~Jade~
We trailed behind Emily, heading right for a cabin that I knew held Beck, waiting just inside those walls to tell us something important enough to break out of jail for. Dammit Beck, what the hell are you up to? I clenched my teeth and Tori reached over to brush my hand questioningly. I shook my head imperceptibly but she continued to look at me, waiting for an answer.
"I'm scared," she whispered suddenly. Her uncertain voice made me falter in my stride.
"It'll be ok," I told her, trying to inject as much certainty in my voice as I could. She nodded but didn't look convinced. I tucked her hand in mine and pulled her closer in an attempt to placate her.
"He's a little locked up at the moment but at least he gets to lay down," Emily spoke up from in front of the door. She smiled deviously before turning the handle and pushing it open. We all entered the living room area to see a bed in the corner. Beck was strapped down in a way reminiscent of Tori's bed or the hospital beds.
"A little locked up?" Tori questioned with a quirk of her eyebrow.
"Well, we didn't want him leaving," Emily explained.
"That's not what it sounded like," I replied, my irritation returning.
"No, not really. It was more like I was unsure whether he had anyone following him," she further explained.
"And if he did, don't you think it would be unwise to lead them to where you live?" I snapped.
"Oh, I don't live here. We just built it as a temporary shelter so we can join the games with the other nomads. We can easily ditch it if need be," Lara stated, sitting heavily in one of the armchairs. Nathan pulled her out of the seat, and she groaned tiredly, but before she could complain he took her seat and then pulled her down to sit on his lap. She smiled contentedly at the change of seating arrangement.
"Wake up!" Emily commanded, smacking Beck's shoulder. He jerked awake, eyes wide in panic before he took in the situation.
"Jade, Tori, you're here," he croaked, sounding beyond tired but relieved to see us.
"Have you even been feeding him?" Tori questioned them. They looked at each other before shrugging.
"Go get him something. He won't heal anytime soon if he doesn't get anything to eat," I told them.
"We don't want him to recover," Emily stated evenly, a blatant refusal. I snarled and advanced on her but Tori grabbed my arm before I could cause any damage.
"I'm kinda hungry too guys," Tori remarked, using that damn useful pout I always gave into. I knew they would comply now. Nathan stood up, Lara following him into a small connected kitchen area. Emily just crossed her arms and stood resolutely.
"Nice try, princess," she sneered.
"Ok, that's it," I muttered, pushing Tori out of the way and grabbing Emily by the front of her shirt before anyone else could react.
"Listen you self-centered egotistical bitch. I'm sorry we didn't join your little gang and you can't rule over us like you planned but I'm tired of your shit. So suck up all that excess pride and just cooperate with us because I swear I'll make you if you don't," I threatened, meaning every word. She yanked out of my grip and shoved me away before stalking to the other side of the room.
"Fuck you! I can't believe I helped you!" she yelled over her shoulder.
"Yeah, right back at you! Thanks a bunch sunshine!" I shouted back sarcastically. She growled in frustration before turning for the door and slamming it on her way out.
"Good riddance!" I yelled after her, turning away from Tori's disapproving frown. I walked over to Beck's side just as Nathan and Lara returned. They set out some food and two blood packs on a small table, their eyes only going to the door briefly.
"She isn't always that bad," Lara said softly, weakly trying to defend her.
"Yeah right. I find that hard to believe," I retorted, reaching over to unstrap Beck.
"I think you're the only one that makes her that volatile," Nathan commented, watching me work with an alert gaze. He was no doubt ready if Beck tried anything. He didn't have to worry. I was sure I could handle Beck. The last strap was removed and Beck sat up slowly.
"Jade…" Beck began, but I silenced him.
"Shut up. No talking until you eat," I ordered, stepping away to take a seat on the small two person sofa. Tori fidgeted with her fingers before taking a seat next to me. Beck sighed, dragging a hand through his hair before heaving himself off the bed and staggering over to the little table in front of the sofa. He seemed to have a limp. Cuts marred various places, his blood staining his clothes, and a large bruise stood out across his jaw. He kneeled next to the table and went for the food first. I took a pack for myself just in case. Tori and Beck split the food at Nathan and Lara's request and Beck took the other pack. Once he was looking less gaunt he sat back on his hands in relaxation. Nathan and Lara excused themselves, claiming they needed to see where Emily ran off to. I knew they were just giving us some space so we could talk.
"Beck," Tori stated carefully, body tensed expectantly and voice uncertain. Beck took one look at her before averting his eyes.
"I'm sure you know how I got out," he began.
"Tell us what you heard," I told him, unwilling to hear a sob story. I wanted information so that I could take him straight back to jail. I didn't want any trouble and I sure as hell didn't want Tori's father to think this was our idea. We were in some deep shit as it was.
"Ok, ok. I'll tell you," he replied, holding up his hands submissively. I crossed my arms impatiently and waited, Tori leaning forward next to me. I played with her fingers, smoothing my own over her hand to keep her calm. She relaxed slightly but I could feel that she was still wound up.
"I heard that they caught another follower. He had just been tossed back in the cell next to me. There happened to be a hole in the wall between my cell and his. I heard him muttering, convinced he had kept the plan hidden. I asked him what he meant and he got all defensive, but once I mentioned being a follower of St. Claire he opened up and spilled everything," Beck began, making me shake in rage. If this was nothing I was going to kick his ass. If this turned out to be something really important then I was still kicking his ass because he was wasting so much time telling us. Beck closed his eyes for a few seconds and then opened them to focus on Tori.
"He knew your father set up an ambush. He has eyes and ears everywhere. He found out and ordered no one to return to the hideout. Instead, he set up an ambush at your house. The moment night falls and your family returns home, he'll attack," Beck revealed gravely. Tori sucked in a sharp gasp, her body trembling in fear, anxiety, and anger. I could feel the wolf fighting to be released.
"We have to get home," she stated hastily, rushing for the door. Beck jumped to his feet and ran after her, skidding to a halt in front of her.
"No, you can't just run in or you'll be trapped too," he warned, holding out his arms to keep her from leaving.
"What do you suggest we do then? Sit around and let my family fall into it?" she snarled, pacing back and forth in front of him. Her eyes were gold and her teeth sharp. I watched quietly, letting Tori decide while I thought of ways we could go about keeping her family safe as well as ourselves. Her family, my new family. I had to keep my family safe. I pulled out my phone and sent a text to my own father who gave a snappy replied that he was at work and told me to stop bugging. Whatever I wanted could wait. Well, he was okay. I sent a text to my mother who replied the same way except she nagged that I should check in more often. I rolled my eyes and pocketed my phone. They were both fine. I wondered why I even bothered to check, but my thoughts were put on hold when Beck decided to answer after a few minutes of thought.
"Tell them through the wolf pack connection. They'll get the message and you can meet up somewhere safe," he suggested. Tori seemed to brighten hopefully at the idea.
"That could work," she mumbled, a finger on her chin. She walked off, her expression seemingly absentminded, but the concentration in her determined golden brown eyes said otherwise. She was communicating. While she was busy with that I walked over to Beck.
"You realize we have to take you back," I told him reservedly. He nodded, shuffling his feet before looking up at me. Our eyes met and understanding passed between us.
"Thank you again, Beck. I wish we could make your time in jail easier, but unfortunately, you dug yourself into a ditch I don't think even Tori can get you out of it," I said truthfully.
"I know, but it was worth it. In my mind I've made up for the wrong I've done whether they see that or not. When Tori gets the word through we should go. I'd rather go back as soon as possible," he replied. I nodded and placed a hand on his shoulder, his deep brown eyes flicking up to meet mine. For all the wrong he'd done, I still couldn't find it in me to hate him. I just couldn't. His hand came up to brush back my hair before he stepped away, putting distance between us. I sighed and ran a hand through my hair as I turned away. Tori came running back over at that moment, face relieved but still somewhat bothered by something.
"What's up?" I questioned her.
"They got the message. Father said he's going to meet with us after we drop off Beck. From there he'll take us to the Council building where we'll stay in the officer's barracks until they can send out a patrol to clear our house. My mother already pulled Trina from school. The plan is to stick together for now so we're all going to the Council building," she explained. I nodded and looked back at Beck who waited by the door quietly.
"Let's go," I told them, walking over to open the door. Tori and Beck followed me out. We passed the others on the way down the hill.
"Where're you headed?" Nathan questioned.
"We're taking him back. Thank you guys. It means a lot," Tori said gratefully.
"No problem," Lara answered, Nathan nodding along with her. Emily only waved once and walked off.
"Keep in touch," Nathan said with a wave. Lara gave us a hug and a wave. We continued on to my car, sliding in without a word. I drove us back to the jail and pulled into the parking lot only to be surrounded by officers and guards immediately upon arrival. It seemed they were on lock down. The doors were jerked open and I was dragged out. Tori and Beck received the same treatment.
"What the hell?" I growled, shoving the guard who grabbed me. He glared but let me go. Beck was restrained in a similar fashion I had seen before, namely when Tori had me with my hands behind my back. Speaking of Tori, she was busy arguing with the head officer.
"I told my father I would be here! He said he would send a message to you!" she snarled, baring her teeth at him.
"We haven't gotten any such message!" he snapped back. Tori growled and shoved him away to stomp towards the jail. She stopped the two guards dragging a limp and submissive Beck.
"Take care of him this time! He may be sent here for a legitimate reason but he deserves better treatment for what he's done to help us!" she yelled at them. They stood like deer caught in headlights, clearly wondering what had set her off. I was feeling the same way. I jogged over and pulled her aside.
"I would listen to her," I advised them before leading her away.
"This isn't helping. You need to relax," I warned her, rubbing my hands up and down over her arms. She took a few breaths before her face crumbled. In seconds she was crying. She threw herself against me and buried her face in my neck.
"He was tricked, Jade. St. Claire had him cornered the whole time. He knew Beck wasn't completely loyal. He set up someone to get caught and then reveal the information to Beck. He meant for that to happen. As soon as I told Trina she told my mother and they left to the Council. I talked to my father next and he told me he would alert the officers to allow us in without penalty. His message didn't go through because just now he was able to send me one last message instead. St. Claire has been hiding out at the Council since the day he lured my father into ambushing a hideout he wasn't even at and then he set all this up to get my family where he's waiting while all their patrol were out on a decoy," she gasped, the words spilling from her mouth weakly, a whine punctuating her explanation.
"Fuck," I cursed bluntly, tightening my hold on her. How the fuck were we going to get out of this? The head officer was on his way over but I wasn't about to let him hassle my mate and stress her any more than she was already. I scooped her up and forced my way back to my car where I set Tori in the passenger seat.
"Where do you think you're going? You have to go through questioning and-" the head officer stated angrily but I started up the car and let it warm up before turning to roll down my window. I held out my middle finger before hitting the gas. The wheels didn't grab at first, giving the guards and officers time to scramble out of the way, before I sped out of there.
"Where are we going?" Tori questioned me, sniffing and wiping at her eyes.
"We're going after that bastard. No one messes with us and gets away with it," I snarled, taking a sharp turn back onto the road. We drove straight through town, Tori giving me directions along the way. She explained that she had only ever been to the Council building once but every individual who had a place in, or working directly for it, were required to know where it was. The strange thing was, it wasn't in the middle of the city as I had thought. We took the route that lead up to the hills Tori had taken me to. We parked the car and ran on foot down a dirt path I hadn't noticed before. It was wide enough for a car. Tori led me into the trees not too long later.
"Why didn't we just take the car? And why are we not taking the path?" I questioned, thoroughly confused now.
"There are pressure sensors up ahead that signal the gate to open. I can guarantee St. Claire will be alerted to all movement no matter who's in the operator's chair and on the cameras. We might have to sneak in," she answered, carefully stalking around a tree to stop behind a wide trunk, leaning against it to rest.
"Sounds challenging enough," I commented dryly, trying to lighten the incredibly tense atmosphere with my sarcastic brand of humor. She glanced at me with an appreciative smile, catching the attempt. She pushed off the tree and walked over to pull me into a tight embrace. I didn't like that it felt like a good-bye.
"Hey, we can do this," I whispered in her ear. She only seemed to hold me tighter. We stayed like that a few minutes longer, just enjoying the moment before we had to move on.
"I love you, Jade," she suddenly mumbled into my neck. I could feel her warm tears following her words and it made my voice crack when I answered her.
"I love you too, Tori," I replied. It hurt. I could feel her emotional turmoil as if I was experiencing it for myself. I was sad and anxious and angry and just as conflicted as her, but there was something she was feeling that hurt me almost physically. Her love soothed some of it away but it was still there. It was then I knew. If our Bond allowed me to feel what Tori felt in high levels of emotional distress then could she feel what her family felt?
"Tori, are they…" I tried to speak but she just nodded, knowing what I was asking. I felt pain because Tori felt it, and Tori felt it because her family was in physical pain at this very moment. I could only hope we weren't too late. Her hands cupped my face, desperate and frightened. I looked into her eyes, hoping this would all turn out okay. Our emotions bounced off one another, and then suddenly, she was kissing me. It was hard and rough, quick at first like she would never get another chance. After that passed, it was replaced with a slow and careful kiss that was full of love and hope. I let my emotions tangle with hers, my hands gripping her waist, hoping to the Maker that it wouldn't be the last time. When we pulled away her gaze fell to the ground. I heard her whimper, a piercing sound that stabbed at my heart. I reached up to brush back her hair before tilting her head up so that she looked at me again. I refused to let her slip into sorrow and defeat before we even had a chance to try.
"We can do this," I repeated firmly, making her, as well as myself, believe my words. I was glad to see the determined gleam return to her eyes as she nodded her agreement. I nodded back and then released her. We snuck forward a few yards before settling down and waiting for dark. The patrol were probably already posted at Tori's house by now, a decoy that would keep them from returning to the actual danger, which was here. It was up to us now. We stood, mentally as well as physically preparing ourselves. We both looked up at the old looking manor sitting just beyond the high thick cobbled walls. That was our goal. Get in, kick St. Claire's ass, and get out with our loved ones, as well as ourselves, intact. It was far easier said than done.