Eclipsed Star

Chapter Thirty

JAKE POV

Mason helped me to stand as I winced and groaned with my arm around my ribs. Very slowly the pain eased as he led me down an empty hall. I could hear Gloria ordering everybody to leave as whispers lowered the further they walked away.

"Jake, Jake, look at me," Mason instructed as he knelt before me. When I levered my eyes enough for him to see, I quickly looked away, knowing full well my gaze was glassy and broken as I felt bruised inside and out. "You did well out there-you kept yourself together. I'm proud of you." He forced a smile but I looked away.

It didn't feel that way at all. I'd almost lost it... If Roman hadn't hit me, I could have killed him. But what took me aback was just how hard he hit me, kicked me. It was like pure hate fuelled his actions. But Roman was right... it was always about me. My mind kept replaying his words, over and over again. I could feel my heart slowly dropping the more the words sunk in. We were over... Done. Finished. A small part of me shattered and died.

Mason's fingers ran the length of my ribs. "They're healing," he murmured and looked up at me. "The good thing about speedy healing, huh?" he asked, holding a smiling tone.

"I'm numb... I don't feel it anymore."

"Jake ... he didn't mean it."

"To me it sounded like he finally realized everything I hadn't, until he pointed it out." I slid down the wall to the floor and placed my head in my hands. I'd ruined it from the beginning.

Mason sighed and laid his hand on my shoulder. "Jake, from what you've told me about Roman, he understands. That wasn't him back there. His eyes weren't right either."

"Then who was it? What do you mean?" I raised my head.

"His pupils were dilated. The Atrians have a herb called vatal. It causes aggression and lack of self-control. Who was with Roman when you first saw him?"

"Teri, why?"

He rolled his eyes. "Trags. I should've known."

"What?"

"There are Atrian military, extremists known as the Trags. Her mother is their leader. Looks like they're going around testing their herbs again... Just stay aware Jake-Teri's Mom would have wanted that herb used on a human, not an Atrian."

"Great... like I can get any more aggressive or lose any more self-control anyway..."

"Actually, you can." He smirked and pushed his weight up to stand.

"Where are you going?"

"To tell Gloria, so she can keep an eye out."

"But won't Roman get in trouble?"

"It wasn't his fault."

I sighed and nodded. "Can I go home now?"

"If you can get up without pain, sure, but if it hurts Jake, stay there longer. Pressing against a wall is the best way to make sure ribs heal properly." He disappeared around the corner, leaving me with my thoughts. The last thing I wanted was to be alone with myself and have time to think.

I couldn't believe Roman had just done that to me... and that he actually believed I cheated on him with Mason. He should have known I wouldn't just go out and bang the next person I met. I was still unsure of who I was and what I wanted from life, from relationships and sexuality. All I knew was that I wanted to be with Roman, whether I was gay, bi or straight. I sighed. I couldn't blame the Atrian drug for making him believe that either. He'd first hinted at his thoughts in the car park, when Roman was Roman.