Brennan was now hiding in the woods, waiting for Jesse to pass so that he could jump him. Unfortunately for Brennan, Jesse anticipated this, so he was taking care to tred softly and be alert. As he was checking behind each tree, a rock moved from behind him. Spinning around, Jesse saw nothing but trees as far as the eye could see. Confused, he felt a small tap on his shoulder and turned around, without knowing why. A fist aimed at his face as he doubled over in pain, falling to the ground.
"I can't believe you fell for the throwing-a-rock trick!" Brennan laughed. The bruise on his face from an earlier punch was bruising up nicely now. Jesse got up; feeling like a cannon had just bashed his face in.
"Why can't you just leave Emma to me and you can have Shalimar?" Jesse asked simply. Something suddenly flew down from the trees, catching both Jesse and Brennan off guard. Shalimar landed comfortably on the floor, crouching.
"I'm not property, you know!" Shalimar growled.
"Have you been following us?" Brennan accused.
"I'm not about to watch you guys kill each other." Shalimar said, now standing in a triangle with Brennan and Jesse.
"Don't worry about me anymore Shal. I'm not your problem." Brennan said harshly. Shalimar flinched a little, as if those words physically hurt her.
"You're not Emma's either." Jesse coughed. Brennan threw a punch at Jesse, but he massed and Brennan felt like he had hit a rock.
"Crap!" Brennan swore, trying to shake off the pain from his hand. Jesse laughed and Shalimar just watched them both act like idiots. Brennan lunged himself at Jesse, who phased out and Brennan went right through him.
After he was through and had turned around, he instinctively threw an energy bolt at Jesse, who stumbled back. Before Jesse had time for a counter-attack, Shalimar stepped in.
"I love violence as much as the next girl, but this isn't solving anything." Shalimar looked meaningfully at both of them, sending a hint of warning glances as well.
"She's right." Jesse sighed. Brennan gave a small nod in agreement. It killed him to agree with Jesse.
"Look, here's my proposal," Shalimar looked at Brennan and was reminded of his proposal. She fought back tears and tried to remain in charge. "We sleep for a few hours, by then the sun would've come up and you guys can find Emma faster, and then she can decide which one of you she likes the best." Asking Emma this would be as terrifying to her as it would Brennan and Jesse.
"Or Jess and I could fight until he gives up and lets me go after Emma." Brennan smiled.
"As if." Jesse scoffed.
"If anyone attempts to fight or injure anyone else, then I'll be the one inflicting maximum pain." Shalimar threatened. Jesse and Brennan had both fought against Shalimar, training or otherwise, and apart from having her feral strength and speed, she also had a very short temper.
"Ok, we'll stop here and find Emma in the morning." Brennan said, following Shalimar's orders. They each took one side of the same huge tree and shortly travelled to the Land of Nod.