“So are we in Hell now?” I question, squatting down and resting my head in my hands.
She waves away my question. “No, it looks like a cavern or a network of caves to me. I knocked out one of the guards and have been trying to find my way out for a few hours now. I thought this secret door would lead me away from here. I don’t know how long I’ve got before they find me, but—”
“But you’re gonna leave me here to rot and die alone?” I see red as I’m up at the bars again, my hands have partially shifted and black claws reach out towards Jillian.
She quickly backs up, bumping into the table in a hurry to dodge my deadly grasp and looks at me in horror. “Oh God. What have they done to you? I’ve heard rumors that they were doing unspeakable things to a prisoner, but I never thought it was you.” She chokes on silent tears.
Stabbing pain behind my eyes has me stumbling back for a moment, making me blink rapidly to clear it. Once the pain leaves, I see Jillian clearly, and I find myself chuckling. “You know, it’s funny. I should have known you weren’t dead because your gag on me didn’t vanish when you died.”
“You don’t understand, Lynx,” Jillian cautiously states like I’m some feral beast.Hmm. Maybe I am.“We were constantly being watched. I couldn’t let you go around telling Rez anything about what you were. It would have tipped off—” The scraping of boots echoes down the tunnel, sounding right outside the door. “Shit! They’ve found me. Please, just remember that no matter what they do to you, Lynx, you have a deeper connection than what they think and nothing can change that, no matter how hard they try.”
Before I can answer her or ask any more questions, a large group of cloaked figures burst through the door and bolts of magic go flying. I get a quick sense of déjá vu with what happened back on Earth when Jillian had ‘died’ before I’m hit in the chest with searing pain and its lights out again.
ChapterSixteen
THE TIES THAT KNOT
Knots
War have Mercy on me.
I’m in over my head with this woman. I knew Nerezza Taylor was special as soon as her essence activated the primal need deep within me. No one has ever been able to do that before. I couldn’t do anything but shake uncontrollably as she keyed herself into my station. Then came the verbal tongue lashing she gave me when I tried to give her a hard time with Ezekiel. I think that’s when I knew I was a lost cause to this woman.
Most of the school’s wards just ignore us Door Knight’s and go about their days, unless we're “stubborn and unruly.” We spend our time gossiping, keeping our eyes out for others, and observing our wards. Or in my case, interacting with them. I consider myself lucky I have such a great group, unlike my bestie, Willow, and her wards of silver-tongued herpes.
It feels like I’ve known Rez for years. Since she came here I’ve obsessively listened and observed her in her natural habitat—like some kind of pervy peeping Tom now that I think about it. Jeez. In reality it’s only been a week, but I consider myself extremely lucky to just be able to interact with her. Not once in my wildest dreams did I think I would ever get a chance to physically hold Rez, even if it’s just her hand. She’s so vibrant, spunky, and drop-dead gorgeous.
Waking up after the attack and being blocked from everything was a new experience, one that I hope I never have to feel again. Talk about feeling hopeless. I was isolated from everything in the abyss where it was pure darkness. That’s what I’m calling it, at least. My connections were gone, I couldn’t hear, see, or even think beyond knowing it was all wrong. I don’t know what was done to me, but once I was freed, the first thing I did was spread the word to the other DKs. The Door Knights needed to be warned that we weren’t invincible like we’ve been led to believe.
When I became a Door Knight, I knew I may have to defend my wards with my sword and body, but until the other night, it had never happened. So to be called forth again, so soon, but without the need for my sword has left me bewildered. It took a split second to realize I was back in my body, but there were no enemies to defend against.
I didn’t have time to celebrate or even question how it came about. My instinct pulled me to help her. To be her protector, and what did I get in return? A pretty good punch in the arm. But I really can’t complain since I got to patch up her hand and take care of her.
I don’t want to take a shower in JP’s bathroom while Rez is so close just in case I fumble around with the technology. I have to save my pride where I can. Walking into her room I feel the slight presence of magic as I pass through, but nothing specific so I write it off as residual from the other night that hasn’t dissipated completely. Whatever happened had a lot of dark magic in it. After a glorious shower in Rez’s bathroom, I play dress up like a giddy school girl with her closet. I’ve observed a lot of styles over the years, and I can’t say I haven’t been curious about a few. Assless chaps do have their benefits, whereas silk feels amazing. How the guys wear tight jeans, I’ll never know. My balls feel like they’re cleaved in two against the zipper. I finally decide on some simple black and red sweatpants, and a plain white tank top before I head back to Rez. I’m still in shock with having my body back, scars and all. Though no one will see them unless I prance around naked like JP.That will never happen, at least not here.
Peeking into the room, Rez is sitting up in the bed again, nibbling on her bottom lip as she stares off into space.
“Whatcha thinkin’ about now?” I ask, walking in and motioning to the other side of the bed. “Mind if I sit down?”
A nod and a slight smile is my only answer as I lay on top of the covers, fluffing up a pillow.No wonder everyone sleeps in, this bed is as comfy as fine wool. And it’s so much better than the beds I grew up with.
“Did you enjoy your shower?” she inquires, snuggling back down and flipping onto her side to face me.
“Yes! It’s amazing how they have blended modern technology and magic into this world,” I muse with a wistful tone as I think back to how it used to be when I was alive.Alive? Is that what I am now? Free? What’s the proper term?Hell, I don’t even know if this is just temporary.
“I have so many questions, and I’m not sure where to start.” Rez pouts, and I laugh at how complicated she’s trying to make it.
“Why not start with the first question your pretty little head comes up with?”
Closing my eyes and enjoying the comfort of the pillows, I start to hum the Jeopardy theme song until Rez laughs and lightly shoves at my bicep, sending a tingle running up my arm. She’s the first person to touch my body in eons, and I must admit, I love the feel of her caress. While cleaning her cut, I couldn’t help but notice her smooth skin and how much she relaxed around me. She just went with the flow and trusted me to take care of her. I couldn’t have been happier at that moment. It’s as if I found another purpose rather than being her Door Knight. I was a man providing and caring for her. Opening my eyes, I’m caught up in her light gray orbs staring back at me, and I find myself gulping at the unfamiliar feeling.
“How old are you?” She bites her lip, and a slow knowing smile crosses mine.
“Old enough to be legal, and young enough to still have fun.” I watch in amusement as a blush rushes to her cheeks and she slips her lip between her teeth again, drawing my eyes to her lips.I wonder if she realizes she does that a lot when she’s nervous.“The last time I had this body, I was in my 3rd decade. So, thirty?”
“Do you…do you remember anything about your life prior to being a Door Knight?” She doesn’t meet my eyes as her words ring out around the room.
Not wanting to disappoint her, I feel like I have to say something before jumping in.
