A creak in the wooden floors had me up and silently walking toward my cracked door. In my boxers and shirt, I crept to the other side of the hallway and saw Hazel. She wore a long jacket, which covered most of her soft, brown skin. Though her natural hairstyle was a dead giveaway to her identity, I’d loved her ringlets that spread wide, volumizing around her head.
My curiosity stopped me from making any noise. She was up to something, and I needed to find out what it was. I couldn’t protect her if she was galivanting in the night without me.
She’d stopped just before walking out the front door. Her head shifted toward the room I’d chosen to stay in. Perhaps she waited for me to come out and demand I tell her to get back to her bed. Seemingly satisfied, she opened the door, unaware I was cloaked in darkness ready to follow.
With quick feet, I crossed the room without a sound and watched as she walked down her driveway suspiciously from the window. I needed to get out there. With skill I’d learned from being in the military, I’d opened her door and crept out without her being aware of my actions.
The trees stopped rippling in the night breeze as she walked by, like they were drawn toward her instead of the wind rustling against them. I’d vaguely wondered if she was sleepwalking. Her slow pace indicated she didn’t need to rush to her destination, except every few minutes of her walk she’d start singing to herself. Despite her love of singing, I didn’t think she was “sleep singing.” Her voice began to loosen every ounce of my control. I wanted to walk up to her and demand she sing for me and only me.
Thankfully, for both of us, headlights broke through the distance ahead of her. I’d rallied my powers within, and the wind around us picked up slightly. I’d ducked behind a tree, close enough to see what would happen and respond, if needed.
“Thanks for coming,” she said to the silhouette that exited the SUV but left it running.
“Had a feeling you wanted to talk in person.” The male chuckled and stepped into the light, his hazel brown eyes shifting to me. He smirked, then focused on Hazel.
Phillip Griffin, head of Griffin Enterprises, was essentially the head of the Hero Society. Interesting. I’d known about the group and their set of powers since the first time they tried to become an entity. That first time, they’d nearly lost the world. Now, after having traveled back in time and resetting things, the society seemed to be doing well protecting mankind. Some with powers remember the year before they reset things, and some didn’t. I envied those who didn’t.
“Yeah, I guess that whole knowing the future thing helps.” Hazel’s smile made my chest ache, longing for her grin to be directed at my undeserving self.
“I’ll probably have to pull back on duties until I figure out my new bodyguard situation. I hope that’s OK.” Her fingers pulled against the tie of her jacket nervously.
“Of course, when you’re truly needed, we’ll signal you.” Phillip nodded and placed a hand on her shoulder in a friendly manner for comfort.
“I know you don’t tell people the future.” She started to speak, and the rest of the words stuck in her throat.
Phillip answered, knowing she would ask anyway. It was a perk of seeing all potential futures like he did.
“I don’t, but I will say I always bet on love. Every time.” He smiled and released his hold on her shoulder.
My heart beat wildly against my rib cage. His gaze darted to me, knowing I stood hidden in a shadow of the large tree beyond her sight.
“I had suspicions you’d say something like that, but it’s not possible.” She sighed, her hands clenched at her sides.
“Keep being the warrior Hazel, and maybe every now and then let a little chink in the armor show.” He gave her one last knowing smile before jumping back in his car and reversing down the driveway.
This conversation wouldn’t have occurred if she didn’t have any involvement with the Hero Society. Hazel was part of their group, which was a confirmation of my fears of Hazel having powers. It solidified the rumor she was being hunted by the Collector.
Chapter Five
Hazel
Part of me hoped Maddie as my new bodyguard would be a dream when I woke up. However, hope burned to little pieces on my wooden floors when I saw him sitting comfortably at my kitchen table with coffee in one hand and a tablet in the other.
“Morning.” His gruff voice did not make a shiver dance down my body. He didn’t look attractive with his messy blond hair that made his blue eyes pop, either. I needed something strong to get me through this day.
I went to make myself a cup of coffee, when I noticed a cup sitting on the table waiting for me. With a sigh, I walked to the cup and peered inside.
“You still like it with a little sugar and milk?” he asked and I nodded, my hands lifting the cup to take a sip cautiously.
“You didn’t have any milk, but I used what was in there. How long have you been a vegetarian?”
Small talk, an indulgence I didn’t care to partake in at the moment.
“A while.” I sipped the coffee and bit back the moan that threatened to give Maddie the satisfaction of making my drink tasty. Not that coffee was a complicated beverage to make, but he remembered exactly how I liked it.
“I think we should talk.” He freed up his hands and looked at me expectantly. I didn’t want to talk with him, and maybe it was childish, but I’d built a wall up around those particular emotions and setting them free didn’t sound fun.
“I’m good. Your job is to be a bodyguard, and while I’m here no one is going to hurt me, so you can do whatever it is you do during the day. I’m going to finish this cup of coffee, eat a yogurt, then head out to my garden. After that, I’ll probably work in my music room, eat lunch, then chill for a bit. Nothing exciting. You don’t have to be around for all the boring stuff.”
