Jaden

Chapter Ten

...What can save us, is often what condemned us to begin with ...

... A woman ...


Lia held onto Jaden's hand tightly. It was warm and rough compared to hers, but it gave her such a feeling of safety and strength.

Which right now, was exactly what she needed.

She felt weak on her feet. Her head pounding and the rest of her body still numb with shock. She wasn't even sure how she was managing to walk, she just hoped her legs kept going, as she seemed to have no control over them.

Looking at Jaden, she had so many things she wanted to ask him... starting with why people wanted her dead! Then how he had survived the crash. How he had survived the fall from the window. Where he had learned to drive so badly. But most of all... where he had learnt to drive a woman so crazy.

Her reaction to him was still so unusual for her, and she wasn't ready to give into it yet. He awoke so many desires within her... desires she had kept secret and hidden during her marriage.

Matt had never been the type of man for adventurous sex, he also had never had intensity... the throw down of true passion. There had never been any pure spark.

Straddling Jaden had awoken a part of her she had long forgotten.

With the moon casting lines of light over her body, mud beneath her knees and the feel of his hard body between her thighs and at her mercy had exhilarated her. She had never felt more alive... or more herself. She felt free... like she used to... uninhibited.

Tracing her hand up his firm chest had been undeniably erotic, until she had the impulse to dig her nails in, and watched him arch in passion. Where had that impulse come from?

When he had trapped her beneath his body she had stared at the moon. Its intensity and beauty mesmerising her, and for some reason, she felt she was right where she was meant to be...

She had always loved the night, the moon had fascinated her since she was a child. Its unique elegance had entranced her, and it seemed so alone... just like she had always been.

That loneliness had called out to her. She had never told anyone about it... quite frankly it was an incredibly freaky thing to feel or think. A companionship with the moon! But she felt it just the same.

Before lying on the leave strewn ground, Jaden had been red hot, but right now he seemed miles away as he dragged her through the woodland. Icy annoyance came off him in waves.

Maybe he was regretting taking on the job of protecting her? She would be...!

She decided to ignore his icy behaviour and just enjoy their time. She knew he wouldn't remain this peaceful and quiet for long, it would only be a matter of time before he was driving her crazy again.

Jaden knew they were being followed. The fine hairs on the back of his neck alerted him to the fact. Why was the boy foolish enough to follow them? He snarled silently, flashing fangs to the darkness behind them in a not-so-subtle threat to stay back.

He didn't want Amalia in more danger, or to witness any more bloodshed. He could feel how weak and scared she was, and it put his entire body on edge.


Si, followed the couple carefully. He knew the woman was powerful, but she seemed to not mind being dragged like a helpless child... why? She was definitely more powerful than the male.

Perhaps she enjoyed being submissive Si thought, as he edged around another tree keeping them in sight.

A silent snarl from the male, made Si stop... perhaps he should go back? But go back to what?

He had nothing to do anymore. He wanted to help them. Perhaps he could be useful... a hopeful light came to his eyes. His brother had always told him he was useless, but he had his talents.

Si slowly trailed them just waiting for the right time to introduce himself.


Amalia was beginning to get pissed at Jaden's behaviour.

She may have lied to herself earlier about not caring that he was ignoring her, but it had been a blatant lie. She knew her temperament was ever changing... and right now it was at its best. Going from complete calm, to completely irritated.

He was dragging her like a child, and wasn't even looking back to check she was OK. The intimacy of the moments before were long gone.

"Jaden!" She yelled as she picked up her pace to keep up with him. He didn't even slow... She ground her teeth in annoyance. "Are you going to talk to me?"

He suddenly stopped and turned to face her. His movements were so slow and relaxed, as if he was turning to scold a naughty child.

"We are being followed" He whispered through clenched teeth as he surveyed the landscape behind her.

Amalia turned and looked out into the darkness... sure enough a tuft of red hair was moving between trees.

"He isn't very subtle" She commented as she walked a tall, incredibly lanky boy of no more than nineteen stalk them. He kept his head down, as he followed behind them, and Lia almost felt bad for him. She had the impulse to run to him and hug him.

"Don't you dare" Jaden snarled as he grasped her arm tightly and dragged her back to his side.

"What?!" She snarled back. She didn't like the way he thought he could man-handle her all the time!

"I can tell what you're thinking. You have absolutely no concept of self preservation!" His voice was a hushed growl, and she rolled her eyes at him.


Si felt like an idiot. He knew now that he should have just gone back to the car and gone... well, anywhere!

He wanted to scuff one boot against the other, but refrained. He felt like such a child.

He lifted his head and was blinded by the sweetness of the female's smile...

He grinned and blushed, and gave a small nod of his head in introduction. He heard the male snarl at him, and knew he had over stepped the mark. Obviously the female was his, and he didn't like another looking at her. Si had seen this type of behaviour before and wasn't about to cause trouble.

"What do you want, boy?" The male asked. His voice gruff and yet elegant.

"To be of service to you" He replied, hoping he didn't sound as desperate as he was.

"I don't need your service" The male returned, which had Si' heart dropping. He lifted his head to apologise for intruding when the small female elbowed the towering male in the stomach. Si' mouth dropped in astonishment...


"What are you doing?" Lia snarled. She could see how absolutely alone the boy was. And she hated watching people suffer.

"He is with the enemy" Jaden hissed back at her.

Lia ground her teeth and looked at the boy. He had his heart in his grey eyes and she could see how desperate he was. So alone. She bit her lip... she couldn't just leave him there!

"You can come with us" She said boldly, completely ignoring Jaden's gruff curse.


Jaden couldn't believe it as he dragged Amalia back through the woods. She was bringing the boy demon along with them like he was a lost bloody puppy! Just something else he would have to control and protect! Bloody brilliant! This was all he needed!

Amalia seemed happy enough talking to the boy, and Jaden wanted to bite the boy's head off for making her laugh when all Jaden had been able to get were terse words and insults.

Jaden for the hundredth time sent a warning to the young demon, a flash of fangs to remember who he was dealing with. The boy's gulp of fear calmed him somewhat.

He didn't want the boy getting any ideas about his human!

He had listened to their conversation and discovered the boy's name was apparently Si. Jaden didn't care what the boys name was, he just wanted him gone!

Jaden shook his head... where was all this possessiveness coming from? Rubbing his temples with his hand, he tried to calm himself. It must be the fight, it had gotten all his base instincts fired up. And right now his base instincts were aggression and possession. 

He needed to go back to the calm void he usually operated in.

Taking a deep breath he let the night air fill his lungs and tried to phase out their words, but even in his void place... Amalia's voice was loud and clear.

Her voice was a frequency his mind refused to tune out of.


Amalia actually liked Si. He was shy and awkward but then he was a teenager and who wasn't at his age? He seemed bashful and cute, and he had a sweet personality. Apparently his brother had been trying to capture her, although he wouldn't tell her why, and he had died when they had crashed. She had tried to comfort him, but got the impression he was more thankful than upset, which showed her what kind of man his brother had been.

Jaden however was another matter. If his shoulders got any more tense, his neck would disappear all together. His walk was purposeful and aggressive, his boots loud on the ground. He was holding her hand so tightly his knuckles were white. She just rolled her eyes at the display of testosterone poisoning.

She wasn't going to leave the boy in a wood at night, all alone. So Jaden was just going to have to deal with it!


Jaden had seen the bright lights of civilisation, and not a moment too soon. Amalia looked so tired she was nearly dropping to her knees as she walked. He wanted to carry her, but he didn't think she would let him. In fact he knew she wouldn't let him. Si was yawning continuously which was beginning to drive Jaden crazy. His teeth were grinding constantly with his irritation. He still couldn't believe she had dragged the boy with them.

Amalia had never felt so tired in her life. She wasn't sure if it was the crash or all the walking but she felt like she could sleep for an entire month. Jaden had checked them into a small motel, and she had kissed Si on the cheek as they had left him on the second floor. She didn't like that they were separated by a floor, but it was all they had available.

Lia had suggested to sleep with Si, and had realised that was not a good suggestion as Jaden's body had become stiff, his face dark and tense, and she was sure he had been grinding his teeth. Finally after giving Si a death stare he had managed to grate "You'll sleep with me!"

She wanted to yell or argue with him, for his behaviour towards Si. But didn't have the energy, and when she had tripped on a step she had gratefully allowed him to pick her up and carry her the last few feet to their room. Room 305.

Lia rested her head on Jaden's shoulder as she watched half asleep as he took out the key card and inserted it into the door handle. A double clicking sound, and then he pushed the door open. Lia looked around, and decided that all motels were done by the same interior decorator. Same white sheets, same 80's carpet, same thread bare curtains.

"I like this..." She heard Jaden whisper over the top of her hair. She grunted, unladylike as she looked around them.

He grinned and for some reason she knew he was even though she couldn't see his face. It was like his entire body gave off additional heat.

"I mean I like holding you... I like having you in my arms"

Lia swung her head up to look at him in surprise. Jaden had never struck her as the type of man to say something like that. Nor was he the sentimental type. So why was he saying it? Her brow creased as she looked him in the eyes. He looked so genuine and relaxed, and yet she still wasn't sure...

Jaden must have seen the confusion on her face as his smile disappeared and was replaced with the icy demeanour he had possessed their entire walk as he settled her feet to the ground without saying another word.

He stalker over to the bathroom door his shoulders tense, his boots loud.

"Jaden, I'm..." Her voice trailed off as she watched him slam the door closed behind him.


Jaden leaned against the plastic counter-top, his hands on either side of the sink as he stared into the small mirror. All the whiteness around him didn't suit his mood. He was angry. Not at Amalia. At himself. He was forgetting what this was all for!

Running his finger tip over the stone hanging around his neck, he sighed... he needed to get it off as soon as possible. Staying with Lia was a bad idea. He was getting all possessive and needy... he ground his teeth, and watched the way his jaw bulged in the mirror.

Had he actually got all sentimental on her? Aye, he had. And worse he saw the look on her face... damn it! Why couldn't this have been easy! Why couldn't she be like any other woman on the planet. Willing to do anything he wanted of them... instead she was distant and irritated at him.

Jaden turned the cold tap and watched as the water gurgled before flowing fully. The cool water slipping around the plastic sink before disappearing.

He needed to stay focused.

Amalia needed to be his salvation not his destruction!


Lia heard the water come on, and sighed as she removed her shoes. Sitting on the edge of the bed she could practically see the moon through the thin material of the curtains, and she could hear everything happening in the bathroom. Thin walls. Thin curtains. She was thankful she was so tired or she wasn't sure if she could sleep.

Removing her jacket she curled on the bed in just her dress. Uncaring that her legs were muddied... she was too tired to care. She wished she could stay awake long enough to apologise to Jaden... she hadn't meant to hurt his feelings. She had just been so surprised. She hadn't expected his sweet words. Had he actually meant them?

Perhaps, after she had kissed so wantonly once... no,she had kissed him three times now? Lia winced... had she honestly pinned him to the ground?

She shook her head as she went back to her train of thought before tiredness drowned it out. Perhaps after how she had behaved he thought she was ... easy? She felt slight annoyance that perhaps he saw her like every other woman on the planet with eyes... wanting him for sex.

Yawning, and settling deeper into the pillow. Lia didn't think that was it... he hadn't looked like he wanted sex from her. He had been looking at her with genuine emotion.

Thumping the pillow and crushing it further beneath her head, Lia wished he had had lust in his eyes it would have been less dangerous than the growing need she had seen there instead...


Jaden after splashing water on his face repeatedly in an attempt to get his brain functioning as usual, stepped into the bedroom, with a towel around his shoulders. Rubbing a hand down his tired and slightly damp face, he looked for Amalia. He found her curled on the bed...

Again he got that familiar pain in his chest as he watched her sleeping. Fully dressed and dirty... he shook his head as he walked back into the bathroom and came out with the towel slightly wet on the edge.

Kneeling beside the bed he took each leg in turn and began to gently remove the dried on mud. His strokes purposeful as he moved the wet white cotton over her skin. She stirred but remained sleeping. Which he was glad about... he couldn't stand it if she batted him away. Stopped him touching her skin. He didn't need her to yell at him for caring for her, his internal mind was doing that enough anyway...

"I wouldn't do that"

Jaden's head swung up from his task, and began to drown in sleepy brown eyes. She was awake and seemed to have heard his thoughts again.

Jaden frowned at that, and watched as a emotion similar to hurt flickered through her eyes.

"I'm sorry about earlier... and thank you for everything" She whispered before laying back down. Her hand settling beneath her chin as she laid on her side. Her deep brown eyes remaining open watching his hand stroke over her legs removing the dirt.

He didn't look back at her, as he cradled each foot in turn and washed them clean. He knew if he looked into her eyes as he touched her skin it would add an intimacy to his actions he couldn't deal with. Once all the mud was gone he settled her feet back on the bed as he tossed the towel into the corner of the room, and went over to a large cushioned seat.

"What are you doing?" Jaden didn't answer her tired call as he sat down and kicked off his boots. Leaning back he closed his eyes and sighed.

"Please... sleep with me. You wont be comfortable in that chair"

Jaden's entire body tensed. He wanted to sleep beside her. Wanted it too much. She couldn't get under his skin!He needed to keep his distance. Plus he was sure he would be more comfortable here than on the bed. He would be tense all night, always watching her, and if she would accidentally roll into him, Jaden wasn't sure how he would react. None of his reactions were as they should be.

"No" He stated as he shifted his shoulders deeper into the chair. It was far from comfortable but he had slept in worse conditions. Much worse...

"I wouldn't feel right, sleeping here, when your crammed into that-"

"Sleep!" Jaden flipped his eyes open as he roared at her. Why wouldn't she leave him alone!

He instantly regretted looking at her as hurt glazed over her eyes as she turned away from him and curled into herself. Watching her turn away from him was painful in ways he hadn't imagined impossible.

Shit! Jaden rested his head in his hand as he clenched his teeth. He hadn't meant to shout at her like that. Hadn't meant to hurt her. He knew now, he had done what he was afraid she would do. Be angry that he was being cared for. She was only trying to be kind. He closed his eyes as he sighed...

"Amalia, I-" His voice was apologetic but before he could finish she interrupted him with two pain filled words...

"Forget it!"


Thank you for reading... :)

Please review.

Emmalisa x