War (Book 3 in Destined Series)

8

I throw more water into the cart as Luke pushes it beside me. He grabs the food off the shelves and I finish off with the drinks.

"You think we're good? We've been here for like four hours." he says and I shake my head.

"We need clothes." I say and he nods as we head over to that section. I throw stuff into the cart like toiletries, clothing, socks, shoes, under garments, and whatever else I can grab. We walk up to the check up line and look around.

We walk towards the exit and I put a block up, so the sirens won't go off as we walk through with un bought stuff. He pushes the cart through, and I drop the block when we're outside of the store.

We push the cart down the road heading towards the house our group is in. We continue to walk and I freeze as the hairs on the back of my neck poke up. I look down at the cans and see a black figure reflecting in them. I spin around but nobody is there. I spin back around and jerk the cart to a stop cursing when Jennie lifts her hood.

"Damn it." I hiss and Luke looks at me confused.

"Jennie's here." I say as Echo pulls from the tattoo and jumps over to Luke. He blinks then nods.

"I can see her now." he says and I nod knowing Echo gave him the ability.

"Jennie." I say and she nods.

"What brings you here?" I ask and she looks between us.

"It's Shane."

"Yeah I know, we saw him." I say quietly and she looks between us again.

"He's strong Christina. Too strong."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, he's not your typical Plagued. He's much much more."

"I don't get what you mean." I say and she points to the amulet around my neck.

"You need to use that. It's the only way." she says quickly backing up.

"Jennie you're not making any sense."

"They're coming. They've found me." she says and I watch her step back more.

"It's up to you Christina. You're the face of this war, and that amulet. It's the key."

"Jennie what are you-

"I have to go." she whispers and before I can say anything she's gone and Echo is back in my shoulder.

"What was that about?" he asks and I shake my head.

"I don't know. Let's just get back." I say and he nods as I start pushing the cart again.

~~

I push open the door catching the knife an inch in front of my chest and looking over at Nick. He pales seeing it's me and quickly apologizes as I drop the knife and laugh.

"At least I know you were protected." I say and he nods as Luke and I step all the way in. We pull the cart in behind us then shut the door.

"Damn did you buy the whole store?" Drew asks stepping forward.

"We didn't buy that much. Where's Grace?" I ask

"In the tub. Mike is with her." he says and I nod running up the stairs. I walk into the bathroom and Mike looks over at me.

"Chrissy!" Grace squeals and I smile walking over to her.

"Hey." I say squatting beside the tub and next to Mike.

"She is all clean. Just was playing." he says and I nod my thanks as he leaves the room.

"Hey Grace. You having fun?" I ask and she nods with a bright smile on her face. I laugh splashing her with some water. She giggles splashing me back. I laugh pulling her out of the tub and spinning in a circle. She giggles as I come to a stop and wrap a towel around her body.

"I'm tired." she says and I nod.

"It's getting pretty late." I say seeing that it's starting to get pretty dark.

"Luke!" I call down the stairs and he looks up at me.

"What time is it!?" I call and he looks at his watch then back up to me.

"Six." he says and I nod going back into the room. I put Grace on the bed then put some clothes on her.

"Let's eat some dinner. Then I'll let you sleep." I say and she nods.

"Ok." she says and I nod picking her back up and carrying her down the stairs.

"Let's throw some dinner together. Grace is getting tired." I say to Nick as I walk past Luke.

"I'll get started." Nick says and I nod putting Grace down.

"I'll help."

~~

I crouch on the edge of the building and rest my wings. I hear someone land beside me and I look over as Brett crouches beside me.

"What, Alec didn't trust me?"

"Nope." he says and I roll my eyes. Another set of wings sound and I peer into the dark sky.

"Marian." I say as she crouches before me.

"Hello Demon." she says flicking black hair over her slender shoulders. Her breasts practically spill out of her top and I smirk looking back up at her face.

"What brings you to this side of the sky?"

"I want what you want." she says pushing up to her feet.

"Which is?"

"The girl." she says and Brett scoffs.

"Brett." she says anything but thrilled.

"Nice to see you too." he states sarcastically and she rolls her eyes.

"This is between Shane here, and I."

"My names not Shane." I say and she smirks.

"Any other lies they've been feeding you?" she asks and I look over at Brett who now looks pissed, then back to Marian.

"Like what?" I ask and she bursts out laughing.

"Wow they really got you tied around their little finger, Newborn." she says and I look over at Brett.

"Don't listen to that bitch. She'll say anything to get what she wants."

"Ouch, if I do remember correctly. You're the one that screwed me to get intel. And damn, I really liked you." she says and Brett scoffs.

"You're a snake." he hisses and I eye Marian.

"Me?" she scoffs

"At least I'm not poisonous." she growls

"Don't listen to her." Brett says and I look between the two of them.

"You called me Shane the first day you saw me." I say, but he keeps a straight face.

"Brett spill it." I hiss but he stays silent

"I told you Shane. You don't know anything." she says

~~~~~~