My Three Mates

9

The walk is long and slow. I kick the weeds that are growing wildly beneath my feet. The words Andris said to me are dancing through my head. For some reason, I can’t shake my anger. His words although sweet, don’t make sense.

How is he ‘protecting’ me from his sister by hurting me?

Exhaling lowly, I brush a stray curl away from my face, suddenly wishing I had a hair tie. Out of nowhere, I feel a presence near me. It’s alerting every single sense I have. The hairs on the back of my neck are standing at attention.

“Andris?”

A movement occurs in the trees to my right, causing me to examine them cautiously. Inside, I see a shadow. I make out a woman’s face, and she looks like an angel. Her appearance is dark. Dark but not evil. She stares at me, and I stare back at her. A simple quirk of her lips, before she disappears back into the shadows. I stare at the tree long after she had left. Maybe I imagined it?

No…. Her features were too realistic to imagine.

“Are you okay?” I jump at the sound of Liam’s voice. My eyes wander over towards Liam, who looks extremely guilty for scaring me.

“I’m sorry. I should’ve alerted you of my presence.”

Waving off his apology, I say, “It’s fine.”

He still somehow looks guilty as he offers me his arm. One moment we are in the forest, the next we are near a waterfall. The rushing water hitting the pool below at an incredible speed. Vines growing around trees, making the whole scenery even more beautiful.

I look around. “Where are we?”

“Victoria Falls.”

I stare at him. “For real?”

He nods and excitement builds up in me. As a huge smile builds up on my face, and he grins back at me. “Why did you take me here?”

“I wanted to make you happy. I could feel you were upset from earlier, so I wanted to do something to make you smile.” He answered shyly, but honestly.

Kissing his cheek and thanking him profusely, and blush rises onto his cheeks.

“Don’t thank me, I am your mate. It is my job and life to make sure you live your life in pure and utter happiness.”

My heart swells at his statement. How can he be such an Angel? Oh wait. He is one. I giggle at my thoughts before splashing him with water. He chuckles before wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me into the water with him.

We swim around, the conversation flowing freely between us. Liam makes sure we don’t swim too close to the waterfall as the current is too strong.

After about an hour in the water, we both lay in the grass that is surrounding the pond. Looking upon the blue sky, a peaceful smile finds its way onto my face. I am truly and utterly happy in this moment.

Only for it to be shot down when I feel a sense of evil surround us. Fear and anger fill me, but it isn’t mine. Liam stands up, his eyes wide. He pulls me up harshly, and into his side, so unlike him.

“Liam. What’s going on?”

“Demon.” He answered shortly. This response makes me push my body closer towards him, his warmth bringing me comfort.

I’ve never met a real demon, and honestly, I don’t want to. Liam moves to stand in front of me, as if he is ready to guard me from anything.

I am thrown backwards into the falls, the water burning my throat as it is forced down. The strength of the waves pushes me down. I fight my way upwards, only to be pushed down again. The current hitting my body at numerous spots. I let my body be pushed towards the calmer currents, the burning in my lungs a huge discomfort.

I pull myself out of the water to see Liam. He is bleeding, badly. I smell it before I see the actual wound. The dark shadow thing forces Liam to the ground, slamming blow after blow onto him.

He tries to fight back, but the thing is like a ghost. His hands just flying through it. I want to cry, Liam is hurt.

Something burns in my chest. A want. No a need to protect. My instincts take over completely. All I can feel is the buzzing need to protect Liam pulsing in my veins. It’s like all I need to protect.

My body hurls forwards at an untouchable speed. Speed I have never had until now. I slam into it, somehow making contact. My hands are glowing, and they seem to be burning the ghost-like shadow. Suddenly, he fades away, and I feel his aura diminish under my hands, eventually dying away.

The need to protect is still there, and Liam stares at me with wide eyes, laying on the ground. Placing my hands on his bloody wound, I whimper slightly. The blood is nauseating, but my need to protect is much more prominent. I close my eyes, and I feel energy pulse through my hands.

“You’re glowing…..” Liam mutters, shocked.

His wound disappears completely, along with the need to protect. Suddenly, my energy leaves me, and I fall to the ground. I feel sparks cover my body, and I snuggle into the source. That’s all I remember before unconsciousness steals me away.