Page 63 of Treasured Secrets
"What is the light militia?"
He smirked. "We're a group that tracks down and kills the smaller groups of essence thieves who are trying to make their way into the Dramus circle. I hear nowadays there's actually another Craymon running the show."
I nodded. "Dramus had a son." I didn't want to talk about Dramus or any of his mignons, so I shifted the conversation back to him. "So, you have to risk your life all the time? Sounds a little like you enjoy danger."
He let out a laugh before responding. "I'm not an adrenaline junkie or anything, but I owe the bas... I mean, creeps... some payback. I feel a great deal of release when I fight. And it's cheaper than therapy."
He snickered a bit to lighten the seriousness of the conversation.
I sensed there was more to his story than what he was telling. It seemed as though he was holding back painful memories. I didn't want to press the issue. Truth be known, I just wanted to go to rest my mind.
Being away from Tallis for even this short amount of time was making me miserable. I just wanted to check out from the real world for a while.
Olivia poked her head out of the door. "Jared, we have your room ready."
Jared smiled at me as he winked flirtatiously. "So, are we roommates, or am I having to stay down the hall?"
I blushed again, but before I could say anything, Gear was throwing a blob of water at Jared's head. It almost looked like a clear water balloon as it smacked him right in the face. Then I could hear Gear speaking in a scolding tone.
"I told you - hands off!"
Jared wiped his face as he teased, "I knew you were listening. It was just a little joke."
Gear and Olivia laughed from the inside the house, while I tried to drown in humiliation.
I woke up burning up. I glanced over to look at the clock. It was two o'clock in the morning. I huffed in aggravation.
Everyone in the house was immortal, so they often forgot that a mortal needs temperature control.
I got up and walked downstairs to adjust the thermostat. They must've thought that since it was winter I would need it set on eighty-two degrees. I lowered it to seventy-two, and then I looked outside.
There was snow on the ground. I'd never seen so much snow until this year. It was so beautiful the way the moon glistened off the surface of the fluffy white blanket. Then I saw bright colors erupting from around the corner of the house.
I threw on my boots and my jacket, and then I ran outside to investigate. As I rounded the corner, I saw Jared. He stood out there, shirtless, as he blasted streaks of fire across the yard. It seemed to be so effortless for him. The fire that blazed from his hands just seemed to be an extension of him. I could see him swaying back and forth as he kept his eyes focused forward, enjoying the heady power rush.
"Can't sleep, Aria?" he asked in nearly a whisper, startling me.
I didn't even know he knew I was there. I was slightly embarrassed now that he knew I was watching him.
"It was really hot inside, so I got up and saw lights flashing. My curiosity got the better of me."
The fire suddenly disappeared from his hands and he turned to face me. His lean sculpted body reminded me so much of Tallis's. His pants hung low on his waist, and he had a menacing grin when he became aware of my foolish, unintentional gawking.
"Sorry. Immortals forget the most comfortable temperature when there hasn't been a mortal around for a while." Then he smiled at me even cockier then he already was. "You want to come here for a minute?"
My head snapped up suddenly, and I quit drooling like an idiot. "What?" I squeaked, squirming awkwardly.
"Easy, girl," he said softly, trying not to laugh at my skittish reaction. "I was just asking if you wanted to feel the magic. Come here. Trust me."
Trust him? I didn't know him.
He smiled at me as he stuck his hand out, gesturing for me to take it. I was confused by what he was proposing, but I warily put my hand in his hand and mumbled, "Okay."
He pulled me into his arms swiftly, making my breath catch in my throat, and put my back against his chest. I could feel the heat radiating from his body to mine. It wasn't as fiery as Tallis's touch, but things were definitely heating up.
His voice was so soft that it was almost seductive. "Just breathe as I breathe. Inhale as I do, and exhale as I do."
My body was firmly placed against his, and his arms were on top of mine. I followed his body movement, and I could feel something - I just didn't know what it was.
