A Life Unexpected: Holly Nather Book One (Holly Nather Series) Read online

  “What’s going on, Luke? I deserve to know!”

  “They are coming. . .” He keeps his eyes fixed on the road and his hands gripped tightly on the steering wheel.

  “Who is coming?! Is this a joke?!” I’m nervously biting my nails and hoping that it is just that—a joke.

  “The Poyen.” He begins to drive faster taking us to who-knows-where.

  “Is that a name? A last name? Some sort of gang? I’ve never heard that before! And why would they be coming? You’ve got to start explaining! I’m freaking out over here!” If he doesn’t explain soon, I’m going to jump out of this moving vehicle, regardless the physical pain it will cause.

  “No. It’s not a name, last name or a gang. It is a they. The Poyen are terrible. They take traditions and rules very seriously. They are coming for you, Holly.”

  This situation has gone from strange to stranger. They are coming for me? I believe this guy has lost his ever-lovin’ mind. Is he a drug dealer who forgot to pay the big guy, and now they’re after what he cares about—me? I’m so confused, mad and scared.

  “What did you get me into? If this is a bad drug deal or something, I want nothing to do with it! Please just take me home!” I want to go home to my parents. Not my dorm. Not under the circumstances I’ve found myself in. This is crazy. And I’m crazy for allowing myself to get involved. I face palm and curse myself for being so stupid.

  “Holly, please listen to me. I can’t take you home. I have to get you as far away from here as I can.” He pulls into an abandoned parking lot in the middle of nowhere. Oh, this is just great! I’m about to get raped, killed, chopped into a million pieces, and buried or stuffed in a trunk. I’ve seen a movie like this before, and it didn’t end well. I start to grab my phone out of my pocket, but quickly realize it’s not there. I glance up and realize Luke has my phone in his hand. How in the hell did he do that?!

  “I can’t give you your phone back. They are tracking you, and if you make a call it will register on their satellite. They’ll know where you are. Holly, would you stop looking at me like I’m going to kill you?”

  “Give me the phone, Luke! This isn’t funny! I want to go home!” I yell while unsuccessfully trying to take my phone from him.

  “Holly, I will tell you everything, now that we’re in this situation. I am Prince Lucas Denton. I’m not from here. I’m from a different world than yours. It’s called Terre.” I start laughing at him and begin to say something rude, but he cuts me off.

  “Holly, stop laughing at me. This is true! The Poyen are what you would call a government here. Only worse. I don’t have much time to explain, but here it is, the best I can put it in little time. Like I said, I am a Prince of Terre. I am next in line, after my father, to rule. I was arranged to be married to a girl who I don’t love. I ran away and used my magic to escape when I was eighteen. The Poyen have been searching for me but have had no idea where I am. I am forbidden to fall in love with anyone other than Lana. When I told Lana I was leaving, she was angry and told me if I broke off our arranged marriage, she would find me and do god knows what... I have magic that is protecting me from being found, but they can sense you, since you don‘t have magic to protect yourself. You are safe here with me, where my magic can protect you.” He takes a deep breath and looks at me.

  I stare back into his eyes and start laughing again only it’s more hysterical now. “I don’t believe this! This is crazy! No, you are crazy! Just take me home! Can I please have my phone back?!” He hands the phone back to me staring at my fingers—hoping I don’t hit the call button. He starts driving down the road, fast, like a crazed lunatic again.

  I grab the ‘oh-shit-handle’ as he speeds around a curve. “Let me out of this car, NOW!” I scream at him. He just drives faster. As he drives faster, I yell at him louder as I grip the handle tighter. “NOW, I SAID! TAKE ME TO MY HOUSE, NOW!” As I explain where my house is, he keeps going in the opposite direction. I pull out my phone to start dialing 911, and he quickly puts his hand over my phone.

  Through a clenched jaw, he says, “Please. Holly, don’t.” We turn into a gas station, and behind it is nothing but trees. “I would take you home, but you won’t be safe without me.”

  I scoff. “Really?! Because before I knew you, I was pretty damn safe, Luke!” I cross my arms over my chest.

  “You’ve not been safe since the day I fell in love with you. My attraction to you is too strong. They’ve seen you in my thoughts.” Did he just say love? Damn, he looks serious. This is too crazy even for a crazy person in a mental institution, doped up on meds to believe.

  I hold my head in both hands as it begins to spin. “LOVE?! Stop it! Dammit, just stop it! Why are you lying to me? Do you think this is funny? Because it’s not!” I get out of the car and start walking with my arms folded across my chest. Not the best idea, since I have no idea where I am, but adrenaline makes you do stupid things—like get in the car with a lunatic. I pull out my phone to call Blayne or someone besides my parents. I really don’t feel like hearing a speech on poor judgment. Damn. No signal. What else could go wrong tonight?! As I’m holding my phone in the air, unsuccessfully attempting to get a signal, I notice that Luke is driving the car slowly down the road next to me.

  “WHAT?” I yell.

  “Holly, please get in. You are not safe out there.”

  “I’m obviously not safe with you either! So, either way, I guess I’m in the same ‘not safe’ situation.” I throw my hands up in the air and then back down at my side—hoping I have signal. Damn, still no signal.

  “You are safer in here with me in the protective barrier.”

  I start laughing. I can’t help it. Protective what? Is he about to bust out a Lightsaber from Star Wars now? How do I end up with horrible guys? Out of all the guys I’ve gone out with Luke takes the cake on the worst one yet. And to think I was actually falling for him. . . He stops the car on the side of the road in front of me and starts walking towards me. I sit on the shoulder of the road. I’m not moving from this spot until he leaves me the hell alone. I cross my legs and then cross my arms over my chest. I stare at him with the most pernicious look I can. But, even that can’t portray how truly pissed I am.

  “If you’re telling me the truth, although, I will probably never believe you, why would you text me, knowing the so called “Poyen” could find me if I use my phone? I call my parents all of the time. Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?” I put my hands in my pockets and pull my hood over my head. It’s getting uncomfortably cold. As he approaches, he squats down in front of me and lifts my chin so that he can look directly into my eyes.

  “I didn’t know the Poyen could find us. I’m really good at confusing others with my magic. I can sense them like they can sense me—only I can see them in visions. I saw the satellites they have been using to track me, and then once they saw you in my head, how drawn to you I am, they saw you as a threat to our world.” He takes his jacket off and puts it around me. I am so unbelievably angry with him. I want to throw his jacket back at him, but I’m cold—so I decide against it.

  “I’m not saying I believe you, but why would anyone see me as a threat?”

  “How about we go get in the car so I can get us somewhere safe. I will tell you everything.”

  I stare blankly at him as I battle with myself on what to do. What if he is telling the truth? According to him, I’m in danger and need him to protect me. But what if he isn’t telling the truth and he’s a maniac about to kill me? I decide to go with my gut instinct.

  “Okay.” I’ve officially lost my mind.

  He stands up and holds his hand out to me. I hesitantly take it and walk with him to the car. Yup, I’ve officially lost my mind.

  “So, where are you taking me?”

  “My apartment. I have it surrounded with a spell that should keep us safe until I can figure out a better plan.”

  I WAKE UP next to Luke on the couch and groan when I realize that last night wasn’t a dream. I look around for a clock to see what time it is and reach for my phone but remember Luke made me turn it off.

  “Are the Poyen about to come take me away yet?” I ask, as he opens his eyes to look at me.

  “I don‘t think so. I did have a vision while you were sleeping, and they are getting close to figuring out how to get here. They have been trying spells and everything to figure it out. One of them suggested using simple magic and doing just what I did to get here. They may have figured it out already, but they still wouldn’t be smart enough to figure out where we are that fast.”

  I nod and get up to use the bathroom. I put some of his toothpaste on my finger and brush my teeth. You don’t know how much you appreciate a toothbrush until you have to use your finger. I brush my hair with his comb, trying to make myself look halfway decent.

  Luke smiles at me as he pours some cereal. “Would you like a bowl?”

  “Sure.” He fixes me a bowl of cereal, and we eat in silence. I don’t know what to say. It’s hard to start a conversation with him after last night.

  We finish eating and I take his bowl and wash it along with the other dishes in the sink. He dries the dishes and puts them away.

  “You can wear a pair of my sweats and a hoodie if you want.”

  “Can I take a shower too?”

  “Duh.” Clothes suddenly appear in his hands.

  My mouth fell open. “Did that just really happen?”

  “Do you believe me now?”

  I nod and take the clothes from him slowly.

  I plop down on the couch after I’ve showered and wait while Luke gets himself ready for the day. He suddenly throws the bathroom door open and comes out rushing around, causing me to immediately go into panic mode.

  “Holly, we have to go! The
y found us. They are here,” he says and grabs our jackets and his keys. He quickly opens the front door, I don’t ask any questions. I hurry out and get into the car as quickly as I can. My heart is pounding so hard I can hear it.

  He pulls onto the main road, and I ask, “Where are we going?!”

  “I think it is best if we go to my world. They are here, so we need to get as far from them as possible. I don’t know if it will work, me bringing you with me, but I have to try. If you get left behind—run! Don’t talk to anyone that you don’t know. I’ll find a way to bring you to where I am.” He stops the car somewhere in the middle of nowhere and turns to face me.

  He hands me his keys and tells me if I get left behind to take his car and go somewhere I feel safe. He puts his hand in mine while closing his eyes. Okay, this all still seems silly, but he has proven he isn’t joking. If he just disappears, I’m really going to freak out. What if I do go with him? I didn’t ask what it was like there. How am I going to do with no magic in a world full of it? I think I’m going to be sick. I close my eyes, not knowing what else to do. I grip his hand tightly. Trusting him.

  I open my eyes when I feel his hand leave mine. He is gone. Holy freakin’ shit, he’s gone! I immediately crawl to the driver side and start driving. I reach over and open the glove box to find money and a gun. What good will a gun do against people with magic? I slam the glove box shut and continue driving until I see a gas station. I park the car and rush in.

  “Ma’am? Could you please tell me where I am? I’m lost and trying to get back to D.C. I’m a student at Stanthum University,” I ask the lady behind the counter, but she is on her cell phone, arguing with someone. I don’t have the time, nor the patience, to sit here and wait. I look out the window at Luke’s Camaro and notice five extremely tall men in black suits walking to the car. They circle the car, and once they realize no one is in it, they blow it up. Literally. The lady behind the counter drops her phone and falls behind the counter, covering her head as the glass windows and door shatters. My pulse quickens to the speed of a gazillion, and I run out the back door.

  I run like hell into the woods behind the gas station. I quickly look around and find a thick patch of trees. I decide it’ll be a good place to catch my breath.

  “Luke, if you can hear me, please come back!”

  After I feel like I can breathe again, I get up and continue walking, hoping I’m far enough away that they won’t come looking for me. It is so cold outside. There’s snow on the ground, making it harder to walk. My shoes are drenched, and my feet feel numb. If the Poyen don’t find me and kill me, hypothermia most likely will. I stop walking and look around to make sure I don’t get lost. All of a sudden, a piece of paper falls into my hands from out of nowhere. I turn it over and read:

  Holly, I can’t get back to your world. I am trying everything. I saw you in a vision and you’ve got to get out of those woods. It is too cold. Go back to the gas station. I saw the Poyen go in a different direction. When you get to the gas station, I want you to call a good friend of mine. His name is Brody, and his number is 555-6523. Tell him I told you to call him, and you need him to come pick you up. Make sure you call from the landline. I hope you get this letter. I’m doing everything I can to get back to you!

  Luke

  After I read the letter, it disappears. That would be totally awesome if I wasn’t so freaked out right now. It really sucks that these magical people are after me. It’s not a fair fight. They have magic; I don’t. A totally and completely shitty situation.

  I brush the snow off myself the best I can and head back the direction I came. I must not have walked as far as I thought because it doesn’t take long for me to see the gas station in the distance. There are police and multitudes of people gathered around what is left of Luke’s car. I sit down and wait impatiently for them to leave. It takes at least an hour for the police to tape off and investigate the crime scene, but they finally leave. I really don’t want to break in, but I need a landline… like now. I repeat Brody’s number in my head over and over as I walk to the back door. I pick up a brick lying on the ground to bust the lock, but notice the lock isn’t locked and twist the handle. No way! That was pure luck. I quickly open the door and walk in, constantly looking over my shoulder watching out for psycho, car-blowin’-up magical people. For now, I’m safe. I hope. I walk over to the counter and pick up the phone. Shaking, not only because I’m scared as hell but also because I’m freezing, I quickly dial Brody’s number. Please answer…please answer…

  He answers and says, “Hello?”

  Whispering, I say, “Hey, this is Holly. I really need your help. I can’t say much, but I’m in a lot of trouble. Luke told me to call you. I have no idea where I am at, but I need a ride.”

  After a long pause, he asks, “Holly? Luke gave you my number?”

  “Look, I don’t have time for questions. Can you help me or not?”

  “I guess. I don’t know how if you don’t know where you are. Is there anything around that might have an address on it? Can’t you ask someone?”

  “I wish it were that easy. I broke into…sorry no time for details. Hang on I’ll look for a piece of mail or something.” I look around for something, anything that might have a clue as to where I am. I find a phone book with the address on the back.

  “If this is right, I am at a gas station called EZ Mart and the address is 755 Race Street in Cambridge, Maryland.”

  “I guess I’ll be there as quick as I can.” Brody sounds annoyed.

  “Thank you! How far are you from here?”

  “Not too far. I‘ll be in a black Ford Explorer.” The tone of his voice doesn’t hide how big of an inconvenience this is.

  “Thank you. Don‘t tell anyone you’ve talked to me.” I hang up and wait.

  I see headlights through the front door and stand up to make sure it is a black Ford Explorer. My parents would be so proud of me, getting into a vehicle with a boy I have never met. I would get the, “best decision maker of the year”, award if there were such a thing.

  “Thanks,” I say as I get in and put on my seatbelt.

  “No problem,” Brody says with a smile. This time he doesn’t sound annoyed. As he pulls out of the parking lot, he turns down the music he was listening to. Sounded like some sort of country music.

  Brody is a pretty nice looking guy. He has a short haircut, blonde hair and brown eyes. He is tan, which I don’t know how he pulls off in D.C. in this cold weather. Maybe he is one of those sissy boys that use a tanning bed. I laugh out loud and he cut his eyes at me.

  “You know everyone is looking for you, right? You are pretty famous around campus right now. ‘The girl who went mysteriously missing with Luke.’ I hear your roommate is freaking out.” He never takes his eyes off the road.

  I bet Blayne is freaking out. She was the one who convinced me to meet Luke. I sigh and look out the window. I don’t know what I can tell him. Luke didn’t say if this needed to be kept a secret or not.

  “I wish I could tell you what’s going on, but I’m not sure that I can. Maybe Luke can explain everything to you.”

  Thankfully, he doesn’t push me for any answers. He turns around a sharp curve and asks, “So where am I taking you?”

  After a long pause, I answer. “Um, I was kind of hoping I could stay with you. I can’t go home. I have to be somewhere I normally wouldn’t be.” My god, this is all so weird. I can’t believe I just asked a guy I don’t even know if I could stay with him. Who is this Holly and what happened to the Holly I used to be before Luke Denton entered my life?

  He doesn’t say anything for what feels like an eternity. When he finally speaks, he says, “I guess that will be okay. Luke better be glad I consider him a brother or I would not be doing this. Where is Luke anyway? Is he okay?”

  “He’s fine.” I hope.

  “Can you take me by my dorm? I need to get some of my things and tell Blayne I’m okay.”

  “Sure.” He smiles and turns up the music.

  AS WE PULL up to the college, I start thinking that maybe this is a bad idea. Maybe we should just go straight to his place. But, it won’t take me long. I tell him how to get to my dorm. He pulls into a parking spot, and I unbuckle my seat belt. “Thanks. I’ll make it quick.”