I refused to let my emotions betray me.
When the sun began to set, Jared’s head hadn’t moved.
“Jared, it’s getting dark. We should go,” I said, running my fingers through his hair.
After a few minutes, he stood up and slowly walked to the other side of the SUV, in no hurry to get back to town.
“I’m taking you to Brown,” Jared said, pulling away from Eli’s warehouse. “We’ll get the rest of your things, I’ll get you a dresser, make you some closet space….”
“Jared…no.”
His eyes darted to mine. “Nina, I’m sorry but this isn’t up for negotiation. I have to fix this, and then you can go back to Andrews.”
I kept my voice calm. “I’m not going to hide, Jared.”
Despite my quiet tone, Jared became increasingly angry. “I realize you haven’t a clue with what we’re dealing with here, but I’m telling you now: You’re packing, and you’re coming home with me. I don’t know for how long.”
I shook my head slowly.
His jaws tensed. “Nina, don’t be stubborn. Please trust me.”
“I do trust you. That’s why I’m not going to hide,” I said again.
He jerked the Escalade onto the shoulder of the road and shoved the gear in park. “I’m not asking, Nina. I am telling you. It’s that serious.”
I narrowed my eyes at him and he sighed, hitting his steering wheel with the heel of his hand.
“Don’t do this to me! It’s bad enough knowing I’ve put you in this situation without you refusing to let me keep you safe!”
“Jack didn’t want you to tell me the truth because he didn’t want this. He didn’t want me to live in fear or in hiding. If you lock me up you’re giving them what they want.”
His knuckles were white as they gripped the steering wheel. “What makes you think you know what they want?” His voice was low and deliberate.
“Because Jack wanted the opposite,” I whispered.
Jared stared at me, considering my words. “Jack wanted you safe. These things don’t show mercy, Nina. They don’t care that you’re an innocent teenage girl.”
I swallowed. “Eli said we were only dealing with humans for now. Let’s concentrate on that.”
Jared thought for a moment and relaxed a bit. “Okay. We’ll do this your way. While we’re still dealing with humans, you can stay at Andrews. The second Shax calls out even a fraction of one of his legions, you’re coming with me. And I don’t want to hear a single word about it.”
I nodded. “Fair enough.” I pulled my arms around me, bracing myself. My curiosity outweighed my need to remain oblivious. “What are Legions?”
Jared grimaced, obviously wishing I hadn’t asked. “Shax has thirty legions under his command. Don’t ask me how many demons that is. You don’t want to know.”
I nodded again, swallowing the bile rising in my throat.
“Nina?” Jared asked, feeling my forehead.
“I don’t feel well,” I said, reaching for the door handle.
I ran to the grass, hearing both car doors shut simultaneously. As soon as my feet touched the soil, Jared was beside me, pulling my hair away from my face. It didn’t take long for the dry heaving to commence; I hadn’t eaten anything since breakfast.
After my stomach relaxed and the gagging ceased, Jared lifted me into his arms and returned me to my seat.
“I’m taking you to the loft,” he warned, putting the gear in drive.
I was too exhausted and sick to argue.
Jared carried me up the two flights of stairs and gently placed me on my side of the bed. I let my body melt into the mattress while I listened to the water run in the bathroom. Moments later a cool, folded wash cloth was laid it across my forehead.
“Deja vu,” I said.
“I wasn’t taking your condition into consideration when I drug you out to see Eli, and I should have gotten you something to eat. I’m sorry.”
“Quit apologizing. You didn’t force me to drink too much last night. How are you feeling? Like me?”
“I’m not sick, just uncomfortable. I’ll make you a deal. I’ll quit apologizing if you quit worrying about me,” he said, brushing my hair back from my face. I smiled but didn’t make any promises. Jared kissed my cheek. “I’m going downstairs to get you some crackers and soda to settle your stomach. Try to rest.”
“I’m really fine. You don’t have to fuss,” I said, pushing myself up against the pillows.
“I’m just trying to make you comfortable.” He had a strange expression on his face, almost sullen.
“Your bed is a thousand times more comfy than my bed at Andrews, and even my bed at home. And neither of them smells like you.”
Jared fidgeted before speaking. “So…why is it that you’re so against staying here? Is it me?”
My eyebrows immediately pulled in, hurt that he would ever come to that conclusion. “No! I’m not against staying here. I love staying here. I just need to go back to Andrews.”
Jared raised an eyebrow. “And why is that? I thought staying alive would be a good enough reason for you to want to stay here with me. You didn’t mind when I needed to dress your hand every night.”
“It’s not about that. It’s about being forced into hiding, it’s about my friends, and it’s about keeping some degree of normalcy in my life. I know you want me here where you know that I’m safe,” I explained, resting my hand on his leg.
“Not just to keep you safe. I just want you here,” he said, tenderly tracing my jaw line with his fingertip.
I smiled at his words, my jaw radiating with the heat from his touch. “We have plenty of time for that, right?”
Jared’s eyes immediately clouded over and I finally understood the urgency. He wanted to spend every second of the time we had left together. I looked away from him; I had to have faith that we would make it through this. My eyes felt heavy and I turned onto my side, pressing my cheek into my pillow.
“I have faith in you, Jared. More than you have in yourself. I’m not afraid,” I said, closing my eyes.
The door slammed and I jerked, looking around the room. It was morning.
“Can you close the door like a normal person?” Jared snapped.
“This is a terrible idea, Jared. Maybe the worst one you’ve had, yet,” Claire complained. Small footsteps stomped up the stairs. “You have to talk him out of this, Nina. He won’t listen to me. Not in the mood he’s in.”
“Stay out of it, Claire,” Jared said from downstairs.
Claire made a face and then jumped from the railing, landing on her feet. “I can’t stay out of it, because you keep making it my business!” she hissed.
I quickly dressed and met them downstairs. Jared was dressed in a buttoned-down shirt and slacks, holding a motorcycle helmet. He shoved it toward me without a word.
“What’s this?” I asked, staring at the helmet.
“I think better on my bike,” Jared said.
I looked up at him. “What’s going on?”
His expression didn’t change. “Are you coming or not?”
I looked at Claire and then to Jared. I pressed my lips together and then took the helmet from him. Claire sighed and stormed out.
I followed Jared outside and eyed the slick, black beauty parked on the curb. “What is that?”
Jared sighed. “It’s a Vulcan.”
“Weird. I thought it was a motorcycle.” I smiled, but Jared didn’t find humor in my words. I put up my hand and separated my fingers into a ‘V’. “Live long and…no?” I shook my head, seeing that Jared was in no mood for jokes.
I shoved the helmet on and fastened the chin strap. My father had a motorcycle and, although I’d never been brave enough to drive one, I was well-versed in being a passenger. Jared revved the engine and I climbed on behind
