A Lingering Darkness

By Dakota Burke

A mysterious youth washes ashore on a beach in sunny Spain and is rescued by a trio of young girls. He introduces himself as Zephyr Arden, a newcomer to the area who seems to have lost his way. The three young ladies assist him in finding his way home, only for one of them to soon find that he is not at all what he seems. Slowly, his secrets, as well as his purpose for being, become clear. He is a guardian angel sent to a select few in times of desperate need, or is this only a facade to deceive the curious? As the truth of his dark past unravels and his true nature is revealed, it could very well leave everyone in the grip of mortal danger. It will take a strong soul to fight against the demon within. Will he be able to resist, or will he fall prey once more?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Sep 23, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524538781

Dakota Burke

Dakota Burke was born in the winter of 1993 as the first of two sons to a third-generation military family. Spending only a few years in the United States, he then moved to Ramstein, Germany, to begin his formal education. At the age of eleven, he moved to Colorado to begin middle school and finally on to Rota, Spain, for his high school career. After completing high school, he attended CSU Fort Collins for a semester before leaving to obtain his associates in massage therapy. Since then he has worked tirelessly to complete his first book while juggling multiple jobs, two daughters, and a loving wife.

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Copyright © 2016 by Dakota Burke.

Library of Congress Control Number:       2016914226

ISBN:       Hardcover       978-1-5245-3880-4

       Softcover       978-1-5245-3879-8

       eBook       978-1-5245-3878-1

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,

without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the

product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance

to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 09/07/2016

Xlibris

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CONTENTS

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Epilogue

CHAPTER 1

WATER, COOL AND soothing, ebbed and flowed around the wanderer as though he were a small child in need of comfort as he slowly awakened. His eyes felt lethargic and heavy as he forced them open, but then he quickly squeezed them back closed as the sting from salt water bit into them. It appeared that he was awakening in an ocean. As he drifted there, suspended beneath the waves, he wished for nothing more than to linger in that watery tranquility before moving to gain his bearings.

After a little more procrastination, he reopened his eyes, this time focusing on the light from the sun filtering down through the waves. He righted his body and thrust forth hard with as much power as he could muster to break the water’s surface and fill his lungs with life-giving oxygen. The first thing he noticed was that the air he had so greedily inhaled was laden with moisture and tremendous heat from the sun, which meant he was most likely somewhere close to the equator. With the water now draining from his face and eyes and dripping off of his firmly set jaw, he could see the beach looming far off in the distance. The area was entirely foreign except for the languages that were being spoken. He recognized Spanish as the predominant language being spoken with a small smattering of English.

He wondered where in the world he was. South America was unlikely due to the presence of English, but he supposed Mexico or Spain could be possibilities. His body felt weak and lethargic as he began moving toward a beach heavily populated with people. His mind was wavering as well though. It felt like there was a veil preventing him from being able to focus properly, which made him begin to wonder if he was going to have the strength and fortitude to even make it to the beach or if he was going to end up looking more like a piece of driftwood. Fortunately, once he got within shouting distance of the beach, the waves did most of the swimming for him. However, most of his strength had been expended in making it that far, and he ended up on the flat of his back covered in sand instead of calmly walking out of the water as had been his intention.

The wanderer planned to rest only momentarily so that he wouldn’t stumble when he attempted to stand but didn’t have the chance to so much as sit up as a shadow suddenly fell over his eyes and the beautiful face of a young girl came into view. Her brilliant blue eyes were filled with concern as she knelt down beside him. Why could she possibly be so worried?

Hey, are you OK, the girl asked frantically.

The wanderer squinted in an attempt to focus his eyes to her nearness before speaking.

Perfectly fine, m’lady. Just feeling a touch strained is all.

His voice had sounded weak but very calm, which prompted another few questions from the young woman.

Are you sure? You look like you’re in pretty bad shape. How did you get so far out in the water?

I thank you for your concern, but I just need to rest for a moment. It seems I may have overextended myself somewhat while I was swimming.

The girl sat back in the sand looking very relieved to hear that he wasn’t hurt but remained by his side until he decided to get up. A few moments later, they were joined by two other young women who must have been friends of hers. One looked equally as concerned as the first while the other kept a short distance and looked on as though she was suspicious of him. As the stranger’s strength began to return, he slowly made his way to a standing position, though his legs didn’t quite seem to agree with what he wanted to do and groaned in protest. He then attempted a smile, which he was sure hadn’t come out as planned since looks of deep concern resurfaced immediately. He must have looked as bad as he felt after all. Maybe an attempt at conversation would go better.

Well, ladies, I would like to thank you for your concern and also introduce myself. I am Zephyr Arden, and I am very pleased to make you acquaintance.

His voice was still rough and had come out sounding very quiet to the point that he seemed to be whispering. The girl who had come rushing over to him initially was the first to speak up as she offered her hand and introduced herself as well as her two companions.

Well, it’s nice to meet you too. My name is Miranda, and these are my friends Amanda and Jen.

All three were quite beautiful, he noted while making eye contact with each of them as they were introduced. Miranda had long, wavy, natural blonde hair that reached midback, brilliantly blue eyes, and freckles dotting her nose and cheeks. Her skin was a light bronze, indicating that she had been spending quite a bit of time in the sun. Jen had been the other that came in looking concerned for him, and her hair was closer to shoulder-length and of a deep chestnut color, which shone with a light tint of copper in places. Her eyes were pale green like the ocean as a storm looms overhead, and she had fair skin, which seemed to be burning rather than tanning. Jen and Miranda had slender forms and were of average height, which put them at the level of Zephyr’s chin.

This left Amanda, who was now moving in closer to stand between her friends. She stood the shortest, barely reaching his chest, with a more muscular build, bright dyed red hair in a pixie cut, and ivory white skin. Having taken Miranda’s hand in his, Zephyr bowed over it before raising it gently to his lips to brush her knuckles and releasing it back to her, prompting a scarlet blush to infuse her cheeks. This had earned him a strange look from both of the other girls, as well as a half step back from Amanda.

Is something the matter? Zephyr asked, straightening back up and looking at all three of them.

Oh no, Miranda began, you just surprised us is all. We just weren’t expecting you to bow and kiss my hand.

I see. I hope that didn’t offend you then.

Miranda shook her head, smiling at him, and the others just continued to stare at him before Amanda finally decided to speak up.

OK, well, it looks like he’s fine after all, so we should finish grabbing everything and head back to the base now.

Some part of what Amanda had said caused the veil clouding Zephyr’s mind to lift slightly, and images began to flood in. He could see himself walking down an unfamiliar street and coming up on a house in the distance. He could just barely make out an address before the images left his mind. He then felt an odd sensation urging him to stay close to the girls.

Actually, if you’re heading onto the base, would you mind me imposing on you briefly? I’m ashamed to say that I’ve left my wallet and other personal effects at my house in my eagerness to come see the beach as I’ve just recently arrived here. Would you three mind helping me return?

Miranda smiled at him and said, Of course we’ll help you get back on. I guess it’s a good thing I came to check on you; otherwise, you may have been stranded here all day.

Zephyr managed to form a weak smile this time and replied, I’m very lucky to have caught your attention then.

With that, Amanda began making her way up the beach to where they had left their things, followed by Jen and Miranda, with Zephyr leading up the rear. It looked like they were indeed going to be the ones to show him the way, and hopefully, once he reached the house from his vision, he would be able to find some answers as to why he had come to awaken here.

CHAPTER 2

IT HADN’T TAKEN long for the little group to reach the end of the beach, where a moderately lengthy and steep set of stone stairs were waiting. As they began ascending them, the long silence was broken by Miranda innocently asking, So, Zephyr, where are you from?

Would you be referring to my place of birth then?

That or wherever your family was stationed last.

"Well, I was actually born in London and spent all of my youngest years there. Since then though, I’ve moved around so much that I really wouldn’t say I’m from any place in particular."

So like a world traveler then, she interjected.

More of a world wanderer, I’d say. Traveler implies direction.

That makes it sound like you’re lost or something, Amanda put in, eyeing him over her shoulder.

Well, it seems that for today, at least I am. Not only have I left all my belongings at the house, but I’m not entirely sure I remember how to get there either.

It was once again time for Miranda to speak up. That shouldn’t be a problem. As long as you remember the area you live in or the address, I’m sure we can get you back there sometime before nightfall. Do you live close to the gate up ahead?

Looking ahead, there was a small booth with two men in uniform standing guard beside a sign that read Rota, Spain. At least he knew where he was now and didn’t have to ask the young ladies who were with him. Zephyr immediately recalled to mind the vision he had only moments earlier when Amanda had mentioned the base. The unfamiliar address fell from his lips in somewhat of a monotone, as though it was something he had been forced to memorize.

1017 Alicante Street. I believe it was right next to the school. Perpendicular to it, if I’m remembering correctly.

I actually know right where that is. One of my dad’s coworkers lives in the adjoining house. Thinking about it now, that’s a pretty long walk for someone with no shoes since you’d be walking mostly on asphalt.

I have an extremely high tolerance for pain and discomfort, so there really isn’t any need for you to worry yourself, Zephyr explained calmly. Besides, if it were so bad, surely I would have quickly realized my mistake and returned to the house to rectify my oversight.

OK, question number two here, Amanda burst out after they had passed through the gate. What is it with the way you talk?

The other two girls flushed a deep crimson and shot her a withering glare as they apologized for Amanda’s rather abrupt and blunt question.

Oh, come on girls, she continued. He keeps talking like some kind of character from a classical romance story, and you can’t tell me that you weren’t both wondering the same thing.

Through all of this, Zephyr appeared to be entirely unfazed. He simply raised a dismissive hand and reassured them before he began answering Amanda’s question, There’s no need to apologize. I speak this way because it is the way I was taught to speak when I was younger. My family believed that a first impression, once made, was very difficult to change or undo, and therefore, I was instructed to sound polite and intelligent at all times. Though given how suddenly and abruptly attention has been brought to the manner in which I speak, it may be best I attempt to speak more plainly and less formally henceforth.

I really hope so, for your sake. Everyone at school is pretty friendly and accepting, but talking like that is definitely going to get you laughed at.

Jen looked thunderstruck by what Amanda was saying and was becoming increasingly uncomfortable by the minute, so Miranda, being the most outspoken, broke in, Oh my god, Amanda, give the guy a break. At least he’s not rude, and unlike you, the filter on his mouth seems to be functioning properly. Then to Zephyr, Sorry, she’s a little rough around the edges. She has this thing about guys, which is probably why she’s giving you such a hard time. She’ll mellow out a little once she gets to know you better.

Given this new bit of information, suddenly Amanda made much more sense in a general way. Specifically though, the way she had kept her distance from him and reacted to his kissing Miranda’s hand earlier.

Amanda shrugged. Guys are all pigs, with extremely few exceptions, so why should I cut some random guy that I’ve just met on a beach so much slack? I mean yeah, he washed up like a beached whale and still looks a little rough, but he’s not dying. So I don’t see why he needs special treatment.

Your skepticism is no doubt well-founded, but there really is no need to fear me, and I only sought your help because I believed a group of women would be kinder and also more likely to assist me as opposed to a group of men. I’m sure you would have done the same in my place.

Amanda made no further comment but instead rolled her eyes and looked ahead as she continued walking. A very uncomfortable silence ensued, in which Zephyr finally noticed that during the entire walk thus far, Jen had remained completely silent, and every time he tried to look over at her, she would cast her eyes away and blush deeply. It appeared that she may also have an aversion to men, or possibly, it was simply that she was a very shy-natured young woman. The silence was suddenly broken by Miranda, who obviously didn’t deal with uncomfortable silences well.

You must be pretty comfortable dealing with people you don’t know very well to be able to ask strangers for help like this.

Zephyr nodded at this comment, saying simply, Of course. As I mentioned earlier, I’ve been wandering a long time. If I had any reason to be ill at ease, I wouldn’t be letting you lead me back to my house now, would I? Besides that, your disregard for your own safety in rushing to the aid of an unknown would indicate that you are a very caring group of ladies.

When she gave him a questioning look, he continued, I have a unique ability to read people very quickly is what I’m saying. Unless, of course, you’re saying that I’ve misjudged you and should be running as though I’m being pursued by an ax murderer, in which case I bid you farewell.

His last comment, obviously being meant as a joke, caused Miranda to break into a rather musical bout of laughter, which seemed to clear up any dis-ease or concern about Amanda’s previous comments. Even the bashful Jen seemed to lighten up now and even managed a smile in Zephyr’s direction. Now that equilibrium had been restored, more questions began to flood in, such as his age, if he’d met anyone else around the base, and what grade he was going into this year.

He slowly answered all their questions as his obscured mind began to clear a bit more. They were left with the understanding that they were the first people he’d spoken to since arriving that morning, that he was seventeen years of age, and that like them, he was entering into his junior year of high school. Since he was sure it was summer given the sheer number of people passing them by and enjoying the beautiful sunny day playing various games and cooking outdoors, he asked when exactly school was to start and was informed that it began the following Monday. Only one short day away, seeing as it was presently Saturday.

By this time, they had arrived at 1017 Alicante and were making their way to the door. Would you ladies care to come in for a moment? It is rather hot out, and the least I could do is offer you something to drink and a cool place to rest for a bit given what you’ve done for me today.

The three girls exchanged looks briefly before each giving a reason why they couldn’t come in. Amanda went first, saying, Nah, I don’t need to rest, but I do need a shower, so I’m going straight home.

Then Jen. Yeah, me too. I feel all gross and sandy, but maybe some other time.

This left only Miranda to answer, Well, I really should get back too. It’s almost dinner time at my place, and my parents will start to wonder what’s keeping me.

However, Zephyr was looking a little worse for wear after the long walk to his house, and she was a little worried, so she quickly added, But I do live pretty close by, and some water would be nice.

With that Zephyr, smiled broadly, thanked the other two for helping him, and waved good-bye before leading Miranda into his house. It was actually rather chilly inside, which might have had more to do with the sharp contrast from the intense heat and moisture outside than the house really being cold. It felt exceptionally good though, as the heat hadn’t been helping his fatigue any. After closing the door, he stood for only a brief moment, not knowing exactly how the house was laid out but noticing that it appeared to be furnished. Figuring that he had a fifty-fifty shot since the hallway T-barred, he moved out to the right as he asked, What would you like to drink, or were you merely being polite in coming in for a moment?

He had chosen correctly in which way to go as immediately on his right upon turning the corner was the doorway leading into the kitchen area.

Actually, I’m still a little worried about you, Miranda began. I didn’t want to just take off and leave you here all of a sudden without making sure you were totally OK and not hurt. Are your parents around, actually? There was no car, and the house is really dark.

As to the first, you needn’t trouble yourself about my well-being. As I mentioned earlier, I was just fatigued and in need of some rest. The walk took a bit out of me, but the coolness of the house is making up for it. As to my parents, I live with my father, and he is continually away for various reasons, so I spend a great deal of time alone.

"Oh, I see, and to answer your question, just some water would be great."

With that, Zephyr opened the fridge to see a few bottles of water lining the door. Reaching in, he grabbed one and opened it before handing it to his guest. She took it with a quick thank you and downed it almost instantly. Realizing how it must have looked, Miranda hurriedly said, Sorry, I was a little thirstier that I thought and possibly a little dehydrated. We should both go sit for a minute, don’t you think?

I suppose if you are still that concerned, I will not object to taking a seat and allowing you to give me a brief once-over to put your mind at ease.

She smiled innocently and walked back out of the kitchen door. Looking off to her right was a two-seater recliner with cup holders in the middle, and against the wall that ran the length of the kitchen and pantry was a long loveseat, which is where she decided to seat herself. Since she was still a bit dirty from the beach, she put her towel down before sitting and patted the seat beside her to indicate Zephyr should come sit beside her. He quietly obliged her and seated himself sideways so that one leg remained on the floor and he was directly facing her.

Now, Miranda said sitting up straight, I’m just going to check you for any scrapes, cuts, bumps, or bruises you may not have noticed earlier. You look a little groggy, so I want to make sure you don’t have a concussion or anything.

Zephyr quirked a single dark eyebrow at her and stated blandly, I suddenly feel as though I’ve been received by an infirmary.

Miranda giggled girlishly and shook her head as she reached up and began moving her fingers through his hair to check his head. He immediately bowed his head and leaned forward so that she would have an easier time reaching him since he was quite a bit taller than her. His hair had no shape to it and simply hung around his face and neck, extending about two inches down his back, and was of a rich chestnut coloring. She noticed that it was also remarkably soft for a guy, and after having searched and found nothing, she gently pushed his head down a little further so that she could get a good look at his neck and shoulders.

Zephyr bent at the waist and lowered so much so that he was nearly resting his head in her lap. Her hands quickly traced over his shoulders and upper back, which had no noticeable signs of injury. She was just now beginning to notice how big he was. Not only was he tall, but he was also broad and covered in lean muscle. Her concern for him on the beach and on the way there had caused her not to notice how remarkable he looked. She found herself lingering a little longer than was really necessary as she silently admired the thick muscle under her fingertips. Then she noticed a large web of what looked like symmetrical scars that began between his shoulders and his spine and fanned out down his back and around his sides. Suddenly, she heard a small almost imperceptible groan come from him, and her hands stilled instantly.

I’m sorry, did I run over a sensitive spot? she inquired, sounding concerned.

No, Zephyr said quietly, it actually feels rather nice, and I accidentally let slip an audible sigh. My apologies.

It’s OK. Do you have any scars on your back?

I do. I should have said as much so you wouldn’t be concerned. They’re burn scars from a long time ago.

Once again, Miranda began moving her hands over his back, this time tracing the lines of the scars down his back and around his side beneath his arms. The tissue was thick and looked like roots that ran all over him. She couldn’t imagine why she hadn’t noticed them at all until just now. Then she remembered that he had walked behind them the entire way so that they could lead him.

Do they hurt or anything? she asked softly.

Not since they were initially given to me, no, he responded.

Well, then there isn’t anything wrong with your back or neck, so let me check out your arms and chest really quick. Although I don’t think I missed anything on your chest during the walk.

The implications of what she had just said made her blush to her roots, but Zephyr slowly drew himself up to full height and held out his arms for her inspection without a word. She gingerly took one wrist in hand and pulled it toward her as she ran her hand up his forearm to his bicep before turning his arm over and checking the backside. Satisfied, she repeated the process with his other arm. Next, she moved her attention to his chest. It was broad and firm, causing her focus to move from looking for injuries to something a little less appropriate. After a moment, her wayward thoughts were interrupted as he began to speak, and she felt the vibration in her fingers.

Do you always act so familiar with people you’ve just met, or is this a unique situation?

What do you mean? Miranda asked sheepishly as heat bloomed in her cheeks.

I mean helping me get here and now making sure I’m entirely unharmed before allowing yourself to leave.

Oh, that, she breathed feeling relieved. I wouldn’t really know. I’ve never rescued someone on a beach before, but I like to think I’m pretty friendly with new people. Your arms and chest look good to go as well. Now I just need to check your eyes to make sure you don’t have a concussion.

Again Zephyr leaned in close to make it easier for her to reach him and see what she was looking at. One of her hands went up to his forehead where her fingers slid into his hair and held it to one side while the other came to rest on his neck so that she could angle his head to the side. She apparently hadn’t noticed his eyes either, and now, she found herself transfixed by them. She’d never seen such intricate and unique-looking eyes. They were each made up of two different colors. There was a green center that jutted out like shards of jade into a dense bank of smoky gray that pushed out to the edge of his iris where it met the whites of his eyes.

Miranda?

Yes?

May I kiss you, my dear?

That had certainly been unexpected and caused Miranda to become very flustered. Also, she became keenly aware that at the moment, not only was she touching him, but they were very alone, and before leaving the beach, the only thing she had to cover her bikini was a pair of short shorts, which meant that neither of them were wearing much. As she continued to stare into his eyes, unable to look away, she saw them change. They became darker than they had been before, and she could see something forming there. Then his hand came up and grabbed hold of the one she had been using to hold back his hair. His touch was comforting, and besides that, it was causing a low heat to snake its way down her arm to her chest then lower until it reached her stomach and started dancing about like fireflies.

She didn’t know what to say to him. Her wits seemed to have deserted her as she frantically tried to think of something, anything, to say. She couldn’t deny that her thoughts had likewise been straying in that direction only a moment earlier, but having him ask permission completely threw her.

I am sorry if I have been forward, but I simply had to ask. Please forgive me.

With that, Zephyr moved the hand from his hair into her lap then moved her other hand from his neck to join the first hand but let go of neither.

I do require an answer though, my dear. It would be very ungentlemanly of me to proceed without your consent.

Hearing him say that, it became imperative that she get something out no matter how idiotic she may sound.

Please … do was all she managed to breathe out, which must have been sufficient because almost before she had finished, his lips met with hers. He was unbelievably gentle and tender for his size and for the growing passion she’d thought she had seen in his eyes. Then he tugged at her lower lip with his teeth before lightly outlining it with the tip of his tongue. This prompted her to open her mouth to him, allowing his tongue to enter and meld with hers, deepening the kiss. Her bones melted under her skin, and she was forced to latch onto him for support. One hand now firmly grasped his bulging bicep as he cupped her elbow to support her, and the other was resting on the massive expanse of muscle that covered his shoulder. At this point, she moved closer and sat forward on her knees so that she was now leaning down from above with both hands on his shoulders. Carefully and slowly, Zephyr’s hands slid around her waist to support her. She’d never experienced such an intense wave of pleasure and happiness in such a simple kiss. He wasn’t being aggressive or greedily pulling her in but instead allowing her to come to him and kissing her slowly to be sure that she felt safe and comfortable. Then the kiss ended.

Zephyr broke the kiss slowly and Miranda lowered herself back down to a seated position on the couch. She was breathless for quite a while afterward and seemed too embarrassed to look at him again. She just sat, fidgeting with her hands in her lap, nibbling at her lower lip.

Are you quite all right my dear? I hope I haven’t offended you or put you in an uncomfortable position.

For a few more minutes she sat silently not knowing what to say, but finally she looked up and spoke.

I’m fine. That was just really intense, and I needed a moment. It most certainly didn’t make me uncomfortable either.

Zephyr smiled kindly and rose off the couch and helped her to her feet. This time, Miranda was the one to speak up.

So I should probably get going now. I really hadn’t planned on staying for more than a minute or two, but well … . Her voice trailed off, and she gave him a sheepish smile.

Do you require an escort home?

No, that’s OK. Since it’s summer, there is still more than enough light for me to get home, and it really isn’t very far from here.

She actually would have liked nothing better than for him to walk her home, but she needed that walk now to calm herself and settle her nerves. Besides, showing up with a boy and not her friends might have her parents wondering what she was up to. Luckily for her, Zephyr didn’t push the matter but rather nodded in understanding and helped her to gather her things and showed her to the door. Before letting her leave, he took her hand once more and brushed his lips over it before saying, I’m very glad to have met you today and sincerely hope that my kissing you just now doesn’t keep me from seeing you in the future.

For what seemed like the hundredth time since they met on the beach, she blushed all the way to her roots.

If anything, that probably helped your chances of seeing me again, she blurted out in an almost coy voice without thinking.

I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed it as well, and I would rather enjoy it if you would drop by sometime soon. Perhaps tomorrow, and any time, day or night, in the future that you find yourself in need of assistance or a friend, feel free to come right over. It’s the least I can do for all the assistance that you’ve rendered to me today. Besides, it isn’t as if I have anyone else to speak with or anywhere to be until Monday, so you won’t be intruding, and I am therefore entirely at your disposal.

I’ll be sure to remember that, and I’ll see what I can do about coming by sometime tomorrow. Are friends welcome?

Most certainly. The more, the merrier.

Great. Well, have a good rest of the day, and hopefully your dad drops in so you aren’t alone all night.

Good evening, m’lady. Until tomorrow, I pray.

With their parting salutations said, Miranda headed down the car port and off to her house while Zephyr slid back into the shadows of his temporary abode, closing the door behind him to conceal himself in the shady cool within. It was time for him to seek the purpose for his arrival here.

CHAPTER 3

WALKING HOME UNDER the golden rays of the evening sun, Miranda was silently chastising herself for how she’d acted with Zephyr, a total stranger. Yes, she was very flirtatious, but only with people she had been around for a while and had gotten to know. She had never been so bold with someone she had just met before. It was as if he had somehow lowered all her inhibitions and erased all her good sense by doing nothing more than offering her a kind smile and sitting close to her. Not to mention allowing him to kiss her like that and, worse, leaning in to kiss him back. It was absolutely insane!

She felt a few fries short of a happy meal as she reached for her phone to discover she had no less than five messages waiting for her from Amanda and Jen. Both were wanting to know how it went, what he was like, and, due to a lack of replies, if she was OK. Miranda told them both that she was perfectly all right, which she doubted the truth of, she was on her way home, and lastly, that she needed them to both drop by her house ASAP.

Amanda was the only one to reply, letting her know that they were already there, waiting and wanted to know what was so urgent. She was still rather shaken and couldn’t seem to think of a way to phrase it without just coming out and saying that she had been kissed by a total stranger, so she elected to just wait until she made it home, which wouldn’t be long now. She had made her way over to the school grounds now and was moving quickly across the football field that was situated between the elementary school and the gym at the end of campus. Coming off the grass of the field, she moved up three large stone steps that served as built-in bleachers, allowing her house to come into view down a nearby street.

Jen and Amanda met her on the street at the end of the carport, questioning her with their eyes. Before they had a chance to verbalize their twenty questions, Miranda grabbed their hands and whispered, Not here. We need to go to my room. I don’t want anyone but the two of you hearing this. It’s so embarrassing!

The girls’ eyes widened so much in surprise and curiosity that they looked like they might fall out and dangle from their sockets as Miranda dragged them inside the house. She quickly forced them down the hall and all but threw the two of them into