Chapter 6
Trent sat staring at the door long after Mary-Lynette left. She didn't seem to be able to think straight-she felt like she was floating far above everything else.
So Orion was her soulmate. She should have seen it before-the answer was right in front of her. She had finally met her doom.
Soulmate. She couldn't believe it. She was in shock. Orion, her soulmate? No, no, impossible. Fucking impossible. She could not have a soulmate, it meant death and destruction-for both of them. And she definitely could not be Orion's soulmate. She had been thinking about it all day, and had come to the conclusion that he was definitely hiding something. She had been able to sort through a few of his thoughts, and they weren't pretty. She had a horrible feeling that he was sent by Selyah.
Then why don't you tell Hannah? her nasty inner voice whispered. Trent gave a frustrated groan and got up from the couch, pacing furiously. She had several reasons for not telling Hannah, and they were all stupid.
First of all, she had no proof that Orion was a traitor. But you saw inside his mind, that stupid little voice whispered. If you try you can see it again.
Trent shook her head furiously. The very last thing she wanted was to see Orion's mind. It was right up there on her list of Things I Definitely Do Not Want-right now it was probably tied with Painful Torture and Death. Seeing Orion's mind again might bring them closer again, might make them more intimate, might make them.......she refused to finish the thought.
Another reason for not running to Hannah was that it would make her and Orion's embarassing encounter public-which was, again, very high on her list of Things I Definitely Do Not Want. Everyone would think that they were soulmates, and they would be horrified that Trent had sold out her own soulmate-
Even though he's not! Her voice didn't even sound like hers. It was high-pitched and panicky, verging on hysterical.
She stopped pacing and glared at her reflection in the mirror. How embarassing-her usually clear and cool blue eyes were bloodshot and wild. Her usually straight, neat black hair was hopelessly tangled. Her skin was pale and waxy from lack of sleep. I don't think I've ever lost my cool this badly, she thought disgustedly. Turning away from the mirror, she walked out of the apartment. She was hungry, that was all. She would be perfectly sane after she got some food in her stomach.
She was distracted, so she didn't realize who else was in the kitchen until she was five feet away from him. The minute she saw him, she balled up her fists and had to keep from hissing. she snarled, her anger barely in check.
Ash glared right back. I have just as much right to be in this kitchen as you do, he snapped, And I don't appreciate you telling lies to Mary-Lynette. He slammed his Coke can on the table and folded his arms across his chest, his eyes a snapping, icy gray.
Trent sneered. Do you know the meaning of the word Truth'? Because that's what I told your girlfriend.
Oh, you mean, your version of the truth. Which is way off.
And your version is an outright lie. You should not be preaching to me about truth, Ash.
Ash's eyes were changing from second to second, and his face was turning dark with anger. Stay away from Mary-Lynette, Trent, he said with gritted teeth.
Trent knew she was treading on dangerous ground, but she was too crazed and panicked to care. She desperately needed to fight with someone other than herself. Oh, Mary-Lynette needs you to protect her, does she? I suppose she's the damsel in distress, and you have to ride in with your shining armor and rescue her from me, the evil sorceress? Well, I could be a bad character judge, but I think she's a little too smart for that, Ash. But then again, she fell for you, so maybe she is stupid enough to be rescued!
His fist came out of nowhere, angry enough to shatter her skull. It was a badly aimed, wild punch, and Trent ducked out of the way. They circled each other, each one angry enough to shove a stake through the other's heart.
Suddenly she leapt six feet straight up and aimed a vicious kick at his head which would have killed a normal human. He did a backflip and narrowly missed her foot. They circled each other again, each one wary and alert.
Then Trent let go with another snap-kick, this one aimed at his chest. He dodged it and leapt for her. He knocked her to the ground and she slammed an iron fist into his gut. He grabbed both her hands and slammed them onto the kitchen tile, pinning her down. She snarled and reached her foot around to slam into his head, knocking him witless. She shoved him off of her, and they were up again, circling each other.
Seems like you're a little protective, Ash, Trent taunted.
Suddenly she felt him prodd-no, attack-her mind shields. Furious, her walls went up instantly, and she shoved his mind back.
Ash sneered. Seems like you, too are a little protective, Trent, he laughed. Just what are you hiding?
It's none of your business, Trent snarled. How dare he invade her mind like that?
Ash smiled again, the smug grin of someone who knew they were on the right track. Oh, really? Seems like you're a bit touchy, Trent. Someone finally got under your armor?
Trent bit back a wrathful reply. She could not let Ash get the upper hand in this dangerous word game. I'm a private person, she said calmly. No one has managed to penetrate my armor. Before he could make a comeback, she went on the offensive. It's too bad you let that fool Mary-Lynette get under your armor, Ash. It will hurt so much when she discovers the monster you really are!
Ash's face contorted with anger.
And Trent fought back. All the anger, the fury, and the fear that he had made her feel in the past three years, she made sure he felt every single blow she landed.
He slammed her against the wall, pinning her against the wallpaper, and she lashed out with her mind, making him stumble backwards. Before he could recover, she kicked him in the head and stomach. She lashed out with a fist strong enough to shatter cement, but suddenly he wasn't there, and she felt strong arms behind her grab her arms and pull her hair, and she reached back to grab his neck, squeezing as hard as she could, hoping to either choke him or break his neck-
What is going on? It was James. Him, Poppy, Mary-Lynette, and Quinn stood in the doorway, staring. James looked furious.
Ash released Trent, she let go of his neck, and they both walked quickly out of the room.