Chapter Seven
I wish I could stay like this, snug and warm inside her, still semi-hard, her flesh massaging my shaft, making me want to do it over and over again. But I resist. Every second we don’t have to fight is a luxury. Our existence is in danger, and I’ve been selfish in satisfying my own needs for long enough. We have a mission to complete, and Winter’s a big part of what we need to do to win.
It takes every ounce of willpower to slide from between her thighs and roll over beside her. I gather her to me, and she lays her head on my chest as my stomach knots.
“I’m sorry, babe, but we need to get dressed. There’s work to do. And I promised you an explanation. There’s so much I have to tell you, and I’m struggling for a good place to start.”
She gazes up at me and gives me a wry smile, sighs, then pushes off my chest and starts to put her clothes on. I delay putting on my own, so I can watch her dress.
“Why don’t you start by telling me why you left me without a word of goodbye. I’d love to hear your explanation.” Her voice is bursting with sarcasm and hurt.
I’d hoped our lovemaking would change her feelings about my past wrongdoings. Perhaps I was naïve, and our actions were a desperate need to satisfy our own cravings.
Swallowing hard, I push past hesitancies. I owe her this and so much more. If we’re to move forward, we can’t have secrets.
“I was recruited by Trinity at Paranormal Realms, the virtual reality company.”
“That leggy brunette who looks as if she’s just stepped out the pages of Vogue. Is that the Trinity, you mean?”
I nod, and her face hardens as she jerks up her jeans. I think it’s time for me to put my clothes on too. The look she gives me has me fearing castration, and by her hands.
It’s best I cover up before she acts on her feelings.
“I can see why it was an offer you couldn’t refuse.”
“It wasn’t like that and besides, she has nothing on you.” It was the truth but maybe I should have kept the last part of that sentence to myself. Winter’s the only woman I see. And at times, I wished others couldn’t. I hated the looks men gave her when we were out together. It took a lot to remain in control and not allow my temper to get the better of me.
“Save your flattery, Roman, and get on with it.” She’s aggravated, and I get it.
“I apologize for making a comparison. But just to be clear, it’s true. Anyway, it’s linked to the rest of what I need to tell you. You might find it hard to believe, but people like us, you, me, Soraya, Caleb, and Rose—we have deep ties to this realm—the realm of the paranormal and supernatural. The things the other realm sees as fantasy really exist here. This place is our reality, and we’re a part of it. I’m speaking of the here, where we’re standing now. You’ve crossed over as well.”
“Crossed over! As in I’m dead?” Her eyes widen, and her mouth hangs open a little.
I chuckle and almost immediately wish I hadn’t. She narrows her gaze and purses her lips. If I want her to understand the urgency of what’s going on, I have to be serious which means having a better delivery.
“Sorry, no. You’re alive. I meant cross over to the other realm, an alternate parallel universe, not so much the one for the dead. Although they do have their own realm and certain entities can pass through to ours. What I’m talking about is an existence that confirms entities other than humans exist. Were-people, vampires, wendigos, succubus, incubus, shifters, witches, and warlocks, and more—they’re real. You and I are proof of it. The stuff nightmares are made of are all here.”
She backs up against the wall and slides down. Running her hands through her hair, she grabs a handful. The entire time, her gaze holds mine. Not wanting to push her, I wait for her response.
She frowns. “Are you shitting me?”
“Soraya and Caleb have both changed before your eyes and you still need proof? Just think about it…your life, especially your childhood. Those ghosts you used to see, Winter, were real, everything you experienced then was real. You were just starting to come into your powers and were a conduit for this realm. Which brings me to my next bit of news. Rose suspects you’re a vessel. She says you’ve communicated with the dead. This makes you highly desirable to anyone wanting to cross over from different realms and even the world of the dead.”
I pause in my story to pull my T-shirt over my head and to let what I’m saying sink in. She blinks a few times before resting her head against the wall and raising a questionable brow. I think she’s taking it all fairly well. At least she hasn’t run screaming from the room.
“The malevolent beings have a tougher time passing through to the other realms. There are rules to keep them out, and they can only be invited in. So, they use children with an ancestry from this world, who don’t know any better, as a portal to what we call ‘the real world.’ That’s why Rose had your powers capped. You’re one of the most powerful, in a legend of legendary super witches from your ancestry born to the real world, in centuries.”
“Well, if you’ve been traveling back and forth, what changed? Why were you recruited?” Fully dressed, I sit back down on the bed.
“Paranormal Realms was created by an ancestor of this world, for the real-world beings to live out their fantasies. He was born with virtually no powers to affect anything; but had a strong desire to explore life beyond the realm. Through Paranormal Realms, and with a high IQ, he was able to create a way for both worlds to be explored without the two crossing over. Beings from each world considered the other a myth.
“Those from the earth realm posed no real threat and would be able to enter the paranormal realm anytime, virtually. And those from the paranormal realm were allowed access to the earth’s realm through dreams or with temporary passes to carry out a necessary act. But they had to undergo a vigorous screening process.
“Beings and humans born on opposite sides had to abide by the guidelines of that side. There are rules in place to assure things function properly and watchers who enforce this. Trinity, Rose, and now us, we’re a part of the enforcement efforts. We hunt down violators and return them to their proper place.”
“You’re kidding me.” She looks slightly stunned.
“Unfortunately, not. But the creator has gone missing. Or should I say, his essence has. Mortals and immortals alike are being trapped here against their will. So far, you’re the only one who may be able to go back and forth between worlds. We suspect you can. Rose is very confident in your abilities. However, if this is so, your gift might also be your curse. Winter, the bus attack was orchestrated.”
I’m trying to get a take on what she’s thinking. She glances at me and turns away, pressing her fist to her mouth. The next time she looks up at me, her brows are furrowed, and I can tell she’s about to let me have it.
“Are you telling me these beings are after me? That’s crazy. You’re all crazy. I was brought here on a hope. Nobody knows if I can do anything other than toss around some furniture. So, I’m here to bring you all back? What if I can’t? Then you just put my life at risk for no reason.”
“No, babe. I would never allow that. Even if you end up stuck here, you’re better off. Vessels are being hunted down because they can cross over or be used as a portal. They were coming for you regardless, in this world or the one you’ve only known up until now. We need you to be prepared. And as much as we need you, you need us. Trust me, we’re going to get out of here, even if you can’t get us out.”
I walk over and kneel in front of her. “You don’t have to be a part of anything. I promise, I’m going to take care of you. I’ll never allow anything to happen to you.”
I touch her cheek and give her a weary smile. She’s listening, that’s the most important thing. I thought she’d be more resistant, but I’m glad she isn’t. We don’t have time to deal with a powerful angst witch, riddled with disbelief. Some of what she knew from the past must still be in there.
“The fabric that keeps the worlds apart is fractured. Evil is being unleashed into both worlds. There’s a battle of good versus evil going on between those who want to maintain order, and those against it. The half-breeds who attacked your bus, they’re against our strives to coexist peacefully.”
She trembles, and the color drains from her face. I reach for her hand, but she draws away and stands.
She scratches her head and starts to pace the floor. I wish I could help her process it all, but I can’t.
Standing off to the side, I give her some space. She stops in front of me and frowns.
“This is all too much. What do you expect me to do? I’m just one person. I don’t know how to harness my powers. Until today I haven’t been able to do any of the things I did as a child. I’m useless and dangerous. I didn’t want to throw furniture at you. That happened on its own.”
“Let’s not forget, you’re the one who put everything back. That was you controlling your abilities, Winter, so don’t sell yourself short. Like I said before, your powers are stronger here. With Rose’s help, you will learn to control it.”