Blood Wars

Chapter 8: Girls Night Out (pic of Galen)

“And you couldn't have picked up a phone to tell me all this!” Stella was trying to act mad, but she couldn't help the huge grin that had spread across her face.

            She arrived about thirty minutes ago ready for a fight, but after I explained what had happened, she was wide eyed and smiling. I hadn't realized how much I missed her. Ever since we first met when we were kids, we had been inseparable, and now I hadn't seen or spoken to her in three days. She was my best friend and the closest thing I had to a sister.

            She talked and gushed for what seemed like forever and it made me smile in relief to see her taking this so well. I knew she would never turn me in, but I thought she would be at least concerned. Instead as soon as I mentioned the war she told me to sign her up.

            “Reese are you even listening to me?”

            “Huh? Oh yeah.” She threw a pillow at me and laughed. “Hey!”

            “Like I was saying. A council meeting has been called for tomorrow. The Elders are giving us our next task. Three more and we can finally be promoted!” There was never a dull moment according to Stella. Hell would freeze over before she would let herself be bored.

            I hadn't thought about the tasks since I met Wolfe. Guilt washed over me. I didn't want to let Stella down, but for some reason, the tasks didn't seem important anymore. Wolfe was my life and once this war was over, I was going to be with him even if it meant leaving my family and Stella.

            “What's wrong?” I hadn't noticed I’d been frowning, but decided to lie. The truth would break her heart.

            “It's a bit soon for another task isn't it?” She seemed surprised like the thought hadn't even crossed her mind. We had two more tasks until our final one at the end of the year. The rule was we had four tasks to complete every year once we reached the age of 12. At first they were easy, but this was our final year and the tasks where meant to challenge us completely. The year had just started and we were already moving on to our second task.

            “Who cares! The faster we get them done the sooner we get to live our own lives free of restrictions!” I just rolled my eyes. Maybe she would be able to, but my father would never let me go. Fear gripped me. What if he found out about Wolfe? Surely he would have him hunted down.

            “Reese where is your head right now? I'm talking about being free and you turn as white as the moon.”

            “I'm sorry Stella.” I didn't want to ruin her mood, but I just wasn't up for celebrating.

            Unfortunately Stella never gave up. A sly smile passed over her lips and she jumped off my bed and ran toward my closet. “What the hell are you doing?”

           

            “Well miss sour-puss I’ve decided that we are going out.” She must be crazy. I was grounded and the last time I left the house, I ended up with scars. But there was no stopping her; she was already digging through my closet and stopped when she found the black chic gift box she gave me for my birthday two months ago.