Chapter 32

       Jess called all Jay’s friends. He knew that his sister wouldn’t come back home because there he would seek for her in the first place. He hoped that she didn’t go to Bryan, but since Jay wasn’t answering the phone and he hadn’t found her at any of her friends’ places, he had to face the truth. His sister was with that son-of-a-bitch!

       Jess was aware that what he thought was unfair, especially for Bryan, but he just couldn’t help it. In fact they never talked about it, but there was that fucking rule! Jason remembered that he himself had an eye on Liz, Bryan’s younger sister, but he never made any move. He kept his distance and didn’t break the rules. ‘Why the hell Weakfield couldn’t do the same?! Jay’s our sister, for fuck’s sake!’ He was furious not only with Bryan, but with himself as well. ‘Jay also shouldn’t keep this whole shit in secret!’ Jess thought with anger mixed with despair.

       Carter shared Jason’s opinion, but he preferred not to interfere. ‘Coward!’ He thought disrespectfully. Christian, on the other hand, didn’t say a word. ‘Treacherous bastard!’ It crossed his mind. What’s more he went somewhere last night and hasn’t returned yet. The turned off phone could mean only one thing, that he went to his girlfriend and didn’t want to be disturbed. ‘Who is she?’ Jess wondered, as his brother still hadn’t introduced his lady to them. ‘Whatever!’ He didn’t care at that moment.

       Jess got into his car, resigned. He was aware that Jay won’t forgive him so easily, but he had to see her! Somewhere, deep in his heart, he knew he was right, nevertheless, he felt bad after what he had said last night. He hit the steering wheel furiously few times. It didn’t help at all. What’s worse, he felt more frustrated than few minutes earlier. He swore under his breath and got out. He decided to take a walk, hoping that cool December air would make him feel better.

       He was worrying about Jay. Especially after today’s morning. He felt her thoughts and emotions. And pain. And then the signal stopped rapidly. He had hope that she just covered from him very well. He didn’t let himself think that something might have happened to her. He would never forgive himself, if the last thing she had heard from him was grievance and bitter words.

       Jason knew that the rest felt it too, but in his case it was something different. Much more solid. And deeper. Jay was his twin sister. Their bond was incredibly strong even before they received their powers. And after that memorable morning by the lake it grew even stronger. They shielded as much as they could, but it didn’t change the fact that Jason could feel his sister’s pain as his own. Especially when the shields failed. Just as today. He could still feel the pain in his arm and tight.

       Absorbed in meditations, overwhelmed by guilt, he finally reached Bryan’s flat. He sighed with relief when he saw Jay’s car parked on the side of the road. He didn’t fail to notice, that there was no sign of Weakfield’s car, which pleased him even more. ‘Maybe he went somewhere?’ He thought. ‘Even better. I’ll be able to speak with Jay calmly. Without the audience.’ That thought cheered him up.

       He came to the door slowly and took a deep breath. He knocked.

       He waited patiently for some time, but nothing happened. He knocked one more time. Again without response. The fear tugged at his heartstrings again. What if something happened to her? ‘Maybe she went with him?’ He tried to calm himself down. He sat at the steps of the porch. He’ll wait. Even if he’ll have to meet Bryan face to face. ‘I need to speak with her!’ He was desperate.

***

       He waited for three long hours. For nothing. Jay didn’t come. Even Bryan didn’t show up till then. Her phone was still turned off. He couldn’t sense his sister either and it was driving him crazy. There was no point in waiting, so he stood up slowly and started on the way back.

       He reached their flat at the same time as Christian.

-       Where were you bro? – He asked his elder brother.

-       I went to Mel and waited for Jay to appear. – Christian answered. He felt guilt for not telling the whole truth.

-       You saw her?! – Jason grabbed his arm. – Where is she now? At her place? – Without waiting for an answer Jess headed for his car.

-       Just wait a second! – Christian stopped his brother before he managed to get into the car. – Yeah, I saw her. She came there together with Weakfield. And when I was leaving they were still there.

-       I need to talk to her!

-       I know! But first let me tell you what I’ve found out. – That got his attention. – Come inside, Carter needs to hear that too. – He started towards the door, so Jess had no choice, but to follow him.

       They sat in the living room with some beer. Jason was pacing the room impatiently. When he met Carter’s reproachful gaze he took a sit on the sofa. But he was still stamping his foot impatiently.

-       I asked Jay what happened today morning. – Christian finally started. – She was jogging in the park when she was attacked by a werewolf. – He stopped Jess from asking questions and continued. – He wounded her quite badly, but she managed to heal quite quickly.

-       And that son-of-a-bitch? – Carter asked.

-       That’s the main problem. – Christian combed his hair. – She killed him.

-       What?! – That was all Jess could utter.

-       I was shocked too, but apparently Jay was well trained and she can defend herself efficiently. – He drank the rest of his beer. – I went to the park, to see that place, but all I found was waves of energy. Hers and that fucker.

-       How’s that possible?! He survived? – Carter asked.

-       I don’t think so. The death vibrations were too strong. But that worries me. – He pondered over this.

-       When she’ll come to see us? – Jess asked suddenly.

       He was watching Christian carefully. His brother was turning his gaze, as if he was hiding something. It crossed his mind that there’s something wrong. He thought that his brother lied to them and Jay was badly injured. ‘No! He wouldn’t do that! He couldn’t!’ He thought, trying to calm himself down. Jess finally caught his brother’s eye.

-       She’s staying with Bry for the next few days. – Christian said finally.

-       What?! – Jess was furious again. – And you let her?!

-       We can’t forbid her to meet him! – He snapped back. – I spoke with him. – He said a bit calmer. – It seems that he fell for her a long time ago.

-       So what?! – Jess didn’t give up. – She’s our sister!

-       You think I don’t know that?! – He turned towards the window and stayed quiet for few minutes. – He really loves her. – He whispered. – Fuck!

-       You’re on his side? – Carter asked and Christian frowned at him.

-       I guess, yes. – He said after a while.

-       Are you fucking kidding me?! – Jess got mad.

-       You want my advice? – Christian asked. – Better accept it or she’ll keep you at distance for the rest of your life. – After those words he left.

***

       He thought about Christian’s words and had to agree with him. He actually had no choice. He could, of course wait until Jay will forget about their argument, but he knew his twin sister all too well. And though he hoped to meet Jay at school, she didn’t appear there. Bryan was nowhere to be seen as well, so they apparently were spending the whole time together.

       It should drive him crazy, but strangely it didn’t. After few days it didn’t matter that Jay was dating their best friend. But the fact that his twin sister didn’t still want to talk with him hurt like hell. He made a huge mistake and it took him far too much time to understand that. ‘I should have kept my fucking mouth shut from the very beginning!’ He thought gloomily.

       Because he was trying to redeem his sins, he went together with Christian to the park. They checked that place once again, but found nothing. Just as Christian said, only traces of energies left there. They also followed the local news, but there was no mention of murder in the park. Someone had to clean it up, which gave them a reason to think. Probably, someone observed them. So it was possible that someone knew their every step. ‘Then it’s better that Jay stays out of sight.’ He thought.

 ***

       She should have felt guilt. But she didn’t. And only that made her feel really guilty. ‘That’s sucks!’ Jay thought while reading another text message from Jason. Her twin brother tried to call her over one hundred times during first two days. Then he started to write. At first he begged her to pick up the phone or to call him back. But when she kept refusing to dial his number, Jess changed the tone of his messages. Jay read them, but still didn’t want to answer any of them.

            He kept asking how she feels, if everything is okay, if she needs anything. Jay had no choice but to write him back. But still, those were very short answers. Usually one word – OKAY, YES or NO. And he didn’t push her. He even didn’t try to come to Bryan’s place to see her. It seemed that it was enough for him to know that his sister is safe.

       ‘Then where the fuck do all the remorse come from?!’ She thought angrily. She definitely was not ready to meet her twin brother eye to eye. Not after what he said. Besides, she felt safe with Bryan at the moment, and that was something she needed the most at that time. And even if she felt bad because of it, she was not able to go to her brothers to comfort her.

       At first she didn’t want to fall asleep. She was afraid that nightmares will haunt her in her dreams. But her body finally revolted. On the third evening they were watching some old movie. They were sitting on the couch, drinking her favorite wine. Soon her eyelids began to get heavier and heavier, so she huddled at Bryan’s side, placing her head on his lap. Jay slept peacefully all night. She didn’t even feel when Bry carried her into the bedroom, and she woke up the next day in the late afternoon.

       Jay couldn’t remember the last time she slept for so long. She felt incredibly relaxed and at ease. She could hear Bryan downstairs. He was talking by the phone, but what he was saying was not clear, and since she didn’t wasn’t to eavesdrop, Jay decided to stay in bed for few more minutes. She reached for her phone and checked missed calls and messages.

       She replied to Mel and Christian. The she called her younger brothers to check if everything was okay at home. She checked her e-mail and read some interesting news. But she still had that unpleasant feeling. Finally, she opened messages from Jason. One was from the last evening, the second one came this morning.

       “Night JJ. Sweet dreams.”

       “Hi! Hope you’re fine. Take care. Miss U.”

       It looked like this every day. Even though she didn’t want to talk to him, Jason still kept sending her a message every morning and every evening. He was the only one who to use this shortcut. When they were toddlers and Jason had problems to say her name, he called her JJ. He still uses it to express how much he loves her. ‘Damn it! Fuck!’ She thought and pushed the button to answer her twin brother.

       “Hi! I’m fine, thanks. Hope you’re ok too. Watch your back.”

       Maybe it was not too expressive, but it was the longest message Jay had sent to her brother in days. She felt much better straight away. ‘Few more days to go and I’m sure I’ll be ready to talk to him.’ She thought with smile. ‘It’s Christmas!’ Jay jumped out of the bed to start a new, definitely happy and peaceful day.