"They have the most unusual connection. Who would have thought she'd be right for him?"
"If whatever they both saw will come to pass, it'll be the death of him, too."
"They deserve so much more of life. They've both been through so much already… And they need each other to heal, to become complete."
"Life isn't always fair–you know it isn't."
"Then let's help them come up with a plan to level the playing field."
- Conversation between Ivy Jane Zen and Vasic Zen
Waking up after a full night's sleep, Hailey's head felt a little heavy. The months of sleep deprivation caused her body to get used to a couple hours of rest, though she wasn't complaining. In time, it would get better.
James was already up, but Hailey could feel his presence in the back of her mind through their bond. She got dressed in the leggings and black tank top she'd worn yesterday and zipped up a large hooded sweatshirt over her top. When she walked out of the guest bedroom, she saw Ivy watching the news on an entertainment comm in the kitchen.
They chatted for a few minutes while Hailey ate some cereal. When she was done eating, she looked outside through one of the windows that looked out over the orchard. "Where are the guys?"
"They're sparring," Ivy said as she shook her head. "James was frustrated because he and Vasic couldn't figure out how to act on the vision without putting you on full lockdown. They've been at it for some time now."
Hailey's heart thudded at the memory of the time she'd sparred with James. She grinned at Ivy. "Maybe I should join them, get some of my own frustration out of my system." And show her lover exactly how much her control had improved since their last sparring session.
Ivy smiled. "Let's go."
They stepped outside and walked over to Vasic and James, who were going at it on a field of grass on the right side of the house. Rabbit was lying in the grass several yards away, watching the men with silent focus.
Amazement bloomed in Hailey's heart at seeing James move, his body's motions effortless with every punch and kick. Vasic blocked his attacks and moved to charge at him.
"It's incredible how he can still fight even though he's lost his arm," Hailey said as she glanced at Ivy.
Ivy's pride and love for her husband were written all over her face. "He's amazing, isn't he?" She tilted her head to the side. "But I can tell he's compensating with his Tk to even out the fight."
Hailey looked back to the men and saw Ivy was right; at some instances, James' movements were blocked by an invisible blow, as if Vasic had a phantom limb. Hailey pursed her lips. "Go figure. I guess they're the elite for a reason."
They watched the men fight for a couple of minutes before Hailey walked over and called it a tie. She tossed them both a bottle of fortified water she'd brought from the house.
James looked beautiful and dangerous in his tight black t-shirt, the ridged muscles of his torso showing through the dark, sweat damp material. Her heart jumped when he looked into her eyes.
God, I'm such a goner for him.
She tipped her head sideways. "Are you in for another round?"
His eyes blazed at her invitation as he tossed the bottle to the side. "Always."
The way James' eyes burned as he took her in made warmth uncurl inside, butterflies fluttering rapidly in her stomach as her cheeks flushed.
"Let's do it," she quickly said before he could distract her more by just standing there and be himself.
He just looks so extremely de–
"Focus, Hales," she muttered before crouching in a defensive stance.
James counted out loud. "Three, two–" At the exact same time as he was counting down, Hailey heard James' most sexy voice in the walls of her mind. Your punishment will involve nudity.
She was so caught off guard by his telepathic message, she didn't register him counting down to one. Of course James knew that, as he was already straddled on top of her after swiping her legs out from under her and catching her with his Tk.
"Damn it!" Hailey exclaimed as James crouched over her and placed a kiss on her cheek.
"Focus." His rough voice made her shudder, but before she could respond, he was already standing and held out his hand.
She took it and hauled herself up. "You're cheating," she accused as she moved several steps backward. His lips twitched a little when he locked eyes with her again.
Hailey glanced to the side, where Ivy and Vasic were standing with amused expressions on their faces. "Ivy, could you count down please?" Hailey smirked at James, whose eyes were gleaming with determination. Her stomach clenched.
Ivy's voice filled the air, snapping Hailey to attention. "Three, two, one, go!"
Hailey dashed towards James and used her Tk to speed up her movements. James stepped aside to avoid the impact, but she was able to grab his arm. When she pulled him towards her, he already twisted away.
Too damn slow. Come on, Hales! She amped herself up by focusing her Tk as James lashed out with a punch. Blocking his arm with hers, Hailey slammed out her palm against his chest. Just before she touched him, he grabbed her wrist. Using her Tk, she wrenched out of his hold by angling her arm inward.
Hailey lifted her leg to kick forward, but again, she was too slow. James grabbed her ankle–her leg still in the air–and twisted her to topple her over. Thinking quickly, she bent down, braced her hands to the earth and swiped her other leg over the one he was holding, kicking him against his shoulder in a smooth motion.
At the moment of contact, Hailey she saw the spark in James' eyes… and she knew playtime was over. He released her ankle and she dropped to the ground, catching herself with a Tk-cushion. When James moved to pin her down, the only thing she could think of was to roll sideways.
Hopping into stance, Hailey put her guard up and stepped back to avoid James' kick, but he moved so incredibly fast, she had no way of winning. James tapped her thigh and she was barely able to crouch down when he made a move to clasp her arms. She felt the excitement rush through her body when she saw an opening. Striking a blow at his shoulder–
Her exasperated growl filled the quiet as she was swinging out at air, James having moved away again. She twisted to pull back, only to feel strong arms locking around her waist as James' lips lightly touched the shell of her ear. Gasping at the contact, Hailey's blood heated at the sensation of James' big, hard body pressed against hers.
"You've been practicing," he mumbled against the delicate skin behind her ear, his tone a mixture of surprise and satisfaction.
Heart slamming in her chest and lungs straining from exertion, she leaned into his embrace and glanced sideways. "And still this is nowhere near an even match," she muttered while wiping the layer of perspiration from her nose and inhaling deep breaths, her competitive nature getting the better of her.
James bit her earlobe and let her go. You're beautiful when you're angry.
Hailey narrowed her eyes and hushed the butterflies fluttering in her stomach as she turned to face him. You're pretty, period, she needled.
James' eyebrows rose a fraction. "Careful." He stepped back.
Hailey sighed and pushed back loose tendrils of her hair from her messy bun. "Let's try again, but I know I can't win. You're much stronger than I am–both in terms of physique and your Tk."
Vasic spoke. "James' psychic strength has little to do with it, because he adapts to your amount of power."
Hailey shrugged. "That doesn't take away the fact that he's way more experienced than I am." Even though she could tell her movements were faster and her reaction time was quicker than before she'd leaned hand-to-hand combat techniques, she still was as dangerous as a fluffy hamster in comparison to James.
Vasic shook his head. "When you pull back after your punch, your balance is off. It's why he was able to move past you and take you by surprise. Your mind is preoccupied with regaining balance, so you let your guard down."
James' blank face looked a little too smug to Hailey's taste. She held her hands up in a defensive stance and smiled at him, all teeth. "Game on."
James inclined his head as he felt her determination pulse through their bond. How he loved seeing Hailey's light, loved to watch her move so effortlessly now she was effectively using her Tk. It was like watching her dance, her body fluid with a graceful rhythm that was a tribute to the music intertwined to her soul.
Yes, it wore her down. He could tell by the way she was breathing harshly and the perspiration on her skin. But there was no way she would let him win without trying. He felt an unknown emotion expand his chest as he shot Vasic a look.
The other Arrow stood with Ivy leaning against him, his arm wrapped possessively around her.
That's what Hailey should have.
It was what he wanted to have with her. A place of their own, a life together with this powerful, beautiful woman at his side. James suddenly found the name to the emotion he'd felt when looking at Hailey.
Pride.
Of course he was proud of her, of the strong survivor she was after all her hardships. Time and time again she proved she was the one for him, even though she didn't fit entirely into his world.
"…the decisions you're making, it can't be worth the price it costs you."
James wasn't sure anymore. His world had shifted the day he'd met Hailey. That meeting had set in motion a chain of events he hadn't seen coming –which was odd, given the criticality of it. And somewhere in the back of his mind he'd always known he couldn't have her and continue his work for the Squad as he did now. But, as Vasic, Aden and Abbot proved, that wasn't necessarily problematic.
James shut down his thoughts when Ivy counted down. He blocked Hailey's first series of punches when she lunged at him. Locking his hands around her wrist and twisting them behind her back, he felt the need to crowd her again, hold her close. But she spun around and he let go, not wanting to strain her arms.
Standing a couple of feet from each other again, Hailey stood perfectly still and waited for an opportunity, an opening. James decided to give her one as he charged, but at that exact moment she sent him a telepathic picture.
Of her. In black lingerie.
Something snapped in his brain, and he shot out a burst of Tk into the sky, causing clouds to disburse and make contact, the loud rumble of thunder filled the scenic peacefulness of the orchard. James felt a tap against his ribs and realized Hailey had used his tactic against him.
Standing up straight, he stepped back. "You mentioned cheating?"
Her laughter resonated in his mind, the warmth of it seeping into his soul and filling him with light. He felt lighter by their interaction and noticed he'd never experienced her happiness this intense before. It wasn't carried through the air and pushing against his skin, but expanded from within.
Of course. Their bond.
Hailey's head tilted sideways, tendrils of dark hair escaping the messy bun she'd tied it in, her cheeks flushed from exertion. Her eyes seemed to glow at him, jade and gold sparking as she smiled. James watched her blow out a breath and shake her arms moments later, noting that she was using a lot of physical and psychic energy.
Do you have nutrient drinks here? James asked Vasic.
Ivy was the one to reply, her telepathic knock the gentlest James had ever experienced. I'll fix you one when you guys are done.
"Ready?" Hailey asked him.
James inclined his head. Always for you.
Her features softened as her eyes switched to that deep, warm brown. Hailey shot Ivy a look and the empath grinned as she counted down again. When Hailey jumped forward this time, James felt a pull inside of him as he moved forward, then something snapped taut in his mind.
Hailey crouched to dodge his punches and rose to kick at him. The instance Hailey had started running, James registered she moved with far more speed than he'd ever seen, and he crouched down to avoid a blow to his chest. Hailey pivoted around her axis, moving away from the combination of his punches, and swiped her leg against his feet. He barely leaped out of her way in time.
Frowning, James summoned a little more Tk, but it felt strained.
Hailey, what are you doing?
I'm not sure, her telepathic voice crystal clear in his mind. She didn't stop moving as she clasped his elbow and turned to twist it behind his back, her other hand on his chest. He quickly grabbed her forearm and pulled her closer, both locked into the others' hold.
When she tipped up her head, her eyes were glowing jade, but for the azure blue ring around her irises.
Hailey gasped. "Your eyes!" She lifted her hands to cup his face and study them.
Alarmed, James stepped onto the psychic plane without releasing his hold on her arm. What he saw amazed him so much, he snapped back to Hailey. "You're using me as a conductor."
She shook her head. "I don't know what I did. I just… reached for you."
Yes.
He could feel their connection pulsing, his control encasing her abilities to the point where they shared his Tk.
This should be impossible, he told his mate.
Hailey shook her head. "You've said that before." She rose on tiptoe to look at his eyes even closer, their noses almost touching. "The gold is dimming," she mumbled.
"How are you doing that?" Ivy's curious voice snapped both of them to attention.
"What do you mean?" Hailey asked as she released him and turned towards the empath.
Ivy stepped closer, her eyes black and sparking with streams of color, an indication of her using a large amount of power. "I know you guys can communicate telepathically and Vasic told me about your bond in the Net," her voice was surprised as the blackness of her eyes faded. "But I've never experienced something like this before. It's like you were completely in sync with each other for a moment."
Hailey looked from Ivy to him. He noticed her eyes were lacking the blue rings now, deep brown with jade flecks instead. The color had receded the moment her concentration had been interrupted.
"This is it," he said.
Hailey frowned, a puzzled look on her face.
"This is a part of your ability. I was wrong, you don't simply drain." James looked at Vasic. "Do you know of other cases where abilities work in tandem with each other?"
Vasic nodded. "Judd is able to do it. He told me he acts as a power source for Sasha to tap into." He gave a faint smile. "And you know about Aden."
Hailey raised her eyebrows. "What am I missing here?"
Ivy looked at James. "You think Hailey doesn't just drain, but that she's able to conduct the ability she's drained through you?"
He nodded. "Yes. We shared the sum of our combined Tk for an instance." He turned to Hailey. "It made you stronger and weakened me. Your telepathy was amplified as well." Because even though his telepathy was weak, Hailey's telepathy was close to nonexistent.
Hailey seemed to think about that and tilted her head. "Do you think when I absorb someone else's power, you'll be able to use it as well?"
"Yes, but only because we're mated now." The way her ability had shuddered through their connection left no room for arguments on that point. Besides that, I think my control helps with the sudden outburst, he added.
Hailey bit her lower lip. "There's only one way to test your hypotheses." She met his gaze, her eyes dark as he felt her insecurity flow through their bond. You know what happened last time.
He reached out and brushed his knuckles over her cheek, slamming down the instant rejection his protective instincts incited.
Ivy was right. He couldn't smother Hailey or she would never be able to gain control. But if she was able to use him, use his control to guide her, he would be able to divert the extreme blow she experienced when she drained someone.
Or so he hoped.
You're not alone. I'll be with you all the way.
She gave him a small smile and turned to Ivy and Vasic. "Okay. So how do we test this?"
"You'll need someone that won't have to use their abilities this exact moment." Ivy said as she looked at him. "How long did it take for your abilities to re-emerge?"
"I'm not sure," he answered. Because he'd been unconscious after Hailey's power boost, his Tk had been back to normal levels when he'd woken up. That had taken a substantial amount of time. "Anywhere between immediately when Hailey stops to six hours after that."
"That eliminates the possibility of teleporting," Hailey crossed her arms in front of her chest as she looked at Vasic. "You can't be out of the running for such a long time if there's an emergency." She looked at Ivy. "And I'm not sure if channeling your abilities could be harmful. I'd hate to drown you all in endless misery without having an instant solution how to stop it."
"You could ask one of the Arrows off shift," Ivy opted.
James thought about that option as he mentally selected a number of Arrows whose abilities would be relativity 'safe' for them to experiment with.
"Isobel," Hailey said softly. He looked down at her pensive face.
"She's a high Gradient Tp with secondary E-abilities," Vasic clarified to Ivy.
James watched Hailey untie her hair and run her hands through the dark mass. "Even if she's willing to be our guinea pig, I don't know if she's off shift right now," she said before looking at Vasic. "And I think we should go to an isolated area if we try this."
Vasic and Ivy shared eye contact before Vasic teleported.
"I need a minute," Hailey said, her posture stark and fists clenched as she walked away.
"She's scared." Worry on Ivy's face. "Maybe we should give her some time to think about it."
James watched Hailey walk through the trees of the orchard. "You know why she feels that way."
Ivy glanced sideways. "I don't know if this is a good idea if it will lead to another bad experience. She's already hurting enough from everything that's happened the past months."
When James arched his eyebrow, Ivy shrugged. "We talked." She rubbed her hands over her face, black curls tumbling over her hands. She pushed them back before facing him. "This is either a brilliant idea that empowers her, or it's going to scar her."
"You chastised me for protecting her." James studied Ivy's expression when she scowled and wondered if Vasic was experiencing the same struggles as he was in his relationship with Hailey.
"Yes, you can't put her in a cage for the rest of her life, but this is a very extreme form of exposure."
James shook his head. "There's no other way." He looked up when he saw Hailey walk back in their direction. "It's her choice."
Ivy's face was still a mask of worry as she sighed. "I'll prepare some nutrient drinks."
Hailey watched Ivy walk away from James before her Arrow strode towards her, his movements holding a lethal edge.
She tried to hide her shaking hands but belatedly realized that James would be able to sense her true feelings through their bond. She walked towards him and met him in the middle. When she reached him, she wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his chest. Taking deep breaths, she let James' steady heartbeat and scent calm her.
He held her tightly, his mind touching hers. Do you want to do this?
Hailey sighed, the smell oak moss and sandalwood consoling, alleviating her tension. "I have to." She tipped up her head, deep blue eyes staring back at her. "I need to know what this thing is inside of me. I need it to be something that doesn't only destroy." She smiled shakily. "For the first time since it blasted out, my ability felt like something that could be good."
Hailey saw Vasic appear with Isobel at his side as Ivy returned with a tray filled with nutrient drinks. Hailey waved to Isobel before returning her attention to James.
He cupped her face. Don't doubt yourself. You can do it if you focus. I'm here with you. He stroked his thumb over her cheek. And if you feel it snapping out of control, don't panic, he added, reminding her of their earlier conversation.
She snorted and rose on tiptoe to kiss him. Terrible man. She pulled back a little, his presence making her feel complete. "Thank you." She brushed her lips over his again. Together.
He cupped her jaw. Forever.
She took his hand in hers and tugged him along to the others. Don't be rash. Still haven't seen a ring yet.
Twenty minutes later, Hailey, James, Isobel and Ivy stood on a dune in the middle of the desert where Vasic had teleported them to. They'd explained the situation to Isobel, who had agreed to participate in the experiment and was currently speaking to Ivy. Hailey felt her nerves rising, since Aden and Zaira had decided to tag along with the party. They had just arrived after Vasic had gone to retrieve them from the valley.
Great. A couple more people to watch you fall flat on your face.
She grimaced as she followed James and Isobel down the dune, her feet sliding away in the soft sand. She'd already warned the group that things might go wrong, but they all seemed relatively unworried about the probability of her harming them if she was able to drain Isobel's telepathy.
Zaira had looked straight at her and had said, "You won't be stronger than I am. I'll be able to incapacitate you." Zaira's expression had been deadpan, though her matter-of-fact tone did make Hailey feel a little better. Zaira wouldn't let her hurt anyone.
Blowing out a breath, Hailey faced James and Isobel.
Come on, Hales. You've got this.
"Okay," she looked at Isobel. "Are you ready?"
Isobel nodded. "It's going to be fine, Hailey."
Hailey gave Isobel a tight smile and closed her eyes. She inhaled deeply.
She'd never tried to voluntarily summon her ability and wasn't even sure if it would work. During her sparring match with James it just kind of happened. She'd been so focused on him, closing down the world around them, that the moment when she charged him, she'd sensed his psychic presence and had reached for it with her own. Then something had pulled taut inside of her, causing a shift in her mind. All of a sudden, she'd been faster and more powerful with every move she'd made.
Hailey tried to clear her mind and focus her negligible telepathy to 'feel' Isobel's energy. She could distinguish Isobel's psychic presence from James'. It felt softer, gentler, yet strong.
Inhaling, she reached for Isobel. Something built up inside her chest. She opened her eyes and locked eyes with Isobel; soft blue stared back at her.
Exhaling, Hailey mentally tried to grasp the energy she could feel while clutching to the connection between her and James. Minutes passed as sweat beaded down Hailey's temples. The built-up tension in her chest faded, a flickering candle blown out, its smoke a taunting circle in Hailey's mind.
Letting out a frustrated breath, Hailey spun around and walked a few steps away from Isobel and James. "Damn it, it's not working."
She thrust her hand through her hair and looked at the group of people on top of the dune, silently watching them. She turned around to find James observing her, a small frown on his face.
Shaking the tension off by rolling her head sideways and flicking her hands, Hailey joined James and Isobel again in their small triangle.
Breathe, Hailey. James' deep, dark voice her trusted anchor.
Something clicked in her mind.
Trust.
She trusted James, even after he'd left. But since the moment she'd lashed out at Gordon for hurting her, she hadn't trusted, hadn't believed in herself.
That's the key, Hailey thought to herself. Get yourself together and believe in yourself, believe in the endless possibilities only you can create.
She tilted her head into James' direction, staring in beautiful azure. "I get to choose."
His eyes narrowed. Yes.
Nodding, she turned towards Isobel. "I'm going to try again," she said.
Isobel inclined her head. Hailey took a deep breath and searched for Isobel's energy again. She detected Isobel's presence faster this time, the pattern of Isobel's psychic power now familiar to Hailey.
Centering herself, Hailey intensified her awareness of Isobel. She gathered her strength and concentrated on what she wanted. Hailey exhaled and closed her eyes.
There.
She felt the unique form of Isobel's psychic being, psychically touching Isobel's strength. Hailey reached out and tried to seize it. For a moment, she felt a flow of energy vibrate through her mind, causing a ripple inside her body from the crown of her head to the tips of her toes. Gasping, she opened her eyes and felt the energy slip away.
Try it again, James' voice in her head. Concentrate.
Gritting her teeth against the strain in her mind, Hailey reached out again. Isobel's eyes widened a fraction when Hailey grabbed hold of her psychic presence. Not giving herself the time to doubt, to overthink, she captured Isobel's power and pulled.
A sudden burst of voices rang through Hailey's head, the amplification of every thought that crashed into her almost unbearable. She gulped in a breath.
Even though they were removed from the crowded world, Isobel's ability was apparently powerful enough to cover a large distance. And at that large distance, there were people.
A lot of people.
The weight of the voices seemed to crush her, to push her down until she crumpled. The pressure inside her head caused her brain to throb. Her jaw clenched painfully hard, the tendons of her neck rigid. Trembling, Hailey grimaced as she tried to process the intensity of Isobel's telepathy. Warm hands clasped her face, a murmur almost inaudible to her. She panted as the screeching echoes kept battering within her head.
"Hailey, do it, now."
The command made Hailey snap up her head, deep azure eyes ringed with midnight Prussian staring at her. She arched back her head when another burst of noise shot through her head, making her see stars. Heart crashing against her ribs, she grabbed hold of James' upper arms.
When she thought the weight of the psychic impact would pull her under, Hailey squeezed her eyes shut to find a blazing star in the darkness, reaching out to her. She took hold of him.
Suddenly, the noise stopped, as if someone had put earplugs in her ears to cancel out the sound. In the silence she only heard her own harsh breaths, heaving as her hands clenched on muscled arms. Her eyes focused on the man that was holding her.
James' jaw a tight line, he watched her quietly, gold sparks in his azure eyes. Hailey could feel something foreign pulsing within the walls of her mind, feel the sheer power of it.
"It's working," Hailey whispered. She tipped up her head to the top of the dune. Zaira.
The fierce Arrow tilted her head a little.
Hailey shook her head. Right. Same building, different floor.
Zaira was probably hearing an echo rather than her actual message, since Hailey had no idea what she was doing. Her telepathic contact with James had appeared from nowhere but it had proven to be built on foundations of an emotional connection rather than through telepathy.
James' voice drew her attention as he stood up straight. "Try adjusting your frequency to align it with them," the strain in his voice noticeable. Hailey released his arms, realizing this was tough on him as well.
She nodded and closed her eyes again. As she focused, Hailey thought of a song she loved and mentally ran through each note, while trying to feel the right layer of psychic communication she had to tap into. She clasped onto James' hand and felt something shift inside her mind.
"Hailey!" Hailey's head lifted; Ivy's voice filled with wonder. "You're doing it!"
Aden, Zaira, Vasic and Ivy were all looking at her. Zaira's features softened in a way Hailey had never seen before. Aden's eyes gleamed. Vasic angled his head to Ivy, smiling at his wife in such a loving way, it made Hailey's heart clench.
Sweat beaded down her spine as she sent the final piece of the song. When it was finally finished, Hailey looked at James. "What now?"
His lips twitched a little, a fine layer of perspiration on his forehead. "Focus on what you want."
Hailey nodded. "Okay." She looked at Isobel, who was watching them quietly. "Ready?"
Isobel nodded, surprise in her eyes.
Hailey centered herself again, zeroed in every thought on her wish. I want to let this go.
Inhaling, she reached for James through their bond. She released her mental hold on the pulsing power in her head. Exhaling, Hailey tried to completely relax her body, as if to let the telepathy slide off somehow.
The snap in her head caused a moment of darkness in front of her eyes. Hissing out a breath, Hailey released her hold on James and wiped the sweat from her nose before resting her hands on her thighs. Drawing in a deep breath, she looked up at Isobel, who was staring at her with big eyes.
"How are you?" she asked the gentle Arrow in front of her.
Isobel shook her head a little. "It was such a strange sensation. I tried telepathing, but it was as if everything was out of my reach." She shook her head again. "I could feel you pull it away from me and I could feel it shifting back. It wasn't painful, yet it was a very odd experience."
Hailey rose and placed her hands against her heated cheeks. "That's good, right?" She frowned. "Can you use your Tp now?"
Isobel turned her head towards the small group on top of the dune, then returned her attention to Hailey. "Yes, but it's as if I'm close to flaming out."
Hailey placed her hand on Isobel's arm. "Thank you so much. This was extremely helpful."
Isobel smiled. "I'm glad I could help. Hopefully it gives you a little more insight."
Hailey smiled back; her head heavy but her heart excited. "More than you know."
Vasic teleported them back to New York later that evening, after discussing the events that had passed today. James and Vasic had devised a plan together with the security team, which Hailey had agreed to.
Since they didn't know when the events of the visions would hit off, James told Hailey they would go out at nights, under the watchful eyes of the security team. Because James would be with her at all times, it wouldn't make her a sitting duck. It would appear like they were doing regular couple things while he was hunting for the attackers.
James still hated the idea of Hailey being in a position of vulnerability, but Hailey had told him they didn't have a choice. She wouldn't allow him to request a teleport to another location and she wasn't planning on staying secluded to her apartment because of some assholes trying to get to her. Like she'd told Ivy: this wasn't something she could–nor wanted to–run and hide from for the rest of her life.
Hailey swayed on her legs when they entered her apartment and she braced herself against the sofa. After using her ability she'd been famished, and James had nearly force-fed her four nutrition bars and two glasses of nutrient drink to refuel.
James shot her a look, his irritation visible. "You need to rest." He'd already been agitated because she had wanted to retrieve her car instead of teleporting directly to her apartment, before some eager homeless Psy would claim it as a nice condo. His reply had been that he'd buy her a new one, but after she'd threatened to retrieve it herself at night when he was sleeping, he'd requested Vasic to drop them off at the extraction point.
Hailey rolled her eyes at him, eager to go out together tonight. "I'm fi– Ah!" James scooped her up in his arms and cradled her against his chest. Hailey decided not to chastise him for it as he walked towards the bedroom and gently placed her on the bed.
Well, that probably means no date night tonight, then, a sulking voice in her mind said. She arched her eyebrow at her mate. "Am I allowed to change clothes?"
James said nothing as she started undressing. She saw heat flash in his eyes when she took off her bra, wearing only her panties. Licking her suddenly dry lips, Hailey dropped the garment to the floor. She met his gaze and felt butterflies fluttering in her stomach.
"No." James' voice was steel as he walked over to her dresser and threw her an oversized band t-shirt, the fabric soft from years of use.
Hailey pouted. "Fine," she slid the shirt over her head and fell back on the bed, her body and mind spent. James walked over and sat down on the bed, brushing his knuckles against her cheek. She leaned into the caress before grabbing his wrist and pulling him down next to her.
"You need to sleep," the tone of his voice softer now.
"Will you stay with me?" Hailey felt the need for his closeness grow with every day they spent together. A part was due to the fact that his departure was still very fresh in her memory. Another part was the way James made her feel.
Safe. Loved.
Heart swelling at that thought, she studied the contours of his face as she stroked the tips of her fingers over his jaw. His eyes narrowed.
Hailey bit back a smile. "You're no fun, but alright." She raised her fist, holding up her index and middle finger. "I solemnly pledge there will be no naked punishment tonight." She inched closer as she brushed her lips against his jaw. "I just want you to hold me," she whispered.
"Arrow training never prepared me for small, persistent women." He stood up and undressed.
Hailey sighed and enjoyed watching his beautiful body in motion as he placed his combat boots next to the bed and stripped until he was only wearing his boxer briefs. She felt a blush creep up her face at the sight of him. I still can't believe you're all mine.
He arched his eyebrow. If you call me pretty again, I'll have to punish you more elaborately.
Hailey laughed, jolts of happiness sparking through her body. "Oh, I'm so scared," she mock shivered. The corner of James' mouth tugged, making him even more handsome. Hailey melted at the sight of him.
James crouched over her and she leaned back in the mattress, her heart thudding in her chest. He closed the distance between them until his lips were only a hairsbreadth apart from hers. "Careful, my Siren. I think," his voice a mummer, "I know the proper punishment for your indiscretions."
Hailey stroked her hands through his hair. "You do?" her voice a breathless whisper.
"Yes," his lips brushed hers softly. "Sleep." He slid over to the empty side of the bed.
Snorting, Hailey turned to face him and bit his lower lip. "Fine," her tone grumpy as she moved so his chest pressed against her back. "Thank you for your help today." She lifted her head so he could place his arm underneath it and glanced over her shoulder. "And thank you for letting me do it."
James held her close, his arm around her waist. "It was your decision to make."
"I know." She closed her eyes as she enjoyed his scent all around her, her head heavy and body tired. But I know it's difficult for you.
Don't thank me yet. We're training tomorrow, starting at dawn.
Hailey smiled. Of course we are. She drifted off with her Arrow close in her bed and heart.