Rylan scoffs. “Yeah…he’s already tried.”
“Really?” I say in surprise. “And I’m assuming you told him to do something morally wrong to himself?”
He sends me a wicked grin, confirming my thoughts. “That, I did,” he says.
I get up off my stool and make my way around the other side of the kitchen counter. He sends me a disapproving look, probably for not following my ‘sit’ instructions. “Can I help?” I ask, taking in the array of ingredients before me.
“Nope,” he says.
“What, why not?”
He turns to face me, placing both hands on my shoulders, fixing me with a look that tells me he’s about to break some bad news. “Because, Bianca, as amazing as you are, I really doubt you have any kind of skills in the kitchen,” he says, keeping a straight face.
“What?” I ask in outrage, narrowing my eyes at him. “I’ll have you know there are a few things I can do.”
“Like what?” he scoffs. “I’m sure you really good at two-minute noodles and burning toast,” he says with eyes sparkling as he breaks into a grin.
I let out an unimpressed huff and return to my stool. He follows me around, grabs my stool and spins it so fast that I’m suddenly facing him. “Relax, I’m joking. Just be patient and let me cook you dinner, okay?” he says. He bends down and places a feather-light kiss on my lips, making everything okay in the world.
“Fine,” I grumble.
Half-an-hour later, he pushes a bowl of Mac-N-Cheese in front of me. “Really?” I ask with a grin.
“Yep. I said I wanted to cook you dinner. I didn’t say it was going to be good,” he says.
I break out into laughter and scoop the delicious meal into my mouth. “You know Mac-N-Cheese is my favorite?”
“I had my suspicions,” he says, making me love him more.
Halfway through dinner, a thoughtful expression crosses his face as he looks up at me. “What is it?” I ask.
He cringes at how well I can read him. “How come you never dated Daniel? You could have a normal relationship with him, no hiding or sneaking around. You could even go on proper dates and it wouldn’t have been a big deal telling your family about it.”
“You trying to talk me out of this?” I ask, trying to lighten the mood.
“No,” he scoffs. “I’m way too selfish for that. You’re mine. I’m just curious.”
I try not to swoon at the way he claims me. “Is this about that conversation you had with Daniel in the infirmary?” I ask.
“How’d you know?”
“Please,” I scoff. “I know everything.”
He fixes me with a look to say he’s still waiting for an answer. “Okay,” I say. “Honestly, I thought about it a lot towards the beginning of the year. I kind of liked him and I knew he liked me, too.” Rylan cuts me off with a grunt at the casual way I describe Daniel’s feelings. I ignore him and continue. “I wasn’t in love with him and that became startling clear the moment you came into my life. He’s one of my best friends and there’s no way I could pursue something with him knowing how I felt about you. It just didn’t seem right.”
He nods at my confessions. “And all the other stuff? The sneaking around and secrets. That doesn’t bother you?”
“No, not at all. I’d sneak around the rest of my life if it meant staying with you. I mean, would it be great to watch every girl on campus squirm with jealousy, knowing that I’m yours? Of course, but I don’t need that. I just need you.”
He watches me with such love and adoration, that I’m rendered speechless. “Okay,” he says with a slight nod as a slow smile of pure joy spreads across his face.
“Okay,” I respond.
Following dinner, he actually lets me help clean up. I dry the last dish and hand it to him to place in the cupboard before I take my opportunity to get revenge for his earlier comments about my cooking skills. Using the now discarded dishtowel that lays on the counter, I pick it up, taking a corner in each hand and spin it until it’s as tight as possible. I release one end and let that baby fly.
He glances up just in time to see the tail end of the whip shooting towards him. His eyes widen as he registers what’s about to happen. The grin I’m currently sporting nearly splits my face in two as the towel whips him, leaving me to do the only thing that will possibly keep me alive in this situation.
I run.
I bolt out of the kitchen and down his hallway with Rylan close on my heels. I don’t get far before he’s swinging me up over his shoulder and marching me out into the living room. “That was a bad move, babe,” he says, taking me off his shoulder and cradling me in his arms.
I’m about to make a snappy response, but it’s too late. I squeal as he throws me from one end of his living room to the other, landing on the couch with an ‘oomph’, and in any other situation I’d be mighty impressed with his display of strength, but as he strides forward with mischief twinkling in his eyes, I find I have much more important things to worry about.
I try to scramble my way off the couch, but it’s too late, he’s already on top of me. “Apologize,” he demands, reminding me of my Navigation Test from earlier in the year when he threw me in the lake.
“Never,” I declare with a grin.
He laughs and looks down at me, a grin of his own on his handsome face. He gives me a quick kiss. “Are you sure you want to play this game?”
I take a second to pretend to think it over. “I think I’ll take my chances.” I bring my knee up, placing my foot on the couch and push as hard as I can, rolling us both off the couch. Rylan protectively cages his arms around me as we fall to the ground. He hits the floor with me on top of him and a loud thud echoing around the room.
I smile down at him to find his eyes hooded and already trained on mine. “You’re going to pay for that,” he whispers, reaching up and running his knuckles softly over my cheek.
“I’m counting on it,” I respond.
He sits up with me still straddling him and swivels so he leans back against the couch, putting us eye to eye. His hands begin to slide up my thigh and under my dress, coming to a stop on the bare skin of my lower back. Leaning forward I lock my lips to his with my own hands beginning to roam and explore his perfect body.
Feeling restricted, I raise my dress up and over my head, throwing it aside. His eyes flame as he pulls me back in to deepen our kiss. I moan against his lips and dig my manicured nails into his back. He raises us up off the ground and I twine my legs around his waist as he carries me back down the hallway, pushes through the door to his bedroom, and lays us on his bed.
----------
I wake to a start, to find myself still in Rylan’s bed, wrapped around the man of my dreams. I look over at his bedside table to see it’s 4:30 in the morning. Crap. I snuggle over and give Rylan a quick kiss and reluctantly climb out of his bed. I rush around his apartment grabbing my clothes and belongings and quickly get myself dressed.
I pull out his toaster and grab two slices of bread, sliding them into their slots and pulling the lever down. I watch the bread cook intently, praying I don’t set off the smoke alarm. When the toast looks pleasantly burned to a crisp, I hit the lever to get the toast out.
I place the burnt toast on a plate and scribble out a note, telling him that I hope he likes it.
Chapter 15
You know those days, the ones that stay with you for the rest of your life, for all different kinds of reasons. Days such as watching your father being murdered before your very eyes, the day you fell in love or the day you were shot taking down your father’s murderer. Well, today is one of those days.
It’s Wednesday morning and I sit in Ms. Peterson’s office with a worried Miss. Layton, our Guidance Counselor, and all-around Barbie, who I might add, has an everlasting and extremely frustrating crush on Rylan. Anyway, that’s beside the point. I sit here before these two women, after being called out of class with absolutely no clue what’s going on.
“Bianca,” Ms. Peterson st
arts. “I have asked you here as I have received some exciting news from The High Council Members in regards to the meeting you had with them following the examinations.”
“Okay…” I say, slightly confused with my eyes flicking towards Miss. Layton as I wonder why she needs to be here for this. I mean, she said it was exciting news right? That means it’s got to be good.
“Ah, Miss. Layton, of course,” Ms. Peterson says as she notices my confusion. “I’ve asked her to join in case you have anything you’d like to talk about afterward,” she says as dread begins to fill me.
“Right,” I say slowly.
“Anyway, we best get on with it so you can return to class.” She pauses for a beat. “I’ve received a letter from The Council explaining in great detail what’s going on. They have also enclosed this letter addressed to you which I’m sure will outline everything there is to know,” she explains with a smile, handing the letter over.
I look down at the letter which holds my fate in distaste as a bad feeling settles over me, and that’s the moment I knew today would be one of those days I’ll never forget.
“Well, go ahead dear. Open it up,” Ms. Peterson encourages.
I flip the envelope over, slipping my thumb under the tap and open it up.
I pull the letter out and unfold it with shaky hands before taking a breath.
Miss Bianca Moore,
It was a pleasure meeting with you all those weeks ago.
As discussed in detail, we would like to have you join The Guard as our official motivational speaker for the Combat Program.
We understand your views on the matter, however, believe this is what’s truly best for our people and the on-going survival of the human race.
As discussed, this position will involve your full cooperation. You will be traveling all around the world to visit many of our communities and academies where you will seek out our junior students and deliver seminars and demonstrations in hopes of a brighter future.
Full training will be given. This will be discussed in further detail upon your arrival.
As we are now well and truly in the second half of the year, it is imperative that this training commences in a timely manner.
The Guard has granted two weeks for you to make arrangements, complete any added training necessary, and farewell your friends and loved ones.
A car will arrive in fourteen days to take you to The Guard for your formal training.
Warmest Regards,
Jackson Lewis,
High Council Member of The Guard.
My hands shake as I finish the letter.
Two weeks. Fourteen days.
Two weeks and I’ll be taken away from my training, from my chances at graduation, from my best friends, from my sister. In two weeks, I’ll be taken away from the man I love.
My breath becomes staggered as a lone tear slides down my face. I grip the letter and run from Ms. Peterson’s office with her shouts of protest following me out into the hall. My tears grow heavier and I know I’m on the verge of sobbing.
Wiping at my face with my sleeve, I run as fast as I can across campus and into the Combat Room.
I barge in and come to a standstill as I find the room full of students, mid-session. Thirty sets of eyes land on me, curious as to why The Guard’s precious poster girl is crying her eyes out in the doorway.
Crap.
I search out Rylan, suddenly unsure of what to do as I grip the paper tight.
He looks at me, a storm brewing behind his eyes as he tries to work out what could have driven me to this state. “Ben,” he says, stepping towards me. “Take over. The rest of you get back to work,” he snaps. The class immediately jumps to attention, doing their best to look busy.
He strides toward me before ushering me out the door and closing it firmly behind him. “I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I shouldn’t have come.”
He leads me away, around the side of the building and as soon as we’re out of sight, he wraps his arms around me, holding me close to his chest. “What’s wrong?” he asks, urgently.
Unable to actually discuss it, I hold the letter up for him. He takes it from my hands and begins reading with his face falling the further he gets. “Shit.”
“Yeah,” I agree.
He holds me tight against him as the tears continue flowing down my cheeks. “I’ll work this out. Don’t worry. It’ll be okay,” he soothes, though I don’t know if he is trying to convince me or himself.
We stay locked in each other’s embrace for who knows how long when he says he needs to get back to his session. He walks me back to my dorm, places a kiss to my temple, and makes sure all the tears have finally dried up before leaving me to my own reckless thoughts.
By lunch, I’ve gained control of myself and I join Jacinta and the boys in the cafeteria, bringing my letter along with me.
Jacinta immediately rushes me, the moment I walk through the door and sees the splotchy, red rims around my eyes.
Daniel hops up next asking if he needs to kick Rylan’s ass while Trey hovers behind us looking as confused as ever.
“Come and sit down,” I tell my bunch of misfit friends, indicating to our table.
“What’s the matter? You’re scaring me,” Jacinta panics.
I hand her the letter, sure that if I start talking about it, I will open the floodgates once again. Her eyes widen and her hand comes to cover her mouth. “Oh, my God,” she whispers, dropping the letter on the table and flinging her arms around me as her own tears begin to fall.
The boys grab the letter and read it together, their expressions becoming more and more horrified the further they get.
Daniel jumps up in outrage once he’s done. “They can’t do this,” he demands.
“Well, apparently they can,” I mutter as Jacinta lets go.
“What did Millie say?” she asks.
“I don’t know. I haven’t had a chance to talk to her yet,” I say as my eyes begin to water at the thought of breaking the news to my beautiful sister. Daniel reaches over and takes my hand while Jacinta squeezes me back into another tight hug, giving me all their support.
Trey looks thoughtful and focuses his gaze on me. “Can you appeal it?” he asks.
“Maybe. Rylan mentioned something about that not long ago, but I’m nervous. I’m in a really great position to receive an amazing assignment after graduation and if I deny them now, where does that leave me later on?”
“Why does it have to be you?” Daniel asks. “Isn’t there some other woman, who’s already graduated who can do it? I don’t know, maybe someone who’s already qualified to do that shit?”
“Probably,” I scoff. “But they want their new celebrity. They want to use my combat skills for that crap rather than actually put me on the Front Lines where I can make a difference.” Anger starts to boil inside me the more I discuss it. I shoot up from my table and cross to get some food when a scowling Luke gets in my face. I make sure to shoulder charge him as I pass, praying that I get paired with him for today’s session.
Getting myself some lunch, I head back to my table, hoping they’ve finally changed topics, but no. I’m not that lucky. “There has to be something about it in The Guard Law books in the library,” Jacinta says.
Trey scoffs. “I doubt The Guard is going to supply us with books on how to go against them.”
“What are you talking about?” I ask, attempting to open my water bottle.
Daniel takes it from me and with a flick of his wrist has it opened before handing it back to me, after he drinks half of it, of course. “Thanks,” I mutter, darkly. He gives me an award-winning smile, but I see the sadness behind his eyes.
“I think I can figure out more about appealing The Guard’s request,” Jacinta says. “There has to be a loophole or something.”
“I don’t know, we can try, but as I said, I don’t want to risk hurting my chances after graduation.”
“Who’s to say, they make you do it after graduation even if
you appeal it now. It couldn’t hurt to look,” Daniel says.
“Okay, fine. I’ll come and help you look after training,” I promise.
Trey gives me yet another funny look. “Are you sure you’re okay to train?”
I fix him with my most lethal glare yet. “Of course, I’m okay to train. Would you like to be my partner?”
“Calm down, I was only checking,” he defends.
Ten minutes later, the bell rings signaling the end of lunch. The boys and I get up and head towards the door with Jacinta trailing behind us. Trey and Jacinta give their usual ‘too hot for the cafeteria’ kiss goodbye as Daniel slings his arm over my shoulder. “Really? Are you okay?” he asks quietly.
I rest my head on his chest as he pulls me in tighter. “Yeah, we’ll figure it out. And if not, between the four of us and Rylan, I think we can kick enough ass to get me where I need to be.”
“Yeah. We’ve got your back, Bianca.”
We make it to the door and push our way through just in time to hear Luke whining to Rylan about needing the session off because he has a sore shoulder, which in turn is my breaking point. I fall into an uncontrollable fit of laughter. Daniel, who’s grinning at my display, lifts me up and out of the doorway to let the other students pass.
Once I eventually calm down, wiping the happy tears from my sore, puffy eyes, I join the rest of my group. I glance at Rylan who gives me a questioning look. I give him a little nod, letting him know that I’m okay. He studies me for a short moment before getting started on the session.
As Rylan explains what we’ll be focusing on, I feel Luke glaring at me from across our small group. I train my gaze on him and shoot him a wicked grin, just as Rylan begins pairing our group up. He must put two and two together as he pairs me with Luke.
Luke huffs away as I get the nod of approval from Rylan to kick his ass, allowing me to take my frustrations out on Luke. The D-Bag is never going to know what hit him. I grin as I approach him, “How’s your shoulder?” I taunt.
“You’re going to regret the day you ever decided to mess with me,” he scowls, jumping straight into the fight, not bothering with formalities.
Heart and Revenge: Slayer Academy (Book 2) Page 14
