Page 5 of Enchanted Hero
It couldn’t be, and yet it was unmistakable. A man stood in the twister, completely still, untouched by the fierce wind. Covered from head to toe in black, a concealing mask hid his features. He waved his arms, and the tornado followed his direction, like a conductor leading nature’s orchestra. Suddenly, an explosion roared, as loud as a hundred thunderbolts, as bright as a thousand lightning strikes. Everleigh jerked away, shielding her eyes as she curled away from the distortion of nature. Without sight, other sensations bombarded her – the heavy scent of rain, the endless drumbeat of droplets, the water lapping at her as the rain turned the ground into a shallow sea. Yet the precipitation wasn’t quite so torrential anymore. Ever-so-slowly, she opened her eyes.
The tornado wasgone. Not weaker, not moving away, but utterly, completely vanished, as if it simply popped out of existence. She rose on shaky legs, her feet slipping in the wet puddles. What just happened? Where did it go? How could a tornado just disappear?
Screams and shouts pierced the air, as people huddled by the door to the mansion. Emergency sirens wailed in the distance, growing louder by the second. As the storm rapidly weakened into a drizzle, one thing became explicitly clear.
It was time to leave.
Now people poured out of the home, smartphone cameras poised and ready. If she didn’t want to end up on the news or worse, she needed to get away now. There was nothing more she could do – the man was nowhere to be seen, and the professionals would undoubtedly search the property. They’d think she was insane if she claimed a man controlled the tornado. As she sprinted away, a single question emerged:
Who was that man?
CHAPTER 2
She was extraordinary.
Alexander betrayed no emotion as the woman on the screen dashed through the dreary world, escaping into the safety of darkness. Drenched and shaken, but uninjured and whole, she pressed forward into the night. He fought every instinct to go to her, to bring her back where she belonged. He could not afford to show weakness, not to the people he led.
“You’re letting her leave?” Carter Perry, friend, police detective and head of security, frowned at the screen. Disapproval flashed, likely at the danger the woman courted when she ventured into the storm. Alexander opened and closed his fists, fighting the urge to take control.Soon…
“Yes.” He’d considered retrieving her, throwing her over his shoulder like a warrior from the past. Yet she would not appreciate the gesture, and while he could push it, it was best if people didn’t notice her presence now. Especially since he didn’t know exactly what peoplehadnoticed. “I don’t want the guests realizing she was part of this. The weather has calmed and will be safe for driving. Tell the security team to ensure she makes it home.”
He looked again at the screen, to the petite but brave woman. Even soaking wet, she was beautiful. “I still have to retrieve the relic and make certain she doesn’t have more. Despite her assertions, our dealings are just getting started.”
“What is she thinking?”
“I don’t know.”
Shock, and then suspicion, flashed. “You always know.”
“Not always.” Technically true, yet barely so. Reading thoughts was as natural as reading books, rich with words and pictures. With Everleigh, there was only an absence, a complete dearth of information. It was decidedly disconcerting.
Carter stared at him for a moment, yet didn’t press further. “Do you think the guests saw anything unusual?”
“It was all unusual.” Yet whether it was the type of unusual people would gush over for a few minutes or something that would invite further scrutiny was yet to be seen. He hadn’t a choice. If he hadn’t stepped in…
Uncharacteristic fear pierced his stomach, sharp as a dagger’s edge. Why did this woman command such strong emotions, especially when a threat loomed over his people like never before? If people saw the truth, it risked everything.
Exposure.
The screen now showed a lawn flooded with people. Carter stepped back. “Hopefully, Ms. Lacey didn’t notice anything but the tornado. The other guests weren’t close enough to see you.”
Alexander’s phone buzzed. He looked down, swore. “Perhaps we underestimated the situation.” He turned the phone to Carter.
The cop grimaced. The video represented their greatest nightmare, ninety seconds that showed what Alexander spent a lifetime hiding. Even his power might not be enough to stop the catastrophic consequences. “I’d better address them.”
They remained silent as they strode through the hallway, past tight-lipped guards with severe frowns and stiffened strides, before entering the main ballroom. Despite the crowds outside, it was still filled to its gilded edges. People noticed him, but they bestowed far less attention than normal as they clutched their phones, marveling at the tiny screens.
“Did you see that?”
“I can’t believe it.”
“Who was she?”
“Who washe?”
“Ladies and gentlemen, can I have your attention? First, I want to make sure everyone is all right.”
The crowd turned to him, stilled into silence by his booming voice. The scrutiny was intense and unnerving, melting into a chorus of murmurs and agreements, conveying that no one was injured. A glimmer of light in the dark night.
