AN: The idea of the previous chapter was to get a kind of insight on what Brielle's life was like before moving, so you can see how much she's changed. Going from being the popular girl, to skipping classes and trying to stay out of everyone's way. In that respect I find that I am quite like the main character. I used to be quite popular in my circle of friends, and even though I didn't move away from them, I moved on from them in some regard. I realize now that they treated me quite bad and even though it still effects me, like getting behind on my school work, dodging people wherever I go, I find that writing it all down makes it easier to cope with.
I just thought I'd share that with you as I like to be able to connect with my readers and see their POV's as well, so thank you to everyone who has read my story so far. I found when I was writing this, that Jasper is quite like the boy I have always dreamed of, but unlike Brielle, he is way out of my league!
Llamacorn: Thank you, thank you, thank you! Every time I post a new chapter I look out for your review! It has become one of the highlights of being a writer, even though I'm not really that good haha! But thank you anyway for supporting me, and you are so right! I don't know how anyone could not like Twilight! Some of my favorite songs are from hearing them in that movie! Also Summer Shadows is one of my favorite Joss Stirling books! You should read it asap!
rozawillow03: Yaass gurl! You should definitely start writing! I'm so glad I inspired you :) I would read all of your stories! This chapter is a little longer, and I hope that the next few chapters will be long as well for you to read. I'm sure you didn't offend anyone. Everyone knows that the whole Benedict family are swoon worthy and it's up to you to pick personal favorites! Also Zed is my favorite Benedict, and Victor my Uri my second...actually aahhh it's so hard I love them all! But Zed most :P
OmegaKlo: Thank you for your review! It means a lot when other writers review on my story! I'm so glad I found your fanfic! I love it! Also hope uni goes well for you :))
DISCLAIMER:
Any characters from the book Finding Sky that are used belong to the amazing Joss Stirling. Any other characters are my own:)
CHAPTER 8
Brielle
Present time
My head was racing. It was hard to take in everything that was being said to me. My parents were part of the anti-savant league, thus making me one of their targets; I was newly identified as a savant just recently. Did they know it was me they were shooting at? Jasper had said that he doubted that, but I saw the hesitation in his eyes before he said it. I didn't know what to think. If it was true that they knew what I was, I had to reach out to Ava hoping I could get to her before my parents could.
After taking an awfully long (1 HOUR ! ) detour around the back-streets of town, Jasper pulled into the long driveway that wound to his house. He lived in quite a rich area of town- I mentally made a note of that. I took in every detail of my surroundings, from the tall trees that lined the concrete driveway to the small building, somewhat like a shed, planted in the middle of big garden, as we stopped shortly before the large house. I didn't know what I was planning, but I needed to get hold of Ava somehow. I couldn't call her seeing as Jasper had chucked my phone out of the driving truck where it smashed to smithereens.
Jasper leaned over and took my ice cold hands in his, warming them up from the chilling night air. He moved his head to lean against mine, a gesture that was becoming a safe place for the both of us. I let out a sad sigh, one that, when it escaped my lips, I could feel my heart crack into a thousand pieces. A silent tear trickled down my cheek. Ugh, pull yourself together dumb ass! The short-tempered Brielle crowed, giving the languishing Brielle a kick, leaving her to lick her wounds and tend to her heart.
"So what's the plan now." I decided to channel my brave side, even though it was a very small part of me. I lifted my head to get caught in Jasper's heavy gaze. His eyes were filled with concern, but after snooping on his thoughts for just second, I found that it was for me. "You don't have to worry about me ok? I'll get through it..." I didn't know I actually would, but I had to give him the benefit of the doubt.
"I know, and I will be here for you, helping you get through it. You have to believe me." He gave me a kiss, a token that I knew meant he would not break his promise.
"I know we haven't known each other for that long Jasper..." Only 6 hours to be exact. "but I think I like you." I admitted somewhat sheepishly.
Jasper let out a deep chuckle, a glorious rich sound, a rumble from his chest, where my head was laying. "I would hope so. I am your soulfinder after all. I like you too Brielle." Even though I could not see his face I knew he was smiling.
"Ok. Let's face the music." I separated myself from Jasper. He stepped out of the truck. STEPPED! I was about to prove just how clumsy I was when I opened my door to attempt to hop out gracefully, but Jasper was at my side before I could even try.
"Uh uh. Don't want you breaking an ankle attempting to get out." A smirk that reached from ear to ear, spread across his face. I was sorely tempted to wipe it off his face, but settle for kissing his cheek instead.
He grabbed me by the waist and lifted me out of the truck, spinning me around, which produced a quite embarrassing squawk that brought a middle aged, handsome looking man out to the front porch to see what was going on.
Jasper set me down lightly and grinned at his dad. Through our connection, and him opening up a channel for me to listen, I could hear the telepathic conversation going on between father and son. Jasper relaying every detail of our earlier catastrophe of the shooting onto his dad.
"Bring your girl inside, Jasper. You can introduce us all in a minute. It's freezing out. I'll get your mum to fix you both a hot chocolate and I'll let Victor know immediately." Jasper's dad had a nice strong, deep voice, much like Jasper's.
We followed him back into the house and he lead us into their extremely large living room, where three men, possibly in their late twenties, and a middle aged woman were spread across two couches comfortably watching "V for Vendetta" while eating popcorn.
By the hasty stop to their movie, and the scary hawk like guy standing up abruptly, I guessed Jasper had sent a message out to them in our arrival.
"Jasper, darling, are you aright!? What happened? Oh baby come here!" The middle aged woman busied herself over to her son and pulled him into a crushing hug.
"Mum, let go! Let me breath. BRIELLE and I are fine." He gasped it out so his mum would let go, putting emphasis on my name.
Before his mum could say anything the bulkier guy out of the three stalked over and slapped Jasper over the head.
"What were you thinking, bro?! You could have got yourself killed.. and Brielle!" He acknowledged me with a small smile and then turned back to his victim.
"Oh you know, Trace, I was thinking, "why not get my new girlfriend involved in a shooting incident, that would be a fun first date!". What do you mean what was 'I' thinking." Jasper growled at Trace, staring him dead in the eyes. He grabbed for my hand and pulled me protectively behind him.
"Alright, that's enough boys. Jasper you should thank your cousins for being patient and waiting for you to come home rather then going out and bringing you back in when you were out so long past your ban."
I looked at Jasper questioningly. "What ban Jasper?" I whispered the message telepathically to him.
"My mum and dad made me a curfew that I had to be home by because they were worried I was going to get into trouble. Apparently it's a ban now. We knew your family was moving here and that they were part of the organization I told you about, but I had no idea that your parents were the reason I got my curfew." He kept the message private and filled me in on the details so I didn't have to stand here awkwardly and not do anything.
I nudged Jasper in the side, a reminder to introduce me to his family, seeing as I was the only one who didn't know anyone's names.
"Brielle, this is my dad, who you briefly met outside."
"Please, call me James." I nodded and smiled sweetly at him before replying, "Nice to meet you, James."
"My mum." Jasper gestured to the spirited woman beside him.
"Call me Loretta, dear." She bustled over to me and gave me a quick embrace. Nothing like the one she gave Jasper earlier. I gave her a small smile, already nervous she wouldn't like me.
"And these.." Jasper punched the bulky guy closest to him in the arm as a brotherly gesture. "Are my cousins. Trace, Uriel, and Victor." He gestured to first the bulky guy, then a quieter guy standing behind James, and last, but not least, the scary, formidable looking guy.
Each cousin came forward and shook my hand and gave me a warm greeting.
"Everyone, this is Brielle, my girlfriend." His mum let out a squeal of excitement and grabbed my arm and pulled me close to her as if we were the best of friends. I laughed nervously and looked over at Jasper who was getting a telling off from all his cousins and his dad. That left me to deal with his impossibly enthusiastic mother.
"Come, my dear, come! Tell me all about yourself! How you and Jasper met, what your first thoughts of each other were. Everything! Don't leave out any important details." Loretta tugged me toward the kitchen and put the jug on to boil.
She snatched a stool from the kitchen bench and took it over to one of the highest cupboards in the kitchen, which had a lock on it. She pulled out a key from her jean pocket, and opened it up to reveal a "secret stash" of cookies and chocolate.
"I'm the only one allowed in this cupboard. If I let the boys have access to it, there would be nothing left for me to enjoy in the moments I'm not running around behind all of then, getting them to do their work." She explained.
"I guess that's understandable." I thought of when I was little and had kept a secret draw in my wardrobe for all my candies that I bought with my chore money. I had to keep it a secret from my brothers or else they would empty the draw in just a second and gobble them down.
I studied Loretta as she busied herself with making hot chocolates and a plate of cookies for everyone. She had wavy dark brown hair that she had tied up in a messy bun at the top of her head, her figure was petite, much like mine, though she had a lot more curves, but she was a few inches shorter, just making the 5ft mark. She was wearing a cozy fitting jumper that clung to her body, and was tucked in at the front of her faded jeans. She had on a pair of ugg-boots that looked like they had cost at least 100$, far more then I would spend on a pair of shoes, let alone slippers.
"Sooo.." Loretta waved a teaspoon in my direction, waiting for me to tell her everything. "I already know we're going to be the best of friends, sweet heart, and that means I'm not going to tell anyone what you say to me, not even Jasper!" Though I desperately wanted a friend I could share everything with, how excited I was that I had met Jasper, the fact that I am only a new savant and I don't even know what my gift is yet, how upset I am to find out that I don't know who my real parents are, but I doubted that it would be a good idea to share those kinds of things with my soulfinder's mum.
I gave her a smile that I wasn't sure was happy or sad. "Thank you. It means a lot to me."
"Well then, out with it! Where did you two meet, what was your first date like? Jasper didn't mention to me that he was dating anyone." She gave me a suspicious look. Oh God, so many questions, and I didn't know how to answer them. I didn't want to tell Loretta that I was Jasper's soulfinder without him here with me, and I knew he'd wanted to tell his family when they were all together, though I didn't know when that would be.
"Umm well.. Jasper and I met at school actually." That was the truth right. I didn't have to say how we met surely?
Loretta took a seat opposite me, folded her hands in front of her and looked at me like an over attentive child on their first day of school. I felt her eyes skimming over me, and then a slight nudge in my mind. Ava had briefly taught me how to form a mind shield but I new it was very weak, so I could feel it breaking as Loretta searched my mind for the information I was holding back. I started panicking, and was rapidly losing control of my shield. I knew that it would not be long before all the thoughts in my head would flood out in distress.
"Aunt Loretta..You're doing your thing again. I can't imagine how Brielle must be feeling after going through what Jasper has just told us. Maybe you should give her a bit of space." Uriel smiled sweetly at her and then gave me an apologetic look.
"Oh was I? Sorry, dear. My gift is hard for me to control when I get so excited." The way she talked about her gift told me that she knew I was a savant and possibly already knew that I was Jasper's soulfinder.
Jasper
Mum had herded Brielle off into the kitchen once I had let slip that she was my girlfriend, leaving me behind with my dad and three cousins questioning me about everything that had happened. I left out the fact that it was Brielle's parents that had been shooting at us, and, of course, the choice bit of information that she was my soulfinder.
"Damn. I didn't expect them to make an attack so early." Victor was annoyed that the attempt had been almost successful. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and dialed a number from his contacts. "I know someone at the local police station here who will know if the shooters were caught, and who they were. It would be easier if you would be able to describe even a glimpse of what the shooter, or shooters, looked like."
I swallowed nervously, knowing that if Victor thought I was holding back information he would pull it straight from my head without even a sweat. Dad noticed my hesitation and questioned me. "You did tell us everything you know, didn't you Jasper?" He said it in a stern voice that I was getting to much used to as he always used it on me. Victor noted quickly my hesitation as well and hung up his phone before anyone could pick up the other end. Oh boy, Victor would be mad at me for holding back useful information especially since it was part of an on going investigation.
"Well...there is something I didn't tell you, but it has to do with Brielle and I don't know if she's ready to tell people yet." I looked Victor in the eyes as I said it, hoping he would understand my situation, but then again, this was Victor we were talking about. Having to break his soulfinder out of prison in Afghanistan only a few months ago, he now felt very protective over everyone in his life. His soulfinder, Atoosa, had softened his heart, but he had become more intense.
"Jasper. You're well aware that any information you don't tell me, could set back the whole investigation, and after what happened to Angel last year, I can't afford another attempt at a 'torture-the-savant-session'."
I closed my eyes for a second and then let him into my mind to see what had happened from the moment I met Brielle to arriving here, home.
"Ah, I see." Victors gaze snapped to my dad who was walking with Trace and Uri to the kitchen to get something to eat. Turning back to me, Victor grinned and slapped me round the head. My cousins had to stop doing that. "Congrats on finding your soulfinder. I'm guessing you don't want anyone else to know just yet, am I right?" I nodded in agreement.
"But what about her parents? What should I do?" He looked at me thoughtfully before giving me a reply.
"It's not safe for her here, not for you either anymore. We don't have any actual evidence of the attack so I can't put out an arrest for them."
"So there's nothing you can do, that I can do, to keep her safe. She can't go back home tonight, and she can't stay here either. They'll figure out she's with me." Wow this situation was beyond messed up! It was so complicated I didn't even have time to really process the fact that I had found my soulfinder. The one thing I should be celebrating.
"There is one thing that we can do, and now that I know how urgent it is with her parents and all, we will have to take action very soon."
Breille
"Wait what?! I can't just up and leave? I've only been here for three weeks! I have friends at school who will question my absence, and...and what about my sister! I barely know you, Jasper, I can't just run away with you." I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Jasper wanted me to run away with him to Wrickenridge where the rest of his cousins were. I barely even knew this guy and he already wanted to take off with me. After Uriel had dived in and rescued me from the predicament I was in only moments before, Jasper appeared behind me and told me we needed to talk in private. Now I knew why.
"Brielle you have to trust me on this. I know we only just met and that's pretty darn scary, but Victor said that if we don't leave now, they will make another attempt on our lives, and this time they might be successful." I knew he was hurt that I didn't trust him, but how could I. It took years to build up trust, not hours, and the people I had trusted for so long and gone on a shooting spree, me being their target. It's going to take more then just a couple of kisses to gain my trust, macho man. I thought to myself. I was starting to get tired of all the guys in my life telling me what I needed to do.
"No, you need to understand! My parents will already be looking for me we have to get to my sister first! She doesn't know what they are." I was getting quite angry, something that I didn't do often. "If you aren't going to help me find her then I'll just go by myself.."
"Fine then! If you know what's best, but I won't have you running off with some mad idea that you're protecting everyone. Because you're not. If something happened to you I would never forgive myself. I got you into this mess. I'm going to get you out. You are not going to go anywhere." He was getting just as angry as I was. Shoving his fingers through his dark hair seemed to help him cool off a bit. "I'm not going to let you run off and ruin the only happiness I have in this life by getting yourself killed."
RUIN?! Oh boy, was he going to pay for this! I hadn't even been with him for that long and he was already bossing me around and telling me what I could and couldn't do. He sure had the balls to do so.
"Jasper Black! If there was ever any hope of us being together you're the one who has just ruined it for us. I can't believe you had the gal to tell me I'm to blame for this mess." Not long now and my anger would blow through the roof. Anyone that knew me would know that when I got angry, all hell broke lose.
"Calm down Brielle! I just want what's best for us, don't start putting it on me. It was your parents who tried to kill us remember." Wow. He went there. He said it. I could feel tears of anger pricking the corners of my eyes. "Wait...Brielle..I'm sorry I shouldn't have said that." I shook my head and looked him over one last time, then turned and walked away. Out of his house, and when I was out, I started running as fast as I could. I could hear him calling after me, but he didn't follow, and that is what broke me completely. Hot tears started rolling fiercely down my cheeks. I didn't know where I would go. I didn't even have a plan. I just ran. I ran from the person that had made me question myself over and over, but also made me feel like the sun moon, and all the stars. I ran from the one person I feared the most. My soulfinder.
