God Awakened, page 10
They only knew what the sun had looked like through movies and pictures. Their world had comprised many shades of gray. Many layers of clouds and pollution blanketed the planet’s surface. It was perpetual gloom.
Even what little vegetation they had managed to save perpetually looked ashen. Not the vibrant colors they saw now. The only thing he could compare it to was they had lived in a black and white. Only to be projected into a full technicolor film.
At least their ancestors had the foresight to create the dome they lived within. Not only had it sustained life, for further generations, it redacted to create the illusion of natural light. However, this time and place were by far the superior. Was this the answer to the rumored saving grace? Was this the reason for Cora’s death? Questions were filling his head.
Though he didn’t want to dwell on them now. Right now, he wanted to live in the moment and enjoy. They all wanted to enjoy this new world and all it offered them.
Rolling, he pulled Honor in closer. Bending, he sniffed the top of her head. Closing his eyes, he smiled. She smelled good. Like sweet vanilla. It was quickly becoming his favorite scent.
Honor murmured as she woke.
“Are you smelling me?”
Laughing, he said.
“Yes.”
Inhaling again.
“You smell good. Like vanilla.”
She shook her head while wrapping her arms around him.
“If you say so.”
Chuckling softly, she buried her nose to his chest, inhaling his scent.
“Mmm. You smell like woods and man.”
Squinting his brow, he looked at the top of her head.
“Like woods and man, eh!”
Feeling her rub her cheek along his chest, he sighed in contentment.
“If you say so.”
Slowly, he ran his fingers through her hair with one hand. This time, she sighed in her contentment. Their bond seemed to grow stronger the more time they spent together. That made sense. However, it was also different somehow. It was like a physical force pulling them together. Shortening the distance between them quicker than they were perhaps ready for.
Still, he would not argue. I felt right to him. Right, on far too many levels to ever question it. He just hoped he didn’t mess this up. He still hadn’t broached the subject of Harlow being here in the same time as them. Or about Cormac and his cryptic words and ways. How a local man could have such knowledge of the future and understand it baffled him.
He had wondered at one point if he had come through the portal like them. Just from a different future than theirs. However, after a while, he dismissed the thought. The man fit far too well here. So he was thinking instead, that perhaps he had a power of knowledge or something. Sitting the man down to ask his many questions had been impossible so far. Hopefully soon though.
Honor pulled him from his thoughts as she started drawing circles on his chest with her fingers and asking.
“What are you thinking about?”
Deciding now was as good a time as any. He told her about Cormac. That upon entering through the portal, he landed at the edge of the woods, unconscious. He later woke in the old man’s tent. It was fortuitous he had found him when he did and nursed him back to health. How the old man had known he would be there, he had yet to learn.
It amazed him how he knew things before they would happen. Also informing him who he could trust out of the newcomers to this time. It had taken him aback, but in the end, he listened and was grateful he had done so.
He smiled into her upturned face.
“You have bewitching eyes, Honor.”
His blurted statement sounded more like a whispered seduction. It had Honor melting further into him and looking at him with softening eyes. They forgot their previous chatter. With their eyes locked onto each other, she swung her leg over him, slowly crawling up his body. Placing a hand on either side of his head, she bent, taking his mouth in a lazy kiss.
Allowing her a few moments of power before he wrapped his arms around her and flipped them so he was above her. He quickly swallowed her surprised gasp by deepening the kiss. Coaxing her lips apart, he dove in to explore her mouth with his tongue. Both of them moaned.
Sliding his hand beneath her neck, he angled her head slightly. Allowing him to deepen the kiss more. Honor melted into the mattress with his control, moaning with her pleasure. Before they could continue, there was a pounding at the door.
Pulling back, has saw panic flash in her eyes. Gently cupping her cheek, he bent kissing her forehead.
“Never fear, Honor.”
She briefly closed her eyes before looking at him and nodding. Smiling at her, he said.
“That’s my girl. Stay here. I’ll answer the door.”
Standing, he quickly dressed as did she, before sitting on the edge of the bed. The pounding on the door only increased.
“I’m coming and I hear you. Let me get dressed.”
He said the last while winking at Honor. There was no point in hiding their relationship.
He wanted to scream to everyone that she was his woman. Not that they didn’t know already. He had made sure they could all smell him on her yesterday. Fueling his perpetual need to mark her. Smiling, he liked the idea. If only he would have the time to do that again. Although based on the urgent knocking, he doubted that was an option today.
He approached the door. When he unlocked it, he found Garth standing there, which didn’t surprise him. He was, however, surprised by the look on his face. It was a blend of murderous rage and regret.
Once again, she woke in Caden’s arms. She enjoyed waking in his arms. They were strong, firm, and safe. Just like the rest of him. She was falling for this man. Regardless of the magnetic pull between them, which to her was an entity, all its own. He was kind, caring, and intelligent.
The way he cared for his family and his team members was old school. Or so some say. She just thought he was being a decent human being. Respecting and treating others as best as humanly possible.
She wanted to be included in his inner circle. That was how her initial crush on him had started. As time passed and hormones became involved, she wanted more. Her attraction grew. Till she was sure everyone knew. Snickering behind her back. The genius, awkward girl with a silly crush.
He was a Faxon living in the grand house in the compound. The Overseer being the only other person to live there. Nobody knew how the Faxon twins were also granted to live there. Even Harlow’s son, Caden’s nephew, was allowed to live there. Many have speculated why over the years. However, no one knew the true reason. Not even the Faxon’s themselves knew.
That much was clear. To them, it was simply home. When others questioned, they couldn’t answer. Punishment awaited those who questioned. The Faxons included. So they all stopped asking why. Instead, teasing and ridicule of the twins ensued. It was sad really, children could be so cruel.
Now she was living her dream. She was waking in his arms, warm, content, and secure. Something she wanted to repeat again and again. She even enjoyed the lazy talking in bed. It was nice. It felt normal. Like she belonged.
They were both orphans, yes. Caden, however, had his sister, nephew, and his team members. While she had had no one. It was very lonely. As much as she was used to it, it was starting to hurt. Her chest would feel heavy whenever she would think about it.
Coming through the portal had changed things. In a much larger way than what she had expected. For not only were her teammates kind and caring toward her. So too was Caden. He genuinely seemed to like her and care for her. Smiling, she liked how she was learning his little quirks.
He always woke before her. If only a few minutes. He also liked to share in the mornings. That was when he seemed the most talkative. Sharing with her stories and information he had learned. Like this morning telling her about Cormac, the local old man who had saved him. Who also seemed to share the ability to have powers of some kind. The specifics of which were to be determined.
Before he could go into more detail, she succumbed to her inner urges. Crawling up his body for a kiss. Sure, she could have just leaned up toward him, but that had been more fun. Not to mention arousing. Their bodies touching skin to skin.
She could feel him getting harder between them. Causing her to get wetter. When he flipped them, it surprised her for sure. The turn-on factor of him being in control had her gushing moisture. Her tentative kiss was nothing compared to his panty-melting devouring of her mouth. She wanted more. Everything.
The extreme pounding at her door, however, instantly killed the mood and terrified her. Why she was so afraid when she was a trained True Guard member, she didn’t know. Dressing quickly, she sat on the edge of the bed, waiting as Caden had directed. Seeing Garth’s large frame standing there when the door opened, she could relax a little. As soon as he entered her pod, she froze. Something was wrong, very wrong. Anger contorted his face, and she could feel it radiating from him.
Had she done something wrong? Was he mad at her? She quickly ran through all the previous events that she could remember to see if she had done anything to him. Coming up blank, she looked up at his face as a small tear fell down her cheek. Before she could ask, his face instantly changed to one of concern, and had Caden spinning around and kneeling in front of her.
His finger touched her cheek, gently swiping the tear away.
“Shh Honor. There is no need to fear. Garth is not mad at you or anything you did.”
Searching Caden’s face, she knew he spoke the truth. Taking his offered hand, she stood. Tilting her head, she looked at Garth.
“Why are you mad?”
She watched as this large man relaxed and softened his stance and expression. He was the living embodiment of the saying, ‘Looks can be deceiving.’ She could still feel his anger pulsating within him. This look of calm he displayed was simply an illusion. Tilting her head, she continued to study him while waiting for a reply.
“I’m sorry if I scared you, Honor. That was not my intent.”
Closing his eyes, he inhaled before continuing.
“We have a situation.”
He looked directly at Caden.
“One that is not all like it seems to be.”
He explained how someone discovered a body late this morning. He had yet to investigate why someone informed him first, and not Caden. Although he suspected it was because they had wanted to give the two of them some alone time. Seeing the shock on both their faces, Garth rushed to say the team both respected and cared for the two of them.
Wanting to give back to them what they could, and that was time together. The team felt it was the least they could do after Jasper’s foul treatment of the two of them lately. Which was sweet. She liked this development of a family.
The victim they found was Seth. He was one of Jasper’s faithful followers. One of the two men who had been imprisoned for supporting Jasper after his attack on Honor. The problem was, everyone had an alibi. Or so it would seem they did.
The perpetrator who they suspected to be either Jasper or Cory. They had made the scene appear as if one of the free team members had committed the deed.
Confused, she tilted her head, thinking hard. Why?
“Are they playing a game? Or is it to deceive?”
“I believe they are trying to deceive.”
Crossing her arms, she leaned into Caden’s embrace when he wrapped his arm around her. Listening as Garth explained further. Everyone agreed that his cellmate Cory was the actual killer. Jasper wasn’t that skilled. He had braun, yes, for a little fucker. The man, however, didn’t enjoy getting his hands dirty.
Either this death was purposeful in the event he was switching sides? Or he is being used as a hopeful distraction? Possibly even both. Quite possibly, he had outlived his usefulness. Which was an even scarier thought.
He was putting his so-called money on the latter. Kill two birds with one stone. Well, they could hope anyway. Jasper wasn’t as smart as he thought he was. Cory was even worse. Plus, there was the fact that all of them had now developed gifts, as they liked to call them. Talents apart from all of them now having increased speed, sight, and hearing.
If this were the lengths Jasper and his cronies will go to gain the upper hand. Then they were all in trouble.
Obviously, Jasper was planning something and using these two to do it. Only now there was Just Cory and Jasper left. When they both looked concerned at each other, then at Garth, he assured them they were both still locked up tight.
That was the issue they were having. How did Seth’s body get to the location where it was found? Did Cory, or even Jasper, had a talent we weren’t aware of? The prison pods still have both men securely locked up. No data can be found of foul play either.
They were going to need a different strategy while allowing the two men to believe everyone fell for their plan. Caden agreed. Also recommending that everyone should continue to wear their active gear. Just in case. At Garth’s questioning look. He said.
“Gut feeling.”
To which Garth nodded in acceptance. Then told them everyone that could was already gathered in the hall and waiting for them. There was to be an official meeting. As was protocol. Though they all agreed that things needed to change.
CHAPTER 16
His head was spinning. It seemed like things were happening so fast that he couldn’t keep track, let alone keep up. This True Guard team was Jasper’s, which had once had a chip on its shoulder regarding him. Now it would seem it was now unanimously his. Well, except for the two members housed in the prison pods.
Not only was everyone working together now. They also looked to and respected his guidance. When they had arrived at the kitchen hall hours earlier, all chatter immediately ceased. It felt strange and foreign to him. This was behavior that was drilled into them at training school. Never like it, he rarely ran his team like that. He preferred a family-like environment. Where everyone considered each other as valuable members and took their input seriously.
Instead of immediately getting to task, he had discussed how things would run in the future. He would inform them when perfect protocol was needed or expected. Otherwise, they could be themselves.
They thanked him and agreed. However, he had a feeling things would not be as informal as he preferred them to be. It was like they had put him up on some pedestal. The way they spoke and regarded him. They were just about to round up their discussion when he felt an overwhelming pain radiate throughout his body. Stumbling back a few steps, he grabbed his middle as the urge to vomit rose. Groaning against the urge, he bent over, sighing in pain.
Rough hands touched his shoulders and moved him to sit. Still trying not to vomit, he spoke through clenched teeth.
“Thanks.”
In his peripheral vision, he saw Honor kneeling at his side. When she reached out and touched him, the pain instantly eased.
She whispered in concern.
“Are you ok? What happened Caden?”
Closing his eyes, he slowly sat up. He opened his eyes with deep, slow breaths. Everyone’s concerned faces stared back at him, which shocked him as he looked around. Not worried about keeping his secret any longer, he said.
“I think it’s Harlow.”
All he could hear in response was a unanimous inhale of shock. Followed by looks of concern. Till Honor finally broke the silence and asked.
“How?”
Before he could reply, however, he heard a whisper.
“Caden.”
He wanted to ease his sister’s pain and give her a hug. He missed her dearly. She was his twin, after all. His eyes grew larger when he realized when he thought about hugging her, he felt the embrace.
When Garth asked what was going on, he quickly shushed him. Needing to concentrate. He was dimly aware of Honor talking.
“I think he’s talking with her. Or she’s talking with him.”
He tilted his head and smiled at her. For she was right. Only he suspected Harlow was talking aloud. For every time she spoke, there was an echo.
“Caden?”
“Harlow.”
He could feel his sister becoming more aware.
“How Caden?”
“In you head Harlow. Just think, your questions. I can hear you.”
Unfocusing his gaze, he concentrated on his mental conversation.
“Wow. Caden. But how?”
Wanting to lighten the mood, he said.
“I have no idea, sis. What trouble have you gotten yourself into now?”
Smiling when he heard an internal grunt from her. At least her sense of humor remained intact. That was good, right?
Hearing her snarky comeback made him chuckle.
“I didn’t get myself into this.”
Her next statement wiped the smile from his face.
“Some creepy guy took me. He’s got me in some kind of prison cell. There is only a slit for a window nearer the ceiling and a wall of thick bars.”
Suddenly, an image popped into his head of the cell she was describing. The visual meant she had no means of escape. Along with numbness firing through his limbs. She was likely injured as well. Shocked by the overwhelming pain, his concern grew.
“What’s wrong, sis?”
Hearing her internal monologue to herself about being honest with him, he agreed by saying.
“Yes, you should. Now tell me.”
“I have my arms tied behind my back and secured to the floor. My shoulders hurt, and I’ve lost all feeling in my fingers.”
Unable to refrain, he growled in anger. Who would treat a woman like that? Well, who would treat anyone like that, for that matter?
Upon noticing his behavior change, he realized that everyone who was watching him had also changed. Like they were in sync with him.
He knew she was leaving something out. So he asked.
“What else Harlow? No lies, remember, only the truth.”
He had to concentrate on her reply. She was suddenly silent.
“I have something he believes is his, and if I want my suffering to end, I have to give him what he wants.”
