Dedicating this story to Slim Shady because she gave me Reece Carter to fantasize about.
And I am so sorry about the long wait....I went through a hard time and I couldn't write for the longest time. But things are finally starting to turn around and look up and I've started to heal thanks to my frinds and family. For those of you who stuck with me through this thank you and sorry to those I disappointed. And welcome new comers! Let's finish us a book shall we?
Jericho's words were still ringing in my ears even long after I had retired to my chambers. His story had hit me square in the chest and yet, even as he grew farther and farther into the story, I couldn't help but realize the lack of emotion he felt towards the subject. He had gone into deep thought for most of the story and yet his expressions had betrayed nothing.
I couldn't help but compare this Jericho to the young teen he had once been when I had first brought him home to meet father. I hadn't known his past story then like I do now but he had been nothing but joy and smiles. He had always been charismatic and was still so. But that spark that had resided inside of him had now dimmed to a faint glow.
Ace had somewhat been the same way before I came and yet I had replaced his despair with a shining glow. I don't know what made me want to do this but I had this urge to bring back Rico's glow as well. Maybe I could help him realize that death and terror wasn't the way that we had to live anymore.
Sitting up in my bed I glanced at the clock laying on my nightstand: 7:20.
I still had a little over an hour before I needed to join Rico and the kids in the training arena. Flipping over onto my tummy I laid my head down on the pillow and let my thoughts wander over to Ace. I closed my eyes and let my mind wander over his features.
I pictured his blonde locks that have a knack for standing up in different directions, his grass green eyes that lit up when his laughed; the way his cheeks flushed red whenever I talked freely about his body. I could almost feel the ripples etched into his abdomen and the hard muscle that ran the length of his body. His deep laughter that caused wrinkles to form around eyes made me bite lip and burry my head into my pillow.
I had decided long ago that there was no hiding the attaction I felt for my mate. I had fully opened myself to him, and though it had made me happier than I had felt in a long time, I was also mildly disturbed about my continuous attraction to Jericho.
I fianlly decided that I had been in bed long enough and stood up out of bed. Making my way over to the doors to my balcony I pushed the long curtains aside and opened the glass doors, welcoming the cold breeze that caressed my skin.
The coldness reminded me of my first "hunt". Not only had my father been reluctant to let me go but Rico demanded that he come along as well or he was going to side with my father! Even though I'd almost ripped his head off I was glad for his company. We hadn't even ended up hunting anything since Jericho had persisted in distracting me.
That had been the day I had my first kiss with Jericho.
"You are a much quiter soul than Jeremy." The corner of his mouth lifted a bit.
"I'm hungry. I'm tired. Sage, you're walking too fast. Stop walking so fast. My tummy hurts, my feet-" slapped my hand right over his mouth and let out a low chuckle.
"Remind me again why I let you come." He gave out a deep laugh.
"Sage, please. We both know you had no say in this. I just wanted to make sure you didn't hurt yourself your first day." He feigned me a sympathetic look and I shoved him into the tree he was passing by.
"'Hurt yourself' my ass. You just wanted to get out of going over ancient relics with my father." He grabbed my arm and turned me towards him; he narrowed his eyes at me.
"Your safety is one of my top priorities." I glared and him and yanked my arm back. What the hell was that supposed to mean?
"I don't need fucking protecting and I especially don't need it from you. If you want to play hero with someone go tag along with Jer's ass." Turning on my heel I started to walk away from him when he grabbed my arm again and pulled me against the length of his body, his free arm wrapping itself around my waist. I wanted to cut off his bollocks and feed them to him in egg drop soup. I hated it when he over powered me like this. It was no secret that he was stronger than me but when he felt the need to remind me of it I couldn't help but get a little defensive. He was treating me like a pup.
"What's with the hostile attitude, Sage?" I tried shoving against his chest which only led to him wrapping his arm even tighter around me.
"Let me fucking go, Jericho." He was like a brick wall.
"No, tell me what's gotten your panties in a-"
"I'm not a fucking child!" I exploded. "You treat me as if I need someone to keep me out of trouble, as if I'm so weak I can't be let out alone because I might trip and break an ankle. And I hate when you man handle me! It makes me feel powerless..." I let it all out in one go and was panting by the end. I looked up to meet his eyes but it was the tightening in his jaw that gave away his anger.
He let go of my waist only to grab the backs of my thighs and lift me up as he slammed my back into a tree a few inches behind us. I let out a low growl as my head ricocheted off the trunk of the tree. Jericho pressed his body up against mine and a pang of lust shot through my body. I sucked in a quick breath but met his gaze - daring him to kiss me.
"Forcing yourself on me now are ya, Rico? Afraid you can't willingly get me in your bed?" He was so close I could feel his breath fanning across my cheek. He let out a deep rumble that shook even my shoulders from our close proximity.
"Trust me, love. If I wanted you there, you would have been there long ago." My mood diminished as did my smirk. The damn bastard.
"Whatever. Get off of me." The corner of his mouth twitched but he backed away from me.
"Tell me, love. Why is it that you will sleep with everyone except me?" Brushing off invisible dirt from my attire I met his cool gaze evenly.
"If by everyone you mean just Jeremy then let's just say Jeremy doesn't man handle me like some bastard I know. Not outside my bed at least." He cocked an eyebrow at me.
"Using your friends as sex slaves are we now?" I shrugged my shoulders.
"It was his idea." I started walking farther into the forest. I had given up on this hunt the moment Jericho and I passed through the gates. Now which way should I-
Jericho stopped me from walking by grabbing my hips with both hands and shoving me back against his rock solid chest. I felt something prodding up against my ass and the corners of my mouth twitched. "What if I told you my idea was to throw you up against that tree right there and screw you like i've wanted to do for months now?" I bit my lip to keep from letting out a moan.
I tilted my head to the side so that I could get a good look at his face. He was smirking down at me, his breath sending shivers down my spine. Pushing my hips back against him I felt him tense; his hands tightened on my hips while he let out a hiss.
"I'd say go right ahead. But if what i'm feeling, or rather what i'm not feeling, I'd say I'll just stick with Jer. Save you the embarrassment.
"You wound me, love." I laughed and turned around in his arms.
"How about this dickwad. Why don't I throw you up against that tree and screw your brains out like I've wanted to do for months you." His hands slowly slid down my waist and moved over my ass, cupping it and pulling me tight against him then let go and stepped back away from me.
"That's not such a good idea." My eyes narrowed as he feigned a look of innocence at me. "Apparently my dick is too small-" Lifting my leg up I kicked him in the chest and he went down with a grunt. Following him down I straddled his waist and smirked.
"I'm sure we'll figure something out."
Bending at the waist I smashed my lips against his and all hell broke loose.
I mentally cursed myself when I came back to reality. This needed to stop now. Remebering these kinds of thing were dangerous and could get me thrown in a ton of trouble. I looked over at the clock and cursed again when I saw that I was late. Where the hell had the time gone?
Finishing up getting dressed I decided to skip breakfast and just head on over to the arena. I took my sweet time however. Looking over in the direction I knew Ace resided a pang of guilt washed over me. There he was being a good boyfriend and leader while I was over here battling my feelings for the enemy.
I found myself starting to miss my mother and my mood soured even more for the reason being that I had yet to find her as well. I had looked everywhere, but a nagging in the back of my head had an idea of where she was. I ignored it because if my hunch was right, and my mother was there, then there was nothing in this world that would stop me from wreaking havoc.
My thoughts were interrupted by a yanking on my shirt. Looking down my gaze locked with a pair of blue eyes. The little girl looked to be about 6 and was staring up at me with wonder in her eyes.
"What are you staring at?"
"I'm looking at the trees." She sucked in a breath only to let out a deafening squeal moments later.
"Can I stare too?!" I gave her a crooked smile and grabbed her hand.
"Tell you what, why don't I walk you to class instead?" He nodded her head vigorously and I couldn't help but let out a laugh at her eagerness.
"I'm Cassie! My sister talks about you a lot." I raised an eyebrow.
"How old is this sister of yours?"
"15. She wants to be just like you." No she doesn't. No one should ever want to be just like me. I was a one big, fat mess. Complicated. That was the word that descried my life.
"Cass! Cassie!" A new voice sounded behind us and we both turned around to see how was upon us.
"Nikki!" I looked from the little to "Nikki" only to realize that her focus was solely on the little girl. She ran up to us and lifted her up into her arms.
"What have I told you about running off like that?! Mother will beat me black and blue were she to ever find this out. And why don't you thank this-" she sucked in a breath when she fianlly shifted her attention over to me and almost dropped Cass. She let out an annoyed grunt as she tried to kick herself away from her sister.
My eyebrows rised in amusement and I smiled down at her. "Is this your sister?" She nodded her head.
"I was just walking your little sister to-"
"CAN I COME TO TOO?!" Both our eyes widened her at sudden outburst and she clamped a hand over her mouth. She looked like she was about to die of embarrassment so I gave her a soft smile and she started to loosen up.
This girl new a lot about me and when I say a lot I mean everything except the last few months I was away. I asked her what she new about my absense and said that Jericho had told her that I was taken captive while trying to return my "traitorous" mother.
She went on to babble on more about something while my thoughts wandered off back to the task at hand. If these people thought my mother was a traitor then I needed to find her as soon as possible. I knew the punishment for traitors and if my mother was going through what I had in mind....I couldn't even.
Just a filler chapter but eh, what the hell right? At least it's up.