CHAPTER 6
735 Words
For one glorious second, nobody moved.
Then the blonde man pointed dramatically at Kaiden.
“I knew it.”
“You know nothing,” Kaiden replied immediately.
“I know exactly what this is.”
“It isn’t.” Kaiden cut him off.
“Oh, it absolutely is.” The woman on the couch laughed.
I looked from one to the other then back to Kaiden.
His expression suggested this happened often.
“Please tell me they aren’t always like this.”
“No.” Kaiden said without looking particularly concerned by the situation.
Relief washed over me.
It lasted approximately one second.
“They’re usually worse.” he continued with a grin.
The blond man pushed away from the table and walked towards us.
He was tall with broad shoulders. And far too much confidence. The kind of person who smiled like the world existed purely for his entertainment.
“Rowan.” He stopped in front of me and extended a hand.
I looked at the hand.
Then at him.
Then back at the hand.
“She’s suspicious.” His smile widened.
“Nothing gets past you.” Kaiden said dryly
“I like her already.”
“That’s unfortunate.” Kaiden muttered.
I wasn't entirely sure which one of us he felt sorry for.
The woman on the couch snorted.
“I am a delight.” Rowan looked wounded.
“No.” said the woman.
“No.” said Kaiden.
“I bet.” I threw sarcastically.
Rowan pressed a hand dramatically against his chest.
“I have been attacked in my own home.”
“You don’t own this home.” someone called from the kitchen.
“That’s not the point.” Rowan rolled his eyes.
Laughter spread through the room.
My eyes moved around the space taking everything in. Exits, weapons, potential threats.
Old habit.
The woman on the couch was the first to notice.
“You do that a lot.” she teased.
“Do what?” I asked cautiously.
“Scan rooms.”
Damn it. I hated observant people.
“They teach that where you’re from?” she continued pushing.
“I like knowing where the exits are.” I replied dryly trying not to show too much of what was going on inside my head.
“Smart.” A small smile appeared on her face.
I liked her. Which wasn't good. The fewer people I liked, the easier things tended to be.
Kaiden stepped beside me.
“Caelyn, this is Talia.”
The woman raised a hand.
“Talia.”
“Caelyn.” I nodded.
Her smile widened slightly and unlike Rowan’s, hers felt genuine.
But friendliness wasn't something I needed. It made people lower their guard. And lowering my guard wasn’t something I could afford.
A chair scraped against the floor and another man stood.
He’d been sitting quietly near the fireplace. Watching... not talking, not laughing, just observing. He had dark hair, grey eyes and a calm expression. The kind of person who looked like he noticed everything and commented on none of it.
I immediately distrusted him.
“Finn.” He inclined his head slightly.
That was all? No smile, no extended hand, just his name. I found myself liking him more than Rowan already.
“Caelyn.” I introduced myself again.
His gaze lingered on me for a second. Then shifted toward Kaiden with one eyebrow lifted.
A silent question.
Kaiden shook his head almost imperceptibly.
Apparently silent conversations happened here. I wasn’t sure whether that was comforting or alarming.
Probably alarming.
The kitchen door opened and a woman emerged carrying a bowl.
She stopped when she noticed me. Then looked at Kaiden. Then at me. Then back at Kaiden.
“Oh.” A grin slowly appeared on her face.
For some reason, that reaction was becoming increasingly irritating.
“No,” Kaiden said immediately.
“I didn’t even say anything.”
“You were going to.”
“I was.” The grin widened.
“Is this a requirement for joining?” I rubbed my temples.
“Being annoying, yes.” Rowan answered my question with a grin.
The room erupted into laughter. Even Kaiden smiled.
And for a moment—
The tension I’d been carrying all night eased. Not completely, of course. But enough to notice something...
These people weren’t soldiers pretending to be friends.
They were friends pretending to be soldiers.
- Writer
