I thought back on the first part of my dream. It secretly pleased me to have him be in my dream. I hardly recognized the feelings I was experiencing. Whenever I looked into his eyes, I got that strange familiar feeling that had been haunting me since his first day at Ardara. There were times I could almost hear what he was going to say before he would say it. I felt strangely connected to him.
Finally deciding that I’d stalled long enough, I called Jaden’s name. My voice was raspy. I cleared my throat in the hopes that it would help and said her name again. A small crease formed on Jaden’s forehead.
“I know you’re awake,” I told her.
Jaden groaned and rolled over so all I could see was her back.
“Get up, Jade.”
When Jaden made no other sound or movement, I took one of my pillows and threw it at her. It landed skillfully on her head and she sat up.
“What gives?” she asked.
“It’s time to get up,” I explained.
“Yeah, I got that. I don’t see you getting up.”
I sat up and got out of bed.
“I’m up now,” I laughed.
We got ready for class, laughing as we teased each other. It had been ages since we’d had such an easy-going morning. I was enjoying myself so much that I was almost sad to go down to breakfast. It was only the thought of seeing Aaron there that kept me going.
When we got there, I decided against food and just got a cup of hot water and a tea bag. We walked over to our table and I released a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding when I saw Aaron already sitting there.
I sat down next to him and leaned my head against his shoulder. He surprised me by kissing the top of my head. I felt safe and peaceful by his side, unlike how I felt anywhere else.
I sat up and began brewing my tea, barely aware of the conversation Aaron and Jaden were having. I tried to allow myself to feel happy, but my contentment seemed to lessen with every second as my mind began going over recent events. I hoped the future would be less of an adventure.
Chapter 17
Aaron
I quickly noticed that Shaylee wasn’t paying attention. She seemed to be in her own world and it suddenly occurred to me that it might be better for the time being. Jaden and I shared a look and I knew she saw it too. She continued chatting about one of her homework assignments and commented at the appropriate times.
After a few minutes of meaningless, conversation, Jaden seemed to run out of things to talk about. Our table became silent and Jaden picked at her food as she watched Shaylee stare off into space.
“She had another dream,” Jaden said softly, starring at Shaylee as she spoke.
“Bad?” I asked.
Jaden nodded.
“Started off as a dream about you in a library. Then she thought she woke up, but it was still a dream. The same guy was there.”
I pushed aside my fear, knowing it wouldn’t be helpful for me to dwell on my inability to protect her in her dreams.
“I’ll patrol the grounds tonight,” I said. “I don’t know why he would cast the spell again when he’s already made the connection, but we can’t be too careful.”
“It should be me,” Jaden said. “As a Warrior, I’m better at picking up on movement and sounds that shouldn’t be there.”
“I want you to stick close to Shaylee,” I argued.
“Aaron, I’m the one best suited to patrolling the campus. We both know it. You stay with, Shay.”
“She’ll be safer with you.”
“Oh, please.” Jaden rolled her eyes.
“Jaden, I know you believe that I am strong and powerful-“
“If you’re going to tell me that you would be less capable of handling anything the could happen,” she said, cutting me off. “stop right there. It’s a load of crap and you know it.”
“I am not denying who I am or what I’m capable of, but I know if something happens you won’t see a familiar face and hesitate. You’ll simply do what needs to be done to protect her. If they send someone I’ve known for centuries, I’m not sure what I’ll do.”
Jaden stared at me, as though she were trying to read my thoughts. Her eyes narrowed as she contemplated her response.
“You’re not being fully honest with yourself if you think you’re going to hesitate to do what needs to be done to protect her,” she finally said. “I’m patrolling tonight and that’s final. You can have a night of guarding Shay to come to terms with how you really feel. Hopefully you’ll finally realize that your fear isn’t doing us any favors.”
Her ability to read me caught me off guard. Perhaps she was right and my fear was clouding my judgement.
“I’ll see you guys later,” she said and left the table.
“Are you ready to go to class?” I asked Shaylee.
She nodded and we made our way to Anatomy, my thoughts a whirlwind of activity as I worked to get a handle on my fear. I wasn’t just afraid that Shaylee would be killed or harmed, I was also afraid that at the end of the day I would be right and she was just a human. Even though I’d decided to stay with her regardless, it would still be a hard blow.
***
Shaylee barely spoke during Anatomy. I walked her to her English class and stood outside the door. After the bell rang, the few students still wandering the hallway glanced at me suspiciously, but none of the teachers seemed to notice I was there, or if they did, they knew better than to get involved in my business. I kept watch and was fully aware that my day was going to be extremely boring.
The bell ran again and I walked Shaylee to her government class. She didn’t seem surprised to see me waiting for her in the hallway. She
