He stood from the bed and went into the bathroom, I didn’t leave the room until I heard the shower turn on. I walked back out to the small living room and went straight for my bag. I dumped its contents onto the couch and picked up a black dagger. The metal was a shiny black and the handle was made out of some kind of rubber with grooves. I think it was specifically made so that it wouldn’t slip out of your hands when they got all sweaty and nasty from fighting. Not a bad idea, who ever came up with it must have taken time to design it just right.
I was so absorbed with the dagger that I didn’t hear Caden until he spoke. “What are you doing?” I jumped what seemed like a mile high causing the blade to slice across my palm. Holy crap that sucker was sharp. A line of blood bubbled up from the cut and ran down the side of my hand. Caden was in front of me faster than my eyes could track and gently he grabbed my hand. I stopped moving around like a dork when I saw that he was shirtless. There were still beads of water peppered on his skin. One rolled down between his pecs, over the ridges of his abs and disappeared at the waist band of his dark blue pants that hung loosely from his hips.
For a minute I forgot all about my hand while I stared at him only to be sucked out of the stupor that I was in when he poked and prodded at it. I inhaled through clenched teeth, kind of sounded like a hissing sound. Caden gave me a disapproving look.
“What were you doing?”
Shrugging. “Just looking at it.”
He arched a brow. “So much so that everything around you faded.”
“I was admiring the handy work.” Until you walked out, I didn’t say that last part out loud.
He looked back at my hand. “It doesn’t look to bad…let’s clean it up and head to dinner.” His eyes locked with mine. “I’m starving.”
I swallowed thickly, I remember the last time he said that and he ended up kissing me. From the way he looked at me I knew that he remembered to. He had me plop down in a kitchen chair, understandable seeing how the blood droplets would stain the carpet and not the tacky linoleum. I was capable of cleaning it myself but he was determined to do it. I wasn’t going to complain, I liked the way his skin felt on mine, I know that I shouldn’t but heaven help me, I couldn’t help the way that I feel.
After it was all said and done Caden disappeared into his bedroom and came out pulling a shirt on over his head. I’ll admit, I could watch his muscles ripple all day with some form of movement, actually I could watch him all day, after all I am a girl. Without Caden noticing I grabbed a dagger and stuck it in the waist band of my pants. Five minutes later we were out the door and heading to the dining hall.
All eyes were on us as we walked in, the only difference was was that nobody gave us weird looks. I mean why would they? There were other pressing issues besides a shifter and guardian getting all buddy buddy like say…how the assassins were able to breach this place in the first place. If I was one to point fingers I’d point them at Cole because there is something sketchy about that guy. Plus when we first came in there are currents of electricity that could curl the short and curlies and possibly stop your heart. Those currants had to have been shut off in order for them to come in swinging.
There is no way in hell that they would have been able to make it past the first door otherwise. I think that there is a traitor in our midst and no one seems to be asking questions. I was lost in my own thoughts when Caden returned with food, I didn’t even remember sitting down. I wasn’t all that hungry to begin with but picked at the food any way.
“Penny for your thoughts love.”
I looked at him. “I just think it’s weird.”
Confused. “What’s weird?”
I lowered my voice. “If this place is supposedly unbreachable, how did the assassins get in? I saw those killer electric currents when we first arrived and there is no way in hell they could have made it through without them being shut off.” I paused. “Then you have two sets of metal doors that are at least fifty feet high, nobody could scale up those suckers, nobody is that good, plus.” I paused again for a dramatic affect. “Both sets of doors have a key code.”
A half smile graced his sensual lips. “All very good valid points, I see someone has been thinking with their brain.” He looked around the room. “I have been wondering the same thing.”
“I’m glad we are both on the same page.”
He winked at me. “But the only question is…who would betray us and what do they have to gain?”
“Cole.” I didn’t even hesitate.
He arched a brow at me. “Cole? And what would he gain out of all of this?”
I shrugged. “Maybe he is tired of being the head honcho or quite possibly he’s truly one of their members and he was placed here to gather intel. And maybe just maybe he secretly wants to wipe all of you out…I’m telling you the dude is a bit sketchy.”
“Who’s a bit sketchy?”
My spine stiffened, well speak of the devil and he should appear. I said the first thing that popped into my head. “The apple.”
“The apple?” He said questioningly.
“Yes, it looks rotten.” Picking up the apple I shoved it in his face so he could get a better look. “See?”
He backed out of the way. “Yes I see, I’ll throw this batch out and get new ones…enjoy your dinner.” He stalked off shaking his head and muttering to himself. I turned my attention back to Caden, he had an amused look on his face.
“An apple…really?
“Well I had to say something and the apple was the first thing that popped in my head.”
He chuckled. “Quick thinking…but for now on lets voice our thoughts and speculations when we are alone and not surrounded my eaves droppers.”
“Agreed.”
We finished eating and headed out staying close to each other, honestly who else could we trust? I was exhausted by the time we reached his house and I had too many thoughts running through my head. Caden and I could speculate the impending doom in the morning. He said I could take the bed so I made my way to it and crawled in pulling the covers up to my chin and fell fast asleep.
Chapter 14
The next morning I was cascaded in warmth, more warmth than what a blanket could give me. There was something heavy draped over my side. I wiped the sleep from my eyes and looked at the source of the weight. A muscular arm was wrapped around me and my eyes followed the length of the ligament that was connected to Caden. I sucked in a breath at the sight of him in slumber. He looked so peaceful and worry free. I did my best not to move because I didn’t want to wake him.
It felt like there was something squeezing my heart. I could wake up every morning and watch him sleep (nah, not weird at all). Without thinking I started running my fingertips up and down his arm and even in sleep the powerful muscles under his skin bunched and quivered under my touch. His arm automatically tightened around me and he snuggled closer. By now it was already difficult to breath, not because he was somewhat cutting off my circulation but because he looked at piece.
A bunch of different emotions rushed to the surface but I quickly squished it down when his eyes started to flutter open. When his eyes opened completely they locked with mine and a smile started to form on his lips. “Good morning beautiful.” Holy Christ, his voice sounded even sexier laced with sleep. I mean, a British accent was sexy as hell but even more so laced with sleep. I think I stopped breathing for a couple seconds. Eventually I was able to find my own voice.
“Morning.”
He moved his arm to sit up on one elbow. “How did you sleep?”
“Good…you?”
“Perfectly.
I smiled at him as I threw back the covers to get out of bed although the bed was one place I’d rather be, just as long as he was in it. Him and all his sexy, groggy glorieness. My muscles felt tense and sore from all the fighting from yesterday. Hopefully once I get used to the whole guardian roll and train my muscles they won’t make my body ache.
Caden smoothly rolled out of
bed, stretched like a cat and sauntered his way over to me and placed a soft kiss on my cheek. Not sure why he did that. When he left the room I stood there unable to move and a bit confused. The smell of coffee wafered to my nose and that was what got me putting one foot in front of the other. At least we didn’t have to go to the dining hall to get a hot beverage. Caden was standing at the stove with a spatula in hand and he looked at me over his shoulder.
“Breakfast?”
“Sure.” A man that could cook was a big turn on.
“Hope scrambled eggs and toast is okay, it’s the only thing I know how to make.”
And there goes the turn on thought. “It’s fine.”
I sat down at the table with my coffee in hand and watched him move around the kitchen, he moved around like a cat, quiet and graceful. That had to be the panther that lived inside of him. Shortly he set two plates filled with scrambled eggs and toast down in front of us. I wasn’t really one for eggs but ate them anyway.
Half way through our breakfast a knock sounded on the door, Caden groaned and got up to answer it. A kid in his twenties (possibly older) stumbled through the door, he didn’t even wait for an invite…how rude. He looked horrified and kept glancing at me and that made me a little nervous. His voice was high pitched and filled with anxiety.
“Is it true Caden?”
“Is what true?”
“About Cora, that she’s more than just a guardian…that she’s something that’s not supposed to be?”
I could see Caden’s back stiffen from where I was sitting, even if a shirt did cover his body. It felt like my blood stopped moving through my veins and I held my breath waiting for his answer. When it looked like he wasn’t going to say anything I got up from the table and slowly walked towards them. I put my hand on his arm to get his attention and when he looked at me I spoke.
“Is it true?”
“No.” He spoke the word way to fast like his brain was on auto pilot mode. The kid let out a breath.
“You better hope she’s not man because if she is Cole will kill her.”
That got my attention and I jerked my head in his direction. “What!?”
“Rex, there is nothing--.”
“No Caden, you don’t understand.” He cut him off. “Cole has been watching her since before you two even came here. He has been noticing things about her…” He looked out the window. “Last night when the assassins came, Cole said that he saw a faint light, almost like fire surrounding her.”
Caden crossed his arms over his chest. “How do you know this?”
Rex looked away embarrassed. “I was out doing my rounds and I heard someone talking, I thought he was talking to himself until I noticed the cell phone glued to his ear. I knew I shouldn’t have eavesdropped but there was something about him that didn’t seem right. Then when he said your name I knew I couldn’t walk away. After his phone call ended I skedaddled my ass out of there to find you.”
Caden pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a deep breath. “Thank you.”
“Yeah.”
“Don’t let Cole know you over heard him.” He looked at me. “Let’s all stay cool and lay low.” He looked back at Rex. “Meet Cora and I at the pond behind the training center at midnight…we have a theory about Cole.”
His eyes widened. “Okay, I’ll see you there.”
After Rex left I pinned Caden with a glare. “How do you know we can trust him?”
“We just can Cora.”
“How?”
He narrowed his eyes at me. “Because he’s my cousin.”
“What!?” I all but yelled. All he did was stand there and stare at me with no other explanation. I threw my arms up and headed to the door. He grabbed my wrist and spun me around crushing his lips to mine. His tongue delved deep into my mouth coaxing mine to move with his in this delicious but dangerous dance. He tore his mouth from mine. “I didn’t tell you because we’ve only known each other for four days.” He nipped at my bottom lip. “But it seems that we have known each other longer.” He breathed before going back for another longer lingering kiss.
So it wasn’t just me that felt like we have known each other longer than these handful of days. I threw my arms around his neck crushing my body against his and deepening the kiss. I could spend the rest of my life kissing him. It was a dangerous thought, I know. There was just something about this man that made me want to break all of the rules. The rules that I would gladly break if it meant that I could spend one night wrapped up in this man, it would be worth it…I would even die for it.
Chapter 15
Stars dotted the sky like little twinkling diamonds, they kind of lit up the night for how many there were. The night sky was filled with them and it was sort of pretty. Caden and I were sitting on the bench by the pond waiting for Rex to show up, as it was he was fifteen minutes late and for reasons I didn’t know it made Caden nervous. He couldn’t sit still, he was either pacing or bouncing his leg when he was sitting. I’ve never seen him in such a nervous state. I was half tempted to push him back on the bench and sit on him but I had a feeling that he would like that too much.
After a few more minutes he glanced at his watch, stood and started pacing again. I would hate to think that Cole found out that Rex eves dropped on the conversation and he did something to him. I didn’t want to think about that but I couldn’t help it, there was just something about Cole that just made your skin crawl. Caden threw up his hands in frustration.
“He should have been here by now.” He ground out.
“Maybe something came up.”
He gave me a quizzical look. “You and I both know that…” A twig snapped cutting off whatever he was about to say. His eyes snapped towards the sound causing me to go on alert. I had one of my daggers in hand as I stood next to Caden. Feet shuffled, another twig snapped and a few curses later, Rex was stumbling his way to us, he came up short when he saw the wickedly sharp dagger in my hand.
“What’s that for?”
Putting it back in its holster on my hip I answered. “One could never be too safe these days.”
He nodded his head. “True…honestly I don’t see how you shifters can have such good eyesight in the dark and we guardians get shit…so not fair.”
He had a point, well sort of, I could see in the dark perfectly fine. Caden didn’t share his joking tone, he crossed his muscular arms over his chest and glared at his cousin. I had to suppress an eye roll and it was harder than I thought it would be and ended up failing. Rex looked from Caden to me and back again.
“What I’d do?”
Caden growled. “Well for one you were half an hour late and for two I was worried.”
Rex chuckled. “I can’t imagine Mr. Big bad worried about moi let alone anyone else.” He looked at me and smirked. “Besides…Cole cornered me and asked where you two were, I lied and said I had no idea.” He looked back at Caden. “I spent most of my time trying to give him the slip…so why don’t we cut to the chase and get this over with, I’m tired.”
I snorted and that earned me a glare from both boys, gee when they looked at me like that they kind of do look related. Wait hold up. I narrowed my eyes at Caden.
“If you two are cousins, wouldn’t that mean he’s a shifter to?”
Rex answered. “Not necessarily…when I was five Caden’s aunt adopted me, she didn’t care that I was human…she just wanted a kid to call her own.”
“Oh.”
“Now that your curiosity is filled…fill me in on the goods.”
“Cora and I have a theory that Cole…” I tuned him out at that point because I already knew what he was going to say. I turned my back on them and stared out at the pond. The stars reflected off the surface of the water and somehow made this place even more beautiful (not sure how that was possible, but it was). A light breeze ruffled my hair and carried the scent of the flowers with it. I breathed in deeply through my nose taking in the flowers scents and tried to place which scent went with the
correct flower. I only got the tulips and roses when I heard Rex’s voice.
“Really…you think Cole organized the attack?”
“Yes, that’s what we think.”
“Well color me surprised.”
I turned around just as Caden placed his hand on Rex’s shoulder. “Tell no one this and look out for yourself and your charge.”
“Yeah of course…I’m with you guys.”
“Good.” Caden put his arm around my shoulders. “I think we should head back…you go first, after five minutes Cora and I will follow.”
Rex nodded his head, turned and walked off the way he came, we waited for five minutes and followed after. A shiver snaked its way down my spine, Caden thought I was cold and pulled me closer. It wasn’t the cold that made me shiver…somewhere in the foliage someone was watching us. I looked from right to left and didn’t see anyone, how could I when it was dark and one o’clock in the morning. I glanced over my shoulder and saw the source.
I couldn’t see the face because it was surrounded in darkness. The person was standing against a tree half hidden by a bush but I knew he or she was looking at us because I could see the yellow glow of its eyes. It had to have been a shifter because a humans eyes didn’t glow like that. The longer I stared the brighter the eyes seemed to get. Since I wasn’t paying attention, a root caught my foot and I all but tripped. Good thing Caden had a hold of me because if he didn’t I would have fallen. He helped me right myself.
“You alright Cora?”
“Yeah.” I looked back at the mystery person only to find that they were no longer standing there. Something cold slithered through my body and made a home for its self in the pit of my stomach. I couldn’t help but to wonder how much that person heard and if he/she was in league with Cole.
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