Disguised Vengeance

Chapter 15

Another update :) I write better and FASTER with motivation and support. Yes. Yes. You got it. I am hinting at you to vote and leave a comment! Who? YOU! yes, you! No no, don't turn around and look behind you. I am talking to YOU :) 

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“Wake up, sleeping beauty.”

Tugging the woollen blanket over her head to muffle the sound of Jase’s voice, Catherine curled into a ball with her back toward the young man who stood at the far end of the mattress.

“Wake up, sleeping beauty,” Jase repeated. He was greeted by an incoherent mumble and a flying pillow aimed directly for his head. With quick reflexes, Jase ducked and the pillow whizzed overtop before thumping against the drawn curtains. Calla had warned him about her sister’s early morning grumpiness and pillow-throwing tendencies. As he braced himself for another pillow, Jase understood why Calla had sent him to rouse Catherine from her peaceful slumber instead of coming to their room herself.

Since last night, when Jase had risked his life to save Catherine from drowning in the whirlpool, Calla had warmed toward him. Jase felt his stomach clench in guilt as he recalled Calla’s grateful embrace and tear-streaked smile upon finding her sister breathing and well after yet another close brush with danger. The guilt spread, travelling from the tightness in his chest to leave a bitter taste in his mouth, as Calla’s apology rang loud and clear in his ears. She had requested his forgiveness for accusing him of having ulterior motives for watching over Catherine.

You are right in being suspicious of my actions. Your previous accusations are truer that you can imagine. Don’t trust me. Don’t trust me with her, Calla, Jase thought as he trained his eyes on Catherine’s back, watching it rise and fall rhythmically.

Keeping the dark thoughts in the hidden recess of his mind, Jase took a deep breath to clear his head before drawing open the musty green curtains of Lord Jepson’s guest room. Catherine jolted upright in her bed at the sudden ray of sunshine, banging her forehead against the wooden beam of the simple four poster bed.

“Ouch,” she complained, rubbing her temple with the pad of her thumb while glaring grudgingly at the wooden beam that was responsible.

“Rise and shine, sleeping beauty,” Jase purred, crossing his arms over his muscular chest and grinning at her grogginess.

“I am fully aware that I am a rare beauty. You don’t have to remind me every five seconds,” Catherine turned her grudging glare on a smirking Jase. She hated being woken up in the morning.

“There better be a spectacular reason for rousing me,” she continued, stifling a yawn. Her curly brown hair was tousled from sleep and framed her face like a lion’s mane, making her appear younger and even more petite.

“There’s a fire,” Jase replied with a straight-face.

“Your pants are on fire, Sir Liar,” Catherine retorted, rising from her bed and walking toward her dresser. She ran a comb through her tangled hair, sighing in frustration when yet another tooth broke off from the wooden comb and bounced against the surface of the dresser; there were only three remaining teeth that had survived the attack of her hair thus far. Tossing it aside, she resorted to using her fingers as a comb. “Well? Where’s my spectacular reason?”

“You have visitors. They are waiting in the dining area,” Jace informed her, abandoning all jokes and pretence. “I’ll be waiting for you outside your room.”

“I don’t need an escort to the stairs-,” Catherine teased but trailed off uncertainly at the grim look on Jase’s face. “Who is it?”

Jase made a face at her, crossing his eyes and sticking his tongue out. “Get dressed. I’ll tell you once you’re done.”