His Luna Warrior

Chapter Seven: Trouble Maker

Jadea

I hated to admit it, but Garret had been right. It had been stupid to face the vampire scavenger on my own.

I’d found him easily enough and had been able to get him alone. I’d just started questioning him, my powers of persuasion making it easy to glean the information I desired. Just as I learned the vampire had no connection to Valdis, his buddies showed up and dragged me outside where all three pounced on me. It would have been easy enough to fight them off had one of them not sliced my arm with a laced blade.

Demon blood.

I could feel it’s debilitating properties already starting to affect me. I was well acquainted with demon’s blood from my time with my adoptive father’s pack. His training had been unconventional and vigorous. He’d trained me and molded me into the hunter I had become, preparing me for anything I may encounter in the real world, including demon blood and hell hound venom. I knew the effects and remedies to both, but I had been stupid enough not to come prepared. I’d been overly confident…

The amount of poison that had entered my system wouldn’t kill me. It would just incapacitate me enough to give these vampires the upper hand. So they could do whatever they wanted with me. If they so pleased, they could even keep me compliant enough with the poison and sell me. It wasn’t all that uncommon for immortals to capture and sell other immortals into indentured servitude. The abducted immortals would be kept obedient with a small amount of demon’s blood for the extent of their time served so they couldn’t escape.

As the poison spread, I could feel my mind slowly closing off from my pack. All’s I had to do was delay the vampires long enough to give them time to come to my aid. So, I fought them, determined to wound them and delay the inevitable long enough for Garret and Blade to come to the rescue.

By some stroke of luck, some human heard the scuffle and scared off the vampires. They could have easily overpowered the single mortal, but humans tended to congregate in groups, especially at places like this. So where there was one, more would be drawn to the commotion.

The vampires didn’t want to make a scene and get themselves in trouble with the Council—the upholders of the immortal laws; the judge, jury and executioners of the immortal land. Exposing ones self, and ultimately exposing the immortal world, to mortals was a great offense. Humans had developed weapons that could destroy the immortal communities. As we all knew, humans tended not to take kindly to new developments, and ultimately, we would become their next target to annihilate if they ever found out about us.

Before I could make my own escape, my vision swam and I leaned against the wall for support before I passed out. My legs started feeling like jello and I slowly slid down the wall. It would be my luck the human had already called authorities. I just hoped Garret would get here in time to save me from going to the hospital. The moment my blood was drawn and analyzed, I wouldn’t be released.

I felt my ‘savior’s’ presence and blinked to bring him into focus.

“Jadea!?”

Adam!? I couldn’t explain my luck or how fate had brought us together. All I knew was that I was extremely happy to see him and furious all the same.

The stupid human could have gotten himself killed by those vampires! He got lucky they felt threatened enough to leave. I was about to reprimand him until he slapped his hand on my injured arm.

His eyes got really round and, if I hadn’t been contending with the effects of the demon blood, I would have kissed that adorable look from his face. “You’re injured! We need to get you to a hospital.”

Oh thank goodness he hasn’t called them yet! The anxiety in my chest eased some. “No! No hospitals,” I commanded. “I’ll be ok. It’s just a scratch.” He looked at me skeptically, seeing through the bull s**t, knowing there was something else wrong but unable to pinpoint it. “Please.” I willed my powers to work one last time, but the poison had effectively done its job.

“But you’ve been drugged. You should see a doctor.”

Ugh. How did I explain this? “Not…” damn! My speech was slurring. It wouldn’t be long before I couldn’t speak or even walk. “Not the first time,” I was able to get out.

It took a moment for that information to sink in and I could see the displeasure in his eyes at this revelation. He was sweet for being so distraught over this confession. Such a sweetheart. I tried telling him that it would wear off and I would be okay, but I wasn’t sure how much of it was comprehensible.

I was in and out of it from that moment on. I think he wrapped his jacket around me at one point. I blinked and then I was in a car. The driver looked back at me pointedly and asked something. I mustered everything I had to reply accordingly, hoping he had asked if I was ok. It worked.

I couldn’t help but wonder what Adam was thinking. He had to be thinking I was already a handful and it was only day one. Well, better know now how much trouble I was than figure it out later, that way he had plenty of time to run as far and as fast as he could away from me before it was too late.

I made a conscious effort to get myself out of the car and walk into his home. I knew he wouldn’t be able to carry me. As soon as my head hit the pillow, I passed out.

***

An annoying buzzing sound woke me up from the pleasant dreams I was having.

Cracking my eyes open, I fought against the splitting headache that was typical after having been poisoned by demon blood. I wanted to groan as my heavy limbs reached for the phone on the nightstand, but I knew Adam was still fast asleep somewhere and I didn’t want to wake him unnecessarily.

Bringing the phone closer to my face, I saw a message from Garret.

Good morning sleepyhead. Wanted to let you know I am on my way to pick you up. Is there anything I can get for you?

It took my muddled brain a moment to catch up.

Adam had gotten in touch with Garret last night. But why hadn’t he come and taken me off of Adam’s hands then? You have some explaining to do.

Oh really?

Is this some kind of payback, or an I told you so because you were right about those damn vampires?

Both. But I hardly doubt it was an unpleasant experience.

Ugh! I was so going to kill him!

My foggy brain was having a hard time keeping up with this conversation. I needed time to wake up.

Swing by some fast food joint and get a breakfast meal.

For you?

Not for me you nitwit. For Adam.

Yes ma’am. See you soon.

Setting my phone aside, I took stock of the situation. That was when I realized there was an arm settled around my waist. I slowly looked over my shoulder and found Adam fast asleep, his chest barely pressing against my back. He had made sure to separate us by being on top of the blanket and, for some reason, the gesture warmed my heart.

I was surprised I felt the most at peace laying in his arms. It felt soothing.

He felt like home.

Bits and pieces from the early morning hours explained why we were like this. I’d had one of my nightmares again and his touch had calmed me. He had gone outside of his comfort zone to make sure I was taken care of.

He was selflessly adorable.

I carefully moved out from his embrace and eased off the bed. Grabbing my shoes, I made a beeline for the bathroom that was down the hall. Cleaning myself up a bit and doing a quick finger comb of my hair, I made my way out to the living room to wait for Garret.

I’m at the door. He messaged moments later.

Opening it, I told him I would meet him at the car in a few. Taking the peace offering, I walked back into the bedroom and set it on the side of the bed where I had been and placed a note next to it.

I couldn’t help it. Before I left, I silently padded over to his side and stared at him like a creeper would do. I knew why I was attracted to this human, but I couldn’t afford to act on my impulses. It would be so selfish to take him as my own when he had already been through so much. Life had not been kind to him. I could tell by the worry lines on his face and the emptiness I had seen in the depths of his eyes.

When he became restless and creases formed between his brows, I instinctively reached down to smooth them out but paused right before my fingertips touched his skin. Sighing, I pulled back. It wasn’t right for me to do this if I had no intention of forming a relationship. His problems and past were his own. And it would do neither of us any good if I inserted myself into the picture now.

I knew he would wake up soon and it was best if I made my getaway now before I convinced myself to stay.

When I got in the car with Garret, nothing was said. There were no snide remarks, no banter, nothing. And, honestly, nothing needed to be said in that moment when he drove away from Adam’s apartment.

Garret reached over and took my hand as I let the silent tears run down my face, my heart breaking from the decisions I had made.