'But, they don't know who you are,' returned the mental voice, wolfie.
Which was why their words were assumptions.
Brian strolled out from the shadows of the trees, shaking his head in disappointment. "You shouldn't talk ill of others behind their back, Summer. It's not very nice."
I almost laughed at the bastard. He was the one to talk. Pfft.
The human stiffened at his voice before stepping closer to her leader. Brian's nose wiggled while he glared at her, stopping at Amy's side. Who seemed to be applying a dark green paste on Brianna's neck.
"And, why are you," Courtney pointed at Brian as she and Jake walked up to the small group, "on his side? Aren't you two enemies?"
Things were not always how they seemed.
Everyone froze. Brian shifted on his feet. "All I'm saying is that she should tell him how she feels in front of his face rather than behind his back."
His sharp response nulled the attention. Their gaze returned to Brianna's neck.
Jake rubbed his chin. "As much as Summer is right. Brian has a point."
The human threw her hands in the air. Ruddy curls bounced on her shoulders. "Sure, why not? Why don't I just walk up to him tomorrow and say, hey, Kyle? Why are you a jerk? Is it because you were born an asshole?"
Eric and Drew snickered behind her.
"Oh, that would be an awesome conversation," she went on. "But, I love my neck on my body, thank you very much." She glanced at Brianna's neck and swallowed.
Jake eyed the human as if pondering her statements for a slight second. "Yeah, I guess you're right. But, I doubt you would be able to ask all of that. He'd probably rip your neck off for just talking to him. If it's one species he hates more than witches are humans."
No, I didn't hate humans. They were conniving little creatures that would stab anyone in the back at the littlest of offer. Thrust and loyalty were attributes I adored. Most humans had neither. It was best to stay away from all. Like witches.
A sharp gasp echoed through the trees. The human's palms circled her neck. "Thank you for the vivid image."
Another set of snickers erupted behind her.
"You know," Brian returned. "I don't get it. How can such a small person have such a big mouth?"
Eric and Drew's snickers grew into a fit of laughter. The human stuck out her tongue at Brian when he looked away.
Their silliness quelled my thoughts and warmed my heart. They reminded me of a family. However, it vanished once Brianna's sharp hiss found my perked ears.
"Sorry, I did say it would sting," Amy apologized, blowing on the side of Brianna's neck.
I stepped closer, trying to cipher what Amy used on Brianna's wound. Nevertheless, Brianna stiffened. Then she swiveled around to face me. Her heart picked up speed while purple eyes glowed that vibrant darker shade. She leaned forward and squinted her eyes. All attention was aimed in my direction. For a few more seconds she stayed in that position until she whipped back around, and shot to her feet.
"We should go now."
Brian eyed her with uncertainty. "Are you sure? Aren't you still feeling pain?"
Why was he so helpful?
'Because she's his Sire. He's supposed to care,' grumbled the mental voice, wolfie.
"No, I'm fine," she hissed, rushing past him. Then disappeared among the trees.
Brian sighed as everyone followed after her.
Backing away from my hidden spot, I sprinted through the trees in the direction of the tunnel. Inside the narrow passage, I transformed back to my human form, and walked the rest of the journey, deeper into the tunnel.
"Tan, tah, dah, daah! The prodigal son has returned," Colin announced when I stepped into the larger part of the tunnel.
He laid on the bed while Josh sat on the trunk. Both harbored their cell phones in hand.
I almost forgot I had cast an entry spell on them. "Why did I show them here again?" I questioned aloud, strolling to the shower.
"Because we're your bestest friends in the whole wide world," Colin answered right off the bat, sitting up on the bed.
"Awe, we love you, too," Josh chided.
Ignoring them, I turned the faucet on. Water sprinkled out the showerhead, washing away the dirt from my body.
Colin got to his feet and stepped closer. "So," he drawled, leaning on the wall a small distance away, "you and the witch."
My gaze flashed to his. An impish grin sat on his face. It never went unnoticed how his words were assembled as a statement rather than a question.
Josh, too, came closer. "Yep, you and the witch looked pretty cozy today." He folded his arms across his chest.
I rolled my eyes. Turned the faucet off, and then trotted past them to the trunk of clothes.
"You know, I think hate sex is the best," Colin sing sang.
No one asked you your opinion.
"The best part is, you guys don't have to communicate afterward," Josh joined. He formed a fist at his mouth. "Pfff!" It opened with the word. "Like nothing happened."
I doubt I would be able to forget one night. I couldn't even forget her scent or the way her tongue felt.
Colin released a dreamy sigh. "All that pepped up anger. All the stress, and frustration being released all at once." His lids drifted close. "That cute little face of hers red with pleasure as she rides your d—"
"You're forgetting she's a fucking witch," I snapped.
"A very hot, fuckable witch," Colin added. His eyes now opened.
Josh flopped down on the mattress and rolled on his back. "I love fucking witches. Especially when they're powerful. They always seemed to know how to do these little magic tricks in the middle of sex." He shivered at his words.
Colin sighed, and sank beside him. "It always takes my breath away. Literally."
Fucking assholes.
"Thanks for your input, but my dick will never go anywhere near that witch or any other witch." I pulled on my pants and grabbed a shirt.
"Not every witch is like Scarlett, you know." Josh propped himself on his elbow and rested his head in his hand.
I stiffened at the name.
"Yeah," Colin agreed. "She's probably halfway across the world right now. You can relax and have fun."
I glared at the two men called my friends. It took me centuries before I could trust anyone again. Yet, I chose to trust them. I often adored their candid personalities. Now, it was as if they took perverse satisfaction in annoying me.
Scarlett was a crafty witch. She knew how to play the game of deception. She always struck me when I was off guard. Therefore, I couldn't let my guard down. Josh and Colin knew this. Yet, they refused to acknowledge it. I made the mistake once; never again.
Witches overall were a huge danger zone. I would never get tangled with another. Not even if she smelt great and was my last source of oxygen.
"So, I'm guessing you won't be fucking the witch?" Colin questioned with his head cocked, studying me.
The question grated on my every nerve.
I threw on my shirt and treaded to the ladder leading to the overhead door.
Josh took my silence as a response. "Hmmm, your life is sad."
"So sad," Colin agreed. A second tick passed before he continued with a, "You think she'll go for me?"
Josh hummed aloud as if pondering the question. "I don't know, man. You did get on her nerves on the first day of school. From what I've heard, she doesn't like alpha males."
"Really? I guess Brian isn't all that alpha then. But, I can't say she isn't hot. Maybe I'll give it a try."
"I don't know. Maybe jerk off to the idea first. It'll take the pressure off. She is royalt—"
I climbed the ladders, leaving the two behind. Their conversation didn't sit well with me, and giving a reaction would only contradict my words earlier.
Still, I needed to get far away from those two fuckers.