Torren
I takethe time to place a blanket over Jason, even though he’s been a right dick. I can’t believe he’s a witch. Not that I’d recognise a witch if I saw one, obviously. I stare at the witch lying there on the bed for several minutes before turning on my heel and leaving the room. I close the door, careful not to make a sound. Just as I turn around, I run into Remmie; he looks like he’s seen a ghost or something.
“You good?” I ask.
“Just checking on Areyna.” His voice is hesitant, letting me know something is up without him having to say the words.
“Just say it Rem, I can see something’s bothering you.” I let out a small laugh, “Besides the obvious.”
“It’s hard to explain.” He says leaning his back on the wall beside Jason’s room. “When I’m around Areyna, I feel things I’ve never felt before.” His cheeks go red and I laugh again, “You’re falling for her.”
“Maybe, but it's more than that. When I’m near her, I can look into her eyes, everything is so real. Like my life without her will mean nothing.”
He’s getting too close to how I myself feel, so I change the subject, “We should check on her.” Together we move down the hall. I cock my head to the side; sure I can hear something odd in the house. “Do you hear that?” We both pause to listen.
“Sounds like something scraping against glass.” Remmie’s whisper is barely audible.
“Could be trees.” I say taking another step.
“I’m not so sure.” Remmie hisses, turning the handle on Areyna’s bedroom door.
Both of us freeze in the doorway, staring at the figure scratching at the window across the room. You’d think being supernaturals we’d be hard to shock, but I sure as hell am shocked right now. I take my eyes off the man for a split second to check on my girl; she’s still passed out, her beautiful heart shaped face relaxed.
“Richard?” Remmie questions, a look of complete shock that I’m sure mirrors my own.
TWELVE
Richard
I spin around, ready for a fight, but the two of them just stand there staring at me like they’ve seen a ghost. I can’t really blame them; I did fake my death after all. My cover is blown but what worries me more is the fact that I can’t get out of the house. I’ve been trying every fucking door and window for the last ten minutes and I’m still trapped.
Thinking quickly, I blurt out, “Well my cover is blown. Guess we had better all gather downstairs so I can explain.”
“You’re a vampire.” Remington says watching me cautiously.
“I am.” I state simply.
“How did you make yourself smell and appear human?” Remington, ever the analytical, asks. At least I can count on the fool to be that predictable.
“Hired a witch.” I say truthfully as I cross the room, slip between them and squeeze out the door. “Are you coming or not?” I throw the words over my shoulder, not even bothering to look back. I need a few more minutes to come up with a story they’ll believe. I need to get out of this house and back to the council before my idiot father does something stupid, like send in the troops. Wouldn’t be the first time he’s overreacted to a situation.
“Are the vampire goons outside your men?” Remington asks just as I walk into the kitchen.
I turn to face him, prop my hip against the counter and fold my arms across my chest. “Nope.” I say simply. I’m being truthful, they aren’t my men, and if they aren’t mine, then there’s only two reasons they could be here. Either my father sent in the cavalry already or there’s a new player in town. Either way, I need to find a way to diffuse this situation and get my little lamb out of here.
“Then you being here, alive, is the least of our worries.” Remington walks over to the window, peering out like he’s searching for something. I follow and do the same. He’s not wrong, there are at least four vampires camped out around the back yard. If there’s four there, then I can almost guarantee there will be twice as many out the front. I don’t recognise the emblem on their armoured vests though. It’s an odd symbol with a circle and what looks to be an infinity symbol cutting diagonally through the centre. It’s vaguely familiar, but I can’t place it.
My phone buzzes in my hand, but I ignore it. There’s only one person it could be and I can’t risk checking it now with these idiots around.
“Either of you recognise the emblem?” I ask, turning around just in time to see Derrin’s fist flying towards my face. I duck at the last second and grab his wrist, spinning him in my grasp until his arm is pinned behind his back. I push on the limb so he’s forced to bend over the counter separating us from the others. “I’m not here to do anyone any harm. I said I’d explain, but right now we have more pressing issues to deal with.” I grit out through my teeth before nodding my head towards the window for emphasis.
“If you mean us no harm then let Derrin go.” Remington states as though letting go of my leverage over them all makes perfect sense. As far as I’m concerned, the three boys in this room are my enemy, but I do need them so I can get the fuck out of here. With my cover blown, the second this barrier is down, I’ll have to take Areyna and go. With that plan in mind, I release Derrin, giving him a shove towards the others before leaning back against the sink as though I don’t have a care in the world.
I watch warily as the three boys gather themselves and turn to glare at me. “What? You’ve never seen an undercover operative before?” I ask with a smirk painted on my lips.
“Undercover my ass, you were dead. I saw it with my own eyes!” The sound of Jason’s voice rattles me enough for my smirk to drop, but I don’t show any other outward signs of being rattled. Jason looks worse than I thought he’d look. His hair is a mess, his clothes rumpled as though he hasn’t changed in days and the bags beneath his eyes are so dark they look like someone has punched him several times. I shake my head and answer him directly, “Not dead. This is a bit of a secret, but full bloods like myself are capable of lowering our heart rates to less than one beat per minute. It was actually pretty lucky you all ran off after Areyna or I wouldn’t have been able to fake my death the way I did.”
“You set her up to take the fall for your faked death! How fucking dare you stand there so callously when she’s breaking apart!” Jason’s shouts have no effect on my mood, he’s simply getting it all off his chest, but I don’t have time for theatrics right now. I need to get out of this house. “Which one of you idiotic hybrids thought it’d be a great idea to lock us all in the house and where did you learn such magics?” I ask to distract them as my phone buzzes again.