by Fletcher, MJ
“Jess, you didn’t tell me you were bringing Paladin’s cutest couple.” He laughed and stepped aside waving us in.
Slade’s hands tensed on my arms and I grabbed one squeezing it gently and held on to it.
“Sorry, Jimmy.” Jess smiled and stood next to Nightshade after entering
“No problem, beautiful,” he said. His fingers slid across her cheek and she blushed.
He swung the door closed after Edgar, the last one to enter. We followed him up the stairs to a large open room that contained a couple of couches, a small kitchen tucked off to one side, and a breakfast bar and two stools protruding at the end.
“We need some help, Jimmy,” Jess said as he walked to the fridge, pulled it open and pulled out a can of soda. He turned and flipped it in the air toward Edgar who caught it and smiled.
“Thanks, Nightshade.” Edgar popped the top and drank.
“Anyone else? Lovebirds, I could give you two straws.”
“That’s it, Nightshade, one more comment...” Slade headed for him his hand pulled back in a massive fist.
Nightshade laughed and leaned against the kitchen counter and smirked. “Anytime you want to try Slade you go right ahead.”
His mocking grin made my blood boil. “This was a mistake.”
“What’s a mistake?” Nightshade asked.
As much as I wanted to leave, I needed Nightshade’s help. I grabbed my phone, clicked the photo of the list of names and slid it across the breakfast bar to him. He picked it up and looked over the list.
“Okay so?”
“The SKG member on the list do you know him?” I stared into his strange colored eyes and waited for an answer, hoping and praying it wouldn’t be some lie to further his own ends.
“I recognize the name.”
“Can you help us find him?” I asked.
“No,” he said not even giving it thought.
“What? Why not?” My frustration leapt but I caught it before it reached my tongue and I spit words at him that I’d regret since I desperately needed his help.
“Jess.” He turned away from me to her. ‘What’s going on? Why are you helping non-Guilders?”
“They took... Gran.” As soon as Jess mentioned Gran her control slipped. Tears rolled down her cheeks and she started to tremble.
I moved to comfort her but Nightshade was there before me. He wrapped her in his arms and pulled her against him. She buried her head in his chest and sobbed. He pressed his cheek against hers whispering something in her ear that I couldn’t make out. He stroked her hair as he did, and I watched in amazement at how caring and loving he could be when I had known only his sardonic side.
Nightshade looked directly at me. “Give us a minute.” He then took Jess and they walked out of the room and I heard a door close down the hallway.
“What was that all about?” Slade asked.
“She’s upset. It’s been a rough night,” I said as I slid down on the couch beside Edgar.
“I guess,” Slade said as he sat on the opposite couch. “Though I doubt it hurts that Nightshade’s half naked.” He laughed.
“What are you talking about?” I snapped annoyed at what his humor suggested.
“Didn’t you see the way she looked at him? I think Jess was angling for more than some comfort.” Slade winked.
“She’s just upset.” I got even more annoyed when Slade raised his hands in mock defeat. I didn’t like what he was implying. We’d been through a lot and I doubted Jess was thinking about getting James alone. And it’s not like Nightshade would fall for that anyway, his conniving nature would see right through it.
Time seemed to slow down as we waited. Edgar rested his head back on the couch and was asleep within minutes. Slade was next stretching out on the other couch and drifting off to sleep. I sat alone with my thoughts, growing ever more frustrated that Jess and Nightshade had disappeared on us. I mean seriously, people, we’re running for our lives and she goes off with some guy and why? Because he’s hot with his shirt off?
After an hour I heard the click of a door and approaching footsteps. Nightshade entered still shirtless, his hair messier than before if that was possible. He looked around the room at the others sleeping and waved his hand for me to follow him. I got up quietly trying not to wake Edgar, who snored and rolled over on his side into a ball on the couch.
We left the room and at the end of the hall he touched a skeleton key on the wall and it fell away revealing a spiral staircase. James headed down; I took a deep breath and followed.
The staircase ended in a massive room filled with various makes and models of cars while several images of skeleton keys hung on the walls. In the middle of the room sat an old-fashioned car. It was deep blue and had red flames on the hood. James was standing by a workbench and grabbed a t-shirt off it and slid it on.
“What’s all this?”
“My garage, it’s quiet down here. We can talk and your friends can rest.”
“Talk about what?” I asked leaning up against the old-fashioned car. Nightshade stepped toward me, reached out and took hold of my arm. I looked down at his hand and back at him, and then he pulled me forward. My breath caught and I didn’t move.
“That’s a classic Hudson Hornet, please don’t lean on it.”
I pushed his hand off me and stepped away. Men and their stupid cars. “Whatever, are you going to help us or not?”
“Jess, told me what’s going on. It seems pretty serious and it’s a damn bold plan, I give you credit for that.” He grinned.
“But?” I knew something was coming, though I didn’t know what.
“I don’t know if I’m willing to stick my neck out for the lot of you.”
“Jess is your friend and so is Edgar?” I reminded, trying the guilt tactic, hoping it might convince him.
“But I can’t stand Slade, and then there’s you.” His half smile taunted me.
“I know you can’t stand me either, I get it.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah, it’s pretty obvious.”
“I hadn’t realized. I should work on controlling my emotions better.”
“Sorry, I’m not a shrinking violet like my cousin. I didn’t come here to weep on your naked chest. I came here because I need help and you’re the only one I could turn too. If I couldn’t work up tears for my lost father or injured grandmother, I doubt I can do it for you. Okay, I’m broken, and you can’t stand me. I get it, alright!” I took a deep breath angry at myself for letting him get under my skin again.
He stared at me with those damn intense eyes. He didn’t say anything just stared, making me feel uncomfortable and stupid. Why do I always seem not to be able to shut up around him?
“Quit staring at me and say something.”
“I’ll help you on one condition.” He didn’t smile or smirk and he didn’t stop staring. It was as though he stared straight inside me and that made me more nervous than if he had worn one of his evil grins.
“Which is?”
“You and I have to go see him alone.”
“Alone?”
“He isn’t going to talk to a bunch of people from the different societies. He knows me and he doesn’t really like anyone other than Guilders. It will be safer that way.”
“Jess is a Guilder?” I questioned unsure of going alone with him.
“You and I that’s the deal take it or leave it.”
What choice did I have and so I wouldn’t debate my decision I quickly said. “Fine we go alone.”
He nodded. “You’d better get some sleep. We’ll head there tomorrow.”
I didn’t bother to ask him where, he wouldn’t tell me anyway. I followed him up the stairs and part way down the hallway he stopped, opened a door, entered and waved me in.
“I’ll stay with the guys,” I stammered, though I entered the room.
“I don’t think so, they each have a couch. Take the bed; you’ll have it all to yourself.”
“Oh,”
Did I really think he’d been inviting me to sleep with him? “Okay thanks.”
“I’ll be in by Jess.”
He turned and left through another door closing it behind him. I was glad he didn’t look back and see me flush red at his comment. I wanted to slam the door that opened onto the hall shut but didn’t want to wake the guys so I shut it quietly and turned into the room. I threw myself on the bed and took my frustration out on the pillows punching them several times. So what if James Nightshade and my cousin spent the night together... let them. They deserved each other, they only thought about themselves anyway.
I pulled my hoodie off and slid it into my bag .My hand connected with a small metal object. I took the locket out and turned it over in my hand. When this was all over I was going to need to figure out what it was that I deserved.
Chapter 25
Status: Road trip with a jerk.
“Are you sure about this?” Edgar asked watching me like a hawk.
I sat on the edge of the bed while he sat cross-legged on the floor. It was late afternoon when I finally woke. Everyone else was up and about taking showers and eating. I had fallen asleep last night after much tossing, turning, and thinking of all the things I should have said to Nightshade. I had promised myself that the next time, and no doubt there would be a next time, I would make sure to speak what was on my mind.
“I think it’s the only way he’ll help us,” I said.
Edgar shook his head. “Slade isn’t going to like this, neither is Jess.”
“I don’t love the idea myself but we all decided he was our best chance, so I’m going with him no matter what Jess and Slade say.”
“I don’t envy you having to tell them.” Edgar stood and headed for the door. “Are you going to come grab something to eat?”
“In a minute.”
Edgar sent me a nod and closed the door behind him.
I fell back onto the bed, pulled the pillow over my face and screamed into it. I was not looking forward to telling Jess and Slade that Nightshade and I would be going off alone. I knew Slade was going to be upset but I had no idea how Jess would react. I mean something had to be going on between her and Nightshade. After all, they had spent the night together.
I threw the pillow aside and turned over glancing around the room. It was messy, though not nearly as bad as mine. I hadn’t had a chance to look around last night; I was too tired and annoyed. Next to the bed was a small nightstand with a lamp and alarm clock, a leather wrist strap was sitting there as well. I reached out and grabbed it unsnapping the cover to the strap revealing a watch beneath. That was odd I was sure I had seen this before. I bolted up and swung my head around examining the room more closely. I recognized the watch. I had seen Nightshade wearing it at least a dozen times.
I wasn’t only sleeping in his house but his room and his... bed.
If this was his room how come he hadn’t let Jess sleep in here? I slid off the bed and walked around the room my hand gliding along his dresser and toying with the knobs on the drawers. He would never know if I peeked. Yeah right. He’s probably waiting outside the door ready to pounce and catch me digging through his stuff.
I stopped at the closet, circled my hand around the knob, and tugged it open. Sure enough there was his long overcoat and scarf, and hanging beside it was his leather jacket with a skeleton key painted on the back. On the shelf above was a shoebox that dangled near the edge, a photo peeking out. I gave a quick glance at the door and then reached up and grabbed the box, pulling it down.
It was filled with old pictures and other mementos. I sat on the bed and hurriedly shifted through them, nervous that he would burst through the door at any moment. I pulled a few photos out and flipped through them stopping when I saw one of Nightshade with a girl sitting next to him. They wore big smiles and were obviously having a blast together. His arm was draped around her and they looked genuinely happy. It was almost as if he was a different person. There was no sardonic smirk that I was accustomed to seeing on him in any of the photos. I found a group of pictures of him and the girl, I had to admit she was pretty and it was obvious that they were more than friends.
I almost fell off the bed when someone knocked on the door. The pictures lay scattered across the bed and I had to stick my hand out to steady myself.
“You decent?” Nightshade’s voice floated in and my breath caught in my throat. I looked at the strewn pictures and panicked.
“No I’m not!” It came out a mix of a yelp and a squeak and I could just imagine the evil grin he wore right about now.
I scrambled, grabbing the photos and shoving them back into the box. I shot off the bed and pushed the box back onto the shelf and shoved the closet door closed. I raced to the door and yanked it open.
Nightshade was standing in front of me dripping wet, a towel wrapped around his hips. His wet hair was slicked back and he gripped the towel with one hand and the other rested on the door jamb. I almost collided with him since my plans were to scoot right passed him and head down the hall
“Um sorry,” I said halting only inches from him
“No problem, I just need to grab some clothes.”
“I didn’t realize it was your room.” I stumbled over the words, trying to avoid his eyes.
“Yup, my room.”
I realized in trying to avoid his eyes, I was now staring at his naked chest.
“I could stand here all day if you like or I could get dressed.” He grinned.
I had completely forgotten that I blocked the way into his room. I stepped aside and he laughed and walked passed me closing the door behind him and leaving me standing in the hallway feeling like an idiot.
Way to go, Chloe, you really showed him, I thought as I walked down the hall.
I grabbed some toast and a quick orange juice and then headed to the shower and got ready more slowly then I usually did. I was not looking forward to the coming conversation with Jess and Slade and wasn’t really sure how I was going to handle it.
I finally finished and made my way to the living room. I found everyone sitting around and chatting. Edgar was going over one of his maps and Nightshade and Jess were sitting together on the couch. Her legs were draped over his while he leaned back, his arms outstretched along the top of the couch. Slade and Jess were discussing our next best move while Nightshade looked on with a half-smile. He was anticipating and enjoying what was to come. The pleasure of it was written all over his face.
“Nightshade and I have a plan,” I blurted out without thinking. Everyone turned to me and I could see that Jess and Slade were already none-too-happy. Edgar buried his head in his map and pretended as if he wasn’t even there.
“Jimmy?” Jess turned to Nightshade with a questioning look.
His smile turned whole. “Let her talk.”
“Nightshade knows the Guilder on the list but doesn’t think he will talk to someone who isn’t in the SKG. So he and I will go alone.”
Slade’s head appeared as if on a swivel as it spun rapidly between James and me.
“Why alone?” he asked Nightshade pointedly.
“He won’t talk with others around.”
“So go by yourself.”
“This is her war, she needs to fight it.” Nightshade stared down Slade whose face was beginning to turn red.
“If she goes I go.” Slade’s jaw tightened and his fists clenched.
I chimed in. “I’m going, Slade, we need to find whatever it was that Dad discovered and right now this is our best shot.”
“Listen to your girlfriend.”
I turned to Nightshade, my eyes shooting daggers at him “Drop it Nightshade, we’re going alone. You don’t need to torment Slade.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” He raised his hands in mock surrender.
Slade walked over to me. “Can we talk?”
“Sure.” I took his hand and we walked out of the room. I pushed open the arched doorway and we stepped out into the cold afternoon daylight.
>
With our hands still intertwined, he pulled me close to him. “I don’t trust him.”
“Neither do I, but you have to trust me,” Was that a plea I heard on my lips. And did I really have to ask for his trust?
Slade lifted my hand to his mouth. His warm breath whispered across my fingers and made me shiver.
“I do trust you.”
He kissed my hand ever so lightly his lips a faint almost undetectable brush against my skin. My face flushed and my skin tingled. Guilt crept over me. I had been treating Slade badly and here he was yet again helping me, being there when I needed him and what was I doing? Questioning his trust.
“When this is all over, we need to talk.” I moved closer to him, placing my hand on his chest trying as best I could to somehow show that I cared.
He slipped his arm around me and eased me against him in a firm hug that had me feeling secure and intimate all at the same time. I rested my head on his chest and felt the faint beat of his heart.
“When you’re ready to talk... I’m here,” he whispered so close to my ear that his lips grazed the tip and I shuddered.
Now was not the time for this, so I stepped back from him and he let me go.
“Be careful with Nightshade,” he warned. “He’d sooner leave you on your own then stick his own neck out to save you. If you get in trouble run and find your way back to us. We’ll wait for you here. Nightshade’s parents are away and I doubt anyone would look for us here.”
I nodded, though I didn’t agree with Slade about Nightshade. A small voice in my head told me that Nightshade would never desert me if I was in trouble. Somewhere under that arrogant exterior, I had a feeling lurked something more.
“Make sure you come back safe to me.”
I grabbed his hand once again and smiled. “Count on it.”
We walked back inside the converted church still holding hands. As soon as we entered the living room Nightshade and Jess turned to us, Jess looking anxious and Nightshade’s eyes focused on our clasped hands. His eyes wandered up to mine and he smiled as if he knew exactly what had transpired between Slade and me.
“Everything good with the happy couple?” He winked at me.
