Chapter 8 Deception- Book One

• Back at the school I saw Galen roaming and looking for us. He looked fit to be tied as the saying goes. I took a deep breath as he noticed us walking across the field and began to walk our direction.
• “Well, I guess we will see you two tomorrow,” I said to Sara and Amanda.
• “Yeah, see you tomorrow.”
• Kieran and I walked to meet up with Galen. “Galen, I am sorry, I had Kieran with me for protection,” I said as we approached him.
• “Where did you all go?” He demanded.
• “I was concerned about Jason. He wasn't in school today and wanted to make sure nothing bad had happened to him, we just found out he is out of town. His mother in Washington is pretty sick according to his dad, so he is with his mom.” I saw Galen's expression soften.
• “I am sorry to hear. But you need to let me know anytime you decide to venture out like this. It is too dangerous.” He led us towards his car.
• “I will I promise.”
• As we pulled in and near the front door Galen spoke to Kieran, “Can you give us a bit of time alone Kier?”
• She looked towards me, and I smiled it was okay, and she opened the car door, “You be nice Galen. I will just be inside.” She warned him smiling.
• She left, and Galen shut the motor off and got out and went around the car and opened my door.
• “Come with me; I need to show you something.” He said helping me out of the car.
• As we walked side by side, he took hold of my hand and held it as we headed to where he wanted to take me. It seemed to have taken and hour to walk when I asked. “Where are we going?”
• “You will see soon enough.” As he said this, the small canyon came into view.
• “We are heading to the gateway,” I said as I recognized the canyon.
• “There is something there I want to show you.” He said helping me down the tricky path down into the canyon. It was windy today, and my long red hair kept blowing in my face, so I was glad for Galen's help at this point.
• As we got down to the bottom, I reached up and put my hair into a scrunchy I had around my wrist and out of my way. Then Galen smiled at my messy bun attempt and took my hand in his as we walked towards the entrance to where the gateway is. As we walked in, he began to walk up the stairs, and I just stood there puzzled.
• He turned and looked back at me, “It's alright, you are with me. Come on.” He said reaching his hand towards me to take. I took his hand and let him lead me. We got to the gateway at the top of the stairs, and to me, it looked like a mirror behind some green hanging vines growing out from between the stones on the walls.
• “Is our world the only one with gateways?” I asked studying the gateway.
• “No, Rayna you need to understand.... our worlds are in different dimensions, not in outer space as many believe.”
• Okay, that was news to me I was thinking the other with flying saucers and all. I kept that thought to myself and just nodded in understanding.
• “So how many worlds and dimensions are there?”
• “There are Many. Each world has about three to four gateways a piece and so well hidden that only those who are from the other dimensions know where they are located.”
• This was all interesting to me. And to think I am one of those who get to see these beautiful places.
• “Come on.” He reached for my hand again and began to walk through the mirror, pulling me in with him. Suddenly we were in another cave that looked like the cave we just left. Still holding my hand, he helped me down the stairs and out the entrance to an unbelievable sight. Galen heard my breath intake of awe and smiled.
• “Really something huh?” Turning to look at me he said smiling, “Welcome to your world Princess.”
• It looked so magical and dream like; so completely unreal. The sky was a lavender as Kieran said, and there were the two suns in the sky. The grass was a bluish color. The tall trees were just about all different colors and so wondrously tall.
• “Wow, this is where I am from?”
• Galen pulled me closer to him and kissed the top of my head.
• “This is the home you and your family reign over.” He said resting his head on top of mine. My arms slowly went around his waist, and I just stood there in complete awe. “Rayna, you need to understand how important you are. If the union of the two worlds never happen, then Kaihu wins and will destroy all this beauty of both worlds, just like the beauty is now gone and the darkness covers Kaihu. We can't let that happen, Rayna. The union must take place.”
• I pulled away gently to look around at all the splendor of my home world and shook my head. I am beginning to understand the urgency of this union...but what is my part in all this? I looked up again at Galen and found him studying me and my reaction. When he noticed the sadness in my eyes, he reached up and touched my face then bent down to kiss my lips softly and gently.
• “The union must take place, Rayna.” He said breathlessly before deepening the kiss.
• Back on earth and back in my room in bed at the Weston's. I have so much to think about. I am still having a problem understanding the union thing and what my part is in this whole thing, but after seeing my home world and the beauty of it, I cannot let Kaihu take it over and destroy it. It is my world, and I need to protect it. Then the image of Galen's face crossed my thoughts and the memory of his kiss on my lips. I reached up and touched my lips softly with my fingertips. What was happening? My heart beats faster, and I can't stop thinking about him. Am I falling in love?
• I sat straight up as that thought crossed my mind and my breath became heavy as I placed my hands on my face at the new knowledge... “I am in love,” I whispered to myself. “I am in love with Galen Wes…ton...” I said the last name slowly as a strange memory came to my thoughts. It was when we rescued my mother, and we teleported the first time. Something I remembered that did sound off to me was when Galen said... 'Rayna, I need you to focus and take us back to the Weston's cabin.'
• Not our cabin or my family's cabin...but he addressed it as the Weston's cabin. How odd for someone a part of the family to say. And where was it I teleported us to the first time when I did think of Galen's home?! So many questions running through my mind and Galen holds the answer.
• The morning came, and I barely got any sleep. I was determined to get answers today. I showered and dressed and walked out to find my mom cooking an excellent breakfast for everyone.
• “You are up early sweetie.” She said as she saw me walk in.
• “Yeah, I couldn't sleep. I have a lot on my mind.” I sat on a stool at the breakfast bar.
• “I am sorry you couldn't sleep. Do you want to talk about it?”
• I shook my head and said, “No I can figure it out. Say is that coffee I smell?”
• My mom smiled, “Since when do you drink coffee?”
• “Since now I suppose.” I got up and grabbed a mug and poured a cup. I put a spoon of sugar and a little cream in it and took a sip. “Not bad,” I said as I sat back down on the stool. My mom took a sip of her coffee before opening the oven to check the cinnamon rolls.
• “So, this must be some serious problem for you to take up drinking coffee?!” She said while frosting a cinnamon roll that she took out of the oven, placed it on a small plate and set it down in front of me. Boy, I missed these homemade cinnamon rolls of hers. It makes me happy having her here safe with us.
• “Wow, this is great, mom,” I said as I took a small, careful bite as not to burn my mouth. The savory flavor bursting in my mouth. I took another sip of coffee as Galen walked into the kitchen.
• “Mmm, what is that wonderful smell?” He asked as he kissed my cheek. Did I notice a smile on my mom’s lips as she turned away from seeing Galen's show of affection towards me? When she turned around, she had a plate with a couple of cinnamon rolls and set it down in front of Galen as he sat next to me. “Thank you, smells wonderful.” He turned and noticed my mug of coffee. “Since when do you drink coffee?” He asked me.
• “It seems since today. She had a rough night last night.” My mom answered for me.
• “You had a rough night?” Galen asked and studied my face. “You do have dark circles under your beautiful eyes today. It wasn't from what we talked about yesterday was it?”
• If he wasn't a Weston for some reason, the family accepted him and so has my mother. But then who is he and what does he have to do with any of this? And why does he have to be so nice?
• “It has something to do with it.” I looked at him, “Can we talk later? I have some questions that only you can answer.” I saw his expression change to puzzlement as he answered.
• “Yeah, whenever you want.” Then he turned towards my mom. “Your Majesty these are excellent. Thank you.”
• She smiled s she said, “You are welcome, and please call me Shannon.”
• “Yes mom, thank you.” Then I turned to Galen, “Can we go talk now please?” I needed to talk to him before I lost my nerve.
• He took the last bite before answering. “Yeah, I am ready.” also before leaving he took a large sip of my coffee, then frowned. “You put too much sugar.” He smiled then took my hand, and we walked over and grabbed our jackets and went out the door.
• He looked to me when we got outside. “Where is it that you would like to talk?”
• “The Cave.” I don't know why I said the cave, but once I said it felt right to speak with him there.
• “Okay then let’s go.” he said as he took my hand to hold.
• It was another windy day, and today I was prepared with braiding my hair. Galen kept holding my hand all the way to the cave. I did feel safe being with him and no matter his answers… If he answers, I need to take in account everyone accepts him. I just feel secrets are being kept from me and I want to know what and why?
• Once inside the cave, I went over and sat on the lush green soft grass. Galen sat down next to me and gently turned my head to look at him. Once I did he spoke, “Okay now, what is bothering you?”
• “When we rescued my mother and I was in such pain my only thought at that moment was to teleport us to your home. Those are the words I used.” Taking a breath, I continued, “But we didn't end up at the cabin. It looked like Valaisha.” I watched for his reaction, and he just nodded softly. “Then I remembered your words. The Weston's are not your family, are they?” There I said it, and he just looked at me. He suddenly sighed real deep and took both my hands in his.
• “I am from Cainya, your sister world. I am not related to the Weston's, but they are great friends of my family.”
• “Why not tell me this from the start? Why all the deception? I can't help but feel there are many more secrets kept from me.”
• He grabbed me in his arms to calm me down. “Rayna, my sweet girl, take it easy. You need to understand it was for your protection. The less you know, the safer it will be. Just trust us. When all is over, and the union takes place, then you will understand. I wish I could tell you.” He said the last while pulling me away to look in my eyes. “I promise you there is no deception here and what you and I feel for each other is real.” He lifted my head with a finger under my chin and kissed me tenderly. “I know you feel it, Rayna, I know you do.”
• “Yes...” I whispered as he deepened the kiss, laying me gently down on the grass.
• We stayed in the cave for a long time holding each other and kissing and talking, mostly talking. It seems he has decent morals and is a perfect gentleman, behaving himself completely. I admired him for that, but the more we talked and held each other the deeper my heart fell for him. I am falling so in love. That my heartbeats only for him.
• We walked through the door of the cabin laughing and holding hands. Everyone turned to look at us. Kieran was sitting reading a book and put it down as we walked in. Mom and Luziann were sitting near the fireplace with mugs in their hands talking, and they too turned to look at us. Bryden was working on a hobby of his with wood and turned in our direction. Galen turned towards me and kissed me on my lips saying, “I will see you later. I have errands to run.”
• He then turned towards the others, “I will see you all later.” And he was gone out the door.
• I took my jacket off and hung it on the rack then mumbled, “I have homework to catch up on.” And went quickly to my room. I couldn't face the looks and possible questions.