Dauntless Blood

Eighteen

I wiped my eyes as Eric and I still sat in his floor, my head on his left shoulder. His even breathing began to lull me into a sleepy state, but I couldn't let myself sleep. I was scared of what my older brother would think when or if he found out about what Eric and I did.

I felt him rub soothing circles on my hip, his chin on the top of my head. I was also debating on whether or not to call him daddy. I didn't understand why he called himself that and decided not to call him that.

"You need to sleep, Cade," Eric said.

"Not tired," I mumble.

"For me? Please," he asked quietly.

I look at him and nod, giving in. I knew he was right, but I didn't know he was already thinking of our unborn child's well being nor did I know he was slowly worrying for my safety. I had yet to tell anyone other than Ryn about my nightmares and I didn't want to burden Eric with a silly nightmare that may not even come true.

"I know," he suddenly says.

"Know what," I whisper, scared now.

"Ryn told me about your nightmares. How Erudite takes over Dauntless and unleashes them on Abnegation," he said.

"O-oh," I whisper.

"I also know you're Divergent," he said.

I gulp and wrap my arms around my middle, tears welling up in my eyes as I thought about him pushing me over the chasm. My shoulders started shaking and my breathing got a little faster.

"Cade," he said simply, "breathe.".

I copy his even breathing, but I was still tearing up. I was still thinking about him killing me.

"I also know you're telepathic," he said, smiling, "So I hope you can hear what I truly think.".

I close my eyes and calm down. I felt Eric's hand on my face, then I heard him in my mind.

Protect her, Coulter, she's your child's mother and I don't give a rat's ass if my child's mother is divergent. She Dauntless through and through.

I blush softly, smiling gently at him.

"H-how'd you know I'm Divergent," I whisper.

Eric looked at me, then he whispered, "You have the caring heart of Amity, the selflessness of your old faction Abnegation. And you have the soul of a Dauntless. I won't let anyone else find out about you.".

Can he protect me?