Chapter 16:
I nodded, telling Tessa what all I've done for her cause. My cause.
"I found three lost Nephilim and took them to training. They're now part of the group. Nobody's been able to find the cure, but I promise I will."
After I finished, Tessa bit her lip and fiddled with a pendant around her neck. It was a jade green, but I didn't give it more than a second glance. My nerves were tingling throughout my body, telling me I was nervous about Tessa's response.
"Thank you. But I'm afraid I've got some either really troubling or really exiting for you to hear." She paused, either waiting for me to process her words or steel myself for the news, I've no clue. But as I debated whether or not to ask, Tessa moved aside so that the pretty boy who she'd been kissing stepped forward.
And it clicked.
"Wait. The cure. It was for him?", I asked incredulously. "I've been working on this for nearly eight years!" I was suddenly swallowed by an anger I didn't even know I had.
Johnathon, sensing my rage, slid an arm protectively around my waist. Under normal circumstances, I would have been spazzing out at his touch, but right now I was trying not to scream and barely noticed.
"You misunderstand me," started Tessa. "Your work has not been disregarded. You've brought lost Nephilim in, keeping them out of harms way. The cure was only a footnote that you can now cast off."
My anger receded, leaving me tired but understanding. I let my weight fall on Johnathon, knowing he would catch me. He did. He twirled me around to face him, and then our noses were almost touching. Hoping this wasn't a joke, I leaned in against him. That last thing I saw before I closed my eyes where his dark ones peering down on me, but I couldn't tell if he was happy or surprised or what because, at that next moment, I closed my eyes and kissed him.
Chapter 17:
In retrospect, the kiss wasn't my best idea. Johnathon was still in battle mode, and my lips startled him. At first, he was unyielding. He grabbed my shoulders, pushing me as far away from him as possible. The look in his eyes was faint surprise and panic, as if he was trying to conceal his emotions. Then the moment passed and he let me go, making my topple into the beautiful boy.
"We must stop meeting like this," he said with a smile. "Hello, I'm James Carstairs. Please, call me Jem."
His happiness made his eyes shine, and the world seemed a little brighter when he smiled. I could see what Tessa saw in him.
"Jessica. Pleasure.", I said, with only a hint of sarcasm. It felt suiting to meet the boy I'd been striving to save for so long. But to me, he looked perfectly healthy. A strange streak of silver stood out to me, along with some silver lingering in his eyes. But that was all that was left of his poison. Before I could ask what cured him, Johnathon pulled me back.
"I think we will be going, since all is well. Oh, and please don't bother writing my Jessica back; you got what you wanted. Leave us alone."
His sudden protectiveness threw me, considering his reaction to the kiss. I went to shake his grip off my arm, but one glance at his expression stopped me. He wasn't in battle mode, but his eyes were icy calm. His demeanor was the closest I had ever seen to afraid, which gave me chills. What is scaring him? I backed away from Jem and Tessa, hoping that would ease the tension. It didn't. As I looked back and forth slowly between each side, I felt apprehensiveness bubbling up inside me. What's going on? I've no clue. All I know it that I need to get off the bridge. Grabbing Johnathon and sending Tessa a look, I started off the bridge. About five minutes later, I realized there was a note in my pocket. When Johnathon wasn't looking at it, I read it.
Jessica,
We've met now, and you've met Jem. I will explain it all to you, but I can't with Sebastian there. I'll be in touch.
Tessa
