Page 6 of Zar

He frowned. “No, of course not.”

Then why can’t I see?” She sounded desperate to her own ears, but blindfolded was beyond what she could handle. She had a horrible fear of the dark. Had since her father had locked her in the closet as a child. He’d been punishing her. She’d had a full-on panic attack and he’d had to call his personal physician to give her a sedative just to calm her down. As unyielding and strict as her dad had been, even he’d been shaken by her meltdown. He’d never used that form of punishment again.

“We do not wish intruders and for that reason we keep our home a secret from the outside world.”

“I won’t say a word, I swear,” she pleaded. “Just don’t cover my eyes, Flare, please.”

His mouth firmed into a tight line as he took hold of her wrists and slapped the gold chain around them. A second later and her eyes were covered. She fought but it was no use. He was bigger and stronger, and she was no match. She began to scream and kick as panic began to surface. She was back in the closet all over again. Her mind fractured and she lost all sense of reality. Tears streamed down her cheeks and she swung her arms out in attempt to fight off the invisible demons that suddenly invaded her mind.

“Stop, Callie!” Flare shouted as he yanked the blindfold off and pulled her into his arms. “What is this?” he touched her cheeks with a thumb, swiping away her tear. “Why do you suffer so?”

“I-I can’t stand the dark. Please, Flare. Please,” she begged him shamelessly. She would get down on her knees. Anything to keep him from covering her eyes again.

He cupped her cheek. “I did not know, Callie. I will not cover your eyes again.”

“Thank you.” She counted to ten, a trick her therapist had taught her, then took two deep breaths and let them out.

“Will you close your eyes for me? You will need to promise not to open them until ordered to do so.”

She nodded vehemently. “I swear I won’t look. I swear, Flare. Just no blindfold.”

His gaze softened as he tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “You will not be blindfolded ever again, Callie.”

She couldn’t speak past the lump in her throat. She was equal parts grateful and scared out of her mind. The community Flare belonged to did not adhere to the same laws as her own. They lived on a mountain outside of the city limits and away from everyone else. Whatever lay beyond the tree line, it would not be anything she’d ever experienced before.

“Close your eyes, Callie,” Flare murmured.

She bit her lip and did as he asked. “Flare?”

“Yes?”

“You swear I won’t be harmed?” She hated herself for asking, but she needed his assurance. At least that. Her nerves were shattered and she knew that at any moment she could easily have a breakdown.

“I swear this on my life, Callie. Rybacia Zar would never allow it.”

“I don’t know him and I don’t trust him,” she answered him with total honesty. It was all she had left.

Callie felt Flare’s warm hand against her forearm. “Then trust me,” he softly ordered. “I will not let you come to harm.”

Callie didn’t speak. She had learned a long time ago to rely on one person, herself. For now, she would play along. She would meet Flare’s king and find out what he wanted. Then she would leave. Simple as that. Even if she had to fight her way out.

His palm stayed on her forearm as he said, “You must not move away from my hand. To break the connection as we go through the barrier could cause you great harm. Do you understand?”

“Not really, but okay,” she answered as honestly as possible.

“You’ll feel a warming sensation throughout your body, but it won’t harm you as long as I’m touching you.”

“Barrier? What sort of barrier?” Callie kept her eyes closed, but her curiosity couldn’t be so easily contained.

“It doesn’t matter. I can get you through it, but never attempt to cross the barrier without me. You could be very severely injured, Callie.”

She tilted her head downward and stayed silent. She couldn’t agree to that because she may well have to flee this place at some point and she doubted Flare would aid her. Flare didn’t insist on her compliance and she was grateful. The SUV started to move forward at a slow pace. She tensed, waiting for the sensation Flare spoke of. A minute went by, maybe two, before she felt it. It started in her feet and worked its way up. It wasn’t painful, more like standing too close to a kerosene heater. Heat radiated throughout her entire body. It wasn’t exactly a pleasant sensation, but it wasn’t painful. Several minutes passed before Flare released her. She breathed a sigh of relief.

“You may open your eyes, Callie.” When she did, Flare was watching her, a smile curving his lips. “Thank you for obeying me.”

Callie looked out the windshield and was completely astounded by the sight that greeted her. The gravel road they drove on came to an intersection and she noticed several vehicles similar to Flare’s traveling back and forth. He stopped and let a car turn left in front of him, before he began driving again. A few minutes went by and all Callie saw were trees. Giant trees with thick trunks. They were deeper into the woods now. A trickle of fear ran up her spine. Just where is he taking me? When they came to an open area that resembled a town square, Callie got her first glimpse of civilization. There were storefronts, a gas station and what appeared to be a restaurant. A town, albeit a small one, but still, Callie felt a little better knowing Flare hadn’t brought her to some strange commune in the middle of nowhere.

In the center of town was a little park with picnic tables and an area for children to play. She saw a few people sitting on a bench chatting. A woman laughed. Callie’s heart beat faster when the woman stood and a pair of large brown wings protruded out of her back. Wings? What the hell am I seeing? She wiped a hand over her eyes. Maybe she’d injured herself when she’d banged her head earlier. Brain damage could bring on hallucinations, right?

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