Chasing the Sun

10

CHAPTER TEN

       I glared out the window, refusing to acknowledge Asher- or as I prefer to call him, Asshole. He kept attempting to make me talk to him, but I didn't want to. I never wanted to speak to him ever again, but that's not going to happen because I have to work with him. The car stopped and I sighed, we're here.

       "We're here," Asher announced, voicing my thoughts.

       "Thank you, Captain Obvious," I muttered.

       I got out of the car and went up to the front door. I knocked on the door and waited patiently for it to open. A girl around fifteen or sixteen opened the door and allowed us into the home. She led us into the sitting room where a woman whom I presumed to be the mother sat with a frown on her face. I took her hands in mine, staring into her eyes the entire time.

       "You know why I'm here, don't you?" I asked.

       "Please don't take them," she whispered.

       "I wish I didn't have to, but they are in danger," I explained. 

       "I can protect them!" She insisted.

       "Can you? Can you protect both of them from not only the witch murderers, but themselves as well?" I asked.

       "I can damn well try," she said.

       "You are not strong enough to protect them from who they are. I do wish that I could leave them here with you, but the best thing for them- the safest thing- is to get them away from here and to a safe house where they can train." I closed my eyes. "I know it's hard to let them go, but you must know that this is the only thing that will keep them safe."

       "I know," she admitted. "Please, please take care of them. Protect my children."

       I looked deep into her eyes. "I swear on my mother's grave that I will protect them with my life."

       "I trust you," she sighed.

       "This is the right thing," I murmured.

       The girl I saw earlier came down the stairs with a boy looking almost exactly like her. The twins I've just sworn to protect with my life. And I will, whatever it takes, I'll make sure they get back to their mother alive. Asher stood behind me as I stood up. The twins sat down on the couch and I stood in front of them.

       "I'm Alexia Townsend," the girl told me. "And he's Jason."

       "My name is Sage Flores-Turner." I gestured to Asher. "And this is Asher Woode. You two are in danger, and it's our job to protect you. Your mother agrees that you two must be protected at all costs, it's vital for the survival of the entire witch line. You two are-"

            "Are your bags already packed? It's important that we get on the road as soon as possible," Asher said, cutting me off.

            I glared at him; he did not just cut me off. The nerve of that asshole! Alexia smiled softly- at least someone was getting entertainment from my annoyance. I scowled meanly at the ground as Asher picked up their bags and walked out the door. Why, oh why did he have to be my partner? There were so many other people to choose from and they choose him. FML.

            I nodded to Mrs. Townsend and then followed Alexia and Jason out to the car. Asher sat in the front seat looking bored as he waited for us to get situated. We drove for hours in absolute and total silence until Jason finally spoke up.

            "Can I please plug in my iPod?" he asked desperately. "It's too damn quiet in here."

            "Sure," I shrugged. Jason made a playlist and then handed me the iPod. I plugged it in and Knives and Pens by Black Veil Brides blasted out of the radio.

            "Hey! I love this band!" I exclaimed.

            "Really?" Asher arched his eyebrows. "Last I remembered you were a diehard One Direction fan."

            "Well people change and so do their tastes in music," I said defensively.

            "Yeah right, like you would ever change. You're too- I don't know- stubborn," Asher told me.

            "You know what, Asshole? No one ever asked for your damn opinion about me," I snapped.

            "Asshole, huh? Not exactly the name I was expecting," he mused.

            "What were you expecting? Something warm and cuddly?" I asked.

            "Actually I was-"

            "You guys are funny," Alexia laughed as she interrupted Asher. "It's so obvious that you guys have some unresolved issues. Did you guys date or something?"

            "Or something," I replied, glaring at Asher. 

            "Dude that is some messed up shit" Jason said from the back. I turned around in my seat to look at him. How did I not notice this before? Jason was mind witch. Damn boy is reading minds. I quickly put up a mind block to keep him from reading my thoughts. I was oddly pleased that Asher couldn't do the same since he chose not to focus on his witch half.

            "Just forget about it," Asher muttered.

            "Man, who does that? That is just- damn," Jason chuckled. "Oh hey, we're here. Snazzy place, man."

            I looked out the window. And my day just got better (note the sarcasm). Guess where we were? The Venetian- as in the same place Asher and I stayed at when I first left the pack. The same place that started this whole mess between him and I. I couldn't wait until we were finally in California. Of course, Asher wouldn't be allowed to drive; he had no idea where the safe house was. Or that it was even in use anymore. Everyone thought that the old lady closed the place down, and technically she did, but my grandmother owned the place. Time for Asher to meet the family, how messed up is my life? Be honest.