Hunted

Chapter 9

Randy and Darian walked to us after the service had ended.
"I'm going to head home... I need some time. Darian's coming with me.... Don't worry." Randy whispered, voice weak. I sighed.
"Okay, honey. Just.... Be careful.... Alright?" I questioned and he nodded.
"Alright." He told me and then he and Darian headed off. Cade had left too, and Nik and I were the only two that remained. He took my hand again. I rested my cheek on his arm, closing my eyes tightly as a few tears ran down my face.
I heaved a shaky sigh and felt Nik's arms wrap around me in a warm, protective halo, keeping me close.
"Thank you." I whispered. He reached down and pressed his lips to my forehead.
"No problem, beautiful." He replied, and I looked up. He managed a small, reassuring smile and moved a hand to tuck my hair behind my ear.
"I know I've said this before... But I really do love your hair down." He muttered, and I chuckled.
"Let's go home, weirdo." I murmured and pressed a kiss to his neck, but he shook his head.
"No... No we can't go home. Darian and Randy..." He explained and I groaned.
"Fine, but where else is there for us to go?"
"Come with me... I know a place." He told me and took my hand, walking with me into the forest and out of sight.
We walked long enough for my feet to be sore, but I didn't mind. Eventually we came to a nice looking tree house.
"From my childhood," Nik murmured. He pulled a key from around his neck and climbed up, unlocking the door. I followed closely.
The tree house was very large, it was legitimately like a full sized bungalow in the trees. There was even a mini-kitchen and a bedroom aside from the main room... And it looked very well kept.
I smiled and walked with him. He sat down on the couch, and I was quick to cuddle up with him.
That's when he let my feeling of safety slip.
"Jess, I just want to let you know that at any moment... I could lose you." Nikolai whispered. For once, he sounded weak. Vulnerable... It worried me. But as I went to speak in return I noticed theta the sweet and innocent look had once again taken over his features and he had drifted off, leaving me worried. It wasn't until he drifted off, that my thoughts started reeling. How would he know of a treehouse within Vengeance quarters? The Vengeance were the elite of our people, right under the Bloodthirsty. It took a lot to get there. Only purebreds were born into being a Vengeance, not people like me. I was what they call a 'spark'.

A spark is one of us born into a normal, human family. They call us sparks, well, because we have the spark of being something more. At 13 or 14, sparks are generally taken from their families, and inducted into Hunted clans. When Hunted clans are at the skill level that is equal to that of a pureblood, the Vengeance takes them in. This usually happens at a minimum of 18 years old.... Which is why Nik's knowledge of this place confused me. Once again, my mind wandered. The tree house... his skill... the wood carving he was making the day we arrived, it all seemed so strange. So out of place, so unlike anything I had ever seen before.

Our job was something unusual. Way back in the day it was discovered that beings like us were almost supernatural, but not enough to be classified with those like werewolves and vampires. Although, we weren't human, either.  So, we were given a job b our supernatural cousins. We became the protectors. We protect humans from finding out about the supernatural... and occasionally have to protect the supernatural from injuring humans. There's a reason the myths about the supernatural are only myths. 

I was brought out of my thoughts by sounds coming from the darkness outside. I stood up, slowly, carefully making sure I wasn't going to wake Nikolai. I grabbed my coat, slipped it over my shoulders, and headed outside. I was out the door and on the ground, when my shoulder was grabbed. I tried to let out a scream, but a hand covered my mouth abruptly.

"Dude! Hush!" Said a voice from behind my back, and I was more than relieved to see it was only Cade. Out of anger, I punched him swiftly in the stomach, the most un-amused look upon my features. 

"Asshole," I muttered, and looked him over. The swords he carried on his back remained on his back, but they were glistening with something dark, although i couldnt make it out in the moonlight. 

"Jess.... Jess it's not safe here." He told me, his face generally concerned. "We have to go forth with your training asap tomorrow. Like, right away. Vengeance is no longer safe. For anyone." He added, and i saw that his usually bright eyes held fear. 

I shook my head, confused, and looked him over. He was shaking, and his dark clothes were splattered with what I could only assume was blood. 

"Cade, what are you talking about?"

"Remember the group said to be trying to infiltrate vengeance?"

"Yeah..."

"It's happening. Tomorrow we have to get you out of here. Jess, there are plans. Plans to kill, plans to destroy. They're all happening tomorrow. And i cant...." Cade took a moment to swallow, and he took m hand in his. "I cant let them hurt you." 

My eyes widened with terror as it all started coming together.