The Silvia Saga: Boxset

Chapter 12

Chapter Twelve

Dara

I stand there at the bottom of the hill facing off with Harlan, who has decided to block my escape. Arghhh! Why does he have to be sexy as hell? I can’t concentrate. I need some space to process all of this.

“Will you quit looking at me like that?” I say, rolling my eyes. The corner of his mouth raises, and he motions for me to sit on a tree that has fallen. I huff and walk over to the tree, spin around, and plonk my arse down. I know I’m acting like a stuck-up bitch, but everything around me is changing. And all of that shit they just threw at me …. Well, fuck, I need … I dunno what I need.

I put my face in my hands. Me, a queen? Even a princess? Of a whole other dimension? How could I even for a second believe what the guys are saying? This shit doesn’t happen in real life. My head hurts. I am trying to fight off that little part that keeps saying trust the guys, believe them, they will guide you. What the hell do I have to lose?

Footsteps approach, they have moved closer. Oliver is leaning against a tree, looking calm and relaxed. Blair is where I left him standing, still giving me space, but the look on his face is full of concern for me. Declan is sitting with his back against the tree opposite me, staring off into the forest deep in thought. And Harlan is pacing back and forth, most likely wanting to get moving. As if I am just a burden to him.

Each one of them has their own unique personality, but in the short time I’ve known them together they work as a team. It’s in this moment that I make my rash decision; to believe every word they have said. I’ll go to Silvia and see what is in store for me. I mean, I don’t have much going on for me here. I’ll most likely wake up tomorrow and this will all be just a dream. So, let’s just play along and see what happens.

The only thing I will miss is Kayla. How could I leave her? She is my other half, my sister. “Okay, what if in some fucked-up way I believe your story and I want to come to Silvia?” I ask, snapping everyone out of their daydreams.

They all come closer to surround me in a circle. They tend to do that. It must be a protector-guardian thing.

“I promise you, Dara, we will protect you. It is our job to make sure you are safe and guarded at all times,” Harlan says, putting his hand on my shoulder.

My body shivers at his touch. A smile creeps across my lips, but I quickly drop it, not wanting to show him the effect of his words. “I still think what you told me is crazy—I won't truly believe it till I see it with my own eyes. But before we go, can I get Kayla? Can she come with us?” I plead, staring up at them.

They all give each other a look like they are having their secret, silent conversation again. What is with that? Are they psychic? I make a mental note to ask them later.

“Sorry, Dara, she won’t be able to make the trip to Silvia. Only those from Silvia can handle the travel between the two worlds.”

Why does Blair have to be so sweet? I am here fuming that Kayla can’t come but Blair just takes one look at me and makes it subside. Of course, they chose him to tell me the bad news. Ah, stop it. I shake my head trying to stay angry. “What do you mean she can’t come? Why? How do we get to this Silvia place anyway?” I demand.

Finally, Declan speaks. “To get to Silvia, we travel by portals. They only open once a week when Silvia’s power is at its highest. It stays open for one day—twenty-four hours. If you don't make it through, you have to wait another week until it opens again. The portals only open in a forest like this one.”

Silvia’s power? What is that about? “Okay, we will get to the Silvia power thing soon, but first off, when is it open again?"

“Fortunately, it is tomorrow, so we will have to hide out around here until the morning,” Declan confirms.

“Ah, okay? So, what do you expect us to do until then?” I know what I will be doing. I guess the guys will just be following me around.

“We will make camp tonight then we will fill you in on how Silvia works. I know you have had enough information for one morning—we don’t want to overwhelm you too much,” Harlan says.

“No fucking shit! My head is already completely blown with information to process. It may take a while, so, yes. Let’s make camp,” I say, walking away to find an area to set up. Footsteps crunch behind me, so I presume they are following my lead.

I bet Harlan will be hating that. From my observations, he loves being in charge. I snicker as I walk. Oh boy, does he have a rude shock coming for him. I am as independent as they come, and I don't take well to orders. I haven’t followed them in the past, and I am not going to start now.

After moving through the forest for a few kilometres, I finally find the perfect spot to set up camp. A flat bit of land that has a dozen trees surrounding it for protection. Lush green grass will make the perfect camping ground. “All right, this is ideal. Let’s make camp here.” I gesture to the space around us. The guys nod in agreement and each one checks out every corner, making sure there are no threats.

“We will need to gather some sticks and logs to get the fire started,” Harlan says, stating the obvious.

I let out a groan. I swear he just likes hearing his own voice. I let it go for now. “Yes, good idea, Harlan. I will go and do that. I would have never thought of that,” I say, mocking him.

Oliver lets out a laugh. “I'll come with you. Someone has to keep you out of trouble, Miss Dara.”

I roll my eyes at him and start heading over to the trees. Oliver follows, skipping to catch up to me. I smile. He seriously just makes me feel relaxed and happy. Something about the cheeky bugger has me smiling bigger than I have in a long time. It’s refreshing.

“What's got you so happy, cheeky?” The man in question asks me as he puts his arm around my shoulder. I try and wiggle his hand off, but he has a tight grip and he doesn't budge.

I blush. “Oh, nothing you need to worry about. Just thinking about how you guys ended up finding me in this big forest. How did you know where I was?” They must have some tracking experience.

“Um, I don’t know how to explain this. We get this urge that leads us in the right direction. We always know roughly where you are.”

Is he serious? I had a feeling they were psychic or something, now this pretty much confirms my suspicion. I take a deep breath and let it sink in. One day, I will have time to process all this craziness. But right now, I don’t have time to think too much about it. “Yeah. Okay. I don’t know what you want me to say in response to that. So, let’s get a move on so we can get this fire started before the sun goes down.” Good diversion.

I gather up the rubble, leaves, and smaller sticks to help get the fire ignited. Oliver focuses on the larger sticks and logs that have fallen from the trees. In no time, we have managed to find a good selection that will keep the fire going all night.

I am impressed by how well we work together to get this big collection. Oliver comes over and takes my pile, carrying them as we head back to the camp area. I take my time walking to try and clear my head. No matter how hard I try, it just isn’t helping.

I have walked right into my dream, and I don’t think there is any way of getting out of it.