Page 66 of Beneath the Watching

“What are you?” I asked. With his unique eyes and the differences in transitioning me to wherever we were, I knew he wasn’t like Stefan or Ilya—or anyone else I’d met. When Stefan had brought me here, it wasn’t instantaneous. There was also the clear level of indescribable authority Josiah seemed to possess. It seemed reasonable mountains would relocate themselves if he only breathed in their direction.

I wouldn’t want to get on his bad side.

Josiah leveled his gaze at me and faintly curled his upper lip revealing two small sharp canine teeth. “I am many things,” was all he said.

My pulse escalated. Was he some sort of vampire? He didn’t seem to be like the ones I’d seen before in the castle’s main hall; his skin wasn’t white enough and neither was he outfitted like them. “Are you a vampire?” I hesitantly asked.

“I believe I just stated I am different.” He left the chair and crossed the room, stopping in front of me. “I will make use ofyou again. Please let your boyfriend know my business with you is done for the moment. No need to bring you to Sem.”

Josiah paused. “I know you’re trying to get to Kiara. Help her—if you can.” He held his hands out and I ignored them. “Where are we? Is she here?” I asked.

“You’re in a part of the Second Realm. You can’t help her here. Get up, I’m taking you back.”

“This is my chance to help her. How do you know I can’t?” I raised my voice, “Some crazy guy has her and she could be in trouble.”

I waited before asking, “And can you give me more information about my parents?”

Josiah tilted his head at me. “You have no idea what you’re doing, do you?”

“Can you help her? Help me?”

He shook his head. “No, I’m afraid that’s not possible nor do I have anything to gain by doing so. Some things are better left alone.”

Consoling myself, I knew I had more information on them than I’d had before. I backed away from him and searched for an exit, forcing myself to be content with what I got.

As foolish as I was being, I still had to try to help Kiara. I had no plan, no idea what I was doing just as Josiah said, but I figured if she was in this realm somewhere, she’d know her way around. Plus, if she supposedly had so much magic, she could transition us home once we got away from the guy who had taken her.

Spotting a door, I ran toward it. At the same moment I curled my hand around the knob, a hand clasped my shoulder, and I was shoved onto the floor. Landing with a thud, I twisted around and saw a dark fog coming through the walls. Josiah was bent over me with a scowl on his face as the mist behind us began to take form.

“Behind you!” I cried out.

The substance coming through the walls began to materialize, rearranging into corporeal figures with skeletal frames covered with dingy fabric. Josiah swirled around and immediately raised his hands.

The ghost-like apparitions appeared fully solid as they floated across the floor. I drew up my legs as fast as I could, intent on putting the door between myself and whatever these nightmare creatures were. I flipped back over, planning on crawling away when I felt Josiah grab my ankle. My chin hit the floor and my teeth rattled.

“Don’t move,” he commanded me.

It looked like he was trying to use magic against the beings, but he was unsuccessful. They continued to advance as I fought Josiah’s hold on me. He was focused entirely on the things drifting toward us and was using his energy in a futile attempt to keep them at bay.

“Stop moving,” he growled at me. “Hang on to me.” He took my arms and dragged them to his shoulders.

“No. Why?” I wiggled away from him, flopping like a fish on my side. He had one hand up in the air, fingers splayed.

“I can only hold them back for so long. If you’d like to get back to your boyfriend alive, put your arms around my neck. I’m getting you out of here.”

He looked pissed and I decided it was a really bad time to have him angry with me and did as I was told. “Why are you helping me?”

“I’m not.” He tugged me flush to his chest and I winced, uncomfortable with being so physically close to a stranger.

A chill ran through me as I looped my arms around his neck. All I could think of was the two deadly-looking teeth I’d seen hidden behind his lips. There was no choice but to trust him and I hoped I was making the right decision.

It wasn’t like I could get myself out of this mess. I was reliant on him to bring me home, return me to Stefan.

His shoulder moved and he wrapped his other arm around me, and we were suddenly back in the forest. My head spun and I dropped softly to the ground, rubbing my temples as I heard my captor-rescuer hiss.

“The Court’s business with her is done,” he said. I glanced up to see Stefan stalking in our direction, staring daggers at Josiah.

Stefan stooped beside me, checking me over before he helped me stand. “Are you okay?” he asked.

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