Trust From Within - Book 3 Daughter of a Monster Series

Chapter 5- Forest Walks and Long Talks

Steve glances at me from the corner of his eye, a low chuckle coming from his lips as I keep walking forward, ignoring his grins he keeps flashing at me. The forest chirps around me, alive with animals and creatures, and I even catch a glimpse of a field spider in the branches of a tree, curled up in a leafy nest to hide it.

I would never have noticed that before all this.

The village slowly comes into sight, the little buildings coming closer and closer, the butterflies in my stomach taking flight. On instinct, I grip the handle of my sword with a death grip, my knuckles turning white, and Steve's hand on mine keeps me from breaking the handle of the sword. "Ease up, Jade, you'll be fine. Notch was just like this when he found Kathryn, was rather funny. And if anything does happen, I'm here," he assures me. I smile gratefully at him and nod, continuing towards the village.

My magic stirs inside me, excitement and nerves flourishing in it, making me on edge more, and I twiddle with the sleeves of my green jacket. But my magic and I hold each other close, trying to calm the other down, and Steve's presence definitely helps. He may not be Dad, but my magic and I trust him, he is our uncle after all, and he was kind of our stand-in father for most of my life. He wouldn't lead me into danger knowingly.

We approach the village, my magic buzzing more and more as we get closer. We would've teleported, but I was way too nervous, and Steve suggested my magic and I walk it out, seeing as he can feel my magic too. It was a good call on his part, if we had teleported, I would have probably thrown up from the anxiety, but walking through the forest has definitely calmed me down some.

The coffee shop looms in the near distance and I can spot Nathan from here, his wild ginger hair like a beacon. Steve also locks onto him, a defensiveness starting to flow from him, a need to protect me that has been there since I was little. Nathan looks up, his magic perking up as we approach, only a few metres away now. His eyes seem to brighten as we near, his magic tentatively reaching for mine, even though I feel him try to pull it in, but I let mine loose, showing him he can do the same. I go to step forward, but Steve beats me, standing eye to eye with him.

"So, you're this Nathan, kid?" he asks, raising an eyebrow.

"Steve, I swear to-"

"Is he your dad?" Nathan asks me quickly, worry flowing from him, and slight fear.

"No, he isn't, just a very protective uncle," I tell Nathan softly, glaring at Steve. "Steve, you're scaring the shit out of him, he knows who you are, we get it."

"If you hurt her, it won't be me you'll have to watch out for," Steve threatens, his blue eyes sparkling with many promises of pain. "Lay a finger on her in the wrong way and I'll be the first person to get my sword out."

"Okay, Steve, you've threatened him, you happy now?"

"Yup. Just come back to my house when you're done, keep up this whole charade. How long will you be?" He directs the last question at Nathan.

"Uh- only a couple hours at most, S-sir," he stutters fearfully, his magic not liking how Steve threatened him, swirling dangerously, snapping towards Steve a bit.

"Well, I'll meet you here then," he tells me, giving me a side hug before turning and exiting the village.

"Sorry about him, over protective family," I tell him awkwardly.

"I guessed that much," he chuckles, reeling his magic in. "We haven't actually met properly in person, I'm Nathan," he says, holding his hand out.

"I'm Jade," I reply with a smile, the nerves slowly dissipating. I take his hand, a spark being sent up my arm that I quickly pull away from, as does he, each of us staring at our hand incredulously. "What was that?" I ask him.