TELL ME THE TRUTH

Chapter Fourteen - Part One

Jeanne Saunier

2013

"Now, we wait," she told me, brushing her hands off on her skirt. "Once the tunnels have been stabilized, we can see what's down there, maybe build a suitable training center for your Consulere."

"My Consulere?" I parroted. "It's not mine."

Ryan let out a slow breath and turned to face me. His hand slid down my arm, his fingers twining with mine. Tingles raced up my arm, and, for once, I didn't pull away. His hand was warm and comforting, as much as I would hate to admit it.

"Jeanne," he stated softly, solidifying my fear that I wasn't going to like what he was about to say. "As the most powerful member of our Consulere, you're in charge."

My brain stalled.

Did he really just say that I'm in charge?

Shock slowly began to creep in, quickly followed by denial.

"No, I can't do it," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Ryan gently squeezed my hands, his sapphire eyes searching mine. "Yes, you can. I know you can, Jeanne, and I will be right beside you the entire time."

I wanted to believe him, I really did, but I just couldn't. I had just turned eighteen a couple of months ago. I hadn't even finished high school yet. How was I supposed to be in charge of a group of supernatural crime fighters that were all older than me? There was no way they'd ever respect me; I was just a kid.

"I can't," I whispered, hot tears growing in my eyes.

He tugged me into his arms. I could feel his heartbeat through his chest, slow and steady. It was reassuring, as was the electricity that zinged through my blood at his touch and the faint scent of his cologne. He held me, and I didn't fight him.

I needed to be held. I needed to be comforted, even if I didn't fully trust Ryan. I wasn't sure if I'd ever be able to trust him, but I needed to lean on him. Maybe that made me a horrible person, or maybe it made me weak - I didn't care.

"You can do this, Jeanne. I have faith in you."

Alieza spoke up then, breaking the silence she had imposed on herself. "You would not have been given this burden were you unable to bear it," she said.

"She's right, Jeanne," Ryan whispered.

I was overwhelmed.

I wasn't ready to deal with any of this. I just wanted to go home, curl up under the covers, and sleep until all of this had disappeared.

"I am right here, Jeanne. I have been with the Consulere for a while now. My mother was for years. I will help you. Alieza will help you. You're not doing this alone, I promise," he soothed, his hands tracing lazily up and down my back.

His heartbeat was steady against my ear. His hands were warm on my back. His voice was calming in my ear.

The panic slowly ebbed away, leaving me with just a hint of nervousness. I pulled away from him and took a deep breath.

"The others will arrive soon," Alieza stated. "Maggie and Mya don't live far from here."

I gulped, just as a voice from outside the bunker called, "Hello-o!"

"C'mon in, Mags," Ryan shouted.

A little white and gray cat dropped into the bunker and flicked its tail. On the tip of its tail was a very shiny, very small golden feather. The cat hopped into the rickety wooden chair, regarding me with eyes that were far too intelligent for a cat.