Seeker (Completed)

Enemy Eye-Candy

Chapter 18

The door sunk into the ground but the problem is that the whole floor was shifting dangerously. I sprint inside, don't bother with a tour of the place as you can well imagine. I just run to - I think it's a pyre of some sort - anyways I don't take in any details, I just throw a piece a piece of material from my shirt on it, shove it into my pocket and vuma out of there. The roof is beginning to collapse behind me but I try not to think about that instead I occupy my mind with other things...Like Thorns eyes; intense, rich. It reminds me of melted dark chocolate. Oh, chocolate! What I would give for a slab of that! Come to think about it I'm actually starving. Bacon. That's what I'm craving right about now. Bacon. That's what I struggled to remember at the shops. The shops. That was the place wear Connor tried to kiss me but I broke his nose. All his friends snickered at him. Snickers! Back to chocolate...

Moonlight interrupts my thoughts. I'm out! I fist pump the air and do a little happy dance as the last of the cave collapses on itself. "Take that!" I stick my tongue out at it childishly. I know I should remain composed, maybe be all badass and walk away from it in slow motion but I'm too relieved to keep up my reputation right now. "Oh, very mature." I spin around to see Thorn leaning against a tree.

Now that we aren't trying to kill each other I can actually take him in. He's in all black: Black jeans, top, jacket, sword halter, hair, eyes...those eyes. "Like what you see?" He asks, a cocky grin plastered on his face. My heart starts to accelerate, what the hell is wrong with me? I know I've been deprived most my life but perving over every boy, really Layla, really? "Arrogant much?" I shoot back at him. His ego doesn't fade. "As I'm sure you've already noticed I have reason to be." I snort. "In your dreams maybe." Though I must admit he has reason to be...very good reason to be.

Wait! What am I doing? Here I am eye-raping the enemy when I need to get back to Zack. A wave of guilt washes over me. I shouldn't even notice other guys let alone the enemy. "I'll let you go unharmed and then our score will be even." He begins to walk away but my pride won't stand for it. "I took you down before and you're acting as though I should be grateful that I don't have to fight a mighty warrior like yourself right now?" The sarcasm is clear in my voice. That was a bit harsh but why should I care, he tried to kill me...unsuccessfully, but still. He stops dead in his tracks, turns around slowly...threateningly. A growl leaves his lips. "Know what's good for you and back off." Fat chance! I'm not going to cower away from this guy and give him the satisfaction. "Why don't you save yourself the trouble and make like a good dog; roll over and play dead."

He leaps at me, wolf-bearing fangs. God, me and my big mouth. Think, think, think and I do. Slip'n'slide and the ground he's running on turns to mud. He skids, loses his balance and face plants. I'm doubled over in laughter. Earth really is a cool element. My laughter dies as he morphs back to his usual self. His eyes are ablaze with fury. Well done Layls, piss off an incredibly scary werewolf. "Thorn..." I begin to say, he stops and shivers. It isn't a cold night though so I don't know why. He looks at me and I'm automatically self-conscious. That's not like me. "You know my name so it's only fair I know yours." He takes a step towards me and I take one back. "Scared? You should be." There's a blur of motion and I'm pinned against the cliff wall with a knife to my throat.

Electricity courses through my body, or maybe it's just adrenalin, I'm not sure. "Your name?" He whispers threateningly into my ear. A shiver runs through my spine. Should I? Shouldn't I? The knife digs in harder and my mind is decided. "Layla." He repeats it, slowly, rolling my name off his tongue. "Layla." I like the way it sounds when he says it. His husky voice caressing my name. The pressure is gone from my neck and I rub it. "We're even now, Layla." He slinks back into the darkness.

I rush towards them. Nick gives a sigh of relief and mumbles thanks to god. "Where's the stone?" I whip out the material and open it to reveal a square shaped stone concealed inside. "You didn't think I'd grab it and just leave you guys, did you?" "Well," Justin begins and shoots me a nasty look. "You can't really blame us." God, one day I'm gonna slap that assho...oh wait, been there done that. I roll my eyes at him. Justin and Nick grab hold of Zack. He's struggling to breathe; I just want to get him some help. I place my hand in Nick's and the grasp the stone. Heat, blinding white light, a loud bang.

I open my eyes and I'm back in the institute. I breathe out the breath I didn't even know I was keeping in. Someone is sitting behind the glass screen widens their eyes then jumps up, rings a bell and shouts - annoyingly - over and over again "They're here!" The door opens and Emma along with adults I don't recognize come hurriedly in. "Zack." I say, they all look at them and realization sets in. "Run for the healer!" Emma commands then sets her eyes on me. She glares at me, "I don't believe it." Then storms out. Well she's very mature for her age.

The healer takes Zack away and reassures me that he'll be fine. Finally, with Zack in good hands I slump down in absolute relief. I made it, what are the odds? The crowd of people around me is still staring in stunned silence. Then, slowly, one starts clapping and soon the applause is like thunder to my ears. Shouts of congratulations ring throughout the room. Wow, I could get used to this.

Justin was the only person allowed to accompany Zack to the infirmary so it was just Nick and I who had to make it to our room with the swarm of people surrounding us. I closed my door with a sigh. God, I can't believe that was over. I stare at the stone settled on my palm. Well one down, three items to go.