Chapter Eight

Phoenix entered the cave and meandered down the long, semi-lit hallway, not aware that Jayden was holding back. She was tired and glad to be inside, which was unusual. She normally wanted to stay out as long as possible, but she was feeling guilty over making her brother worry.

The two of them continued down the twisting turns of the cave, the route familiar to Phoenix. They stepped into the central cavern and she spotted John right away. He hadn’t yet turned around to spot her and she took a deep breath, prepared for the lecture she knew she deserved. He finally turned and Phoenix saw his eyes narrow. Even though the lighting was always poor in the cavern, especially after being out in the sun, she could see the sparks flying from his dark blue depths.

“It’s about time you came back, Phoenix. We were getting ready to send out a search party,” John shouted as he quickly approached them. Neither of them noticed the slight shift in Jayden. He was responding to the anger in John’s voice and preparing to protect her, but quickly backed down when he realized John meant her no harm.

“I’m sorry, John. I was picking and then fell asleep by a stream,” Phoenix reminded her brother. Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment over her irresponsible behavior.

“Phoenix, do you know how dangerous that was? You could’ve been captured, or even worse, killed,” John said, as he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. “You need to have someone with you from now on. I know you like to have your alone time but it’s just not worth it. The guards reported enemy troops have gotten closer to our area and you know I couldn’t handle it if anything ever happened to you,” John said, squeezing Phoenix so tightly she couldn’t breathe for a few moments.

“You’re choking me, John,” she gasped and he quickly loosened his grip. “I’m really sorry and I won’t let it happen again. I love you, too,” she said with a huge smile, taking Jayden’s breath away once more.

“Sorry, Sis. I went crazy with worry, imagining all the possibilities of what could’ve happened when I couldn’t reach you,” John said, calming down and smiling sheepishly at his sister. He finally noticed Jayden standing by silently and his shoulders stiffened again as he looked at the outsider. “Who’s this?” he asked Phoenix instead of asking the guest.

“This is Jayden. He’s an escapee I met today,” Phoenix said, grabbing hold of Jayden’s arm and pulling him forward. He had to control himself not to pull her into his arms. At her simple touch, his body lit on fire and he didn’t want to release her.

“Hello, Jayden. Let me take you to the elders and we can get you settled,” John said a bit reluctantly. He was looking over Jayden with suspicion, which amused Jayden. If John knew who he really was, he’d have a reason to be suspicious, but at that point her older brother just didn’t like the fact he’d been alone with his sister in the woods. John didn’t know how right he was to be leery.

Jayden looked into John’s eyes, making sure he had his full attention. He couldn’t necessarily control humans’ actions but he could bend them to his will.

“Thank you, John, and I’m sorry if you were worried,” Jayden said in his silky smooth voice.

“Oh, it’s not your fault. I just tend to overreact when it comes to my little sister. I’m sorry if I’ve been taking it out on you,” John said. He was normally a nice guy and a true friend and felt bad about his cold reaction to the stranger. His bad mood wasn’t Jayden’s fault.

“Thank you,” Jayden simply said, impressed that he didn’t have to use any of his manipulative powers. John turned and left in the direction of the elders with Jayden close behind him. Phoenix watched them leave, inhaling a huge lungful of air. She hadn’t realized she’d been holding her breath. She continued staring after Jayden, almost as if she were in a trance. The guy was so mysterious and his voice was mesmerizing.

Shaking her head in an attempt to bring herself back to reality, she berated her stupid hormones. She couldn’t develop a crush on Jayden because she would most likely end up heartbroken all over again. Just as she was about to convince herself of just that, Jayden turned around, flashing a smile, and her heart fluttered out of control. She sighed aloud and her eyes drooped in pleasure. She was completely unaware that Jayden heard her sigh all the way across the room and it was like adding fuel to a fire for him.

“Who the heck is that?” Sadie asked dreamily as she approached Phoenix.

“His name’s Jayden. I found him in the woods,” Phoenix said, realizing how stupid her words sounded as soon as they escaped her lips. It wasn’t like he was a lost puppy. Sadie looked at her as if she were insane and the two of them continued watching the guys until they disappeared.

“I think I’ll try to get picking duty more often if that’s the kind of harvest you’re getting,” Sadie said with a giggle. The two girls started to crack up, not stopping until they couldn’t breathe anymore and their stomachs hurt.

“Seriously, he’s gorgeous, isn’t he,” Phoenix said, needing confirmation that it wasn’t just her imagination.

“Yeah, he’s dreamy. Oh, my gosh, I had to do a double take when he walked in the room, and believe me, I’m not the only one. I noticed Jessica about drooled on the floor. I think she’s even forgotten Brian’s name,” Sadie said with a pointed look at Jessica, who was following the direction the boys had just gone.

Phoenix had an overwhelming urge to rip the girl apart. She’d always been irritated by the way Jessica flirted with Brian, but she’d never wanted to stake her claim so badly. She had no right to claim Jayden, though – he didn’t belong to her. She’d simply been the one to meet him in the woods and there was no way he’d choose her when someone like Jessica was throwing herself at him. He was, after all, male.

“Yeah, Jessica would spot him immediately. I guess we’ll see what kind of guy he really is. If he falls for her fakeness, he’s definitely not someone I want to be friends with. If he sees through her act, then maybe he’s as good a guy as I think he is,” Phoenix said with sarcasm, though not holding out much hope.

“Well, you know he’ll be busy for a while with the elders. They’ll want to know exactly what he’s seen and gather as much new information from him as they can. We may as well get ready for dinner. You know you’re going to be the star of the show tonight since you brought that hunk of man meat in with you,” Sadie said with another giggle while wrapping her arm through Phoenix’s and dragging her away.

Phoenix followed without complaint, ready to get cleaned up after her long day in the woods. A warm bath would feel wonderful and she needed to get out of her dirty clothes. She also needed to get her mind off the enigmatic Jayden.

As Phoenix relaxed in the bath, her eyes became heavy and she felt herself starting to drift to sleep. Before she gave in, she forced her eyes open so she could at least get out, dry off and make it to her room. She wasn’t normally so sleepy but the day seemed to have drained her.

Sadie burst through Phoenix’s bedroom door, waking her immediately, wanting to fill her in on what had happened over the last couple of hours. It seemed more people had been brought in and they had some big stories to tell. Sadie rushed Phoenix to quickly dress herself and hurried her to the dining room.

“I’m coming as fast as I can,” Phoenix said, exasperated.

“I know, but do you really want to leave Jayden alone with Jessica? He’s back from talking with the elders and she’s had her claws in him since he walked out. So far, he’s completely ignored her, other than a few polite words, and his eyes keep wandering. I think he’s been looking for you. I’ve been too scared to talk to him so far,” Sadie hurriedly told her.

“I can’t believe you’d be too scared to talk to anyone,” Phoenix said with a fond smile, her hair flowing away from her face with her fast-paced momentum.

“I know, right? But seriously, he seems to just get more incredible looking. You know how most guys seem so dang hot at first and then after you see them for a while, their hotness level drops a bit? It’s completely the opposite with Jayden. When he reappears, he just gets hotter,” Sadie sighed.

They stepped into the dining room, which was already full. At least they wouldn’t have to wait long in line for their food, though finding somewhere to sit would be a whole other matter. The two girls quickly gathered their meal and scanned the full room.

“Phoenix, over here.” The two girls heard a smooth, magical voice and turned their heads. Jayden had two seats right next to him at an overcrowded table. Phoenix was happy that he’d thought of her and saved a place.

“Oh, he is nice on the eyes. And such a great guy,” Sadie gushed. “He saved me a seat, too,” she whispered, which had the two girls giggling again as they made their way toward the table. Jayden had eyes only for Phoenix, which brought a complimenting rose color to her cheeks as she took her seat.

“I see you were successful in picking today,” Jessica said, all innocent smiles for those around the table. Her words caused a ripple of laughter and Phoenix’s blush deepened. Only Phoenix saw the slight glare Jessica sent her way.

“Well, I’m all about variety,” Phoenix finally said, and the table continued to laugh.

“I, for one, am glad I stumbled upon Phoenix,” Jayden practically purred, while looking deep into her eyes. Phoenix forgot how to speak for a few moments, until Jessica, refusing to be ignored, interrupted.

“You must have been so frightened out there on your own, Jayden,” Jessica said with a truly impressive sympathetic expression. Phoenix had to fight the bile rising to the top of her throat. She was relieved Jayden didn’t seem deceived by the other girl’s charm.

“There’s certainly a lot of bad stuff going on out there, but I’d go through it all again if it meant being rescued by this beautiful girl,” Jayden said, running his finger down her arm. Phoenix couldn’t stop the goose bumps from instantly appearing on her flesh, or the blush that stole over her entire body. One little touch from him and she felt things she’d never felt before. It was confusing and exhilarating at the same time.

“Oh, that’s so romantic,” Sadie sighed, looking a bit love struck herself as her eyes darted back and forth from Phoenix to Jayden.

“Gag me,” Jessica mumbled underneath her breath, low enough no one heard, but Jayden was able to pick up on it. He gave her the full power of his smile, which seemed to instantly shut her up. She started picking at her food.

“Where are you from?” Brian suddenly jumped into the conversation. Phoenix couldn’t understand the antagonism radiating from the boy she’d once been head over heels for. Maybe he was jealous that Jessica seemed to have forgotten all about him. Phoenix could swear something was going on with him and Sadie, though, and didn’t see why that would matter to him.

“I’ve been all over the place, really, and never anywhere for long. That ended up being a good thing when the enemy came in because we aren’t easy to trace,” he said, evading the question. The way he spoke seemed to silence people’s questions. It was almost as if his entire demeanor seemed to shout integrity.

“Can you hunt?” John asked, not seeming to feel any of the tension from the others at the table. He was oblivious to teenage drama, probably because he was technically an adult.

“Yes, I’m very good at hunting,” Jayden said with a twinkle in his eye. He laughed a bit at the question as if he found it amusing, which Phoenix didn’t understand. Most of the guys liked to hunt. It wasn’t that big of a deal.

“That’s great, you’ll have to go out with us as soon as you feel comfortable,” John said.

“I’d love to,” Jayden told him. Phoenix noted that he wasn’t really eating, just pushing his food around. She was sure it was the stress from the day because she wasn’t able to eat much, either, though it was one of her favorite meals.

“Are you going to eat that?” John asked, eyeing the meat on Jayden’s plate. John was always hungry after hunting, since the guys got such a workout hiking through the forest.

“No, go ahead, my stomach seems to be a little upset,” Jayden said, looking relieved to pass on his tray. John finished his own dinner and then started working on Jayden’s. A couple of other guys picked from his plate as well and soon all the food was gone.

“You’re such pigs,” Jessica piped in, barely touching her own food. Phoenix knew she always snuck into food later but wanted to put on a show in front of the guys, like her eating was something to be ashamed of or something. Phoenix really didn’t understand all the games the stupid girl played.

“Hey, not all of us sit around twirling our hair all day,” one guy piped up from the other end of the table. Phoenix had to fight the smile from spreading across her face as the boy called Jessica on her crap. Jessica sent him a glare but stayed at the table. Normally, she would’ve sulked off and then sought Brian out later, but Jayden seemed a big enough draw to keep her there that night.

“Did you hear about the other people who came in tonight?” Brian spoke, still seeming to be in a bad mood.

“Sadie said something about some new people and that they have information, but that was all she said,” Phoenix answered, giving her attention to Brian, wondering what the newcomers had to say.

“I don’t know much, but my dad said they were escapees from one of the camps and they had some valuable info for us. I think the elders are planning a huge breakout at one of the prison camps. I know some of the people here have family members in a few of them and are sick with worry. They’ve been trying desperately to figure out how to get them out. Apparently these new people said the camps are really, really bad,” Brian said, liking the attention focused back on him.

“I can’t imagine how horrified I’d be if it was my family members in one of those places, while I was safe here,” Phoenix said as a shudder raced through her.

“I would move heaven and earth to get you out,” John said, and Phoenix knew he was speaking the truth. Heck, if she was in one of those places and he couldn’t get her out, he’d admit himself just so he could protect her, no matter how much she begged him not to.

“Well, we’re lucky our family is safe,” Phoenix said, feeling an honest loss for those who weren’t.

“I heard they’re worse than any prison ever was and that they starve people, use them as slaves and force them to do unspeakable things,” Jessica said, making sure she sounded important. She didn’t seem concerned about the conditions of her fellow human beings, which was disgusting to Phoenix.

“I hate to even think about what they’re going through because it makes me feel guilty I’m here,” Phoenix said. She couldn’t stop tears from filling her eyes and one stray tear from trailing down her face.

She jumped slightly when Jayden’s hand gently wiped her tear away and their eyes connected. Someone bumped against Phoenix, breaking the connection, and she heard a slight growl of displeasure from Jayden but thought it had to be her imagination.