Jack had to force himself to focus on his friend. "I'd like to take a look around town later today."
"Wake me when you're ready."
William turned and walked up the stairs with more energy than most humans would have after a night of no sleep, but lack of sleep was something William tolerated with far more ease than the average human. They had learned last year that William most likely had vampire DNA in him when Aria had survived the change from human to vampire.
Hannah released a soft noise when Jack rose from the table. Her eyes flitted away when he turned toward her. He hadn't thought it was possible but the color that crept into her cheeks made her even more appealing. There were few times in his life that he'd been enchanted by something, but he was beginning to feel a little bewitched by this woman before him.
"Just ring the bell if you need something," she blurted.
As she hurried up the stairs Jack couldn't help but wonder if something would include herself.
***
"This is one strange little town," William muttered as he looked around at the people and vampires staring at them with open curiosity.
"Word has probably spread as to who we are."
"As to who you are my friend," William retorted.
"Your sister is the queen," Jack reminded him.
William scowled at him as he ran a hand through his already disheveled hair. Over the last year his shoulders had become broader; he'd put more muscle and bulk onto what had once been a frame kept slender by lack of food. Starvation wasn't a concern for him anymore though and his body had developed into the physique it was meant to have. William was still about an inch shorter than him, at about six foot two, but Jack was beginning to think that William would become broader than him soon.
"I always knew Aria would drag me down with her," William said.
Jack released a bark of laughter as they stepped off the wooden sidewalk and made their way across the street to the other sidewalk. Dust kicked up around their feet from their passing over the cobblestone street, the particles of it drifted through the crisp mountain air. They walked past an assortment of stores and homes, some of which had their shutters closed over the windows and others that held welcoming signs. He spotted people and vampires moving around within some of the stores and sitting at tables within the small diner.
On the surface it appeared to be like so many of the other towns he had passed through over the years but he couldn't shake the feeling that there was something different about this one. Most of the occupants openly watched them but none of them spoke to either he or William. He got the distinct impression that they wanted to though, some of them took a few steps closer as if to start a conversation. A young vampire child stopped to watch them but his mother grabbed hold of his arm and pulled him in the other direction.
"Do we stink?" William asked and surreptitiously sniffed at his armpit.
"Something around here does," Jack said as a human couple stopped to watch them before retreating into a thrift store.
At the end of the road an old Victorian with two turrets jutting out the top of it, rose into the sky. It loomed over top of the other buildings like some ominous gargoyle marking its territory. Nearing the massive gray and black home, Jack knew who it belonged to even before he saw the wrought iron gate with two foot spikes jutting out the top of it, surrounding the property. Two dogs, each about the size of a pony, patrolled behind the gates in a pattern that had worn the grass down to dirt around the perimeter. The fading rays of the sun glinted on the windows as the sun slipped over the horizon.
William let out a low whistle. "I guess we know who owns that house."
"Hmm." Jack rubbed at his chin as he studied the formidable structure that sported fresher paint, newer roof and windows, and almost ten times the space as most of the buildings and homes surrounding it.
"Are you going to go in there and act all princely with him again?"
It had been amusing when William had turned that cocky smirk on Braith, he didn't find it amusing now. "I'd like to learn a little more about this place, and him, first."
Turning around, their boots clunked on the wooden walk as they strode back toward the tavern. It grated on his nerves that humans and vampires continued to step aside to let them pass by. He grew so tired of it that he threw the door open on the next business they came across. Shadows hugged the two dozen or so racks of clothing set up within the small store. A young woman, with hair the color of the sun, lifted her head from where she had been resting it on her arms. William perked up like a happy puppy being offered a bone as he sent Jack a questioning look.
"Human," Jack confirmed as he caught the faint beat of her heart.
William was smiling confidently as he strode toward the young woman. Jack shook his head and began to weave through the racks of clothes to the back of the store. His fingers trailed over the wool clothing that wasn't as fine as the wool and sometimes even silk cloth in the towns closest to the palace, but it was a far sturdier quality than the flaxen materials he'd worn while he'd been with the rebels in the woods. His fingers idly rubbed at the material as his mind drifted away to another time and place…
"Here you go."
Jack stared at the young girl that thrust the clothes into his hands and gave him a lopsided smile. Her auburn hair gleamed in the sun's rays, dirt streaked her freckled face but her teeth were good and she appeared healthy even though the edge of her collarbone stuck out from beneath her shirt. She didn't look any older than thirteen or fourteen but there was an air surrounding her that made her seem twenty years older.
In fact, there was something about all the humans gathered within the woods that made them seem at least twenty years older. He glanced at the faces surrounding him. Though he saw pride and determination in their set chins and steadfast gazes, he also saw an air of acceptance that their lives would never be any better than this, that most of them wouldn't live past fifty, and that if they were caught they faced a fate worse than death.
"They might not be the right size but given time, and proper measurements, someone should be able to make you something that fits you better. I don't sew but there are some other women in the camp that can help you with it when the need arises," the girl continued. She thrust out a slender hand that was marred with scratches and cuts. Her palm was rough against his when he took hold of it and shook it. "Aria."
"Jack."
She nodded as she released his hand and hefted a bow onto her back. "Welcome to the forest, Jack."
"I've been in the woods for a couple of years now."
The smirk she shot him made him realize that though she looked innocent, there was a mischievousness within her that made him want to hide his meager belongings. "But you haven't been here before, and this is where all the fun is," she told him.
"Aria, be good." David stepped forward and rested his hand on her bony shoulder. "You don't want to scare him off before he gets to know everyone else."
She shrugged but love radiated in her gaze as she tilted her head to look up at David. "William is the one that scares everyone off."
"Sure he is. Go on now, William is looking for you. He's going on a hunting trip with Max."
"Ok dad." She squeezed David's hand before darting away with the grace of a cat. Jack frowned as David watched her go with a look of adoration that he'd never seen on his father's face, and never would. David turned back to him. "The twins are a handful but they mean well."
Jack nodded and adjusted his grip on the new clothes in his arms. He hadn't been living in the lap of luxury these past two years, but he'd at least had a roof over his head and a cot to lie on. Looking through the trees he spotted scattered beds made out of leaves, worn blankets, and rolled up clothes being used for pillows. He caught a glimpse of Aria making her way through the woods with a redhead that he assumed was her brother William, and a slender blond boy that must be Max.
"I'm sure they do," Jack assured him.
"Maybe one day, if we
're successful, I'll be able to give my children a better life. The life that they deserve." Jack didn't know how to respond to that so he remained silent. "We have even less here than what you're used to, but there are nearby caves that we also use for shelter. In the spring and fall we tend to spend more time outside, but a lot of our supplies are stashed within the caves. I'll show them to you at some point. Daniel has a talent for designing traps and latches that is ingenious, and keeps our supplies protected."
Jack's ears pricked at the mention of the caves and supplies stashed within them, but even as he thought of those supplies his gaze landed upon the people gathered by a small river trickling through the encampment. They had so little and yet they were laughing as they washed their clothes and hung them from the tree branches.
"There are no fires above ground; we can't attract the attention of the troops that patrol the woods. All the cooking is done within the caves too," David continued.
Daniel was waiting for them by a cluster of trees. He spoke as he turned to walk through the woods. "There's an area back here that's not as crowded, but if you would prefer something else I'm sure we could find it for you."
Daniel pointed to a pile that had been created out of leaves and blankets. Jack stared at it as he finally realized that this was where he was supposed to sleep from now on. There was no privacy, no roof. There was nothing but the trees above for protection from the elements.
What have I gotten myself into? He thought.
But even as the thought crossed his mind, he felt as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. There was nothing here, there were no expectations, there was no one to hate him and try to destroy him mentally now that he was too old for fists. There was no Caleb or Braith to live in the shadow of. There was simply him and he could be anything he aspired to be here. He could almost even be one of these rebels, for now. He'd have to return to the palace one day, but it would be his choice when he went back and as he stood there he realized it wasn't going to be anytime soon.
There was still much to learn about the rebel forces after all, or at least that was what he told himself, and what he would tell his father when he returned.
"This will be fine," he assured Daniel.
"Unless you become known with the king's soldiers you can still move in and out with the outer rebel units, you can also return to the homes whenever you would like," David told him. "If you're ever spotted or recognized though, you can't return to the outer units. We have a few people here that are unable to move back and forth because they'll be recognized. If you're careful it shouldn't be a problem. Even I am still able to move through the outer towns and I've been doing this my entire life."
"I understand," Jack assured him.
"We'll let you get settled and take a look around the camp."
Jack nodded and watched the father and son walk away with their heads bent close together before turning his attention to his new surroundings. He could see his fingers through the flimsy brown material as he ran them under the inside of the cloth. He'd never owned clothes so thin and so poorly constructed before, but he had earned these clothes. They were the first things in his life that he'd ever truly merited and he was strangely proud of that fact as he placed them on his crudely constructed bed. For the first time in years, he was actually happy as he looked around the woods.
The material slipped from Jack's hand as the sound of a bell ringing pulled him from the memory. He blinked at the shadowy interior of the store, briefly disoriented by his surroundings. Recognition and clarity filled him when the smell of apple blossoms penetrated through the scents of cloth, molasses, oat, and the coppery tang of human blood to catch his attention. Stepping away from the rack of clothes, he found her instantly within the dark store. She was an enticing beacon of light that drew him as surely as the apple blossom scent that she emitted.
There were those that had seen ghosts that didn't look as startled as she did to see him. The small gasp that escaped her drew his attention to her full mouth. An entirely kissable mouth, he decided as a possessive urge he'd never felt before swelled like the rising tide within him. His fangs pricked as her aroma became even more heightened in the air.
- CHAPTER 6 -
Hannah knew how a lamb felt when confronted with a mountain lion. Though she tried, she couldn't force her gaze away from his as he observed her from the shadows. There seemed to be some sort of inner glow within the pewter colored eyes focused upon her. For the first time in her life she found herself thinking that she should have worn a better dress or done something with her hair other than brushing it. She fought against the urge to play with the high collar of the plain blue dress. She was uncomfortably aware of the fact that a few areas on the lower part of her skirt had become nearly see through over the years.
The store around her seemed to fade away as every molecule within her became focused on him. In that instant she craved nothing more than to be the shadows sliding over his body as he rested his arm on the rack and leisurely leaned against it. Her fingers curled into her skirt as the longing to touch him began to take her over.
She didn't understand why he was staring at her like that though. He was a prince; she was a simple vampire, and a flawed one at that. Hannah wasn't oblivious to the fact that others thought she was beautiful; Calvin had started making that excessively clear when she'd reached maturity. She was certain this man had seen many beautiful women over the years though, and they probably hadn't worked in a tavern, in a town that most didn't even know existed.
"Hannah! It's so good to see you." She reluctantly tore her attention away from Jack as Kara stepped out from behind the front counter. Hannah had become so focused on Jack when she'd entered that she hadn't even noticed William leaning against the counter by Kara. "I have those shoes for you," Kara continued.
Hannah managed a smile as she forced herself not to look at the predator to the left of her again. She knew that's exactly what he was too, a predator, and for some reason he was hunting her. The distant tick of the clock from the back of the store sounded as loud as hoof beats in her ears as Kara went to retrieve the shoes Hannah had brought in for repair last week.
Unable to resist anymore, her eyes slid toward Jack as he stepped away from the rack. It didn't make her feel any better that she gulped while a smile tugged at the corners of his thick upper lip. Heat crept through her body everywhere that his eyes touched upon. She'd never thought it was possible to feel this excited and uncertain of someone as his gaze came back to hers.
"Here you go." She almost jumped out of her skin when Kara thrust her shoes at her. She'd been so focused on him that she hadn't realized Kara had returned.
Her fingers were stiff as she took hold of the shoes. "Thank you. How much do I owe you?"
"I'll take a dinner tonight for me and mom."
Hannah smiled and nodded. "That can certainly be done."
She rigidly turned away from Jack and hurried toward the front door. She was eager to escape the suddenly cramped store. The crisp air was refreshing against her overheated skin as she stepped onto the sidewalk and hurried away. Things were going to start picking up at the tavern soon and she would be needed to help, but she still had one more stop to make before she returned.
A jolt, like the one she got from rubbing her feet on a carpet and then touching something metal, went through her as a warm hand slid around her elbow. She didn't have to see him to know who was touching her. Her body instinctively reacted to his and though she'd had no thoughts of doing so she found herself swaying toward him.
He gave her a crooked grin that revealed an endearing dimple in his right cheek as she tilted her head back to look at him. "I thought I'd walk back with you."
The words were spoken in a gravelly tone of voice that made her belly feel as if it had a dozen hummingbirds flitting around in it. What was wrong with her? She'd been around plenty of men in her life; she'd grown up in a tavern for crying out loud. She'd even seen men as good looking as he was,
or almost as good looking anyway. Calvin was exceptionally handsome too in a prettier kind of way, but none of them had ever had this kind of an effect on her.
"I'm not going back right now," she informed him.
"I'll keep you company then, if you don't mind."
How could anyone mind when he had his head cocked in that playful way? "No, not at all. Thank you for your help this morning."
"I'm in town to make sure things are being run the way they should be now that Braith is in charge," he replied as if it was completely normal to drop the king's given name like that, but she supposed to him it was.
He didn't release her elbow as he stepped off the sidewalk with her. In fact, his fingers slid over her flesh and caressed her in a way that made the cool air suddenly feel as if it was fire against her skin. Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at him to see if he felt anywhere near as unsettled by her as she felt by him. He remained focused on the large brick building with the dome top that she was heading for. She'd been told that at one time the dome had been the color of gold, and gleamed even at night, but age and the weather had turned it a dingy color that was somewhere between brown and a mossy green.
Ever since she was a little girl, she'd had the urge to climb up there and clean the dome to reveal what was underneath, but she'd grown to realize that just like with other things in life, sometimes what was underneath wasn't worth revealing. She wondered if that was true about him as she watched the prince at her side. His outside was flawless but what was inside? Had power twisted and corrupted him in the same way that it had twisted and corrupted Calvin? Or had Calvin always been twisted on the inside?
She was embarrassed to be caught staring when he glanced at her but she didn't look away. She searched his gaze but she didn't see anything malicious or suspicious there, not like what she saw within Calvin's eyes when he looked at her or at anyone. No, looking into Jack's eyes she saw only warmth and compassion and a place where she could get lost for hours.