CHAPTER 10: THE NAMELESS ONE
Reid parked the truck deep in the woods after turning onto an old service road. He led her through a particular group of trees that faced a clearing overlooking the cliffs. The moon hovered overhead. Its' bright light, shining down on the center as if someone had turned on a spotlight.
For a moment, Keesha felt transfixed by the light. Slowly, she moved to stand under its silvery curtain, allowing it to envelop her. She closed her eyes and breathed several times. Her hands extending upwards, opening and closing.
Reid was hypnotized by the sight. She was standing as still as a statue. A faint aura was pulsating from her. He felt drawn to her and allowed himself to be pulled forward.
Keesha tensed slightly as strong arms embraced her from behind. It broke the hold the moon had on her. "Re.." She began apprehensively. Reid rested his chin against her shoulder. "Relax Baby doll." He whispered as he began to sway. "Listen to the music of the night." He said at her neck. "Give in to the night. Let it comfort you. Nothing can hurt you here."
Keesha closed her eyes and surrendered to his voice. She began to move with him. She could feel lean muscle fit around her shapely curves as he pressed himself against her. His warm breath at her neck. The scent of him.
Reid felt stirring within his loins again as he brushed his nose lightly against her throat. Keesha tilted her head back in response. He placed a gentle kiss at her neck. Desire grew as he traced his tongue slowly across her toned shoulders.
"Reid." She breathed.
Do it now! Came the voice of reason. Reid took a deep breath, reining his passion in. He remembered why he had brought her here.
Reid turned her around in his arms.
Keesha suddenly felt lightheaded. She felt the ground give way beneath her feet. She had the strangest sensation that she was floating. The light of the moon seemed to fill her eyes. She opened her eyes and met Reid's all black. The space around her vanished into a whirling blur. A familiar tickling at her forehead. The memory of the night before resurfaced. What are you doing to me?
Ssh, trust me Baby doll. I won't hurt you.. Reid lied. He felt a pang of anger stab at him. He did not want to do this.
Keesha let out a soft moan as he sealed his mouth to hers. One last kiss to taste her again. He would remove the memory but not the impression the memory left. She would be left with happiness in her heart. Reid would not be that cruel to her.
The essences of Amber, Ginger and Peach wafted into his nose. The recognition of the scents distracted him momentarily from his task. He gazed at the lovely face, head tilted back in submission and anger bubbled within him. Why did he have to do this? Why won't Caleb trust him? Keesha wouldn't jeopardize them. She had too much at stake in Ipswich. Sure she made a mistake in sleeping with him. He had seen that fear when he first had her in his arms.
But Reid was partly to blame. He had insisted she "honor the bet" She had been more than willing to give him the money but he wanted something more from her. And then he grabbed her. Ignoring her attempts to push him away. He simply wanted her, but still wasn't quite clear, why.
Maybe it was because she gave off a powerful aura of sensuality. So strong that it drove Reid crazy. Only, for some strange reason he wasn't aware of it. It just came through as typical male reflex and responses. But it never bothered him when he didn't see Amanda for months. And it wasn't as if Keesha was deliberately turning him on. Perhaps Reid was picking up something about her on a deeper level. Something only "using" could...
Something only your power could sense? Came a voice from within.
The voice was the same one from the night he had taken Keesha.
Who are you? Reid asked.
Laughter filled the air. The trees swayed on the current. A small tremor traveled through him.
You have no reason to fear me boy. I am older than the power you carry.
What do you want then nameless one?
Reid tensed. His body rippled as laughter filled his body. He paniced for a moment. He thought he was going to lose his hold on Keesha and their proximity above ground. But with a strong force of will, he reinforced himself. Good! You are insolent young one but strong! Good, I have chosen her champion well!
Champion? What the hell was it on about?
You are confused. I understand. But we don't have much time. You must listen to me very carefully. There is a great danger growing in your town. It is looking for someone like Keesha. It has already hurt someone thinking it was her. You must not let her be taken, Reid Garwin. You must protect her.
Protect her from what? Reid asked growing concerned. A great evil. Keesha has a power inside her that it must not have. It has been trying to get her for years. I hid her from the evil, but it is getting clever. Eventually, it will find her.
Reid stilled his mind. He felt no malice from it. His body was not ill at ease with it. He felt truth in its words.
Are you convinced now?
Reid was convinced that what he was talking too was not evil itself. But why him? What does he get in return? Reid didn't want to be a mercenary about this. Any threats to Keesha was a threat to him, but power such as this did not come without a price. He remembered some of the old Greek Myths from one of the few classes he actually stayed awake in, about heroes asking for favors from the Gods and Goddesses, and having to perform labors or boons or make sacrifices.
So I guard her and then what?
Laughter again. Reid was starting to hate this thing!
You already have her friendship and more Reid Garwin. She apparently seems taken with you despite herself, what more do you want?
Was it offering him something?
You two need each other. Have needed each other. And in the passings of time, you will need her. But if you require more Garwin. I will be here. I must leave.
Reid looked down at the woman prone in his arms. He suddenly felt the weight of a heavy burden on his shoulders. He could feel whatever desire he had for her wane. In its place was something else. Something more profound.
I can't do this alone! He shouted into his mind. Was it still here?
You are not alone. You have the Covenant to help you and Keesha's companions. They are not what they seem.
Reid's eyebrow raised. They're like us?
No, just something different. A beginning of the new. Now go, we will speak again soon. Hurry it is near!
And then he felt empty. The wind subsided. Awareness returned to him. Exhaustion was overtaking his body. With a great deal of effort, he gathered himself and Slowly lowered Keesha and himself to the ground.
Reid looked into her face. Her head tilted back. Her long hair brushing against his arm. Her neck exposed. He ran a finger down her cheek. "Wake up Baby doll." He whispered.
Slowly, caramel colored eyes looked up at him. Startled and bewildered, she began struggling with him. "What the fuck are trying to pull Garwin! And how dare you use your magic on me? You fucking bastard! I thought I..."
"Tut, Tut Baby doll!" Reid said grasping the fists aiming for him. He wrapped his arms tightly around her. Holding her against him. "Such language from such a pretty mouth."
"Let me go!!" She squirmed.
Reid was spent. He had started to "use" to make the night end gracefully and then to erase her memory. He ended up "using" to keep them afloat while having a conversation with some nameless entity who, like all nameless, powerful beings who have the answers to everything yet make their heroes figure it out by going through hell, plus dropping the added weight of being proclaimed champion of the Universe, vague and confusing. So, right now, he didn't have the energy to fight with Keesha.
"Enough!" He growled gripping her tightly.
The brief flash of pain caused Keesha to stop.
He released her and slumped to the ground in exhaustion. Keesha knelt down beside him. Her eyes searching his face in concern. His skin was flushed. His chest was rising and falling rapidly. His suit was rumpled. She frowned as she noticed prominent tightness around the corners of his eyes. They hadn't been there before.
"I'm alright, Baby doll. Stop fussing." He said pulling her onto his lap.
She rested her head in the crook of his neck. For a moment, Keesha caught a familiar look in his eyes. It was the look of someone who had just agreed to take on the burdens of the world. A look she had seen in her people many times.
Reid smiled warmly at the beautiful woman looking up at him with genuine concern. His heart went light. I made a promise to you Baby doll, that I would protect you. And I meant it!
"Caleb, Pogue, Tyler and I are members of an Ancient Order called the Covenant..."