Stonehenge Read online

  Stonehenge

  by Lisa Graves

  Stonehenge

  Kindle Edition

  Copyright 2011 by Lisa Weight

  Cover art copyright 2011 by Darren Weight

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from Lisa Weight.

  October 2011

  Kindle Edition, License Notes

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Amazon.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  This book is dedicated to my sister, Alena, and my dreamboat hubby.

  Thanks for encouraging me to write and let you into the world in my head.

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  Prologue

  Looking back on how I came to be here, on how I came to be every-fiber-of-my-being happy, I would have told you that it was impossible. There was no way I could do the things that I’ve done.

  It turns out I was wrong.

  Dead wrong.

  Chapter 1. Waiting

  I leaned up against the rough stone that had been there FOR centuries. My fingers flicked the shimmering dew drops on the grass around me while I waited for him.

  It was another perfect day in paradise, the only thing missing was the most important person in the world. He usually didn’t keep me waiting like this. I was probably just getting spoiled by Elliott doting on me, but he usually projected within minutes of me, not hours.

  I tried not to worry as I flicked another drop of water towards the horizon, aiming at the rising sun. Breathing in the vapory air, I closed my eyes and waited.

  Finally I felt him. Well, actually I felt his energy. Elliott and I were linked in a special way. Not only were we soul mates, but here in Stonehenge, in the most ancient epicenter of energies, we shared one soul.

  Elliott walked over towards me and sat down. The misty air swirled around his motions, making the effect of his being there seem even more magical. His hand touched my back and the sensation was like electricity radiated from him, feeding my soul as it danced on my skin and warmed my heart. The magnetic tingles that emitted when we touched were better than any drug. I never seemed to get used to the utter happiness I felt when I was around him.

  His hand moved up my back, sending happy little shudders up my spine before finally resting on my neck. I smiled as he pulled in his catch, me, for a earth shattering kiss that sang to my soul.

  But there was something missing in his kiss. I could tell that something was wrong.

  “Where have you been?” I asked, making myself pull away from his perfect mouth.

  Elliott’s green eyes shifted ever so slightly, “Nowhere of consequence, mia amore.”

  I didn’t buy it. “Per favore mi dire mio amore (Please tell me, my love).”

  He smiled his gleaming grin and ran his fingers through is dark chocolate hair. I knew he had a hard time resisting me when I spoke Italian. I usually reserved it for when I really wanted something. Elliott on the other hand unleashed it on me all the time. He didn’t play fair. I think he realized he was in no danger of the effect it had on me wearing off.

  He smiled at me, but didn’t answer my question. I wasn’t going to get an answer today, so I lay back onto his lap and contemplated the best way to attack him for answers to something that had been bothering me for months now.

  Elliott was fidgety. Perhaps he sensed me gathering my thoughts for the attack. He tried to casually stroke my short black hair, but as I looked up into his soulful eyes I could see his concern. If I only knew what was bugging him, maybe I could help.

  “Sorry to keep you waiting.” His honey voice purred.

  I tried to give him one of the look-through-you glances he was so good at giving me, but didn’t succeed. Instead, I averted my eyes as though flicking the little specks of water were interesting. I whispered the question I so longed to hear the answer to, “Where do you go when we aren’t together?”

  Silence was his response. I think he was pretending he didn’t hear me as he continued to play with my hair. I pressed on. “Why don’t you want me to know where you go?”

  To this question, he sighed. It wasn’t the resigned, hold up a white flag kind-of sigh I was hoping for though. No, this was a slightly annoyed you keep asking me sort of sigh. I don’t know why it bugged me so much not knowing. Before I figured out how to project, I always figured it was to these other planes Elliott resided when not with me. But now that I had perfected my mental abilities and could project with ease, the question was there. It was there and unanswered.

  “It is not that I don’t want to tell you, mia amore,” he paused. “You just aren’t ready to hear it yet.”

  I looked back into his big green eyes and could see a pleading look. It was my turn to sigh. I trusted Elliott completely, and as much as I hated the mystery, I would try to be patient.

  Elliott motioned for me to sit up and pulled me into his arms. I breathed him in. Heaven couldn’t smell this good. Cupping my face in his hands, Elliott kissed me, nibbling my bottom lip. My eyes closed to enjoy the moment all the more. I was used to memorizing these moments now. It was second nature to do so. My memories when I wasn’t with him scarcely did my senses justice, but they helped me survive until I would see him again. Until I could get my next Elliott fix.

  He must have been looking at my closed eyes and misunderstood the reason for it, for he said, “It’s so late, it’s early, Miele. You should get home.”

  “I don’t want to.” I pulled him closer. We had only enjoyed minutes together, nothing near to the eternity I desired.

  “I know,” he chuckled. “I’ll see you later.” Elliott kissed me once more before vanishing.

  Where did he go?

  Frustrated, I closed my eyes and willed myself back home. Back to my physical body. Back to my room.

  Today, it had been exactly one hundred days since I met Elliott, again. As usual, my window was cracked open. The smells of the season changing were well underway. Most of my neighbors had little backyard gardens on the old-fashioned street I called home. The acidic air of the rotting produce was a sure sign that winter wasn’t far away. I found the scent of the decaying tomatoes and the crisp breeze that carried it around comforting somehow. I wasn’t around much these days and the familiar cycle of nature was particularly grounding this morning. I’d be surprised if I stuck around here for more than an hour.

  But before I could go try to be with Elliott, I had a few necessities to take care of here on the physical plane, unfortunately. Shower, sustenance, and forced socializing were the three main things on my to-do list.

  I had the water turned up hotter than normal today. Probably to compensate for the changes outside. The steam filled the bathroom and my soul. I took a few deep breaths in then I tried to hurry. Forcing the shampoo and conditioner combo through my hair, sudsing my body at breakneck speeds, toweling off, and running my fingers through my spikes until it was somewhat “done” was the quick part of my list. The sustenance and socializing were the time sucks. At least I could do them simultaneously.

  I finished dressing for the day in my usual jeans with tank top and hoodie, and took one more deep breath before going to say good morni
ng to my mother.

  The smell of her coffee met me halfway down the stairs. It was stronger than usual. As I walked into the kitchen, I think I was getting a second hand caffeine buzz from the fumes. And as for my mother, Meredith, she was practically flying around the table.

  “Good, you’re up Lil. I was thinking maybe the three of us would go shopping today.” She was walking, talking, drinking, and cleaning at the same time. It made me want to go back to bed. In all honesty, I hadn’t slept much.

  I looked over at my little sister, Sophie, who was the spitting image of my mom only miniature, though nothing like her personality-wise. They both had the same blonde a-line haircut and blue eyes that matched. But that was where the similarities ended. I gave Sophie a questioning look. She gave me an “I have no idea what’s up” shrug and went back to her pancakes.

  So I was on my own. “Yeah, that sounds like fun mom, but I have plans.” I sat down and dished up the second part of my to-do list, pancake sustenance. “Sorry.” I am pretty sure I didn’t fake disappointed as well as I’d hoped.

  “Lilly, I insist.” She paused long enough to eye me that she meant business. “You are always hiding out in your room or at that morbid cemetery laying around day dreaming. You really need to get out Lilly Bug. I promise, it will do you some good.”

  I took a big bite. “Thanks mom, really. But I’m gonna have to pass.” I took a swig of juice to wash it down and speak more clearly. “Maybe next time.”

  “Lilly Black! You never hang out with Charlotte anymore. You avoid Nicholas whenever possible. You are just alone all the time, living in your head. It’s not healthy.”

  I took another bite. She had no idea how close she was to the truth. Living in my head, yes. Alone? No. And Elliott was crucial to my health, or life rather.

  Sophie just sat sketching in her notebook while I took my verbal parental lecture and zoned out. Meredith kept talking, but I didn’t hear any of it. I was mentally somewhere else. Somewhere with Elliott. I was consumed with thoughts as I force fed myself the remainder of my breakfast. Maybe we would go to Paris today? Or Egypt? It didn’t really matter to me. It wasn’t the where, it was the who with that counted. As I got up to clear my plate, I could see the annoyed look on Meredith’s face. “Sorry mom. I really don’t feel up to it today.” I went upstairs to my room and closed the door behind me.

  I sat on my bed, waiting. I knew my mother well enough to know that she wouldn’t give up so easy. She was sure to try at least one more time, before she would leave and go shopping alone.

  A small part of me felt bad for neglecting my mother, a really small part. I couldn’t help that we were complete opposites when it came to personalities. Besides, I did already had plans, so I tried to find a way to pass the time. I couldn’t leave just yet.

  Flipping through my latest find at the book store, I read about different ways people have hid secret messages. For some reason, I was becoming obsessed with this idea. I’d learned from one of my art history books about hiding secret messages and hidden meanings in paintings, but this book covered the gamut on esoteric things. From secret compartments built into furniture or houses, to codes and symbols used to communicate, I was hooked. I couldn’t get enough.

  Maybe it was because I had my own little secret that learning about others fascinated me so much. Either way, I was taking my secret to the grave.

  I knew no one would understand. Who could? How do you explain that your boyfriend is in another dimension? That the only way you can be together is by astrally projecting your soul onto another plane. That he loves you so much that he searched until he found you almost three hundred years after you first met. It was a bit surreal. And stranger than any book I could find in the bookstore. People couldn’t make up the stuff that was the reality of my life.

  There was a knock on my door as the handle twisted open. “Are you sure you don’t want to come shopping with me and Sophie? I’m buying?” She gave a forced enthusiastic smile. She already knew the answer, but purposely pulled at straws.

  I looked up from my book, bit my lip, and shook my head no. “Sorry mom. It’s just not my thing. Have fun.”

  Her shoulders dropped so far down in disappointment that her blonde a-line haircut looked a lot shorter. And again I felt bad, but not for long.

  I heard the front door open and close. The lock clicked into place and I knew I was free! I would be with Elliott soon. I lay back on my bed, closed my eyes, and started to relax and project when my bedroom door flew open.

  I shot up. My heart beat was going about a mile a minute. Then I saw who it was.

  “How’s it going, hoe?”

  Urgh! “What are you doing here?” My arms flew up. “How did you get in?”

  “That’s not very hospitable of you, Lil. What crawled up your butt?”

  Nicholas didn’t answer my question. It didn’t take me long to connect the dots. I thought Meredith had given up a little too easy. She hadn’t given up at all, she had just gone to plan B. “My mom let you in!” I accused.

  He tried to hide his eyes behind his shaggy blond hair, but I knew I was right.

  “Lil,” he whispered, “I miss you. Why are you always avoiding me?”

  I gave him as dirty a look as I could muster. We had been through this countless times now. Yet he always insisted on revisiting this argument. It was like he enjoyed the pain. He had to know how much I hated hurting him. Why did he make me do it?

  “Because you have a difficult time remembering that we aren’t dating. Never have,” I emphasized. “That’s why.”

  Nicholas smiled. “That’s not entirely true,” he winked.

  I rolled my eyes back trying to figure out what he meant. “Yes. I am quite certain it is.” I bit my lip and shrugged my shoulders. Nicholas came and sat next to me.

  “Nope,” he scooted closer. “We went on a date once. I seem to recall you were even breathless. I have some mad skills if I do say so myself.” He playfully made a growling sound.

  “Oh, I remember now. But the breathless part was me nearly drowning in that stupid waterfall.”

  “We kissed.”

  “It’s called CPR.”

  “Our lips were touching.” He kept inching closer to me.

  “It’s funny how people can look back at a situation and remember completely different things.”

  “I’m happy to refresh your memory.” He cupped his hand at the base of my neck and went in for a kiss. He was too close for me to successfully dodge his advances. I’d get my mom for this.

  I could feel his lips find purchase on mine. But there was nothing. No spark. I felt nothing. That didn’t stop Nicholas from trying to persuade me into joining in. He kissed and pecked for a good thirty seconds before he finally gave up and let go.

  “Are you done! I have a boyfriend! What is your problem Nitch-o-las?” My eyes were shooting lasers his direction.

  “Lilly,” he paused. “Don’t you think it’s time you gave up on this imaginary boyfriend thing? I’m a real one, ready and waiting.” Nicholas then gave me his mock seductive look.

  All I could do was sigh and shake my head. Why did I have to tell Nicholas about Elliott? Looking back, I really shouldn’t have. Too bad I couldn’t change that fact now. I looked at him, then the door. “Please go.”

  He looked me up and down, trying to access if I meant it. I didn’t even look him in the eyes. He got up and walked towards the window, his usual mode of getting in. Turning back to me as he climbed out he said, “I love you, Lil. Always.”

  A frustrated sigh escaped my lungs as I fell back onto my pillow. There was no way I was going to relax quickly now. What was I going to tell Elliott when I saw him? That my own mother had staged an ambush on me with Nicholas. And I really didn’t want to tell him about the kiss. I knew I’d have to. I felt dirty even though I didn’t do anything wrong. I’m sure it would show. Elliott could read me better than anyone.

  A walk would probably help me calm down. It used to be my a
ce-in-the-hole when I had trouble sleeping. Of course usually they took place in the calming dark of night, but what the heck. I zipped up my security-blanket grey hoodie and slipped on my flip flops as I went out the door. At least my hoodie wasn’t so out of place when the weather was cooler.

  Walking towards my meadow, I passed my neighbor Gwen weeding her front flower bed. She looked up as I passed and gave me a weak “Hello,” and I gave a weak wave back. She still thought I was crazy from the last time I was there with Charlotte. That was when I was still under the impression Elliott lived there. That was before I knew the truth. That was before my eyes were opened to Elliott, our past, and the endless possibilities latent in all of us. Thinking on that note, I started to feel better and walked faster towards the hidden path in the trees.

  Once in the shadows, I slowed down. I loved this place. No one judged me here. The earth wasn’t calling me crazy. Nope. Rather it felt as though mother nature was cradling me in her arms. Listening to nature, hearing the crunch of the leaves and branches beneath my feet, the scurry of the field mice and the chattering of the birds in the trees overhead really made me feel connected again. My fight with Nicholas was a distant memory to this moment.

  I didn’t stop until I was tucked safely within the shelter of the cove I could easily call home. I was here so much it practically was home, minus the plumbing. I lay on my back and looked up at the light trying to break free of the dense cover of leaves overhead. The smell of lavender was strong today. The little rays of sunshine that made it through the fight down were sprinkled on the ground around me. I held my hand up to admire my ring before I closed my eyes and went far far away.

  The falling sensation had become second nature to me in the past three months. I welcomed it with a smile before opening my eyes to the ancient rocks that were now around me. Stonehenge had become our unofficial meeting place whenever I could get away. And somehow he always knew when I was here, for Elliott would show up minutes after me, usually.

  I looked around at the shimmering sight. The massive stone structures of Stonehenge always held a certain awe for me each time I saw them. There was something truly majestic about this most sacred of places. The suns rays kissed everything here like a mother kissing her child. This place was special.