Chapter 1

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"I'm not leaving!" Shay shouted at her parents before she stormed up to her room. She loves the city and where she lives. All her friends were here and everything else she would ever need. She always thought her life to be perfect until her parents decided to leave to travel the world without her for two years. there was no way her parents would let her stay here alone.
So this, according to her parents, was her only other option, and she didn't like this one bit. They were sending her off to live with a complete stranger. Mrs. Betty Cooper.
"You will go live with your grandmother. We have already made flight plans." Her mother shouted back up the stairs, "I had Mary pack all of your things."
"Whatever." She just sat there on her bed and cried. It felt as if they were abandoning her.
So much for having the perfect life and senior year with all of her friends. This sucks major.
Maybe she could make the best of it. Ha yeah right. What did she do for her parents to do this to her? Well, since there was no other way, she wasn't going to let this ruin her life. She had always wondered what it would be like to go to a whole other school and have a whole other life. So this was her chance.
She wipped away the tears and went to tell her parents she wasn't going to fight anymore and that she would go. And as she did her parents basically asked her if she had fallen on her head on the way down. Shay was never one to surrender in an arguement.
That's how she got her way all the time.
* ~ * ~ *
Jayson was bored as always so he decided to check on Betty. See if there were any chores he could do for her this afternoon.
When Jayson walked over to Betty's, he found her in the back trying to fix the lawn mower. He ran to her and saw the determination in her eyes. He helped her up and back into the house.
"What did you think you were doing with the lawn mower?" He asked her as he made her a fresh glass of ice water. "You know you shouldn't be out in this heat like that Betty. That's what I'm here for, to help you. Why didn't you come to get me? I would have come to fix it." He just turned to give her the glass and wait for an answer.
"I just thought I could fix something without having to bother you." She replied while taken a sip of her water.
"Well, it's never an inconvenience to me. It gives me something to do. I work with my hands all the time." He did work in Jerry's Garage. So he was used to hard labor and fixing the lawn mower would be nothing.
"You are too good to me Jay. It's a wonder you don't have some girl hanging around." She said with appreciation in her eyes. She alway thought of him as a grandson. She loved him so. He was always looking after her and making sure there wasn't something else for him to do to help her out.
Jayson didn't say anything as he began to give Betty a kiss on the check and go on to fix that lawn mower. "If you need anything else I have my cell on me, and you know I'm number two on speed dial. I'll be right outside so don't hesitate again to call me."
He was outside working in the yard listening to his iPod when he thought he heard a voice calling him. Turning off the lawn mower and taking the ear phone out of his ear, he turned to see who it was. No one was there. So he checked his phone and when there wasn't anything he went to check on Betty who was asleep watching Days of Our Lives reruns on the TV. She didn't seem to be in trouble. He must be going crazy. I have major issues. So he went back to work.
* ~ * ~ *
Shay woke up gasping for air. As much as she hated nightmares, especially these nightmares she'd been having for the past two years, she hated being in this plane on her way somewhere she didn't know.
These nightmares weren't necessarily bad they were all connected to each other with the same guy that she woke up with nothing to call him but she could swear it was always on the tip of her tongue. His face haunted her. He had been beautiful with light brown hair, blueish-green eyes that always had her attention, broad shoulders, taller than she was, which was wonderful considering she was on the tall side.
For someone so young he seemed to have this gleam in his eyes that said he'd seen so much brutality. He also had this power to him that made people fear him. She never rememebered him ever being around anyone but her as if he was a loner. How strange for someone who was so kind and gentle towards her. He seemed to like being left alone and didn't want anyone around to bother him. Keeping everyone at a distance.
Before she could even think about the plane ride they had landed. Shay had been dreading this for weeks now. But she had agreed to it even though she really didn't have any say in the matter at all. After she stepped into the humid, hot weather she wished she could go back home and take a shower to get the feeling to go away.
As she walked into the Memphis airport she went to get her luggage and wait for her grandmother, but instead she didn't see anyone that could possibly be her gran. So she just walked around and finally got tired of that and sat down. She decided she should call her parents and let them know she had landed safely.
When she hung up the phone with her parents, she put it away in exchange for a book. She read a couple of pages and all the sudden she had this wierd feeling someone was watching her. As soon as she looked up she thought she was dreaming again.
Jayson gave the girl a crooked smile so she didn't get up and run away. For a full ten seconds he couldn't speak one word as he stared into the most beautiful blue eyes he'd ever seen. Finally he spoke. "Are you Shay Bran?"
Shay just couldn't help but stare up at this gorgeous creature. And when she heard her name on his lips she thought she would faint. There's no way this is happening to me. She thought as she tried to find her voice. "Uh y-yeah. That's m-me."
He couldn't help but smile more at her reaction to him. It wasn't as if she was scared but nervous. So he offered her his hand. "Nice to finally meet you. I'm Jayson McAdams. I'm sure you are wondering who I am." He said as he held her hand that seemed so soft and light. Beautiful like her. Not knowing why he was acting this way... What's wrong with me? Has it really been this long since I last touched a woman. Or even spoken to one for that matter. Stop babbling like an idiot, of course she is wondering who you are.
His voice was soft and warm. She could melt right now, but she was stuck like an idiot at the sight of this guy. Ugh I'm so pathetic that I can't even speak. He stopped talking, and they both still were holding on the each other's hands. Finally he pulled away and continued to speak. "I'm your grandmother's neighbor. I offered to pick you up. There's no need for her to get out when I'm around. She shouldn't be up for too long. She's really excited for you to come and live with her. She could use the company. You know other than some neighbor kid. Family is always nice to have around."
Shay stood and opened her mouth to speak, but he reached his hand out toward her bags. "You mind if I get your bags for you?" He picked them up, and she finally was going to speak words. They didn't come. So she just followed behind him to the car.
He loaded her bags and as she tried to help he just told her he had it all under control. She just watched as he picked everything up with an ease and grace she wish she had. When he finished he walked her to the passenger side and opened the car door for her.
She was shocked of his action. She turned to look at him behind her. "Thank you. F-for everything." Shay made the mistake of looking into his eyes that were a mysterious blueish-green swirl. Caught in the thought of kissing his sweet, full lips, she leaned close hoping he would close the rest of the distance and when he moved closer in her breath caught. Her thoughts lost, she finally took a needed breath and captured the most wonderful scent she had every smelt.
Jay smiled as he saw what she wanted as much as him. But he knew better. So he leaned in so close he thought that he'd lose himself and make the mistake of actually kissing her. Mmm she smelt so good. Vanila and brown sugar. I could definitely take a bite of her. He lingered there for another fifteen seconds wondering if she's have the courage to acually close the remaining distance. When she didn't move he closed his eyes and moved to whisper into her ear. "No problem. It was my pleasure." When she opened her eyes he was gone.
Sitting in the car next to him just made her face blush at the way she reacted to him so close to her. She was so embarrassed and for a second she hoped. But he had just teased her. How could she be so stupid to think that he would be interested in her. Plus they had just met. She was surprised he would have such an affect on her.
They were quiet as he sat driving. He had put on some sunglasses so she couldn't see his mood or what he was looking at so she just contented herself with the new view as they made their way to Mississippi. Talk about nothing being here. She thought as she looked around and didn't see much to do around Southaven. This would definitely be a big change from the big city she was used to. She could tell this was going to be a boring year.
Maybe it won't be so bad as long as Jayson was here. I mean he's the hot neighbor. She had a feeling she'd be seeing a lot of him. But when she turned to look at him he seemed to be so cold and dangerous sitting next to her. She could tell he wasn't speeding because she was in the car and didn't want to scare her but what he didn't know was that as soon as she saw him just now made her heart stop. He was so stunningly handsome. She tried to not appear to be staring so she faced forward to look from the corner of her eye. She took in how big he seemed in this car. It was obvious it wasn't his. This car didn't fit his appearence one bit. He seemed like he prefer something more dangerous with speed. She caught a glimpse of some scars that seemed to cover his arms. He didn't seem to be her age. How old was he? She thought he looked more like he was in his early twenties. But yet it was as if she knew that he was younger. Not much in the least.
"Do you mind me asking how old you are?" Shay blirted out without thinking. When he didn't move or seem like he heard her she shuffled in her seat and thought about asking again but he finally answered her and she wasn't sure she'd actually heard him. It seemed to be in her mind. "Pardon me?"
"I'm eighteen," he replied as if he hadn't been babbling like an idiot earlier. A cute idiot for babbling like he did. I wish he didn't stop and block me out so fast. She can't get the feeling to go away with being so close to him. She processed his age and studied him once more hoping he didn't notice. He seemed much older than he claimed. But maybe she was just being wierd.
That was the last time they spoke before they made in to Betty's house. Shay got out to help Jayson with her things before going inside to meet her grandmother. Jayson swated her away and told her to go. So she did but she took her time going. She wasn't quite ready for this. She waited for Jayson to start for the door so she could act helpful. As soon as she made it through the door Jayson went straight to a back room like he lived here and knew where everything belonged.
Well, he had said he helped Betty around the house alot. She even let him drive her car she notice. She then rememeber looking to the house on the right and seeing what she had assumed was Jayson's motorcycle. She immediately became all too aware of the hardness he carried. She also noticed that her room was the closest to his house.
Should I trust him?
Stay as far away as possible. He's no good. He will kill you.
But he had seemed like a nice enough guy, just big. Somewhat intimidating but she wondered if that was only because she was so attracted to him. He was so pretty. Strong. And once again she heard that voice telling her he's bad news.
It's like he completely shut me out like I would invade his most personal thoughts. Or maybe he thought I would take a look into his soul.
I bet it would be as beautiful as him.
Stop, you're being wierd.
Before she could keep thinking about Jayson he came back with Betty, helping her walk to meet her. When Betty looked up she had a giant smile on her face. She didn't look so old. Shay looked into eyes that reminded her of her own and she realized where she got hers considering they didn't look like anyone else's in her family. It put a smile on her own face to see something so familiar. Even though this woman seemed to be a stranger her whole life, looking in her gran's face she saw such a friendly women and assumed that this woman was drop dead gorgeous in her youth.
Betty kept that warm smile as she went to give Shay a hug. When she released her she took the time to look at the young lady that stood infront of her seeing a lot of herself in those eary swirly blue eyes. "You have become a very beautiful young lady, Shay."
Shay couldn't help but smile at Betty's compliment. "Thank you very much," she replied back. She had that wierd feeling she was being watched again. And when she looked up she saw Jayson watching her. He had removed the sunglasses. God he was beautiful. They had each other locked with their eyes. For a second she thought that she could hear him in her head or maybe she was in his mind. She felt this weird feeling like he knew she was in his head so he looked to Betty with a smile. Hoping she would break the silence. Shay looked away trying to hide her blush. Betty didn't seem to notice the awkward moment between them.
"I have an idea. I think that Jayson should take you on the tour of the city and here around town so you can get aquanted with everything. As long as he doesn't mind..." She gave Jay a hopeful look that he seemed to not be able to say no to. Shay could see that he wanted to say no to her but he didn't. Almost like he couldn't due to fear of hurting Betty's feelings. As Shay was looking at Jayson she thought maybe he had the right idea to say no.
"No, that's alright I can go alone. I don't mind. I'm sure Jayson is in a rush to do something and I don't want to be a nuisance." Betty didn't seem to notice that she was putting pressure on Jayson to do something he seemed to not want to do. She knew he wouldn't say no to her. But after Shay had offered to show herself around Jayson seemed shocked that she had caught on that it was a bad idea.
Betty immediately replied, "Oh no baby. There's no need when you have this fine boy to show you around. He knows this place even better than me. He wouldn't mind." She glanced at Jayson who really didn't react to any of this. Shay notice that he was like stone, other than the smile he offered Betty. She must have imagined his discomfort earlier.
"You won't mind, will you Jayson? To show my sweet granddaughter around. Maybe it'll be good for you to get out and about instead of keeping an old woman company. You two can befriend each other. Go hang out or something. Seems Jayson needs that. Sometimes I forget he is still such a young gentlemen." Shay couldn't help but to snicker at the fact that Betty was saying that she thinks of Jayson as an old man. Jayson started to turn to look at Shay but he caught himself. He knew it would be a mistake on his part but he wanted to watch Shay smile.
She's beautiful but I can't make the mistake of looking into those eyes just like Betty's. I know that Betty knows things about me that I wouldn't tell anyone but it was as if she could read everything about me. He couldn't escape the feeling that Shay takes after her gran. That would definitely be a major disaster if she found out about him.
Jayson finally spoke. "I wouldn't mind showing her around other than right now. It's late and I need to get some rest. I have to work in the garage but I'll find time to." He tried to hide the fact that he really didn't want to go through all of this.
He knew what Betty was but she would never hurt him. She wouldn't even tell him that she knew about him. She is just like a loving grandmother to him and he would do anything for this woman. They seemed to need each other to survive. He didn't know what he would do when she finally died. He'd have no one but himself again in this harsh world.
Maybe Shay and I...
Jayson banished that thought as fast as it came. He knew better than to even dream of Shay accepting him for what he was. They shouldn't even be in the same room with each other. He was cursed and he wouldn't even hope to hurt Shay like that. He'd never believed in him being able to even have someone as close as Betty in his life.
"Well, I'm sure Shay would like to unpack and explore this place first anyway. And I'm sure she is exhausted from her trip here. She's a long way from home. She'll need time to settle." Betty glared at Jay for his excuses. She knew him a lot better than he would ever know and more than she wanted to admit.
Jayson gave her a charming smile that Shay wanted to savor in her thoughts forever. Hoping that it would be branded in her memory forever. She just wanted to be near him even though she kept getting this feeling they shouldn't be associating with each other and she could sense he knew it too. All three of them seemed to know but Betty just wanted them to be together.
She's trying to set us up. How could she do that to us all? She ought to know better. With her training and my curse this is crazy. Why Betty? This is unmistakeably a horrible idea that could kill us all.
Shay looked straight to Jayson as if she's just heard his thoughts. Could that ever be possible? She thought to herself. Before she could figure it out she excused herself to her room. Gave them a goodnight and went to settle down for the night.

"Are you crazy? Are you trying to get me killed? I know you know what I am and that I know what you are. We shouldn't even be talking to each other right now. That's already risky. There's no way you don't sense Shay being just like you... I can feel it stronger than when I'm with you. She's young so she may not know about any of this. She may not even find out for another ten years." Jayson just let it all out when him and Betty made it outside so they could talk without Shay overhearing.
Betty just grinned at Jay. "I've been waiting for all of this to come out. You've known all along. No other has ever figured it out before. You're very strong. I can sense the energy between you and my granddaughter and yes I know that she is basically me at her age. I can't read your mind and you can't read mine but I can also sense you two can read one anothers. It'll take time and effort but I know you can. She believes she's going crazy which is normal at her age. What I think is weird is that you haven't noticed it yet. I know you've been hearing someone in your mind and you've been blowing it off as if it is nothing. She's calling for you. I can't read Shay's mind but she is an easy read. I'll teach her how to control everything that will come sooner than should."
Jay gave her a quizful stare. "You think she's the one that has been calling me? I would have been able to see it. Well, so I thought. There's no way that we can read each other's minds. It's against what we are to each other."
"Indeed but you feel a pull to her that you know you should keep to yourself because you sense danger. It should be impossible for you two to have any of these things with each other. It is unheard of. But there is a fire that has been ignited and it's too late to avoid. Something is going to happen. I know you will fight against it because that is your nature but there is a reason for the two of you to accept this for each other's sake. It'll kill you both if you do not listen to me. You and Shay are meant to be together and I know you feel it. If you don't court her then we will all have to be stuck in the fires of Hell that are coming for us all. You must get her to accept you or the world will be the Hell you've been trying to avoid." Betty replied hoping to reach Jay.
This is going to kill me. I did not wake up this morning thinking that this one girl would be the death of me. Much less be my mate.
With a nod Jay kissed Betty on the cheek goodnight and walked to his house.
What the Hell have I gotten myself into today. All I wanted was to get Shay here for Betty and to come back to sleep in my bed.
Wanted to sleep in today but apparently Shay was calling for him. It had kept him up so he laid in bed as he was now. Just thinking. He couldn't go to sleep now either because of what all Betty had told him. Dare he believe what Betty said to be true or has this been her plan to kill him all along. After an hour of looking out his window that was parallel to Shay's he finally saw her light go out and he was still curious but he couldn't stay awake any longer.

Shay heard Betty finally settle down for the night. So she turned out her light as well. The thing was was that she couldn't get the images of Jayson's crooked smile out of her head. She decided that she had to go to sleep in order for him to be off her mind. So with his gorgeous face to think about she fell asleep.

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