Children of Blood ✔️

Chapter Nine

My legs are jello, but I refuse to let Alaric witnesses my debilitated state. My feet pound into the ground as I peal into an empty ally. Darting between buildings and hopping over debris I listen to the voices that echo. My eyes shut as I catch my breath before identifying where the men are heading. Sliding from left to right we elude officers and witnesses. Finally, we approach the horses who stand patiently in the trees grazing.

Slowing down I look across the street where voices begin to grow daringly louder. We sprint across the opening, Alaric stepping near my heals as we duck into the trees. I whisper lightly, gasping for air as I do so the horses know we're here. "Hey there," I reach out and throw my body into the saddle, swinging my leg over the stallion and giving him a stroke. "Everything is fine, but we need to go now." Digging my heels in, I ease into a gallop heading away from the distant screams and harsh commands.

I hate to admit it, but leaving without Luke nearly breaks my heart again. I've had dreams where I go on this mission and miraculously find Luke and bring him back. To be in his arms again would be like taking a sedative during a surgery. Sure, you'd be in excruciating pain because you would be already cut open. But something that will take away the pain, even for a bit, would be alleviating.

We continue to ride, eventually slowing to a trot before walking. All voices have faded and I am only accompanied by my guilty conscience and a man who thinks he knows who I am.

"You knew what you were doing back there," Alaric nods, his eyes held to the ground by an unseen force.

"Well when you escape once, the second time tends to be much easier." I join his gaze, watching the grass flatten under the hooves of our horses.

"Why did you run from the Bellator Clan?" He asks bringing his horse next to mine.

"Because Lady wanted me dead." I bluntly hit him with a cold answer hoping to end the conversation.

"Okay, but why?"

Annoyed I roll my eyes and glare at his soft ones. For a moment my shield trembles and I realize that he is the only one who looks at me like that anymore. I've pushed everyone away. James and his smart-Alec comments, Izzy and her caring arm, Adam and his friendship and Roxy. Roxy with her sass and heated passion. My mom and Luke have disappeared and now the only 'friend' I have is a man who doesn't know that I'm from underground. How I was punished for falling in love with the wrong man.

A tear pinches my eye and I wipe it away as I look down, "because I crossed a line which wasn't meant to be ventured near."

Alaric presses his hand to my shoulder and rubs. "I'm sorry, but you're safe now and I promise to help you assassinate Lady. I don't break promises Jean, especially to my friends."

I return a broken smile and place my hand over his, "thanks for being a good friend."

Alaric nods and pulls his large warm hand away from mine, "it is a goal of mine to become more than friends one day."

I sigh and press the palm of my hand to my face, "of course it is. You're a fool if you think I'll fall in love with you."

"Then consider me fool," Alaric trots ahead and winks as he passes. "Because you will fall for me eventually. No women have escaped my deathly charms yet."

I scoff and smother a smile. "Idiot."

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