Power (17 page)

Chapter 15
Discovered Truths

I stepped outside into the fresh air. The sky was cloudless, and I could see all the stars. I walked to the pond and thought about putting my feet inside. It was summer, but we were high up in the mountains and the wind was chilly; so I decided against taking my shoes off and dipping my feet in the cold water. I snuggled my robe closer around me as I felt a small breeze. Being surrounded by massively tall cliffs, one would rarely feel a breeze out here, but when you did, boy was it cold. I sat leaning against a tree and looked out over the pond.

I didn’t hear him come up behind me, but I could sense him. I turned around as he greeted me the same as he always did, “Good morning, Allison.”

I chuckled, “I guess it is morning already.” He offered his hand and helped me stand. I took it eagerly, and went straight into his arms. He didn’t pull away. If anything, he held me closer. It reminded me of the morning when I thought he would kiss me. After that morning he had distanced himself. But over the last few days he had gotten back to normal. He had even kissed my head and my cheek on a few occasions. Tonight I wanted more, though I was a little afraid to risk it. What if he started acting all weird again?

I breathed in deeply, allowing his scent to fill my nose and my lungs. He nestled his head into the crook of my neck and I could feel the scruff from his beard scratch my cheek as he started to breathe deeply as well. I could feel his breath tickle my neck and it sent shivers down my spine. It made me pull him closer still. I could feel his muscles touching mine, and I could feel the heat emanating from him, warming my skin through my clothes.

My heart started beating faster, and I felt my face flush with anticipation. He pulled away, just enough to look me in the eyes. I stared back into his, allowing him access to my soul, hoping he could see how desperately I needed him. I didn’t hold back at all.

Before I could even react his lips were on mine. The heat that I had felt when he kissed my cheek, was like a lit match compared to the forest fire I felt now. Every inch of my body was deliciously ignited.

This kiss started very slow. Tentative. Wary. Unsure.

But as my lips parted, allowing him full access to me, things changed. He deepened the kiss. His arms pulled me closer to him, wrapped around my back, and held me firm.

He tasted like heaven on earth. My arms were all over the place. On his face, on his neck, then down to his back. I couldn’t get enough of him. I couldn’t touch him enough, or smell him enough. Or… taste him enough.

This felt right. Like the ultimate goodness. My body tried to inch closer, but it appeared we couldn’t get any closer. His chest was warm and hard against mine, and fit perfectly, as if we were two pieces to a puzzle.

I started getting light headed, but really, who needed to breathe when you could be kissing instead?

Unfortunately, I think David needed to breathe, so he pulled away and rested his head against mine. His arms held me firmly in place, right against him. All my insides were gooey and soft, and all I could think about was the way his lips burned against me.

I tried to steady my breathing. It was pretty embarrassing how heavy it was, coming out in gasps of warm air. My heart was beating erratically and so hard it felt my body could barely contain it.

“I need to tell you something,” he said, his voice deeper than normal, husky. It made my stomach flip. “I have been trying to not feel this way, and I would understand if you don’t feel the same. And I apologize if this causes you any discomfort… I know you just lost Alex, but I cannot pretend any longer. I cannot keep this from you anymore.” He almost growled those last words at me.

My hope increased and my heart beat faster still; I felt like it would pound right through my chest. My skin was prickly and on edge with anticipation. My breathing came in gasps and I waited anxiously to hear what he had to tell me, hoping with all my might he could possibly feel the same as I do!

“I love you, Allison. My love for you continues to grow every day. I love you so much more than I can even explain. And when I thought I might lose you, when you called to me and felt such fear, I decided I would never again try to distance myself from you. I will be here when you need me for whatever you need me for. You are my world.”

Normally, a woman waits for the man to kiss her, especially after the kiss we just shared. But at his declaration, I just couldn’t help myself. I lifted myself onto my tip toes and threw my arms around his neck, pulling his face closer to mine. I kissed him with everything I had, letting my love for him flow through me and into him.

He pulled me closer, not letting my lips leave his. We kissed passionately, our want over flowing. This kiss was already different than the last. It was stronger, fiercer. His lips parted mine immediately, and I breathed in his scent, tasting him on my tongue. My breathing sped, as did my heart. It swelled with the knowledge that he loved me back.

I felt the heat of his hand through my shirt as he pulled my body closer to him. I heard him moan my name, and the sound made me want him more. My hands were tangled in his hair, and I didn’t think I would ever let go. However, this time I had to catch my breath, so I pulled away slightly. I looked up into his eyes and they were burning with a deep passion, the deep green sizzling just below the surface of his rich hazel.

I figured I should let him know how I felt, just in case that kiss didn’t give me away completely. “I love you too! I’m so glad you decided not to try and stay away because I don’t think I could let you. I hope you never stay away!” I was almost whispering; the kiss had made me thoroughly short of breath.

He kissed me again, but just short sweet kisses now. He kissed my lips, just barely brushing his across mine. He kissed my nose, my eyelids, and my cheeks. Then he kissed down my jaw line, following it to my neck. He whispered in my ear, “I cannot tell you how happy it makes me to hear that.” His breath tickled my neck and made me warm on the inside and deep in my tummy.

I felt like the Grinch when his heart grew three times its size. I was swollen with joy and love. I had thought my life was complete when I had Sam, but now it was officially complete. I could not be happier than I was in this moment. Everything seemed perfect. I forgot about the world, the fights, the wars, and death. I forgot about Damien and my fear of him. I forgot everything except David.

I reached down and opened his shirt, allowing myself to fully take in all that was David. He had the perfect chest and stomach. His abs were strong and pronounced, just as every single muscle in his body was. I ran my fingertips down from his chest to right below his belly button and he shivered under my touch.

I looked up then, up away from his chest and into his eyes. I realized in that moment, that things would be okay. Not that having a man would make my life perfect, but rather, I realized the rightness of the universe. That there really was meaning behind everything that happened. I had Samantha at a young age for a reason – so that I could turn in to the strong person that I became. Alex and I grew apart for a reason – so that I would be able to handle his death easier. And Alex was never meant to be my soul mate, this gorgeous creature standing before me was. He was my destiny.

We stood together, just holding each other. He started to sway back and forth and we danced under the stars.

***

I woke to a knock on the door. I didn’t answer at first; I was not ready to wake up. But a few seconds later, I heard the knock again. Assuming it was Samantha, I begrudgingly said, “Come on in.” I made no effort to get up though. Instead, I rolled over and faced away from the door. “What do you need, Sammy?”

“I just came to check on you.” I knew this voice, but it definitely was not Samantha’s. This voice brought up images of strong arms and a first kiss. Those memories ignited a passion deep within me and my cheeks warmed as they flushed red again. I turned around and sat up, flashing him a large smile.

“Sorry, I thought you were Sam.” I said, stating the obvious. “But you can come in anyways.” I maintained my smile as I spoke.

He smiled back and walked in. “Sam is with Sharon. Do you have any idea what time it is?”

“Nope.” I motioned with my arms as I said, “No windows, remember?”

“You missed lunch. It’s 1:30,” he said, smirking at me. “I’ve been pretty worried about you, but Rick convinced me to leave you alone for a while and let you rest.”

“I can’t imagine why I would be so tired, it’s not like someone kept me up all night…” I teased and followed with a wink.

He chuckled once and then sat on my bed. “But you never sleep this late. Are you really ok?” The sincerity of his question was obvious.

I climbed out of my covers and over to him, he opened his arms and allowed me to cuddle into them. He held me on his lap, like a parent holds a child. I looked up at him, hoping for a kiss, and my wish was granted. As soon as his lips touched mine, my heart took off, and my breath caught in my throat. It was not a kiss like we shared last night; it was just a sweet, good-morning-kiss, but it still had a major effect on me.

“Yes, I’m great!” I answered, and I meant it. I was happy. I knew that with David’s instruction, we would be able to defeat Damien. My family would be safe – and this time I included him in that too. “I’m sorry I slept late, but I was really tired.” I thought about begging forgiveness, but his smile assured me I already had it. “So, are we training today?” I asked.

“Yes, we will, but first we need to speak with Rick. Get up and get dressed and I’ll wait for you in the living room.” He helped me out of his arms and stood to leave.

Seeing him walk away was heart wrenching. I think I was bordering on obsession, and it was pretty ridiculous, but after everything that had been happened, it just scared me to see him walking away. I knew that we were safe here, there was no way Damien or any Rising member would ever come here, but it didn’t make a difference. I commanded, “Wait for me.”

He replied, “Forever!” then shut the door behind him.

***

We walked hand in hand towards Rick’s office. Since coming to the Compound, I hadn’t actually spent as much time with him as I thought I would. Most of my time had been absorbed with David and his training sessions. I realized that I felt like I was missing out on being able to bond with Rick again. I was determined to start making more time for him.

“So, what do we need to see Rick for?” I asked as we kept walking. David hadn’t hinted at what we were in for, so I still had no idea.

“He knows a lot about offensive attacks and we need to know all we can. We need to coordinate. This isn’t something we often do.”

I remembered being told that the Order only waited for the Rising to attack and then protected themselves. I was glad they had decided to change their strategy. It was time to get rid of the evil that walked the earth. But it was sad that it took the apocalypse to make them see that.

It also gave me hope that I wouldn’t have to face them alone again. Just thinking about it gave me the creeps. With help and a plan, I figured we had a great chance of defeating them, with or without the Descendant.

As we approached Rick’s office, we heard voices. When we heard them say my name, David held my hand back to stop me, and we listened together. I usually didn’t condone eavesdropping, especially not on a trusted friend’s conversation, however, I was too curious to allow my conscience to get in the way. I snuggled closer to David as we hid in the hallway, listening in like spies.

I could hear a few men inside. Some voices I recognized, some I didn’t. Rick was saying, “She is doing ok, none of us ever thought Mark would betray us. He had told Sharon that he had fallen in love, but would share nothing else. We all know who could have caused him to have such delusions. She is very powerful in her arts of seduction.” He paused briefly and then said, “But to tell a Rising member where an Order member will be so they could kill her is just beyond my comprehension. I never thought I would live to see the day something like that could happen.”

Sadness and disgust seeped through his words. So it had been Mark who told them where I was. It had been Mark that risked not only my life, but my mother’s and Sam’s. I couldn’t believe it. It finally made sense why Sharon had acted so strange last night. It had been her brother that almost killed my entire family. He was an Order member, trusted by everyone here, and he just gave us away. The hurt of betrayal stung my heart.

A man said, “Rick, it matters not. What’s done is done. And I understand your points about Allison, but we need to continue her training.” Wow, way to be heartless. Even though it hurt that he had been working with the Rising to kill me, he had been a friend, and it was rude to talk about those events like that.

Rick replied simply but firmly, “Henry I’m telling you it cannot be her.”

A man I didn’t recognize answered, “Rick, you cannot deny how powerful she is. She has trained quicker than anyone else, save one, and you said he was the exception.” David twitched just barely when he said that. I didn’t know why, but I was curious who this other person was that trained as fast as me. I made a mental note to ask David about it later.

Another man, who I recognized as a Council member named Nicholas, said, “You heard what David said; she created a shield of fire that burned the flesh of a Rising member! Have you ever heard of such a thing?” His voice had risen just slightly, emphasizing his point. Apparently making your shield turn into fire was a big thing around here.

Rick replied, “No, but who has ever come up against so many Rising members before? Who has had the opportunity, or motivation, to do such things?”

Nicholas continued without answering Rick’s question, “She called to him, Rick! What are we calling that now, long distance telepathy? I have never heard of anyone doing that before! Sure, we have allowed our thoughts to be read by others, but to call to someone…” he paused for dramatic effect, “… who was at least 30 miles away!” A smile spread across my face. It made me feel good to know that they thought so highly of what I had accomplished. I guess under the right circumstances, and with the right amount of motivation, anyone could do anything.