Chapter Nine
The only word Jacen Solo had muttered so far on the trek through the forests was "Uh-huh." And he wasn't even sure if that qualified as a word. But Jacen was never one for making petty conversation. Especially not with someone like Mat Lehada.
The other Jedi would ask a question to Jacen now and then about what they were doing or to warn him of those nasty thorny vines, but Jacen was trying his best to avoid all other contact with the slightly older man. Jacen had heard stories...and was in no mood to become friends.
"So..." Lehada said for the hundredth time that day as he followed Solo along a trail he was cutting with his saber. He glanced around as Jacen rolled his eyes. "Your sister. She's something, huh?"
Jacen turned quickly and glared at Lehada. "What about my sister?" he snapped.
Lehada sensed he had hit a nerve, but it was too much to resist. He pressed Jacen further. "Yeah...ah...she's something all right."
"What do you want with my sister?" Jacen asked, freezing in his tracks.
"Me? Nothing..." Lehada said quickly. Not realizing what he was doing, he muttered, smirking, "She wants me."
Unfortunately for Lehada, Jacen had heard. His fist connected with Mat's chin instantly, and the blond Jedi fell quickly backward. Jacen reached out and caught the falling man by his collar. Pulling his face close, he growled, "Now, I know that's not true. And I want you to get that idea out of your head." Releasing Lehada, Jacen watched as the Jedi slipped onto the lush ground while rubbing his chin, but not speaking. Jacen looked him in the eye again, fire burning fiercely. "Stay away from my sister," he said, and began slicing through underbrush again.