Jasmine

My head pounds as I sit up, looking at the time on my phone. Only 5 am. Just great. I put my phone back down and notice a stack of plates with half-eaten food that are piled on the bedside table, as well as the bottles of water that are littered beside the bed. Jeez, I must have used way more magic than I thought. I shouldn't have needed this much food.

My bedroom door opens and I swing my gaze around to see Liam walking into my room like he owns the place. When he notices me wide awake, sitting on the edge of the bed, he pauses mid-stride.

Something close to relief crosses his face before he moves quickly to my side table and takes all the plates, piling them in his arms as if he's an expert waiter. He takes them from the room and comes back in with a plate filled with bacon, eggs, sausages, grilled tomatoes, and mushrooms. He hands the plate to me, and I smile in thanks before digging into it, completely ravenous.

I pause halfway through eating, noticing Liam still standing there, watching me devour my food. "How long was I out?" I ask before I continue eating.

He keeps watching me with a small smile on his face for a moment before answering. "You've been unconscious for eleven days. You would eat, drink, and use the bathroom in a kind of weird state. You were kind of aware, but not quite. You didn't respond to either Benji or I while you were eating or drinking, so we just let you be. To be honest, when I came in here, I thought you might still be in that state."

I'm floored by his words. Eleven days?! That shouldn't be possible. Then again, I've never exactly done a spell quite so potent before.

I place the now empty plate on the side table and reach over to grab a drink from one of the bottles of water that are beside by my bed. I gulp it down greedily before I meet his gaze. "What happened while I was out?" I ask curiously. My head still feels like it’s splitting open from the inside out. The more I focus on the feeling, the more I realize it’s actually the earth trying to warn me that someone had crossed the barrier.

The pain only got as bad as it did because I was in my coma. I think if I wasn't out completely, it would have just been a nice dull throb until I noticed it. As it is, now that I've acknowledged the pain, it's already begun to ease.

I send out a quiet thanks to the earth for warning me and feel an answering warmth flow through me, making me relax instantly.

Liam cocks his head, intrigued. "What do you mean?" he asks as he stands, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. I study him, fascinated by all that muscle. His black hair and violet eyes are looking even more striking with the dark shadow of stubble that coats his jaw. I just want to reach up and caress it to see if the stubble is as soft as his wolf coat.

I return my focus to the matter at hand, smirking over at him. "Really? You're going to play coy with me? I was the one to put the protection barrier up, so even though you and Benji are bound into it, I am still its maker. When I awakened, it was because my head had begun pounding yesterday, which began to slowly pull me from the coma. My body was being told I needed to help because someone had crossed the boundary. So, I'll ask again, what did I miss?"

He chuckles darkly and moves towards me, taking a seat on the chair close to my bed. It looks like it was moved, because I'm certain before I passed out it was in the corner of my room. "You're right," he sighs, sounding defeated. "Yesterday, we were out patrolling while Josh guarded the pack house and kept watch over you. We both felt off as if we knew something bad was going to happen. We both felt drawn to a particular area where it turned out a few wolves were being attacked by a witch. When we got to them, we realized the feeling was because they had crossed the circle line you had formed. We immediately jumped into action and tried to stop her before she could do any more harm. When we appeared, she became more focused in her attacks, and if it weren't for the Order showing up, it’s very likely one of us would have died."

"Wait, wait, wait," I say, holding up my hands. I needed to process what he said, sure I had heard him wrong. "The Order is here?"

He nods, and I pale. "Fuck!"

Shit, shit, and double shit! I'm a fucking moron! I jolt to my feet and start pacing, wondering how I could have been so fucking stupid!

Liam stands and grabs me as I pass, stopping my nervous pacing. "Jasmine, what's wrong? Why are you acting scared like you're a criminal on the run?" His grip tightens on me, and my magic flares, making him loosen his hold and step away. He took a deep breath. "Sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you, but my wolf was just reacting to your fear."

"It wasn't fear you were feeling. I'm just anxious." I sigh and grab his hand, leading him back to the bed. "Liam, how much do you know about our magic levels?"

He shrugs, keeping hold of my hand, and I can't help but smile down at it. His hand in mine feels so natural. I thought it would feel weird being so close to him like this, but I feel deep in my heart that I can trust him.

"There are five magic levels among witches. Level five is meant for those whose magic is barely there. So, those who are able to only do small tasks like lighting a campfire, or flicking light switches on and off.

"Level four users are slightly stronger and can do things like manipulate the weather around them. They could form a small fire and then manipulate it slowly to make it grow into something monstrous and devastating."

He nods as I talk, letting me know he understands what I've said so far, so I continue.

"Then we have our level three users. The majority of witches are a level three. They can summon almost anything, but have a harder time keeping it steady and their magic drains very quickly.

"Level two is the required level to become an Order member. They can summon most magic and can use it for most anything you could dream of. While they too get drained, they don't drain as quickly as a level three does, and level two would be likely to go into a similar coma with any magic use above their level.”

"So, you're a level two, then? Why is that so important right now? It doesn't explain why you reacted the way you did. I mean, so what if you have the same power level as the Order? It’s not like you want to be one of them, so it shouldn't matter," he rants, and I smile at his protectiveness.

I wonder if he will be as defensive of me when he knows just what I'm capable of. "No, Liam. I'm a level one."

I expect gasps, screams, maybe even some flickering lights or some shit, to make the moment a little more dramatic but he remains quiet. After a minute, he asks, "What's a level one?"

I can't help it, I laugh. That moment was so anticlimactic. I thought for sure he'd be shocked by my reveal. I still remember the day I found out I was a level one, I cried because it meant I would become a target.

My assessor told me I was a level one, but to never tell another person in my life. Level one users can do pretty much whatever their heart desires, but we still suffer the magic drain.

Neira, my assessor, had sat me down and told me all about the level one and level zero witches. Level one, while rare, are feared by the Order. And level zero witches are practically extinct. The last known level zero died long ago, at least according to Neira. She advised me to keep under wraps what level I am on the off chance the Order, though I was more worried about my mother, would want to use me for the power I could wield.

"Level one users can do much more than a level two, and our energy drain is nowhere near as bad as it is for lower level witches. Basically, I'm a level two, but with more benefits. Like yesterday," I shake my head, remembering how long I've been asleep. "I mean when I put the circle up. That day, I drained every ounce of magic in me, but now, I'm fully refreshed and recharged. I could probably use a couple more days of light rest, but for the most part, I'm back to normal."

He sits in silence for a moment, processing my words before he abruptly stands, flinging my hand away. "You have to run! If the Order is here for you, who knows what they'll do with you."

I shake my head sadly. "No, Liam, I can't run because they will just follow me and track me down. The only thing I can do is meet with them and hope that they don't sense what level I am. Neira covered it up on all my records. She labelled me as a two, both with the Order and the Soldiers."

He stares into my eyes, as if looking for something. Maybe fear? All I give him is strong-willed determination. I know what the Order is about. Neira was a part of a group of witches who refused to remain under their thumb and moved to the cities they barely frequented. The Order seemed to always alternate between Maine and Virginia. My theory had been they were trying to help the wolves stay safe and keep their population up. But lately, other thoughts have been forming in my mind, thoughts I don't like that contradict my earlier theories.

Finally he sighs, resigned. "Okay, let’s get this over with."

I nod grimly. "I'm going to have a quick shower first, okay? I've been asleep for the past eleven days, and I'm trying very hard not to smell myself right now."

Liam grins at me and takes a hesitant sniff, before wrinkling his nose. "Yes, that may be a good idea." He walks to the door, while I stand with my mouth open in shock. Did he really just imply I stink? What an ass!

As he’s about to close the door behind him, he pokes his head back in. "Maybe wash yourself twice, you know, just in case." He winks and closes the door. I smile, hearing his deep chuckle as he walks away.

I walk over to my bags and dig through them for a pair of black skinny jeans and a grey tank. I pull out my favourite bra, a wire-free grey one with pale pink lace along the cups. I don't worry about underwear, knowing the outline will show through my jeans, no matter which I choose.

I shower, taking my time to thoroughly wash my hair and give myself a second wash, just in case. I shave my legs and underarms, surprised by how much the hair grew in eleven days. It was seriously bad. I don't think I've ever gone without shaving for more than three days.

Once I'm satisfied that I’m really clean, I climb out, wrapping myself in a towel before grabbing my clothes to get dressed. Halfway through changing, my bedroom door opens to reveal a majorly pissed off Benji.

He stalls when he sees me standing in just my jeans and bra. I turn my back to him, and pull my top on. When I turn back to face him, he seems more together but still shaken.

"What do you need, Benji?" I ask, crossing my arms over my chest, noticing the way his eyes dilate as he gaze is drawn to my chest.

He slowly lifts his eyes and meets my smirk with one of his own. "I just wanted to make sure you were okay, Jazzy. Liam told me you were awake and about your magic level. Why didn't you tell me?"

The hurt in his voice surprises me. It wasn't like I consciously meant to tell Liam and not Benji, he was just the first one to come in here. When he told me the Order was here, it all just spilled out without me thinking.

"Benji," I sigh, stepping closer and reaching out to place my hands on his shoulder. I look up into his eyes. "I'm sorry I told Liam first. I swear, it was an 'in the moment' confession. I just woke up and found out I'd been out for eleven days. Then I found out the Order had arrived, and it just messed with my mind. Besides, Liam needed to know, as did you. I have no idea what the Order will do if they find out. You need to prepare for the fact that they may take me."

He presses his head to mine, growling. "I won't let that happen, Jazzy! I just got you back! You're mine! I don't care what the Order says!"

I sigh and roll my eyes. "As much as we both want me to stay, it’s up to the Order what happens. You know that. We need to be careful. If they are at all responsible for what is happening with the witches, then we need to come across as extremely obedient. We can't let them even suspect us of disloyalty, or they may execute us before we have a chance to stop what is happening. For the wolves’ sake, promise me you won't let your temper get in the way," I beg, my eyes imploring him.

The last thing we need is for the Order to learn that we know they're up to something. As it is, we don't have any concrete proof. The captured witches were taken in by the Order, so all we have left are suspicions, and that's not enough to confront them with. I'd rather live to see another day, even if that means they try to take me from here. I can always find my way back somehow. Maybe being taken would actually work out better in the long run. I could infiltrate their headquarters and find out if anyone knows why these things are happening.

Benji lifts my head from staring down at the floor, tilting my chin back so I meet his gaze. "Jazzy, can I kiss you?" he murmurs, and my heart skips a beat.

I’ve waited for this moment for years. Instead of answering, I smile and reach up, pressing my lips to his. He growls and moves me back until we hit the bed, his body landing above me. He pulls back to look at me, and I can see he's looking for permission. I smirk, lifting my hands and running them through his hair before gripping tightly, causing a little pain before pulling him back to me and claiming his lips hungrily.

I pull on his bottom lip with my teeth, enjoying the growl that reverberates through him. He pulls back and makes me sit up enough that he can pull my shirt off. He sends it flying across the room just as three loud bangs sound at the door. Liam's voice comes through muffled, "Sorry to interrupt what sounds like a good time, but the Order is demanding your presence, Jasmine."

"Son of a bitch!" Benji growls, causing me to laugh.

I slap a hand against his chest, pushing him over to the side so I can get up. "Maybe we can get back to this later, wolf. Let's go get this over with first."