TAKE TWO, kotlc

Chapter 27- Adryan

"You look mad," Adryan observed, grinning when Joselyn scowled at him.

"It's none of your business. Get to bed. Tomorrow Dad's planning on training the girl."

"Training her? I thought we were using her as bait, so her parents could come and then we could get revenge!"

"Change of plans," Joselyn announced, swinging her dark hair over her shoulder. "She acts just like her dad. When the times come, we'll 'recruit' her. She'll take it, think she's being smart. We feed her wrong information. Stuff happens."

"Stuff?" Adryan asked incredulously. 

"Yes. And you can't clue her in," Joselyn added pointedly, her eyes narrowing like she was searching for any concern in his tone.

"What about the sister? And their little Phaser friend?" 

Joselyn gave him another scowl. "Don't tell me you've fallen for her-"

"I'm not!" Adryan lied hastily. "It's just... if she's too worried about her family, she might give up this opportunity and think that her friends are in danger-"

"She'll live," Joselyn growled.

Adryan bit his lip.

He could almost sense his sister's smile. "Whatever happened to that walk you were talking about?"

"It was cold."

"Yeah right."

____________________________

".... and dad wants to recruit you. He thinks you have potential," Adryan finished,  trying to keep a straight face and sell the lie.

He could practically see the gears working inside of her head as he offered her a smile. "And, you could stay here with me."

Arella smiled. She was silent for a few more seconds before saying, "I... okay. But not forever."

Adryan silently thanked the universe for the Council's stupid circlet. She could've easily sensed his lie if her Empath abilities were still working...

"Glad to have you here, Sencen," Adryan teased, offering her a hand. Her palm felt warm as it clasped into his own.

Her voice sounded choked as she replied, "Glad to be here."

A few more beats of silence.

"So... what now?" Adryan asked.

"If you can find a way to sneak me out of these things-" Arella pointed to the chains around her wrists "-maybe we can go for a walk by ourselves..."

Adryan hesitated.

"I won't sneak off- I'm alone, remember? I'd be lost. And I wouldn't have any crystals to leap home, or anyone to contact, or-"

"Okay. Just don't tell Joselyn- or my dad." He undid her handcuffs and helped her to her feet.

"Better now?"

Arella nodded and they began walking out of the clearing.

Somewhere along the way, her hand found its way into his own- and for a moment he considered pulling away. But instead, he just smiled and let her fingertips lace through his own.

"So... what's the plan?" Arella asked abruptly.

"What plan?"

She rolled her eyes at him, which was seriously too adorable for her own good. "You know I'm not stupid. Don't expect me to believe that you're just 'recruiting' me because you think I'd be a good help to the Neverseen-"

"Well.." Adryan bit his lip. "There's more than that."

"Like what?" Arella stopped walking and waited patiently until he faced her. "Like what?"

"Like... like..."

Arella raised an eyebrow at him and motioned for him to go on.

"Like what?" She prompted again.

"Like... like you."

And he suddenly found the urge to lean over and kiss her.

So he did.