her name.

            “Addy?!” her voice an octave higher as worry sets in her eyes. “What’s wrong? Is she ok?”

            The words rush out of her fast. Genuine concern laced in every word she speaks. I’m taken aback. It has been a long time since I have heard such attachment in her voice.

            Ava has a good heart through and through. She cares about everyone, but she is also good at remaining objective and not taking things to heart. She really likes the girl.

            “She’s fine now. But she was attacked…” She throws the covers off of her small frame and is out the door of the guest house in seconds, her dagger still tightly gripped in her palm.

            I quickly catch up to her as she makes her way across the grass to the main house. Fury permeates from her body. She’s looking for blood. Her ferocity is startling.

            “Ava,” I grab her arm turning her towards me. “She’s fine I promise. She was attacked by a Nightmare.”

            The color drains from her face and she jerks her arm from my hand rushing inside to find Adelaide. When she spots her on the couch she gasps and covers her mouth with her hand.

            “What the f**k do you mean she’s fine?!” She bellows rushing to Adelaide’s side and taking her hand in hers. “It was a memory. She’s not f*****g fine!”

            The weight of her distraught emotions press heavily on my chest. She’s fighting back tears and I look at her in confusion. I knew she would be upset. But it’s not the first, the second, or even the third time she’s seen someone who was attacked by a nightmare. Something is different about the way she shows concern for the woman on the couch before me.

            “Ava if you would let me finish a sentence before storming off or snapping at me, I could explain to you what happened.”

            She looks up at me the tears threatening to spill out of her eyes and onto her cheeks. I begin to tell her everything from finding Ava on the floor, to talking with her, and finally influencing her mind. Her eyes going wide with each word that spills from my lips. Her hand going to her mouth in stunned surprise.

            “Callan, how is that possible? Every human that has encountered a Nightmare that fed on a memory is the equivalent of brain dead. Those who do open their eyes…there’s nothing left of them anymore.”

            “I know, it doesn’t make any sense.” I look at her and see the relief in her face, but she doesn’t quite believe what I have told her. “I need you to heal her.”

            She sniffles and composes herself but immediately gets to work. Placing her hands over the ugly marks left behind from the demon, light shines brightly from her palms and I can see the bruising beginning to fade.

            Adelaide’s skin becomes just as flawless as before and the band around my chest eases at seeing them disappear. I pick the woman up once more and carry her down the hall in search of her room.

            Finally finding the right door I take her and lay her back into bed, pulling the cream-colored blanket up to her shoulders and tuck her in. It’s dark but I can see just fine. She will sleep until morning and won’t remember anything.