River Island

Fifteen

Thalia

Once dinner was done I made my way back home and threw myself onto my bead. Axel had agreed to help thank god. I allowed myself to fall asleep tired after the two weeks of torture that had just ended. I prayed i would be able to rest this time.

The next morning I was woken up a scowling Amelia. Why did I have to be so unlucky? She couldn't let me at least sleep in. I was about to get sent of to one month of merciless torture with my father. The least she could do was give me this week free. Or even a day.

"Be at the clearing in ten minutes." She said before walking out of room.

Torture.

I could simply not show up at the clearing. But then she'd double my training or snitch on me to the big guy upstairs. By that I mean daddy dearest. After showering and changing into some training clothes, I dragged myself to our usual meeting place mumbling insults under my breathe. She could have at least gotten me a coffee or an aspirin or something stronger. Or let me sleep. I was about to reach the clearing when I heard movement behind me.

"Lia if you're going to sneak up on me at least be a little more quite." I said stopping. I scanned my surroundings but saw nothing.

Why does this feel oddly familiar?

I kept walking and got to the clearing. The grass was up to my knees here and there were no trees. It was like a giant fighting ring made by nature. If fighting rings had grass that always got in your way and looked like meadows. I looked around still no sign of Lia. I heard movement again and knew someone was following me.

I crouched down sinking into the grass and watched the opening of the forest waiting for someone to pop out. After a couple a seconds I saw some guy step out. He looked around the clearing looking for me.

I flashed behind him and pinned him down my dagger by his throat. He looked up at me and I froze. Familiar green eyes staring up at me. He took my hesitation as an advantage and rolled us around so that he was now hovering above me.

"Hi." He said smiling. I brought my knee up and hit him between his legs.

He rolled off me and I made for my knife. Just as I was about to grab it his hand grabbed my ankle and brought me crashing down. He let go and grabbed my knife with lightning speed. We stood up facing each other and he smirked.

"You're fast." He said twirling the knife in his hand. "But you're gonna need to be faster."

This wasn't Jasper. Definitely not. He looked like him but not exactly. They had the same eyes. Those stupid haunting eyes. Similar features, but this guy lacked that dark aura around him. I was about to pounce on him when Amelia stepped between us.

"Okay. Exercise over." She said.

"What?" I asked furrowing my brows in confusion.

"Thalia. I'd like you to meet Max. He's gonna be helping me train you." She said.

"Pleasure to meet you duchess." He said bowing.

"Why..."

"Do I look like Jasper?" Max said finishing my sentence.

"I was going to say why are you here but sure that too." I said crossing my arms.

Maybe.

"Because I'm unfortunate enough to be related to the idiot." He said throwing me my knife.

I caught it and looked at Amelia for confirmation. Another Jasper? Why don't you just kill me now? Kill me now! I looked at Max who was now dusting his clothes. Well this will be interesting.

"Let me get this straight you're Jasper's what exactly?" I asked.

"Brother." He said.

"And you trust him because." I asked turning to Amelia.

"Max is the good one out of all his siblings. Got more of his mother's flower power and his father's heart. Exact opposite qualities than those his brother inherited. He knows his mothers weak spots so he'll help with that. Also I brought him here for your mental training."

"Mental training?" I asked.

"You hesitated to stab me when you looked me in the eye. Meaning in the event that my brother tries to attack you, you'll hesitate to kill him. So I'm here to get in your head." Max said.

"If you can look Max in the eye with no emotion. Then you can drive a blade through Jasper's heart." Amelia said.

"Because trust me. He won't hesitate to kill you if he has to." Max finished. I sighed knowing they were right. Even though I didn't want to admit that.

"Okay, okay..." I said.

"Good. Now take a break for about five minutes. After that we go into training." Amelia said walking away. I plopped down into the grass.

I closed my eyes trying to sleep a little but I could feel Max's gaze on me. I sighed and looked up at him.

"What?" I asked.

"I'm just curious." He said. I scoffed.

"You really are related." I mumbled to myself. "What are curious about?"

"I know Jasper. I'm his little brother. What I'm trying to understand is what he's planning."

"What makes you think he's planning something?"

"Because you're still alive." He shrugged.

"Maybe he's saving me for later."

"Maybe. Or maybe he likes you." He paused then burst out laughing couching his stomach. What the actual f**k? Hurtful.

"What's so funny? I'm very likeable."

"I know...its just...Jasper having feelings... God that's so funny." He said between laughs.

"Ha ha ha. People change you know." I mumbled. He looked at me then looked as if something clicked in his head.

"True. Who knows? Maybe he has changed. Either way, Jasper never doesn't have something up his sleeve." He sat down next to me. "Just be careful."

"I will." I said going back to trying to sleep.

"Do you like him?" He asked clearly not understanding I wanted to rest.

"How long are you staying for?" I asked.

"As long as I can." He smiled.

Just perfect.