Prey: protectors of Arrasia, book 1

Chapter 16

She was an idiot. No matter how hard she tried to justify her current situation, she still felt idiotic. Her sisters and brothers would kill her as soon as look at her. Jade watched Cassie and Liana for a good while from the safety of the trees of the training grounds before stabbing herself with her dagger and stumbling out of the trees only to fall a couple of feet away from where her sisters and a group of eager looking  young soldiers were eating lunch. At a sharp command food was put away and the relatively relaxed behavior of the group changed. "Cassie!!!!!" Jade cried out, trying to make herself sound desperate and harmless. For an instant her baby sister and her loyal Proctor glanced in her direction. She crawled towards them, tears in her eyes, but they payed her no attention. "Cassie I know you hear me!!!!!! Please!!!!!!!"
Liana shot her master a look and mouthed something to her. The younger girl laughed and Liana put an arm around her. "Cassie Hayaus!!!!!!! The irony of my situation is not lost on me!! There was a time when you asked for my help and I turned you away, even though you have always been there when I needed you. But I know you are not cruel, little sister. Please!!!!! I am so sorry for everything I did and I know I don't deserve it but please don't leave me here!!!!!!"

Jade stopped before them and fell to the ground again. The group was silent, casting expectant gazes at their leader. At a command from her weapons were drawn and they melted into the shadows. Cassie stood and closed the distance between them and knelt beside her, brushing Jade's raven hair away from her eyes with a gentle hand. Liana stood at her side, a casual hand on the hilt of her sword. Cassie reached out a tentative hand and lifted her shirt, placing cold, soft fingers against the wound and closing her eyes. Liana watched Jade and their surroundings, ever vigilant. Warmth flooded into her as the wound closed. Her sister stood, and reached out a hand. Jade took the hand offered to her and slowly stood. "Thank you." She said quietly. Lily and Forest suddenly appeared next to Liana, followed by the group of soldiers. Jade knew it wasn't a Coincidence. Cassie was being careful. Jade suppressed a smile. she casually waved at the Guardians of nature. Forest waved a branch at her. Lily nodded in greeting. Liana nodded at her sister, barely suppressed rage in her eyes. Cassie shook her head at Liana's telepathic request and took her hand gently. Liana eyed Jade but did not move.

Later, in a room alone, tied to a chair, Jade considered her options. She loves her family, no matter what they think of her or what they obviously put in Cassie's head. But she loves her precious baby boy, to. And she knows that Zeeden will never give Charlie back to her, let alone let him live, if she does not do what he asked of her. Still, how could she betray her sister? Cassie was a good and honorable leader who cared deeply for her people and her family. But she was more than that to Jade. When Cassie had found out she was pregnant with Charlie, and that the baby was Keernan's, she was one of the only family members who hadn't turned them away. She loved her nephew, spoiled him rotten, even knowing who his father was. The knock on the door caught her attention. Cassie walked into the room, carrying a tray of food. She set it on the table before Jade and settled on the couch nearby. Liana dropped down beside her. Jade dug into the food. She hadn't realized how hungry she was. Cassie fell asleep on Liana's shoulder. Liana softly stroked her hair. Jade met her gaze. "How's Charlie?" She spoke quietly, not wanting to wake Cassie. "He's... all right."
"To be honest I don't know why she brought you back with us. I kind of get why she saved you, I guess. Somehow, through everything, she still loves you. And then there's Charlie. She adores him. You know she misses you, don't you? You know she misses Charlie?"
"Yes. I know she misses us, Liana."
Liana gently shifted on the couch until she and Cassie were both comfortable. She leaned back into the soft cushions and held her sister protectively close to her chest. The younger girl did not wake. The 2 Hayaus assassins stared at each other. "I might understand why she saved you, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. She might love you. Hell, she might even still trust you. But I don't. And as her Proctor, I am bound by our bond to protect her. So whatever you are here to do, really here to do, you better think long and hard before you make a decision. Before you decide to abandon her again. Because if I find out that you are here to hurt her," Liana's eyes flash silver for a split second, but it's enough for Jade to get the message. "I will personally see to it you don't leave here alive."