Disclaimer: All rights to the Secret Circle belong to L.J. Smith I own nothing . Enjoy the story below!

Chapter 34

Jake's POV

'If parents and Nick were still alive, they'd probably die all over again.'

Her words cut me like a knife, I understand Cassie was at a vulnerable point but saying those words I never think she'd stoop so low? Just looking into her eyes moments ago it was so indescribable yet something I had recognized from what I've seen in mine so long ago. This however was darker.

That magnetic feeling I once use to feel whenever we were in the same room or just miles apart was slowly but surely fading away.

" Something is wrong with her, I understand Jane's death is taking it's toll , she wants revenge who doesn't at this point? What I'm trying to say is something is wrong." I blinked a few times then turned at John Blackwell who stood with his arms crossed staring at listening at what I had told him. I really didn't know why I wanted to confide in him out of all people about this, maybe part of the reason was he was her father and maybe the other reason was he might know how to handle this situation.

" You got to give her time Jake." He spoke

" That's just it, how much time?" He gave me a quizzical look, I sighed, " Right now she's not in the right time or place and I feel if we just sit back and do nothing to help her we might -"

" We might what?" John walked up towards me now placing both hands on his side, " lose her? That's not going to happen." He said in a assured tone.

" We have-" John interrupted me again. " We will be fine we all just have to focus on the main task at hand, if Cassie has to still mourn at this time then we'll just habe to let her ." He patted my shoulder now, he turned away to walk up the stairs.

'So did that mean the conversation was over?' I thought in my mind. Out of all people I thought Blackwell would be the person to turn to and talk about this, sure he was right Cassie had a right to morn but this type of morning was dangerous to others and even herself. Hell I'd know better. I still couldn't believe John out of people acting so calm about it?

I opened the door shutting it harder than I was suppose to I looked back over towards the abandoned house while starting the engine. Something was off about his whole attitude, of course I've been feeling this way for a while. If he wanted me to protect his daughter then I'd do it on my terms not his.

I drove around needing to clear my head. I parked in an quiet spot then pulled out my phone to text Cassie.

Whenever you are ready we need to talk-Jake

Moments later I got a message back from her.

Ready to talk when you are lover- Cassie

I dialed her number she answered on the first ring. " Speak of the devil." She said with sarcasm.

" Okay I'm not really fond of the sarcasm I just thought it was best that we talked." I said.

" About what?" she replied with an innocent tone.

My mouth almost hung open at her question. " About what happened earlier look I know your going through some things I just think it's best that,"

" Really what am I going through please explain it to me?"

" Cass," I sighed frustratedly, " I'm not trying to make things worse I just want to help you." I stated.

" Well that's sweet but, I don't need anybody's help I can fend for myself." She replied offensively.

" Cassie-" I spoke I didn't get a answer, I looked at my phones screen to see it was disconnected call she had hung up on me.

' Well fuck if it's gonna be like that then?' I thought setting my phone to the passengers seat then started the engine driving off, I needed to call up a few friends and take my mind off of things for the rest of the night.

The music was loud as the dark room was illuminated with flashing lights my back leaned against the counter top of the bar as I watched numerous bodies grind to the lyrics. I brought the bottle I held in my right hand to lips taking a swig of the cool liquid. Watching my friends dancing they were motioning for me to come and join them on the floor, all I could do was nod my head hold up my beer bottle letting them know I was content just being at the bar for the moment.

All the sudden a girl walked towards bar, I could tell under all the party lights that her hair was light brown, and she had green eyes. I wouldn't deny that she was beautiful, and didn't want to leave a little to the imagination either due to the really tight shirt she wore to show off her curves and cleavage. She walked passed me and winked. Sure I usually would've pushed all loyalties aside and get what I wanted, but I kept thinking about a certain spunky blonde who just couldn't get out of my mind.

I turned around to face the bar now, ''she's got you whipped Armstrong." I mumbled to myself.

" Jake?" Some body called out to me, I turned to see who it was to my surprise it was Diana and I'm guessing with the guys arm wrapped around her waist he was Grant.

" Diana quite a surprise never thought I'd see you in a place like this?" I took another swig of liquor now placing the bottle down on the counter.

She was about to say something until Grant held out his hand, " Hello I'm Grant nice to meet you." He said holding out his hand.

" Jake nice to finally meet Diana talks about to us all the time." I took his hand and shook it then we let go.

" Really?" A smile formed on his lips. " Good to know I'm a hot topic amongst your friends look I'll be right back get our booth then get our drinks." He kissed the top of her head then let her go to disappear amongst the crowd toward the restrooms.

" He knows someone who got us in." Diana spoke now standing beside me resting her elbows on the counter tops.

" So?...how is she?" I stared at her then spoke, " before or after we got into argument?" I took sip from my bottle then set it down.

" I mean I know she's going through so much I want to be there for her I just don't know what to say." we looked at each other now.

" Jake can promise not tell anyone this," she looked around seeing the bar area was a bit empty she lowered her voice. " That night when we tried to get crystal from the mine, I got there just in time to hear Callum's gun going off, I tried to going in to see if Adam or Melissa were okay...I just couldn't." Her eye brows furrowed. " It's like I couldn't breathe if I were to have taken any more steps I'm sure I would've been a goner."

I stared at her letting everything she said register in my mind then clicked, " Oh shit!" I said loudly. She shushed me, then I spoke quietly, " Your not saying what I think your saying, how come you and Cassie didn't say anything before?"

" Look I really don't know what to think of it, this morning I couldn't even stare my own dad in the face. I really can't express this with the rest of the circle, I just want to wake up and believe this was some trick that I can laugh about. Seeing Cassie especially at Jane's funeral &wake, it's just going to take time."

It shouldn't have to take time? If it's true that Diana was the other Blackwell then she shouldn't have to take time to be there for her sister regardless if she feels awkward or confused . This could be a quarter of the reason why Cassie was acting out.

" When that time is right I'll let the rest of the circle know while confronting John, as of now I really want to focus on getting those crystals and balancing whatever normalcy I still have in my life left."

Then she smiled as Grant wrapped his arms around her waist, " Are you all set ?" he asked her, she nodded. " See you around Jake." He said pulling Diana with him towards the crowd.

I left the club early that night to head on back. I parked my car in front of my house, then grabbed my phone to see if Cassie called or texted. She didn't. I decided to let this cool off for the night and talk to her about it tomorrow, then I heard a familiar laugh.

Gazing up right from my window I saw Cassie standing with non other than Adam his arm was wrapped around her waist, he brought her hand towards his lips by the looks of it kissed her inner palm. It was enough to make me want to rip his head off right then and there.

Before I knew it I heard my car door slam I was walking up towards Cassie's front porch.

" Am I interrupting anything?" I tried to speak calmly as possible but there was this edge to my voice that said it all. I balled my fist hearing my knuckles crack. Cassie and Adam looked at me just like they did when I first made my appearance known that I was back in town.

" I'd appreciate it if you pulled your lips from my girls hand and your arm away from her waist." I said threateningly ' Unless you want me to rip your body from limb to limb you bastard.' I thought in rage.

Adam looked at me then pulled away from her, he walked down her porch steps then stared at me with a small smirk on his face. I watched until he got in his jeep then drove off. I tried to calm down then turned slowly to stare at Cassie who leaned back on her door. Despite what ever was going on before she had an innocent look on her face, then shrugged as if nothing happened. She opened the door walking inside her house, leaving it open.

Marched up those steps then made it inside the house slamming the door hard behind me not caring if the glass shattered or not. My eyes searched for her until I heard the door to her bed room closed. I walked up the steps until I wrenched that door open only to see her silhouette half shadowed half way glowing in the moonlight.

" What the hell is going on?" I asked trying to get a grip on what felt right now.

" It was nothing Jake just two friends hanging out." She said taking off her Jacket letting it fall to the ground.

" That gesture looked a little too friendly." I replied.

Cassie's head turned to look at me, " So what are you going to do spank me?" She said in a teasing tone.

" I'm not playing Cassie something is going on with you, and if Adam is using your vulnerable state-" Before I could say more, she walked up to me placing her finger on my lips. Then placing both her hands on each side of my face pulling my head down to meet her lips.

'This isn't right,' I thought. Her perfume was so intoxicating,'pull away Jake damn it you've done it before!'

She moaned now wrapping her arms around my neck, I missed this feeling something was off, I don't know if it was the liquor from earlier , the feel of her in my arms, or trying to prove something?

I literally felt like the caring yet possessive boyfriend right now. ' Don't do it, walk away!' I Yelled in my head. Cassie moaned again before breaking our kiss she pulled off my Jacket from my shoulders, " Jake I need you." She said

I tugged off the jacket from my arms then pulled her close to me smashing my lips on hers. All clear judgement, what happened what was said earlier seemed to disappear. She knew I couldn't stay mad her for long, maybe if I didn't love her so much I would probably have pulled away and left her hanging. She knew my weakness it was her, I couldn't help but ,feel that she was using this to her full advantage.

AN: There is Chapter 34 finally updated it! I'm actually like writing Cassie darker/manipulative. Poor Jake. lol Confrontations between Adam and Jake will be in the next chapter. I will like to give shoutouts to IAmTheRevelation, gonebananas36, Elena Alarian, LuisaMendoza. I want to say thank you guys for your current reviews and still continue to hang in on this story even if I'm been terrible at updating . This is for everyone I am going to ask if you guys would want me to add Nick in from the " Traitor" episode or should it be done without his appearance? feel free to let me know in your reviews or feel free to PM your opinions, idea's about it. Next chapter will be from Jake's POV again of course they'll be different twists pretty excited to see how it turns out. I want to thank you all for reading this Chapter, hope everyone still having a good summer and (I'm sure some of us are getting ready to start school again *clapping and shouting 'yay' flatly*) Until next time much luv!

Orchidxxx