Their Light

Special Chapter - Zeke Meeting Hadley

Zeke

My eyes tracked Finn from across the room. My heart still raced at the thought of it. Phantom adrenaline racing through my veins. I couldn't believe what had all happened. From Finn, my gaze traveled across the room to Hadley.

Another heart attack waiting to take me. After rescueing Finn, I didn't expect to see her. I didn't expect to see her sitting there in the rain. I really didn't expect the effect she would have on me. She was small, but so mighty. She stood up to us, strangers with swords, and trusted us enough. But not enough to stay.

I will never be able to put into words the distress I felt upon her sudden disappearance. The rage that filled me upon seeing that lowlife lay his hands on her was indescribable. It required all of my self-control not to go back to that warehouse and show them the wrath I held inside myself.

Seeing her here helped ease the fury within me. She was safe. Finn was safe. I had to repeat that to myself. The bruises that mared her skin brought back too many memories from my past. No one should be beaten like that. No one.

The bruises were gone now, but my mind could still track their locations. Like phantom shadows I couldn't escape. When I had entered the hallway this morning, the last thing I expected to see was her at tripping at the top of the stairs.

Like a slow motion action scene, I could see what would happen. I moved without thinking. Catching her around the waist, I hauled her backwards. She flipped around in my arms. I tried not to think about how perfectly she fit in them.

She was light as a feather, staring up at me with wide eyes. Our faces were just inches apart. A connection form and flourished between us. I glanced down, realizing we were touching skin to skin. I stiffened at the realization of what was happening.

A warmth spread across my neck. I knew the dark spirals were forming. Just like I had seen on my chosen brothers. I saw her eyes track down to my neck. They wideneded and knew she had seen it. She jumped away from me, and in that moment, I wanted nothing more than to shield her in my arms for just a little longer.

I didn't expect her to go downstairs and demand answers. It was beautiful to watch. After we ate, I tracked her movements. When she headed outside, I became nervous. I waited for a bit before peeking out at her.

Her peaceful face shone in the sun. The steady rise and fall of her chest reassured me. Amusment filled me. She was fast asleep. The swing rocked gently underneath her. I moved to the door and out onto the porch.

Joe lifted his head to look at me from the swing. I stepped forward and rubbed his head. He laid it back down quickly falling asleep again. She looked the most relaxed that I had ever seen her. A shiver racked her as I watched. Frowning, I headed back into the house. No one questioned me as I grabbed a throw off the back of the couch.

I laid it across her gently. I felt settled afterward. She was taken care of. She was not injured, she was safe, and she would remain safe. I would see to that. We all would.