Against The Odds Read online

  “Because, this time it is different. Everything has been different. It never came to me when I was alone or in the daylight hours. George, it is getting stronger. Maybe this time, love will not win. Maybe this is the end. Our baby could be the last.”

  “Come now, dear, things have been different. But Rebecca has coped very well. She has managed to use her life to help others. Do you think we should bring him to her?”

  “No. They must find each other. We don’t know what will happen if we interfere. It might harm her or him. We just don’t know, George. What can we do to help our baby?”

  “I don’t know. Perhaps we should go to her. I know she must help herself, but my baby does not need to be alone. Something is different. We can’t leave her alone, Rowena.”

  They decided that they would visit her. The next morning they left their home in Mayville and drove into the city to see their precious baby.

  ~ ~ ~ ~

  Rebecca was not surprised when her parents phoned to say they were coming to visit her for a few days. They must have been worried about her after that conversation. She was quite pleased because she would not feel so lonely with her thoughts. When they arrived, she saw the worry lines on her mother’s face and hugged her tightly. Her father was very relieved to see his daughter. He made her turn around, like he always did when she was a child. It made him feel better when he saw all of her. They spoke and settled in and Rebecca felt like a pampered child. Her father wondered around her garden, while her mother made herbal bath potions for her. It was so lovely to feel like a child again.

  When Jackie arrived that afternoon, they chatted to her and she seemed to like them. She liked her mother, with her bubbly smile and clever words. Her father said very little. Then her mother said, “Rebecca, your father and I have been thinking. You must bring more of your friends over. I will cook for them. How’s that?”

  “Oh Mum, that is not necessary. Just relax and enjoy the stay.”

  “We would like to meet some of the city folk and the cooking will be fun for me. Come on. What do you think, Jackie? Dinner, tomorrow?”

  “I think that it very kind of you to offer, Rowena. Jono would be delighted. Thank you.”

  “Fine. You, my dear, must decide who else to invite.”

  Her parents left the room and Jackie smiled.

  “She is a wonderful woman, Rebecca. Don’t look so horrified. It makes them feel young and special when they treat you like a child. You must learn to indulge her. It won’t be too bad, I’m sure. I love the way they talk with their eyes. It is so intimate.”

  “Yes, but also very frustrating. When I was a child, I would ask for something, they would ‘discuss it’ and then turn to me and say ‘yes we agree’ or ‘no, not at this time’. I would get so angry because I couldn’t argue with their silent discussion. It drove me mad and it would make them laugh.”

  ~ ~ ~ ~

  When Jackie left, she went straight to her husband.

  “Well darling, she does have a tattoo. I didn’t even have to ask. She was wearing shorts and a cropped t-shirt. It sat proudly on her back. It was definitely Clayton’s butterfly. What do you have to say about that?”

  “I’m surprised. She does not look like the type to sport a tattoo. Why is it ‘definitely Clayton’s butterfly’?”

  “Because, my dear, the missing colour patch is exactly as he described it, long ago, before he met Rebecca.”

  He scratched his chin for a while. “I don’t know.”

  “We are having dinner with her parents tomorrow night. They are a very strange couple. They talk to each other with eyes. It is quite beautiful to watch. Jono, it is truly magical.”

  “Now that, I’m sure is your imagination.”

  “Okay, you will see.” She turned and left him there. He was being so stubborn about all these things. He was so rational sometimes.

  ~ ~ ~ ~

  Rebecca was relaxing in the garden talking to her mother when the phone rang. Her father, close by, rushed to answer it.

  “Hello.”

  There was a short silence.

  “Hi, can I speak to Rebecca?”

  “Yes of course. I am George, her father. Who are you?”

  “I am a friend, Clayton.”

  “Oh, Clayton, my boy. Rebecca is having friends over for dinner tomorrow, will you come?”

  Rebecca was furiously waving her arms at her father to stop, but he promptly ignored her.

  “I don’t know. I had better speak to Rebecca about that.”

  “Okay, here she is now, bye.”

  “Hello?”

  “Princess.”

  “How are you Clayton?”

  “Just hold on. I need to get rid of an inquisitive father first. George, go away.”

  “I am fine, thanks. I phoned to see if you could do something tonight, but you are clearly busy. What about another time?”

  “Since you behaved so well the last time, no accusations.... well yes. How about coming for dinner tomorrow?”

  “If it is alright with you. I don’t want to intrude.”

  “It’s okay, really. Double J will be here. Jono could do with the support. Also, my father will never leave here until he meets the man who phoned me. So save me, please!” He laughed at her.

  “Okay, but only as a favour. It does not count. We will still do something in the week. Is that a deal?”

  “Deal.”

  “Rebecca, I really enjoyed lunch yesterday. It was very pleasant. Thank you.”

  “Yes, it was.”

  “Okay, I will see you tomorrow. Bye.”

  Her parents were both sitting on the couch in the lounge now, conveniently needing some shade. They were having one of their conversations.

  George, did you do that? Bring him here?

  No, I thought it was you. I was about to chide you for that.

  You should try, honey!

  “Oh stop it you two. Don’t do that. Just speak if you want to.” Rebecca’s voice was trembling.

  “Sweetpea, what is the matter?”

  “Oh Dad, I really like him. I can’t bear the thought of it all going wrong. He is a great guy. What will I do when he turns on me? I can’t bear it.”

  “Rebecca, you must not think about that. All you can do is enjoy the pleasure and company you can have with him. Nobody ever knows if a relationship will work out. You just have to share what you can with him. Don’t think about it.”

  George was torn between his strong urge to comfort her and say but darling, he is the one, he will be there or to fill her heart with empty promises. He chose the empty promises.

  “Just enjoy what you can. You never know what will happen.”

  It was so hard for him not to tell her, but he knew that it would put her and the boy at risk. Also, there was the possibility that he might not be the Protector or might fail to protect her.

  *****

  Chapter 8

  Jonathan and Jackie arrived at the dinner party first and Jonathan liked George instantly. He could see that he was a strong, powerful man who loved his daughter very much. He also liked Rowena, because of the arty, vague air about her. She had a beautiful smile, which, when she was young, must have driven the men wild. Jonathan talked to George about some famous case in the press and they enjoyed their legal dialogue. What a normal couple. What is Jackie on about? They are sweet and caring and funny. That is what he thought, until Clayton arrived.

  The first strange thing that happened was that George Raymond excused himself and went to the door before Clayton rang the bell. It had been subtle, but Jonathan, experienced in observing human behaviour, noticed it. He stood at the door, waiting for the bell to ring and then opened it. The next weird thing that Jonathan ever saw was Clayton.

  Clayton stood at the door, looking at George. Jonathan was not sure, but Clayton made a sound like a lion. Then he moved slowly to the side of George and his eyes changed colour to white-blue. He looked like a lion trying to stalk prey. God, what is wrong wit
h him? Jonathan thought he saw Clayton’s hair rise slightly. No, it is not possible! Then George let out a deep sigh and Clayton instantly relaxed and smiled. He tilted his head slightly, like a pampered cat and his eyes were normal again.

  “Clayton, my boy, good of you to come. Join the men. We are talking law. I believe you are also a lawyer?”

  “Hi. Pleased to meet you, George. Perhaps I had best speak to the ladies first.”

  George patted his shoulder and laughed. “Astute play”.

  Clayton walked over to the ladies and greeted them. Jonathan was watching him. Was that my imagination? He seems so normal now. But he knew that his wife had also seen it. She stared at Clayton like he was about to attack her and moved back from him slightly. So I am not mad. He was sure that Rowena had also seen it, because she also stared at him, transfixed. It was only Rebecca who seemed not to notice. She had her back to the door when he had arrived. She chatted to him and he was as charismatic as ever.

  Jonathan was very confused. What was wrong with Clayton? He did not seem to know how to behave around Rebecca. It was most inappropriate to growl at a girl’s father, especially at a first meeting. What impression does he think he is creating on the girl’s parents? Honestly, Clayton needs to grow up. Jackie was going to have a field day with him with plenty of ‘I told you so,’ especially because she also had been right about the older couple. He had seen them have one of their conversations. He wished he could hear what they saying, because it had been lively and animated.

  Jackie was, of course, completely enthralled. Her desire for intrigue had been ignited. Wow! That was amazing. What is Clayton doing? How did he do that? Does he know that he did that? She looked at him and he seemed so normal again. Roaring like a lion? Well, there is a lot more to this man than I ever dreamed. Jono must not even try to deny he saw that. She had seen him, just as transfixed as she had been. Also, when Clayton had eaten the fillet steak with such desperation and hunger, Jono’s jaw had dropped. Clayton rarely ate meat. He had been a vegetarian most of the time he was married to Suzanne. At least Jono has the decency not to say something about it. This is really crazy. Only Rebecca seemed unaware of these goings-on. She had not seen Clayton, which was a good thing. She would definitely not go near him again if she had. She would have been terrified. But he seemed his usual self now.

  Rowena’s heart was singing. The Protector was here, in her daughter’s house and he was extremely powerful. She looked at her husband, carefully eating his dinner.

  George, George, it really is him!

  Not now, woman, I am enjoying my steak. I don’t want to think.

  Suit yourself, but that’s all you will get tonight with that attitude.

  Oh God, okay, what do you want? Of course it’s him.

  Does he know who he is?

  Not yet, but he can feel it. It is a bit too strong for him.

  Too strong?

  Yes, he can’t control it yet. He needs time.

  For what? He must do his job. What bloody time?

  Woman, let it be. It will come right. Please, let it be so I can eat my steak. It is delicious, my love.

  Okay, okay! But is Rebecca alright?

  Look at her dear. She is in love with her Protector. What more do you want? Get out of my head, please. The food is really good!

  She was relieved, but also confused. Why did Rebecca not see it? He was clearly the white tiger. Those blue, blue eyes were so unusual in their hue. How could she have missed the connection? He even walked like a tiger. He took long, slow, deliberate strides. Just one look at him and you would see the white tiger in him. Rebecca, why do you deny him? But Rebecca was laughing at something he had said to her. Does he know? Is he even aware of what had happened?

  Clayton had been very aware of what had happened. It had started yesterday, when he spoke to her father. George’s voice had hit him in the gut. It was a peculiar, familiar tug. He had felt the need to protect Rebecca and it had grown stronger as the night had progressed. He had wanted to claw anyone who harmed her. The animal urge to protect her rose inside of him and was at boiling point when he saw George at the door. He had felt the hair rising at the back of his head and if someone had touched Rebecca, even casually, he would have torn his throat out with his bare hands. It was George’s eyes that had jolted him out of the mood. They were the same black, sparkling eyes he loved so much. George had sighed and it had calmed him.

  Clayton had also realized something. He loved her. He had watched her teasing Jonathan and making her father laugh and he loved her, the way her eyes danced and the way she tried to warm everyone’s life. The realisation had calmed and frightened him. He was in love with a woman he had not even touched. Now that was a first for him. He did not know what he would do.

  Rebecca smiled as she went to bed. Clayton was so cute and caring. He had charmed her parents and they had liked him. She also felt calm tonight. The Darkness had not come. It was the first time a man was in her house and it had not come. Perhaps it feared her father and mother together. It was so good to sleep without the hissing sound threatening her, reminding her.

  On the way home, Jonathan and Jackie were silent for a long while.

  “So, that was very pleasant, dear.”

  Jonathan laughed. She was playing with him. She wanted him to admit he was wrong and she was right. We shall see about that.

  “Yes, Rebecca’s parents are delightful. She is very lucky to have them. And Clayton, he behaved.”

  “What? You bastard. Don’t even try that one on me.”

  “What, honey?”

  “Oh, you are hopeless. Next you are going to tell me you did not see your friend behaving like a lion. Don’t you dare!”

  “But I did not say that. You must admit that despite the animal thing, he behaved pretty well. No accusations, no talking butterflies...”

  She glared at him coldly.

  “Okay, he did look a bit strange when he first arrived. I don’t know what that was about. Also, I admit fully that I saw the parents ‘talking’ and it was interesting to watch. Other than that, it was pretty normal.”

  “Are you not concerned about all this?”

  “Of course I am. It is not every day that one of my colleagues and friends becomes a lion and then a man in the space of 60 seconds. I don’t expect that at a dinner party, only in a sci-fi movie. I just don’t know what it means. Something is wrong with him. Brad Adcock phoned me today to ask if Clay is okay. He says Clay asked him questions about Rebecca and got all possessive about it. They met for drinks on Friday and Clay just pretended they never had the conversation. He says Clay was distracted and seemed different.”

  “Oh gosh. What did you say?”

  “I told him he has been stressed and that he met Rebecca and was interested in her, but she refused. He seemed satisfied with that. I don’t know, honey. Brad is really protective over Rebecca, and this thing with Clay could cause some problems between them.”

  “I don’t know what to think. Should we be afraid for Clayton or afraid of him?”

  *****

  1Chapter 9

  Rowena and George loved taking care of their daughter. They never openly discussed Clayton, but were very happy when their daughter went out to dinner with him on Wednesday night. Rowena, desperate to move the romance along, had prepared a delicious bath with red rose petals for love for her daughter. They watched anxiously as she dressed and she felt as if she was in high school all over again.

  When Clayton arrived, they fussed over him and he laughed when they told him to take good care of their daughter. The father had been dead serious when he said that, hoping it would ‘help’ the boy along to realize his role.

  Clayton took her to a quiet, dark restaurant decorating in soft peaches and pinks. It was very pretty and the food was delicious. It was a pleasant dinner and they chatted about work. Clayton was too scared to talk about important things, because he knew he would blow it. He would talk about the butterfly and that would be it.
He had promised Jonathan and Jackie that he would have a normal conversation, no strange things. He had denied his ‘lion ways’ and told them they were also going crazy. He was so convincingly normal that they had started to doubt what they might have seen. He had been his usual self and there was nothing to support the view that he might be a werewolf or lion.

  He so enjoyed talking to Rebecca, but the absence of meaningful conversation was a void between them.

  Rebecca was also afraid to say important things to him. What could she say? I want to be with you, but I know, for a fact, that you will run away into the night, never to return? That there a small little matter of The Darkness that will frighten you, or even harm you? What could she say? What could she offer him or promise him? So she consoled herself with the thought that at least she could enjoy his smile, his laughter and his beautiful blue eyes. He told her a joke and she threw her head back to laugh. Like lightening, he leaned over her, his hand close to her face. She was stunned and realized that a waiter had almost spilled a glass of wine on her. He had tilted the tray and the glass was slipping off when Clayton caught it. It had happened so quickly that she was motionless. The waiter was also shocked that Clay had moved so quickly across the table. For a moment, they were all still, suspended in time. Then Clayton moved back, glass in hand.

  “Sorry, Princess, but you were about to be baptized in wine. Not that I would have minded. You would look quite lovely bathed in wine,” he said softly.

  “Thank you. I would have minded.”

  “Come, we need to go, before your father sends the police after me.”

  When she arose, he did it at last. He lightly placed his hand on her back and a bolt of electricity shock through them. She shivered and he withdrew his hand.