Brothers 3

Chapter 36

James had expected to be up all-night thinking about the coming battle but instead he fell asleep next to Skylar on the grass. She was cuddled into his back, snoring lightly. Carefully, he rolled over to look at her. Eyes closed and lips parted she was beautiful. Something in his chest tightened. Today they would go to battle, and it was possible that he would lose her just after getting her. Skylar was formidable but the wolves had the numbers, and God know how many witches. If something happened to her James didn't know what kind of man he would become. Perhaps like his father. For the first time James could understand his father's reaction to losing his mother. Even just the thought of Skylar hurt made James want to vomit. Richard had watched his wife die while giving birth to their child. Maybe that had changed him as much as people had always assured James it had. Up to this point he didn't believe that someone could be so changed by one event, that he must have been guarded and angry before then. Now, he could see how it would make you a different version of yourself.

Skylar blinked awake, squinting against the morning sun. James chuckled at her screwed-up face as she turned into the grass to hide her eyes.

"Infernal sun," she moaned.

James rolled onto his back. "I dunno, I can take it." He smirked as the warm grass tickled the sides of his face.

Skylar glared sideways at him and punched him in the arm. "You are not tougher than me and the battle will prove it." She took on a serious expression and James knew she was thinking the same thing as him. This battle could spell the end for one of them, more than likely him.

Laughing off the tension he folded his hands behind his head and made a show of lounging in a casual manner. "I bet I can kill more of the wolves than you can."

Skylar rolled her eyes. "Do you have to make everything into a competition?"

"It keeps things interesting."

"Cover up! Brothers incoming!"

James sat up to see Eddie smirking and jogging across to them. When he got within a few feet he stood on his tip toes and peered at Skylar. "No hurry Robert there is nothing to see, they are both dressed. She rejected him."

Robert moved slowly across the clearing with his hands in his pockets. James noticed that the rest of the team apart from Mrs Greene where behind him.

He shot Eddie a cold look and stood, offering his hand to Skylar.

"That's cute," she said, winking at him and jumping to her feet.

Smiling he waved her off. "Fine I won't be a gentleman."

Coming close to him she whispered in his ear. "I prefer warriors. Survive today and prove you are one."

Heat skipped over James's skin at her proximity and if they had had the time he would have thrown himself at her. But her words were more than flirting. She had managed to say that thing he hated, be careful, without saying it. There was no end to the ways this woman was drawing him in.

The voices of the others got closer, and Robert stopped, studying James and Skylar. "This is it. We know where they are, and we are going to strike. Keep your head in the game."

Skylar nodded but James knew it was meant for him. Robert didn't need to worry. No one wanted these wolves dead as much as James. He would do this for Orlando.

As they wandered through the woods Mikey came alongside James. He was wearing a tracksuit of all things. James wondered if the wolf knew how to dress like a proper man at all. Mikey noticed his scowl and laughed.

"You aren't impressed by me are you?"

James looked him head to toe. "That tracksuit is making my head hurt."