The Risen HODWII

Chapter 33 : Battle

Just then, Xenon popped out of the bar, followed by Coby and Lucas, but... he looked bothered. When he saw me, he forced a smile.

"Hey, how are you?" he asked as he got near.

"I'm fine. How did it go?" What might have happened for him to look this bothered?

"It was something unusual, but Ricky took care of it. Let's go?" He said, opening the door of the van for me.

I nodded and got inside.

But before he got in, he faced the Blue Fire Gang. "You know where to go, so it's up to you. Just come to my house anytime you want. Make sure that tomorrow at noon you'll be there for the meeting," he said.

"We'll be following behind, so don't worry," Blake smiled at him. Xenon nodded and got inside the van, sitting beside me. Coby and Lucas followed, and just then, the engine started, and the van drove away.

Time passed, and my eyes never left the windshield, watching the shadows of the dark outside, not even daring to listen to their conversation.

"Claire..?" My attention was caught when Xenon called me.

"Hhmm." I hummed in response.

"Do you...? Ahm... never mind." I suddenly turned to look at Xenon... he was looking down. Something kept bothering him... what could it be?

"Tell me, what is it?" I simply asked.

"Ahm..." he held my hand. "Do you remember playing with the two marbles earlier?" he asked reassuringly.

I knew he saw it. I was drawn into my conversation with the devil, needing something to hold onto that could calm my monster, and those were my marbles.

"Yes, why do you ask?" I asked plainly; no one could see my real emotions. So it was impossible for him to read me.

"Do you still have them?" he asked.

What happened inside the bar that I didn't know?

I nodded and took two marbles from the pocket of my jacket. I had brought four of them and lost the two; I smirked secretly. "I have these to soothe me, especially in a crowd," I defended.

He nodded in understanding.

"Why do you ask, by the way?" I asked, playing innocent.

"Nothing." He shook his head. "Just some random thoughts, very unreal." He murmured. It was surreal.

I slung my arms around his and leaned on his shoulder. Closing my eyes, I sighed in contentment. After a moment, I sensed him smile... you are the most comfortable thing I’ve ever had.

Just then, darkness took over.

*******

I woke up the moment I sensed the van had stopped. Looking around, I could see Xenon's house on the side.

"Just in time," Xenon stated, smiling.

I faced him and immediately met his mesmerizing oceanic eyes; I couldn't help but bite my lower lip.

He sighed. "I told you to stop doing that."

"I can't help it. Now... out." I pushed him softly, sensing the others had already gone out.

"How can you be so harsh with me?" he pouted.

Oh, so handsome... tch. "Faster!" I complained playfully.

"Yes, ma'am." He got out frustratingly, but I could see the mischief in his eyes.

The moment I got out, he pinned me against the side of the van. "You're breathtaking tonight, Claire... keep doing that, and I'll lose control of myself," he whispered huskily near my ear.

I could feel the heat rising inside me; I wanted him... all of him... the sexual tension between us was rising faster than I expected; our heartbeats told it. My breath was slow and uncontrollable as he leaned his face closer to me, until it was an inch away.

But suddenly,

"Uy, lovebirds!" Jake yelled the moment he got out of their car.

Xenon put some distance between us, which made me take a deep breath and sigh in relief.

"I-I'm going." I stuttered, passing by him at a fast pace.

Did I just stutter in front of him!? I sighed once again; only Xenon could make me do things I never do.

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**Blake's POV**

When we got inside the house, I could see the rest of the Insigma Fighters and the girls in the living room.

"Blake, there are two unused guest rooms. Feel free to use them, and because you will be staying here for days, make yourself comfortable," Xenon stated.

"Yeah! Feel at home; Xenon wouldn't mind it." Coby winked, and I nodded, laughing.

"I'm tired! Gonna go to bed... so night, guys!" Cassandra, as I remembered her name, stretched her body and stood up.

"I think it's time to rest; you can all go now," Xenon said.

"Wait, wait, wait! Stop right there. Why go to rest? We brought beers for you! Our fun was destroyed because of the incident, so we wanted to continue here! Who's up for it?" Jake said, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Oh! I would love to!" Jenna yelled, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"But Jenna, you had enough," Adrian stopped her.

"Tch. You know, brother, this is only for tonight, so let your sister enjoy this. Okay?" she insisted.

Adrian sighed. "Fine." He turned to Drena. "How about you, Dren?" he asked.

"If Jenna will stay, then so will I." She smiled cheekily.

Adrian closed his eyes. "Fine, give us the drink," he said, and Jake handed him a bottle of beer with a smile of success.

"Cool! I'll join too!" Coby exclaimed in gladness.

"What!?" Cassandra asked in shock at the rejection, but she sighed when Coby looked at her with puppy eyes. "Okay, count me in," which made Coby grin widely.

"Yiieee! Me too!" Martin yelled in excitement.

"Let's go to sleep?" Lucas asked Stella in a softer way, but Stella shook her head.

"You did not let me drink earlier, so will you please let me now?" I smirked when Stella gave her sweetest look that no one could reject.

"Okay, but don't drink too much." Lucas looked at us and said, "We're in!"

"Great!" Jake and Jacob exclaimed, putting all the bottles of beer on the table. But we had already put drops of benzodiazepines inside them.

"Whoo! The real party of the night begins!" I yelled to make the party more alive, and they laughed.

"How about you, Xenon?" My smile vanished when I heard Blue ask Xenon. I looked at Xenon to see him already walking upstairs.

"Xenon, don't you want to drink with us?" I asked in worry.

"No thanks, I'm tired... I need to rest," he stated and continued walking toward his room.

"Shit," I heard Blue murmur, and I could sense the fear from Jake and Jacob.

"Don't mind him." I suddenly turned to Claire, who looked at us in assurance. "I'll take care of him." We took a deep breath in relief and nodded as she followed Xenon into his room. Hhmm... what does she mean by it? How could she make Xenon sleep deeply? Why do I even ask myself? She's the heiress of the Dark World, for goodness' sake!

Tonight is a battle that I will never forget in my entire life.