Chapter 9

My footsteps faltered. Who said that? I pull my hand out of Alrich’s and look around. I spin in a circle, hoping to find the source of the voice, even though common sense tells me that there is no one who said it. I look towards the trees, nothing. I look towards the pyres, nothing. I look at Alrich. Did he say it? No, the voice didn’t sound right.

“Hey.” Alrich says, grabbing my hand. “Hey. What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

I stare at him for a few more minutes. I contemplate on whether or not I should tell him. I opt on a small truth.

“I thought I heard something. Did you?” I answer, honestly.

He glances around before tilting his head. He closes his eyes to concentrate. “What did you think you heard?” He asks with his eyes still closed.

“Someone talking to me.”

He opens eyes wider. For a second I’m afraid that he is going to laugh at me.

“Are you sure?” He asks instead.

I take a breath. Do I confirm it? I look at him for a few seconds. I guess that I can trust him.

“Yes, I’m sure.”

He pulls me into his side. I expect him to look at me like I was crazy but, instead, he asks, “What did you hear them say?”

“That I was his.” I whisper quietly.

I see rage flash in his eyes and I take an involuntary step back. He doesn’t notice as he is too busy looking around.

“Who would say that to you?” He snaps.

“I don’t know.” I answer, shakily. This new demeanor that he is displaying is scaring me.

He looks around again. Confusion mars his face. “Are you sure? I don’t see any one even around us.”

I look down at the ground. I finally see the response that I was waiting for earlier. Now, I’m embarrassed.

“I guess maybe I am not getting enough sleep.” I say instead of continuing with my confession.

I hear him let out a small sigh before I feel his fingers on my chin. He lifts my face up so I can his eyes.

“Don’t be afraid of me. I won’t hurt you, ever. There is nothing that you can do that would make me do so.” He whispers, gently and I nod.

“It’s okay. Let’s get you home. You need some sleep.” He responds, sounding defeated.

I nod my head and allow him to lift me onto his horse. I lean down, smoothing my hand down the horse’s side for comfort. Tending to the horses always helps me relax. I lay my check against the calm neck to allow myself to relax.

Alrich climbs up behind me and I relax into him, feeling safe and secure. He doesn’t say anything. He just holds me as I think about the loss of my dad, tears silently dropping.

I must’ve fallen asleep on the way to the house because I wake up in my bed. I see a figure slumped on the floor and bolt up. In my panic, I run and grab something off my dresser. Using all the strength I can muster, I hit the intruder with my brush.

“Ow, ow, ow!! What the heck was that for!?” He screams, jumping up.

I freeze. I recognize that voice. “Alrich?”

“Who else did you think I was?” He whines.

I feel the heat rise in my cheeks. “I don’t know.” I answer sheepishly.

All of a sudden, he bursts into laughter. I look up at him and see that he is laughing so hard that he has to clutch his stomach. My face burns brighter, and I can feel my eyes bulging. What exactly is he laughing at? He attempts to straighten up but doubles back over in laughter. He laughter is so adorable that I can’t help but smile myself.

He takes a few deep breaths. “Thanks, sweetheart. I needed that.”

“Anytime?” I reply, blushing at his nickname for me.

He smiles wide. “You hit like a girl, though. You know that?”

“Oh, really?” I tease, my eyebrows raised in challenge.

“Yes.” He answers, with a wink.

I growl. An actual growl. My eyes widen, as well as Alrich’s, but then he bursts back into laughter again. “What was that?”

“I don’t know.” I laughed. “I was just thinking about how I was going to show you how much of a girl I am but then that happened.”

“Well, it’s cute.” He says making me blush harder.

I clear my throat. “What are you doing here, Sir?”

He rolls his eyes as if the answer is obvious. “Watching over you, of course.”

“Oh.” I feel slightly embarrassed. “Where’s Mama and Talon?”

“I don’t know, sweetheart.” He blushes a little before he smirks. “I don’t mind protecting you. You seemed really spooked earlier.”

I nod. I am grateful to have him as a friend.

“Speaking of. Is there something that you need to tell me? I can help you.” He asks, as serious as if he were a guard on duty.

I shake my head. “No. I must’ve just been really tired. I’m sorry.” I apologize.

He was about to respond but Talon burst through my room. “What is he doing in your room?” He hollers out.

“I was just..”

Talon snaps his head over to Alrich. “I wasn’t talking to you!” He yells.

My eyes widen. “He was just watching over me.”

“I told you not to let him in the house!” He yells. His face is beet red and you can see the vessels popping out of his forehead.

I take an involuntary step back, widening my eyes. “Talon.” I start.

“No! I am the man of this house and when I say not to do something, you listen!”

I’m about to apologize but, before I can open my mouth, Alrich yanks my brother up by his collar.

“You will not speak to your sister like that! Am I understood?”

Talon looks like he’s about to holler back but Alrich shoves him against the wall.

“I don’t need to explain myself to you but, since your sister is my friend, she fell asleep on the way home. But, not before something spooked her on the way here. I decided to bring her to her bed and I slept on the floor. That is, until she smacked me in the head with her brush!”

Talon attempts to control his breathing. He glances at me and I give him a nod. Once he seems to be under control, Alrich lets go of him.

“That’s better.” He turns to me. “It seems that your family is here, and I am not wanted, so I will let you go to rest.”

“Good night, sir Alrich.” I nod to him.

“I told you. You don’t need to call me, sir. Good night, lovely.”

He pulls me into a hug and then storms out the door. I release the breath that I hadn’t realized I was holding. I was really worried about what he was going to do to my brother. I stand there, not knowing what Talon is going to say next.

“What is going on between you two?” He asks, suddenly.

I squint my eyes in confusion. “Sir Alrich? Nothing. We’re just friends.”

“Uh huh. Does he know that?”

His attitude is starting to irk me. I narrow my eyes. “Yes. Of course.”

“Alright then. What about you and Toby?” He presses.

I blush. I don’t know what the deal between Toby and me is. I like him more than a friend but we are only friends. He is four years older than me and, even though it isn’t too uncommon here, I am sure that he doesn’t think the same as me. I realize that I haven’t answered my brother when he clears his throat. My face heats up even more and I turn my head to try and hide it.

“We’re just friends.” I answer.

He chuckles. “Are you sure that you know that?”

I’m not sure how hot my face can actually get before I start sweating. “Shut up, jerk.”

He laughs even harder. For a few minutes, it’s just the two of us laughing. However, the feeling of being watched creeps back into my mind and I shiver.

“Hey, T, does it feel cold in here to you?” I ask. I hope that I am not the only one to feel it.

He tilts his head a little before answering.“A little. Do you need another blanket?”

“No.” I hesitate. “Does it feel like someone is always watching us?”

I’m worried what he is going to say when he doesn’t answer. I open my mouth to tell him never mind as I see him scrutinizing me face but he shocks me with his serious concern.

“No, are you okay?” He walks up and touches my forehead.

“I don’t know, T.” I confess. “Can I tell you something?”

“Anytime.” He answers seriously.

“I’ve been getting cold chills. Almost like something drops the temperature fifty degrees. Not only that but I’ve been also feeling like someone is watching me.”

I pause to gauge his reaction so far. When it doesn’t look like he is judging me, I continue.

“The thing is there isn’t anyone ever there.” I take a deep breath. I can barely get this next part out. “And, on the way home, someone laughed and said that I was his.” I shiver.

“Raleigh.” He sighs. I look up, pleading with him to believe me. He wraps me up in a hug. “You’ll be okay, Sis. I’ll protect you.”

I don’t know if he believes me or not but it feels good to let it out. “I know you will, big bro.”

“Alright, how about this. I’ll have Mama sleep with you for the next few nights. You know that she is having a hard time dealing with dad’s death. Maybe you two can comfort each other.”

He pulls back to look at my face. “What do you think about that? Then we can figure out what’s going on with you. Sound good?”

“Yes. That’s sound like a good idea.”

We leave the room to get Mama. She’s sitting at the table with her head in her hands silently crying. I wrap her up in my arms. I need the comfort as much as she does.

Talon lets her know what the plan is. She agrees and he heads off towards his room, where Katy is. Before he can open the bedroom door, there is a loud knock on our door. I race over to open it. Who could be at the door now?

“Good evening, Rae. Is your mother home?” Toby asks, with obvious relief in his voice.

“Yes. Come in.” I move out of the way. I feel a surge of energy as he passes.

I notice that he keeps looking at me out of the corner of his eyes. My face heats up in a blush. I look down in order to hide it.

“Toby?” Talon asks.

“Talon, I need to speak with your mother.”

“Is it something that we can hear?” He asks.

Toby glances at me. He looks as if he doesn’t want me to be here for it. I raise my brows. What could be the reason that I a can’t hear it but Talon can.

“It’s okay, Toby. She can hear.” Mama says.

I walk over to Mama and sit beside her. My hands are shaking so I grab a hold of her hands.

“What’s going on, Toby?” She asks, tilting her head.

“They’ve found another dead body.”He says.

We all gasp.

“Where?” I ask at the same time my brother says, “Who?”

“I don’t know who. It’s a girl. They couldn’t tell who she was.” He glances towards me. “She was wearing the same dress as you, Rae.” He says, silently.

Everyone looks at me. My eyes widen.

“Where?” I ask again.

“On Sir Alrich’s property.” He answers. “I came here as fast as I could.” He looks away, embarrassed. “I was worried that it might’ve been you.”