Arrow

Thirty: Ambush

My mind was straying, hazardously wandering, reliving the moment I'd shared with Jesse in the barn, my body tense, rigid, on edge. I couldn't let it overtake me, I couldn't let it show, I couldn't risk being distracted when we were so close to getting back to Coby and the others. I hadn't given my emotions much of a front seat since the outbreak, and here I was submitting to them over someone I barely knew. It was insane, stupidly insane.

I tried not to breathe too heavy, move too fast, talk. I was scrutinising every movement I made knowing that Jesse stood only meters from me, watching, his eyes felt against my face a handful of times. He had broken through the walls of my emotions, exposing me and a side of me I'd kept hidden for years. He had taken something from me that no other man had since Talon, my common sense. This was wild territory for me.

Once the horses were ready to go and the others had joined us, I felt myself relax a little, the distraction welcoming. Jaxon was the only one who knew, really knew what was going on between Jesse and I, so I avoided Jaxon as much as I avoided Jesse.

"This is going to cut our travel time in half" Talon spoke, running his hands over my favourite horse

"Good find Morgan" Ronan agreed, the use of my real name again causing me to flinch. I wanted to punch him.

I bit my tongue with a frustrated sigh, and stood on the other side of Talon, opposite my horse. I kept my eyes on the ears I scratched, feeling Talon stare at me. I knew what he was thinking, I could feel it in his stare, even after all this time, I could read his expressions, his body.

"One question" He began "There are five horses, and six of us"

"Which means one of us will have to double up" Jesse informed him

"I like this one" Talon replied, stroking the fur in front of him, in front of me

"You and your friend Boston, you'll be doubling, take that one" Jesse told him forcefully as he pointed to the paint mare across from him. I refused to look at Jesse, but I could feel the intense discomfort lined between Talon and him. I had initiated something I shouldn't have between them without considering the repercussions. I'd created a whole new intensity with the information I'd given Jesse.

Talon stood silent for a moment, his eyes wavering over me, debating whether or not to argue about it. Seconds later, he thought better of it, nodding "Fine"

I began to unravel the rope tying my horse to his stall, flinging it over his neck as the others readied their own horses. Ronan took the dark brown, three white socks, Jaxon had taken the third brown, four white socks, Boston and Talon on the paint, and Jesse the all black gelding.

I hooked my fingers into the stirrups, pulling them from their place beside the horse's belly. I concentrated on each step I took, remembering my Gran's words with each movement. It was all I wanted to focus on, my Gran, the journey ahead, anything other than the tensions between me and Talon, Talon and Jesse, Jesse and me. What a mess.

Once my horse was geared up, ready, I pulled my backpack on, making sure my weapons were easily accessible if need be. Shaun was still out there somewhere, and by now, he'd probably know his men were not coming back. He'd be livid.

I blew out a breath of air, training myself to pay attention. I couldn't let Talon get inside my head, and now, I couldn't let Jesse inside my head either, as difficult as that seemed to be.

I rolled my shoulders, feeling the heat of my back wound rub up against my bag. I forced back a hiss, rolling my neck out, the muscles pulling violently.

As I closed my eyes, waiting for the others to finish, a voice began from beside me

"You okay?" Instantly, I knew who it belonged to