Gabriel POV
I will never open my big mouth again. My big mouth is the reason I was inside this death trap with a maniacal driver. When Sang said that Raven was a driver who could outdo the Academy, I was relieved until he started driving. Almost immediately, he pushed onto the gas, making me, Luke, North, and Silas jerk in our seats. Thank God that I decided to put my seatbelt on. North unfortunately didn't have enough time to buckle himself when he was thrown into the car door. Raven kept swerving side to side. That happened for a while as North yelled at Raven, but his face turned pale and clapped a hand over his mouth. Silas had grabbed an empty garbage bag and held it under North's mouth in time when whatever he ate last night resurfaced.
At first it was fine because our seatbelts caught us until he got bored and started to drive on the uneven terrain. I swear that my butt came off my seat every time Raven ran over a bump. Luke who was sandwiched between me and Silas had grabbed onto us to stabilize himself while Silas groaned when his head smacked the roof.
I groaned. My insides feel as if they went through a blender. A glance at the others told me that they were feeling the same. At least, North had the 'oh shit' handle to grab onto. We in the back had to grab onto each other or the seatbelts.
"You look bad," Raven said as he looked at us. I wanted to glare at him but groaned when I was thrown back into the air before thumping back onto the seat. I heard Raven murmur and I opened my eyes to see him talking into his phone. He hung up and smiled. "We'll be stopping ahead."
I smiled in relief. When the car finally stopped, I unclipped my seatbelt before opening the door. Unfortunately, my legs felt like rubber and I fell to the ground. Luke must have felt the same because he collapse onto me. Several grunts on the other side of the car told me that North and Silas had fallen to the ground.
My stomach heaved and I saw a bush not far away. Crawling fast, I made it in time to throw up behind the bush. As my stomach rumbled, a hand started to rub circles on my back, soothing me. Once I stopped heaving, I looked up to see Sang looking at me with a pitying look and a bottle of water.
Sang POV (few minutes earlier)
I stared at him. My heart wanted me to say yes but my brain told me that not only was it dangerous to be around me but also that I am not good for them. I pushed aside my feelings. "All of you? All nine of you are interested in me?"
Mr. Blackbourne nodded. His eyes seemed to beg for me to say yes. "Yes, all of us. I've lived with them for most of my life. I can tell that they are interested in you."
I pulled my face away, dislodging his hand from my face. Ignoring the flash of hurt that passed in his eyes, I spoke. "The nine of you have never interacted with a girl who didn't want anything from you before me. Once we get to the phoenix, you'll change your mind about being with me." I tried to give him a hopeful smile but I knew it appeared a bit bitter. "Why share when you all can have your own girl?"
Before he could say anything, a knock on the door made us jump. Calming my heart, I looked out my door window to see Marc trying to peek through the tinted windows. I opened the door, ignoring both Marc and Mr. Blackbourne's questioning gaze.
Marc glanced at the back seat after I shut the door. "Hey, are you okay?"
I nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine."
I sighed. I needed to control my emotions so they can't see them. I got to close my emotions from my face. If Mr. Blackbourne noticed that I could come to love them after knowing me only for a few days, what else would he see?
I sighed, looking up at Marc's frown. "I'm just on the edge and tired."
Marc nodded, seeming to let my odd behavior go. He cam up to me and pulled me into his arms. The scent of pine and cinnamon surrounded me. "Everything will be okay, Sang. We will keep them safe."
At that moment, a loud groan seemed to disregard his statement. I looked over to see the four Prime who had ridden in Raven's vehicle collapse to the ground. Gabriel started scampering for a nearby bush before the sounds of his misery filled the air.
Stepping away from Marc, I opened Axel's vehicle trunk and pulled out four bottles of water. As I walked towards the Prime, Kayli came by me. Her eyes looked towards my car in concern. "How is Corey?"
I smiled. "He's sleeping but he's doing well. Sean is there if he needs him."
Kayli nodded. I could tell she was hesitant so I touched her arm to get her attention. "Hey, he'll be fine, but I think that he'll be better if you're near him."
A smile came over her face after she gave a sigh of relief. "Okay."
As I started to walk away, Kayli spoke, stopping me. "Hey, Sang? Thanks for being there for me and the others."
I smiled, shrugging a shoulder. "What are friends for? Now go to him."
I glared at Raven who was following Kayli. He had an innocent look on his face.
"my khotim ikh zhivymi," I pointed at the Prime who were groaning. [We want them alive]
He blinked with big eyes. "oni yest'." [They are.]
I pressed my lips together to prevent me from smiling. "Khorosho. YA ne khochu, chtoby ikh rvalo posle vykhoda iz mashiny." [Fine. I don't want them puking after getting out of your car.]
He pouted. "you take all my fun, luna."
I smiled. "I'll make it up at the shooting range. You better get ready for a beating."
He brightened before being hurrying towards Kayli and Corey. Rolling my eyes, I handed out the bottles to the Prime who weakly thanked me before walking over to the Prime who was still in the bush. I knelt beside him, rubbing his book and murmuring that it'll pass. Once he seemed to regain his stomach, he looked at me with a pitiful look. "Please, don't let me ride with him anymore."
I sighed. "We're almost there."
Gabriel seemed to turn green at the thought of driving with Raven again. I spoke, wanting to get his mind away from his. "So what tattoo do you want?"
Gabriel sat up. "I really don't know. I just want one. Probably one with an inspirational quote with flowers or tribal markings. Why?"
I smiled at him. "When you decide what you want, I can design it and tattoo you."
His brown eyebrows went up in surprise. "You tattoo?"
I nodded. "Yep. I did some of Raven's tattoos." I looked into his blue eyes, seeing his mind churning. "If you don't feel comfortable with me, Raven can do it. He did mine."
His mouth popped open. "You have tattoos?"
I smirked. "Yep. I can't really show you them now since we're on the move, but once everything calms down, I can show you."
Curiosity and interest shined in his crystal eyes. He unconsciously touched his pierced ears. "I'm wondering if I can draw up my own tattoo."
I nudged him with my shoulder. I didn't like the uncertain look on his face. It seemed odd on him. "Sure. Just make sure you like the tattoo because it's permanent."
He chuckled, still fingering his ears. I looked at the three black hoops and orange studs. "Are they your mementos?"
He nodded. "They are a one of my mementos. These earring belonged to my mom before she died." He chuckled as he looked at his memories. "She bought these when I was three. There were originally four of the black hoops but I had lost one of them in the move. I remember playing with them and not letting them go when she had to leave. She laughed, saying that she'll get them back from me when she came back. That was the last time I saw her. " He sniffed. "I- she was in an accident. The building had collapsed on her, and they never found her body in the wreckage."
I hooked my arm around his shoulders and hugged him. He didn't move but I could tell he was thankful for the comfort. "Then, I am thankful that I was able to pierce your ears."
He chuckled. "Thanks."
Footsteps came behind us, and I looked around my shoulder to see Axel. He seemed to be awkward yet respectful of what was happening with me and Gabriel. He stared at me with his dark eyes. "Sang, I need to talk to you."
I frowned, standing up. Gabriel stood up next to me, and with a squeeze to my arm, he left to walk to Mr. Blackbourne and Sean who were standing over the three pale Prime. I directed my attention back to Axel. "What happened?"
He held out a file. Frowning at him, I took the unfamiliar file and walked towards his vehicle which was clear of any Prime. Opening it, I read the information and sucked in a breath. I looked at Axel with astonishment. "Why didn't I see it?"
He shook his head. His black hair swishing with the motion. "I didn't see it either until I remembered this mission. I had forgotten it."
I frowned, looking at him. "The Phoenix is going to have a surprise."
He nodded. "I know. I just don't know if they are ready for the surprise."
I looked at the Prime. "They'll have to be because they've been searching for him for years."
A/N: Update!! How did you like it? What do you think Axel and Sang are talking about?