Hunter

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve:

<KATE'S POV>

Many of the senior students have noticed the Protectors guarding the school. There are about fifty of them, always standing guard outside the gates. No one knows why, but I think I can guess who sent them here. Alec. He thinks I can't protect myself, so he's sent his team to look after me. For what reason, I'm still trying to figure out. Hopefully it won't interfere with the field trip Joel and I are going on. We're going to spend the night outside the school, and several other Protectors are going to attack us when we're least expecting it. We have to show them we know how to react when we're surprised. It should be interesting, and I'm looking forward to the challenge. It's not often I receive a challenge.

"I'm a challenge," Joel says from beside me.

"Oi, stay out of my head!" I cry, punching him in the arm playfully. "Besides, you're not a challenge, you're easy." I think for a moment. "That came out really wrong," I say, laughing.

"I guess it's true," Joel sighs. I ruffle up his hair and hug him roughly.

""You're so cute when you're miserable, Joel." He looks up at me with a puzzled look on his face. I burst out laughing. "Love you," I add.

"I can't answer that honestly and make you happy," he tells me, narrowing his eyes at me.

"Are you ready for tonight?" I ask him. He nods.

"I can't wait. We are going to rock this town."

"Oh, God. Don't tell me I'm going on a mission with a lunatic!"

"Sorry, babe. You're stuck with me."

***

The darkness doesn't deter me in the slightest, as I can easily blend in. Joel and I walk in silence, neither of us wanting to be the reason for the other missing a vital sign of danger. I see a subtle movement in the shadows, and Joel knows immediately, the moment I think about it. We both face the spot. Big mistake. I hear movement behind me, and by the time I turn around I barely have time to block a knife to my face. Consequently, my neck is sliced with the knife. It's not deep, but it stings. I ignore the pain, pushing it to the back of my mind, and focus on my attacker. It's a woman of forty, and her features are very masculine. Her hair is cut extremely short, she has as much muscle as Alec, and she looks too tough for my liking. However, it seems like her strength slows her down.

'Kate! Stop staring at her and do something!' Joel thinks loudly, and without thinking I turn and punch him in the stomach, then face my opponent. She's gone.

"Shit!" I swear aloud. "Joel, I was assessing her, finding the best way to take her down! Next time you can try and help, or attempt to understand what I'm doing, and why." Joel looks really pissed.

"If you're so great, you can continue this exercise on your own," he tells me, stalking off into the shadows. I cross my arms and huff. Jerk.

'Bitch,' he thinks from a few metres away. This feels like a slap in the face, and I try not to cry. In the end the tears win out, and saltwater runs down my cheeks. "Kate," he says from my right. "Kate, I don't know why I... I'm sorry. This is so hard for me. I'm not used to caring about other people's feelings. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me? Please?" I see movement behind Joel, and he spins around, entering into a fight with his attacker. Joel struggles for quite a while, and I see why. When he stands up, I get a good view of his opponent. It's a man who is six foot one and built like a tank. However, the man is on the floor, groaning.

"Katelyn, run away," he hisses out from between clenched teeth.

"Who are you?" I ask.

"My name's Arthur. Did this man kidnap you?" I laugh for a while. No, really. A long time.

"No, we're on a partner exercise for school. Did Alec send you?"

"Maybe. Did you know he's very protective?" I nod continuously. Of course I know that. It's ridiculous. Joel chuckles from beside me. I shoot a glare at him.

"You can probably go now," I tell Arthur. He stands up and brushes himself off.

"No, miss, I can't. I have very strict orders. I have to keep you inside the school, and watched, at all times. I apologise, but I didn't say it. My superior told me what to do, and I have to listen and obey."

"Fine. Take us back," I command him. Joel looks at me, and I shrug. He catches my hand and holds it in between his hands, spreading warmth up through my arm. I know this is his way of apologising, but I haven't forgiven him yet. He moves my hand to his lips, trailing kisses up my hand and along my arm. He reaches my neck, and then, finally, my lips.

'Okay, I forgive you,' I think, pulling him tighter to me. The sound of several people clearing their throats causes me to blush and jump away from Joel. I look around and see six full Protectors waiting for us. But... why should I be embarrassed? I'm doing nothing wrong. I cross my arms.

"Lead the way," I order them. Apparently I'm going to be their superior when I graduate, so why not start giving orders now?

"You don't have the right to order us around," replies one of the younger girls. She looks about twenty.

"And how do you think Alec would react if I complained that you were being disrespectful due only to my age?" I ask her. She scoffs.

"He wouldn't dare do anything to me. Do you know who I am?"

"You're Carey Hawthorne, pain in the ass, stuck up little child and spoilt brat," Arthur replies for me, and everyone laughs. "And stupid, apparently. Alec would kick your ass out of society if you so much as looked at Katelyn the wrong way. Look how many of us he's sent to look after her. He obviously cares a lot." I fidget uncomfortably.

"He can't care that much. He left me without even saying goodbye."

"Get over it, stop pitying yourself," Carey snaps, and I take one step towards her. She runs and hides behind her comrades, and I'm shocked. How can someone that bad get into Alec's team?

"They have powerful and rich parents," Joel answers out loud, confusing many people there.

"We have a bond," I explain. "It's one of the reasons we're together."

"I can understand," Carey replies sharply. "Alec and I share a similar bond." Did I hear her right? Are my ears deceiving me, or am I going mad? Or does this weak, puny child truly have a bond with Alec Mortan?

A/N:

Oooohhhhhh!!!!!!!! Dun dun dun!!!!!! Alec and Carey have a bond? Didn't see that one coming, huh? Hehe I'm sneaky. Hope you're enjoying the story!!!!! Please vote and comment your feedback, maybe some ideas???? Still developing the plot, so you can give ideas!!!! Love you guys. Keep reading, amazing people!!

Bri ;)