Thank you so much DarkAngel901, NotSoSweet, general zargon, allison reeve, and StakerishEmmettFan for the wonderful reviews. It is always great to hear from you. :) This chapter is smaller than the last few, but they are finally in New Orleans now... and the trouble is about to begin ;) I will be updating the next chapter very soon.

Emmalisa x

Jaden

Chapter Thirteen

Amalia looked over at Jaden and had to hand it to the man, he had a real talent for killing the moment. Going to get crunchy eggs, referring to her as weak, and then announcing everyone wanted her dead. Talk about knocking the air out of the moment! Right now she had visions of torch wielding city folk running after her through New Orlean's streets.

They were no more than an hour from the outside of NO and with each passing moment Amalia had growing anxiety. For years she had wanted to return and after one sentence, she felt her hands trembling and her chest feeling tight.

She wasn't going to ignore Jaden's words. Last week she would have ignored him completely, but after being chased down by a all terrain vehicle, she was taking his words seriously.

"Why would anyone want to kill me?" Her voice was hollow and quiet. She had never felt so small and inadequate in her life. Here she was, being hunted down like an animal, risking the people surrounding her and she had no idea why or how to protect herself. The man beside her was her only hope, her only safety blanket between her and the world that seemed to want her dead.

"I'm beginning to have an idea" Amalia was stunned as she turned to Jaden. His eyes had never left the dark road that lay before them. His face still, only truly visible with the passing headlights.

"What ideas?" Leaning over, Amalia squeezed his arm "Tell me all you know. Please" Jaden never looked her way, but she saw the tell tale signs he was nervous. She watched as he swallowed before he began to talk.

"Si told me, his brother believed you are... lets just say, someone with power. He believed if he killed or captured you, he could gain that power and use it to his own ends."

Amalia frowned as she tried to understand his words. "A person with power? In what way? And why would people in New Orleans wish me ... harm?" She still couldn't quite say the word dead. It was too extreme.

"The people in New Orleans, will be aware of your... presence. Especially if you do have some power surrounding you. That, and you will be travelling with me"

"Meaning..."

"Meaning, they hate me"

Amalia laughed, she couldn't stop herself. Was he serious? A whole city hated him? And therefore would kill her for being with him... so ... utterly... oh God what was the word? Amalia chewed on her lip, as she tried to find a word to sum up this situation.

"Why would a whole city hate you? That's utterly..." Damn it! Where was her vocabulary? She was really having trouble linking words. Tiredness? She doubted it, she had slept most of the day. Travelling by car always drained her. That was why she was so surprised Jaden was able to keep going.

Handsome with stamina...

Amalia rolled her eyes at her thoughts. Do not, follow that thought anywhere, Amalia Watson!

Jaden lips stretched into an uneasy smile as he glanced over at her. "You would be surprised"

"Unless you tease the entire city I don't see why?"

"My teasing is reserved only for you, Ms Watson"

"Lucky me"

Jaden's sly grin at her dry words made her want to tease him more. Coax another smile from his lips. Another flash of amusement in his eyes. But that wouldn't get us anywhere... stay on topic!

"So... about the whole torch wielding city folk situation...?"

Jaden flat out laughed at her, his neck tilted back, his hands relaxing on the wheel. "You have quite an imagination, Ms. Watson. I wouldn't worry about the people" Amalia stopped smiling as his tone went icy again "They wont hurt you"

Jaden's frown was back in place, and Amalia wished he had remained laughing, just for a little bit longer.

"Why? I thought you said-"

"I wont let them"

Amalia swallowed her words as she sunk into her seat. Wow... handsome, brave with stamina.

Amalia Watson!! Amalia winced as her mind reminded her to remain focused.

"Arrogant?" She asked.

Jaden's smile was back as he whispered "Confident"

One hour later ...

Jaden sat on the bonnet of the stolen car, his arms folded over his chest, his ankles locked as he waited for her. For the last few hours he had felt the tell tale tingle down his spine that a demon was contemplating asking for his aid. He always knew when he would be summoned. He hoped it wouldn't be soon or in front of Amalia.

Vanishing into thin air may have been something she could have ignored once, but twice would be pushing it. Only her sorrow and drinking had allowed him to get away with vanishing before.

Rubbing his palm over his pec, he tried to define what he was feeling. His chest felt tight, his heart was clenched and beating painfully, his breath shallow. Fear? Suddenly his heated conversation with Si came flooding back. Word perfect he recalled Si's brothers reasoning's.

Any conversation that begins with "according to prophecy" was a dead give away there would be blood coating the streets.

Jaden just hoped it wouldn't be Amalia's.

She was becoming... dare he say it... his friend? Jaden winced at the concept, before gesturing violently with his finger to the right direction. Amalia was wandering around about 60 metres in front of him, clearly with no idea where to go.

Jaden shook his head, he didn't like Amalia walking alone, but she had refused to allow him to go. She had refused him!

They had argued like an old married couple in the car park, complete with foot stomping, sighs of irritation and hand gestures. It had ended with Amalia winning. What a surprise! Never, ever, had he met a woman who was so dominant and unyielding. He could have sworn she was born to fight battles... and perhaps she had been.

Amalia was without a doubt a good person. Was she irrational? Clearly. Exhausting? With a doubt. A powerful entity? Hmm... prophecy or no prophecy, three sisters born in the right time slot meant nothing. It could be any three sisters!

Deaths between moons? Now thay was less easy to explain.

Jaden decided he would have to ask Amalia about how her youngest sister died. He knew how much it would pain her, but he needed to know.

Amalia's life could depend on her response...

Amalia wandered the opposite way around the building searching for the reception and completely ignoring Jaden's frantic hand gestures. She knew where she was going! Well, she didn't, but it didn't take a genius to decipher you followed the lighted pathway.

Amalia found a large glass turn style and pushed to turn them round so she could enter the lobby. Her eyes popped wide open. Wow! Nice place.

It was definitely a step up from the last motel, she just hoped the money Jaden had forced into her hand would cover it. Pushing the notes into her pocket she walked to the front desk and completely ignoring Jaden's request and enquired about the cost of three rooms.

She knew he had forced her to take 252 dollars, she hoped it would cover it. Amalia's jaw dropped at their response... 384 dollars! What was the room made out of gold?! Crystal chandliers and silk sheets? Smiling through her outrage she asked about two rooms, and wasn't the least bit surprised when the amount was exactly 252 dollars. How did he know that?!

It had seemed like he had just thrown random cash at her, when he must have been to this hotel before. How else could he have known the price?

"Can I have your name, Mrs?" The thin teenager sporting the hotels customary burgundy uniform flashed her a tired smile as she poised a pen over the log book.

"Watson. Amalia Watson"

"Oh" Amalia watched as the teenage girl disappeared round the corner suddenly. Leaning over the desk, Amalia tried to see where the young girl had gone. As quickly as she had left the teen returned carrying something. "I thought I recognised your name. We have this letter for you"

Jaden closed his eyes and tilted his head back to wallow in the moons beauty. It was three nights until an ebony moon and with each one that passed the moon seemed to be building its strength and beauty.

Releasing a tense breath he tried to recall the last time he had felt this weak. He usually had no other choice but return to his "home" every night, be beaten and be revived with his master's own blood. It kept him strong. It kept him focused.

A morbid pattern of torture and abuse, sustenance and starvation that had ruled his world. Now he was running over the state with a adolescent demon and a woman with the unusual ability of driving him insane.

The freedom he felt was unusual but not unwelcomed. It could be within days he had his true taste of freedom. Sighing, Jaden allowed a small secret smile to curve his lips. Not long now...

Jaden was jolted out of his thoughts by the sound of frantic breaths and pounding feet, lowering his head as he opened his eyes he watched as Amalia practically flew over the pavement at him. His jaw dropped as she slammed into his body, before grasping his arm and frantically dragging him for the car. Ignoring her attempts, he stood up from the bonnet and just looked down at her. Had she completely lost her mind?

"Why aren't you moving?" She practically shrieked at him. Looking at her as if she was crazy he shaked his head before returning to his perch on the bonnet his eyes closing once more. So much for peace and quiet...

"Oi!" Jaden opened his eyes to see Amalia hands on her hips and staring at him with pure anger in his dark eyes. By the Gods, she was so perfect in the moonlight... an angel. Flicking into her mind Jaden bit back a laugh, an angel with aggression issues. She really was imagining something highly unpleasant!

Reaching down he cupped himself and loved how the anger was gasped out of her perfect lips.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you, Ms. Watson. I will need those later"

"You! You just...!" He watched completely amused as she shouted out words in protest.

"Drive you into a state of sexual yearning?" He added helpfully. She shut her mouth, it pouting into a sexy little frown.

"I was going to say need a good beatin' " Well that was certainly true he thought wryly, it had been a while now...

"Will you get in the car!" Her voice actually started to sound fearful.

"Why?"

"Why? What do you think I am doing this for? Running over the car park frantically"

"Because you just found out how pricey this hotel is?"

She raised her eyebrows as if that could be one of the reasons. "I saw this"

Jaden looked unamused as a crisp white envelope was waved in his face. "No wonder you where utterly terrified" He mocked as he looked at the envelope.

She obviously didn't hear the mock in his tone as she sighed in relief, the tension shifting from her shoulders.

"Most woman are afraid of rats and spiders. I can honestly say your the first to have a fear of envelopes"

Jaden watched as her little shoulders became tense again and she shot him a killing look. Between clenched teeth she said "Its not about the envelope, its about whats on it"

Jaden flicked his eyes over the envelope and came back with nothing to cause distress "The little tap on the back, that you peel back and then press down on-"

"No you fool!" Amalia's angry words cut him off completely. Fool now was he? Had anyone ever insulted him some much? "It has my name on it!" That instantly got Jadens attention as he snatched the envelope from her frantically waving hand and ignored her protested as he tore it open and read what it contained...

Amalia wasn't sure whether she should just get in the car with an anxious looking Si and head for the hills leaving his irritating ass here alone! It was bloody tempting as he had mocked her fear and actions. If someone had left a message for her here, they must know what she was doing, and must know her exact location. That spelt trouble, which a capital T. Someone could be watching them right now... ready to strike... ready to kill.

Amalia watched as Jaden snatched the letter and read the lines quickly before shoving it into his jean back pocket. Fear was pounding heavily in her heart.

"Well? What did it say?"

"Its nothing to concern you" Was his irritating male reply. Nothing to concern her? Someone wants her dead, well actually according to him the whole city did, and what the message said was none of her concern!

She watched unbelieving as Jaden walked around the car and opened the door for Si, before commanding him to get out. He didn't ask, he commanded and the boy didn't hesitate to respond. Amalia stepped around Si's long legs as the boy struggled to get out of the compact space that was the back of the car.

"Jaden! The letter was meant for me. Whatever it said I can handle"

"It was written to me" Was Jaden's reply as he began to stroll casually towards the hotel again.

"What? We are staying here?" Amalia's fear was getting flooded with confusion as she watched him walk for the reception before tossing over his shoulder "It would look like it"

Irritating man!! Clenching her fists as she practically growled after him.

"He lied to you, Amalia" Amalia jumped as she felt Si's words on the back of her neck. She had forgotten he was right there.

"What do you mean?"

"I can tell he was lying" The boy lowered his voice so only she could hear "The message was not for him"

Amalia looked over at Jaden as his powerful legs took him further and further away from her.

"I only told you as your... well I think of you as..." She turned back as Si shrugged his shoulders shyly. His boot rubbing the other one.

"Your a good friend to me" She finished as she squeezed his arm and they walked after Jaden together. She was going to get that note!!

Amalia was never seeing that damn note! The second he was alone he was burning the damn thing! Lisa the doll shop owner/oracle/pain in his rear had never been able to look him in the eye. Always closing her shop when he passed by. It had never bothered him. Quite frankly, if she had swung her doors wide open and waved him inside with a smile on her face he would have fainted dead!

He wasn't the type of person who received welcomes and opened doors. If he wanted them open, he knew he would have to smash them down and go in armed.

Walking into the overlit lobby Jaden noticed a teen girl gossiping with another colleague about the "crazy woman" who ran "practically screaming" out of the lobby. His teeth were going to be ground into powder in seconds. He didn't like the way they talked about Amalia. True he had been doing the same thing earlier but he was... well... he was different.

Slamming a fist down on the glass counter top he took pleasure in the girls jumping apart with a startled gasp.

"Two rooms. Now" He added something extra special into the command so they wouldn't recognise Amalia and not make her feel uncomfortable when she saw them again. He also gave a gentle nudge so that the rooms wouldn't be close together.

"Yes, Sir. Here are the keys" Jaden grinned at her fear. She should fear him! Finally someone who saw the monster beneath the handsome facet. "Can I take your name?"

"You don't need it" He challenged as he made the girl instantly forget about the reservation. As far as she was concerned two rooms were being occupied by a young couple and their visiting parents. He didn't want anyone realise he was here.

Yes, Lisa knew. So unless she opened her mouth, or the Gods assisted another they were more safe here than anywhere else. He knew this hotel well. Plus, he knew it was on a road regularly haunted by Hunters, which meant additional protection and additional trouble.

Snatching the keys from the counter he walked over to the lift and waited for Amalia and Si to file through the doors. Lifting the crumbled note from his pocket his eyes flickered over the words once more.

Fear and hate filled his chest.

Fear Amalia would read it and hate someone would dare take her away from him.

Thank you for reading.

Please review. :)

They are finally in New Orleans... bring on the Hunters and Gods! :P

Emmalisa x