Chapter 2
The years passed quickly it seemed. I grew to love my family dearly and thanked the gods for them everyday. They helped me to become stronger in so many ways and I felt whole with them. It made those visits to my 'Aunt' Jeanine more bearable.
When I was fifteen I was brought to several meetings with her that she had with Dauntless. I could tell that the leaders there were not happy with things she hinted at. I stored and filed away all those that seemed they might be willing to go against her and stop her plans. Jeanine didn't have real power yet but she was always trying to play for it.
Max Cornell was one that seemed unsure of what she said. She used his connection and friendship with my parents to try and sway him in some way. That was why she started having me to come to the meetings. He had been asking about me apparently.
I was happy to see him and speak with him but was very reserved about talking about Jeanine or even to him with her there. I tried to let him see the difference in me when talking to just him and then with her so hopefully he got the message. I think he did because I noticed that he watched her more closely after the third time I did this. She stopped having me come to meetings shortly after that.
My temper never got better but I did work on it. It helped in learning how to be able to release it properly when I got to spar or do other physical activities. My Aunt was not kidding when she said she would be training me hard and it took a while for me to get caught up to Bea and even Caleb's level of physical fitness. For the time before training we tried not to let anyone know just how fit and capable we were. We knew that come time for transfer to Dauntless for Bea and I and then Erudite for Caleb, that we would need to show what we were capable.
I continued my Erudite classes of course and brought home many books for Caleb to read and learn from. I taught them both the languages I knew and then we started to learn some on our own.
Upon my Aunt and Uncle insistence and permission we were allowed to dress appropriately and sneak into parties for Dauntless and Amity. The three of us were allowed a lot of freedoms to be able to live because soon we would have to give up so much to stop what was on the horizon.
During that time Bea and Caleb met and fell in love with two people. Bea with someone from Abnegation that went to Dauntless before us and Caleb with an Erudite that would be staying there. I dated but never found love as they did. I did however keep thinking about one person. One boy that had been in Erudite when I was there that caught my eye. The boy that became a man and transferred to Dauntless to become a monster. At least that was what the rumors pegged him as. He could very well become one and that was her plan. Even knowing her plans for him and even seeing the physical and demeanor changes within him, I still never got him from my mind.
Two years before Tris and I were set to transfer Jeanine started to make moves to work her way into Dauntless. She had started to prepare her own person and all on the pretense that she was only trying to make sure he did Erudite proud. That quickly became her working her way into his mind. Jeanine was the master of being a mind-manipulator and she worked it hard on him. I wondered how much of that boy that had been so strong, Dauntless and just would remain after she finished with him. How much would remain before I could stop her?
"Are you almost ready Ember?" Tris said with smile as I changed on the train into the clothes we would be wearing for the party we were going to tonight. It was odd how close we all were in age and birthday. Caleb was already 18 and been for several months. I had turned 18 two months ago and one week ago Tris turned 18. This was our mutual birthday celebration. Our last one before we had our choosing in four months.
I nodded as I let my hair down and stuffed my clothes in my bag we would hide so I could change back. Tris would be meeting her boyfriend at some point tonight but Emma would be staying at Erudite and not joining us for this party. We had told Caleb he didn't have to come but he wouldn't hear any of it.
Once I had my boots zipped up and slipped on the maroon leather jacket over my black backless tank, my Dauntless party look was ready to go. I didn't go for skirts or dresses because I liked to dance or sometimes fight and then there was the train that was our mode of transportation. Tris was the same but she went with jewel tone tops with her pants and black leather jacket.
With a running start and a laugh we jumped off the train. We quickly stashed the bags with our clothes and made sure to have our credits card on us. I created those for us that had enough credits for drinks or food. Sometimes the parties had vendors that had other items like jewelry but we didn't bother with that if we knew we would be leaving it behind.
The music could be heard from a block away and my eyes got wide with excitement. Tris and I linked arms as we walked with Caleb not far behind us. He looked for all the world like a Dauntless in his outfit. We all did to be honest. We all had tattoos as well that we got when Caleb turned 18. On our backs directly over where the heart would be was a small tribal style japanese dragon outline and in the coil of his body was the kanji symbol for family. We would always carry that with each other but it allowed us to not have to worry about hiding it. When we walked into the party we didn't even get questioned. Other factions weren't prevented from attending these parties it just hardly happened.
The strobe lights and wild rhythmic beat were almost hypnotic as we made our way to the bar. We all ordered rum and cokes and took those to a tall table and just looked around. We knew we needed to make sure we didn't recognize anyone from Abnegation. It never happened but we always made sure.
Rule number one was to always look at your surroundings and the people around you. Be always aware of your exits and of the people you surround yourself with.
After that we could relax and enjoy our drinks and the music. As always happens when Caleb is with us but Emma isn't, he becomes our jacket holder. My jacket came off and I tossed it to him with a laugh as I headed out to the dance floor.
"Yeah, I'll just hold these Cuz." He called sarcastically.
I winked at him with a smirk as I sashayed out to the dance floor. "I know you will. And you will get me another rum and coke too." I didn't even wait for his answer as I went to the dance floor with a smile.
I didn't need to dance with anyone and I normally didn't. I lost myself in the music and allowed my body to move. Every once in awhile I would look up and check who was around me and do a check in glance with Caleb. Tris was already off on the floor or somewhere with her boyfriend. He didn't like to dance but he would take her to some part of the party and hang out or talk.
After dancing for several minutes I finally decided to make my way back to Caleb. As promised he had my rum and coke for me. I came back with a smile. I picked it up and almost chugged it I was so thirsty. The ice made it cold and refreshing. "I already had to go replace that one twice. So I am up on you by two drinks Ember. You need to catch up."
We all developed a tolerance for drinks that most of the abnegation faction wouldn't. Part of that was because of training. We needed to be able to drink and act like we were drunk but not really be. It didn't mean we didn't get drunk but we knew our limits. I wasn't worried about limits tonight but I would try to not get to wasted.
I shrug with a laugh. "Maybe I need to switch it up then. Be right back." I waggle my fingers and walk over to the bar.
"What can I get for you beautiful?" The girl behind the bar sidled over to me the moment I stepped up and smiled widely at me.
I smiled back at her. "I will take a whiskey, neat please." I think my choice shocked her because she just started at me for a moment before shrugging and chuckling.
"Next you are going to tell me you are heading over to the fight ring." She said sarcastically but my eyes lit up.
"Holy shit they have one tonight? Fucking finally! Hell yeah I am. Better make that a double on the whiskey. I will be occupied for a while." I am already turning to catch Caleb's attention as I say that last part.
"Are you really going to go fight or just look?" She smirked at me.
I quirked an eyebrow and gave her a bit of a hard look. "Care to fucking join me and find out first hand which one I prefer?"
I saw her eyes widen and she gulped then shook her head and handed me my drinks. "Sorry, I didn't mean anything by it. I mean it's just you are pretty fucking stunning. I just didn't really see you as someone that would step in the ring."
I shrug and toss back my drink as Caleb approaches. "No harm. I have a temper that I need to reign in. But you know what they say about judging a book by it's cover...dangerous thing to do. So where exactly is the ring at?" She hands me back my credits card and the other shot I asked for.
"Hang on I can have Ted show you the way." I nod as she moves off.
I turn to Caleb and see a few guys had been listening to the conversation and were eyeing me. I dismissed them without really checking them out and looked to Caleb smiling.
"Guess what they have tonight dear cousin?" I smirk and rock back and forth on my feet.
Caleb smirks back at me with his eyebrow quirked. "By the looks of your excitement I am going to go with a fight ring."
"Roger that. I am so getting in on this shit. It has been AGES since they had one." I moan as if in agony.
Caleb chuckles and shakes his head. "Ages as in two months ago. Such a long time Ember." He says the last part sarcastic as hell but with smirk still.
I roll my eyes. "Felt like centuries. I have needed to pound a little flesh."
Caleb chokes and turns a bit red. I frown but then it dawns on me why he would be reacting like that. I ball up my fist and punch his shoulder. "Ew fucking ew. I can handle someone else thinking the dirty shit but not you man. You're my fucking cousin."
He turns redder. "I wasn't thinking about YOU Ember. Just your words sounded dirty. Which half the time you curse like a sailor anyways so I shouldn't be too surprised by now."
I shrug and the girl returns with another bartender. "Alright Ted will walk you over to that area. He was going to the bar in that area anyways. Did you want anything else before you go?"
I nod as I look over to Caleb with a wicked grin. He shakes his head with wide eyes. "No Ember, not that."
I nod with a smirk and drawl out my first words. "Oh yeah I am. It is a birthday celebration anyways. We have to Caleb. Fucking rite of passage. Just like my damn tattoos are going to be my rite of passage this shit is too. Nut up and step up to the bar, Cuz."
I heard laughter from the two behind the bar and further down the bar. Caleb stepped up and the girl looked to me with a quirked eyebrow. She had a bit of a smile on her lips as she waited for my order.
I turned my wicked grin to her. "Two jagerbombs please with whiskey chasers."
She smiled widely and winked at me. Ted helped her get it set up for us and then those two poured their own whiskey shots. "These are already paid for, Gorgeous." Ted said as I went to hand my card to him.
"Cool. Well say thanks to whoever then for me. Bottoms up everyone!" I called and dropped the jager into the glass of beer then immediately tipped it back and started chugging it.
"Holy fuck she did it." I heard a guys voice from somewhere say and it was almost a growl that sent shivers down my spine. It does take a bit to chug that down but once I do I slam the glass down and look to Caleb who just finished. He shook his head at me.
"I hate that fucking taste Ember. You know that." He grimaces.
I laugh and nod. "Hence the whiskey. Come on Caleb I want to get this shit over with and see what the action is like tonight." I pick up my glass. The bartenders and us clink our glasses then toss them back.
Once I have that done I wipe my mouth as I smile and roll my shoulders. Ted the bartender shakes his head. "Alright….Ember wasn't it?"
I nod with a smile in answer. "Alright Ember let's roll. You too cousin."
With a laugh I follow along. Caleb trailing after me still holding my jacket. As we walk I am already putting my hair up. I start braiding it into chunky braids down the center and down the sides before I put it into the ponytail.
When we get over to the ring area I am already buzzing with excitement and alcohol. I hear the wonderful sound of bodies colliding. Ted leads us straight over to the matchmaker. He leans in to whisper to him and then with a wink goes to the bar not far off.
The matchmaker is an older Dauntless with russet skin and auburn hair. He looks over me speculatively. "They say you want in on this."
I nod and am rocking back and forth on my feet. "Hell yeah I do. You guys haven't had one in two months. I am going through withdraws here."
The guys lips twitch and he shakes his head then looks around for a minute. "Give me a sec just need to see who we got. I most likely won't have a girl for you to face, Princess."
My face and body goes hard as my eyes look him over. My voice turns cold and deadly. "It look like I am wearing a fucking tiara to you? I didn't say it needed to be a bitch. Just get a warm body with blood pumping in the ring. If you need me to sign a waiver to appease your conscious I will."
"Ember…." Caleb growls at me, warning me about my temper.
"We got a feisty one Amar. Hell, let's give the lady her wish." I hear a deep voice that sounds like steel and watch as none other than my favorite obsession walks up. He came up from the direction we had been and I wondered if he was out on the dance floor when I was. I would have danced with him if he had. He is smiling with a big drink in his hand so that would explain the smile. He doesn't do that anymore since he transferred. He still looks amazing and built like a god. His leadership tattoos make me want to bite and suck down his neck. The maze tattoos on his arms are mouth watering as ever. He is wearing a simple v neck black t-shirt that still looks like it was painted on and his black jeans hug those powerful legs nicely. His hair in that shaved sides and styled longer top should look ridiculous but it just makes me want to tug on it and pull his mouth to me.
I hear his chuckle that interrupts me from my perusal of him. "Maybe I should arrange something else...if you are interested. Or do you plan to just sit there licking your lips at me all night?"
My eyes snap to his steel grey ones and I flush slightly. I smirk at him and let my buzz talk for me. "How about a raincheck on that? I feel a need for a little bloodsport for now."
His nostrils flare and his eyes darken as he starts to return my perusal with one of his own. "Don't make promises you can't keep Princess."
Amar coughs interrupting us. "Alright I can match you up. Do you know the rules?"
I nod and he hands me tape. Caleb moves forward and starts to tape my hands for me as I focus on Amar. "Yes Sir. No ripping of limbs but breaks are ok. Once someone is down I back off. Blood is fine but no goring attacks."
Amar grunts and nods. "Stay here and warm up." He orders and I nod in reply.
I look to my obsession who is glaring at Caleb. I frown and then realize why he might be. "Thanks Cousin." I say pointedly and I see Eric look between the two of us and it registers we are related. His glare lessens slightly.
Caleb nods to me with a slight smirk. "That temper and mouth is going to get you in trouble one day Ember."
I shrug and nod. "Yeah most likely. Wonder if I have time for another jager bomb or whiskey shot. Mind getting me one Caleb? Not the jager bomb...a whiskey neat will be fine. Ask Ted for it. He seems to want to know if I am fighting or not."
Caleb snort and nods. "Alright. Warm up Ember." He warns me as well and walks off.
Focusing on the ring I start to roll my shoulders, bounce with ankle jumps and stretch. Until I feel him move behind me, then all of that stops.
His fingers trace up my exposed back and his chest presses against me. "Bloodsport huh? You do this often?"
A shiver runs through me at his touch and his mouth at my ear. I feel his smirk at that. "Often enough when they are being run."
He hums a bit against my ear, still close pressed close to me. "You any good?"
I shrug and smirk on my own. "I ain't bad I guess."
His hand splays against my lower back and his lips graze my shoulders. "Care to make a wager that you won't win?"
My breath catches and I arch back slightly. "What would the bet be for?" My voice is a bit husky when I ask this.
"If I win...you…." he pauses and grazes his teeth up my ear "will have a drink with me."
I smirk because there is more to it that he his tone implies and he left off saying out loud on purpose. "Deal. If I win you drink and dance with me." I do the same thing because right now I am imagining a few kinds of dances we could do together.
I hear his growl before he whispers "Deal" to me and pulls back. Caleb comes over with my whiskey and I down it while holding the steel grey eyes again. "Eric, by the way."
I nod with a smile. I already knew this but he didn't need to know that. "Ember."
I hand the glass to Caleb as I see Amar motion with his head to the ring. I nod to them both. Then I reach down to unzip and remove my boots. I hand them to Caleb and go to step up but Eric catches my hand and holds my eyes.
"Remember our bet but don't get too hurt Princess." He growls.
With a smirk I tilt my head. "I will remember my bet Eric. And I will enjoy collecting my winnings"
With a wicked grin he lets me go and I step into the ring. I am to face a guy that is about Eric's height but is more lanky than brawny. This doesn't make him any less dangerous though so I watch how he moves. I had watched how he warmed up too and he would be fast. He had good reach but I think from his shape he tries to put more effort into his upper body. A mistake on his part because his lower body would be better for his frame.
On Amar's command I go into my fighting stance and wait for him to make the first moves. I purposely let him make the first strikes and roll with the hits to my abdomen. Another mistake on his part. He should have gone for the head but his mistake is my gain.
When he goes in for another abdomen strike I grab his arm and flip over it then quickly take it behind his back to twist it. Before he can break from it I leg sweep him and then launch myself up and flip up and to his front again, still holding onto his arm. Once I land I bring my knee up to make contact with his jaw that is already falling to meet the floor. There is a crunch and in a quick motion I hit his temple twice and then leap back.
He falls to the ground and I bounce as I wait to see if he will get up or not. He isn't out but he is bleeding and dazed as shit. Amar starts to count him out while the guy shakes his head like he is trying to clear it.
"Alright you are out. We have a winner!" He yells as he holds my hand up. My chest is heaving and my blood is pumping. I want more.
I look to him and smirk, eyes shining with the haze I get during these times. "Can I have some more please sir?" Oliver twist impression and all.
He smirks as he shakes his head and points off the ring. I pout and look to the guy I just faced and lean down. "Hey you going to be ok?"
He is still clearing his head. "Yeah when the bells stop ringing."
I chuckle and look up because Eric has approached us and I can tell he wants to drag me off right now. "Hey listen, you need to work on your lower body. You don't have the build to go all upper body. Also, invest in martial arts. You will get better results. Not that I am complaining or anything but I left my head open on purpose and you didn't go for it. Remember just because I have tits doesn't mean I am not going to hesitate to go for the kill."
"Interesting, she's right Connor. How many times have I told you that shit myself. Maybe now you will fucking listen." Eric growls and then grabs my arm. "I believe you won a bet."
I allow him to pull me but stop where Caleb is and grab my shoes to put those on. I can tell Caleb is uncomfortable so I give him the eyes to go.
His jaw clenches as he hands me my jacket. "Asa no 8-ji mae enbā. Watashi wa anata no baggu o sono basho ni nokoshimasu. (Translation from Japanese: Before eight in the morning Ember. I will leave your bag in the place.)
I nod and smile at him. "Happībāsudē no itoko. Watashi wa anata o kon'ya no ato matawa asa ni mirudeshou. (Translation from Japanese: Happy birthday cousin. I will see you either later tonight or in the morning.)
He shakes his head. "Happy birthday to you too." He pats my cheek and walks off leaving me to pull on my jacket and turn to Eric who was watching that with a quirked eyebrow.
Shaking his head he comes closer. "You won. So you get your drink and a dance...of your choice. Where do you want it Ember?"
I decide when I shiver from just his words that I will take him up on that other offer...later. Right now I will soak all of this in. "How about we start with a drink at the bar and then a dance on the dance floor."
He gets a wicked smile at my use of the word start and with a nod leads me over to the bar. He orders two jager bombs and whiskey chasers. When we get them he watches me as I chug mine, all while downing his too. The shot follows soon after and I know he is at least a hell of a lot more buzzed if not drunk, than I am.
I decide no more serious drinks. If it leads where I want it to then I want to be able to remember it. He takes my hand and leads me to the dance floor and jerks me to his body.
I can already feel the desire coursing through me as his body moves mine. I also feel his obvious desire through his pants and I moan as it rubs against me. We let the music and our hands, lips and teeth take us over until he growls and pulls back after several minutes of teasing and dancing.
"Decide Ember." His voice is husky and thick with desire.
I pull him to me for a kiss as my answer. With a hum of approval he pulls back, takes my arm and walks me through corridors hurriedly. It takes entirely too long in my opinion to make it to his apartment. Once we are there, the nerves that I hadn't felt before started to come forth.
Those were banished the minute he opened the door and pulled me to him. While kissing me fiercely, he had me lifted up and my legs wrapped around his waist. He kicked the door closed and walked us back to his bedroom. Just his mouth working over mine poured water over the nerves but poured igniter fluid on my passion levels.
I wanted him and this. I wanted this so maybe I could get him out of my head and system. I didn't know what would happen when we had to make our moves to stop her. I didn't know if he would still be with her or if I could help him be that young man that believed so fiercely in doing the right things and justice. I had a feeling that I might not be able to and if that was the case I wanted to take this now. One day it might come to me having to eliminate him but not tonight. Tonight he was just a man that wanted me as much as I wanted him.
