Mixed Worlds

Chapter Sixteen - Freaky In The Sheets

        I wake up the next day, unsure of what time it was. No alarm to wake me up, no Lucas pounding on the door, no strange dream. Just a deep, dreamless sleep. I’m a little sore down below, but I guess that’s expected due to the events from last night. I look around and realize I’m in the same position that Jack and I fell asleep in. He’s behind me with his arm is under my pillow, and his other arm is draped across my stomach. Our fingers are intertwined and I can’t help but smile. The sound of his soft snoring is like music to my ears. I gently caress his arm, and slowly turn myself around so I can face him. His expression is soft, and calm. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so relaxed. I bring my hand up to his face, and run my fingers through his hair. His long brown curls fall perfectly and accentuates his jawline. As my hand stops in the middle of his neck and shoulder, he wakes from his slumber. He smiles at me, and puts his hand over mine.  

            “Good morning.” He says softly. He slides his hand down my arm to my hip and pulls me in close, and kisses me softly. “Did you sleep okay?”

            I nod. “I think that was the best sleep I’ve had in a very long time.” I prop myself up on his chest and kiss him again. “Do you know what time it is?” He reaches behind him and turns my alarm clock so he can see it.

            “It’s just after 8:30. We slept for over 12 hours. I guess we both really needed a good sleep?” He says as he chuckles. “We should get up though, Lucas picked up groceries yesterday so let’s make a big breakfast.” He rolls over, and puts on his jeans, turns and holds out his hand. “Come on, I’ll make us an omelette and you can make the bacon and toast.” I smile and take his hand. 

            “Sounds like a plan.” He picks me up into his arms and I wrap my legs around his waist. I get pulled down for yet another kiss, and I can’t help but smile.

            “I love you Ally.” I hug him and give a soft kiss to his neck. “I know you don’t want to say it yet, and I’m okay with that.” He kisses my forehead and sets me down.

            “I’m sorry, I just haven’t been like this with anyone before and this is all new to me. You know I care about you a lot, and I do love you, I just don’t think it’s in the same way that you love me. Not yet.” I place a hand on his cheek and give him a chaste kiss on the lips. “We can talk more later. I’m hungry and I bet you are too.” He nods and slaps my ass as I was towards my closet to get dressed.

             I throw on a pair of spandex shorts, a red sports bra and pull a baggy sweater on and tuck the front into my shorts. I pull my hair up into a bun, and walk out. I toss Jack his shirt and he slides it on over his head. I take Jack’s hand, and we walk out of my room towards the kitchen. I go to the fridge to take out the eggs, bacon and butter. I set them on the counter and I take a glance at him. I gasp as I see that he has a set of bright red scratch marks with fresh scabs across his chest. “Jack! Your chest!” He looks down and sees the marks I left on him from last night.  

        “Oh. I didn’t even notice.” He traces the scratches with his fingers and laughs. “Heat of the moment I guess?” I walk over and place my hands over the marks. 

        “I’m so sorry I didn’t think it was that hard.” I look up at him, and he smiles at me. I looks back at my hands, and close my eyes. “I’m sorry.” 

            Before he can respond, I feel a warmth under my hands and open my eyes. A soft yellow glow appears under my hands, and I gasp yet again. “What…?” I whisper. Then I remember something that Athena told me. ‘When you or the ones you love are hurt or in danger, your powers will be triggered, and you may be able to heal most injuries, and protect yourself and others against evil.’ 

            “Woah, that’s cool.” The glow fades and I pull my hands away. I gasp when I see that the very fresh marks were gone, not leaving a single scar.

            “Not a single mark… that’s so weird…” I turn my hands over and look at them. On the inside of my right wrist, I see a mark. I c**k my head in confusion and look up at Jack. He takes my hand and looks at the mark that looks more like a tattoo. With a staff in the middle, and two snakes winding around it, it looks vaguely familiar.

            “It’s the Rod of Asclepius… It’s the Greek symbol for healing. I read it in one of the books from the library when you were asleep after Athena left.” Jack says. He traces his fingers along the tattoo. “Maybe with each new ability you come across, a new one appears. After we eat let’s look through some books and see what other ones there are, and maybe we can use that to start learning about your powers.”

            “I think that’s a good place to start.” My stomach growls. “But first, food.” Jack and I jump when we hear Lucas clear his throat behind us. We turn around and see the shocked expression across his face, wide eyes and all. 

            “What the hell was that?” I blush. How am I supposed to explain to Lucas what happened? Jack reads my mind yet again and begins to speak. 

            “There were some scratches on my chest and when Al noticed, she placed her hands on them and fixed them right up. Some kind of healing power she has.” He wraps an arm around me, and holds me close.

        Lucas raises an eyebrow, and makes an ‘o’ with his mouth. “Ah. I get it. Got freaky in the sheets and scratched up Jackie eh? Nice matching hickeys by the way.” He points to the side of his neck below his ear. Jack and I both grab our necks and Lucas laughs. 

            “Oh shut it Lucas. You’ve come home looking much worse.” I say with a sneer. He raises his hands in defence and walks over to the table. He slides the chair back and takes a seat.

            “So, you two have a good sleep?” He says with a cocky grin. At the same time, Jack and I both say;

“Oh shut UP Luke!” I roll my eyes and turn back to the unmade pile of food. I take the bacon out of its package and place a pan on the stove. 

        “You better keep quiet before I make you starve.” I point the spatula to him and squint my eyes.

        “Okay! Can you at least make sure I’m not in the house next time?” I spin around and throw a raw piece of bacon at Lucas’ head.

        “For the record, we didn’t realize you were home. Last we knew, you went to get groceries and we never heard you come back. We thought you came back after we went to sleep.” Jack says as he cracks an egg into a bowl. He looks over at me and winks. “Whatever time it was that we finally fell asleep.” I drop my mouth and smack him with the spatula. He pulls me into a side hug and rubs my back and kisses me on the top of my head while he uses his free hand to whisk up the eggs.

        “Okay, so I’m gonna go shower and I’ll be back out when the food is ready and you guys aren’t so touchy-feely.” Lucas says as he walks down the hall towards the bathroom.

        Jack and I cook together in silence, making eggs, bacon, breakfast sausage and toast. I set the table, and Jack grabs the peanut butter and jam from the pantry. Right as we sit down, Lucas comes walking back and joins us. I’m. Thinking about what I want to do today, and I have a few options: 1, Dive right into training, 2, Try and get answers out of Christian, or 3, see if there’s a case that needs to be solved. 

        “After we’re done, I think I’m gonna go and try to get some answers out of Christian. Maybe a new power will kick in that can be of use. Would you guys want to come with me?” I set my fork down and wipe my face. Jack and Lucas share a look, and they both look back at me. 

        “I understand Jack, but why me? Not that I mind, I’m just wondering considering you told me to stay away.” Lucas scratches the back of his head as he sets his fork down. 

        “You guys have dealt with a lot of vampires, most of which you’ve never been personally involved with. I’ve only ever hunted them out of rage for my family, and I think you guys can help with areas that I can’t. Jack is more emotionally invested with me, and a part of me feels like you’ll probably end up being the logical one.” I reach and take Jack’s hand in mine. “If you guys don’t want to, I understand.” Jack kisses my hand, stands up, and begins to clear the table. He sets the dishes in the sink, and puts all the condiments away. Lucas and I keep looking at each other, and back at Jack, wondering why he isn’t talking. “Jack?” I ask with a concerned tone. 

        Jack turns around and leans his back against the counter, and sighs. “I think we need to come up with a plan first. Who’s going to do what, who’s gonna say what, and who’s going to be able to cut things off.” He crosses his arms. “ I think Lucas should be the one to question him with you, and I’ll stand back. If I see you pushing too hard, I think you’ll listen to me before you listen to him. We’ll need vervain, your blade, and a wooden stake in case he gets creative.”  I turn in my chair and face him.  I take a deep breath and brace myself for their reaction at what I’m about to say. 

        “I think we need to untie him.” They both begin to protest, so I hold my hand in the air signalling them to wait. “We should untie him, and chain him instead. I have chains that have a chamber for vervain, and little needles that poke into his wrists and ankles. It’ll keep him weak, but if he’s more comfortable, he might give us some information. I also think that our normal good-cop/bad-cop routine wont work either. He’s stubborn, and he’s smart.” I take another deep breath and wait for them to speak.

        Lucas speaks first. “I think you’re right. He’s been sitting in a chair for two months now, and he’ll probably appreciate being able to move around a bit. Not that I think he deserves it. But where do we start? How do we know what will be the right thing to say?” He looks at Jack. “What do you think?”

        Jack runs his hands through his hair, and walks back over to the table. He sits facing me, and leans over and places a hand on my knee. “I think we need help.”

        I know what he means when he says this. “We need someone who knows how to interrogate a vampire. I think I know who to call.” I stand up, and walk to my room to get my phone. After three years, it’s time to call someone who I promised myself that I wouldn’t bother again. 

        I go into my contacts, and click on the first name in my phone. I second guess myself, but I know this needs to be done. 

                    It’s time to call Anna Blake.