'Hidden in Plain Sight'
Hidden in Plain Sight
When I woke up the next morning,
I could smell something wonderful cooking. I sat up and looked around. To my extreme surprise, Kries, Alex and Itna were sitting at the table talking to Emery. I leapt up and ran over to Kries.
“Baby! Oh my god!”
I leapt into his lap, clinging to him like I was going to lose him at any second. He kissed me and smiled. I nuzzled into his neck, and sat in silence, realizing I had completely interrupted their conversation.
“Emerys, are you sure that is what you saw?” Alex asked.
“Yes, I am very, very sure. Would I have staid up all night by her side if I wasn’t sure?” he retorted smartly, over his shoulder.
I grinned at Emery's rebellious attitude, before I realized he'd meant my side.
“Wait, what?” I asked.
They all turned and looked at me, making me feel slightly out of line.
Emery finally responded with, “I staid up next to you all night, because I saw a demon looking in through the window at you.”
My jaw dropped,
and I started to sway.
"Dumitro is back..."
I looked around the room at concerned faces. I set my hands on my knees and got up off of Kries’s lap. I turned and walked right out the front door.
“Where is she going?” Alex asked, standing up.
"Outside," Emery quipped off the obvious.
“I don’t know, but I’m going to find out,” Kries said, ignoring Emery.
Kris got up and followed me outside.
'Dumitro wants me dead...he'll kill our baby, and probably Kries too.'
"I need to think," I heard myself say aloud.
I felt myself almost being drawn towards the cliffs. I was so entranced in my own thoughts, that I didn’t realize Kries was following me. As I reached the top of the cliff, I paused and looked out on the water, thinking about what I could possibly do to get rid of Dumitro. It was then that Kries leaped in front of me.
“What are you doing?!” he yelled.
Kris grabbed my arms,
pleading with me to look at him. I tore my eyes away from the serenity of the ocean, to see his soft brown eyes full of restrained tears.
“I’m thinking, my darling, that’s all.”
I lied my hand against his cheek. He put his hand over mine, sliding it to his lips.
“I love you, and I didn’t know what you were thinking...I just...I can't lose you…” he stammered trying not to breakdown.
“Of course. I was lost in thought, and I didn't stop to think you might be concerned. I just needed to be outside, alone, to collect my thoughts. Up here you can see so much, I thought maybe it would help clear my thoughts... to help show me a plan of action. I would never do anything purposely to make you lose me, not ever. I expect the same out of you, baby, under no circumstances do we ever resort to that. Agreed?”
“Agreed.”
He kissed me, and hugged me,
as tears fell down my cheeks. Then he saw them. There were demons everywhere, surrounding us. He glanced over the side of the cliff.
“Trust me, my love. I love you.” he whispered into my ear.
I noticed the demons at this point and clung to Kries. With that, he jumped both of us right off of the steep cliff, into the ocean below. We held our breaths under the water, clinging to a rock to keep from floating up, watching the demons. They were staring at the water from above, waiting to see if we would emerge. Just when I thought I was going to have to take a deep breath of water, they disappeared from view.
Meanwhile, Itna, Alex and Emery
were attacking the demons from the lighthouse. Suddenly they all vanished as quickly as they had come. Emery turned to Itna.
“Did you do that?”
“No, I have a feeling Dumitro called them back, I just don’t know why.”
He looked around confused.
“Where are Kries and Clara?”
Alex looked up at the cliff.
Emery noticed some commotion in his peripheral view. He looked over and saw it was Kries and Clara climbing out of the water onto the beach.
“There they are!” Emery yelled, running over and pulling me out of the water, completely ignoring Kries.
“The demons must have thought you guys died,” Alex concluded, staring at Kries.
“That’s what I was hoping for, yes.”
Kries looked up at Alex,
slightly out of breath.
“I think it worked,” I breathed out as I coughed up water on to Emery.
*“Let’s get you guys home. I believe we have a wedding to attend,” Itna said, smiling.
“Finally. I have been feeling like this guy has been avoiding it,” I laughed pointing at Kris.
“Come on!”
Kries grabbed me and we ran
inside to put warm, dry clothes on.
Itna had been watching Emery, and now took him by the elbow.
"Watch yourself Emery. There is no hope for you there."
He gestured towards Clara. Emery ripped his arm out of Itna's grip.
"I may be coming with you, but do not think for a moment your advice is welcome with me."
And with that,
Emery started loading up the carriage. The ride home was rather pleasant. Listening to Itna and Emery speaking in their native language, as they drove the carriage was as interesting as hearing Alex’s theory on why his life had become so much more exciting.
“Why is that Alexy?” Kries taunted.
I elbowed him and listened intently.
“Because, we met our beautiful Clara.”
He squeezed my chin affectionately. I reached over and gave him a hug as a tear fell down my cheek.
“I love you too Alex.”
He smiled.
“Let’s ditch Kries, and you and I go get married?” he teased, feeling young and feisty again.
“I don’t think so,” Kries spoke quickly, grabbing a hold of me tightly, “I love my lady so very much, that I don’t think I could stand for her to marry anyone but me. Even if it was my dear old, grandpa Alexis.”
He smiled at Alex. Alex’s glow seemed to fall dramatically.
“Besides, I think I know a certain beautiful Chloe, who might have me torn to shreds by wild dogs, were I to steal her loving husband from her.”
I gave Alex the old eye.
“Ah, you’re right! My dear Chloe, I am happy I will be seeing her soon.”
He shot right back up. I looked over at Kries, and he winked. We were due to arrive at my parent’s house at any minute, and we both could feel the excitement.