Chapter Five

Alex

Jenna stopped. She tilted her heads upwards, and when that didn't cut it, she craned her head to see.

She was at the foot of the tower, staring up into the clouds to try and see the tip. But, she couldn't.

She looked behind her. Piers was close, and he was shivering. His eyebrows were coated white with flaky snow, and Jenna could feel the cold on her face as well. She pushed the large, oak door open. Surprisingly, it was unlocked.

Warmth greeted her. Jenna felt a slight trickling down her face, and when she pressed a gloved finger to it, she found a wet spot. It was so warm that the snow in her hair and eyebrows melted immediately.

Jenna took off her coat, scarf, gloves, hat, and rain boots. Now all she had on was her usual garments, minus the weapon. The same went for Piers, who was still shivering.

Jenna looked about her. This was the room from her dream. The neutral colors, the strange, radiating warmth; this place felt like home. But the lack of persona gave it a cold demeanor.

She cleared her throat, and heard a faint echo, then the clattering of footsteps. Their host was coming down from his ascent.

Piers tensed next to her, his gloved fists clenching and unclenching. As the footsteps neared, his fear began to climb.

Jenna felt Pier's distress and put a hand on his arm and gave him a warm smile. He relaxed somewhat, but still remained alert.

"Welcome, to my humble abode," drawled a voice from a corner of the room. Both Jenna and Piers whipped their heads in the direction of the voice, and Jenna saw the man in her dream, but not necessarily the man of her dreams. Piers only saw a blue-haired dude.

He was tall, but shorter than Piers. He was also older; barely twenty-two or twenty-three. And while Piers had a quiet and soft disposition, this man was cold and hard. His face showed no evidence of any recent smiling; just smirks and scowls.

The man came forward, his arms wide in a mock welcoming gesture. "My name is Alex, and this is my tower," he said, feigning a smile. Jenna stayed mute.

"My dear Jenna, can you say nothing in reply?" he asked, teasingly. Jenna only stiffened. Her fists began to clench as well. The man sighed. "At least take off your outerwear. It's warm in here. I am surprised you aren't sweating like pigs," he exclaimed.

He sauntered over and took of Jenna's coat delicately. Then he went over and tore off Piers' coat and set in on the nearest chair. With Jenna's, he put it on the rug next to the fire to dry off.

Alex pulled out a chair for Jenna and for himself. Piers was left to seat himself, with a great amount of glaring in Alex's direction. But the blue-haired man paid him no attention, only focusing on Jenna.

Jenna was in a great deal of discomfort. The man's blue gaze was intense and unwavering, and it was making her jittery. All her anger towards him was forgotten; erased by nervousness.

Alex suddenly took her hand and started to lead her up the northern stairs. "Where are you taking me?" Jenna asked, tensing up in his grip. The man didn't relax; only soothed her by replying, "I am showing you to your room."

Jenna let him lead her up the stone flight of stairs for what seemed like an hour. Finally he stopped on a small alcove and pushed open the door. He beckoned her inside, and Jenna's jaw fell to the floor in awe.

The whole room was a pleasant mixture of reds, oranges, browns, and subdued navy. It was fiery, like Jenna. But there was something odd about this room, the way it felt…haunted. Like something was weighing this room down.

Alex smiled encouragingly. "Please, stay here for the night," he persuaded. Jenna turned and said hurriedly, "Oh, I can't. My parents will be expecting me for dinner." Alex laughed.

"You are of age, Jenna, to be leaving the nest. Your parents shouldn't worry about you. You are powerful, no? You should be able to take care of yourself now," he said, and left her, with her many unanswered questions hanging, along with the haunting atmosphere.

Piers was still waiting for the man to return from his little excursion with Jenna. When the man finally did emerge from the staircase, he noticed that Jenna wasn't with him.

Anger surged and he asked hastily, "Where is Jenna? What did you do with her?" Alex raised his hands in a motion that said, "Hear me out."

Alex was obviously a man of great self-restraint. He was having an epic battle internally. The side that was logical was winning, but the irrational side wasn't giving in just yet.

Alex took a calming breath. "I took her to her room," he said, and Piers gave an angry yelp.

"She doesn't live here! Why do you think that you could just show her a room and say, 'Here, this is where you're staying'!" he cried. Alex sighed. Then his cold side took over.

"I showed her a room because I mean for her to stay a while. You, however, are no longer welcome at my tower," Alex said coldly. He got up, and opened the massive oak door. He held it open, waiting for Piers to get up and leave.

Piers gave him a death glare. He wasn't going anywhere. And he told Alex so.

Alex sighed and shut the door. He didn't want to have to do this.

He went over, put his finger on Piers temple and concentrated. Piers gave a startled cry, but silenced. Then, after a moment, Alex removed his finger and said, "You can leave now." Piers got up, put on his coat, and left.

Piers marched down the mountain, his mind devoid of thought. When he entered the village, his mother rushed out and yelled, "Piers! Where have you been?" Piers said nothing, only stared. His mother frowned. Piers could be quiet, but not like this.

Then she noticed Jenna's absence. She asked him suspiciously, "And where is Jenna?" Piers looked up and asked, "Who is Jenna?"

Ooh, a cliffy! But, on the other hand, I apologize if this chapter went a little rushed. I had to say that I was, too.

-MidnightPhoenix320