Shadow Princess

Chapter Fourteen: Higher than the Moon

Julius paces the floor, his best friend laying on the bed, stretched out. His clothes are clean, and his brown hair is drenched from a fresh shower. Julius took one after him and ordered Jacob to make Callista take one. Jamie has clothes for her when she gets out. The memory of last night rises his anger level. Her lips and her bright silver-blue eyes wide as they took him in. The window above Jacob's bed has sunlight flickering through, distracting him from the memory. Davis and Keiser are probably pissed for waiting so long.

"Where the hell was Callista last night?" Jacob asks, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Julius almost flinches, but there is nothing to hide from. They almost kissed and if he could read his best friend, it isn't jealousy. Just curiosity.

"She followed me to where I was training with Mikael," he informs, sending him a playful glare, "Shit went down before she got there though."

Jacob sits up, his green eyes lighting up. "Oh? What does the lover of the Chief have to say?"

"Mikael made him stay in Silver Village while he fought in the war that cost him his life." He answers.

Jacob tilts his head, standing from the bed. It caused it to creak. It is a sharp sound that shoots through their ears. They cringe, grasping their ears. "God damn, Fae. They need to oil their beds every now and then," he curses. Julius smirks, shaking his head. He drops his head and stops his pacing. Jacob sees and puts his hands down as well. "Gabriel wouldn't have forced him to stay behind if he knew something."

Julius nods, the same words escaped his lips last night. He saw the hatred of being here when the love of his life was killed. His father had a plan on setting loose wild coyotes filled with iron blood. He created a formula that he could mix in a drink of any kind and the iron would mutate as blood. It took out a huge portion of the Fae armies.

"Who gave him warning?" he asks softly. His eyes meet Jacob's, and a muscle jumps in his cheek, giving the answer. He closes his eyes briefly; and utters an inwardly thank you. The danger Jacob would be in the moment Mikael found out they knew what his father planned and did. But it saved millions in the upcoming. "Damn, Jake. If they find out..." he let the sentence trail off, letting him fill the blank.

"I know." Is all he says.

A knock on the door has Julius spinning and opening it, without saying anything. He feels his breath leave, his heart clenching at the sight before him. Callista wears a tight shirt that dips in the front, with ripped jeans, showing off her sun-kissed skin. Her dark hair is slick with water, dripping onto the floor. Her blue eyes snap up and meet his, her lips parting. He swallows harshly, letting his breath in. Jacob pushes pass him and smiles at her, showing kindness. Julius feels his guard come down and frowns at her.

"We need to get going." He snaps, ignoring the rush of blood pumping her cheeks. He slides pass her and heads down the stairs. Today, Jamie is not at her usual spot and fury blinds him as the sounds above float to him. Jacob ducks his head, his hands clenching at his sides. Callista's eyes turn bright as anger races through her own.

He shakes his head and gesture them to continue. Jamie burned her bridges; they'll do the same. The outside hit him like a wave, the intense heat radiating. Callista steps out and a small gasp escapes her. His insides clench at the sound and he curses the gods for creating her. Their horses stood at the very end of the stall, all fed and rested. He pulls the reigns and helps Jacob get Callista on hers. Julius saddles on his and Jacob beside him.

"Let's go," he whistles, indicating the horses to start. A figure cuts his path and he reign in his horse. Leilani focuses her violet eyes on him, and he feels the urge to look at Callista instead. Frowning to himself, he fights the urge. He meets her eyes and raises an eyebrow.