Chapter 13

    She felt as if she was drifting.

    She was floating lightly upon warm velvet waves, which caressed her body gently. Around her she saw only the endless white. She heard soft music, but wasn’t able to catch the melody, as if it reached her from far away. She felt delicate aroma of jasmine too – soothing and intoxicating at the same time. She began to wonder, where she was. What had happened and how did she get here?

    Images slowly emerged from darkness. Like snapshots from a movie. Narrow streets, lips bared in a sinister smile, sharp teeth. Eyes dark as the night sky. Flash of the blade. Blood.

    Everything began to create a coherent whole.

    She already knew who she was and what had happened. The question was what was happening with her now?

    She focused all her willpower to lift her eyelids. She opened her eyes slowly. At first she thought, that she had lost her sight, because what she saw was pure, pure white, just as if her eyes were enveloped in a delicate veil of mist. She blinked few times. The fog thinned and she could see a white ceiling. She stated with genuine relief, that it wasn’t so immaculate – here and there she noticed delicate scratches and cracks in the paint. She could still hear the sweet music and smell the aroma of jasmine. Determined not to miss anything more, she jumped up rapidly.

    Through her arm went sharp pain. From the shoulder to the fingertips she was terribly sore, which made her want to cut her arm off. But it must be admitted, that she didn’t give even the slightest squeak. She didn’t want to reveal, that she regained consciousness and is going to leg it.

    ‘The best way not to think about the pain is – not to think about it!’ She thought ironically. She began to look around, trying to push her physical condition away from her mind, though it seemed to be impossible.

    The room, she was in, was small, painted in vivid blue. She was sitting on a soft sofa with dark blue upholstery, there was an alder wood coffee table in front of her and two armchairs, matching for the sofa, on the other side of the room. On the right, there was the door, now opened for few inches, and opposite to it was a large, wide opened window with a cheerfully fluttering curtain. On the walls there hanged few watercolors, depicting seasons in some charming mountain corners. ‘Idyll first rate!’ She commented in her mind.

    She stood up carefully, but she felt dizzy anyway. She stood on legs wide apart and clenched her teeth to control nausea and the fucking feeling of weakness. When she was sure, that she wouldn’t fall flat on her face, she went slowly to the window and looked out. She was lucky – the flat was only on first floor and right outside the window there was a fire escape. What’s more, she recognized the area and stated that she’s only few streets from her brothers’ flat.

    ‘Now or never!’ She thought, although she was tempted to check the rest of the flat. But it meant the risk of meeting her mysterious savior. And Jay wasn’t sure if she wanted to. Last time she saw him, his eyes were throwing lightning and he was seething with lust for murder. ‘Better not to risk.’ She thought. She didn’t want to end like the shape-shifters in that creepy alley!

    She pulled the curtain back, climbed at a fairly high sill and slowly slid on the fire escape. The construction gave a loud pathetic creak and swayed violently. But Jay had no time for hesitation, as she heard a flurry of activity in the apartment. The hurried footsteps were approaching, so she decided on the fastest possible way down – she leaned over the railing, grabbed the rods, somersaulted, and then hung three meters above the ground. She hissed with pain.

    Her feet touched the pavement the same moment the curtain was brushed aside. Jay heard a quiet curse and instinctively raised her head up. It was he, standing up there on the fire escape. Black curls framed his swarthy face, where wonderful sapphire eyes glowed. He had straight nose, clearly outlined lips and chin with a small dimple in it, slightly high cheekbones and wide eyebrows forming perfect arches. Even from such a distance she could notice, that he had thick eyelashes and two scares – one on the right cheek, the second crossed the left eyebrow.

    He was watching her quietly and for some reason Jay knew that he won’t follow her. She smiled then and saluted in a gesture of thanks and farewell at the same time, then she turned on her heel and started running ahead. This time she hadn’t seen even a hint of aggression in his eyes, but she preferred not to check what, and how fast, may lead him to fury.

***

    He was looking in the direction in which she ran, long after she had disappeared around the corner. ‘Who’s that girl?’ He wondered in awe for her indomitable spirit and willpower. He remembered how she fought with her weakness. But there was something more that bothered him. For a split of a second he felt something. A hint of energy. So familiar. He wanted to find out who she was.

    She could stay at his place and recover. Or at least wait until she would feel better. ‘She’s either very stubborn, or just stupid!’ He thought with anger that suddenly gripped him and went back to the apartment. ‘Or maybe I’ve scared her earlier?’ He amused over that thought. ‘She was running away, but she certainly felt no fear!’

    Now she slipped out of his hands, but he was sure, that they’ll meet again. ‘And there, for sure, will be troubles out of it!’ He added in mind in a moment of gallows humor.

***

    Despite the nagging pain, she covered the distance from twins’ apartment at a record pace. She exercised a lot and Sean was pleased with her. One by one she broke her records, which made the werewolf genuine delight. But when she entered the list with her brothers, her results were barely average. She smiled at the memory of Sean pinning her down on and on, trying to get to know what the deal is. Fortunately, he believed her when she told him, that she didn’t want to deflate her brothers’ ego and show, that she’s better. And she stuck to it. But the truth was she didn’t want to confess, that she made up her mind and wants to become an assassin. She couldn’t do it openly. They would try to stop her. Though, she was often tempted to show what she really was capable of.

    She got to the apartment with intention to flee her brothers, straight to the bathroom to take a long hot bath and replace the dressing, which, as she noticed in the way, he had applied on her shoulder. But as soon as she crossed the threshold, her brothers jumped up from the couch and armchairs.

    - Where the hell have you been? What happened? We received very strong signal from you! – They asked frantically, one after another. She could saw concern in their eyes, and slight panic. But also a bit of anger?

    - I’m fine! – She tried to calm them down. – I’ve just run too far and lost all track of time. – ‘They won’t buy it.’ She added in mind, resigned.

    - You disappeared for half of a day! – Carter reproached her. – It’s three p.m.! Sean called to ask what’s up, so we had to make up some fucking tale, and you say that everything’s okay?! – He was still getting carried away.

    - What happened? – Christian decided to stop his twin’s tirade, so he drew attention to Jay’s bandaged arm. – Where did you get it?

    -  This … - Confused, she was frantically trying to come up with some good tale. – Well … - ‘Damn it! Why nothing comes up to my mind when I really need it!?’ She thought angrily. She swore in the spirit knowing, that she wouldn’t be able to get out of it. – Okay. I had a really unpleasant incident, but I immediately warn you – she raised her hand to stop them from comments they couldn’t wait to get them out – I’m fine! At least it’s nothing serious.

    She told them everything, from the moment she went jogging. Of course, she ignored the fact that she came back from Bryan’s place first. She let Christian took off the bandage and she opened a bit, so he could help her heal her wounds passing his energy to her. ‘I should have thought about it before I came back.’ She scolded herself in spirit.

    - And what if that guy had killed you too? – Asked Jess after a moment of silence. – Have you thought about the fact that he, too, was a threat to you? From what you say, he was unpredictable. He’s some fucking psycho! – He winded himself up more and more.

    - Yet I'm still alive! – Jay was trying to ease the situation.

    - Let’s think about it for a moment. – Michael tried to think rationally. – That guy is the hunter, but he didn’t notice that you’re the one as well.

    - As soon as I felt his power, I focused on blocking my fluids and energy from him. But we have no guarantee, that I wasn’t sending any signals while I was unconscious. Besides, I’ve lost control over my shields for a moment. I’ve sent signals to you, though we’re closely connected together.

    - You know where he lives. – Said Daniel. – We can go watch him.

    -  Leave it to us. – Carter stopped his brother’s inclinations immediately. – We’ll go over him with a toothcomb and follow the trail Jay picked up, and you take care of learning. – He said haughtily to pique them.

    - I’ll take you there. – Jay actually accepted the fact that she had to allow her brothers to her small investigation. – With a little luck I’ll be able to show him to you. But, it’s me who leads this action! – Her voice was full of determination, which they never managed to win.    

    - Deal. – Carter had no choice but to accept the conditions imposed by his sister. Sometimes they had an impression, that only she deals the cards.

    - Then don’t waste time! – She said with satisfaction. – We’ll go there tomorrow, before noon. We meet at ten! – It sounded like a command in the army. It must be admitted, that she master conducting her brothers to perfection. But in a way, they allowed her to be bossy.

***

    They went out on time, and Jay took care that they didn’t stick out too much. Dressed like a group of tourists, they headed charming streets. They took cameras and camcorders, to stay inconspicuous. But above all, it was equipment they could use to get some material, which on the other hand, could be helpful in their little private investigation.

    She had no problems to find the flat she had run away from only a day earlier. She showed them the back of the building – the window, she escaped through and swaying, rusted fire escapes.   

    - You’re lucky, that you didn’t fall off and break your neck. – Mark murmured.

    - I like to look at it from this point of view too! – She winked at him. They always got along well together as they both could find brighter spots on a black painting.

    They went slowly to the front of the building. It looked much better here. Well-maintained stone stairs with brass handrails led to mahogany doors, on both sides of which stood huge pots full of flowers. The windows were high, which made the apartments bright and sunny. From where they stood, they could see that the roof and gutters are new. Even lawns were neatly mowed.

    - It can’t be cheap. – Michael summed up. – I wonder how our scamp supports himself?

    - He’s the hunter. – She said unemotionally. – His eyes clearly said that this job, I mean killing with cold blood, gives him pleasure. I wouldn’t be surprised, if he was a hired killer. – She added after a short reflection. Suddenly, this thought became unpleasant. His eyes were so extremely beautiful, despite the lust of murder she saw in them. Their deep color fell into her memory. Though, having turquoise eyes she shouldn’t bother or sentimentalize over such a trifle, however, she couldn’t forget the dark as the night sky irises.

    They took few photos and moved on. Jay led them to the square, and then on the track of yesterday run. Her mind was clear and focused on one goal – this time she didn’t allow herself to daydream, and easily reconstructed the way she had came. The place where they surrounded her was still full of energy. It was floating like gusts of invisible wet mist. They found even greater concentration of power in the place where she was wounded and her persecutors died. They clearly felt the vibration of death in the air, penetrating the skin and irritating nerves.

    They took more photos there and used the cameras again to document signs of the struggle. There was blood everywhere, but no sign of bodies or even bullet shells. ‘He’s damn fucking good!’ She thought with sincere admiration.

    When they decided, that there’s nothing else they could do, they went back to the square, but choosing different way. They made quite a big circle and were already coming out into the open space, when Jay stopped them with a hand and mental warning.

    - What now?! – Carter asked a bit irritated. Jay could sense that he was tired.

    - It’s him! – She murmured. – The guy in black jeans and red T-shirt, with sunglasses. He was sitting on the bench by the fountain.

    Her brothers followed her gaze and looked closely at the man she indicated. Tall, well-built, but not too muscular. Swarthy complexion, raven-black hair. Clothes looked like brand ones, so he indeed had to earn a lot.

    - Looks like a good game! – Jess poked his sister with elbow and smiled significantly. The response was contemptuous snort. – I would give him some twenty-four – twenty-seven years.

    - I agree. – Carter turned the camera on and started to record the fountain, just as an inquisitive tourist. – Let’s look closer at our friend. – He smiled widely and went towards the square.

    - He had to start training quite early. – Daniel said when Carter had walked away. – Too come to such practice and devoid of emotions you have to toil a bit, and he’s only few years older than we. – He explained then they frowned. – Will we be like he too?

    Though it was rhetorical question, they all mused on Daniel’s words. Was this their future? Eyes full of hatred? Unrestrained anger? Destroy of own humanity? Rejection of all values? Jay didn’t want such a future for herself, and much less for her brothers. She deeply believed that they could avoid it. Isabo could.

    They interrupted their contemplations, as Carter came back from his jaunt with a look of satisfaction on his face.

    - We can go. – He said triumphantly.

    - Not yet. – She said over her shoulder, already heading towards the fountain, before any of them could react.

    - Jaysabel! – Christian was trying to stop his sister, but she broke out abruptly and even didn’t look back. 

    - Let her work. – Jess said calmly. – We’re near if she needs us.

***

    At first she planned to walk past and sit on the opposite side of the fountain and observe him in peace just for a while. At the last moment, however, she changed her mind and walked confident, nonchalant step to the bench, he was sitting on. She sat freely and stared at the merrily spurting spring keeping her eye on the target.  

    He didn’t notice her straight away – he rarely bothered about attractive girls he met. It happened very often, that some teenagers were hitting on him, they even were pushy sometimes. So he learnt to ignore them before they could event speak to him. It was he, who decided, which girl he wanted to get to know. But then he could smell her scent – delicate aroma of vanilla and caramel. Behind the sunglasses he watched as she sat on the edge of the bench and crossed her legs.

    - Perfect day to enjoy the beauties of a city like this. – This innocent taunt gave him occasion to turn head towards her and look closely to the girl sitting next to him.

    She was wearing skin-tight jeans with turned up legs, so they reached her mid-calf, sleeveless top in the color of ripe peach and white sports shoes. Her hair curled around her face, falling softly on bare shoulders. Her complexion was quite dark, she could have Latin roots. The color of her skin was now clearly visible, unlike yesterday, when she was pale as death. Her skin was smooth. He knew how it was in touch – he allowed himself to touch her while she was lying unconscious. He also remembered the color of her eyes, now hidden behind sunglasses. They have deep color of restless oceans’ waters. She could be about fourteen, sixteen years up.

    - I turned seventeen in June. – She said calmly turning her head towards him and giving him charming smile. In the left corner of her mouth a flirtatious dimple appeared.

    He was so absorbed in ruminations that he forgot to block his thoughts. He didn’t even expect that this chick had any abilities. And now, she was looking at him with those cavernous eyes, smiling mockingly, but with visible satisfaction. Like a cat, which had just caught a mouse.

    - Shouldn’t you be at school? – He asked teasingly.

    - School starts in two weeks. – She said, not without satisfaction. – Besides, it’s Sunday. – She managed to disturb his balance. ‘Point for her!’

    - You must have amazing power, if you’re able to lock both your mind and energy field. – He said admiringly.

    - I’m working on it. – She answered calmly. Then he noticed that the bandage, which he put on her arm, disappeared, and there wasn’t even a small scar.

    - You’re working hard on self-healing as well, as I can see. – A little bit confused, she looked down on his hand gently brushing the place, where the wound or at least a scar should be.

    - Such a gift. – She scolded herself for her reaction and decided to clean up her act. – It was so rude of me, that I haven’t thanked you for help. – She gave him captivating smile again. – Well, thanks. – She stood up and turned around wanting to leave.

    - Wait! – He jumped up and grabbed her arm. He wasn’t going to miss such an opportunity. – You’re welcome. – He smiled widely showing even, strong white teeth. – I’m Dominic. – He added taking off his sunglasses. When he looked at her, she didn’t notice even a shred of evil in his eyes, which she saw there only yesterday.

    His eyes were captivating. She swallowed hard, as her throat was dry suddenly. But she shook off quickly. She came here, to look up at him closely. Not to flirt.

    - Nice to meet you. – She smiled back, freed her hand and moved ahead. Crafty smile appeared on her face.

    He remained confused for a moment.

    - Do you have a name? – He shouted after her.

    She knew he would be taken in. She turned around, but didn’t stop and kept walking back.

    - Jay! – She shouted back.

    She saw him frown. At least ‘Jay’ is rather a male name. It seemed that the first letter occurred to his mind, as his eyes flashed with light.

    - Is it a shortcut? Or a nickname? – He asked. It was clear that she enjoyed the game, but he liked challenges. – From which name? Jennifer? Joyce? Janice? Judith? Jessica? – He was guessing.

    - Jaysabel! – She took pity of him knowing, that he had no chance to guess.

    She smiled wider at his amazement. She turned her back at him again and quicken the pace heading towards waiting brothers.