“I may be tiny, but I pack a punch.”
“Nobody knows that more than Kristine.” She laughed, and the sound made me smile.
We entered the woods, and the temperature dropped several degrees.
“I wish I could have killed her like y'all did the guy that attacked me.” She ducked her head and kicked a rock off the path.
I stopped and turned to take her into my arms, the lake within eyesight.
“The fact that you helped me when I’ve been such an asshole to you shows your character. I know you couldn’t kill her without putting yourself in danger, and I wouldn’t want that.” I lifted her so she was eye level to me. “You’re safety will always come first.”
“I wouldn’t wantthat. You’re important to me, too, Jet.”
“You’reeverythingto me, Reverie. Absolutely everything. The military has been my life and other than my parents, it’s the only thing I’ve ever cared about.” I stared deep into her ambereyes, “For you I gave it all up and with not a single regret. I’d steal and kill to keep you. I love you.” I kissed her like this was our last day on Earth.
Suddenly, I felt a burning sensation that enveloped my entire chest. I set Reverie on her feet before falling to my knees.
She gasped, then pulled off her sweatshirt and stared at her chest.
“Jet look.”
I raised my eyes to her even though I was still in pain. When I saw her mark, I forgot my agony, and a grin broke out on my face. The last place in her mark was filled. It was a crimson shield with a tree of life dead center.
I tore my shirt off, and my entire chest was covered with the exact shield in Reverie’s mark. I threw my head back and laughed with sheer joy.
Getting to my feet, I grabbed Reverie and spun her around in circles.
“Put me down, crazy man. The guys are going nuts. You'd better answer them, or they’ll come looking for us.”
I stopped and listened, stunned, when I heard them in my head.
“Did the last piece of the puzzle just fall into place?”Oren sounded distracted.
“Jolly finally got tagged! Just remember, I was first.”That was Nathan of course.
That dick.
“Glad to have you as a brother,”Zeke said solemnly.
“Fuck yeah! Way to go, big guy.”Zane laughed.
I kneeled in front of Reverie and lay my head on her chest.
“I’ll never forget this day for as long as I live.”
“You’re fucking right you won’t,” Kristine said as I was jerked back from Reverie by a clawed hand around my throat.
“Get away from him!” Reverie screamed.
“That depends on you bitch. Did you really think I’d let you try and humiliate me in the arena?” Kristine snarled.
“Let him go, and I’ll call the whole thing off.” My Nexus begged.
“Fuck that. I’m going to kick your ass here and now so my beloved stepbrother can’t help you cheat.” Kristine laughed, “Did you two think you were fooling anyone. I could see the look of worship on his face every time he looked at you.”
I was pulled to my feet and dragged backwards. I turned my head slightly and saw two strange-looking creatures holding each of my shoulders.
Both of them had to be seven feet tall. They were grey, with only patches of hair on their head. The only thing I’d ever seen, similar to them, was a week-old corpse. Dare I say they resembled what I imagined a zombie would look like? What the fuck were these things?
