Shadow Princess

Chapter Fifteen: Ready Set Go

Callista watches Davis as he studies her. The four of them are in a tent, close to the infirmary where Julius is being treated. The tent is a dark green, color coordinate with others to blend in with the trees and bushes around them. Jacob had explained that during war, enemies will attack the injured and nurses so it is harder to get recruits. They got the news that he will survive but won't wake up for two days. It has been three days since they got Julius to camp and the male before her watches her like she will run.

She learned her lesson a couple days ago, about running away. Two vampires seemed like a better deal because it is harder to run from three. The vampire in front of her is dark haired with serious brown eyes. Compared to how gentle and kind Jacob's are, Callista wonders why Julius picked him instead of Davis. Without knowing why, her gaze flickers to Jacob who was talking intently to Keiser and a waitress. He flashes the girl a smile and Callista felt a tug in her gut, pulling her attention away.

Davis is still staring at her, but his brown eyes are lit with amusement. "Jealous?"

The word didn't seem right in the situation. Given the almost kiss with Julius, she has no idea what is going on. She remembers his abrupt leave, stumbling back to the tavern. Jacob is the nicest one to her, so she feels drawn to him in a way, but she can see that nothing will happen. He has feelings for Jamie still and Callista is conflicted with Julius.

Her mouth opens to snap back at Davis, who is patiently waiting for her answer. His brown eyes darken as if he already knew her answer. The door opens behind her, a little bell jingling in the air. His brown eyes darken with mischief as he watches the person walk in. By the look Davis is giving her, she knew who came in. Jacob and the other males start to smile, waving Julius towards them. A blonde nymph stands behind him, her eyes rolling until they meet hers. Bright green, with white surrounding the pupil. So plain and yet so inhuman. She wore blue scrubs, indicating she is a nurse. Her mouth pulls into a frown as she stares at Callista, rubbing her arm as she steps into the tent where they all sit. Davis jumps up and closes the distance between them. Callista stays where she is at, studying the nymph that is eyeballing her.

"Are we good to go soon?" Davis asks, his hand resting on Julius's shoulder.

His grey eyes jump to hers, roiling through emotions before looking back at Davis. Dismissing her entirely. The emotions jump at her and make her uneasy and even more confused. He looked at her with longing and concern, before disappearing to an empty casket of a male.

"Yes, we need to leave. Those men will realize I had lied about being Ambassador and will track us," he states, his eyes meeting Jacob's. The other male dips his head in acknowledgment to the waitress and appears at his leader's side. Davis and Keiser turn to her, wicked smiles on their faces and she knew Julius will be told about her failed attempt to run, "But we have-"

The tent's flap snaps open, revealing a large black wolf. It snarls at Julius, but its eyes focus in on Callista as she sShawcrossbles into a standing position. Jacob throws a dagger from around Julius and the wolf lets out a pitiful whine of pain. It glowers at the vampire, before charging at Callista. Davis and Keiser flanked it, taking the dagger from its side and slings it through his jaw. The wolf crumples and blood slowly pool around the corpse.

The two males before her take her arms and pull her towards Julius. His grey eyes are unreadable, as the males roughly push her forward and on her knees. The new attitude surprises Jacob, but his mouth his pressed in a thin line and looks away as Davis talks calmly about her attempt to flee. He does this as if he didn't kill a three-hundred-pound beast in a few seconds flat. The honor and loyalty that these males live by makes her furious. Keiser still has a hold of her arms, keeping her in a kneeling position in front of Julius, making her bow as if he is king.