Truce

Twenty Three // Jacob Forst

Twenty Three // Jacob Forst

Kaia

"Where are we going?" I'd asked this question well over twenty times since we got in Jacob's Audi R8 Spyder. Yes, it was his Audi, and it was magnificent. Sleek and black, it shot through the mountainous countryside in the morning light, taking the corners better and faster and smoother than I'd ever seen.

"Patience, grasshopper," Jacob grinned, but I think it was more because of what he was driving rather than my incessant nagging. He was surely speeding, not caring that we were surrounded by tall trees and thick forests or that the road was dusted with snow.

I settled back into my seat and enjoyed the feel of the leather on my legs, despite them being padded with two layers of clothes; thermals and jeans. After Jacob woke me up this morning by getting out of bed, he instructed me to get into the warmest clothes I brought which were those, along with a long sleeve thermal top, a power white woollen sweater, Jacob's black snow jacket at my feet.

My cheeks flushed as my mind went back to this morning, waking up tangled in Jacob's sheets with him standing at his wardrobe, in only his boxers. His back was to me and that indentation that ran down his spine was defined, and just as daring as his abdomen after he turned around. I didn't want to be affected by him, but it was impossible not to be.

"Are we there yet?" I pestered and he shook his head, my annoyance not affecting him in the least. I knew if I was in control of this car it wouldn't either. There was something he wasn't telling me, something that I needed to figure out. His family had always been one of money, of wealth, but coming here, it felt like there was another factor. They had maids, butlers, cooks and the most surprising; security guards. We ran into one on the way to the basement garage this morning who greeted Jacob in German in a form of the utmost respect. Jacob's eyes flitted to me with a mixture of concern and anticipation, and that expression stayed imprinted in my mind.

His family were important, important enough to be protected by military looking men. That meant Jacob was important, but I couldn't put my finger on why.

I let it go for the moment, focusing on the music drifting through the speakers so that I wouldn't be tempted to ask any stupid questions.

Ten minutes later, we were at the end of an open dirt road in a field, a thick of trees off a short dirt path. He turned the keys and pulled them out, turning to me with an excited smirk.

"Shall we?"

I nodded and followed him out of the car, grabbing the jacket and sliding it on after I closed my door. The wind bit at my face and neck, so I pulled my beanie down to cover more of my forehead and my ears, my hair covering my neck. Jacob stood in front of his car pulling his black beanie on. I didn't know what it was about guys in beanies, or maybe it was just Jacob in beanie's, but I was glad the wind was a distinguishable excuse for my cheeks to be flushed.

He took my hand and led me down of the path, the stones crunching under our feet. The edge of the forest loomed a few metres ahead; expansive and dark and intimidating. I hesitated. It was beautiful, with the snow complementing the dark green with its pretty powder, but I couldn't bring myself to take another step forward.

"Come on," Jacob prompted, tugging at my hand I forgot he was still holding. It was radiating warmth and strength and belief into me, and I didn't want to let go. I just nodded and allowed my feet to move again, allowing Jacob to lead me into the thick.

My eyes had to adjust to the darkness, with only the rare patches of sky visible above, but when they did I audibly gasped. Among the branches and tree trunks the forest was buzzing with life. Birds you couldn't hear before now whistling their tune, their eyes shining from high up branches that towered over us. Creatures on the ground too; eyes white and bodies dark and invisible in the shadows of the overgrowth. I could feel their energy, that we were not alone. It was something I'd never could have expected was possible.