Why do I feel like I’ve known you months instead of a day?” I crossed my arms over my chest. I didn’t like the sensations he made me feel. I didn’t like the need and desire that seemed to get grow stronger the more time we spent together.
“You do the same to me, which is why I want you to come. I want you safe.” He held out his hand.
I glanced between the dark house and the shimmering wall of light.
He nodded. “I can see you want to.”
“Stop pressuring me.”
“What are you so afraid of?”
“You can’t really be asking me that question. Right now I’m wondering if I’m high or something.”
He smiled slightly. “You are sober.”
“I may never talk to you again after all this.”
“What happened to all those kisses you wanted?” He smiled suggestively.
“That was before you made me hallucinate.”
“You are not hallucinating.” He spoke softly, but the intensity of his eyes reminded me that he was still being serious.
“Then why do the flowers in there look so vibrant? It’s like they are glowing.” I pointed through the gate.
“Colors are different where I come from. As an artist, I would assume you would appreciate it.”
“I never said I was an artist. I study art history.”
“And you don’t create any of your own?”
“I do.” Although I hadn’t worked on a single project for months.
“Then why deny it?”
“I am an idiot.” How was I even considering following James? He was a near stranger, and I had no idea where the gate really led.
“No you are not. Don’t say that about yourself. You are about to experience something new. I can promise it will not be an ordinary trip.”
“You wouldn’t really let me walk away, would you?”
“I have to protect you. Everything I am doing is for your own good.”
“That makes you sound even more frightening. It sounds like what crazy people say.”
“Frightening?” He stepped toward me. “Do I scare you?” His eyes bore into mine.
The truth slipped from my lips. “No. You don’t.” I was more afraid of my attraction to him. I shouldn’t have still wanted him, but I did. Hopefully that would stop once I came off this strange trip.
“We should go. We want to get to Bellgard before it gets dark.”
“Before it gets dark… so it really is day time there?”
“You can’t tell?”
I knew walking back through the gate might change my life forever, but there was an urgency to James’ voice that rang true. There was always the chance he was crazy, but maybe he wasn’t. Maybe he was telling the truth. Besides, would I ever get an experience like this again? I took a deep breath and walked back through the gate. He let the gate close behind me. I looked up at the bright blue sky. It was an unnaturally deep blue. “I’m really doing this.”
“You are, but if it helps you’re not alone.” He held out his hand.
“If this is all an elaborate hoax or trick, please try to keep me alive.”
“The only reason we left when we did was to keep you alive.” He grabbed my hand. “Come on. There is plenty more to see.”
“Fabulous.”
“No complaining. I am going to have a lot of explaining to do about why I brought you with me.”
“Why?”
“Because we are not supposed to bring in people from your world.” He started walking, and for one reason or another I let him lead me.
“But Charlotte and her brother are from my world. And the neighbor’s son.”
“Liam, Debbie’s son, yes. Charlotte and Kevin are from both worlds.”
“Oh…”
“It is not worth explaining all the details now, but their dad is from your world. Their mom is from mine.”
“I should have insisted on meeting the owners before I moved in.” I’d been so relieved to have a place to stay, I hadn’t questioned things nearly enough.
“And what would have changed? You had no idea I was from another place when we first met.”
“Still, I might have gotten a clue.” Maybe it would have sent off a red flag or something. Then again the fact that people were willing to let a stranger take care of their house should have set off red flags anyway.
“There is no reason to look back. It will not help.”
“But looking forward might not help either.”
“Who said it would?” He tightened his hold on my hand. “Look at the now. Focus on the moment. It is the only way to live.”
“Just get me through this alive, okay?”
“Do we have to rehash the same conversation again?” He glanced